Talking with Director Wang Guoshen - Part 1 of 2
Ong Kuo Sin graduated from Hwa Chong JC in 1993 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree (Radio-TV-Film) in UT Austin with a 3.8 GPA. Returning to Singapore in 1999, he became the assistant director for “School Days”／七彩学堂(Channel 8), which won the best sitcom of the year. The following year, he was offered to direct the second season of the sitcom and had since gained experience in a wide range of different genres.
Being effectively bilingual and versatile, Kuo Sin’s various ventures include documentaries like “Life Stories” and “Lion Dances” (all Arts Central); travelogues like “Extreme Gourmet”, “Extreme Japan”, “Seoul Far Seoul Good” (all Mediacorp Channel 5) and “Spa Seekers” (Voom HD); variety programs like “Behind All Jobs”/美差事苦差事 (Channel 8) and dramedies like “The Sassy Neighbour” series, “Parental Guidance” and “Sayang Sayang” (all Mediacorp Channel 5).
Dramatic pieces that Kuo Sin has directed includes “Chemistry” (Channel 5), “Perception” (Channel I) and “Our Rice House”／我们的饭店 (Channel 8). Kuo Sin has also directed the well-received tele-movie “The Promise”／向日葵的约定 for Channel U in 2009 and the 2010 Channel U blockbuster “Secret Garden”／秘密花园.
In 2012, he directed Channel U’s highest rated drama, “JUMP!”/跳浪and completed his first feature film, “Judgment Day”/世界末日. The film was released in Singapore and Malaysia in 2013. In the same year, he helped produced Taiwanese comedian Kang Kang’s directorial debut “十萬夥急”and directed Channel U’s tent pole drama “Scrum!/衝鋒” and Channel 5’s “Spouse For House”.
In 2014, Kuo Sin earned a nomination for “Best Local Director” in the Singapore E-Awards and “Spouse For House” won Best Comedy at the Asian Television Awards. In 2015, Kuo Sin wrote the viral hit song “Unbelievable” for “Spouse For House” and also serves as the Executive Producer for Channel 5’s 199- episode long form drama, “Tanglin.” By the end of the year, he shot and released the feature film “Mr. Unbelievable”.
In 2016, he wrote the screenplay for Dick Lee’s debut film “Wonder Boy” and his third feature film, “One Head Light”/絕世情歌. In 2017, he completed principal photography for “One Head Light”/絕世情歌
- 00:01: Is there a difference between a film set and a TV set?
- 01:20 Having more resources and time on a film set, do you experiment more?
- 02:10 Producers & Directors predicament
- 02:25 Is there more pressure on a film set?
- 03:00 Do you expect the same from the same actors on a TV project or a Film project
- 04:20 How do you get your start on your Directing career?
- 07:00 His first Directing gig
- 07:51 Recounting his first day directing
- 09:00 Importance of a mentor
- 09:42 What is his preparation when he gets a script?
- 11:27 On directing his own scripts
- 12: 20 Directing ‘beyond’ the script or following the text religiously
- 13:27 On Directors discussing with writers on intentions and outcome
- 13:45 Trust between writers and directors
- 15:04 On being asked “what does a director REALLY do?”
- 15:52 On making calls and decisions
- 16:06 On Rehearsals
- 17:44 On his shooting approach regarding rehearsals
- 18:22 As EP on Tanglin & KIN, is it better to have multiple Directors or one Director for long form. Challenges of having multiple Directors on a long running series.
- 24:43 On his Directing Idols.
- 26:45 On the most dangerous things he had asked his actors to do.
- 31:50 On his ‘proudest’ Directing work
- 35:16 Advice for upcoming Directors
- 36:28 On his most passionate pursuit, Directing or Producing or Writing
- 37:00 Difference between Directing English or Mandarin works
- END of Episode 1 : Part 1 of 2 Part WANG GUOSHEN