2010/01/21
DENNIS CHUAA new reality show gives behind-the-scenes footage of how artistes prepare for a concert. DENNIS CHUA writes. FROM the producers of Puteri Gunung Ledang and P. Ramlee ¡Âª The Musical comes Malaysia¡¯s first ¡°making-of-the-concert¡± reality television show Roket! Destinasi: Bintang.
The new seven-episode show which kicks off on Astro Ria today features the journey of executive producer Datin Seri Tiara Jacquelina¡¯s latest proteges Hafiz Suip, Khairil Azam (Aril) Pilus and Hakim (Akim) Ahmad as they prepare for their first major concert on Jan 31.
Hafiz, Aril and Akim were the first-, second- and third-prize winners respectively of popular reality talent show Akademi Fantasia 7 (AF)7 last year. Tiara was their principal.
To be aired every Friday at 9.30pm, Roket! is a behind-the-scenes look at Hafiz, Aril and Akim training hard for their Big Day, a 90-minute showcase at Bandar Sunway¡¯s popular Borneo Rainforest Restaurant.
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(From left) Aril, Akim and Hafiz at the Borneo Rainforest Restaurant. |
Tiara said: ¡°The first six episodes will offer viewers a glimpse of the trio in their rehearsals and interactions with the production team and trainers. Viewers will get to see heartfelt moments shared by the trio as they leave their comfort zone of AF to become new entertainers.¡±
She said the series is aimed at encouraging the trio to be ¡°thinking performers¡± who, with mentor guidance, plan and craft their journeys into stardom.
¡°Fans will be privy to the many obstacles they face behind the lights, camera and stage action. It will be an honest look at their learning process as new artistes,¡± she said.
Besides Tiara, her Puteri Gunung Ledang ¡Âª The Musical co-star Stephen Rahman-Hughes, choreographer Pat Ibrahim and veteran artiste and vocal trainer Juliza Adzlizan will make cameo appearances in the series as they groom and shape up the trio for the show.
Complementing the artistes are a musical ensemble led by Lee Sze Wan, who worked in Puteri Gunung Ledang ¡Âª The Musical and P. Ramlee.
Roket! is conceptualised by actor and choreographer Chedd Yusoff, directed by Abu Marhalim Salleh and produced by Nora Lim.
Tiara said: ¡°Not many people realise a lot of hard work, dedication and discipline are involved in preparation for any entertainment programme. This reality show will enable viewers to see this.¡±
In other words, viewers will get to see for themselves how artistes make mistakes, learn from them and push themselves to become top-notch entertainers.
Hafiz said the show is akin to The Making Of... series that shows the production of Hollywood films.
¡°It¡¯s mainly the cameras and us.¡±
Aril said comparisons cannot be made between the series and Diari AF, which focuses on the lives of AF students.
¡°In this series, we aren¡¯t isolated from the public but very much in the public eye. Viewers will see us sweating it out in training sessions and even getting ticked off if we fumble,¡± he said.
Akim, whose hit Bengang was Hotlink¡¯s most downloaded ring tone during the recent Anugerah Juara Lagu, said: ¡°It¡¯s a little like Michael Jackson¡¯s This Is It, but on a much smaller scale. It¡¯s a frank look at what we go through.¡±
Besides being trained to improve their dance, acting, hosting and vocal skills, the trio would also be considered for film and theatre productions.
Tickets for the concert are priced at RM38. Call 03-7958-7877.