Subscribe
Share
Share
Embed
120: A good story can change the world with Award Winning Director and Filmmaker Kelvin Sng
Money & Me: Get anything you desire this year 5 Day Audio Program: https://www.soulrichwoman.com/money
The podcast features business leaders, celebrities and inspirational figures with guests including Gary Vaynerchuk, Sheryl Sandberg, Elena Cardone, Mary Buffett, Neil Patel, Kim Kiyosaki, Pia Wurtzbac, Gerry Roberts, Grant Cardone, Denise Duffield Thomas, Sue B Zimmerman, Jay Abraham, Robert Kiyosaki, Anik Singal, Blair Singer, Nas Daily, Dame Wendy Tan, Jacy Wee, Freda Liu, Carrie Lee, Success Resources Veronica Tan & Richard Tan and many more.
Hear more about amazing role models from around the world share their inspirational stories and practical tools for personal and professional success. In each episode, creator and host Genecia Alluora draws out the stories and deconstructs the strategies of remarkable figures making an impact. To Own & Love The F-Word: Being Fabulous, Having Freedom, Financial Independence and family.
Genecia Alluora is a former Miss Singapore, Cafe Retail Chain Owner and Southeast Asia Woman of Excellence 2010, 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏 2019. She is the Founder of Soul Rich Woman, the #1 female entrepreneur network in Southeast Asia that connects more than 200,000 women across the region in the ‘Soul F’ membership program. For the past 17 years, Genecia coached celebrities, CEOs and politicians to be seen as a leader on stage. Today, with the Soul Rich Woman Blueprint and online academy, she mentors hundreds of thousands of women to bring their business and leadership brand online. With her coaching products, academy and membership, her vision is to support 1 million women to own and love the F-Word.
[00:00:00]
Kelvin Sng: So to me, a Sou lRich Woman is somebody who is fiercely independent, which means that she's not reliant on any one person. Right? Just now I mentioned about happy family and all that. But what I mean by being fiercely independent is she knows what she wants. She has a definite purpose in what she wants to do. So whether or not she's so-called rich, we're talking about soul here, S-O-U-L, it's not just about financial freedom. It's about this woman as a whole, right? She's very purposeful. She knows exactly where she's heading, and she's not afraid of doing it alone and fiercely independent. So to me, that is a definition of a Soul Rich Woman.
[00:00:48]
Kelvin Sng: Well, so of all the four F words, my favorite F word will be having a happy family. Because the family is the basic unit of all success, in my opinion. So if you can't manage your family well, whatever you do, whether you have freedom, you have money, financial resources, it really doesn't mean a thing. So to me, the most important will always be a happy family. Hi, I'm Kelvin Sng, and you're tuning in to the Soul Rich Woman Show with Genecia Alluora.
[00:01:18]
Genecia Alluora: This episode is brought to you by InstantPodcastLeader.com. The leading platform to launch your podcast in 48 hours and make it profitable. Get your free audio book and free web class at instantpodcastleader.com/webclass.
[00:01:37]
Genecia Alluora: A strong and independent woman is something to behold. She pays her own bills, buys her own things, and she doesn't let a man affect her stability or self-confidence. She is a Soul Rich Woman. Are you ready to be rich, doing what you love? Be on purpose and in control of your life again. And For Women Who Love the F-word Podcast, we will be openly talking about getting more clients online, getting recognition as the leader and female entrepreneur, and also the F word. Being fabulous, having freedom and financial independence. It's time to own and love the F word. Welcome to the show.
[00:02:21]
Genecia Alluora: Hello, hello, and welcome to today's episode. I'm your host, Genecia Alluora. Today's special guest is Kelvin Sng. He is Managing Director of Kelvin Sng Productions, Head of Film and Media. From short films to feature films and everything in between, what has Kelvin Sng not done? Well, his debut film, feature film Taxi Taxi, was one of the third highest grossing film in Singapore in 2013 and had won the Special Jewelry Award at the ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards that year. Marking that as the best film in Singapore, and the biggest defining moment of his filmmaking journey, Kelvin is also an educator and conducts masterclasses at festivals and had also been selected a couple of times in the coveted Torino Film Lab to produce his films and projects. Another award he's won is the VidC Shorty Award for December 2019 for the show BFF. Let's welcome Kelvin Sng.
[00:03:36]
Genecia Alluora: Thank you for joining us today. I'm really glad to have you on Soul Rich Woman Show. So, Kelvin, tell us a little bit more of who you are and what you do. Because I know you have six kids, okay? Six amazing, beautiful children. Wow, that must be such an amazing journey for you.
