Sinema.SG Webcasts

(Original air date: 22/3/20) On this episode of Sinema.SG LIVE! we discuss a brief history of the Facebook support group, as well as possible measures for the second COVID-19 package. Timestamp: (0:00) Start of episode (2:52) Border closure to short-term visitors (6:41) Beginning the history of the Facebook support group (8:25) 7 February – DORSCON Orange (9:23) 8 February – Workshops cancelled (10:23) 10 to 14 February – Impact surveys (11:25) 12 February – Livestream started (12:39) 21 February – Catching the attention of mainstream media (15:30) 22 March – Reaching 3624 members (16:50) 23 March – Media Arts Design Entertainment meet (18:30) Coming soon – ilostmygig.sg (19:34) Discussing global responses to COVID-19 (23:00) Singapore Government's second package (23:30) Income tax and CPF payment deferment (24:08) Wage support for all currently employed to prevent job loss (25:20) Bank and HDB mortgage, business loan freeze (28:05) Industry stimulus plans (29:50) Quarter by quarter renewal (33:00) Discussing having a strong government (35:20) Having a strong industry (35:50) Having a strong people’s sector (41:10) Who will get the funds from the grants? (44:30) Is this a good time for a reset in the industry? (48:20) Looking at the situations and efforts of those affected by the outbreak (52:50) Conclusion

(Original air date: 17/3/20) On this episode of Sinema.SG LIVE! we speak with Alvin Tan, Founder & Artistic Director of The Necessary Stage, and Founder of Artscomm. We discuss COVID-19’s impact on the Theatre sector, and the Creative and Cultural Industry as a whole. Timestamp: (0:00) Start of episode (1:15) Alvin’s introduction (2:40) What was it like in 1987? (7:23) Discussing Alvin’s role as Co-Director of the M1 Fringe Festival from 2005 to 2014 (9:28) What is your favourite piece of work that you have directed? (13:40) Discussing Artscomm (18:29) Different sector leaders taking ownership within the industry (23:25) What would Singapore be like without a Creative, Arts and Cultural scene? (29:53) How has COVID-19 affected your work? (33:10) Addressing the audience (36:42) Do you think the Budget 2020 measures introduced are sufficient? (39:44) Are egos, competitiveness and self interests keeping us from working together? (41:10) Discussing if taking an alternative mindset allows us to do better (43:45) The communal storage initiative (47:50) Is there something we can learn from actions taken by the industries from different parts of the world? (52:59) Appeal to the government to help with delaying certain payments (57:12) Some initiatives by communities from the rest of the world (1:03:16) Conclusion

(Original air date: 13/3/20) On this episode of Sinema.SG LIVE! we discuss some of the new government restrictions regarding the COVID-19 outbreak that were released on 13 March 2020. Timestamp: (0:00) Start of episode (1:57) WHO’s official announcement regarding COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic (3:45) Previous travel restrictions and measures that have been announced (4:47) Announcement on 13 March 2020, measures applied to travellers from France, Italy, Germany and Spain (6:24) How Singapore citizens, residents and those with long-term passes are affected (11:47) Public ticketed events with more than 250 pax to be deferred or cancelled (15:37) Limitation to public ticketed events is a way to limit disruption to private events like weddings and religious services (16:51) Discussing how we can react and what we can do (18:37) Advisory for workplaces (19:07) What actions the Taiwan community are taking (20:49) Conclusion

(Original air date: 11/3/20) On this episode of Sinema.SG LIVE! we speak with actors Jo Tan and Edward Choy to find out more about how they are coping with the COVID-19 situation 1 month into DORSCON Orange. Timestamps: (0:00) Start of episode (3:05) Survey and feedback updates (15:17) Jo’s introduction (18:38) Edward’s introduction (22:13) Due to COVID-19, did you want to go back to your original profession? (25:00) What do both your parents feel about both of you being freelancers? (26:34) Have any of your projects been affected? (31:50) Negotiating terms that can protect freelancers better (36:20) Would you consider joining a trade association? (38:41) What would you like to see during COVID-19? (41:32) Issues with pay rates (44:47) Discussing the importance of the industry (47:47) Discussion about a past Government push in the creative industry (49:22) Who is the new advocate in the Government that could provide a voice for the creative industry? (54:13) What do you think about the Budget 2020 measures? (57:03) Talking about ground-up initiatives for up-scaling within the industry (59:19) Discussing funding and alternative event viewing methods (1:04:00) Looking at replies from livestream (1:09:00) Conclusion

