Post by MYR Admin on Sept 30, 2007 12:21:56 GMT 7
* As this is quite a lengthy chapter, half of the chapter has been omitted, translation only covers some meaningful and vital points Michelle made, thus the chapter may seem irrelevant from one paragraph to another¡
Chapter 6: My days with TVB
Teaching you to win a beauty pageant
In Hong Kong, participating in a pageant is actually undergoing tests, talent show and criticisms in the process of choosing the leading lady for TV films. Hadn’t I personally participated in the Miss Chinese International pageant, I definitely will never discover the ‘truth’ in person. I shall be sharing some of my experience here so that those girls who dream of becoming an actresses will get to know some ‘rules’ of the industry beforehand, as well as allowing girls who want to participate in pageants to weigh their qualifications.
You naturally have to be born with ideal features, with the right figure, as this enables you to be ‘beautiful’ before the camera. The problem is, most contestants at the pageant finals usually already possess these qualifications, thus this condition is not necessary to be mentioned. ‘Wisdom’ is very important, it can be said to be the most vital criterion as it directly reflects if you will be able to learn and master the filming skills as quickly as possible, and becoming the company’s ‘fa dan’. It doesn’t matter how ‘boring’ or ‘illogical’ the questions of the intelligence assessment segment seems, you should never provide them the most appropriate answer. Instead, give your most creative, most humorous and even most mockingly intelligent answer, as this will enable you to win the entire audience’s cheer and thus additional points. Remember that the ‘wisdom’ in this pageant does not merely mean how highly educated or culturally literate you are, but also your ability in adapting and customizing your answer appropriately.
Your performance, singing and dancing on stage alone is not enough to be used for the panels’ judgment. In fact, you’re being monitored and evaluated from the very first day you stepped into this pageant: Are you approachable, are you strong and independent, do you seek for self improvement… All these conditions which will help you to survive in the entertainment industry will be recorded from your communication and relationship with other contestants and pageant staffs…
Even if you lose, it is not a big matter, because your toughest opponent in life is none other than yourself…
Don’t wait till time and youth has past for you to only realize that to be able to live a peaceful life is actually a ‘wealth’, start appreciating every second now, allow gratitude to be in your heart at all times!
The times at Olympic Games
2004 is indeed an important year for me as I was assigned to cover news report for Olympic Games in Athens. This method is where the attraction of celebrities is used to attract audiences with non-sports interest, and whether or not this method actually works is not up to us to determine. As a contracted artist, it is most important for me to obey the company’s arrangement. When people asked me if I was nervous to report for Olympics, I replied, “Why should I be nervous when my company is confident of me?” Thus, I headed to Athens along with only one few-inches-thick information book under no stress at all.
I’ve never thought of becoming an artist when I was young and today becoming a reporter at the Olympic Games was just as unexpected. The interchange of my identity has brought me some unexpected return, from an artist who’s usually interviewed to a reporter who interviews athletes; it is an unfamiliar feeling….
TVB initially picked Raymond Lam and I to become the reporters at Olympics, but as Raymond was too gorgeous and too ancient-warrior looking, he was later asked to film Lethal Weapons of Love and Passion, and Alex Fong was instead asked to partner me. As Alex Fong was once Hong Kong’s famous swimmer, I was very much comforted, thinking that even if we met with terrorist attack, there is someone strong beside me to protect me. In actual fact, Alex Fong is a very righteous, well-mannered man, and working with such a partner, you needn’t worry about squabbles due to disagreement in work. He allows you to feel comfortable at work everyday.
