Jakarta Journal, December 3, 2010
So, here and back again, me, with a jar of cold water alongside Beethoven and Dvorak. Supposed to be "Bloomington Journal" but due to some circumstances I have to prolong my stay in Indonesia so be it. I am supposed to have published this article 3 or 4 months ago but the circumstances is not right at the moment.
Having a taste of the world of show business and entertainment these past few months. Made me realizes lots of things. Well not that I haven't had a taste of it before but, lets just say it, this one's the real professional cut-throat show biz. And to add more catastrophe to it, it's in Indonesia. A country where "everything" is possible--in a ridiculous way. Trust me, it's an apocalypse here.
First of all, as we can see, there's not that much to it for professional show biz in here. Tons of what I'd say "unprofessional". Too many people who does not deserve their place. Too many people without the ability, skill, and education in their fields. But like I said, apocalypse. I have been staying in US for 2 years and although I'm only a mere student, I experienced professionalism in every bit of things. Example, choir rehearsal in the conservatory. The appointed time was 2.30 pm. Derives that the first note sung on 2.30. The first baton was raised 2 seconds before 2.30. The beginning speech was spoken 5 minutes to 2.30. Every choir and orchestra member was on spot 15 minutes to 2.30. The lead conductor was there 25 minutes before 2.30. The officials are there 35 minutes before and they prepared all the seating arrangements along with the bench and the scores. On the concert date, every sound engineer, lighting man, stage manager, even I'm pretty sure the usher knows every note sung and played. How could it not be a great show? With everyone knowing everything to do their job at the most quality. Need to remind you that this is NOT even the real professional world. This is still an on campus activity. Can you imagine how would the real professionals work there? Well, think of Vegas and Broadway. No wonder we, Indonesian, couldn't have catch up with their show industry.
Second thing, people here hate critics so much. They think that those who can't do their jobs could never understand. In a way the are right but at the very least all human has a general sense of things and these sense is what applies to the critics given. I think they should know what other people as an audience said about their job. In US, with all those professionalism, they are very open to critics. Even they take it as blessings. It means tomorrow they will do better. I think this is what lacking in Indonesia's show biz people. We always think critics are given by bad people, trying to take us down. That happens but not all the time obviously. How can a retarded show biz catch up if it won't learn a thing??
Well this is just a reflection on the country's performing arts condition. A heads up on what's going on here. I will strive to do my best to change things although as you know I am nothing but a mere human with big dreams. I dream a country so mighty it will lead the world's performing art industry. I dream Indonesia.
