TikTok, Singaporean government partner for AI microdrama push

TikTok has partnered with the Singaporean government to help media professionals produce live-action and AI-animated microdramas.

Yvonne Tang

The initiative between the social video giant and Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has been set up to develop a pipeline of microdrama IP, the two partners said.

The programme will train media professionals with the skills and tools to develop and produce 50 to 100 episodes, each one to three minutes long, and take their ideas from concept to market.

They said the aim is to develop and produce microdramas “rooted in Singapore’s culture and perspectives” through mentorships, workshops and masterclasses.

Media professionals from 20 accredited companies will take part initially, with the potential to scale to a wider pool in future editions, IMDA and TikTok said.

Over a span of six to nine months, participants will learn microdrama storytelling techniques from TikTok and its partners, covering vertical content production, shot design and composition, cliffhanger design and “responsible” use of technology, including AI.

Two training tracks will be available, one covering live action, with the option to supplement content using AI-generated content or AI assistance.

The other AI-enabled animation track, meanwhile, focuses on animated content such as anime or comic-style animation using AI tools such as Seedance 2.5, the controversial AI video-generation platform by LA- and Singapore-based TikTok’s Chinese parent company ByteDance.

Each version of the Seedance video generation tool has been at the centre of AI-related debates spanning copyright infringement, deepfakes and the future of creative labour.

According to the Singapore TV Audience Measurement System, 87% of people in Singapore aged 15 and above access platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook on a weekly basis, with an increasing share of that time spent watching shortform content.

Yvonne Tang, assistant CEO at IMDA’s Media Industry Group, said: “IMDA is excited to partner with TikTok to equip our media professionals with the skills to create compelling Singapore-made microdrama for global audiences.

“With TikTok’s reach and insights, our talent and companies are well-placed to seize new opportunities on a global platform, harnessing new tech tools with the same care and craft they bring to any creative work. This partnership is an important step towards building a vibrant, globally competitive media sector.”

Candera Chan, public policy lead for Singapore and the Association of South-East Asian Nations at TikTok, added: “TikTok is proud to partner with IMDA to grow Singapore’s microdrama ecosystem and equip our local media industry with the capabilities to capture new opportunities in this fast-growing format.

“By combining Singapore’s creative talent with TikTok’s global reach and expertise in shortform storytelling, we can help made-in-Singapore content reach audiences around the world. We look forward to deepening our partnership with IMDA and the industry to build a vibrant and globally connected creative ecosystem.”