A review of the Malaysian film industry: Towards better film workflow

AbstractThis thesis investigates the existing film workflow processes in Malaysia and aims to explore, review and reflect on the expectations, experiences and preferences and problems experienced by practitioners in the Malaysian film industry. Part of that exploration is an in-depth examination of real practices of colour film workflow, investigating the common myth amongst Malaysian filmmakers that environmental colour temperature affects the image quality of Malaysian films. Analysis of this myth may help to establish why many Malaysian films have been processed through foreign laboratory facilities using foreign expertise. The argument and analysis are based on background analysis and interviewing using video documentation of Malaysian film workflow practices, which provides valuable data for the benefit of the Malaysian film industry.All the processes and evidence from the Malaysian film industry were recorded through qualitative video documentation, alongside quantitative data from filmstrip testing. This mixed action research method forms the main approach together with the use of participatory action research as a tool to narrate the development of the research. In justifying the use of all the data, an explanatory mixed method design has been applied. Indeed, the cooperation with expert witnesses in finding a solution to the research problem brought to the circle of practice-based research processes that validated the research. This validation becoming a central of investigation about the Malaysian film workflow complication. The initial technique (pursing the myth of colour temperature variation) proved inadequate, and, consequently, a broader action research methodology was adopted. As such, the filmstrip test data were used more as a tool to enhance the contributions of the expert witnesses, thereby shifting the direction and strengthening the research findings.It is hoped that the methods used could be transferred to solve other film industry problems This research also proves that the method applied has created new evidence of knowledge transfer in historical and film development context, which benefits the film industry in Malaysia. This development of new knowledge could provide a significant opportunity for future potential research, which will strengthen the colour workflow processes and lead to the development of film practices in Malaysia and the surrounding areas. It is the aim of this research to suggest solutions to the current problems of workflow practices among educators, government agencies and filmmakers in the Malaysian film industry