Thursday, August 16, 2007
Life in "The Firm" - Vol 1
First of all, i got to apologise for not updated my blog. I have been following the blog discussion http://thefirmntv7.blogspot.com/ and recently on http://chinese.cari.com.my/myforum/viewthread.php?tid=897417 -a chinese language forum on "The Firm".
In this posting, i will share my experience during the days in "The Firm" and i will try to keep it short and sweet. Then i will post Life after "The Firm". Hope all will be coming in and keep in touch ok?
Life in THE FIRM
1st time in front of camera
A lot of people must be envying people like us and other celebrities for being able to be on screen. But let me tell you, it is never easy even for a reality show. Imagine how does it feel when the camera following you where ever you go while you are on mic. I still can recall once when I was on wireless mic and doing my business in toilet. Cameraman and sound technician will be able to hear everything. I don't think i want to elaborate more.
Most of you would enjoy scenes where we argue a lot and when controversial discussion on set. Sometimes you would just want to kick the cameraman off. There was no privacy at all. But after 1st and 2nd episode, most of us got used to it. Cameraman are invisible to us when we brainstorm, executing our tasks and even in the boardroom.
So think again if you want to be in TV.
Balancing between work, family and shooting
Enjoy your 1 hour show every sunday from 9pm to 10pm? It is a result of hard work by everyone involved in the production. The constestants, directors, cameraman, producers and even interns whom have helped us a lot in logistics - all dedicated to produce the best for YOU.
For 1 episode, it takes 5 to 6 days to shoot from morning till night. For the "Gaya" shots like walking in and out from the lift or getting down from the car, it might take hours to shoot just to give you the few seconds ultimate viewing experience. Other than that, everything else are real. Our anger, emotions , happiness are all real. If not mistaken, total shooting hours for an episode can go as high as 50 hours and it needs to be edited into 45 minutes. I salute the editors.
So, we are businessmen and employees. What do we do? Most of us would just have midnights to handle our own business while those under employment would have to take unpaid leave and still need to manage bosses expectation to make sure you still have your chair when you go back.
Some of us are married, some would still have roles to play to take care of other family members. We really don't have much time for them and every minute together is precious moments. My wife was pregnant when i was in "The Firm". She will need extra care but ..... haii!!!!. Luckily she was very supportive for me to contest in the show.
Having said that, life in "The Firm" was really fulfilling and fun!
With the contestants off cam!
It seems like we hated each other so much in the show but off cam, it was totally different. When given any task, our only concern and focus were to WIN. We give our best to win. Of course every individual have our own characters and leadership styles. As such, conflicts and drama comes into play.
What happen during rest time or off cam? We were a bunch of crazy people enjoying ourselves, trying to know each other better, joking like nuts and enjoying every laugh we had. Everyone has high interest on what other is doing and already exploring some partnership in real business world. So, who knows? there might be an up coming conglomerate consists of directorship from 10 contestants! hhaha.
The Tasks and The Real Business World
From the show, the tasks seems easy and manageable. But let me tell you! The time, budget and resources given is somewhat impossible to be implemented in the real business world. You will be given only few hours to brainstorm (with people u hv not worked togeher B4 -in earlier stage), plan ahead what are you going to do tomorrow, prepare then execute. It is either Do or Die!
In the real business world, you will have more budget, more time, more people, more suppliers in short much more resources to implement the same task and to get the similar results. So, for those who thinks that anyone of us are doing a bad job in the task, think again!! The pressure was unbelieavable.!
Hmmm! What else to talk about?
Why not you all ask and i will try to answer!!
In this posting, i will share my experience during the days in "The Firm" and i will try to keep it short and sweet. Then i will post Life after "The Firm". Hope all will be coming in and keep in touch ok?
Life in THE FIRM
1st time in front of camera
A lot of people must be envying people like us and other celebrities for being able to be on screen. But let me tell you, it is never easy even for a reality show. Imagine how does it feel when the camera following you where ever you go while you are on mic. I still can recall once when I was on wireless mic and doing my business in toilet. Cameraman and sound technician will be able to hear everything. I don't think i want to elaborate more.
Most of you would enjoy scenes where we argue a lot and when controversial discussion on set. Sometimes you would just want to kick the cameraman off. There was no privacy at all. But after 1st and 2nd episode, most of us got used to it. Cameraman are invisible to us when we brainstorm, executing our tasks and even in the boardroom.
So think again if you want to be in TV.
Balancing between work, family and shooting
Enjoy your 1 hour show every sunday from 9pm to 10pm? It is a result of hard work by everyone involved in the production. The constestants, directors, cameraman, producers and even interns whom have helped us a lot in logistics - all dedicated to produce the best for YOU.
For 1 episode, it takes 5 to 6 days to shoot from morning till night. For the "Gaya" shots like walking in and out from the lift or getting down from the car, it might take hours to shoot just to give you the few seconds ultimate viewing experience. Other than that, everything else are real. Our anger, emotions , happiness are all real. If not mistaken, total shooting hours for an episode can go as high as 50 hours and it needs to be edited into 45 minutes. I salute the editors.
So, we are businessmen and employees. What do we do? Most of us would just have midnights to handle our own business while those under employment would have to take unpaid leave and still need to manage bosses expectation to make sure you still have your chair when you go back.
Some of us are married, some would still have roles to play to take care of other family members. We really don't have much time for them and every minute together is precious moments. My wife was pregnant when i was in "The Firm". She will need extra care but ..... haii!!!!. Luckily she was very supportive for me to contest in the show.
Having said that, life in "The Firm" was really fulfilling and fun!
With the contestants off cam!
It seems like we hated each other so much in the show but off cam, it was totally different. When given any task, our only concern and focus were to WIN. We give our best to win. Of course every individual have our own characters and leadership styles. As such, conflicts and drama comes into play.