[00:03:56]
Kelvin Sng: Hi guys, my name is Kelvin Sng and I am a film director and also an educator. So, I have, like what Genecia just said, I have six children, five beautiful boys and one girl. So, what I do is I have two companies. I run Kelvin Sng Productions as a production company and a training academy. I also run Asia Media Academy as an adult training center. So, over the years, I have managed to build my businesses to some level of success. And I'm still working hard because I have six children to feed. Yeah, and also because I know my purpose is bringing good media to the masses from an educator's point of view because I started off as a teacher before I became a filmmaker.
[00:04:52]
Genecia Alluora: So, I'm just curious, when you got started as a teacher, I mean, that direction to a filmmaker is a two totally different minds, you know. One is very logical and the other one is very creative. I would say, I wouldn't say, teachers are not creative, but being a film director, you have so much things to look at. And, you know, how do you actually bridge that journey? Or what got you interested in filmmaking in the first place?
[00:05:17]
Kelvin Sng: Well, okay, maybe it starts off with a few stages. Actually, I've always wanted to be a filmmaker. I've always been very obsessed with the entertainment world. I sing, I write songs, I like to act, I like to perform. And all these were evident when I was in school. I was part of the Sing Yau Society when I was in a very unmodified ACJC, Anglo-Chinese Junior College. So, being very Chinese there, but because what I really wanted is just to sing and perform Chinese songs. So, to cut a long story short, when I became a teacher, it was because it was a very, because I was still in my twenties. So, up to my twenties, I think I still didn't really know what I wanted to do. Well, I graduated from NUS, Arts and Social Science. I majored in Economics and Chinese Studies. So, at a point in time, I think it was 1998. So, I think the economy was not doing well. So, it was very hard for me to find jobs.
[00:06:27]
Kelvin Sng: So, of all the resumes that I sent out, only MOE got back. So, I went for interview. I got the job. So, it was like... Okay, I just went with the flow and okay, since nobody wanted me, I just tried to be a teacher. So, it was a very, not very purposeful. And I just got the job and went with the flow. And I realized that, hey, it was a blessing in disguise because from there, I discovered that I could connect with people. I could communicate with people, with children, because I was a Chinese teacher in a primary school. So, it actually trained me up to be a good presenter speaker and learning how to communicate with people. And all these skills were extremely important, especially when I cross over to filmmaking as a director. In fact, during those four years in MOE, I rose to become a head of department within, I think, two years. So, I think if I were to continue in MOE now, I would probably be a principal now.
[00:07:32]
Kelvin Sng: It's quite unimaginable because I am not very by the rules type. I like to be a little bit more creative. That is my real self. I learned about structure while I was in MOE. I was trained to be more structured and all that. So, all these skills, I would say, everything happens for a reason. Prepared me on my journey to become a filmmaker. Not just a filmmaker, but a film director. Because as a film director, you're always communicating with different departments. And people look up to you. You're always giving them direction or leadership to make any show, whether it's just a short 30-second commercial or a long two-hour movie, you know? So, the whole project is the result of what you communicate. Because a director must have excellent communication skills and people skills.
[00:08:22]
Kelvin Sng: So, I think MOE sort of prepared me for that. And even up to today, I think my style is a bit different because I think I have this educated thing already. I want to make sure that my films have a certain message behind. So that when people watch it, they are impacted positively. Either they feel inspired or they feel that they need to make a change to their lives and whatever it may be. So, I think it's already subconsciously undoing it. So, I think MOE prepared me actually for my filmmaking career.
[00:08:58]
Genecia Alluora: That's very interesting. I mean, for yourself being an award-winning filmmaker. I mean. And film director. I'm just very curious. What were some of your biggest struggles on this path? Because it's not easy, right? First, I think it's society. What they view you as versus what you want in your own life. And then later on, moving towards the next path will be when you're climbing that steps. Nothing is known ahead. Nobody is going to know that you're going to win an award. And you're not doing it because you want to receive a medal. You know what I'm trying to say? So, when we are in that stage, when you are in that stage, what was the biggest struggles and what was going through your mind?
[00:09:43]
Kelvin Sng: I think ultimately, just two things. First of all, you have to be very clear about what you want to do. Right? A very clear meaning, focus on that direction. You know, focus, F-O-C-U-S, follow one cause until successful. So, you have to focus. By focus will also mean that you must be prepared that this journey will be full of challenges. You will keep falling. You must expect the worst to happen. And if the worst happens, that's point number two, expect the worst to happen. If the worst happens, would you still continue with this journey? You have to be very honest with yourself. Because a lot of people, when they first started, of course, full of passion. It's easy because you're not in it yet. The moment you're in it, right? You see things that nobody sees. Because people only see the glamorous part of being a filmmaker, a film director. Only when you're on stage, you attend Gala Premiers, people introduce you. Oh, welcome, Kelvin Sng, director, blah, blah, blah. Everybody looks so glamorous, right?
