‘SCRIPTWRITERS MUST THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX’
Disappointed with stereotypical dramas flooding TV channels recently, Erma Fatima wonders if scriptwriters are afraid to come up with original ideas, writes
AWARD-WINNING actress and director Erma Fatima believes that local scriptwriters should have some dignity when producing their work.
“Instead, we’re bombarded by TV dramas with similar plots, day in and day out. Balik-balik cerita cinta yang dihalang oleh mak bapa (it’s always about love relationships forbidden by parents).
“It’s like watching the same drama with the same script, but with a different cast,” she said at the pre-launch of Drama Festival Kuala Lumpur (DFKL) 2018 at Nate Bistro in Ara Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, recently.
Erma, 49, a scriptwriter herself, said her compatriots needed to be daring and come up with original ideas.
“Viewers want variety in TV dramas,” she said.
Asked if scriptwriters and producers were only coming up with such stereotypical work because of requests from TV stations, Erma dismissed it outright.
“As producers, we have a role in educating viewers. To continue allowing such stereotypical plots in our dramas just shows that we are not thinking out of the box, and that we are not moving with the times.”
Erma also said this showed that scriptwriters and producers had run out of ideas when they kept churning out dramas that were adapted from Malay novels.
“Come on, let’s be a little original and put out stories that are unique, fresh, thought-provoking and laced with positive messages,” she said.
On another matter, Erma is thrilled that her thea re perforis mance, a monologue, set to be staged at Istana Budaya in July.
Others involved in the project are Fauziah “Ogy” Ahmad Daud, Erra Fazira, Maya Karin, Lisa Surihani and Vanidah Imran.
“Details are still sketchy, but this is one project that is close to our hearts. Each of them will come out with their own monologue content,” said Erma.
Apart from that, she is also planning to do a spin-off of the successful 1994 telemovie Pengantin Popular, which she starred in with Ogy.
“Both of us will be playing the same characters we played in the original drama, but this time around, the story revolves around our daughters,” said Erma, who is looking for two young actresses for the roles.