New Technologies X Local Programmes – an Alternative Viewing Experience Featuring Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Gamin

The PAC Choice celebrates quality local Public Service Broadcast (PSB) programmes produced and shown on local TV and online media.

Drawn up annually by the Programme Advisory Committees (PACs), community panels that advise IMDA on programme standards and PSB quality, the selected titles are spotlighted for their well-told stories, production values and/or creative concepts. This year’s list covers programmes released between April 2018 and March 2019.

The PACs observed the birth of a new local viewing experience, powered by the fusion of technology with creativity and passion. Specifically, the PACs recognised the following positive developments, reflected through programmes in the PAC Choice:

New Technologies x Local Programmes – Greater choices on digital platforms. An alternative viewing experience featuring The year saw a surge of digital content on multiple Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and gaming apps. platforms, including Toggle, SPH, Viddsee and GHOSTS AR (Toggle), a drama supplemented with a Clicknetwork. With a good mix of dramas, telemovies, game app and children’s gameshow THE BACKWARDS info-ed and scripted reality programmes, PACs agreed RACE (okto), which featured 360 Virtual Reality and that the diversity of the 2018 PSB content slate catered QR-linked second-screen experiences were found to to the viewership needs of a wider demography. be innovative and immersive. Notable titles commended for their respectable quality, Members hope to see these pilots of the Content include DIVIDED 分裂 (Toggle, Drama), Season 2 of Development Fund expand to full-fledged series in the HEROES AMONG US (SPH, Drama), VOICES: MEMORIES future and pave the way for Malay and Tamil ON A PLATE (Viddsee, Info-Ed) and DADDY DIARIES programmes. (Clicknetwork, Info-Ed).

1 2019 PAC CHOICE LIST English Language

Programmes in the PAC Choice List are chosen based on criteria including creativity and freshness of ideas, presentation format, significance of subject matter, overall engagement and information value. The titles are listed alphabetically and in no particular order of merit.

A Day In The Kitchen Don’t Make Us Invisible StraitsTimes.com | Info-Ed | SPH CNA | Info-Ed | Mediacorp Providing a rare, behind-the-scenes look Harsh realities faced by the likes of at restaurant operations and insight into cleaners and petrol attendants in their the lives of hawkers, the bite-sized daily routines were sensitively surfaced series was a feast for the senses. in this empathy-evoking series about social invisibility.

Basic Mini-taryTraining Drive Okto | Children| Mediacorp Viddsee| Drama | Don Aravind A family boot-camp challenge modelled Quintessentially Singaporean, the after the National Service experience, multilingual mini-series, which depicted the series imparted positive messages a cab-driver’s last evening shift was about discipline to children. beautifully shot.

Becoming Human Fam! CNA | Documentary | Mediacorp Ch5 | Drama/Comedy | Oak3 Films The ethical, practical and philosophical The comical life of an influencer family issues surrounding Artificial Intelligence was well presented through its strong and its impact on humanity were cast, funny scenarios and well-timed rigorously explored in this thought- punchlines. provoking documentary.

#DontForgetMe Ghosts AR CNA | Current Affairs | Mediacorp Toggle| Drama | Infinite Frameworks Featuring endearing seniors learning /D.Ink the ropes of video production to raise Punctuated by realistic graphics and funds for their new nursing home, the jump scares, the Augmented Reality reality series was both empowering and drama about a soul-stealing phone app heart-warming. – also made available to viewers – was an exhilarating viewing experience.

DaddyDiaries Heroes Among Us (Season 2) Clicknetwork| Info-Ed |Munkysuperstar StraitsTimes.com | Info-Ed | SPH DJ Shan Wee’s vlog about life as a dad, The returning series about selfless featuring fun social experiments and the Singaporeans who go all out to help antics of his toddlers, provided local and regional communities interesting nuggets about parenting. continued to be motivating and meaningful.

2 2019 PAC CHOICE LIST English Language

Kin Regardless of Class Ch5 | Drama | Mediacorp CNA | Current Affairs | Mediacorp Set against a backdrop of a baby swop The investigative feature, which boldly and tangled family ties, the daily drama probed the realities of social class and series featured ample story hooks, well- stratification in Singapore was well scripted dialogue and good coverage of moderated. contemporary issues.

Lion Mums (Season 3) Singapore Works Ch5 | Drama | Ochre Pictures StraitsTimes.com | Info-Ed | SPH Anchored on issues faced by mothers Produced to accompany news articles juggling the demands of their school- about the more technical facets of going children, the drama’s third season Singapore, the bite-sized pieces were continued to appeal with its realistic steeped in information. storyline.

Memories on a Plate Sleeping Beautyand The Man in The Red Viddsee| Info-Ed | Ng Yiqin Suit Presented in various languages, the Viddsee| Drama | Jacky Lee short-form series featuring Following a clique’s attempt to snag Singaporean’s communal ties with food invites to an elusive school party, the was appetite-whetting, educational and quirky drama series was fresh and easy to digest. engaging.

On The Red Dot: Old Enough The Backward Race Ch5 | Current Affairs | Mediacorp Okto | Children| Sitting in Pictures The social experiment mini-series, /Swagsoft which followed young children as they The Virtual Reality treasure hunt was independently performed errands commended for its high information outside their homes, was found to be value and well-implemented inspirational. technologies. Members saw potential in the pilot’s expansion into a full series.

Queen of Hearts ThePast Beneath Us Viddsee| Drama | JD Chua CNA | Documentary | InFocus Asia Cautionary messages about The bicentennial documentary special cyberbullying were subtly, yet featured an eye-opening exploration of effectively conveyed in this web-series Singapore’s archaeological history. about the disappearance of a social media influencer.