(Original air date: 6/3/20) On this episode of Sinema.SG LIVE! we speak with Jackson Tan, Creative Director of creative agency BLACK, and Chng Ying Tong, Producer at The Flying Kick Asia to discuss about how the COVID-19 outbreak has affected their plans overseas. Timestamps: (0:22) Start of episode (0:49) Introduction of guests (2:24) Jackson introduces himself (3:35) Ying Tong introduces herself (4:30) How has the COVID-19 outbreak affected Jackson’s agencies and industry? (7:56) Ying Tong shares about her recent trip to Taiwan (11:20) Has the COVID-19 situation affected their projects? (16:12) How much of an impact has COVID-19 had on the marketing and design industry? (18:54) For Jackson, what is the impact so far compared to SARS? (21:54) Is there any help available for freelancers in the design industry? (23:30) For Ying Tong, what is your outlook for Southeast Asian collaborations with Taiwan and has it been affected by COVID-19? (28:15) Jackson shares about his plan heading back to Taiwan (31:42) For Jackson, how do you think the design industry can help each other in these trying times? (32:44) For Jackson, do you know of anyone who are pivoting away from the industry because of how COVID-19 has affected it? (35:25) Conclusion

(Original air date: 3/3/20) On this episode of Sinema.SG LIVE! we welcome to the show Juan Foo, Film Producer at Taipan Films and Su Ao Cheng, Founder of The Mad Trio. Timestamp: (0:00) Start of episode (0:50) Introducing the guests (1:02) Introduction of Juan (2:05) Introduction of Ao Cheng (4:27) Ao Cheng introduces himself (6:26) How did Ao Cheng become the director of the Esplanade countdown? (8:38) What kind of music does Ao Cheng play? (9:03) Juan introduces himself (10:10) Does Juan consider himself as a freelancer? (12:47) How has COVID-19 affected their industries? (18:05) Have they went to the cinema lately? (20:19) For Ao Cheng, has there been gigs cancelled because of the outbreak? (21:08) Does Ao Cheng work in a cancellation clause into contracts? (25:25) For Juan, has any of your classes been cancelled? (29:04) For Ao Cheng, how has the outbreak affected the events industry? (31:35) For Juan, how has the outbreak affected film productions? (33:47) How has the COVID-19 outbreak affected the industries differently compared to previous outbreaks? (36:12) Is it fair to say that DORSCON Orange really is not as bad as public perceives? (38:05) Would you agree handouts are good but no addressing the issue? For Juan, what can or do you think NTUC or the government can do to address the issue? (44:45) Measures within the industry to help each other through this outbreak (53:37) Conclusion

(Original air date: 27/2/2020) On this episode of Sinema.SG LIVE! we talk about various updates and plans moving forward to help those affected. Timestamp: (0:00) Start of episode (1:00) Parliamentary sessions (2:08) Townhall updates (3:37) Strategy to identify and connect with relevant government bodies (6:23) Proposing a partnership with relevant government bodies (8:30) How to help the most affected artists (11:57) Filing income taxes and/or CPF (13:00) ‘Trade Tool” grant (14:40) SkillsFuture discussion (15:33) Meeting with NTUC (16:36) ‘INTERSECTOR’ community working together to find solutions (17:22) Questions from livestream (23:27) Conclusion

(Original air date: 25/2/20) On this episode of Sinema.SG LIVE! we provide updates about our community and how the freelance industry has gotten more media coverage. We also discuss initiatives and plans that will aid the industry. Timestamp: (0:00) Start of episode (1:04) Update about support group and the freelancer industry (1:49) Mainstream press coverage (3:51) IMDA support package for film and media industry (5:11) Brief summary of who is in the support group (6:36) Bringing our stories to relevant government bodies (8:57) Support within the community (11:11) Meeting with NTUC to discuss long term structural plans for freelancers (12:37) Coming together during this time and hopes for the future (15:43) The community taking initiative, addressing posts on the support group (19:55) Looking at messages on livestream (23:17) Escrow account (24:15) Freelancing sites (30:48) Conclusion

