The last 4 days in Indonesia clearly showed me that Indonesia has got a natural pool of talents. The local music scene here rocks - the music are fantastic - very touching lyrics about friendship, ambitions and yes love and the singers are very gorgeous and wild!!! I have been to several live shows back home but nothing compares to this particular one. Every kid in the hall were singing along to the song of their idols, screamed their lungs out when their idol comes on stage, stomp the floor when they had to wait - all in unison. They are such great crowd audience that I definitely say we make history today in Indonesia TV scene for kids.
Even when we had to pull a kid from the crowd to sing, I was amazed at how good his voice was. There was a kid comedian who came up during commercial breaks to warm up the crowd - he made me laughed so hard, I cried.
The people I meet here are down to earth, simple, respectful, sincere, easy going and love to look for funny little things in everything they do. The celebrities are young (mostly 14 -early 20's), extremely gorgeous - and very respectful to the elders - something that I do not get to see back home. I was in awe when they sang and definitely I am now more keen to explore the world of Indonesian music.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
My First Production Experience
When our partners in Indonesia informed us that they want to produce our only kids award show, I wasn't that excited. They only gave us 3 months notice - this awards show is their first, and first in Asia too - usually we take about 12-18 months to prepare.
We managed to arrange for several consultants to help us. One of them is Bob Bain - an EP who has done numerous live event shows in the US. I felt like I was back in college - I learnt so much and made me love my job even more. He was just amazing - first of all, not your typical loud American. He is humble, cautious and approachable. Most importantly, he shared with us his experience and gave us ample warnings of what to look out for in a "live" show. Closer to the big production day, I was involved in production calls - going through rundowns, scripts, the gimmicks, the camera positions, the SLIME (of coz, our channel signature) and having to listen to each musical act. 4 days prior to THE day, I came to Jakarta and met another Consulatant called Bernard Edward but calling him Bernie is so much more apt. He is eccentric, funny, looks like mad scientist. He is so wacky and crazy that being with him in the control room is like being in a show itself. He dances to the camera each time he hits the VT button. Simply a joy.
Working with the production team here is very interesting. I'd like to blame it on culture and lifestyle - where I come from everything runs according to schedule but here nothing goes on schedule! It was interesting though... there are instances where I think my heart flipped a few times and I felt like giving everyone a nudge here and there but hey, it worked out in the end and that is the most important thing.
But all in all, this is definitely one major highlight in my career and I am very thankful to have been given this opportunity.
We managed to arrange for several consultants to help us. One of them is Bob Bain - an EP who has done numerous live event shows in the US. I felt like I was back in college - I learnt so much and made me love my job even more. He was just amazing - first of all, not your typical loud American. He is humble, cautious and approachable. Most importantly, he shared with us his experience and gave us ample warnings of what to look out for in a "live" show. Closer to the big production day, I was involved in production calls - going through rundowns, scripts, the gimmicks, the camera positions, the SLIME (of coz, our channel signature) and having to listen to each musical act. 4 days prior to THE day, I came to Jakarta and met another Consulatant called Bernard Edward but calling him Bernie is so much more apt. He is eccentric, funny, looks like mad scientist. He is so wacky and crazy that being with him in the control room is like being in a show itself. He dances to the camera each time he hits the VT button. Simply a joy.
Working with the production team here is very interesting. I'd like to blame it on culture and lifestyle - where I come from everything runs according to schedule but here nothing goes on schedule! It was interesting though... there are instances where I think my heart flipped a few times and I felt like giving everyone a nudge here and there but hey, it worked out in the end and that is the most important thing.
But all in all, this is definitely one major highlight in my career and I am very thankful to have been given this opportunity.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Peking Duck
Do you believe in "What Goes Around Comes Around?" Yeah, I do and I was put in the same situation 4hrs later. What happened you want to know. I had my first taste of duck's meat in Indonesia.
That same afternoon over tea, I dared an American guy to try the cow's tongue satay. The Indons call it Satay Padang. He did eventually and was pretty cool about it. Of coz when he called his family back home and told them what he did, they were proud of him.
That evening, he wanted to have Chinese food for dinner and while I was ordering food, he said he would like to try Peking duck. I ordered but of course when the dish came I did not bother trying it.
Despite the engaging conversation we had, he noticed and insisted that I have my share. No choice but to confess, told him I have never eaten duck's meat. He found that amusing and dared me to eat it. I did eventually - I made sure i added as much hoisin sauce as possible. The minute I swallowed, I kept drinking lots of tea to wash away that oily taste - of course like him, I remained cool.
That same afternoon over tea, I dared an American guy to try the cow's tongue satay. The Indons call it Satay Padang. He did eventually and was pretty cool about it. Of coz when he called his family back home and told them what he did, they were proud of him.
That evening, he wanted to have Chinese food for dinner and while I was ordering food, he said he would like to try Peking duck. I ordered but of course when the dish came I did not bother trying it.
Despite the engaging conversation we had, he noticed and insisted that I have my share. No choice but to confess, told him I have never eaten duck's meat. He found that amusing and dared me to eat it. I did eventually - I made sure i added as much hoisin sauce as possible. The minute I swallowed, I kept drinking lots of tea to wash away that oily taste - of course like him, I remained cool.
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