A TVC producer’s sojourn in Vietnam

Claire Davidson has been posted in Vietnam for the past 8 months in the role of Executive Producer for Sudest Dongnam. Based in Saigon, Davidson has literally worked non stop since her feet landed on the tarmac. In 8 months, the producer driven company has worked on a whopping 38 television commercials (TVCs). Between Davidson, one other producer and two line producers, this accomplishment has been no mean feat.

“It’s an exciting time to be in Vietnam,” Davidson said. “With advertising in its infancy in this country, it’s only been allowed in the past 12 years, the TVC market is particularly strong.”

“Agencies are teaching their clients the importance of advertising to the 86 million strong population. With Vietnam’s economic growth among the highest in the world over the past decade, now is a pivotal time in the advertising industry. This is largely why I accepted the job with Sudest. It’s exciting to be part of a market where you can really play a role in that growth and progress, rather than working in cities where the markets are already established where you can be just another cog in the wheel.”

However working in Vietnam is not without its challenges. There are limitations; a lack of

advanced technology, up-to-date equipment and resources, and professionally trained crew plus health & safety issues and incredibly strict censorship.

“A lot of the time it does feel like the wild west of the east,” Davidson said. “But we’re taking small but definite steps towards making the Vietnamese market comparable with the rest of Asia and the world. Wherever I can, I see the challenges as positives. In fact, often they are actually opportunities. At Sudest we’re always looking at the flipside.”

Apart from working with directors and directors of photography (DOP’s) from the Asian region, Claire has also taken over a number of directors from Australia for projects – continuing to support her home market. Directors have included Patrick Hughes, Sam Bennetts, Brendan Williams, Victoria Garrett, David Rechtman and David Jagoda.

Davidson has also worked with other Australian-based directors in the region such as Marco Pinesi and James Teh, as well as David Gaddie who went over from New York. Australian DOP’s who have also worked with Claire at Sudest Dongnam included Susan Stitt, Peter Eastgate, Tristan Milani and Aron Leong.

Filming has taken Davidson and her crews outside of Saigon to some of Vietnam’s most stunning locations such as Hanoi, Sapa, Long Hai, Moc Chau as well as Pai in the mountains north of Chiang Mai in Thailand. “Lucky I’ve had the chance to travel with work, because there’s never enough time to explore the country by myself,” Davidson said.

Most recently she returned to Australia to work with Marcus Hamill on a charity job encouraging Vietnamese children to wear motorbike helmets.

Davidson can be contacted via claire@sudestproduction.com