Filmmaker | Theatre Practitioner
Media and Technical Theatre Educator
Yusri Shaggy Sapari is a professional kepo (busybody) using the medium of recorded video to explore stories of people. He started his journey recording his grandmother and TV shows on his audio cassette tape recorder as a child.
Shaggy went on later in his teenage years to study media hoping to become a journalist. That’s when he fell in love with the arts. Upon graduation in 2009, Shaggy worked on commercial and television sets as a production intern.
In 2011, he started work in The Necessary Stage to digitise their video archives recorded between 1987 to the 2000s. Later on, he was hired as a theatre video and sound technician in several main season and touring productions. This period brought him on tour to other cities such as Rijeka in Croatia, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Brisbane and New York City.
Shaggy had the opportunity to be mentored by Brian Gothong Tan as part of the Orange Playground in 2014 to train him into a multimedia designer.
As a multimedia designer, Shaggy has worked on shows with the Singapore Theatre Festival, The Esplanade, Lasalle College of the Arts, Singapore Repertory Theatre, M1 Singapore Fringe Festival, Bhaskar Arts Academy and The Necessary Stage.
Shaggy spent countless hours in the theatre during those years and left in December 2015 to form Paradise Pictures in 2016.
Paradise Pictures was created as a platform for Shaggy to use his experience in theatre to capture theatrical shows in their best light. Many performing arts companies struggle with finding the right fit to record their shows. Shaggy hopes to use his experience to improve on what has been done by those before him. You can often see Paradise Pictures supporting shows at theatre venues all around Singapore.
Shaggy is also an award winning documentary filmmaker having achieved the Film Grant Award in 2018 with Freedom Film Festival, Nominated for Best Documentary at the National Youth Film Awards, Viddsee Juree Audience Choice Award and Bronze Award for Excellence in Filmmaking for Spotlight Film Awards in 2019.
Shaggy’s works explore themes of identity, culture and heritage in Singapore. He is not limited to his own culture as a Malay Singaporean of Javanese descent having been involved in The National Heritage Board’s Intangible Cultural Heritage documentary project exploring Chinese, Indian, Eurasian cultures and beyond within Singapore.
Aside from film, Shaggy enjoys food but these days he loves being frugal even more.
Roles: Film Director, Multi-cam Director, Director of Photography, Film Producer, Projection Designer, Film Editor, Film Colourist
Recognition/Awards
Commissioned Artwork - Spinning Connections: Creative Takes on Intangible Cultural Heritage by National Museum of Singapore and Maybank Foundation - Kilatkan Silat 2023
Official Selection - Cambodia International Film Festival 2020 - Trailer Boys 2018
Kuala Lumpur International Film Festival in the Sky 2020 - Trailer Boys 2018
Bronze Award Winner - Spotlight Film Awards 2019 - Trailer Boys 2018
Audience Choice Award - Viddsee Juree Awards 2019 - Trailer Boys 2018
Nominee, Best Documentary, Open Youth Category - National Youth Film Awards 2019 - Trailer Boys 2018
Official Selection - Singapore Shorts 2019 - Trailer Boys 2018
Film Grant Winner - Freedom Film Festival 2018 - Trailer Boys 2018
Performances/ Exhibitions/ Talks/ Works - 2016-Present
Multimedia Designer 2015 - PRESENT
Anak by Alvin Tan 2023
Kilatkan Silat, Paradise Pictures at National Museum of Singapore as part of National Heritage Board, Directed by Yusri Shaggy Sapari & Sarah Lin 2023
