REFLECTIONS, PERSPECTIVES

Behind the scenes: Here’s what I learnt from being interviewed on TV

Smile more, be more confident, and remember your soundbites

The writer being filmed while speaking at the Punggol Regional Library, Singapore. Photograph taken by Shawn’s team.

One day, I received a call from a TV producer. She was doing a documentary about parks and Gardens by the Bay, and wanted to talk about green spaces.

She explained that, among other things, she wanted to find out if I could talk about the historical Bendemeer House.

I know a little bit about this topic, because I had interviewed people who lived there before.

I’ve spoken about my family history in Singapore several times before and covered topics like this, so I came highly recommended.

In fact, below is an image that I had commissioned an artist to produce on Bendemeer House and its garden.

An artist’s impression of historical Bendemeer House in the 1900s. Artwork is owned by the author.

The producer was ecstatic.

Yes, she wanted me to talk about the gardens at Bendemeer House (also known as Whampoa House, as that was its previous name). The house was amazing, but she wanted me to talk about the flowers, plants, and expansive grounds and…