Chapter 2.3
Enhancing Local Capabilities
MDA ramped up its efforts to help local media companies and professionals level up their competencies and skillsets in the last 12 months – from forging new international partnerships to awarding training grants and scholarships.
FOX Formats Lab
Local documentary producers had the opportunity to learn from international industry veterans at FOX Networks Group (FNG). MDA and FNG launched the FOX Formats Lab in May 2015, an initiative to strengthen the capabilities of local producers to make moving stories with global appeal.
A total of 142 participants attended four workshops between May 2015 and April 2016. After careful selection, five out of 70 proposals were commissioned under this initiative to be aired on National Geographic Channel. The completed programmes will premiere from July 2016 in Asia and roll out internationally from September 2016.
“The Fox Formats Lab has pushed us beyond our comfort zone and opened our eyes to what’s out there in the international market. It has enhanced our production skills and given us insights into the expectations of international broadcasters, enabling us to take on more of such projects in future.”
Tan Chih Chong
Executive Producer of Sitting In Pictures
HBO Partnership
MDA partnered HBO Asia to support, grow and develop Singapore’s drama production capabilities. Over two years, HBO Asia will train local practitioners and work with local production houses and talents to produce content for global audiences.
As part of this arrangement, HBO Asia conducted two training forums on pitching, development and production in December 2015 and February 2016, attracting 183 attendees in total.
“As a Singapore production company specialising in Asian scripted dramas in English for international distribution, we were very interested in getting involved with the HBO Asia workshops, as their goals seemed aligned with ours. We hope to partner HBO Asia to continue developing aspirational dramas for regional distribution.”
Christian Lee
Producer and Co-Founder of BananaMana Films
Maker Bootcamp
The Maker Bootcamp, held in Singapore from 20 to 21 May 2015, was launched with MDA’s support to spur budding local talent in digital content creation capabilities. Over 30 creators got to learn from global online video stars to make compelling videos, promote their works and build a strong fan base.
The experts included local creators such as Night Owl Cinematics and Wah! Banana, and international stars The Fung Brothers, Timothy DeLaGhetto and Tiffany Alvord.
Creators’ Space
The Creators’ Space initiative, developed in November 2015 with MDA’s support, helps online video creators improve their production quality and audience engagement. It aims to turn ideas into commercially viable content using shared production facilities, business networks, mentorships and training programmes. The facility is targeted to launch in November 2016.
To date, seven industry players have joined the initiative to support Creators’ Space participants – Adobe, Autodesk, Brand New Media, CloudStringers, Dailymotion, Maker Studios and Victorious.
“We see Creators’ Space as an ideal first step to equip a new generation with the skills to succeed in a rapidly changing media industry.”
Damien Bray
CEO (Asia) at Brand New Media
Games Solution Centre
Set up in 2011 and managed by Nanyang Polytechnic, the Games Solution Centre (GSC) is a one-stop resource centre for rapid prototyping and incubation support for local game developers. It also provides opportunities for international exposure.
During the year in review, GSC led delegations of local game developers to several international trade shows, including the Game Developers Conference, Tokyo Game Show, GameStart Asia, Casual Connect Asia and more.
Other GSC milestones include:
- Incubated 44 game start-ups and of these, 75% successfully completed their games and demos.
- Five game start-ups secured seed funding ranging from $100,000 to $2 million.
- Over 20 projects released commercially on Steam, iOS, Android, PlayStation, and other platforms.
Some successful titles GSC supported for the year in review:
- Mosscube’s Roccorocco Roshambo, featured in the “Best New Games” category on iTunes in 97 countries in 2015.
- Rottenmage’s Spacejacked, which won the INTEL Level Up Award 2015.
- Ratloop Asia’s Rocketbirds 2: Evolution, nominated for the Dengeki Tokyo Game Show 2015 award.
Story Lab
Everyone has a story to tell but can you tell yours in original and compelling ways? MDA’s newly launched Story Lab aims to teach just that. The first programme under Story Lab was presented in March 2016 when MDA hosted a master class on writing for games with industry veteran Toiya Kristen Finley, which was fully subscribed with about 40 participants. Hear from Toiya herself and some of the participants who were there in the video below.
Through Story Lab, MDA aims to develop storytelling capabilities and nurture quality storytellers by gathering talent from different backgrounds to incubate ideas and explore innovative story platforms. Story Lab will also work with partners to roll out storytelling appreciation programmes for students and the general public.
MILESTONES IN DIGITAL TV
In sync with ASEAN’s commitment to the digital switchover, the government has announced that Singapore’s analogue TV transmission will cease in end-2017. The freed-up spectrum, used previously for analogue broadcasting, will provide more capacity for mobile broadband services and support Singapore’s Smart Nation plans.
As of March 2016, 80% of households in Singapore are able to receive digital TV signals. MDA launched the DTV Assistance Scheme in September 2014 to help low-income households make the switch to DTV. The Assistance Scheme package, offered in tandem with the rollout of the DTV network, comprises a free DTV set-top box, an indoor antenna and installation.
MDA worked with various agencies, including the Housing and Development Board, Ministry of Social and Family Development, Ministry of Health, People’s Association and self-help groups to identify eligible households to receive the package. One- or two-room HDB rental flat dwellers and recipients of ComCare, Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA), Yayasan MENDAKI, Sikh Welfare Council and Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) public assistance who meet the eligibility criteria are automatically included in the DTV Assistance Scheme. So far, MDA has reached out to over 84,000 auto-included households and some 39,000 households have received the package. MDA is working with the grassroots and voluntary welfare organisation (VWO) networks to extend the Scheme’s reach.
During the year in review, MDA and Mediacorp have ramped up efforts to educate the public and encourage the switch to DTV. For example, MDA participated in the 50plus Expo, IDA’s Silver Infocomm Festival, as well as the Public Service Festival to reach out to seniors and the wider public.
Working with retailers, TV manufacturers and set-top box supplier New Media Solutions, MDA piloted a DTV Experience Corner at Best Denki Ngee Ann City from 11 to 20 December 2015. The exhibit provided shoppers with comprehensive information on DTV and DTV-ready equipment. This initiative was subsequently extended to NTUC NEX and NTUC Jurong Point in early 2016.
Finally, to help businesses adapt to DTV, MDA helped enhance a 12-hour Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications module, “Provide Advice on Electrical and Electronic Products (Digital Switchover)”, to equip retail personnel with knowledge on DTV products and the DTV rollout. A DSO e-learning programme was also launched in June 2015, shortening the module to 8 hours of classroom time and 1.5 hours of online learning, giving trainees the flexibility to learn at their own pace.
“It is heartening to see that MDA is sparing no effort in reaching out to the disadvantaged seniors in our midst by working closely with voluntary welfare organisations. Some of our seniors who are illiterate or socially isolated may not be aware about the transition, and our volunteers and staff play an important role in engaging them with support from MDA. No one should be left behind in our progress toward a Smart Nation.”
Dr Chey Chor Khoon
Executive Director, Lions Befrienders Service Association (Singapore)