Island Boys, What’s Next?
Izzraimy chats Covid-19, GRAB delivery, Dior sneakers
Island Boys
M: How’s Island Boys?
I: Projects have started coming back in.
Covid-19 has been a slap to everyone’s faces. For 2 years, everyone was doing events, artistes were coming to Singapore. We were getting jobs every few weeks. In Feb/Mar, we moved out of our studio, had to rethink our style, vision, mission; accustom ourselves to social distancing, wearing masks, SafeEntry scanning, Zoom meetings, how concerts have/will change(d).
We want to become a full-blown production house and agency, invest more of ourselves, get a new studio, take on more projects that truly reflect us. We’ll reveal members of our core team soon. We just registered to be a company.
M: What were the conversations had among Island Boys? Did anyone initiate anything extreme?
I: Everyone had to work on ourselves before we could work on Island Boys. How are we going to find more work? What will be of our studio? Do we want to start a YouTube channel, podcast, merch line? There was a phase when I wanted to stop Island Boys—we’re not getting younger, some of us are 30+, everyone of us were trying to find alternative paths to make money; with Island Boys, the money we make are split among us. Some went back our old jobs.
I took care of dormitory workers, signed up to deliver for GRABFood. I starting spending on myself to distract from my negativity.
M: What were concerns you brought up about Island Boys? What were concerns Island Boys brought up about you?
I: We had 2 years of fast learning. We wanted to grow so much, but because our system was unhealthy we fucked up some projects with clients. I remember being in Korea working on a project liaising with an outsourced video editor for a Singapore-based project. I used to sleep at 7AM, be back in studio by 11AM. We want to change the way we work, handle clients, discipline ourselves.
As producer/accounts executive, I used to sometimes ignore messages from clients, which became stressful, which made me ignore them more. “You can post IG Stories but not reply me.” “Sorry, I didn’t see your message. “Right.” I had to learn how to work with clients, rid myself of anxiety and ego. I’m now in the proper headspace to do better.
We’re rugged. Moving forward, it’s not about implementing a 9 to 5, but understanding that it’s the time most of our clients are working, waiting for our responses.
GRAB / Social Media
M: Was it difficult to share about working for GRAB?
I: I don’t believe in odd jobs. In fact, I shared my experience on IG Stories and people enjoyed it! I wanted people to feel not so discouraged if they couldn’t find a job. It was something I had to do, and had great fun along the way.
M: Covid-19 has changed my perception of social media. Do you think it’s still important to be “relevant” on social media?
I: It’s important to be on social media, especially if you’re in the media industry—it can be a catalogue of who are. Branding is sometimes almost more important than talent.
If you’re a musician but your Instagram, Twitter profiles are empty—you don’t post any of your work—how do you accumulate engagement, which can convert into sales?
When I applied to work at Limited Edt, the hiring managers knew Island Boys; we worked with them before. I was able to offer my retail and content production skills—may even get Island Boys to work with them in the future!
M: Was there a conversation among Island Boys to “remain okay” on social media even though it might have been different behind-the-scenes?
I: Sure, we separated our problems from our Island Boys profile. We didn’t feel we needed to say “BRB.” People understand everyone’s struggling.
Future
M: “Survival of the fittest”. Have you noticed people dropping out of “the game”?
I: There are too many opportunities moving forward. My friends have survived and are even hungrier to be better. I do hear stories about people who’ve completely quit what they were doing. I don’t indulge in such stories. I want to focus on helping my friends and creatives at-large.
M: 2021.
I: “Fuck 2020,” everyone’s going to come back stronger, motivated. We’re going to stick to our New Year’s resolutions.
