ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY READY TO ROLL
Industry players thankful for govt decision to allow filmmakers, cinemas to operate
FILMMAKERS and entertainment associations are more than ready to get back to work after the government allowed the creative industry to operate under strict standard operating procedures (SOP).
Malaysian Television Producers’ Association president Datuk Jurey Latiff Rosli said the move was timely.
He urged filmmakers and television producers to take good care of employees, actors and actresses by strictly observing the SOP.
“The most impor- tant message we tell our members is to regularly sanitise your hands, wear face masks and observe physical distancing.
“Information technology allows us to conduct online auditions, which is the new normal for all.”
Malaysian Film Producers’ Association (PFM) president Pansha
Nalliah said the move was long awaited.
“This great news has come after calls by PFM and other associations in the entertainment industry for the gradual reopening of filming activities.” Filmmaker Datin Paduka Shuhaimi Baba said: “This is the best news I’ve heard this year. Once again, we can shoot outdoors and across district boundaries whenever possible. All of us have prayed hard for this to happen.
“The Movement Control Order
(MCO) crippled many film projects. Not being able to shoot indoors and outdoors caused huge losses to all of us.
“Now we have to face higher costs because of the long delays. The protocols limit the number of people on set and the work may be slower, but it is better than no activity.”
Persatuan Karyawan Malaysia president Datuk Freddie Fernandez said while shooting was still not allowed in some areas, he hoped the government would allow it in due course.
“Great news. We hope clubs and music venues will open again
soon. They have been closed for a year, causing many musicians to be out of work.
“Thank goodness busking has been allowed, but then collections from this are pretty low compared with performances in clubs.”
Filmmaker Osman Ali said every filmmaker should be thankful for the announcement.
“It’s the best time for us to resume work. And we must definitely strictly follow the SOP and handle it well.”
Seniman president Zed Zaidi thanked the government for listening to the problems of workers in the entertainment industry.
He said now that the creative arts industry could resume work, actors and film workers could earn an income again.
“We hope the government will work closely with artiste associations to spread information on preventive measures to fight Covid-19 and get industry members to sign up for vaccination.”
Persatuan Pekerja Profesional Filem Malaysia president Khir Mohd Noor saw the latest decision as a “great New Year gift” to all filmmakers, film workers and artistes and they had every reason to cheer.
“But we should never let our guard down in curbing the spread of the coronavirus, especially in cinemas and on film sets.”
National Film Development Corporation chairman Zakaria Abdul Hamid urged cinema operators and film production companies to adhere to the SOP during the implementation of the Conditional MCO (CMCO) and Recovery MCO (RMCO) in some areas.
He said they must monitor the temperatures of viewers, workers and artistes, disinfect cinema halls and sets, observe strict physical distancing and ensure that everybody wore face masks.
“The CMCO and RMCO give us a bit more freedom of movement, but we must never let our guard down.
“Everyone must be familiar with the SOP and companies should make sure employees visit the National Security Council website to get a clear picture of what needs to be done.”