Challenges in Film-Making: Post Production
Viewership of films- lack of awareness and disinterest among the local Tamil Population
○ Even those aware lack interest in watching and supporting our own local film industry
■ At official premieres of feature films or local movies done by production houses, the audience are generally made up of people from the Singaporean Tamil Film industry and not from anyone outside of the film fraternity
Publicity for films- lack of budget for mainstream publicity
○ With budget constraints and an existing lack of revenue from the production of these films, social media is the main medium that is used to promote the films
○ Advertising on mainstream media is expensive, especially for those who are new to the field
○ Mainstream media, however, is the most effective way to reach out to the majority of the Tamils in Singapore.
■ Lack of support for locally produced content from mainstream content providers such as imposition of advertising costs on filmmakers or dependence on connections within the industry itself for its promotion
■ This is in contrast to other countries. In Malaysia, the support for local work from the government and the audience is immense.
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For example, anytime a particular film is telecasted, a certain amount of payment is guaranteed for the artistes.
They also receive remuneration if their original songs are broadcasted on radio.
○ Therefore, the use of social media by local filmmakers for publicity and outreach of their films has become more prevalent than mainstream media.
■ Resulting in limited reach only to the social circles of those involved in the film production as well as the more digitally savvy younger generation
○ Even amongst Youth, social media can only reach out to those who are already engaged with the language-related activities, and is not able to reach out to a larger youth population
Local Recognition vs. International Recognition
○ No community platform / initiatives in Singapore to boost the local works
■ Most of the platforms created to showcase local Tamil films are by filmmakers themselves Eg. Indbox by Blacspice Media
○ Local media industry is afraid to take the risk of supporting local artistes. They are unwilling to stake their reputation on local works as they are concerned about the commercial viability of such works.