Youth Skills Summit 2020: Renowned artistes talk survival in a changing entertainment industry

Trying to embrace the "new normal" during the pandemic, the entertainment industry faces a peculiar challenge. Amidst the drawbacks, artistes in the entertainment industry are trying to innovate and come up with solutions to overcome challenges, speakers said at Youth Skills Summit 2020.

At the virtual event, renowned artistes in the entertainment industry shared their perspectives in the discussion titled "The Changing Entertainment Industry: Opportunities and Challenges for Artists".

The conference was held in association with SBK Tech Ventures, Shah Cement and Mountain Dew. Star Youth, 10 Minute School, Preneur Lab and Youth Opportunities were youth engagement partners of the summit.

At the session moderated by popular singer and editor of The Daily Star's Arts & Enteratinment and Star Youth sections, Elita Karim, the industry insiders shared their advice to new artistes.

"When I was planning to take music as a full-time profession, My parents told me that an artiste in the entertainment industry has a very limited shelf-life," said musician-turned-actor Tahsan Khan. "That was, in fact, the best advice I could get at that time."

He asserted that throughout the years, he acquired skills to extend said shelf life, until he was able to become a successful actor as well.

"To survive as an artiste, passion will not be enough. You also need to be able to monetize yourself," said actor Iresh Zaker.

"I feel that whatever you do, you have to be honest towards your craft," said TV fiction director Ashfaque Nipun. "You cannot take your audience for granted. The audience always wants to see something different, and the industry has to adapt accordingly", he asserted.