KUALA LUMPUR: Actress Jasmine Suraya is disappointed that her efforts to obtain funding from the creative industry to further her studies have come to a dead end.
The 34-year-old artiste from Sarawak flew off to the US last Friday to undergo an acting course at the renowned Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in Los Angeles.
"We should not have the slogan 'Road To Oscars' (the government's effort to bring local films to compete on the international stage) if we are not serious.
"If we really want to go to the Academy Awards, we should develop the creative industry holistically.
"Similar to what is done in South Korea, where the development of the creative industry there is very good. I think the mentality of Malaysians is only for short-term goals.
"When we try something new and it doesn't work, we become afraid to invest again and return to our comfort zone.
"We have to be serious in planning and have a good budget. Don't just plan for five to 10 years. This will take 30 years. That's what happened in South Korea," she said in a news report today.
Jasmine, whose full name is Jasmine Suraya Chin Xian Mei, said that apart from the state government, she had applied for funding from the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) before leaving for Los Angeles.
"I did not get financial assistance. I went back to Sarawak to meet with the state government representative but my messages and calls were ignored.
"I was disappointed because I sent applications for financial assistance many times.
"I sent a message to the Finas chairman, Datuk Kamil Othman, to inform him of what I wanted to do.
"Unfortunately, I was informed that Finas has funds but for other things, not to develop the talent of local artistes.
"I'm quite upset. I don't have a problem if it's not given to me. However, what about a talented individual who comes from a poor background and has no money to go for studies?
"So, give funding aid to local talents who don't get opportunities due to life's difficulties," she said.
Jasmine added that she had contacted the Sarawak Foundation and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to request funds, but was also informed that the aid was allocated to other matters.
The actress eventually had to sell her items including her car to self-finance her acting studies for about RM300,000.
"To go to the US, I needed to spend a lot considering the state of our local currency market now. So, I needed between RM300,000 to RM400,000.
"I sold off personal items that don't have a compounding value like a car. So, I sold them since I'd better use the money to invest in other things that could increase my value.
"I know, many people my age would think of 'settling down'. Many asked why I gave up all that to continue my studies.
"For me, as long as there is energy and interest, it is important for me to go now before all of that is gone," she said.
Previously, Jasmin announced that she was set to be the first Malaysian actress to be selected to continue her studies at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute.
Some famous alumni of the institute include Hollywood stars such as Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Angelina Jolie, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Lady Gaga.
Jasmine had previously continued her studies in Africa and Australia in the field of politics and economics, as well as taking a two-month course in London, UK.