THEY are local celebrities coming together for a meaningful cause. But instead of raising money for charity, Edmund Chen's brainchild – Mission Easy – is a project that allows celebrity mentors to help ordinary people realise their showbiz dreams. Chen is financing the whole project with the help of sponsors. According to the actor-producer, the celebrities are paid a tokensum that he likens to merely covering their transport expenses. Chen, 49, told The New Paper: "For the first time in Singapore, I'm going to have a platform that will consolidate all local talent here." His vision, he shared, is to have a one-stop shop for Hollywood agents who want to hire local talent, and all they need to do is to "click onmywebsite and everyone will be there". He insisted his aim is not profit: "I forked out quite a big sum from my own pocket because I want to do my part in helping people kick-start their careers in the entertainment industry." Chen declined to reveal how much he has spent on his cause. The free two-day workshop that took place last month at Seven@Iluma, saw Chen teach acting, directing and script-writing to 150 selected participants for free.

Chen himself has just finished co-producing and acting in a local horror flick Red Number, which is slated to open here in a few months' time. Chen said that a thousand people had written in when he called for entries two months ago on the Mission Easy website. They had to say whythey wanted tobe part of the project. Besides teaching the amateurs, Chen also observed them closely to see who had the chops and "right attitude" for showbiz. After the workshop, six teams of between six and 20 each were tasked to act in, direct and produce their ownlove-themed short film shot in Singapore. He did not put any restriction on the language to be used, and Chen was treated to an interesting range of scripts in several languages. Already, there have been English, Mandarin, Teochew, Cantonese, Hindi and even Russian and Polish in the films. Said Chen: "I want to promote the local entertainment scene but I also want to make sure everyone will watch and enjoy the movie. "So no matter what language you speak or understand, there's something for everyone."

Once the films are completed, Chen will piece them together as one movie entitled, Love, and screen it for freeon his webTVchannel ECTV. He said that he will also look into free screenings of the movie at mallsand other public spaces. With the exposure, Chen hopes that it will help the aspiring showbiz newbies gain recognition in the entertainment field. The current 18 celebrity mentors – some of whom will also act in the films – include Ericia Lee, Ezann Lee, Jessica Tan, Nick Shen, Vincent Ng, Alaric Tay and Edwin Goh. Also involved in the project are singer-songwriters such as popular xinyao artiste Jiu Jian and directors such as Chen's sister, Dr Loretta Chen. Chen said that the list is still growing as he wants as manyartistes to join his cause. Filming has commenced, and he hopes to have the films completed by end of the month.

Fulfilling experience for all One of the participants of Mission Easy, Ms Icy Wang, 21, a product designer, said: "The short film took three days to shoot and while it was gruelling 12-hour days, I learnt so much so I'm so thankful for this opportunity." As for accounts officer Ms Tomato Lee, 24, who has been an aspiring actress since she was a teenager, this was a dream come true as her chubby figure had prevented her from being picked at past auditions. Admitted Ms Lee, who is 1.62-m tall and weighs 70kg: "Ihad an inferiority complex andwithout Mission Easy, I don't think I would have ever been given a chance to act. "Meeting Edmund in person was also exciting for meas he's afamous celebrity." Said Chen: "What was interesting for the celebrity mentors was that I got them to do something outside their comfort zone."

So how has the Love experience been for the celebrity mentors? Said Jessica Tan, 29, who plays a jaded, rich middle- aged lady in her film: "I wanted to be involved in Love as it's a great way to meet people from all walks of life, all bearing thesameinterest, film-making." The former Miss Singapore Universe confessed to being a "dreamer", so being able to help someone fulfil theirdream is "extremely satisfying". For actress-host Ericia Lee, 33, being a part of Love is a chance to direct a film. She said: "From being in front to behind the camera, it's a wholenewexperience. "I've learnt a lot and now appreciate the complexity of a director's role." Not a person used to dishing out instructions, Lee initially hada hard timeon set. "Luckily I hada great team and I hadlots of help."

Actor Edwin Goh, 17, of Channel 5 drama Fighting Spiders fame, plays an asthmatic boy from another dimension. He said that he was up for the good cause because he was familiar with the whole team and so was "very willing to help out". Actor Nick Shen, agreed that Mission Easy is ameaningful project. Said Shen, 34:"We will be coming up withnewideas and opportunities as a team to make Singapore a blooming film industry. "I also want to sharemylove for acting." Singer-songwriter Jiu Jian felt that since he has slugged it out in the music industry for the last 20 years, hecould passon valuable advice to the project's participants about his work experience. Hesaid: "When Edmundinvitedmeto be one of the celebrity mentors, I agreed because we have known each other for 17 years. "I can see Edmund's passion for creating a platform for movie-making lovers." Dr Chen, 35, creative director of international creative consultancy firm 360 Productions and adjunct professor, joked that she was bound by "blood ties to support my brother". She said: "Mission Easy really wants to reach out to the masses who have a dream, a desire and a passion to reach out andcommunicate through art."

Back row from left: Nick Shen, Jiu Jian, Edmund Chen, Alaric Tay, Vincent Ng
Front row from left: Dr Loretta Chen, Ezann Lee, Ericia Lee, Jessica Tan

Source: May 14 2011 l THE NEW PAPER
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Edmund Chen Mission: Make your showbiz dream come true
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