Later, we were ‘forced’ to quarrel once, and after the incident, we concluded it was due to the influence of Olympics, as well as it was Fong’s debut in Entertainment News. This is actually what happened, Alex and I were rehearsing our dialogues just before the airing of the opening ceremony, he suggested that I should mock (the term Alex used also meant quarrelling in Cantonese) him with a phrase of: “Even if you know where the (Olympics) torch (fire in Cantonese) is, you still won’t find out how to ignite it.” This phrase actually is to remind audience to watch the ignition of the Olympics torch which will be held soon in the opening ceremony. The kindhearted Alex reminded me again about the newly added dialogue just before the airing as he was afraid that I might forget it. He said, “Remember to ‘mock’ me ah!” We had no idea that this innocent phrase was in fact aired live by the sleepy-head staff and soon became the ‘quarrelling matter’ spiced up by the media…
If you’re a gold medalist as well as good looking, you’ll be treasured wherever you go, just like Tian Liang. My first interview with him was when he won the gold medal of the 10 meter diving event. My first question was “Will you enter the entertainment industry?” His answer was humble and he answered with the charisma of a super star, which in fact led me to be fretful of my low quality question, although that question was actually fixed by the production of the program. Well, let it be, maybe if I hadn’t asked such a weird question, we will never know the story to come! In the later few weeks, my task is to report the events at the diving arena and the ping pong stadium as these two events happened to be our nation’s (China) two strongest event. The kindhearted producer did not assign me to outdoor events as he fear that I might turn into a roasted pig!
Watching Guo Jingjing and Tian Liang at the diving arena is a heavenly assignment, as beautiful girls and handsome guys are usually admired. Even though I basically know nothing about diving, I too cheer enthusiastically whenever they do their fancy somersault diving. It is very interesting to chat with them everyday, the shy Guo Jingjing and the talkative Tian Liang caused the atmosphere to be fascinating. There was once when Tian Liang and I had a little debate, the topic was ‘Comparison between the entertainment industry and the sports field, which was more competitive and cruel’. We both whined about the suffering of our professions, but he finally beat me with one phrase, saying “In sports there can only be one champion but its not so in the entertainment industry.” I quite agree with the logic of his words, because I’ve always thought that the entertainment industry should have a variety of performers so that the performance can be more appealing, thus I agree that he wins this debate. On the 28th of August was Tian Liang’s birthday, also the day he lost his gold medal in the men’s single 10 meter diving event, I did not feel down for him, because such a strong person like him, a failure is nothing but another step to success. However, I just couldn’t help crying behind the camera till my eyes were red; maybe I was afraid the present I prepared for him in the studio won’t be of use anymore. Fortunately, he came and gave me a comforting hug, saying “It doesn’t matter.” This has allowed me to break into a smile, at that moment, the entire China citizens and I only have one thought – we believe he will definitely win again.
There is one person who successfully changed his career, also the one person I must mention in my ‘Olympics Days’ – Xiong Ni. From the diving prince who won countless medals to Hunan’s Sports Centre director, also the youngest among the top executives of the nation, Xiong Ni is indeed the role model in the sports world. I got to know him in the diving arena, he initially thought I was the reporter of their CCTV, but later we clarified that we were both ‘serving’ for different companies. However, I must admit that if it was not because of him, a person like myself who has no whatsoever connection to sports, wouldn’t have had the opportunities to get so many exclusive interviews. I also especially need to thank him for the Hong Kong’s Ping Pong event later, it was his help that saved me from being victimized by the news ‘war’ of TVB and ATV. To repay his help, when he and his group of colleagues came to Hong Kong, I became their host and guide, our events flow included dinner, karaoke, watching Andy Lau’s concert and lastly sending them off at the airport. This big group outing and events was later mysteriously edited and reported by gossip media to be a date of only the two of us. I really admire the editing skills of these reporters, cropping the photos and making up the story like a novel, which really damaged the image of us Hong Kongers!
However, I must still conclude that the Olympics has brought to me an experience invaluable like no other. Just like how an England reporter who got to know me was utterly shocked, “What? You come to Olympics on the first day as a reporter? That is just like asking you to become the female lead of a grand Hollywood production when you first become an actress! You’re either quite dead meat, or you adapt and learn at a high speed and become an entirely different person!” Luckily I’m still very much alive, and definitely, the experience in such a big event, to stumble among these international heroes, to remain strong with the many obstacles, to educate and mature my determination and wisdom before the pride of so many China citizens – it has definitely become the most beautiful everlasting chapter of my life.
