The power of art is immeasuarble. Through artistic creations we have amazed (&frightened) the masses bringing still pictures to life, we have designed cities, eternalized history, clothed the world - the reach is infinite. Art is an extremely powerful medium, yet one that is far too often taken for granted, underestimated and ignored. We praise the scientists and the mathematicians for unlocking puzzles that we could not solve, but dismiss the artist who can produce creations that we could not construct. Unless you've entered the elite of artistic fame, your work is regularly treated like that of a child who presented a page of scribbles to his Aunt Meradith. After a lot of jumping up and down to get her attention, you're patted on the back with a smile and a quick gasp of appriciation, then politly brushed to the side once again. In my experience, I've come to realize that many don't understand the true value of art. They don't understand that it is not only crucial to the preservation of our cultural roots (whatever that culture may be), but an outlet of expression that connects us across nations, a way to document history for all eternity, a way to CREATE history, a viable business if done right.... The creative mind is imperative to human progression. To me, art is not simply beautiful paint strokes in a frame, but every beautiful creation you've ever been witness to. Art is the construction of your home, the clothes on your back, the stories that you read, the films that you watch, the family portrait on your wall, a well kept garden - art has no boundries, but by not supporting one anothers art, we create boundries. I can't rant for all avenues of art in one shot, nor speak for all places in the world, so today i'm going to be a little specific in expressing why we SHOULD INVEST IN THE LOCAL ART OF FILM & TELEVISION. 9 REASONS WHY Investing in local televeision is essential In THE CARIBBEAN.[ Feel free to click the grey links as you read for more information ] 1. CULTURAL REPRESENTATION FOR OUR REGION The children of our nation will not be subjected to the danger of a single story. We can give our people a voice; an identity. 2. NATIONAL PRIDE "Together we aspire, together we achieve" - Trinidad&Tobago's national motto. Flashback: World Cup 2006: Do you remember that feeling of unity when the entire country bound together to support the 'Soca Warriors'? Investing in ourselves can rebuild that sense of pride for our nation that will trickle down into all avenues of daily life. When people respect their land and their people, life in said land will significantly improve. 3. DECREASED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE Investing in local television will create hundreads of 'non-traditional' jobs, decreasing unemployment numbers. People can find avenues of work within the production with skills (that maybe they did not know were profitable) for jobs that did not exist before production. (production assistant, actor, boom opperator, cordinator, set designer etc.) 4. TAX INCENTIVES There is a 35% cash back tax rebate with a 20% profit rate when investing in local film/television (In Trinidad & Tobago - or so it's suppose to be.) 5. SYNDICATION & OTHER SERIES PARAPHERNALIA If a series is successful it can generate extreme profits from syndication, books, DVD's, toys etc. 6. PRODUCT PLACEMENT Not only does placing your brand in a television show give it a huge market reach, but the brand becomes embedded in society forever. This marketing tactic has brought GREAT success to many businesses throughout the years. 7. TOURISM Statistics have shown that countries represented in film and television have received a significant increase in tourism. E.g. 'Braveheart' brought a 300% increase of tourism to Scotland a year after it's release. 8. ECONOMY Boosting the local film scene will attract foreign crews looking for different landscapes to our islands which will be putting money back into the economy. International sales of the series will also do this, generating foreign currency. 9. NOBODY WANTS A STARVING ARTIST. Nuff said. Like I said, 'the creative mind is imperative for human progression' and we should start treating it as such. Art is not a notion to be underestimated, but a powerful force to be respected and explored. Islands like Trinidad & Tobago need to start diversifying their means of national income. Why not start here? By investing in local film and television you're not only benefiting your pockets, but the nation/region and it's people. It has enourmous potential to generate revenue and expand into a web of viable business ventures. Whether you're contemplating jumping on board as an international or local investor on a quality Caribbean prodution, the estimated potential ROI is worth your consideration. Trust me, you don't want to get left behind on this journey. The rich culture and exquisite landscapes of the Caribbean create a unique backdrop for any production. ALL WE NEED NOW IS YOU.
Let us band together and allow creativity to prospor in our region. What do you think? If you agree, share this post. Let's get the conversation started.
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