What’s The Buzz, Viddsee, Directed by Yusri Shaggy Sapari 2022
Butterfly Lovers, Bhaskar’s Arts Academy and Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Directed by Santha Bhaskar 2022
Butterfly Lovers, Bhaskar’s Arts Academy and Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Directed by Santha Bhaskar 2021
Model Citizens, The Necessary Stage, Directed by Alvin Tan 2021
Marabu: The Forgotten Sentinels, Bhaskar’s Arts Academy, Directed by Santha Bhaskar 2021
Pivot!, Jo Tan, Directed by Chong Tze Chien 2021
Shook, NUS Stage, Written and Directed by Sean Tobin 2021
Mak Mak Menari, M1 Singapore Fringe Festival, Co-Directed by Soultari Amin Farid and Grace Lee-Khoo 2020
Caught by Singapore Repertory Theatre, Directed by Ed Sylvanus Iskandar 2019
We Were So Hopeful Then, The Necessary Stage The Orange Production, Directed by Alvin Tan 2019
A New And Better You, Lasalle College of the Arts, Directed by Edith Podesta 2019
Mergers & Accusations, Esplanade, Directed by Chen Yingxuan 2019
Marina Bay Sands Best of Best Award Show, Rawspark Group 2019
Marina Bay Sands Lunar New Year, Rawspark Group 2019
Trailer Boys, Paradise Pictures, Directed by Yusri Shaggy Sapari 2018
Extra-Ordinary Celebrations, Extra-Ordinary People, Directed by Richard Tan 2018
Requiem for Change, Lasalle College of the Arts, Directed by David Glass 2018
Building A Character, Singapore Theatre Festival, Directed by Mei Ann Teo 2018
NOMAD, Ang Mo Kio Secondary Anniversary, Directed by Adib Kosnan 2018
Fuchun Fiesta, Fuchun Sec School, Directed by Adib Kosnan 2018
28.8, Teater Kami, Directed by Adib Kosnan 2017
State of Mind, Directed by Thong Pei Qin 2016
Furthest North Deepest South, NUS Theatre Studies Year 3 Show, written by Chong Tze Chien, directed by Felipe Cervera 2015
Theatre Sound/Multimedia Operator 2012-2015
Best Of, The Necessary Stage 2015 (Brisbane, Australia & New York City, United States of America Tour)
Pioneer (Girls) Generation, The Necessary Stage 2015
Gitanjali [I feel the earth move], The Necessary Stage 2014
Don’t Know, Don’t Care, The Necessary Stage 2014 (Singapore School Tour)
The Project, The Necessary Stage 2014 (Singapore School Tour)
Poor Thing, The Necessary Stage 2014
Best Of, The Necessary Stage 2014 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tour)
Best Of, The Necessary Stage 2013 (Penang, Malaysia Tour)
Mobile 2: Flat Cities, The Necessary Stage 2013 (Singapore & Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tour)
The Project, The Necessary Stage 2013 (Singapore School Tour)
October, The Necessary Stage 2012
Crossings, The Necessary Stage and Trafik (Croatia) 2012 (Rijeka, Croatia Tour)
Crossings, The Necessary Stage and Trafik (Croatia) 2012
Singapore, The Necessary Stage 2012
Director/Director of Photography/Colourist 2016-PRESENT
Club Rainbow - Corporate Video 2026
DBS Foundation X SUSS Asia Reminiscence Forum 2026
Red Swastika School - RSS55 Corporate Video
Ikano Retail Sustainability Films 2026
Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School - Aesthetics Showcase 2026 @ Mediacorp
Past Present Future: A Series of Documentary Films by Centre 42 (Singapore) and SIFA 2026
Anticipate Pictures - World of Love - Promos 2026
Dementia Singapore - Tough Nut 2026
Medow Health - Charting the Future 2026
Singapore Symphony Group - The Choral Encounter 2026
St Luke Eldercare - DrumFIT 2026
St Luke Eldercare - LIFT 2026
New Balance Elipse Media Night 2026
3 Pumpkins - Tak Takut Kids Club Documentaries 2026
Padimai Art & Tech Studio Panel 2026
National Gallery Singapore - Watercolour and Oil Pastel Workshop by Kanchan Mehendale: Reimagining the Commonplace
Found Films +65 Roundtable - Selected Works 2026
