Sending Heartfelt Mail to Socially-Isolated Elderly in Nursing Homes

What happened when a tight-knit group of former JC schoolmates came together during the circuit breaker? In this particular instance, Hey, You Got Mail! was born.

In our very first episode of A Singapore Story, we find out from team member Wei Lin why they felt it was important to send personalised, handwritten mail to the socially-isolated elderly in Singapore’s nursing homes.

Producer/Interviewer: Arman Shah

Video/Editing: Naufal Azman

Like Us On Facebook

Follow Us On Instagram

everydaypeoplesg

Everyone has an incredible and inspiring story to share. These are such stories by the everyday people in Singapore. #everydaypeoplesg

“My film was screened at a video animation festi

“My film was screened at a video animation festival at Annecy, France. It was funny because my film has a lot of music in it, and the people in the cinema were just clapping along to the songs.

To hear clapping and laughter was a nice experience. Because it’s actually very scary to be in a cinema filled with strangers watching a film that you made in your bedroom for seven months. You don’t know how people will react; they might fall asleep for all you know.

I was 11-years-old when I became obsessed with learning about animation. My obsession started after I stepped into Pixar’s 20th anniversary exhibition at the Science Centre. I thought it was Disneyland because of the Monster’s Inc. sculptures displayed at the entrance.

As a kid, I didn’t have any idea what animation was, so I went home and did my own research. I watched a lot of behind-the-scenes videos of various productions. Along the way, I started becoming more serious and studied in SOTA for Visual Arts (Fine Arts).

Animation has always been looked at only for kids, especially in conservative Singapore. But
animation is not just for kids, it’s for everybody and it’s a medium we use for storytelling.

Animation is also not an easy medium to handle. It is a very intricate and time-consuming art form because you have to draw countless amounts of frames just for that one second in the film.

In my films, I have been exploring more risqué imagery and themes. My latest work, 'To Kill The Birds & The Bees', is a satirical slice of life film that talks about sex education – or lack thereof – in Singapore. It follows the crazy sexual encounters of four Singaporeans and how they unfold.

When developing the film, figures of authority were worried that some scenes might be too disturbing. They would say no to certain scenes, like a scene that references abortion, and it was something that me and my team had to fight for to be kept in the film.

Although I do get that there is a possibility of backlash because of the sensitive nature of the topic, I managed to convince them that there was a meaningful reason for it to be included in the film...

“Finding out about the world through the arts wa

“Finding out about the world through the arts was the best way of learning for me. I love to learn but reading is something I struggle with. In history classes, the textbooks were always about people signing treaties or how someone did such and such on this particular date, and I’m like, ‘But how did they feel?!’

My parents sent me to speech and drama classes when I was young to help with my shyness. I joined the drama club in secondary school, and what I love most about theatre is the rehearsal process

I found it to be a great way to explore what’s going on in the world, observe characters, and have discussions on difficult issues. I feel free, at home, and happy in the rehearsal space.

I really enjoy the process and I feel you can go deeper into issues in the rehearsal space, because when discussing plays or art, there’s a distancing from the personal, and you can discuss things with more objectivity. In theory. [Laughs]

Because what is true objectivity, right? We all have our own biases and feelings about things. It can still provide some distance, though. Being able to have such conversations during rehearsals and learn different perspectives is what I’m grateful for.

'The Fourth Trimester', written by Faith Ng (@faithngsm), examines the journey of becoming – or not becoming – parents. With my character Ann, she is at this point in her life, and is the only single person in the play, which I think is an interesting vantage point.

Society puts a huge pressure on us to be attached to someone, to want children and to reach other societal milestones. Ann is wondering: ‘Do I really want that? And on what terms do I want that? Is it possible to find what you want, and what does it require of our partners?’

I love Ann. She’s fun, very sassy and very independent. She has standards that I think are not very high, but because it is so hard for her to find what she’s asking for, it feels like she’s asking for too much. And I think that’s the struggle she has...

What are the joys, pains and implications of becom

What are the joys, pains and implications of becoming an adult in the Singaporean context? That is the question playwright Faith Ng (@faithngsm) beautifully and sensitively tackles in her new play "The Fourth Trimester" by Checkpoint Theatre (@checkpointtheatre)

From a first-time mother who is coping with the trauma of change to her body, to a hopeful husband who is yearning to be a father, Faith has carefully written about a wide spectrum of experiences many can relate to but do not necessarily feel safe talking openly about.

Directed by Claire Wong (@claireclwong) , The Fourth Trimester runs from 4 to 14 August 2022 at the Drama Centre Theatre, and audiences will witness seven brilliant actors portraying themes of young parenthood, singlehood and societal conventions, live on stage.

But before you get to experience the magic of theatre firsthand, here are some behind-the-scenes images of the rehearsal process that shines a light on the people who are working tirelessly to bring this original play in front of an audience.

We hope you enjoy these pictures as much as we enjoyed documenting their journey.

