Artist insulted

Artist insulted

From Kompas

The blossoming of local TV films (sinetron) on private channels has viewers nailed to their seats in admiration of their favorite stars. Viewers are captivated by the extraordinary blend of emotion and action. But do sinetron viewers know how sinetron productions are made? They know very little, and probably don't care that much as long as their favorite star makes an appearance.

I felt insulted as an artist when I came face to face with an arrogant director. After 55 working hours and four full working days, I was only called once for shooting. In that time, no meal or transportation allowance was provided until we returned to Jakarta. Only four days after the movie Si Kucing Kucing Hitam (black cats), episode 19 titled Retak II was shown, did they pay my fee, a measly Rp 162,500.

Is that the artistic value of Indonesian sinetron? Why are TV artists insulted and then dismissed by an arrogant director instead of being appreciated? Is it no longer necessary to look for artistic values in sinetron productions? Or do we require artistic management? It all depends on the sinetron producers, but do not confuse artists with construction workers.

If PT Myriad Communications could afford a daily leasing fee of US$700 (Rp 1.6 million) for a shooting location, why is the crew so badly paid?

I would like to ask how they tally working hours and how "minor" jobs are evaluated? Is every production house paying its artists like PT Miryad Communications paid me?

I hope other artists do not have to share my experience. Welcome to the television industry.

MUTTAQIEN ARI SETIAWAN

Jakarta