New Balance 1080v15 Media Night Run 2026
Red Swastika School - Founders Day 2026
《杀戮之神》God of Carnage Trailer - Nine Years Theatre 2025
Healthy Migrants Videos - HealthServe 2025
Amoeba Vox Pops - Anticipate Pictures 2025
Liberation - National Gallery Singapore 2025
Temporary Chinese Theatres《当场》- Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) 2025
As With The Wind - The Runaway Kids 2025
24hour Playwriting Competition 2025 - T:>works
25th Anniversary Gala - HeartWare Network 2025
Rewrite My Fire – 28.8 - Adib Kosnan 2025
Rewrite My Fire – Happy Place - Jo Tan 2025
倒带 (Rewind) Vox Pops - The Entity 2025
Southeast Asia Retail Summit - EssilorLuxottica 2025
Movement and Manipulation - Static Metamorphosis 2025
Un Goût de Millefeuille (A Taste of Millefeuille) - Static Metamorphosis 2025
Under the BIG Tree - Singapore Chinese Dance Theatre (SCDT) 2025
Annual General Meeting and Annual Dinner - L’Oréal Luxe 2025
SPCA Gala Dinner - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) 2025
When Images Come Alive: In Conversation with HAYAKAWA Chie and URATA Hideho - Anticipate Pictures 2025
ShanHaiWoo Closing Ceremony - DRK Lab 2025
Re(fundamentals): Singapore edition - Altlayer 2025
SG60 Tribute Luncheon - HealthServe Ltd 2025
Exemplary Caregiver Award, Exemplary Sibling Award, and Strength in Unity Family Award - Club Rainbow Singapore 2025
His Story - Esplanade and The Necessary Stage 2025
Chairman Appreciation - Singapore Aftercare Association (SACA) 2025
30 Years of Progress, Today and What’s Next with JK, Regional Managing Director - Epson Southeast Asia 2025
Manabu and Momo - Guide Dogs Singapore 2025
English Language Support Programme (ELSP) Introduction Video - Singapore Management University, Centre for English Communication 2025
Bizet’s Carmen – Singapore Lyric Opera 2025
SAM Discussion at Hothouse - Singapore Art Museum 2025
March On Festival 2025 Archival - Esplanade 2025
TSAO Foundation Community Design Videography - 2025
Launch of The Asian Centre for Health Behavioural Insights & Interventions (HABITS) - Nanyang Technological University (NTU) 2025
Portals Promotional Content and Launch Video - Global Cultural Alliance 2025
Climate Youth Development Programme January Engagement Session - National Youth Council Singapore and Sustainable Living Lab 2025
Sembang Tari Symposium @ Muara Festival 2024 - Kamelia Co Ltd in partnership with Era Dance Theatre and Muara Festival
Division of Medical Oncology (DMO) Lighthouse - National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) 2024
希望你被这个世界爱着 (May You Be Loved) Music Video - Nee Soon GRC 2024
White Cane Day - Guide Dogs Singapore 2024
Songs of Home and Healing - National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) 2024
Ada Kerak Ada Nasi / Consequences - Gunung Sayang Association (GSA) 2024
Linying – Take Me To Your House - Esplanade 2024
Oleanna - Major Minor Encounters & The Windland Collective 2024
Agape Education Reels - 2024
Climate Youth Development Programme Induction Week - National Youth Council Singapore and Sustainable Living Lab 2025
5th TGV Global Blockchain Sustainability - 2024
Oligo Asia Corporate Video - Human Resources Technology Festival 2024
Get READy, Write Now - Singapore Management University 2024
Intellect Sales Video for Chanel 2024
Intellect Sales Video for Standard Chartered Bank 2024
Get Ready, Write Now - Singapore Management University 2024
Hantu Kaki Kotor - Ekamatra 2024
Love All Around by Abhaya - Esplanade 2024
ASEAN SEDP 2.0 - Asean Foundation 2023
Gelek by The Public Space 2023
Tan Ean Kiam Arts Awards 2023 - National University of Singapore
Christmas Island by Nabilah Said Presented by Ekamatra 2023