[00:10:47]
Kelvin Sng: But that was just for one night. After that, the years and years of blood, sweat and tears, nobody sees. And we are the ones who are doing it now. So, I think to be so-called successful is an ongoing thing. I wouldn't say that I'm successful today. I think every new project should be viewed as a brand-new baby that requires a different set of attention, skills and resources. So, it sets me on a path of an ongoing, lifelong learning journey. So, you mentioned about challenges just now that I faced when I started this journey. Of course, a lot of challenges. Because to make a film requires a lot of resources, not just money, but who you know. Then who you pitching ideas too. That when you pitch this ideas to people who don't believe in you because you are just a first timer. Everybody started out as a first timer, right? So they don't know who you are. Don't know if they can trust you or not.
[00:11:50]
Kelvin Sng: You don't have portfolio, blah, blah, blah. So you just have to keep on. Because the only person who truly believe in you has to be yourself first. If you don't even believe in yourself, don't expect others to believe in you in the first place. Because you are pitching and competing and communicating of a lot of doubt. And no one will trust a person with doubt. So you have to be very confident even though sometimes you know as entrepreneurs I'm sure you feel it too from time to time. We also feel like giving up.
[00:11:50]
Kelvin Sng: Why are we doing this? Then go back to why did I start this journey go back to 101. Oh, because I want to make films that can transform lives. I want to make films that can inspire other people with my god-given talent to make this world a little better with what I can do. So that keeps me going over the years, you know. I had a lot of challenges like you know meeting the wrong people and then going into even lawsuits people want to sue me because they say I promised them something. So it was very challenging and very down period when I first started out. But over the years it was this focus what I wanted to do. I think as long as you still believe in what you are doing going to do. You still focus on that one course that you have set out to do eventually you'll find success. So I think patience is key as well yeah there's too many people give up too easily really actually they're very close to success. Yeah. So that's my sharing.
[00:13:25]
Genecia Alluora: You mentioned when we pitch to people and people can feel your doubt if you doubt yourself. Can you share a little bit was there ever once that you pitched and then it because of the doubt that it didn't really work out the way you wanted?
[00:13:42]
Kelvin Sng: Certainly, especially when I first started out. Sometimes you know we we pitched a lot to the government as in the Singapore Film Commission. They give out money and grants for our films at the same time when we are shortlisted. We got a chance to pitch and when we pitch it's quite scary because there's a lot of very esteemed people in the panel at least like four or five people and it's not just from the government it can be a distributor can be award-winning producer all kinds of people. So when I first started out you know even though I wanted to be confident but the lack of portfolio and you know these are the self-doubts I think it happens to people from time of the time. You know that makes me feel that, yeah, no matter how I try but the fact is that I don't have anything yet at least one in time. I probably just have a concept and a story that I strongly believe in.
[00:14:44]
Kelvin Sng: So I think it was this sellout about my experience that made me feel that maybe after all I'm not that not that good. Maybe I'll try my luck but maybe they're looking at this they're looking for people with more experience with more credentials. So I just want to tell the audience from time to time I think you really need to get rid of all all these things and throw them into the bin. All these things are very very toxic, you know and it's produced from within these kind of things. Actually, we sentence ourselves to death actually. Nobody said anything I could have just focused on a concept since I believe in it so much and I really just focus and talk about it because I believe I can visualize it happening as a movie really. And don't pitch while thinking about what if they don't like, what if they feel that I'm not experienced.
[00:15:34]
Kelvin Sng: It's all these little things that are very, very toxic. It's like a lot of people want to start a business a lot of people want to do something different because they are sick of their mundane jobs that do not give them any meaning in life. Then they start thinking what if I run out of funds? What if, what? If I tell you the more what is right I think the high chance is that you would you won't even get started so there's a chinese saying called ye chang mong go ah, the more you think then I think you're like take you on dreaming but it's not going to happen. So you have to throw all this into the bin and be laser shot, focus on what you try to achieve like what I mentioned just now. So if you are pitching, yeah, focus on that pitch why you believe in the first place. Don't think about what will they think, what if, they think I'm like that. What if, what if? So when I first started out there was this doubts that affected me quite a bit.
[00:16:27]
Genecia Alluora: So I'm curious and the next part is, what your big why in your response I mean you said that that they must know your big why or you know must know your why so that you can keep focused and keep going, right? So then for you what was a big why? Considering you have a family, a very big family, six children and then yourself an amazing career. A leader who has a big team that you need to be leading and taking care as well. So all these factors in place what is your big why?
