Introduction to Netflix’s Initiative
Netflix is launching an initiative called "Lumina" in Australia, which aims to support the entry of neurodiverse individuals into the visual effects industry. According to Netflix Executive Minyoung Kim, this initiative will provide neurodiverse people with a way to gain employment in the visual effects industry. The Lumina initiative will offer training and on-set workstations in Netflix’s upcoming local production, "My Brilliant Career," a historical drama starring Philippa Northeast.
Expansion of Initiatives in the Asian-Pacific Region
The Lumina initiative expands Netflix’s efforts in the Asian-Pacific region, where the streamer has worked with over 250 local production outfits since the beginning of production almost 10 years ago. Kim, the APAC VP of Content (ex-India) at Netflix, announced that the Creative Asia Conference will take place in Indonesia in December at the Jogja-Netpac Film Festival (Jaff). The aim is to bring together up-and-coming creators from all over Southeast Asia with master classes, training, and networking events.
Skills and Talent Initiatives
According to Netflix, the streamer has reached 8,000 people in APAC with its skills and talent initiatives from 2021 to 2024, with hundreds more being added this year. Kim emphasized the importance of creating environments where creativity thrives, and teams are safe, respected, and inspired. "We are obliged to create environments in which creativity thrives, in which teams are safe, respected, and inspired – because better work environments and healthier team cultures lead to higher, creative work," said Kim.
Extension Initiatives
The ongoing initiatives include Reel Life, a program in Southeast Asia, which aims to increase the skills of emerging creative people in the local production industry. In Japan, Netflix will organize master classes and events on the Osaka Expo next week to enable emerging producers, directors, and screenwriters, especially those who work outside of Tokyo. In Taiwan, the streamer is organizing an opportunity to work on Netflix Originals in collaboration with local partners Yiyi Pictures and the Taiwan Producers Association.
Intimacy Coordinator
Kim also discussed the role of the intimacy coordinator, which was first introduced by Netflix in 2020. The Japanese intimacy coordinator Momoko Nishiyama discussed how the streamer’s introduction of this role has become an industry standard in the country. "People on the set feel safer, more authorized to comment, and there is a lot of open discussion," she said. "Now it is okay to say or express it with which you feel comfortable. It is not only the actors and directors – the employees are also happier because they know what to prepare for in advance," she added.
Changing Perception of Asian Productions
The Biff program director Karen Park spoke about how Netflix started with Busan last year and how the perception of Asian productions has changed worldwide. "Asian creativity has always been there – it was simply not seen," she said. "Thanks to global platforms and changing settings, this is finally changing. Talented filmmakers who once had problems maintaining funds and sales now enjoy co-production options and meet on every frame of their film." Park also attributed Netflix to the role it played in reducing language and cultural barriers. "Now that everyone watches Squid Game, subtitles are no longer scary," she added. "People start Asian stories as complex, emotional, not ‘oriental’, not ‘exotic’, but universal human stories."
