While some people are still experimenting with video shoots other people have started digital movie production which is meaningful. Maybe five years ago, people were still daydreaming about movie production. Today, they are shooting real movies.

In the past two years, quite a number of manufacturers had held digital movie production competitions; even television stations showcased digital movies creations. Even without a huge budget and clear pictures and with a normal lifestyle-based content, the audience would laugh or cry..

By using film rolls, the shooting has to be simple. After the shooting, one has to process the film rolls in a dark, chemical-filled room. The process is inconvenient. The editing is also quite complicated. Moreover, film rolls are not cheap; hence, not everybody gets the chance to get into film production.

It is a different story if one uses digital equipment. One of the benefits is that you play the visuals immediately after filming. One can also re-shoot on the spot once when mistakes are made. Furthermore, you can skip the film roll processing part and go straight into computer software for post-production. The post-production is easy when you use computer software. Also, digital equipment is easier to operate for anyone.

Growth of digital films in country

Digital technology for film-making is the trend. You can expect the growth of digital films in Malaysia; they can be viewed by a small or large group.

Digital filming appeals to families, general consumers and professionals. The family market is the biggest.. General consumers are, for instance, students who use it to submit assignments or others who use the equipment for entertainment. Professionals are involved in big-budget shoots.

You can do digital shooting using a camera, hand-phone or camcorder. Youngsters like to use digital cameras to take pictures or record something anywhere, says the head of Limkokwing Film and Television Academy, Aron Koh.

The content is more important than the equipment. “We do not wait until we get good equipment to start shooting; we use simple equipment to capture the content, which is more essential,” he points out.

Aron ventured into digital film production with only RM500 five years ago. That amount could not get you a normal camera recorder.

Aron borrowed equipment from his friends who also became his cast. After a shoot, he would edit his movie at home using computer software. The only expenses incurred were the film rolls and food.

“Digital filming can be done without a teacher. I have many friends, who have never taken directing and filming courses. We jus enjoy what we are doing,” he said.

Aron was involved in many movie and television productions after he entered the field. He was interested producing television dramas during his university days, when he developed a strong passion for making movies. He later produced seven independent films.

Video shoots for all occasions

In 2006, Aron produced his first local Chinese movie, Seed of Darkness, which was commended by Columbia Pictures. It was widely screened in Malaysia.

In these two years, local digital film producers have won many awards overseas. Nowadays, digital video shoots are done for various occasions – recording an event for a friend, shooting the bloom of a flower or capturing certain things for remembrance.

Film creation covers many factors and aspects, ranging from lifestyle and work to the storyline and theme. A serious one needs a rehearsal, cast and script brainstorming. Or you can do it just for fun.

There is a genre which is very suitable for beginners and easy to learn, that is, documentary -style film creation. Nearly 99% is about real life, so you don’t have to worry about the script and the cast. Novices can do it.

For instance, you can do a shoot on Father’s Day to convey a message to the family. You can record his daily routine. If one’s father is a newspapers distributor, you can capture his daily life and how he distributes newspaper every day. You can also show the problems he faces and the people he meets.

When it is done, add some sound effects and words during the editing stage. It will then become a documentary. The audience not only understand a father’s daily life but also the sacrifices he has made for the family.

In Malaysia, there is no movie culture. Many Asians are shy to face the cameras. When you are on the street with a camera or a camcorder, the person in front of you will always run away.

We need to set a trend. We need to develop skills. For instance, by joining movies seminars, learning other people’s skills and uploading videos on the website, we learn and let people get a chance to see our talent. The cinema is a visual library; it takes courage to compete for recognition.

The Limkokwing academy offers workshops for move-making buffs and has produced many films, one of which was Hidden Summer in My Heart. It has also created music videos for Love Me Butch, a local band and Gary Yap, a loca; TV host and singer.

The academy also collaborates with local celebrities and producers. It aims nurture the Malaysian film culture. Many students are pursuing film production and the academy hopes to encourage more students to be interested in it.