[00:17:04]
Kelvin Sng: My big why will be, you know sometimes, maybe I just bring my faith into the picture sometimes we really cannot we do not know we just have to go by faith, right? We go by faith, we can't see but I believe, god has a plan for everybody sometimes we sell sabotage. We could adjust as trusted and just flow because we have all the resources that are really given for success really but it's because we keep doubting what if maybe, Oh I have such a big family how on that maybe I should just get a proper job? You know the kind of thing. But all these things didn't uh really cross my mind fortunately because of the why that you're talking about. My why is transforming lives with film and theater with media that's my vision for my company as well as my own personal vision. Because two things to me are very important which is what make up Kelvin Sng.
[00:18:07]
Kelvin Sng: Number one is media. Number two is education. So when you put these two things together I think we really have the capacity and the ability to change the world. I always tell people that you know even a few years ago right when terrorism was very rampant very scary you know when you go online they start showing behaving videos that scare the hell out of everybody, you know. So I think the track is still very real. So I always tell people that you know even terrorists they know the power of media and education. Why? Because they use media to scare you they produce all those videos to make sure that you believe that they are very powerful they are very scary when in fact sometimes it may not be just not be the case. It's the way they edit the whole thing that makes it look like they are very big. Right?
[00:19:00]
Kelvin Sng: Number two is education. Even terrorists they educate the young from very young to carry weapons, brainwash them make them, radical. So even terrorists do that, they use media and education to send their twisted message across. So to me is what if I use it for good? I'm trained as as a teacher I'm an educator. I'm talented in media I tell stories using movies you know movies really have to have have a way of changing perception and changing lives. Initially I can tell you you know sometimes let's say I talk to you I say, hey, you know you should be nicer to your parents. I don't think that was very nice, blah, blah, blah. I thought about philia piety I can talk to you 100 times, you may still not listen to me. But if I bring you to the theater watch a film about philia piety a simple story about a daughter and her parents and how they overcome and they end up forgiving each other, you cry you, come out and you said Kelvin I think I want to treat my parents better.
[00:20:09]
Kelvin Sng: It's just two hours versus 100 times I tell you. You do this, you must do that. No, one movie, two hours, to come up. I want to make a difference. Wow! And that comes from where from a director telling the story on the screen. So to me I think that God has given me a lot of resources and power and talent to do this not just to entertain people with movies but to educate them to inspire them and that is my why to transform lives using media. And my media always has that educators element in it a message and I thank God for giving me the opportunity to be a teacher for four years to have that in me. So everything happens. There's a season for everything. Yeah, yeah.
[00:20:56]
Genecia Alluora: And God has made everything beautiful in its time. Yeah. So it's very amazing to hear this part of your big why and for many of their budding filmmakers definitely will look up to you as a role model. What are some of the I would say three tips that you give them when they are just getting started?
[00:21:17]
Kelvin Sng: Okay, let me, okay. If you're just getting started I think one of the most important thing right is you must, you must be very self-aware, I would say. Because a lot of people self-meaning you are very sure that this is what you want to do. Your purpose you must identify is this really what you want to do or is it due to some frivolous reasons, right? Oh it looks quite glam I want to do it. Wow, a lot of people winning awards maybe I should just be like you know like Jack New like who, yeah. Because I know that because a lot even of my own peers. I went for advanced diploma, right? So with all the amateur students I think out of my class of 12 people I think now only like what 20 percent are in the industry most of them have moved on to do something else with it. Which means they have given up already. They've given up so I don't know why they wasted two years in film school in the first place, right?
[00:22:18]
Kelvin Sng: So I would say that identify your why, you really want to do this then you must be mentally prepared to go through all the hardship. It might take 10 years sometimes or more. Are you ready to do that? Yeah, so you have to identify that. Don't make decisions because, Wow, I feel very high emotionally. I feel very passionate that emotion will die somewhere when you meet your first obstacle and more coming so identify that that's number one. Number two is you always have to train your ability to communicate because filmmaking is not a solo business. I'm not talking about a painter. Oh, I'm an artist so I just paint every day I don't need to talk to people I'm Picasso. I just be in that mode no filmmaking even though a filmmaker is also an artist but you're always talking to people all the time. If you want to be a film director from getting your film made talking to sponsors talking to investors, talking to your team, once
you get the money in you want to form a team, right?
