April Koh’s Post

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Freelance Producer

Been in quiet reflection most of this year and mostly observing the creative industry as a third party through friends and working colleagues. As a freelancer and having been in the advertising industry for a quarter of a century (25 years), observing the transition from film to digital, free to air to social media and generally just rolling with the punches and moving with the times, it is hard to see and experience the current state we are in. This may come as hard hitting and an unpopular opinion and may get me in trouble but I’m just stating my opinion and observations. Creativity, especially in the little red dot 🇸🇬, I am blessed to call home has become severely restricted in so many ways. A classic example is the article of the Samsui woman mural which has created such a buzz in the community over smoking and prostitution and the freedom of expression. I will not elaborate as many have eloquently expressed their displeasure and yet the landlord has ended up with a fine. Even though the mural is allowed to stay, it leaves a bitter after taste from a battle that should not even have occurred. The joys of the age of film, cinema, free to air television, even with all the pros and cons in terms of speed and quality has transitioned into an ever changing monster, the digital age of social media and content. I’m proud to say I’m one of the pioneers of content film on the internet but feel extreme sorrow over what it is becoming. Everyone can become a content creator nowadays on TikTok, IG, etc. This has led to low budgets with an increasing number of deliverables being the reality at the moment. As we have been transitioning, people with little knowledge of the actual logistics, passion, blood, sweat and tears that go into a successful product, have been on the front line hawking cheap wares that claim to have the same high quality or just simply hard selling and it’s quantity over quality. Every brand hopes to create the next big thing and go viral but how many are actually willing to make the proper investment to make it happen? How do we learn to manage and ride this digital age that can be ripped apart by keyboard warriors and social media over the slightest things and many a time, uncalled for? AI was created as a tool to aid creativity but has it become an excuse to be lazy, repetitive and giving a licence to rip off someone’s hard work? I hope and pray that the creative industry survives the brutality of the present as I fear for the future and I mourn the ones that have fallen 🙏🏻

Samsui woman mural can remain, but building owner will be fined $2,000 for not getting approval: URA, MOH

Samsui woman mural can remain, but building owner will be fined $2,000 for not getting approval: URA, MOH

straitstimes.com

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