Rollup Day by ALT Layer 2023
Demo Day by Oasys 2023
Hack-A-Ton by Ton Foundation 2023
The Public Space and Esplanade - Babes & Friends Together Again! Babes Conde, Louie Reyes and Ding Mercado 2023
Centre 42 - Asian Dramaturg’s Network - Book Launch Broadcast 2023
Vox Camerata - Musica Intimae 2023
T:>Works - 24-Hour Playwriting Competition 2023
Smile Asia - Asia Student Leadership Conference 2023
What's Considered Poor In Singapore? | Street Interview by Asian Boss 2023
Survivor Singapore by The Necessary Stage and Esplanade 2023
TZ APAC - Demo Day Broadcast and Marketing Videos 2023
Are All Singaporeans Rich? | Street Interview by Asian Boss 2023
Singapore Drama Educators Association - Theatre Arts Conference Broadcast 2023
SG Assist - Caregivers Among Us Documentary 2023
Singapore Institute of Technology - Learning by Design: Applied Learning Programme at Serangoon Gardens Secondary School 2023
Institute of Mental Health - training video, Confiding in Someone by Visual Story House 2023
Institute of Mental Health - training video, Giving Compliments by Visual Story House 2023
ESSENTIALLY MACBETH 必要麦克白 by NUS Chinese Drama, NUS Chinese Orchestra and Judy Ngo 2023
End of the Line by NUS Stage and Chong Tze Chien 2023
Connections Conference, Broadcast, by Singapore Drama Educators Association 2023
Gerak Symposium by NUS Centre for the Arts 2023
KKR Dinner & Dance, Pre-Performance Entrance Videos 2023
The Paiseh Pieces by The Second Breakfast Company 2023
#canyouhearme Campaign by Intellect Company 2023
Tri-vima by The Esplanade Co Ltd 2023
Clumsysaurus by Grace Lee-Khoo 2023
How Bad Is Cancel Culture In Singapore? | Street Interview by Asian Boss 2022
What Singaporeans Think Of China | Street Interview by Asian Boss 2022
Fei Yue Family Services Craft Kits 2022
Queered Fabulations: Worlding bodies in project SALOME Live-Stream by SIFA 2022
Tompang Lalu: The Innate Gesture - opening performance by TiTam Co. 2022
Panel Session: Safeguarding Policies in Singapore - Existing Frameworks and Practices Live-Stream by SDEA 2022
FUME, a performance by Pat Toh 2022
March On Programme by The Esplanade Co Ltd 2022
Lotus Root Support Group by Miriam Cheong, Shannen Tan and Renee Yeong 2022
Epiphyte by Sze-Wei Chan 2022 (Colourist only)
Lil Shake Mix Vol 2 by Patch and Punnet 2022
Street Art and Murals: Beyond Framed Narratives and Cliches Broadcast by Aliwal Arts Centre 2022
Rindu Di Bulan by Rupa co.lab 2022
DBS Bankassurance Corporate video 2022 (Director & Colourist)
PlayTime! The Noisy Forest by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2021
What Singaporeans Think Of Death Sentence For Mentally-Disabled Man | Street Interview by Asian Boss 2021
Viva NOS 10 by New Opera Singapore 2021
Vidsee Juree Awards 2021
The Rake’s Progress Digital Presentation by New Opera Singapore 2021
T Cares by T:>Works 2021
PlayTime! The Noisy Forest digital presentation by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2021
Grant Writing 101 by Singapore Drama Educators Association (SDEA) 2021
The Platform by Chowk Productions 2021
Mizuno Spring Summer Conference 2021
Jurong-Pioneer Junior College Malay Drama Video 2021
Playtime! Karang Guni Boy by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2021
Playtime! Karang Guni Boy Digital Presentation by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2021
Anglo-Chinese School Drama SYF Digital Presentation 2021
Shook by NUS Stage 2021
Playtime! Amaas Sarees by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2021
Playtime! I Nak Fly by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2021
Step-by-step Planting Guide | Every Child a Seed Programme by National Parks Board 2021
