Lessons from thespians

Occasionally I had the privilege to direct a dream cast. And then there are dream casts who are living legends - you know, the bigger-than-life ones that you used to only watch in black and white television and the kitchy eighties while growing up.

It was September 2015. I had the privilege to direct not one but TWO of these legendary thespians in the SAME scene. It seemed surreal. And it felt too brief.

It was too fun watching them perform that it can be impulsive to do the typical 360 degree coverage for the television editors but I refrained because it was unnecessary. I'm not sure if it was the ease of directing them or they were too good they need few or no directions. It was sheer pleasure to watch them perform.

JA Halim left us in 2019. Pon Bachik left us this week. Their work on stage and television screen has left an indelible mark on Singapore audiences and the arts scene.

I had the opportunity to work with Abang JA Halim on the long form drama series, Segaris Sinar in 2008. What he brought on set, was not about the acting school methodologies, but the discipline of collaboration with another actor, the script and original story concept. It’s also about giving the emerging director room to express his ideas, because not all Malay directors express ideas in Malay. Of adhering that when ideas collide, it’s all about the story and not about the ego.

It was my first time working with Mak Pon Bachik. She had such a gentle demeanour, but forceful presence on screen. I was so in awe of her method. Her motherly grace seemed like her challenge for me to work harder! 😆

Directing is not just about the shots imho, it is also about nuance and getting the best performances from your actors. To be the best you work with the best actors. For me, even though the meeting on set with the credible thespians Pon Bachik and JA Halim seem fleeting, I grew a lot as a director. I learnt more about performance, giving and reacting from these two than any film school textbooks can offer.

‎انا لله وانا اليه راجعون