5 ways the showbiz scene has changed in the past year

A handful of artistes attending a socially distanced viewing of the Grammys. Photo: AP

Can you believe it’s been exactly a year since Malaysia’s movement control order came into effect?

Over the course of the year, the entertainment industry, like many others, has had to make major adjustments to stay afloat.

These efforts were awkward and difficult even, at first. Today, they seem almost second nature.

We look at some of the changes the entertainment scene, both locally and internationally, has implemented in order to keep the cameras rolling and the music playing.

1. Award ceremonies are stripped-down affairs

At the beginning of the pandemic, one by one, award shows were cancelled.

But as the months went by, the industry responded by holding award ceremonies virtually such as the MTV VMAs and Emmys.

Right up until early this year, the Golden Globes were held virtually. Of course there were a few technical glitches but you know what they say, the show must go on.

More recently, awards ceremonies have started to adopt a physical set up.

As Covid-19 cases begin to dip, the Grammys and Malaysia’s most prestigious song competition Anugerah Juara Lagu (AJL) were held physically last weekend.

Both these music events saw our favourite singers back in action again, set against lavish, breathtaking backdrops – just like we remembered them!

The only difference is the absence of a roaring live audience. Only a smattering of artistes (mostly nominees or performers) attended a socially distanced viewing of the Grammys.

2. Connecting with fans in a whole new way

Once, there were fan meet-and-greets and head-bobbing music concerts. Now, stars have found another way to connect with their fans.

Local celebrities like Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza and Misha Omar can be often seen going live on their social media platforms. They sing, they answer questions posed by fans, they record their day-to-day activities.

In a way, these celebrity engagements are even more revealing and intimate compared to a physical event pre-pandemic.

There’s something about seeing them bare-faced and clad in their “house clothes” instead of all glammed that gives us the sense that they’re just like us.

3. Changing listening habits

The extra hours spent at home has drastically changed the way we listen to music.

Due to the lack of physical concerts, online music consumption has seen an increase in Malaysia, says Kenny Ong, the chairman of Recording Industry Association of Malaysia, in a previous interview with StarLifestyle.

And listeners aren’t just consuming more music online, the new normal has seen the rise of podcasts on streaming services. And it makes sense.

Podcast creators (who are often experts in their fields) have the time to dish out advice and opinions on a variety of topics like managing one’s finances or growing an herb garden.

Listeners, who are also very much stuck at home, are all ears.

4. TikTok: a bite-sized entertainment wonder

TikTok has pretty much become a medium of entertainment in itself. The app has blown up tremendously during the pandemic and it’s not hard to see why.

People looking for a quick burst of entertainment (perhaps while waiting for their food delivery service to arrive?) can tune in to find amusing seconds-long content.

It’s also refreshing to see that its content creators are made up of everyday people which means a variety of perspectives reflected.

Whether it’s playing pranks on their grandmother, teaching English or raising awareness about an important cause, there’s something for everyone.

#pronunciation#BetulkanYangBiasa#BiasakanYangBetul pic.twitter.com/TXW45pSMKs — ADIBAH NOOR (@adibahnoor) February 7, 2021

5. The boom of Zoom

As journalists in the entertainment industry, there’s been a shift in the way we work. For one, Zoom interviews have taken over physical press conferences and face-to-face interviews.

But there’s a bright side to this in one regard. Pre-pandemic, international assignments see journalists flown to cities like Los Angeles or Seoul to interview celebrities, as part of a movie or TV company’s effort to promote its content.

Called “press junkets”, they now take place from the comfort of our own homes. Sure, it was awkward at first. Mics were muted when they shouldn’t be. Mics weren’t muted when they should be!

At the same time, because these interviews were held virtually, there was a surge in interview opportunities from international stars – from Gal Gadot and George Clooney to Lee Min-ho and Blackpink – made available to us.