A once in a lifetime experience

Was at Mediacorp for a filming experience today. I guess i do not have enough affinity with Mediacorp, when I was first auditioned for a certain role, the project fell through and the serial was never filmed. Later when I was approached for a minor role, it was during the semester so since I had to attend school, I wasn't able to go for filming. Then this time round when they called me up, I was free to film but after 3 hours of waiting, I went off without filming anything. There was some changes in filming schedules, thus I was asked to return on Fri or Sat, but no, I declined. I think I have better things to do, waiting aimlessly is such a waste of time and I did nothing.

My coordinator was a nice young lady, more or less my age. She's helpful enough, as I wasn't sure of what to do, where to go and how to go about doing this and that, I called her up quite a few times to ask for directions. Perhaps she was pretty busy so her answers weren't very clear. I had to find my way and gladly I didn't lose my way in the Mediacorp maize. At least she showed me around and was nice to talk to when she picked me up finally. Actually people in Mediacorp was rather hostile, those working there I mean, from people at the wadrobe to the make up unit. Probably because I'm just a nobody, things would be different if you are a Big Star, you would be qualified to be hostile to people then. Anyway when I first reached the security at the Radio Gate, I was asked by the hostile guard if I'm an extra or part-timer and for which show. I was like "huh, I dunno... hmm extra??" I must be one.... But after flipping through his list, my name wasn't on it, so in the end, I'm actually a part-timer haha. I still don't know the difference then. Made my way to the wadrobe to collect my costume from the hostile in charge and then to the make up unit, where this guy stylist did my hair. While he sprayed almost half a can of hairspray to keep my hair in place, I was thinking, why do all stylist share similar traits with David Gan?? Besides spotting a F4 hairstyle (Gan is bald) and superfinely shaped eyebrows, I see no difference in the way they behave. I suspect he has light make up on too and definitely eye liner! But the make up unit uses good cosmetics, Clinique to be exact. Mediacorp is rich. Although the stylist was rather ok, he didn't talk much, I felt I look like a big toot after the hairdo..... There were a few veteran actors in the make up unit too and I saw the female Superstars. Brushed past 石欣卉(Shi Xin Hui) so I had a closer look at her, damn thick make up, like plastered on. But then again, which artiste doesn't have thick makeup on? That's what makes them look good, or better on screen.

Talked with some unknown actors/actresses at the studio after my coordinator left me, only to realise they are the so called extras. And only then do I know that the difference between part-timers and extras are that the latter are those without lines, acting as some passers-by or unknown figure etc. And to my surprise, none of them have a full time job outside, so basically they are full time extras, who film almost every other day for the thousands of on going shows. So next time, scrutinize the extras when you're watching TV, you'll probably find the same few people in a thousand different serials. Oh and they have agents!! I'm impressed. They are pro extras haha they know the place and rules very well, even brought their own food cos they are familiar with the irregualr filming hours. But it wasn't easy to talk with them cos we are after all of different levels. I'm not trying to be sacarstic here or think that I'm high up there, nor despise anyone. I'm perfectly fine with them. But through a lil talking and the fact that they are satisfied to earn their livelihood through this, proves that we don't belong together. Because I was the only part timer around, I had no one to talk to except one guy from SIM who's also an extra, it's also his first day here but he's here cos it's his hols and he had nothing better to do. Soon one extra started to bitch to me about another extra and I was like.... oh yah yah..... What can I say man??

Another crew at the set was pretty nice and friendly too but I don't know his designation except that he just started work a month ago and had graduated from Mass Communication Studies. As for the other crews, no one bothers about you. Adrian Pang and Pierre Png were rather friendly, at least they bother to smile at me when they walk past. But watching them act was rather entertaining. During rehearsal for their scene, you can see Adrian trying very hard to contain his laughter everytime Pierre speaks, and Pierre would be influenced too. Haha rather funny. 李司琪(lest you dunno, she's善姨from真情, a kindred spirit)was super nice too. As she was leaving, I smiled at at her, she smiled back and replied 先走了 Bye bye. An extra then asked me how come she only said goodbye to you and not us? Haha when I told my cousin later about this incident, his reply was "Tell them 'Because I'm a part-timer, while you are only an extra' ". Haha like I'm some big shot!!

Well, all in all it was not a bad experience, though the studio was freaking cold. I get to see the filming and all, but I guess I won't return again to shoot such roles. Which is why when the guy said that it's easy money, I didn't act yet was paid, i told him it's really a waste of my time, I think I can do more constructive things. That was why I declined. I wished I had the courage to tell my coordinator "Look me up only if you have bigger roles" when she said she will contact me again for other roles. Haha ya I know I am yaya! I'm no big shot yet wanna behave like that. There are many people who harbor dreams about being a star and don't have any chances, yet I'm giving up chances. But I never believe you can be spotted by being an extra or part-timer. I mean Mediacorp has countless extras and part-timer, do you see anyone of them being talent spotted?? Yes you start out with small roles, but from being an extra or part-timer? My foot! Anyway I'm a greedy person, I won't be satisfied with this hahaha

=because I won't return for a second=