In its 26th year running, the Asian Television Awards is thinking bigger: a partnership with Facebook to expand its social reach, a goal to hit millions of fans around the region and most importantly, a tribe of talents to prove that our region has the chops to go toe to toe with Hollywood.
Here, Alan Eucharis Choo of Wonder Paradise (also, the top dog of the awards) takes us through how he’s digitalising the awards one swipe and virtual heart at a time.
Hi Alan, how’s it going?
Times are challenging now, but at the same time, it is fulfilling for me during this period, as my new co-produced Kids drama series (Agent of Sprawl) has just been launched and now airing on MeWatch and Channel 5, every Saturday at 1030am. Meanwhile, for 26th Asian TV Awards the team and I are coordinating with all the different countries to pre-record their segment and be ready to air live on 10 & 11th December.
Also, I have the opportunity from Base entertainment to create a Live Christmas concert called ChristmasTime with Dick Lee & Friends — feat Vocaluptuous & Third Degree on 22nd & 23rd December. Tickets are now on sale, so please support by clicking here!
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What I noticed was that for this year’s Asian Television Awards, there’s some kind of ‘90s to early 2000’s MTV sensibility to the design. Would you agree?
Yes, that’s right. We are trying to mix the 90s MTV aesthetic with a retro theme as we wanted something different from the grand award ceremony.
If you do, perhaps, were you a big fan of MTV growing up? What was your favourite memory then? I know mine was rushing home after school to watch TRL.
Here’s the truth: I wasn’t a media or entertainment fan as a kid. However, I occasionally tuned in to watch MTV Awards, shows, etc because their concept was always unique and different, and they had a style of their own.
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What in your opinion, is so different this year with the awards? What do you think has been improved on?
As the awards progress each year, we are constantly adapting and innovating. Thankfully, this year we have more industry partners and talents supporting us as we grow, and we added more broadcasters & digital media partners on board.
Also, our very own TV station, Mediacorp was very supportive. So, this year is slightly different; even before the Asian Television Awards, we had our first-ever Instagram talk show called the ATA CATCH-UP where we gathered talents around the region to share what they have been doing and showcase their upcoming projects. It also helps the talents to be connected regionally.
What do you think makes someone truly talented then in 2021?
I always believe that everyone is talented in their own ways. But on the flip side as the world progresses, talent must go in conjunction with technology as it helps them progress even further than they can. Especially now that everything’s going digital, it’s essential to learn and adapt to what we have today.
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Actually, how do you find time to juggle both your business + the production of the Asian Television Awards? Are you good at compartmentalising things?
My mentor always shares about compartmentalising with me but I’m not really good at it, as I’m a really messy person. So, I will always find an easier way to solve and handle things before moving on to the next task. My biggest secret is that I have great teammates and colleagues to fill in with my weaknesses and thankfully, I have my mentors to make sure I’m on track.
As you can see, we have three projects going on right now and with my mentors, we are currently working on fundraising for our business to develop an Media Tech APP with META functionality called Ding Dong Meta.
Do you perhaps, have an interesting story about the Asian Television Awads this year?
It was always my dream to support our country, putting Singapore on the main stage for an international award ceremony. We have a very special GOH, Assoc Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State Ministry of Home Affairs, and Ministry of the National Development Republic of Singapore gracing our award ceremony.
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It’s encouraging to see all this support! #SingaporePride.
What do you see the Asian Television Awards doing next year or even in five or 10 years time?
In 5 to 10 years, ATA would be 30 or 35 years old, respectively. There’s a saying, the older you are, the more value it would be. By then, ATA will be part of everyone in the industry. I’ve always shared to my friends from the industry that ATA belongs to everyone who loves media and entertainment because there won’t be any awards ceremony without it.
Lastly, out of curiosity , what is your #1 song on spotify this year?
Haha, I will be biased in this because it is the music video that was produced together with my colleagues back in MM2 Entertainment Singapore for the movie Wonder Boy.
Once you’re done with this story about Alan Eucharis Choo and the Asian Television Awards 2021, click here to catch up with our November 2021 issue.
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