Thai film industry in the world’s market

[josephbloggs]

18 minutes ago, Fex Bluse said:

You are using what is called an argument from authority. It's a type of logical fallacy. 

It's called talking from experience.  But whatever.

 

Quote

Anyway, I am not discounting your claimed first-hand knowledge. However, it alone does not validate your points. 

 

If what you say is true, and if the Thais are so much better than everyone, why does the article suggest 

 

1. Thailand needs to develop human resources 

Because they are not resting on their laurels and want to further develop the industry, not let it stagnate.  That is foresight - something that people here think the Thais don't possess.  It is a field they are investing in heavily and is currently one of the BOI supported activities which is why my company was allowed to set up here as a 100% foreign owned business: to help further develop the industry.  Again it is progressive and forward thinking.

 

Quote

2. The Thai government wants Thailand to BECOME THE ASEAN hub IN THE FUTURE 

In my opinion, and many others in the industry, it already is the ASEAN hub, undoubtedly.  No other ASEAN country attracts the number of, or diversity of, foreign film projects that Thailand does, not even close.

 

[zydeco]

39 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

So all his being true, why do they write and produce a product that by world standards is retarded rubbish? at least 95% of it is with few Honorable exceptions.

It's because he is making up stuff. Incompetence is rife on Thai sets. International productions are a comedy. That is why the vast majority of them are made for video on demand or Sy Fy channel B grade material. And the worst part of Thai productions is the sound design and editing. They cut corners everywhere, especially that corner.

[zydeco]

24 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

It has truly world class locations, studios, equipment, crew and post production.

Joke.

[zydeco]

15 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

Because they are not resting on their laurels and want to further develop the industry, not let it stagnate.

Simply untrue. They have closed production programs at MUIC, Silpakorn, Thammasat. The only worthy of anything right now is Bangkok University.

[Mavideol]

2 hours ago, reenatinnakor said:

I remember back in the 2000s when I was still in UK, Thailand made some decent horror movies... Colic, Shutter and a few others. They all believe in ghosts and spirits so not surprising they should be able to make some passable horror movies.

they still make horror movies, sorry, soap operas, the acting is fantastic, mostly the females, from beginning to end screaming and more screaming, they call it acting, I call it horror

[josephbloggs]

9 minutes ago, zydeco said:

It's because he is making up stuff. Incompetence is rife on Thai sets. International productions are a comedy. That is why the vast majority of them are made for video on demand or Sy Fy channel B grade material. And the worst part of Thai productions is the sound design and editing. They cut corners everywhere, especially that corner.

You clearly have no ideas what you are talking about.

How many TVC or film shoots have you been on here, compared to how many abroad?  And we are talking about ones with a proper budget for professional crews, not from Bobby Moron making a YouTube video for $1,000.

[zydeco]

Just one more thing. Most of the independent farang operations here are run by some real shady characters. Over the past ten years, I've found them to be exploitive and abusive to interns, frequently making lewd suggestions to 20 year-old Thai university students. Filmmaking is a scummy occupation at heart. And the worst seem to come to Thailand.

[ZeVonderBearz]

2 hours ago, yellowboat said:

Think the cinematography is good, but why would one want to film in Thailand versus Malaysia ?   Pinewood has a studio in Jahore.  Is there a major, foreign studio in Thailand ?  Has junta censorship hurt the industry ?   The Thai movie industry needs more development.   Most Thai movies are either ghost stories or love stories.  There is a lack of substantive content.  And Thai actor need to try harder to get into international films.   On the whole, the industry is too complacent.     

Spike Lee was In Thailand filming a few weeks back for his upcoming film about Vietnam. Ask him why he bothered and didn't got to Malaysia or even Vietnam.

[Orton Rd]

They cannot even look after their own film heritage, not sure who that falls to. Try looking for a watchable version of the classic Monrak Luktung from 1970, one of the most successful Thai films ever made that played in cinemas for 6 months and made a lot of money. All you will find are remakes from 1982 on wards, the original is so degraded it is now almost unwatchable.

[DrTuner]

3 hours ago, rkidlad said:

I'd love to see a Brazilian-style movie about Thailand where it's very candid, honest, gritty and realistic. Unfortunately, this kind of movie would simply be banned. 

This might be a documentary soon: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1781922/

 

 

[Orton Rd]

3 minutes ago, zydeco said:

Just one more thing. Most of the independent farang operations here are run by some real shady characters. Over the past ten years, I've found them to be exploitive and abusive to interns, frequently making lewd suggestions to 20 year-old Thai university students. Filmmaking is a scummy occupation at heart. And the worst seem to come to Thailand.

Met a couple of those, one is a con man doing color correction with da vinchi, name of Paul if you ever come across him don't lend him any money!

[zydeco]

2 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

They cannot even look after their own film heritage, not sure who that falls to. Try looking for a watchable version of the classic Monrak Luktung from 1970, one of the most successful Thai films ever made that played in cinemas for 6 months and made a lot of money. All you will find are remakes from 1982 on wards, the original is so degraded it is now almost unwatchable.

There are some interesting spy thrillers from the late 60s and early 70s, too. I always enjoy watching them. Mostly shot on Super 8!!! Micro budgets but some of the stunts are breathtaking. See the fate of Mitr Chaibancha.

[Orton Rd]

3 minutes ago, DrTuner said:

This might be a documentary soon: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1781922/

 

 

Pity it had to be an anonymous country in the film, could not depict any military argy bargy in a country with one of the worst coup histories!

[zydeco]

4 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

Met a couple of those, one is a con man doing color correction with da vinchi, name of Paul if you ever come across him don't lend him any money!

Wait until you run into the guys who used to do 3D and then hit the 360 niche.

[zydeco]

40 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

No other ASEAN country attracts the number of, or diversity of, foreign film projects that Thailand does, not even close.

Absolutely laughable. You must never have been to Singapore. There are more facilities, talent, and international HQs in Singapore than will ever be in Thailand. 

[josephbloggs]

7 minutes ago, zydeco said:

Wait until you run into the guys who used to do 3D and then hit the 360 niche.

Ha ha, so you guys are talking about some shady wannabe colourist named Paul (never come across a Paul) and a sketchy guy on crack software (probably) doing 360, and extrapolate that to the entire Thai film industry?  Ha ha, quite amusing really.

Dozens and dozens of professionally run, high quality production companies here who don't use your Paul, who don't make lewd advances to interns, and who produce high quality work internationally.  Most regional TVC campaigns for major brands are shot here. 

 

I think we must move in very different circles.  

[soalbundy]

4 hours ago, Justgrazing said:

 if the bloody godawful soap opera's on TV are anything to go by they'll need more than promoting .. 

boing

[josephbloggs]

5 minutes ago, zydeco said:

Absolutely laughable. You must never have been to Singapore. There are more facilities, talent, and international HQs in Singapore than will ever be in Thailand. 

Yes, and they shoot mostly in Thailand!!  Ha ha, you have no idea.  I am on those sets regularly for Unilever, P&G regional shoots.  They don't shoot in Singapore unless absolutely necessary.  And by the way I worked in Singapore for a couple of years and we have an office there.  They have some good post production, yes.  But it is expensive. 

 

International HQ's, yes - more there than here.  But you are wrong on all other fronts, completely.  (And Unilever just shifted their regional HQ for Food and Bev to Bangkok).

 

If you were right why would people from the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, China, India, Pakistan not be going to Singapore to shoot their campaigns / films?  Why are they coming here in huge numbers?  Why are Singapore clients themselves coming here to shoot ALL THE TIME?

 

Ha ha, you are a pretty good troll, how amusing.

[monkeycu]

4 hours ago, Orton Rd said:

Can anyone name any Thai documentaries?

Noi does Dallas  

[zydeco]

29 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

I think we must move in very different circles.

Ah, the farang version of "Don't you know who I am!"

 

Well, here is something you should know. The Thai film industry is a pretty small circle of people. Just about everybody knows everybody else. And all of them know the problems with production, here. It goes in fits and starts. There is never any sustained momentum. And as result, talent withers and goes onto other things.

 

BTW, if you were on to anything, you would know about JKN. Their model of importing Asian content and exporting Thai content seems to be working quite effectively. And they supposedly have a content production arrangement with CNBC and they will indeed build some first class studios out on Putthamonthon Sai 5. Too bad their internal management is so chaotic--either inherently or because of growth problems.

 

Meanwhile, keep pumping away for what you claim is your business. But one little reminder: hotheads who can't take criticism or disagreement don't go far in this industry in Thailand. Ugly farang with big ego=no job and no work.

[josephbloggs]

3 hours ago, zydeco said:

Ah, the farang version of "Don't you know who I am!"

 

Well, here is something you should know. The Thai film industry is a pretty small circle of people. Just about everybody knows everybody else. And all of them know the problems with production, here. It goes in fits and starts. There is never any sustained momentum. And as result, talent withers and goes onto other things.

 

BTW, if you were on to anything, you would know about JKN. Their model of importing Asian content and exporting Thai content seems to be working quite effectively. And they supposedly have a content production arrangement with CNBC and they will indeed build some first class studios out on Putthamonthon Sai 5. Too bad their internal management is so chaotic--either inherently or because of growth problems.

 

Meanwhile, keep pumping away for what you claim is your business. But one little reminder: hotheads who can't take criticism or disagreement don't go far in this industry in Thailand. Ugly farang with big ego=no job and no work.

Nope, no ego here, certainly not a hot head - been enjoying the thread and not getting emotional or ugly in any way, just pointing out the facts based on my experience.  Always happy to have a sensible conversation about the industry, but not happy to entertain people posting patently untrue and negative / anti Thai nonsense when they know nothing about the subject, are not involved in the industry, and it is a subject I am passionate about because there are amazingly dedicated, hard working, conscientious and professional Thais working in this industry and they deserve to be recognised as the regions best - because they are, which is why everyone shoots here when they can rather than in their own country,  It's always the same people who pop up in every thread just to criticise, sneer and patronise.  In this case it is not justified, at all.

You may disagree, that is up to you.  No problem.  But it would be handy if you answered any of my questions about how many professional shoots you have been on here or elsewhere so I can get a handle on where you are coming from and why you have formed the opinion you have.  Have you been on TVC shoots or feature film shoots in Thailand?  What did you see to make you think it was a shambles?  I have only ever seen the highest professional standards, and nothing less.

 

Ask any production company if they would rather shoot in HCMC or Bangkok and hands down Bangkok wins.  Same with Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, China, UAE, India, Pakistan - if they can logistically and economically make it work in Bangkok they will choose it every time, because of quality.  Quality of equipment, quality of crews, quality of studios and locations.

 

Sensible discussion welcome.

[josephbloggs]

4 hours ago, zydeco said:

Joke.

Elaborate please.

 

 

[inThailand]

Ooh great another hub. 

 

Thaiwood!