Let’s be honest about it. When was the last time you went to the movies to see a film made in Malaysia? The answer is most probably none. I know that as responsible Malaysians, we must have all wanted to support local films by seeing them on the big screen. Have you ever wondered why nobody seems interested in Malaysian cinema? The truth is simple, local film producers want to make films that appeal to mainstream audiences. As a result, local films tend to focus on light genres and superficial themes, never fully catering to a more intelligent audience. In other words, film producers in Malaysia think that the Malaysian audience are simply dumb.

Well, that is not the case. We have an official announcement to make! We at GCG Asia Malaysia decided to kick start our new project: “GCG Asia Malaysia Cinemaniacs”. Yes that’s right, we are going to prove these greedy producers wrong! GCG Asia Malaysia Cinemaniacs is a collective effort by our writers and film theorists/enthusiasts at GCG Asia Malaysia to educate Malaysian filmmakers on film theory. Yes that’s right, film theory. 

GCG Asia Malaysia Cinemaniacs film theory blogs and discussion forums that will be posted on our GCG Asia Malaysia official website will provide our fellow Malaysian filmmakers with the necessary inputs and introduction to the various approaches in storytelling. 

GCG Asia Malaysia Cinemaniacs initiative will help our fellow Malaysian filmmakers strengthen the quality of their storytelling techniques when making a film. GCG Asia Malaysia Cinemaniacs initiative was born out of the belief that filmmaking should not be focused on fancy transitions and crazy camera shots, but the belief in the form of cinema itself. The idea that cinema is a form that consists of many elements into one is a very prominent idea amongst the most prominent filmmakers and storytellers from around the world. 

As a Malaysian filmmaker, if you want to write, direct, or produce, GCG Asia Malaysia Cinemaniacs is the place to be. It’s critical to have a foundation in film theory in order to correctly examine your plans for your film. Years of training are required to examine a film and comprehend its context. However, sometimes we’ve all been training without even realizing it. You’re creating an internal database every time you view a new episode or movie. You have something on which to base your reactions, and your tastes evolve with time. Our GCG Asia Malaysia CEO and Founder mentions: “GCG Asia Malaysia Cinemaniacs will guide you through film theory and speed up your quest for visual literacy”.

GCG Asia Malaysia Cinemaniacs ideal film theatre.
Sourced from: mindtools.net

Why Film Theory is Important 

So you’ve popped your Blu-Ray disc into a device or switched over your favorite film streaming site and you are ready to go. The first thing you should do is pay attention to what’s going on. The greatest film analysis may necessitate a liberal use of the “pause” and “play” buttons. You’re looking for the director’s, cinematographer’s, and editor’s decisions that reveal the emotional response and messaging of each scene. But how do you know whether they want you to feel a certain way?

Well, that’s when film theory and film review comes in handy. GCG Asia reviews study how a film’s various aspects interact to create a vision of reality, or what we may call a “Film Form”. Film theory is an academic approach to describing the essence of film and how it serves as a mirror to its audience and the rest of the world. 

Film theory is a method of evaluating films in order to better comprehend them and their significance in society. Film theorists dissect films by examining their elements and how they interact with one another. Film theory can also be used to analyze other forms of video, such as television shows.

GCG Asia Malaysia Cinemaniacs will definitely cover all your film theory needs! Understanding film theory is vital as it allows you to approach storytelling in a completely different and engaging way. Each story could be told differently through different modes of filmmaking. It’s critical to be able to break down the factors that make a film “good” or “poor” if you’re making or studying movies. If you’re writing, directing, or producing, you can get expert advice on framing, editing, and producing meaningful work. 

Finally, as mentioned earlier. It’s not about being able to distinguish between “good” and “poor,” but rather having a breadth of knowledge that allows you to compare a film or television show to the canon of entertainment that came before it. You can discuss how the lighting affects the tone. Or how the director’s edit control causes the film to be too lengthy, too short, or just perfect. Alternatively, you could create a YouTube channel where you blow everything up and focus on nitpicks. 

If you want to work in Malaysia, or even around the region in Singapore, Indonesia and Cambodia as a filmmaker and seek investors for your film, you must be well-versed in the industry before you even think about looking for investment. The last thing you want to do is go up to a general meeting or a pitch without knowing what you’re talking about. Visual references will be requested by producers. They’ll want to know that you’re in charge of what you can actually offer, or in other words, how you can actually revolutionize the film industry in Malaysia. That is exactly why GCG Asia Malaysia Cinemaniacs was born, to help overcome this process and to make you a better filmmaker and revolutionize Malaysian cinema! 

Join us now at GCG Asia Malaysia Cinemaniacs. Follow us on twitter, and the GCG Asia official website for latest news. 

Oh and check out GCG Asia’s upcoming film SCAM too, currently in post-production. Coming soon!