Embracing Difference by ITE Central and Adib Kosnan 2021
Matched Retirement Savings Scheme video by Woodlands Community Centre 2021
CosmicWander: Transcendence Broadcast by Singapore Art Museum 2021
Electrolux Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Annual General Meeting Broadcast 2021
Playtime! Amaas Sarees Digital Presentation by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2021
Playtime! I Nak Fly Digital Presentation by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2021
The Wolf of Mr Dong Guo《东郭与狼》Digital Presentation by Paper Monkey Theatre 2020
Journey West: Web of Deceit《西游记之盘丝洞》Digital Presentation by Paper Monkey Theatre 2020
Hug The Tree By Paper Monkey Theatre 2020
Lil Shake Mix Vol 1 by Patch and Punnet 2020
Reinventing Merpati by Ruzaini Mazani and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) 2020
Mizuno Spring and Summer Conference 2020
Viddsee Juree Award Show 2020
Singapore Botanic Gardens Exhibitions Videos by National Parks Board 2020
Pick-a-hero by Singapore Repertory Theatre 2020
Spotlight on The Artground by National Institute of Education 2020
Mak Mak Menari, M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2020
Fly High Promotional Videos by Singapore Repertory Theatre 2019
A Clockwork Orange by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2019
CATalysts by Singapore Repertory Theatre and Science Centre Singapore 2019
Late Night Texting 2019 by Centre 42
State of Love Trust and Stars Promotional Videos by The Substation 2019
Subtle Downtempo No by Raw Moves 2019
Ghost Call by Raw Moves 2019
TRACING SINGAPORE HISTORY THROUGH MALAY MUSIC by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2019
Faculty Interviews with Intercultural Theatre Institute 2019
Cassia Kaki by ArtsWok 2018
BITTEN: return to our roots by Thong Pei Qin and Dr Nidya Shanthini Manokara 2018
No Strings Attached Festival by Paper Monkey Theatre 2018
Bulan Madu by Teater Ekamatra 2018
ASEAN Data Science Explorers by ASEAN Foundation 2018
Peer Pleasure 2018 by ArtsWok 2018
Late Night Texting by Centre 42 2018
Points of View by Centre 42 2018
ASEAN Community Forum 3 by ASEAN Foundation 2018
National Heritage Board Intangible Cultural Heritage Documentaries 2018
Theatre Reviews: Last Word or the Start of a Conversation by Arts Equator at M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2018
Hayat by Pink Gajah at M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2018
National University of Singapore Dream Composition Competition 2018
Courts Megastore Opening 2017
No Strings Attached Festival by Paper Monkey Theatre 2017
Late Night Texting by Centre 42 2017
ASEAN Community Forum 2 by ASEAN Foundation 2017
Mother I Part 2 by Grace Kalaiselvi 2017
Feed Your Imagination, The Car by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2017
NUS Centre for English Language Communication Instructional Videos 2017
Singapore Theatre Educators Association, Theatre Arts Conference 2017
Petty People by Thong Pei Qin, National University of Singapore 2017
ASEAN Community Forum 1 by ASEAN Foundation 2017
LIDAH AKU PUNYA by The Arts House 2016
The Malay Man and His Chinese Father by Noor Effendy Ibrahim 2016
Si Woof Woof by Noor Effendy Ibrahim 2016
Mother I, Amma Naan, Ibu Aku by Grace Kalaiselvi 2016
Media Educator Experiences 2017-Present
Singapore Management University (SMU)
Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
Achievement: Mentored students to win Honourable Mention at the Copyright School Challenge 2026 Video Competition.
Catholic High School
Victoria School
Achievement: Mentored students to win 3rd Prize at the Copyright School Challenge 2021 Video Competition.
CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh)
Anglo-Chinese School (Secondary) (Barker Road)
Fairfield Methodist Secondary School
Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School
Achievement: Mentored students to win 2nd Prize & Honourable Mention at the Copyright School Challenge 2022 Video Competition.
St. Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School
Geylang Methodist Secondary School
Ngee Ann Secondary School
Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School
Bedok Green Secondary School
Bedok North Secondary School
Deyi Secondary School
Manjusri Secondary School
Meridian Secondary School
New Town Secondary School
Riverside Secondary School
Sembawang Secondary School
Spectra Secondary School
Tampines Secondary School
Zhenghua Secondary School
Corporation Primary School
Fernvale Primary School
North View Primary School
Teck Whye Primary School
Woodlands Primary School
West Spring Primary School
Yusri Shaggy Sapari in the Media
Yusri Shaggy Sapari on Centre 42’s SG Theatre Archives
What’s The Buzz by Paradise Pictures, 2023 (Series)
Trailer Boys by Yusri Shaggy Sapari, 2018 (Short Documentary)
Trailer Boys - NYFA 2019 Documentary (Open Youth) Nominee
SNEAK PEEK: TRAILER BOYS, 2018
Health Check Podcast, Let’s talk about mental health! - The Straits Times
Priyanka, Sit Still and Look PRI- TEA & Yusri "Shaggy" Sapari, Paradise Pictures - MoneyFM 89.3
Using language to build trust | Qrious Culture Podcast Ep 1 | with Yusri "Shaggy" Sapari, 2024
Qrious Culture | Episode 1 YUSRI “SHAGGY” SAPARI
Qrious Culture: Celebrating Singapore’s Cultural Identity Through Bilingual Films 2024
Dream big but stay grounded, 2023
Kilatkan Silat Interview with National Museum of Singapore 2023
Proximities, Singapore Art Week by Zulkhairi Zulkiflee2022
Jauh di mata dekat di hati... bercuti ke Korea Selatan bak 'balik kampung' - Berita Harian, 2022
STAY HOME & WATCH: FREEDOMFILMFEST SINGAPORE - BFM 89.9 Podcast, 2021
Shook 2021 by NUS Stage, Programme
Woodlands CPF Matched Retirement Savings Scheme, 2021
VOTE NOW for your favourite Juree Singapore 2020 short film!
Mak Mak Manari M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2020
DON’T MISS GETTING CAUGHT, 2019
National Youth Film Awards 2019, Programme Booklet
National Youth Film Awards 2019, Press Release
Singapore Shorts ’19 – Official Selection 3, 2019
Viddsee Announces Winners of Juree Awards Singapore 2019 - Infoscreening.co
2019 AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT - Spotlight Documentary Film Awards 2019
Ruth Tang on Building A Character 2018
Building A Character on Wild Rice! 2018
What Happens When Shitposters Come Together? - Rice Media, 2018
Featuring FFF Film Grant Winner – Yusri ‘Shaggy’ Sapari - Freedom Film Festival 2018
Client Spotlight: Behind the Lens with Yusri ‘Shaggy’ Sapari - Servcorp
Upcyclers: Giving things a second chance, with Mr Yusri Sapari - The New Paper, 2017
He turns junk into bespoke furniture - The New Paper, 2017
Nivea Cares - Leona Hui "The Boxer" - Camp Up Studio, 2016
Why Throw When You Can Fix It! A Singaporean Community Making It A Reality - Vulcan Post 2016
Stay up with the owls - AsiaOne 2015
Furtherest North Deepest South 2015, Programme
The Orange Playground by The Necessary Stage 2014 LAB #03
[Free Short Film Screening]: First Take - May (Come watch some Horror Horror! Camp!) - SG Arts, 2009
Selected QnA with Yusri Shaggy Sapari
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Arts is indeed a deeply personal, passionate and emotional field to get into. Like any form of value exchange, we need to prove the value of what we produce to be economically viable in the long term.