What happen during rest time or off cam? We were a bunch of crazy people enjoying ourselves, trying to know each other better, joking like nuts and enjoying every laugh we had. Everyone has high interest on what other is doing and already exploring some partnership in real business world. So, who knows? there might be an up coming conglomerate consists of directorship from 10 contestants! hhaha.
The Tasks and The Real Business World
From the show, the tasks seems easy and manageable. But let me tell you! The time, budget and resources given is somewhat impossible to be implemented in the real business world. You will be given only few hours to brainstorm (with people u hv not worked togeher B4 -in earlier stage), plan ahead what are you going to do tomorrow, prepare then execute. It is either Do or Die!
In the real business world, you will have more budget, more time, more people, more suppliers in short much more resources to implement the same task and to get the similar results. So, for those who thinks that anyone of us are doing a bad job in the task, think again!! The pressure was unbelieavable.!
Hmmm! What else to talk about?
Why not you all ask and i will try to answer!!
Monday, July 9, 2007
Why exactly am I doing in "The Firm"?
We don't know what is the prize nor given any kind of remuneration for committing almost 3 months of production (for those who survive till the end) day and night, average of 6 days each week.
As an entreprenuer, time is money. It is surely an opportunity cost. Am i crazy or stupid to participate in it? Maybe yes maybe no.
In the month of Jan 2007, NTV 7 advertised to recruit contestant for "The Firm". Co-incidently, i have just completed my branding project with Mayflower Travel. My 2nd project will only start in end Feb 2007. Having more free time, I spent most of my time doing my marketing and reading more branding articles and books as well as spending more time with my family especially my parents.
The registration form was very simple to fill. Just fill in some questions about leadership and can either fax or email. Well, why not give it a try? Don't think will get it anyway as all my life, my fortune has to be earned with hard work and dedication.
After a week, Michael - the assistant director call " I am Michael from Popiah, can you come in for interview?" I ask "Popiah?" I don't believe i have apply a job to work in a popiah stall. Only after Michael explaining what is it all about that i realise i am shortlisted for "The Firm". Well, what the hack, just go and see what are they up to!
I went for the interview which was conducted by Anne - the producer. 1st time being intrerviewed infront of camera. Little bit weird. I was not nervous as i was not really hoping that i would be shortlisted. I just be myself, explain my view on leadership and blah blah blah!!!!.
Another call came after a week. "Keng Teck, you are 1 of the 10 contestant which we have shortlisted". Only then i start to think whether i should commit myself into the show.
In my whole life, i have not been taking big risk until last year decided to be an entrepreneur. Life is short and i started to realise i have not done much for myself. This is a chance for me to know myself better and to challenge myself too. As a normal corporate person, we always think that we are good and we can perform. However, most of the time is from our own perspective. I want to use this opportunity to challenge myself on how to deal with different people, different brand, limited time, limited resources and most importantly whether i could work like hell and yet able to take care of my family.
It is not so much of the prize (we don't even know what it is!). Nevertheless, getting it would be a great motivation to move forward too. In addition, I might be able to have a big contract with a MNC who pays me higher than what i earn as an entrepreneur.
Decision made! Contract signed! No return!
Either i will remain unknown to many people or become popular. I have to prepare myself as being popular can be in the negative or positive side. What ever it is, my decision made is to "Win myself".
Will i remain in the show until the end? You will see!
We don't know what is the prize nor given any kind of remuneration for committing almost 3 months of production (for those who survive till the end) day and night, average of 6 days each week.
As an entreprenuer, time is money. It is surely an opportunity cost. Am i crazy or stupid to participate in it? Maybe yes maybe no.
In the month of Jan 2007, NTV 7 advertised to recruit contestant for "The Firm". Co-incidently, i have just completed my branding project with Mayflower Travel. My 2nd project will only start in end Feb 2007. Having more free time, I spent most of my time doing my marketing and reading more branding articles and books as well as spending more time with my family especially my parents.
The registration form was very simple to fill. Just fill in some questions about leadership and can either fax or email. Well, why not give it a try? Don't think will get it anyway as all my life, my fortune has to be earned with hard work and dedication.
After a week, Michael - the assistant director call " I am Michael from Popiah, can you come in for interview?" I ask "Popiah?" I don't believe i have apply a job to work in a popiah stall. Only after Michael explaining what is it all about that i realise i am shortlisted for "The Firm". Well, what the hack, just go and see what are they up to!
I went for the interview which was conducted by Anne - the producer. 1st time being intrerviewed infront of camera. Little bit weird. I was not nervous as i was not really hoping that i would be shortlisted. I just be myself, explain my view on leadership and blah blah blah!!!!.
Another call came after a week. "Keng Teck, you are 1 of the 10 contestant which we have shortlisted". Only then i start to think whether i should commit myself into the show.
In my whole life, i have not been taking big risk until last year decided to be an entrepreneur. Life is short and i started to realise i have not done much for myself. This is a chance for me to know myself better and to challenge myself too. As a normal corporate person, we always think that we are good and we can perform. However, most of the time is from our own perspective. I want to use this opportunity to challenge myself on how to deal with different people, different brand, limited time, limited resources and most importantly whether i could work like hell and yet able to take care of my family.
It is not so much of the prize (we don't even know what it is!). Nevertheless, getting it would be a great motivation to move forward too. In addition, I might be able to have a big contract with a MNC who pays me higher than what i earn as an entrepreneur.
Decision made! Contract signed! No return!
Either i will remain unknown to many people or become popular. I have to prepare myself as being popular can be in the negative or positive side. What ever it is, my decision made is to "Win myself".
Will i remain in the show until the end? You will see!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