[00:23:20]
Kelvin Sng: You have so many departments you have to communicate your vision again and again. Yeah, after that you got to talk to the audience after. You're always talking, you're always communicating. So if you can't train some people which I don't agree you say that oh they are very you know artists are artists means maybe interpreted. Maybe you know, whatever but I don't believe in that. I always believe that ability to communicate can be trained because to be very uh honest I am an introvert. I'm not an extrovert. I can't talk very well when I first started. When I was in school I was so shy. I only started like can talk I think after I went to MOE and all that I got to talk every day as a teacher. So I trained myself up to talk and then I went for networking when I first started my film.
[00:24:14]
Kelvin Sng: It's all been trained. So I don't believe that it cannot be done. If I can do it you know. Now I can you know put me in a room a 1000 people you tell me, Kelvin, I'll give you five minutes just say something for the next 20 minutes. Come up with a topic I can do it easily not because I enjoy it but I'm trained to do it really. I mean it's in me. Yeah. So the ability to communicate is very important, all right. Yeah. Always polluting talking talking really is what pitching, talking. Number three is always retain a sense of humility. No matter how much you know. Maybe you just graduated from film school. You are talent spotted by a lecturer as somebody who is very highly skilled. You were very talented or what. But I can tell you
the industry in Singapore especially is very small.
[00:25:05]
Kelvin Sng: The moment you are very proud and all that and then you are known as somebody who is hard to work with the world will go around. And then it's very hard to get work or hired and the reputation itself. So always maintain a spirit of learning and humility no matter how high you go. For me, I'm still learning every day. I learn even from people who are more junior than myself. Because I see things from a new perspective. Sometimes in this industry for a while maybe I wouldn't use the word jaded but you think that you know already. I know this kind. But sometimes when I talk to young people hey, they give me ideas. Hey, I never knew that it could be done that way. Okay. Yeah. So just three things. Number one is identify your purpose. Number two, hone your skills in communication. Number three is always stay humble.
[00:25:56]
Genecia Alluora: So when you tell them all these tips they are getting started and then you've gone through such a long journey and yet you persisted with a very strong focus and with a very strong foundation of the big Why. So that's a big why then what to you is your biggest lesson learned after being there, been there and done that?
[00:26:24]
Kelvin Sng: Be very careful in bringing in the right partners, whether it's into your company or into your team because I have countless experience of bringing in the wrong people into the team and then there's a Chinese saying. So that's when a lot of drama happens. Right? So I think in this journey sometimes we get excited when people tell you that, Oh, I like this concept I think I want to invest and all that. You know, really be very, very careful because I've met so many people already in this journey and after a while I can identify certain patterns, certain kinds of people who may just be taking you for a ride and all that. So I think even though you might have to maintain your passion do not make decisions based on passion alone because it's easy for people to impress you by saying that you know, as a filmmaker they say I'm going to invest in your film. Wow, you'll jump for joy and all that but it's not so straightforward and then you realize that sometimes it comes with a very high price tag.
[00:27:32]
Kelvin Sng: So what I will suggest is go through a certain process of deciding whether or not this is the right partner to bring in by spending more time and talking don't make any decision yet. I think it's okay to still maintain a friendship and kinship and still being able to say no even though you are very tempted sometimes because you know in your gut that this may not be the right person to bring into the team, right? Because he seems to be talking big or he seems to he also like not very sure but he seems interested all kinds of reasons. Your gut will tell you that whether or not this is the right person in the team. So don't be overly excited to make decision based on emotion because you know sometimes the passion thing and then that person seems to be able to fulfill that passion, yeah, I will make a decision let's just do it. Yeah. So I learned the hard way of bringing in the wrong people based on emotional response and then, yeah. So you have to really go through a logical thinking process and it's okay to say no to people.
[00:28:37]
Genecia Alluora: Wow! I love that it's okay to say no. Setting boundaries is definitely one of the things that we all must do in order to keep moving forward because we have only 24 hours a day, we cannot be catering all the time to everyone around us, right? So we need to be choosing wisely and making sure that our time is with you know with I will say greatest effort minimum effort but greatest results or rewards that to be reaped. Now let's just have a quick side talk about your award-winning film, okay? I mean this part has been your legacy. I will say it's a legacy of Singapore. I mean the world knows about you and this is something very interesting I feel that maybe you could share with us a little bit let's revisit that moment or that point in time. How did you know, I mean of course you will not know that you're going to win an award but how would you know of course storytelling and educating behind a message that you created is going to be there shining through the curtains for everyone to see that beam of light?
