Outlook Bright For Thai Film, Tv Industry

[webfact]

Outlook bright for Thai film, tv industry

Wannapa Khaopa

The Nation

Tom Nunan, producer of the Oscar winning for Best Picture

Oscar winner says Kingdom should be on region's leading edge

BANGKOK: -- As technology continues to improve and the arts of story telling become more universal, not only western countries, but also those in Asia - including Thailand - have more opportunities to expand their entertainment industry, a US based Oscar winning producer said last week.

To produce qualified people for the entertainment business, Tom Nunan, producer of the Oscar Best Picture "Crash", urged educators and lecturers to bring in industry professionals to help their students learn from working experience.

Nunan is visiting professor at the UCLA School of Theatre Film and Television and is best known as founder and partner of Bull's Eye Entertainment. He is a former president of the United Paramount Network, NBC Studios, FOX Broadcasting, ABC and the Hollywood, Radio and TV Society.

He was in Thailand last week to share his views on the entertainment business in Thailand and give recommendations in a speech on Entertainment Business: Fun, Fortune and Future, during a dinner talk hosted by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).

"We're aware of what's happening in Asia today. The US and Europe have matured in this industry," he said, adding that more content was expected to come out of Asia over the next 50 years.

"Giant movies today do not feature just their star actors. The star of a movie today is its concept. As technology continues to improve and story telling becomes more universal, there is no reason to believe that Asia won't be competing in the years or decades to come, even in giant scale movies," said Nunan.

With its culture of joy, fun and emotion, he said Thailand should be on the leading edge of TV and films in the years to come. Japan and Korea had done amazing things when it came to culture in particular, but no country in Asia was dominant in regional television content yet.

"There is enormous opportunity for Thailand. Television is by far the largest revenue generator in the world when it comes to entertainment."

"There is enormous potential in Thai films, and I see a lot of innovation and artists' success locally in Thai films," he said. "What I've seen around the world is local success stories translating to global success stories."

Therefore, he encouraged Thailand to produce more students with the potential to work and grab opportunities in the entertainment business.

He said the best way to prepare Thai students for working in the entertainment business was to bring professionals in early to the process - at undergraduate and graduate levels - to inspire students to choose which careers they were seeking in entertainment and also to encourage them to do internships while in school. "I did six internships while I was at UCLA before I found a work area that suited me - and what suited me was being an executive working with written material." He added that he had failed in the five earlier internships.

Although the main aim was for students to become better integrated with what's happening in Thai professional entertainment today, most universities - not just in Asia but across the US - have a gap between academics and professionals, he said.

Nunan urged the first step was to close that gap, allowing students to start learning content, innovation and business entrepreneurial advances. "The closer they can be in line with today's professional community, the better they will be prepared and the better they can contribute to Thai entertainment."

He warned Thai educational institutions of the mistakes made in the US: "A lot of universities … are still doing it the oldfashioned way and still doing it to the formula of one size fits all."

Nunan accepted an invitation by the School of Business of UTCC to be the school's adviser as it will be offering CEO MBA (Master of Business Administration) an entertainment business management programme. Two more bachelor degree programmes related to the entertainment industry to be opened are a mass communication innovation programme at the School of Communication Arts and performance arts programme at the School of Humanities.

UTCC President Assoc Prof Sauwanee Thairungroj said Nunan had studied the entertainment industry in Thailand before he gave his recommendations to the UTCC. "He helped inspire Thai students to see opportunities in this business."

Nunan recommended the UTCC should go with its strength and attract entertainment business to UTCC.

"It would make UTCC the crossroads between arts and commerce not only in Bangkok, not only in Thailand, but across Asia as a destination for debate and conversation on all aspects of media business in Asia," he said.

Assts Prof Akachai Apisakkul, dean at the School of Business of UTCC, said Thailand still needed personnel in the entertainment business. The world trend was to create value added, and entertainment business could help increase the value of work.

"We should develop the country using a creative economy in which entertainment business would grow, so students in fields related to this business would have more job opportunities and more chances to succeed," Akachai added.

-- The Nation 2012-04-02

[BookMan]

I look forward to seeing Thai TV Soaps exported to the world!

[Johpa]

I look forward to seeing Thai TV Soaps exported to the world!

I believe it was the Mayans who predicted such an event this very year.

[AZBill]

Please don't encourage them!!! I'm running out of forks to stick in my eye!

[FarangTalk]

Thai humour is so sophisticated that without prompting from a penny whistle or a cymbal crash people will forget to laugh.

[AZBill]

Thai humour is so sophisticated that without prompting from a penny whistle or a cymbal crash people will forget to laugh.