(Original air date: 21/2/20) On this episode of Sinema.SG LIVE! we welcome to the show Jasmine Ng, Co-Founder and President of Singapore Association of Motion Picture Professionals, and Leslie Tan, President of Screenwriters Association (Singapore). Timestamp: (0:00) Start of episode (1:30) Jasmine and Leslie introduce themselves (3:50) Tell us more about SAMPP (9:38) More about SAS (15:20) Why do you make films? (20:27) How is SAMPP dealing with freelancers being affected by COVID-19? (24:43) Results and findings of SAMPP’s survey (31:33) What is your take on online training? (37:20) Talking about government schemes regarding online training (45:25) What freelancers can do (51:15) Coming together as a group to learn new skills (54:48) Opening a separate bank account for businesses (55:17) SG Budget 2020 (1:00:14) Conclusion

(Original air date: 20/2/20) On this episode of Sinema.SG LIVE! we welcome to the show Jayce Tham, Chief Businesswoman at CreativesAtWork, and Fanny Tham, Chief Worker at CreativesAtWork. Together, we ask about their views on COVID-19’s impact on media freelancers and what they can do to get ready for the recovery. (0:00) Start of episode (1:30) Jayce and Fanny introduces themselves (8:15) What was it like for Jayce being in MDA? (7:13) Tell us more about CreativesAtWork (10:05) Freelance Creative Exchange Podcast (11:05) STOREYS (15:24) Based on your experiences, how much of an impact has COVID-19 had on the freelance industry? (18:20) What is the impact so far compared to SARS, H1N1, and MERS? (22:05) Why is it that most fresh graduates want to be freelancers? (22:58) What does it take to thrive as a freelancer in the industry? (25:45) What do you think about the Singapore Budget 2020? (28:10) Do you think that the arts and cultural sector is part of the tourism industry? (29:22) Do you feel that this is an important time for us to voice out or tell the government what is happening to the industry in a collective manner? (34:55) How can the industry help each other in these trying times? (36:40) Conclusion

(Original air date 19/2/20) On this episode of Sinema.SG LIVE! we are honoured to welcome to the show Audrey Wong, Head, School of Creative Industries and Programme Leader, MA Arts & Cultural Leadership, LASALLE College of the Arts and first ever Nominated Member of Parliament for the Arts (2009-2011). Together, we discuss COVID-19’s impact on the Arts and Cultural sector. Timestamps: (0:00) Start of episode (1:05) Brief rundown of the topics that will be discussed (2:18) Introduction by Audrey (5:54) Do you sense that there are a lot more freelancers now than in 2009? (7:21) How does an arts practitioner design their career path? (9:50) Do you think the rate of products and services have not kept up with the rate of inflation? (12:18) How has the COVID-19 outbreak affected the arts and cultural sector in Singapore? (15:39) Would you say that the impact is greater for groups and companies or freelancers? (19:15) Singapore Budget 2020 measures discussion (20:44) With the limited number of companies which can pay, what can freelancers do? Moving forward. (26:04) What is the impact so far compared to SARS (2003), H1N1 (2009) and MERS (2015) (28:55) What’s holding back the progress for freelancers in terms of contract negotiation? (31:55) What more can be done by the relevant boards, namely the NAC, NHB, and ARH under the MCCY (32:17) How much do you think this situation will deter people from joining the industry or result in people leaving because they are afraid of only being able to work on a project basis and history repeating itself? (40:20) Conclusion

