By Emmanuel Narokobi

I’ve been getting a number of queries about how to get your video’s onto the NTS, or Kundu 2 as it’s also called, so I was fortunate enough catch up with Kevin Marai (kmarai@nbc.com.pg) of NBC yesterday. Kevin is in charge of developing the content for the NTS project at this early stage. The current situation right now where Kundu 2 is showing ready made video content is called the ‘Blackout’ period. The Blackout period is expected to last for roughly another month while they fine tune their programming schedule and sort out technical issues. They have also decided to have a go at doing a news segment during the period.

Kundu 2’s programming will be in a magazine type format, which will allow for different types of topics and genres of content to be shown. So if anyone out there has video content then NTS will be paying for content if it is not government produced. If your video has not been classified it will first go to the censorship board for classification then NTS will give you a content acquisition form so that you can licence your content to them for broadcast.

My film partner and I will also be going through the same process for our ‘Hans Up Buai O Laip Blong Yu” film. So we both will now have to sit down and work out how we will Invoice the NTS, be it a flat fee or per showing. Our film however is only a 7 min short film so we’re not looking at huge bucks here, but its a start I guess. I am waiting now for the forms from Kevin, so when I get them then I can put them up here for other production houses or individuals to download as well.

One interesting suggestion which Kevin made is that the NTS could be a central location for PNG content to be housed and broadcast. So that if there was any outside interest in your content then they could act as an agent for you in re-selling your content to other local or international broadcasters. In that way you still get your cut and they get a cut for re-selling your rights. If this is done on a per showing basis then it could be a great way of compensating peoples hard work in producing content. This will again raise the topic of copyrights and the use of organisations like APRA and what they do in music (See here, here and here).

The National Film Institute has allot of content to provide as well, but from what Kevin was saying I believe they will do this through a proper program after the ‘blackout’ period. On the topic of the Film Institute I imagine that a close relationship will need to be developed between the Institute and the NTS so that both roles of archiving and distribution are effectively carried out for PNG related content both locally and internationally.

You can already feel the NTS stimulating ideas, growth and movement of skilled technical people in PNG’s underdeveloped broadcast/movie industry. Everyone from camera men to productions houses will now have to work out where they fit into the market to be a part of this industry growth. But keep in mind that short programs and full length movies are two different things. TV is a good platform to start but I think we can really begin to see cultural expression and self analysis once we begin to start producing feature films.

So if you’re keen to get a video on Kundu 2 please email Kevin Marai at kmarai@nbc.com.pg

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Related Links:

• Why Film is not Taking Off in PNG
• PNG Storytellers turn to Film
• How Media Became the Message in PNG
• State of Safeguarding PNG’s Intangible Cultural Heritage