[00:29:43]
Kelvin Sng: Well, I don't make movies to win awards, that's number one. Because when you do that you are, your focus is totally off in the first place. You shouldn't be making movies because you need to win an award. It's like I'm doing this because I want to earn money, I want money. Everybody who wants money come on who doesn't want money, right? But I always believe that when you are very good and very clear at what you do, all right. I'm not saying that you're very clear you do it well what money will come, no I'm saying that you just keep on doing it keep on doing it at some point in time, right? Your work will be so good that. People can't do it without you because they know that you're good at that, you're known for doing that so all these things about awards, money it will come in its time but it's not definitely not my focus I want to do this because I see it happening already I visualise winning an Oscar, getting the award from Brad Pitt or that's nice, that's nice.
[00:30:51]
Kelvin Sng: If it ever happens but that is not my focus my focus is developing myself as a good filmmaker to tell good stories to impact the world in a good way with my God-given talents and then be so good that people will come to you. So, yeah.
[00:31:09]
Genecia Alluora: I like that because they always say reverse engineer, right? Begin with the end in mind there's something that you want to do. And then you reverse engineer and be so good at it therefore you will achieve it. I absolutely love that. And what would, what do you do to consistently hone your skill set? I mean after graduating and of course doing and developing your own ideas for the movies or the films there must be something or certain processes that were being done to consistently hone that skill set to be where you are today, isn't it?
[00:30:51]
Kelvin Sng: Yeah. So just two things as a filmmaker you have to consistently watch a lot of movies. Filmmakers, other filmmakers, other award-winning directors from all over the world. So no excuse not like in the 1950's, 60's you need to go to the cinema now you just go online Netflix everything is there, right? No excuse that you cannot be watching something different so I watch a lot of movies a lot of not just movies but videos all kinds of videos and I think that's the thing as a filmmaker I don't watch it like what most people do I watch it and I will be thinking how is that being shot? how can he tell a story like that? So interesting, yeah. Maybe I can pick up a thing or two so it's a lifelong learning thing, right? And then number two will be I talked about communication just now as one of the skills, right?
[00:32:30]
Kelvin Sng: So I would say that the filmmaking journey is never alone, right? To be continuing doing this consistently requires a team. I mean I don't do this alone so building kinship is very important, right? Because as film director I talk, I communicate. I also need to make sure that whatever project that I'm coming out with next I get the right people to do it. So I'm always building kinship with different people in the industry. It can be an editor, a producer, a scriptwriter, it's an ongoing process. So when I have a certain idea. Oh, I want to do this movie I think it's good. Oh, that time I spoke to this writer, I think he may be a good fit for this kind of story maybe we can work together. So it's an ongoing thing to make sure that I'm always consistent in honing my craft. So number one will be to watch as many as possible to learn from other directors. Number two is continue to communicate and make friends build kinship with different people from the industry, even students. You know like I said I also learn a lot from young people because they have interesting perspectives that I never knew existed.
[00:33:42]
Genecia Alluora: And is there a favourite book or a movie that really resonated with you that up to today you still remember it?
[00:33:51]
Kelvin Sng: Actually both book and movie talk about book first. Book, the one that really made a difference was by Napoleon Hill. I think you know the book Think and Grow Rich. Yeah. Think and Grow Rich that book that was very motivational for me and every time I go back to it and read it I become empowered again. Sometimes I just feel like you know I'm too tired maybe I should just take a break giving up then I realised that it's just my mind is in the water. I had to like auto-suggestion like, no, no, no. So really you are controlled by where your mind goes. Yeah. So sometimes it's just the body is a bit tired and all that so you have to take a break and continue with the focus. So I would say that this book Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and I like a lot of movies but one movie that changed my life that makes me want to be a filmmaker is this movie by Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai, Wang Jia Wei the title of the movie is called Ah Fei Zheng Chuan Days of Being Wild.
[00:35:04]
Kelvin Sng: So it stars many major stars, Destiny Chung, Andy Lau, Jackie Chung, Maggie Chung all the Chung and Carina Lau and Tony Leung. So it came out in 1990-1991 I was still very young I remember I was in set 4 I think. So one day I went to the, I had this habit of bringing my friends to my house to watch video tape that time we would rent video tape and then we would watch it after school. So there was this particular movie which is Days of Being Wild that I rented I went back I watched. So all 7 of us watched. So I think halfway through the movie I looked around everybody fell asleep there was not I was the only one awake and watched, why? Because at the time Hong Kong only came out with 2 types of movies one would be gangster movie a lot of gunshot a lot of people die.
