You're one of the few Mediacorp actors your age to have starred in both movies and dramas. How different is the experience?
It's a very big difference. If you ask me, I like to do movies more 'cos the script is shorter (laughs). Filming for movies is very fast-paced though, so you might end up with more questions since the script is so short.
Shooting a drama is fun too, because you get to play your character for a good three to four months, sometimes even longer. For some movies, you'll shoot for maybe one to three months. You get more satisfaction from filming dramas 'cos you can build more rapport with your character. For movies, sometimes it's very intense on set 'cos there's a lot of people and big equipment everywhere. There's also a bigger budget, so there's more pressure.
Would you say that dealing with the intensity of movie shoots is something that you're better with now or do you still find it daunting?
I used to find it daunting, but not so much any more. I think there are some directors that are more willing to allow you to rehearse a few times before you do the actual take. There's pressure in the sense that you're worried that the movie won't do well, but it's not as bad as, you know, Hollywood. So in that sense, shooting a drama is more relaxing lah.
Have you encountered directors who are really fierce and unforgiving?
There will definitely be directors like that. But you just have to learn how to grow [as a person] and handle the pressure. I think every industry will have people like that, it just depends on how you manage their expectations and the pressure, and how you can overcome it. Because you can't control how other people are.
So what's the best way to deal it?
You'll just have to prepare yourself as much as you can, and give your 100 per cent. I mean, if you give your all and still feel that you fell short, then it's okay lah, you just have to learn from it. There will be good and bad days. But I feel like the bad days are the ones that will eventually bring you to new heights, so I think it's okay. Just go for it, and bang the wall, and then learn from it.