Streaming service HOOQ seeks filmmakers
While more and more Asian viewers are tuning in to watch Asian content, many filmmakers in the region are still loathe to enter their local markets, where conservative, broadcast-oriented programming dominates the wavelengths. In Thailand, TV shows centre on the age-old soap opera format, while films are still largely limited to the trinity of horror, comedy and romance, be it from conservative studio execs to stringent cultural and regulatory measures that limit the freedom of creators to push the envelope.
“In the past two-to-three years, we’ve noticed a shift in what the audience watches,” said Allison Chew, head of Brand and Communications for the online streaming service HOOQ.
The service recently unveiled its HOOQ Filmmakers Guild initiative, an effort to promote and empower local films and filmmakers, taking advantage of looser regulations for streaming video services that give local filmmakers an avenue to produce “racier, edgier” content that would otherwise be difficult for traditional networks.
“In addition to enjoying Hollywood and international content, they are demanding more local content, providing local filmmakers with tremendous opportunities to fill the content void,” she said.
Currently operating in five Southeast Asian countries (with three more on the way), HOOQ is Asia’s current largest online video-streaming platform. The Filmmakers Guild will accept applications from filmmakers in all eight of these countries (Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam), before selecting five filmmakers in total, who will each receive US$30,000 (about 1 million baht) to create a pilot episode for a series.
These episodes will be available for the audiences of the streaming service to watch, and their views — along with the scoring of a panel of judges — will determine the sole winner of the contest, who will receive the funding to create an additional 12 episodes of their series.
“We’d like to stress that these submissions can be from anyone, from writers and directors to cinematographers, even film students, as long as they have a good idea they can show us,” said Kulapong Bunnag, country manager for HOOQ.
“There may not necessarily be a grand monetary prize to win, but it’s the chance to prove yourself in front of an international audience. If you win, or even just get selected for the top five, you’ll have a piece of work you can tell others was published for millions to see. As an artist, you can’t put a price on that.”
Interested applicants can submit their works at hooq.tv from today until Aug 15, with the five finalists to be announced by the end of August. Each submission must include a showreel of past works, along with a script for a 20-60-minute pilot episode for an online series. Applicants also will be expected to include ideas for developing their pilot into a 13-episode series in their pitch.