KUALA LUMPUR: Persatuan Pekerja Profesional Filem Malaysia (Prrofima) recently revealed its Transformasi 2024 campaign which will focus on three main aspects to cater to the wellbeing of its members.
Headed by its newly-elected president Khalil Salleh, replacing Khir Mohd Noor who held the position for the past 13 years, Profima will be striving to raise the level of professionalism to international standards through education and a change in mindset, in addition to tackling welfare and payment issues.
"My vision to upgrade our film crew to an international level does not mean that we'll be bringing everyone overseas since Profima has over 21,000 registered members.
"Bringing three to five per cent of them would suffice in order to provide international exposure, not just in terms of their work but also to change their thinking and work ethics.
"For me, there's no problem in sending crew overseas to gain knowledge. In fact, a lot of our crew members like camera operators, costume designers and technical personnel have received job opportunities out there.
"If possible, we would like more to have these opportunities. The goal is that when they return to Malaysia in about 10 to 15 years' time, they will contribute to the local film industry ecosystem," he said in a news report today.
Khalil added that it was important to have a goal to aspire to and gave the example of the he National Film Development Corporation's (Finas) mission to bring local films to the Academy Awards in the US.
"To me, one has to have a mission to achieve a certain vision. For example, Finas has its "Road to the Oscars" initiative.
"I know some might scoff at the effort but I think it is a very good step. At least Finas has a dream.
"If the body already has a working blue print, then our ecosystem will develop through the provision of all sorts of programmes and budget enhancements," he said.
Khalil explained that the educational element was also important to ensure that Profima members did not fall behind especially during fast-paced advancements in digital technology.
"I am actually pretty scared of the digital challenges. Many young YouTube personalities are savvy enough to make use of opportunities to produce films by utilising their digital skills.
"Look at Syahmi Sazli (director of hit film Mael Totey The Movie) who has no background in film.
"I don't want Profima members to lose out and I want them to continue to be competitive with the experience that they possess. So we want to expose them to digital technology," he said.
Khalil further revealed that the association would be focussing on providing insurance coverage and financing for housing for its members.
In addition to that, Profima will also be tackling the thorny issue of stagnant payment for its behind-the-camera crew who have not seen a pay increase for the past 15 years.
"I am very disappointed that there are still producers who overlook this issue. How come the artistes' pay can increase, while the crew are still being paid the same wages as before?
"Aside from that, their welfare is also ignored. Until today, there are still crew members who are treated like sardines in a can by stuffing five personnel in a hotel room during outstation work," he said.
According to Khalil, the various details of the Transformasi 2024 campaign will be formally announced soon.
He added that Profima's main committee was currently updating its database and making sure that its social media accounts were active for the benefit of its members.
Of the 21,000 registered members of the association, 5,000 have been identified as active film crew personnel.
Profima, previously known as Persatuan Pekerja Filem Malaysia, was established in 1993.