From all indications, government efforts to support the content industry appear to be moving in the right direction, at least in creative multimedia.
Indeed, many players believe the industry has grown by leaps and bounds in the past three years and this spells an exciting time for them. According to BigBeak Pictures (M) Sdn Bhd managing director Azlan Pa’wan, the success stories of some local animation productions have spurred many players to enter the industry.

Steven Lim, Young Jump Animation Sdn Bhd’s project manager, says, “I think this is an exciting time to be in the creative content industry. There’s huge demand out there for quality content, and plenty of opportunities for those who can deliver. We’re seeing a lot of new players in the market.

New blood and an enterprising spirit are vital for growth. There’s also a lot of creative talent in Malaysia, and many of them are finding their way into this industry. There are a number of local companies that are producing exciting, world-class work.”

He adds that the government is working hard to promote the creative content industry. “It’s been very aggressive in setting up various funds to help start up companies, develop pilot projects and encourage international co-productions.
It is indeed commendable that MDeC (Multimedia Development Corp) has done a great job in facilitating the growth of the creative multimedia industry despite being tasked with developing various other sectors within ICT.

But the creative multimedia industry is pretty unique in the sense that the film industry, which is under the purview of the Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture (MICC), is also closely related to it.
Essentially, the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) facilitates film production development in Malaysia. But it is no longer about films and television on its own. It is about content, which can be used for multiple purposes such as mobile and online games.

Naturally, there have been calls by industry players for a single policy or single body to unify the film and creative multimedia industries. Many believe a single body will be more cohesive and effective in developing the industry.

In addition, when it comes to budget, each section in ICT is competing for a piece of the allocation. According to industry players, there isn’t a clear structure as to which section gets what.

Vision New Media Sdn Bhd CEO Low Huoi Seong believes that what is missing right now in MICC’s role when it comes to content is being an industry facilitator, which is the role Media Development Authority (MDA) plays in Singapore.
MDA was formed in 2003 when Singapore decided to move into a single-body direction by merging the Singapore Broadcasting Authority, the Films and Publications Department, and the Singapore Film Commission. It also had a blueprint, Media 21 plan, to chart the direction for growth for the media industry. South Korea also has a unified body called Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA).

The question now is, what can the Malaysian government do to rationalise the industry? Some industry players reckon if MDeC comes under MICC, it will be too much for one ministry to handle. “It doesn’t have to be one body, it could be one over-riding policy for instance, a singular strategy. In reality, a singular strategy is good, however, we still have legacy systems that are deep rooted,” notes an industry player.

“That said, a singular strategy alone will not solve the problem. All the ministries have their roles to play, but we need one singular strategy and an organisation to supervise it all,” he adds.

Azlan agrees. “If we learn from what South Korea has done, it may just work. They have a unified body, KOCCA, which has strong support from the government and not much red tape. It is able to move quickly and help Korean companies go global. Its mentoring system is also highly developed, with strong and established animation companies helping out the smaller ones or working with them.”

Similarly, Lim says a single body makes sense as it will not only reduce red tape, it will encourage efficiency and information sharing, and ensure the industry is overseen by people who understand the ins and outs.

Nevertheless, Animasia Studio Sdn Bhd managing director Edmund Chan reckons that while a single body is a good approach, the industry is not big enough to have a single body. “Maybe when the industry doubles in size in terms of IPs and number of players, then it warrants a single body.”

Suffice to say, there are many conflicting views on the need for a single body. But it is indeed worthwhile for the government to consider unifying the roles to ensure that the industry gets the boost it needs.

This article appeared in netv@lue2.0, the technology section of The Edge Malaysia, Issue 787 Dec 28 - Jan 10 2010