I'm not a fan of always asking the government for help. Chiefly because the money the government is using is public funds. How can we expect the public to pay for our whims? Especially if they are not expected to enjoy what we do or express.
What you can do as an artist is to advocate for yourself. Build a community that believes in what you do. THAT is your support.
Also please please please be weary of where your grants are coming from. Every grant has its terms and conditions that are both written and unwritten. Be aware of the agendas of people who fund your work. Protect yourself.
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Arts education for the young is a positive force. It helps with their psychological, emotional and fine motor development. They will also get to spend quality time with new peers and their own parents while partaking in arts education. Positive exposure will always create a love for arts.
Focus on the fun, not the art. Counterintuitive i know. :D
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Yes I do. At the same time, you have to accept that whatever you do will always have a Singaporean element to it. We often do not realise how Singaporean we are until we meet and interact with people from other countries and reach those barriers of understanding.
Above that, when we want our work to be programmed overseas, we need to prove why we are worthy of being part of the programme. Being Singaporean is more unique and exciting than most of us think. People DO want to see Singapore beyond the stereotype of a 'rich' country.
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I do this because I am deeply curious about the world around me. I also enjoy the freedom of not working in a traditional workplace.
I'm blessed to be able to make a living based on my curiosity alone and meet so many talented people in my life.
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The best artworks ive seen in my life were made for cheap. Dont give in to the pressure of having a complete set of equipment or materials to do your best work. I would also argue that my favourite works were made with very little to my name.
Use the crappy paint, wear the cheap shoes, dig out your old camera. What's important is your STORY.
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Having a business sense to me involves being able to see the value of yourself in your work whilst having the skill to communicate that value to others so that you will be paid and treated fairly by society.
If you fail to do this, you will be exploited by others who target 'starving artists' who would do anything just to be seen.
Such people make good money off the backs of people who undervalue themselves.
Know your worth and strive to achieve it.
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It was not a hobby for me. From the get go, I wanted to pursue it as a career.
I wanted social mobility in my life and I found it in the arts. I also cant survive in a regular working environment.
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Yes of course. It ensures that every single Singaporean is given some money to participate in the arts. Many might very well have their first taste of the arts.
I've seen complaints in comments sections about it being a voucher instead of cash. The issue with cash is that it can be spent everywhere including overseas.
The voucher ensures that the money will be spent according to the agenda of the government to stimulate the arts sector. So, instead of giving the money straight to the artists, it gives the Singaporean a chance to vote for what arts programmes are relevant to them.
The money will not go to my account directly but i will enjoy the trickle down effect when I am engaged to work with other arts groups. -
Yes. I have to give in to others when creating my works. After all we work for the community and not just for ourselves.
The modifications are plenty. It can be aesthetic choices, tone changes or adding things that you might not think are beautiful or 'standard' in your work.
There must be compromises to be made sometimes as the capital used to make the work does not come from me. Often times the people who work with are actually receptive of what you do. Sometimes they ask for major revisions. That is fine. You win some you lose some.You need to focus on the longevity of your career instead of making big fights over one project you are doing compared to 9 more you are working on at the same time.
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My highest paid projects are the most boring ones where the filmmaking is minimal but the customer relations is the most.
Conferences.
One more thing. Don't look at the project fees only. Please make sure you as the organiser of the project get paid reasonably. Often times crew fees might overshadow your entire earnings and that does not feel very good as someone who is solely responsible for the project when it goes sideways.
Your crew will wash their hands and just wait for their payment at the end of the day.
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I make it a point to be open-minded to everyone I meet as I'll never know when I'll meet a good character.
I care most about culture. Malay Culture, Chinese Culture, Indian Culture etc
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I can measure it with the Singapore dream.
Having a BTO? Yes.
Paying my bills on time? Yes.
Having a loving family? Yes.
Being friends with awesome talented people? Yes.
Eating my favourite food regularly? Yes.