Nov 2004 - Nanyang Technological University

6
Fellow SCI in the Media
While SCI prepares us for a future in the media industry, how many of us actually move in that direction In this article, we introduce some of
our ex-schoolmates who have carved their niche in the industry.
Name: Diana Ser
Occupation: Presenter,
ChannelNewsAsia
A veteran in the local media industry, Diana
Ser has worked with many different
aspects of the media. Starting out in front
of the camera as an actress and host, Ser
moved on in search of a greater sense
of fulfillment. While taking a part-time
master’s degree in SCI in 1998, she met
an editor of The New Paper who invited
her to be a guest writer. Ser eventually
became a journalist for Streats. Recently
married, she is now back in front of the
camera as the interviewer and presenter
of the series GetRea! on Channel
NewsAsia.
After eight years in TV, Ser says: “I
think I have found something I feel truly
passionate about. Going to SPH as a
print journalist for Streats sparked off
my interest in journalism. Marrying TV
and journalism is the highlight of my
career.”
Name: Edwin Koo
Occupation: Photojournalist, Streats
SCI celebrities
An internship with Channel 5 turned into an audition
that landed Ng Hui in a role in the comedy
sitcom Living with Lydia. The rest, as the saying
goes, is history. Ng officially joined MediaCorp
in February this year and has appeared in several
drama serials and variety shows.
Did her training in SCI help her in her career Ng
says: “Definitely! Being familiar with the basic
workings of the media industry helps in understanding
the different areas of work involved that makes
a production work. Plus the knowledge in camera
direction, lighting, blocking etc.... I am more at ease
when working in front of the camera.” Having tried
her hand at hosting PSC Nite, she has also hosted a
variety show called I’m the One. Catch her on King
of Variety on Channel 8 every Friday.
Name: Michelle Alicia Saram
Occupation: Actress
Name: Ng Hui
Occupation: Artiste,
MediaCorp
International celebrity Michelle Saram was discovered as a model
during an internship with the now-defunct Go magazine. Saram first
appeared on the front page of their May 1996 issue, and then signed on
as a model with Elite Models. She was propelled into the limelight after
she was picked to appear in Aaron Kwokʼs music video. Her appearance
as Ye Sha in the popular serial Meteor Garden II further spread her
name when the show was aired in several countries.
Since she graduated from SCI in 1997, Saram has also starred
in Threshold of An Era with Louis Koo, Bullets Over Summer in 1999
and Skyline Cruisers in 2000. In 2003, Saram returned to star in MediaCorp
serials To Mom with Love, and Baby Boom.
In ClickArt World Photojournalist Meet
2003, Edwin Koo shined among more
than 220 lensmen to bag a second prize
for his entry. Out of more than 600 entries
submitted, his image was the runner-up
for the Best Photography Award under the
category Behind-the-Scenes.
Part of Koo’s beginning portfolio consists of a book called
Rot Fai, which means Trains in Thai. Koo and his project mate
Chng Ngo Peng captured life along the Thai Railways and compiled
them in this book for his FYP in photojournalism.
So what is the difference between journalism and photojournalism
Koo says: “A photojournalist needs to be as curious as
any other reporter. Both need to know what’s going on, make sense
of it, then tell the story. In this manner, both are storytellers, just
that the wordsmith’s tools are words, and a photojournalist’s tools,
pictures.”
Name: Ian Tan
Occupation: Journalist,
The New Paper
Ian Tan bagged the Local
Journalist Award for 2004
for his outstanding work
in Hanoi. This award from
the Society of Publishers in
Asia (SOPA) acknowledges
him as the best local
journalist in the region.
Prior to that, he won
the Singapore Poolʼs
S-League Picture of the
Year in 2001 and SPH
Feature of the Year in
2002.
Tan started working as a
journalist since he was 21
and also spearheaded the
Tech section in
The New Paper.
Tanʼs take on what makes
a good journalist: “Integrity
is paramount, because
building trust between
your newsmakers and
your readers ensures you
have a new story to write
tomorrow! You also need
to think very fast on your
feet. I believe the best
journalists are those who
really care about their
newsmakers and their
readers.”
-- GHY