[00:35:57]
Kelvin Sng: Number 2 would be those Wu Li Tou those silly comedians they laugh, laugh, laugh, but Wong Kar Wai made me open up my eyes. Wow, a movie can be made in this manner it's so artistic every actor looks so good looks so beautiful it feels like Jojo Armani or Versace the whole film and it requires repeated viewing it's not so linear so every time you watch it you discover something new so I like that feeling I watched the tape many times it's like, wow, I discovered something I didn't see when I watched it for the first time. So it sets me very intrigued like, ah, yeah. So it was Days of Being Wang by Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai, Wong Kar Wai, Ah Fei Zheng Chuan.
[00:36:40]
Genecia Alluora: Wow, I've not really seen that or I cannot even remember that movie actually existed.
[00:36:47]
Kelvin Sng: And then the poster all very nice you will use.
[00:36:50]
Genecia Alluora: Oh, okay so it was that movie that gave you multiple perspectives and that was what inspired you to become a filmmaker as well. Wow, it's very interesting very, very, very cool. Okay, let's talk about the family part that one I'm very very curious. I mean how did you, why would you want to start such a big family? Like usually in Singapore we start with two my friends one friend one girlfriend I know has like five kids and that to me is like the maximum number, right? But you have six I'm like, wow, okay. So what made you want to have a big family?
[00:37:25]
Kelvin Sng: I don't think I started this journey because I wanted to have a big family. I think it was all what's planned again. I don't know when I first started I mean when I first got married I didn't know that I would even have children. Then, I had one then, I had two, I thought okay two. And then three, and then four and then it keep on you know. So to me of course I think after the third one it became a okay, okay, because three is a crowd, right? Anything after three is still a crowd so there's no any difference really okay it's just three plus one, it's just three plus two, it's just three plus, three but finally I can tell people that you know six I think yeah quite enough already. Because I don't think I should just continue so I think six is quite a nice number.
[00:38:17]
Kelvin Sng: So I didn't start out because I wanted to to have a big family you know. But whatever that God gave me I received with with thankfulness because I know he will continue to provide. So up to now I think he's still providing my wife is not working. I think relatively we are all right even in this pandemic. I don't think we are really suffering or what although a lot of companies are not doing well but thank God I think we still have you know okay revenue coming in and all so I'm thankful.
[00:38:49]
Genecia Alluora: Wow, and your wife is not working and you are the sole breadwinner of the entire family. I really kudos to you really, it's really super amazing. Okay, I mean I have a lot of respect for that and what would be your one advice for people who are still sitting on the fence okay not about the family part but sitting on the fence about their dreams? Sitting on the fence about their dreams or their focus on where they want to go like you say, right? The mind brings us anywhere to the place that our mind brings us to and our mind defines the sea level. So what would you tell our listener today. What is that thing that if you're still sitting on the fence and still thinking about it?
[00:39:37]
Kelvin Sng: Okay, like what Nike always says just do it. Everything starts with the mind but it doesn't stay in the mind, right? Everything starts with the mind but it shouldn't stay in the mind it should be transformed into action. And when you transform it into action be prepared that it's going to be a journey full of excitement full of struggles. Yeah, you cannot start by, you need a vision yes, you need to take an action, yes, right? Just do it but don't be overly idealistic be prepared for an exciting journey. I choose to use something more positive exciting because there'll be ups there'll be downs, right? You know but it's the lesson that you learn that makes you a stronger and a better person as time goes by. So I would say that just do it, right? Start with here, your mind and get it out and put it into action and be prepared for an exciting journey.
[00:40:50]
Genecia Alluora: People will say, it's easy to say but it's hard to do.
[00:40:54]
Kelvin Sng: Actually, Genecia, I tell you I always tell people I dare to say it especially when I give talks in schools, you know. You know a lot of teachers right sometimes they are, I know it's not against anybody but I know some teachers that are there because it's iron rise bowl. I don't think they're very passionate about education and all that. But they're still doing it, you know, nonetheless. So when people will tell me like what you just said it's easy to say it's hard to do. So I will shamelessly tell them that's right so I did it because I did it. I also teach. I do how many kids you have? I have six, my wife is not working so will you be more challenging than me your situation. So I will just tell them off. I just say that if you are more challenged than this then I respect you but it can still be done even if you have 10 children or whatever your single father I always believe that if you are given a child God will give you the equal resources to raise a child don't have to worry.
[00:41:55]
Kelvin Sng: Either by money the right people whatever it doesn't matter. All this self-inflicted self-doubt all this is just our mind playing tricks on us it's just all toxic. If it's given to you, you have been given the grace to raise it to put it and to grow it develop it into something beautiful so it can be a concept, it can be a business idea. It can be a child right there's a reason why it's in your hands, there's a reason why suddenly you have this concept. Oh, yeah, oh, yeah, I can start this business now or God gave you a child right that means you can that's why it's given to you that's why it's inspired, that's why it came to your mind. Yeah, so it's easy to say it's hard to do right but if you don't do it you will continue to struggle you'll always be struggling inside.
