Bandar Seri Begawan - Top Malaysian film director Ahmad Ibrahim expressed that local drama productions can increasingly improve if players were given the opportunity to learn from their experienced counterparts through courses, workshops and seminars.
Best known as Mat London, Ahmad Ibrahim - the current president of Film Directors` Association of Malaysia (FDAM) - is in the country until Sunday conducting drama production course for directors, scriptwriters and actors.
Organised by Radio Television Brunei (RTB), Ahmad Ibrahim arrived from Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
He told the Bulletin yesterday morning that judging from past local drama productions which he managed to analyse while here, he saw the local players have enough talent in three areas.
"However, they need to acquire skills to match quality drama productions from Malaysia, Indonesia and other established countries. Skills can only be acquired through learning and practices. It is like a car racing, the track is ready here but the driver lacks the experience to win a race," he said.
The utilisation of various elements meant to create a unified aesthetic effect out of a multiplicity of vocal expressions, and actions are recognised as achievements towards a successful drama production.
The use of relevant conversations, costumes and lighting in drama productions play a role in enhancing quality.
"Impacts of such nature affect audiences who usually sit down to watch television dramas because of curiosity, pleasure-seeking, and a desire for knowledge or aesthetic experience. If in the first few minutes of a drama show caused boredom to audiences they will change to another channel at the click of a button.
"So it is important to make audiences sit down and watch through a drama production. Even a catchy title is important as it may raise audiences` curiosity into watching a drama,” he said.
Ahmad Ibrahim said he has been FDAM president since 2006. He also led the organisation from 2000 to 2004.
He also won three awards in film, seven in advertising and a lot more in drama including best director in a film at the Kuala Lumpur International Film Festival and Penang International Film Festival.
Next month he will direct a film entitled Kantoi featuring top-rated Malaysian artistes such as Yasin, Fasha Sandha, Fazura and Rita Rudaini.
The script was written by him five years ago.
Source: www.brudirect.com (24 Desember 2007)