I feel like I'm watching an old episode of the Flintstones every time I hear those damned noises! I wonder what the UCLA Film School has to say about that incredibly overused and trite technique?

[wintermute]

Thai TV and film is pretty much trash and the variety shows and soap operas are especially incomprehensible to anyone who doesn't understand the Khun Thai brand of "sophistication."

A lot of Thai soaps rip off entire script of western or other asian (mostly Korean) series. They even rip off entire soundtracks sometime. I remember hearing the Dark Knight theme on one soap over and over again.

Korean, Japanese, and some of the more well done Chinese films/shows have traction in the region and even in some non asian markets simply because they are well done. Thai TV shows are still shot on budget HD cam setups and none of the model actors/actresses can act at all. Nearly all of them are hi-so Thai bunnies with hot asses trying to pretend they have talent. It's embarrassing to watch since a lot of Thai soaps look like high school comedy skits.

There are a few good Thai film directors but none of them are typical "Thai" but are really big in the indie scene.

[bigbamboo]

Yep, all they need is some decent scripts, decent equipment, decent technicians and actors and actresses who are chosen for knowing how to act and not just for knowing someone. As for Thai TV I used to live in Brazil and thought that was as bad as it could get..... until I came here.

Edited April 2, 2012 by bigbamboo

[Soutpeel]

Yep, all they need is some decent scripts, decent equipment, decent technicians and actors and actresses who are chosen for knowing how to act and not just for knowing someone. As for Thai TV I used to live in Brazil and thought that was as bad as it could get..... until I came here.

The thing which impressed me most about this article was that "Regional hub" wasnt mentioned even once

Edited April 2, 2012 by Soutpeel

[ratcatcher]

There are probably some Thais with real acting talent. What they need is a script and director that knows how to make a movie with a decent story that will sell inside and outside this country. Clint Eastwood hired a group of Hmong people from L.A. area for his movie Grand Torino. That came off well enough.

The other problem may well be that anyone producing an interesting script with a real story and character development may find themselves in trouble with the powers that be who may not care for the light in which they cast Thailand.

Most of the pretty boys and hi-so bimbos on soap operas on Thai TV couldn't act their way out of a paper bag if they tried.

Anyway mustn't be too negative about Thai acting, it upsets the natives.

[kartman]

There are some quiet good Thai actors/actresses the couple of films i have seen featuring just dogs and cats have been rather good.

[Soutpeel]

There are probably some Thais with real acting talent.

Usually found frequenting the bars around Soi Nana, Cowboy but believe the biggest talent pool is found in Pattaya

[alant]

went to see dark flight 407 last week, in Thai with "English" subtitles, "English" is taking it too far as it couldn't really be described as such. on the plus side it made me smile so added to the enjoyment on the negative, it would be ruled out of any award contention for sloppy production. To compete Thailand needs to stop their protectionist actions and allow innovations like native speaking proof readers in the film industry.

[laurentbkk]

Thailand new HUB for movies .... after Hubs of books , Hubs of fashion (beside Paris , Milan and NYC) ....what next ? I just wonder ..... I thought the thai movie industry was limited to those amazing miracle soaps made by km .... oh sorry this epic movie who won the Cannes gold price a couple of years ago ... I still wonder how it could win actually .. I am sure there are plenty of talents ... but where are they ?

[Markaew]

"We're aware of what's happening in Asia today. The US and Europe have matured in this industry," he said, adding that more content was expected to come out of Asia over the next 50 years.

The next 50 years? This guy is a total moron. In 50 years this country will have been taken over by it's neighboring countries!

[anterian]

I have recently made myself watch a number of Thai movies, I thought it might help me understand Thai culture. Based on this I now know Thai culture is based on violence, lust, revenge and an abject fear of ghosts.

[Cowboyshoe]

How could the future not be bright for Thai TV and movies?

What with all the money they save by not using scripts, actors, skilled technicians, or original music they must be rolling in the dough!

That's assuming the rights to use the Looney Tunes sound effects library year after year aren't too expensive.

[TeddyFlyfisherDavis]

"We're aware of what's happening in Asia today. The US and Europe have matured in this industry," he said, adding that more content was expected to come out of Asia over the next 50 years.

The next 50 years? This guy is a total moron. In 50 years this country will have been taken over by it's neighboring countries!

Agreed...Someone gave this guy a little toooo much yaba...

[BookMan]

I have recently made myself watch a number of Thai movies, I thought it might help me understand Thai culture. Based on this I now know Thai culture is based on violence, lust, revenge and an abject fear of ghosts.

I wonder if the Brits think 'Neighbours' or 'Home & Away' is representative Australian culture?

