Actress Tan Kheng Hua with instructor Ms Khoo Sim Eng and students taking the Navigating Singapore’s Film Industry course.
In March, Film Studies students from the Navigating Singapore’s Film Industry course got to meet award-winning actress Tan Kheng Hua. Best known for playing Margaret in Phua Chu Kang and Kerry Chu in Crazy Rich Asians, Kheng Hua brought students through an eye-opening tour of the local television scene and the differences between filming in Singapore and overseas.
Kheng Hua getting to know the students.
In 1994, Kheng Hua got her first TV role in Masters of the Sea, Singapore’s first locally made English-language television series. The show was criticised for not being a good representation of Singaporeans, but Kheng Hua pointed out that it was an invaluable training ground for the actors and the crew, as Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS, now Mediacorp) had brought in an experienced creative team from the United States. TCS went on to produce hit series like Triple Nine (Singapore’s first police drama) and Under One Roof (its first English-language sitcom). Kheng Hua was later cast in the decade-long Phua Chu Kang and she recounted how the cast and crew became very close and shared real-life events from pregnancies to family deaths, all while working to make Singaporeans laugh.
Kheng Hua’s role in Crazy Rich Asians (2018) caught the attention of talent agents in the US and at one point, she went for 90 different auditions! Even though she did not get all the roles, she remained positive as she realised there were 90 times when agents felt she was suitable. She also relished the chance to learn as much as she could.
The many faces of Tan Kheng Hua.
Kheng Hua’s resilience and willingness to work hard stem from her devotion to her craft: “Devotion is important if you want to make something of your life.”
Director Jonathan Choo, who teaches Scriptwriting and Smartphone Filmmaking for the Film Studies programme, was struck by what Kheng Hua said about devotion. “It’s such a simple point; but as a filmmaker, hearing something like that is very encouraging and just keeps you going.”
Kheng Hua emphasised that it is important to know the basics (e.g., know your lines and show up on time) and do them well. She urged students to also do research into film, read books, watch behind-the-scenes videos, and have conversations about film.
Kheng Hua currently shuttles between Singapore and North America, where she is filming the martial arts action-adventure TV series Kung Fu (now in its third season). Despite having roles overseas, Kheng Hua still loves to act in Singapore.
“I love working in Singapore. Why? Because of the roles! I want to be a Singaporean character. I know things about being a Singaporean!”
Chew Ying Xuan, a student from SUSS' Bachelor of Human Resource Management degree with Film Studies, was thankful for “such an up-close and personal session with Kheng Hua. Her passion and love for the industry have made me appreciate our local productions more than ever."
Terence Wong, a student from SUSS' Bachelor of Science in Finance degree with Film Studies, added, “This was my first time meeting a Singaporean actress and I loved hearing her stories. She shared an aspect of the local industry that I had never thought about until hearing it from her.”
This is the second Film Studies industry talk for the year, with more to come!