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 .