On Set, On Edge: Observing Talent Management and Operational Fragility in Malaysia Film Production

When the COVID-19 pandemic hits Malaysia, the local film and television industry experienced significant disruption, exposing underlying vulnerabilities in its operational resilience and workforce sustainability. Although recovery efforts are ongoing and government support, particularly from FINAS and the Ministry of Communication and Multimedia has played a role, the industry still suffered a sharp downturn. The number of registered production companies dropped dramatically from 19,000 in 2019 to just 11,000 in 2020, with over 1,000 productions brought to a halt and an estimated RM1 billion in losses. This article presents findings from a 39-day qualitative observation of a Malaysian film production, capturing real-time dynamics of crew management, leadership practices, and production challenges. Several major themes have been discovered through this study such as leadership conflicts and management gaps; talent integration challenges and professionalism; operational inefficiencies: communication, time, and finance; and tensions between creative aspirations and practical execution. The study also discovers how learning on the job (on-site learning), well-formed teams, and fast, practical decision-making contribute to keeping the creative process moving while keeping the morale and spirit of those on set. The findings show that, even under significant uncertainty, production teams make strategic maneuvers to keep operations on track offering broader insights into how creative industries can stay agile and resilient in the face of disruption. This study offers a deeper look at how talent dynamics and operational resilience come together in the aftermath of a crisis, using ethnographic observations to ground the discussion in real-world practice. These insights are especially relevant for leaders managing disruptions in project-based industries, where adaptability and people management are key to recovery.

Film Practice, Talent Sustainability, Workforce Resilience, Production Sustainability

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