[00:42:46]
Genecia Alluora: But you see that's where the mystery is because I don't know what's in front I don't know what's in front they don't know what's in front so they will not want to proceed with it. Yeah, I think the fear of the people actually sometimes is the one that is holding them back but I like that what you said is really to just do it and just keep doing it trusting the process I think that will be key.
[00:43:08]
Kelvin Sng: Maybe for our audience I'll just add in one more line that has sort of accompanied me for decades. Fear, you may have heard this. Courage is not the absence of fear. You know, when I say that I do this and all that. It doesn't mean that I have no fear. No, I have fear. I'm human. I'm not superman. I have fear, right? Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is the ability to still carry on in spite of fear. Just keep. Because you already identified your purpose you know ahead is going to be like this. And you're mentally prepared that it's going to come with a lot of challenges before you get there. So what's stopping you? Fear, right? It's scary when you don't do anything. You'll be stagnant and then before you know it on the deathbed you realize that 20 years ago when I had the idea I should have, I could have, but now at the end of my life I can't do anything really.
[00:44:09]
Kelvin Sng: I think that's the most fearful because you can't do anything anymore you have no time. Your time is gone already your time is used up already. I think every day when we wake up we cannot expect that we are going to live the right old age. We have to live like maybe by today God decides to take me, you know. We cannot expect that, oh, I'm going to live until 80 because I take good care of myself. No, there are people who take good care of of themselves they go for a run and then they just PONG down.
[00:44:38]
Genecia Alluora: Oh yeah, right.
[00:44:42]
Kelvin Sng: So I think fear itself, I think courage is really not about having no fear I think that's that's a wrong perception. Everybody has their own fear, inner fear, everybody you and me as well, right? But it is the mind that decides that in spite of fear I will still do it because I have identified that's what I want to do. You have to go by faith first. Every time you must see first then you go and do, then I can tell you you'll end up doing nothing then that's not faith already that's just I don't know what you call it.
[00:45:15]
Genecia Alluora: Very good. I love that. Really this advice is very valuable especially during this time when there's fear and uncertainty it's over the horizon. Whether you're going to keep your job lose your job any more projects coming in is the economy going to go into a recession all these are really thoughts that are in people's mind. So then how can our audience or my audience reach you or if they want to you know talk to you or know more about what you do where can they find you online?
[00:45:44]
Kelvin Sng: Oh, you can just message me on my facebook. I think it's just facebook.com/kelvin.sng. I think you can just reach me by that or you can email me I can give you my email kelvin@ksp.sg. KSP stands for kelvin seng productions. So it's kelvin@ksp.sg
[00:46:07]
Genecia Alluora: Wow! So I just want to say I appreciate you and thank you for your time, Kelvin. Today was a very valuable discussion and you shared a lot of your ideas and your nuggets of wisdom I'm sure it would benefit all our listeners and our audience out there. Thank you so much.
[00:46:23]
Kelvin Sng: You're most welcome Genecia.
[00:46:25]
Genecia Alluora: And for those of you listening right now do remember to check out the show notes and all the links will be placed there for you to connect with Kelvin and that's all we have for today. Bye for now.
[00:46:36]
Genecia Alluora: I have a free gift for you. Go download Secrets of Personal Branding and how do you delegate 80% of your to do list so that you can make money online while focusing on your zone of genius? Go to SoulRichWoman.com. What you really need is a simplified plan that focuses on money making and client attracting inspired actions online. Join our number one leading female entrepreneur network club in Asia. There are monthly business masterclasses and office hours by the mentors. Special guest experts on all the topics you need to build a business and life you love. Your just an F-word away from the life you want, the marriage you want and the family that you want. This is a no contract membership and it's only $12 a month. You can cancel your membership at any time. You've got nothing to lose. Check it out at SoulRichWoman.com. 10X your financial independence today.
[00:47:48]
Genecia Alluora: Thank you for joining me today. I would love you to connect with me on Linkedin, Facebook, or Instagram and share with me your thoughts on today's episode at Genecia Alluora. Alternatively, you can send me an email at hello@soulrichwoman.com. I have a free gift for you on our website. Secrets of personal branding and also how do you delegate 80% of your to do list to your assistant so you can make money online and focusing on your zone of genius? And that is available at soulrichwoman.com. Join the number one leading female entrepreneur network in Southeast Asia, connecting more than 200,000 women across the region. Be a Soul Rich Woman. Dream to shine. Woman leader, leader activated. Alone, you are strong. Together, we are unstoppable.