COVID-19 effects on the Impact on Film and Movie theaters-Singapore
In these modern times, the coronavirus pandemic has rocked the entire world, bringing businesses to a standstill. Singapore has registered a low number of the virus to date. Most film and movie theaters have been affected globally, but its effect in Singapore has been minimal.
ANALYSIS OF THE FILM INDUSTRY
- The Singapore Film Commission (SFC) has been running the film industry for the last 20 years.
- Filmmakers such as Eric Khoo, along with producer James Toh and were some of the members who helped create the SFC.
- The SFC under the info-communications has supported the production of 68 movies.
- The production of the movie has risen from four in a year to eleven years currently since SFC took over. These include only films with the theatrical release, not considering movies for festivals, telemovies, or online content.
- It is still a small industry, but it has exceeded people’s expectations
- In 2013, Ilo Ilo won the Camera d’Or and four awards at the 50th Golden Horse Awards, including the best feature film.
- The film industry here has grown beyond anyone could have imagined in 1998 to what it is today.
CHANGES AND IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE INDUSTRY
CLOSURE OF ENTERTAINMENT VENUES
- The country’s government announced today that entertainment venues, including all cinemas and bars, would be closed.
- Gatherings will be limited to 10 people at a time. The policies stipulate will run from 11:59 PM on Thursday (March 26) local time, and will last until at least April 30
FILMS HAVE POSTPONED THEIR RELEASE DATES
- Blockbuster movies such as Fast and Furious nine have postponed their release dates, and this has forced cinemas in Singapore to come up with new ways to draw audiences.
- Titles of old films are released, including a Japanese thriller, Guns Akimbo starring Daniel Radcliffe.
REVENUES HAVE DIPPED
- The projector has reported a 40% reduction in ticket sales since January.
- The business is not sustainable since labor costs and rent are fixed
- Merchandising campaigns selling tote bags and posters are in the works to cover operating costs.
RESEARCH STRATEGY
The research was gathered from online publications and websites on the impacts and effects of COVID-19 globally and particularly in Singapore. The study was based on data in March 2020, since the information is relatively new, an extensive finding on its impact is still ongoing.