|
MediaCorp
has come a long way, say artistes
July 20, 2001
Is it painful being an artiste in Singapore?
Taiwanese actress Jacklyn Wu who was here last year for the filming
of Channel 8 drama series Tax Files apparently thought so. She aired
her views on her website as saying that she felt bogged down by
production matters such as handling her costumes and wardrobe that
she had no time to concentrate on her acting. Is that the situation
under the new management of MediaCorp? No, say artistes who feel
that work practices have improved.
By Angelene Wong
(Click on pictures
for larger image)
Her comments on the website were published in Lianhe Zaobao last
Tuesday (July 17) in an article entitled 'Taiwanese artiste Jacklyn
Wu says it's tough being an artiste in Singapore." A similar
story on Jacklyn's comments was published in Straits Times Life!
on July 18 as well.
In a separate article the following day entitled
"On Jacklyn's Wu's views on MediaCorp, Sampson Yuen: All big
TV stations have flaws in their systems", former TCS Production
Manager, Sampson Yuen commented on Jacklyn's views. Mr Yuen left
MediaCorp for Channel 8's rival, Channel U in October last year.
He was quoted as saying that some MediaCorp procedures were as if
designed for civil servants and that production management was disorganized.
In response to criticism in the Chinese newspapers,
MediaCorp sent out a letter to Lianhe Zaobao Executive Editor cum
Fukan Editor (zbNOW) and pointed out that the working conditions
described by both at the then TCS had existed for some time but
those were the responsibilities of the TCS management then, including
Mr Yuen. Many of them, including the top management and Mr Yuen,
it said, had left after March 2000.
In order not to reflect badly on the top management
of the then TCS (many of whom are no longer with MediaCorp), MediaCorp
decided not to comment on management practices and working conditions
in its response to Jacklyn Wu's comments in Zaobao (July 17 2001)
In actual fact, working practices have improved
under the new management.
Under the new management at the top which includes
a substantial number with rich private sector experience, the conditions
at the Studios and the rest of the group have changed for the better.
And artistes are reported to be aware and happy with the changes.
Since March 2000, MediaCorp have also adopted international practices
for its productions and have made the necessary adaptations to suit
local conditions.
Of these measures include the appointment of
wardrobe assistants since last year as well as a spruced-up rest
room for artistes to relax in-between filming, said Mrs Poh-Low
Aye Lan, Vice President of Artiste Management Division (AMD).
MediaCorp values its artistes and employees
and takes their interests to heart. It is evident in the way artistes'
career managed and developed.
Not only are their opportunities increased with
the provision of crossovers (Channel 5 and Channel 8) made to them,
their scope have also increased. Artistes are not limited to merely
acting but also exposed to hosting and other performing opportunities
as well.
Next>>
More
entertainment stories here
Like our digital photos? Print them into hard copy versions with
Photoprints.
|
