Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has teamed up with TikTok on a scheme to train local producers to make microdramas, including ones animated with AI. The partners say the goal is a pipeline of homegrown short-form series that reflect Singapore's culture.
Staff from 20 accredited companies make up the first intake, which may widen in later editions. Over six to nine months they will be mentored on vertical storytelling, shot design, cliffhangers and what the organisers call responsible use of technology, with the aim of taking a series of 50 to 100 one-to-three-minute episodes from idea to release.
There are two tracks. One is live action, where AI-generated material or assistance can be added. The other is built around AI animation, such as anime or comic styles, using tools like Seedance 2.5, the video generator from TikTok's parent ByteDance that has drawn criticism over copyright, deepfakes and creative jobs.
The case for the scheme rests on viewing habits: Singapore's TV audience measurement shows 87% of residents aged 15 and up use platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook each week, with more of that time going to short videos.
IMDA's Yvonne Tang said the partnership would help local talent use new tools with the same care as any creative work, and TikTok's regional policy lead Candera Chan said it would help made-in-Singapore stories reach viewers worldwide.
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