PAYMENT rates for theatre artistes will be a major focus in the implementation of standard contracts announced by the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) earlier this year.
Its chief executive officer, Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, said all artistes and production crew members will soon have a a standard employment contract to safeguard their interests.
"We have to understand, this contract is comprehensive because big companies like Skop Productions and Multimedia Entertainment do follow existing contracts, terms as well as minimum wage standards.
"Finas has always mentioned this to small and medium-sized independent producers who sometimes hire actors to work with them without any contract.
"Whenever there is an issue to be raised with an artistes' association, it is difficult for us to depend on them because there is no contract," he said in an interview with 'Harian Metro'.
Azmir was asked to comment on the ongoing issue of theatre actors getting paid less than "celebrities" with huge social media following, but less acting experience.
He said creative industry associations such as the Malaysian Film Directors' Association (FDAM), the Malaysian Film Professional Workers' Association (Profima) which involves production crew members, as the Malaysian Artistes' Association (Seniman) have established minimum wage guidelines for filmmakers to refer to when paying artistes for their work.
"Finas knows that all companies have contracts but a standard contract requires a pamphlet that must be used as a reference, especially to determine the minimum wage paid to employees and collaborators.
"Other industries, such as information technology and construction, have their own point of reference."
Azmir further said that the issue of low pay for theatre actors has been a longstanding one.
"We understand that those from theatre backgrounds possess a lot more quality when it comes to acting. "In developed countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States, many of their greatest actors have a strong background in theatre.
"Therefore, Finas wants to ensure that an actor's career journey starts from the National Arts, Culture and Heritage Academy (Aswara).
"After he or she graduates, the artiste would do plays, short films and finally feature films.
"This would make the artiste's creative journey more complete. He or she can observe all angles and skills in every acting project," said Azmir.
On the issue of salaries for other artistes, Azmir said Finas would continue to uphold the Malaysian Creative Capacity Enhancement Programme (MyCAP), which was implemented not long ago.
"Through the MyCAP programme, we have a database for artistes' accreditation, and it will give us a clearer picture on whether the artiste is a professional, junior artiste or a fresh graduate from college and university.
"Finas is now in discussions with university accreditation departments to find out how we can upgrade new artistes.
"When there is a database for accreditation, an artiste will get hold of a certificate and show it to producers.
"He or she can tell the producer about his or her qualifications, and this means he or she must be paid the appropriate salary, just like professionals from other industries that have accreditation systems," he added.
Previously, theatre and film actress Farah Ahmad, 46, said many theatre actors, who are not considered celebrities, are not sufficiently paid by theatre, drama and film producers.
'Tombiruo' star Farah, who is the daughter-in-law of director, theatre activist and veteran actress Datuk Fauziah Nawi, had expressed her disappointment on a TikTok video that many young theatre artistes are not being paid the same salary as 'celebrity' actors who with a greater commercial presence.