After being  an artiste for 10 years , it is not really easy for one to plunge into a totally different environment in backstage work.

     Not everyone understands the life of those upfront on stage, but even less is people including the artistes know of  the stress and nature of work of those backstage.

    The glamorous  on-screen images of artistes  and also their cast  images for drama series are the results of at least one to two months of whole hearted meticulous work by backstage professionals.

    Although  success of the image may be important, but the means to achieve it is the essence of it all. The artistes are like our clients and the sponsors our backstage investors. Our managers and supervisors are the chief coordinators. We have to be very clear about what they want from the whole  programme and also the merits and shortcomings of the artistes' appearances before we design a desired image.  Finally we have to discuss this with all the sponsors.

   Actually it is not easy to find sponsors. Fortunately our retailers for overseas branded goods and local dress designers  are very supportive of  TCS and Singapore's artistes. Some of the sponsors even bring in dresses from  overseas for our artistes.

   The biggest challenge for the backstage people is to make last minute changes. I have ever had to  use a few hours to change completely what I spent  months to design just because some special circumstantial changes. At such times, you have to be calm and come out with a quick and good design by yourself.

      Of course every artiste has their own wishes about their own images. It is best that that they sit down and discuss with the stylist to produce the best results. Sometimes not every design can yield good visual impact from the artiste.

   At  times the stylist spends a good deal of time to research and prepare for the design. When I was an artiste, I have refused to wear the design costume that they have prepared for me without giving a good explanation. At that time I did not respect their professionalism.

   Today as I recall what I did few years back, I realise that artiste and backstage professionals need to respect each others' professional status. Whether I am an artiste now or  a backstage worker, I have only one attitude to adopt towards those backstage professionals --Respect!!