Click on link in bio for the full gallery.

“I was the team captain of the soccer club in se

“I was the team captain of the soccer club in secondary school. So when I went to Temasek Polytechnic, I was set on joining soccer as a co-curricular activity. But a very good friend of mine persuaded me to take up drama together.

A few months later, that idiotic friend of mine quit the drama club and I ended up being stuck there. [Laughs] But by the second year, my interest in acting and theatre had already grown. By the third year, I was determined to make acting a career.

What I like about acting is the ability to put yourself in other people’s shoes. Well, maybe not the ability, but rather, the opportunity to understand another person’s perspective. I think that’s very important in helping shape a person’s humanity.

As Singaporeans, we have become rather individualistic. It’s just how the world is moving; how the country is moving. It’s fast-paced and you often have to prioritise yourself. We don’t get to pause, look around, and reflect on what’s going on – and I think theatre helps us do that.

In 'The Fourth Trimester', I play Johan, a public servant who works for a statutory board. He’s been trying really hard to have a child with his wife Sofia, whom he has been married to for the past two years.

In real life, I’m a father to three kids. As Matin, I will personally never fully understand the struggles faced by Johan. Yet as an actor, I can believe and I can become this other character, even though I’ve never gone through his pain or his hardships.

And as much as I love acting, because it allows me to empathise and be someone else, it’s not as smooth and pleasant an experience any more as I grow older. Your emotional capacity has limitations; but as an actor, this is my challenge to overcome.

Thankfully, our director Claire Wong (@claireclwong) helps us find the missing ingredients that complete our characters. I appreciate her patience and ability to manoeuvre and recalibrate whenever I have a mental block. She gives us clear direction yet freedom to explore our characters...

“‘Rusydina! I can’t hear you!’ I was a ver

“‘Rusydina! I can’t hear you!’ I was a very shy and quiet student. So when my teacher raised his voice at me to speak louder during voice class, I started hyperventilating. I then sobbed for a good 45 minutes while the other students did their vocal warm-ups. [Laughs]

I actually did fine arts in my first year at a local art school. But when we had to choose a cross-disciplinary elective, I took up Malay Theatre and fell in love with it. I think it’s because you’re mainly confined to yourself in fine arts; but in theatre, you’re in very fun company.

Because of that, I decided to pursue theatre instead in my second year. But I didn’t anticipate how difficult it would be to open myself up and be vulnerable. I wasn’t ready for what theatre required of me. So I struggled for two years until it gradually got easier.

What I love about theatre and acting is the process – of learning my character, of digging deep to create this other person who’s different from me. I’m an introverted person, so it’s very freeing to be someone else. Every single role I do is challenging, and I love that.

In 'The Fourth Trimester', I play Sofia, who is trying to start a family with her husband Johan. She has been trying so hard to chase this dream of being a mother, to reach this next milestone in her life, and perhaps, unknowingly, meet other people’s expectations of her.

I wanted to do this play because when I read the script that Faith Ng (@faithngsm) had written, I was drawn to the theme of adult friendship. I love how it touches upon the importance of female friends being there for one another.

I was there for my sister when she became a first-time mum.Growing up, my sister and I were never close. But when she had her first child, I would travel for more than an hour every single day to cook for her. I wanted to be there for her because she was alone at home during her confinement period.

To prepare for my role as Sofia, I did research online and listened to a lot of TED Talks. I also spoke with friends who shared certain private struggles that they have been going through as women and as mothers...

“My mum has been working in Singapore as a teach

“My mum has been working in Singapore as a teacher for almost 10 years. Singapore feels like a second home to me now because I’m here to visit her every summer vacation.

I’m very happy when I see her because I miss her so much when I’m in the Philippines. My mum is like my best friend and I can tell her everything and anything.

When COVID-19 happened, I couldn’t see her at all. The last time I visited her was in 2019. But just last March, she came back home to surprise me. I cried when I saw her because she means a lot to me and I missed her so much.”

#everydaypeoplesg #philippines #singapore #mum #daughter #covid19 #love #reunited

“This year is my 15th year working as an actor i

“This year is my 15th year working as an actor in Singapore. For me, whether I am acting on stage or in the process of creating something for theatre, I feel comfortable and alive because I have a genuine care for what I’m doing.

Before I went into acting, I was a public servant for a year and a half. Working in that environment felt like my soul was being eaten away. I didn’t dread going to work, but I wasn’t looking forward to it either. There was always a part of me that went, ‘Ugh!’

But I was dabbling in a bit of acting on the side, and I found myself wanting to be at rehearsals more than at the job which actually paid.

When I decided to resign and take the plunge to focus solely on acting, it was one of the most important moments in my career – if I hadn’t, who knows if I’d even be working in theatre today?