[TeddyFlyfisherDavis]

Perhaps I am being a bit ignorant as usual (forgive me) but all I ever see on Thai TV are hot sexy looking chicks selling useless products...At any given second while flipping through the channels I see one commercial after the next...Like fertilizer and coffee to boost mens "power"...When do they ever have time to show movies...?

[anterian]

I have recently made myself watch a number of Thai movies, I thought it might help me understand Thai culture. Based on this I now know Thai culture is based on violence, lust, revenge and an abject fear of ghosts.

I wonder if the Brits think 'Neighbours' or 'Home & Away' is representative Australian culture?

Or Dynasty American or Coronation Street or Eastenders typically British? I think the difference is that we have many such series/programs, British, American, Australian, even Indian, so it is more balanced.

[BookMan]

I have recently made myself watch a number of Thai movies, I thought it might help me understand Thai culture. Based on this I now know Thai culture is based on violence, lust, revenge and an abject fear of ghosts.

I wonder if the Brits think 'Neighbours' or 'Home & Away' is representative Australian culture?

Or Dynasty American or Coronation Street or Eastenders typically British? I think the difference is that we have many such series/programs, British, American, Australian, even Indian, so it is more balanced.

of course, the underlying themes could be a good lesson in popular culture. Every bit helps.

[Ricardo]

I have recently made myself watch a number of Thai movies, I thought it might help me understand Thai culture. Based on this I now know Thai culture is based on violence, lust, revenge and an abject fear of ghosts.

Give that man a medal !

I wonder if the Brits think 'Neighbours' or 'Home & Away' is representative Australian culture?

Yes, we often do, although older Brits also recall Skippy and Flipper too !

[wintermute]

Thai tv and film stars even have their own industry awards show which is Thai only and hands out awards to the same dozen people year after year. The quality of these shows are embarrassingly bad too..like barely one step above back lot porno set ups.

The only actor who got recognized overseas is Tony Jaa and the Thais failed to market him properly. His window of opportunity in 2003 to become a true Thai international super star faded fast. Now he's just a has-been working far beneath his actual potential.

Then there is Apichatpong Weerasethakul who is probably the only recognized Thai director of indie film who has talent inside Thailand. Then again he spent years studying film in the U.S. so a lot of his talent was cultivated overseas and has nothing to do with Thailand itself. In fact most Thais can't stand his movies/don't get it and they were even banned here.

There there's the "joke" pop stars Tata Young etc.. who Thais think are on the level of Lady Gaga or Britney Spears but who no one really knows about in other asian countries aside from maybe Laos.

[BookMan]

I have recently made myself watch a number of Thai movies, I thought it might help me understand Thai culture. Based on this I now know Thai culture is based on violence, lust, revenge and an abject fear of ghosts.

Give that man a medal !

I wonder if the Brits think 'Neighbours' or 'Home & Away' is representative Australian culture?

Yes, we often do, although older Brits also recall Skippy and Flipper too !

I grew up in Australia watching Skippy...Like most boys, always wished I had Sonny's life

[anterian]

I have recently made myself watch a number of Thai movies, I thought it might help me understand Thai culture. Based on this I now know Thai culture is based on violence, lust, revenge and an abject fear of ghosts.

Give that man a medal !

I wonder if the Brits think 'Neighbours' or 'Home & Away' is representative Australian culture?

Yes, we often do, although older Brits also recall Skippy and Flipper too !

I grew up in Australia watching Skippy...Like most boys, always wished I had Sonny's life

I feel deprived Growing up in war time and post war Britain, the first time I saw a TV I was in my mid teens. On the bright side it did turn me into a life long reader.

[BookMan]

I feel deprived Growing up in war time and post war Britain, the first time I saw a TV I was in my mid teens. On the bright side it did turn me into a life long reader.

Nothing wrong with a good book or two. I always have a couple on the go.

[Petesear]

A lot of filming is done in Thailand by outside countries, it is my industry, I would love to have an opportunity to get my company flowing in LOS.

Sadly it is a very tight industry.. One day we hope to get our feet in the door..

[DocN]

I have recently made myself watch a number of Thai movies, I thought it might help me understand Thai culture. Based on this I now know Thai culture is based on violence, lust, revenge and an abject fear of ghosts.

Give that man a medal !

I wonder if the Brits think 'Neighbours' or 'Home & Away' is representative Australian culture?

Yes, we often do, although older Brits also recall Skippy and Flipper too !

I grew up in Australia watching Skippy...Like most boys, always wished I had Sonny's life

I still do!

[BookMan]

I still do!

of course there was always Clancy as well... remembering she was not related to Sonny in any way.