(Original air date: 18/2/20) On this episode of Sinema.SG LIVE! we do a brief rundown of DPM Heng’s Budget 2020 speech and discuss the measures that are relevant to the industry. Timestamps: (0:00) Start of episode (0:40) Brief introduction of the rundown (2:10) Brief summary of the budget (4:48) A11 – Stabilisation and Support Package (5:49) A19c – Enterprise Financing Scheme’s Working Capital Loan (7:10) A26 – GST rate increase (9:14) B16 – Trade Associations and Chambers (12:24) B26c – Market Readiness Assistance grant (12:54) B37 – “70-70” target (13:33) B41 – one-off SkillsFuture Credit top-up of $500 for every Singaporean aged 25 years and above (15:46) B43a – SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (17:50) B46c – SkillsFuture Credit top-up of $500 to every Singaporean aged 40 to 60 in 2020 (18:35) C20a – Care and Support Package (20:56) D16c – Commercial Emissions Scheme (22:22) E9a – Our Singapore Fund (24:11) Conclusion

(Original air date: 17/2/20) On this episode of Sinema.SG LIVE! we are joined by Terrence Tan, Founder and Executive Director of Artsolute and Presenter, Voice-over Artist and former lawyer Audrey Lim. They share with us their preliminary findings from their independent survey of almost 180 respondents so far. (0:00) Start of Episode (1:00) Catch-up and discussion on telecommunication (3:30) Introduction of guests (8:58) Terrence talks about why he wanted to start a working community in Artscomm and the survey (14:32) What are some of the preliminary findings of the survey? (18:06) About 70% do not collect any payment before starting projects (19:00) How do you mandate milestone payments as freelancers? (21:00) Discussion about how freelance pay has not been progressive over the past few decades (23:10) More preliminary findings of the survey (26:20) What are some of the goals the industry should set for itself based on the preliminary findings of the survey? (32:50) Do you feel that it is more beneficial if different subcommittees within the arts scene come under one? (43:40) How do you think the government can do to help the industry? (45:43) Brief discussion about insurance (55:10) Outstanding feedback from the survey (57:15) Conclusion

(Original air date: 14/2/20) On this brief episode of Sinema.SG LIVE! Managing Director Nicholas Chee gives an update on the plans to purchase hand sanitisers in bulk to share them with the industry. Timestamps: (0:00) Start of episode, update on hand sanitisers (1:52) The packing process of the hand sanitisers (3:13) Prices of the equipment and ingredients (3:19) Call for volunteers to help with the packing of hand sanitisers (4:42) What the industry can get out of the COVID-19 outbreak (5:30) Update on the COVID-19 outbreak (5:54) Update on masks (6:26) Watson is receiving stocks of masks (7:40) End of Episode

(Original air date: 14/2/2020) On this special breaking news edition of Sinema.SG LIVE! we do a roundup of the news since the previous evening plus a brief discussion about masks, sanitisers and protective gear. Timestamps: (0:00) Start of episode (1:52) Discussion about masks, sanitisers and protective gear and how important it is to freelancers in the industry (4:40) CDC and WHO recommends N95 masks (4:20) Plans to purchase masks and hand sanitisers in bulk, and to share them with the industry (9:06) DIY masks (10:16) Alcohol pads

(Original Airdate: 13/2/2020) On this episode of Sinema.SG LIVE! we catch up on the latest updates surrounding COVID-19 and the industry. Timestamps: (0:28) Start of episode (2:10) Those that are affected by the lack of resources and treatment opportunities due to the current focus on COVID-19 (4:12) Call for volunteers in the industry to help those in need (6:28) Discussion about the various surveys looking for feedback from the industry (8:30) Q&A (9:40) How the industry would be harder hit this time around with COVID-19 than with SARS (11:16) Call to share stories and experiences about how professionals in the industry have been affected by the outbreak (13:43) Should there be cancellation clauses? (14:40) COVID-19 and how it may affect animation studios (20:00) Call for stories for a Sinema article regarding the impact of COVID-19 and the industry. (22:10) Responding to livestream comments

(Original airdate: 13/2/2020) On our first episode of Sinema.SG LIVE! Sinema’s managing director and host of the show Nicholas Chee speaks with Ryan Leau, freelance crew member and Senior Financial Planner to share with us about insurance during the COVID-19 epidemic in Singapore. Timestamps: (2:00) Start of episode (2:40) Ryan shares about how COVID-19 has affected him as a freelance crew member (3:42) Ryan shares about insurance and productions during the COVID-19 epidemic (10:40) Call for guests for future Sinema.SG LIVE! episodes (12:28) Q&A