Khalifa Shaheen Digital Images, Bahrain

Today, he owns Khalifa Shaheen Digital Images, a company that has evolved to take care of photography, video production as well as an image library. “Market demands determine what images are required and that depends on who is asking. In the West, traditional images are more sought after. Whereas locally, more contemporary pictures are required”, says Khalifa who considers delivering excellence and creativity for his clients, a constant responsibility. “Creativity is an inexact process. I have always strived to come up with original ideas and that process, I am not sure I can explain. Sometimes I’ll be in the shower or driving or walking my retriever and an idea springs fully formed into my mind. Other times, original ideas are more illusive. Our standards are high and I intend that they remain so. This attitude doesn’t always win me friends but it does mean that our work is faultless.”

And such work requires talent that the region is capable of producing. “We use local talent as much as possible. International professionals have their place as well, but for local sensitivity, a Bahraini wins every time.”

Also, KSDI offers film/tape conversion to DVD. There just aren’t many 8mm projectors or tape decks around anymore rendering old home movies useless. “When we transfer the footage we also have the ability to colour correct and fix the footage to a much better state than the original. Film/video are a dated media that will eventually become brittle and break. We do this service to preserve your precious memories for a lifetime,” says Khalifa.

With plans to expand further, KSDI runs a 10-week training course called “Screen Actors Training program” to spur creativity with the community and to prepare for the media projects that will soon be heading its’ way. With the finance and creative talent available regionally, all that remains is distributorship. With the market in Bahrain and the UAE taking a mature turn, KSDI plans to extend beyond Bahrain to elsewhere in the Gulf. Simultaneously, this has not slowed its growth in the country. “This year, we have added animation and digitization to our list of production services,” says Khalifa.

The current global volatility has led KSDI to tighten its margin and offer greater value across the board. With consumer confidence at an all time low, KSDI offers media solutions to all manner of business, with the intention of heightening that business’s profile and visibility, in a market obscured by the mist of the credit crisis.

Further, KSDI uses Facebook to promote its ancillary entertainment services and maintain direct interaction with its clientele. It has a screen actor training page that has over 200 members. There is also a live comedy competition, ‘The Funniest Person in Bahrain’ that has over 300 Facebook members and growing.