Chapter 6: My days with TVB
Teaching you to win a beauty pageant
In Hong Kong, participating in a pageant is actually undergoing tests, talent show and criticisms in the process of choosing the leading lady for TV films. Hadn’t I personally participated in the Miss Chinese International pageant, I definitely will never discover the ‘truth’ in person. I shall be sharing some of my experience here so that those girls who dream of becoming an actresses will get to know some ‘rules’ of the industry beforehand, as well as allowing girls who want to participate in pageants to weigh their qualifications.
You naturally have to be born with ideal features, with the right figure, as this enables you to be ‘beautiful’ before the camera. The problem is, most contestants at the pageant finals usually already possess these qualifications, thus this condition is not necessary to be mentioned. ‘Wisdom’ is very important, it can be said to be the most vital criterion as it directly reflects if you will be able to learn and master the filming skills as quickly as possible, and becoming the company’s ‘fa dan’. It doesn’t matter how ‘boring’ or ‘illogical’ the questions of the intelligence assessment segment seems, you should never provide them the most appropriate answer. Instead, give your most creative, most humorous and even most mockingly intelligent answer, as this will enable you to win the entire audience’s cheer and thus additional points. Remember that the ‘wisdom’ in this pageant does not merely mean how highly educated or culturally literate you are, but also your ability in adapting and customizing your answer appropriately.
Your performance, singing and dancing on stage alone is not enough to be used for the panels’ judgment. In fact, you’re being monitored and evaluated from the very first day you stepped into this pageant: Are you approachable, are you strong and independent, do you seek for self improvement… All these conditions which will help you to survive in the entertainment industry will be recorded from your communication and relationship with other contestants and pageant staffs…
Even if you lose, it is not a big matter, because your toughest opponent in life is none other than yourself…
Don’t wait till time and youth has past for you to only realize that to be able to live a peaceful life is actually a ‘wealth’, start appreciating every second now, allow gratitude to be in your heart at all times!
The times at Olympic Games
2004 is indeed an important year for me as I was assigned to cover news report for Olympic Games in Athens. This method is where the attraction of celebrities is used to attract audiences with non-sports interest, and whether or not this method actually works is not up to us to determine. As a contracted artist, it is most important for me to obey the company’s arrangement. When people asked me if I was nervous to report for Olympics, I replied, “Why should I be nervous when my company is confident of me?” Thus, I headed to Athens along with only one few-inches-thick information book under no stress at all.
I’ve never thought of becoming an artist when I was young and today becoming a reporter at the Olympic Games was just as unexpected. The interchange of my identity has brought me some unexpected return, from an artist who’s usually interviewed to a reporter who interviews athletes; it is an unfamiliar feeling….
TVB initially picked Raymond Lam and I to become the reporters at Olympics, but as Raymond was too gorgeous and too ancient-warrior looking, he was later asked to film Lethal Weapons of Love and Passion, and Alex Fong was instead asked to partner me. As Alex Fong was once Hong Kong’s famous swimmer, I was very much comforted, thinking that even if we met with terrorist attack, there is someone strong beside me to protect me. In actual fact, Alex Fong is a very righteous, well-mannered man, and working with such a partner, you needn’t worry about squabbles due to disagreement in work. He allows you to feel comfortable at work everyday.