Although it has been a difficult journey, I don’t regret quitting my day job. It may sound cliché, but theatre feeds my soul. And because of my work experiences, I am more inclined to work on projects that deal with the local context of the everyday Singaporean, which is what Checkpoint Theatre (@checkpointtheatre) does.

I’ve watched and read some of Faith Ng’s (@faithngsm) plays for Checkpoint Theatre. Her work as a playwright is very well-nuanced. She has a way of writing that really makes you feel for the characters, and they are nothing if not Singaporean.

Getting to sink my teeth into a very authentic play was what convinced me to say yes to performing in 'The Fourth Trimester'. As the title suggests, Faith’s new play looks at what happens when this whole new responsibility of parenthood is thrust upon first-time parents.

As a father to twins, I can relate to suddenly having this new life and lives that you have to be responsible for. And interestingly, the issues that my character, Daniel, faces together with his wife, Lisa, are so similar to the things that I’ve experienced with my family...

“‘Take a gap year after junior college (JC) to

“‘Take a gap year after junior college (JC) to work in the industry and figure out if you’re serious about making acting your career.' That was what my mum said to me when I told her I wanted to go to drama school.

I’ve always wanted to be an actor, since I was a kid, but I was too shy to express it. I don’t think I would’ve had the confidence to seriously pursue acting as a full-time career if my parents hadn’t been so supportive and encouraging.

As a teen, I was involved in local TV shows like 'Moulmein High', and in my gap year, I acted in productions with Wild Rice and I Theatre and on the TV show 'Light Years'.

My gap year experience showed my parents I possessed the self-motivation to live this freelance life. It also solidified my own resolve to be an actor. So in 2004, I started drama school at Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne.

My mum, Sheila Wee, is a professional storyteller. Even though we do very different things in the realm of telling stories, both our crafts require vivid use of the imagination, which she has cultivated in me from a young age.

In Faith Ng’s (@faithngsm) new play, 'The Fourth Trimester', I play Lisa, who’s chosen to be a stay-at-home mum and is at a pivotal moment in her relationship with her husband.

Lisa and I share many similar experiences, but in many ways, completely opposite ones. The desire that Lisa has to nourish her family and care for the people whom she loves, is something I connect with.

Part of the reason why I wanted to be a mother was that curiosity of shaping a life – to give love and a sense of grounding in the world to my son, and then see how he turns out.

The way in which Lisa communicates her feelings is something I’ve been finding challenging to portray. I am in the middle of rehearsals at the moment and just this morning I was thinking, ‘I don’t know how to get into Lisa’s headspace.’ [Laughs]

I mean, how do I collect all these distinct parts of Lisa’s life and hold them within me to let them out at different moments, right? I don’t quite know yet. But that’s what’s exciting too...

“What I like about theatre is that it’s live.

“What I like about theatre is that it’s live. You're acting on stage while audiences watch; there’s no do-overs, just strangers looking at you doing your job. Hopefully, they’re looking at you – that’s the fear, right? What if your performance doesn’t draw them in?

Unlike TV or film where they cut the final product in the editing studio, your work in theatre is never finished until the curtain call. And the feeling you get when you take a bow for the audience is electric. It makes all those weeks and months of rehearsals worth it.

I'm currently in the midst of rehearsals for 'The Fourth Trimester'. I play Aaron who just became a new father. He’s suddenly seeing his parents in a different light, and his relationship with his wife is also changing. We see how he deals with these issues as he goes down a road of self-discovery.

To get into Aaron's headspace, I draw from my own life experiences as a father of two. Just the other day, director Claire Wong (@claireclwong) got (fellow actor) Hang Qian Chou and I to share and recount our experiences during our wives' deliveries.

As an actor-director, Claire knows that we, as actors, need to be aware of the mental and emotional state of our characters before we enter a scene. She has a very sensitive and analytical mind, and she knows how to guide an actor into a deeper emotion and performance.

Part of my homework has been to dig up memories of when my first child was born, and see how much of my personal experience I can tap into, to relay Aaron's experience. Because pregnancy amnesia is a real thing, even for dads.

You end up recalling all the good things about the first few months with the newborn, and forget all the bad stuff – the sleep deprivation; the tiredness; the keeping to the clock to feed. But I guess that's biologically a good thing! Otherwise, maybe nobody will want to give birth or make babies.

I think it's important for people to watch 'The Fourth Trimester' because Faith Ng (@faithngsm) has written a play that not only touches upon the challenges of first-time mums, but also first-time dads. There’s none of the illusion that dads have no role to play...

Load More... Follow on Instagram

Watch Us On YouTube

Kenny Leck Discusses the BooksActually 24-Hour Fundraising Event | Upcoming EP3

Muhamad "The Chosen Wan" Ridhwan Discusses "Roar of Singapore IV" | Upcoming EP2

Pooja Nansi and Jessica Bellamy Discuss "Thick Beats for Good Girls" | Upcoming EP1

Related

13 February 2021
In Activists, People, Video

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

X

%d bloggers like this: