The times are dark, daunting, and deadly. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is showing no signs of slowing down, drowning all in its wretched wave.
While the virus is a clear threat to human life, it has also become a major source of a seismic hit for industries and businesses all around the world. In particular, the prospects are bleak for Pakistan’s entertainment industry.
The nationwide lockdown that came into enforcement by mid-March brought everything to a halt. With cinema halls gone dark, productions being delayed, movie releases stalled, T.V channels running out of content, and all forms of live on-ground entertainment struggling; the financial ramifications are bound to be grave. The livelihood of a large population of people is associated with show business and with cash flow downgraded, the industry has almost come to its knees.
How is the Industry Dealing with the Repercussions?
It is a huge question that how will Pakistan’s drama, music, cinema, and the entertainment business as a whole will emerge out of the dire crisis. The internet and its streaming platforms have been minting the most out of the predicament. Various global movies have turned to online release. Musicians are keeping fans entertained with online concerts. Celebrities are hosting live sessions to interact with their followers. The least affected of the lot remains the drama industry. The shooting of various shows, which was ceased earlier in lockdown, has resumed with SOPs.
We got in touch with various respected veterans of the industry to discuss the effects of the pandemic on the entertainment world in general and here’s what they had to say:
Mehreen Jabbar: Our industry will have to figure out a new way forward because there is no alternative until a vaccine is developed. Even in the U.S.A, there are proposals being suggested by Hollywood and the studios. However, there is no agreement between them and the unions on how to proceed.
It has to be done and not just superficially. A protocol needs to be followed. The producers and team involved need to ensure SOPs are implemented, for example, the use of masks by absolutely everyone. They need to figure out ways to do makeup. Countries like Iceland and Poland have found effective ways to shoot under the given circumstances.
Ali Zafar: Firstly we don’t have any industry. Whatever we have of it has suffered and will continue to unless there are plans and policies in place to create, facilitate, and propagate industries related to entertainment.
The music scene which comprises artists creating musical content and getting to do live give in response had always been, before the Pandemic too. Live performances are a musician’s foremost means of earning which stopped and does not seem likely to reopen until the vaccine comes as a performance requires large audience gatherings with no distance between each other.
Danish Nawaz: The impact has been immense, especially to that of the cinema industry. Movies cannot be screened anymore due to close contact in theaters. Similarly, even concerts cannot be held anymore. Talking about dramas, we are trying our best that the shooting continues keeping SOPs in mind. We have to work since the whole staff and livelihood of a number of people are dependent on it.
However, we cannot execute scenes in which people are in close proximity, having conversations with each other and wedding scenes that feature a crowd of people. We are ensuring that our actors, staff, and crew are safe while shooting for scenes so that work can also continue.
Wajahat Rauf: It will be tougher for the film industry to get back on its feet as even when the cinemas open up, people will be scared to go out. Disposable income is also on the lower side so it will be challenging for us. Television, however, will continue without any major setbacks. But we will have to take extreme precautions and follow the SOPs being followed by other developed entertainment industries.
Will the Backup Plan Work?
Reeling under the impact of the pandemic, we are already witnessing a technological and behavioral shift in the COVID-19 world. The dramatic change of implementing SOPs on drama sets is in full-force. A crew with only a limited number of people is allowed.
But one thing is clear! Despite the backup plan of launching projects online or applying precautions on sets; only a cure to the virus will return the industry to normalcy.
Danish Nawaz: The aim remains that the industry stands tall again. But for that, it is necessary, that the world finds a cure to COVID-19. Without the cure, it is very difficult for the entertainment industry to thrive as uncertainty will loom large over our heads. The drama industry can still survive as shooting can continue with SOPs and dramas are watched within the comfort of our homes.
Ali Zafar: From my end during this time, we have launched a record label Lightingale productions to help the artist at least release their music. However, they need to perform and interact in order to promote their music which is not possible now. Hopefully, once COVID-19 is over, things would start to shape up but bear in mind the entertainment industry will open last. Therefore, the entertainment industry would suffer amongst the biggest hit and take a long time to revive also given our economic conditions.
Streaming Platforms will be the Big Winner
The only real benefactor of this pandemic are the subscription-based streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. It won’t be wrong to say that they have become the real coping mechanism for the audience during the lockdown all over the world. To cash upon this trend, our entertainment fraternity has to shift towards making more web-series and content suited for a release on popular streaming services.
Mehreen Jabbar: Future trends are a big unknown. We are seeing a resurgence of drive-in cinemas that are long gone. In New York, a diner has turned its parking lot into a parking cinema. The way forward appears that in the U.S, people are getting back to work in an environment where there are not 500 or 200 crew members to downsize. This means in Pakistan there is an opportunity to produce low-budget but good stories and do it with limited crew size. Streaming platforms are going to rise and in Pakistan, we haven’t reached that stage where we have viable streaming networks but there is a lot of potential there.
Television in Pakistan is always a primary form of entertainment and the safest way to get your money back. It won’t be affected that much. Only the shooting conditions need to be adapted. I am doing a short web-series in New York by the end of July but with a limited crew who will be mindful of social distancing. Writers also are being told to pen stories where characters don’t have to necessarily come in close contact. So adaption will be required so that the industry sets up its own rules.
Can the Industry Come Back Stronger Post COVID-19?
It is likely that the revenue lost by the industry in all this time will take years to replace. Already, the cinema industry had been suffering due to the ban on Bollywood movies. What’s more, the audience wants entertainment beyond watching dramas on T.V or YouTube.
However, it is also possible that the result of the coronavirus shutdown could also give a boost to show business and save it from ultimate collapse. Wajahat Rauf believes so!
Wajahat Rauf: I think once the pandemic is over, there will be an increased demand for all sorts of entertainment including music, theater, films, and other activities as we’ve all been locked inside our homes for a long time. I would ask everyone to stay positive as this tough time will pass soon Insha Allah.
from HUM TV – Watch Dramas Online https://ift.tt/2NGNh4v
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