Later, we were ‘forced’ to quarrel once, and after the incident, we concluded it was due to the influence of Olympics, as well as it was Fong’s debut in Entertainment News. This is actually what happened, Alex and I were rehearsing our dialogues just before the airing of the opening ceremony, he suggested that I should mock (the term Alex used also meant quarrelling in Cantonese) him with a phrase of: “Even if you know where the (Olympics) torch (fire in Cantonese) is, you still won’t find out how to ignite it.” This phrase actually is to remind audience to watch the ignition of the Olympics torch which will be held soon in the opening ceremony. The kindhearted Alex reminded me again about the newly added dialogue just before the airing as he was afraid that I might forget it. He said, “Remember to ‘mock’ me ah!” We had no idea that this innocent phrase was in fact aired live by the sleepy-head staff and soon became the ‘quarrelling matter’ spiced up by the media…
If you’re a gold medalist as well as good looking, you’ll be treasured wherever you go, just like Tian Liang. My first interview with him was when he won the gold medal of the 10 meter diving event. My first question was “Will you enter the entertainment industry?” His answer was humble and he answered with the charisma of a super star, which in fact led me to be fretful of my low quality question, although that question was actually fixed by the production of the program. Well, let it be, maybe if I hadn’t asked such a weird question, we will never know the story to come! In the later few weeks, my task is to report the events at the diving arena and the ping pong stadium as these two events happened to be our nation’s (China) two strongest event. The kindhearted producer did not assign me to outdoor events as he fear that I might turn into a roasted pig!
Watching Guo Jingjing and Tian Liang at the diving arena is a heavenly assignment, as beautiful girls and handsome guys are usually admired. Even though I basically know nothing about diving, I too cheer enthusiastically whenever they do their fancy somersault diving. It is very interesting to chat with them everyday, the shy Guo Jingjing and the talkative Tian Liang caused the atmosphere to be fascinating. There was once when Tian Liang and I had a little debate, the topic was ‘Comparison between the entertainment industry and the sports field, which was more competitive and cruel’. We both whined about the suffering of our professions, but he finally beat me with one phrase, saying “In sports there can only be one champion but its not so in the entertainment industry.” I quite agree with the logic of his words, because I’ve always thought that the entertainment industry should have a variety of performers so that the performance can be more appealing, thus I agree that he wins this debate. On the 28th of August was Tian Liang’s birthday, also the day he lost his gold medal in the men’s single 10 meter diving event, I did not feel down for him, because such a strong person like him, a failure is nothing but another step to success. However, I just couldn’t help crying behind the camera till my eyes were red; maybe I was afraid the present I prepared for him in the studio won’t be of use anymore. Fortunately, he came and gave me a comforting hug, saying “It doesn’t matter.” This has allowed me to break into a smile, at that moment, the entire China citizens and I only have one thought – we believe he will definitely win again.
There is one person who successfully changed his career, also the one person I must mention in my ‘Olympics Days’ – Xiong Ni. From the diving prince who won countless medals to Hunan’s Sports Centre director, also the youngest among the top executives of the nation, Xiong Ni is indeed the role model in the sports world. I got to know him in the diving arena, he initially thought I was the reporter of their CCTV, but later we clarified that we were both ‘serving’ for different companies. However, I must admit that if it was not because of him, a person like myself who has no whatsoever connection to sports, wouldn’t have had the opportunities to get so many exclusive interviews. I also especially need to thank him for the Hong Kong’s Ping Pong event later, it was his help that saved me from being victimized by the news ‘war’ of TVB and ATV. To repay his help, when he and his group of colleagues came to Hong Kong, I became their host and guide, our events flow included dinner, karaoke, watching Andy Lau’s concert and lastly sending them off at the airport. This big group outing and events was later mysteriously edited and reported by gossip media to be a date of only the two of us. I really admire the editing skills of these reporters, cropping the photos and making up the story like a novel, which really damaged the image of us Hong Kongers!
However, I must still conclude that the Olympics has brought to me an experience invaluable like no other. Just like how an England reporter who got to know me was utterly shocked, “What? You come to Olympics on the first day as a reporter? That is just like asking you to become the female lead of a grand Hollywood production when you first become an actress! You’re either quite dead meat, or you adapt and learn at a high speed and become an entirely different person!” Luckily I’m still very much alive, and definitely, the experience in such a big event, to stumble among these international heroes, to remain strong with the many obstacles, to educate and mature my determination and wisdom before the pride of so many China citizens – it has definitely become the most beautiful everlasting chapter of my life.
BTW, I duno why ppl spiced it up, I've watched the clip, it's totally innocent! They're like what she said, rehearsing their dialogues...