3 2019 PAC CHOICE LIST Chinese Language

A Conversation with Minister Greener Pastures <离家。出走> <空中访民情> ChU | Info-Ed | The Moving Visuals Co. Ch8 | Current Affairs | Mediacorp Exploring the reasons behind migration Members commended the effort to for better opportunities, the series create discussion platforms for issues of raised awareness about social issues in interest between Ministers and emotionally evocative ways. Singaporeans of various backgrounds.

Ah Boy and Friends Hello From The Other Side <阴错阳差> Ch8 | Drama | Mediacorp Zaobao.sg| Children | SPH Reimagining the underworld as a Members found the production quality modern city, the drama provided a to be good, with in-depth research to refreshing take on the afterlife across share insights that might be new, even multiple platforms, including a Toggle to adults. spin-off and a VR extension.

Cash Only <现金> I Eat Therefore I Am <我食。故我在> Viddsee| Drama | Michael Tay Ch8 | Info-Ed | The Moving Visuals Co. The short film accurately portrayed Featuring the culinary cultures of Singapore's diversity and shed light on people who have led long and healthy common misconceptions in our multi- lives, the travelogue advocated healthy racial and multi-lingual society. eating in an informative manner.

Divided <分裂> Light by the Bedside <小夜灯> Toggle| Drama | Weiyu Films Viddsee| Drama | JD Chua Told through the perspectives of Inspired by true events, the short film different characters, the whodunit was heart-warming and honoured the mystery was innovative and well-told. love and sacrifices of a single mum.

Fixer 2 <线人 2> Mission: SG <大使“新”任务> ChU | Info-Ed | Wawa Pictures Zaobao.sg | Info-Ed | SPH The series continued to generate The short-form video series shed light awareness about global social injustices into the little-known work of foreign through the exploration of lesser-known ambassadors in Singapore. issues faced by the displaced.

4 2019 PAC CHOICE LIST Chinese Language

Pa <爸> Tuesday Report– #myconnectionsg2 Viddsee| Drama | Sabrina Poon <星期二特写：情牵新马2> Members lauded the natural acting of Ch8 | Info-Ed | Mediacorp the cast, as well as the subtle delivery of The series reflected the shared history family values through the touching and culture between Singaporeans and story. Malaysians via profiles who cross the border to live and work.

Sing Our Song <创新声> Tuesday Report – When The Bell Rings 2 Zaobao.sg | Info-Ed | SPH <星期二特写：钟声响起时2> The series championed Singapore’s Ch8 | Info-Ed | Mediacorp music scene and local talents, pairing up The series told the history and aspiring musicians to be mentored by transformation of five local schools, successful veterans. through the nostalgic experiences of their staff and alumni.

SPOP Sing! <听我唱> Toggle/Ch8| Variety | Mediacorp SPOP was lauded for successfully reaching out to younger audiences, while delivering strong cultural values and appreciation for music produced or performed by local musicians/artistes.

5 2019 PAC CHOICE LIST Malay Language

BantalBuruk Saloma (Saloma’sRaya Nadi Serantau(Pulse of The Region) Cookies) Suria | Current Affairs | MediacorpNews Suria | Drama| ShortmanFilms Produced to commemorate the ASEAN Featuring a plot centred around the joys Summit in Singapore, the series and struggles of foster parenting, the featured intellectual, resource-worthy drama was commended for pushing analyses of regional affairs and the conceptual boundaries. issues that lie ahead.

Gotong Royong (Come Together) SentuhanHarapan (Touch of Hope) Suria | Info-Ed | The Moving Visuals Co. Suria | Info-Ed | Xtreme Media Highlighting community efforts to reach Members applauded host Fiza O for her out to the disadvantaged in Singapore, empathy and bravery in journeying into the meaningful info-ed series was well remote places and interviewing the put together. displaced or communities that were under attack.

Jalan (Heritage Trail) Season 7 Tangan-Tangan Kecil (Little Hands) Suria | Arts & Heritage| Oak3 Films Suria | Documentary | VeriteProductions In its 7th season, the arts and heritage The investigative look into the lives of series continues to deliver well- child labourers across Asia was eye- researched insights into local culture. opening and heart-wrenching, and a first of its kind for Suria.

KembaraKasih(Journey of Love) Season 3 Wira Kita (Our Heroes) Suria | Documentary | Filmat360 Suria | Info-Ed | MediacorpEaglevision In its third run, this series about The committee appreciated the Singaporeans contributing to the world spotlight given to everyday heroes who through mobile hospitals in the spirit of strive to make a difference to the “volunteer-tourism" continued to be community. aspirational.

Mak Aku Kata (My Mom Said) Season 2 Suria | Children | MediacorpEaglevision The drama series, which dispelled superstitions and taboos, was refreshing and steeped in educational values.

6 2019 PAC CHOICE LIST Tamil Language

AchamillaiAchamillai (No Fear) My Dear KudumbamReturns Season 3 (My Dear Family Returns) Vasantham| Info-Ed | RambutanMedia Vasantham| Children | Why Not Us The compelling success stories of Centered on a family adjusting to life women from various sectors in the local with a working mother, the entertaining Indian community continued to be series returned with messages on the inspiring. importance of family values and togetherness.

Adukku VeetuAnnasamy Nerukku Naer (In Conversation) (There Goes The Neighbourhood) Season 2 Vasantham| Drama | Cosmic Ultra Vasantham| Info-Ed | TheMedia The adaptation of a popular 1970s radio Members continued to applaud host, play was commended for its refreshing Mohamed Ali for effectively helming storyline and nostalgic feel. The use of the inspirational talk-show with global humorous puns added to the overall Indian trailblazers via thought- appeal of the series. provoking interviews.

Ethiroli (Echo) Season 15 Rayil Sneham(Train Journey)Season 4 Vasantham| Current Affairs | Mediacorp Vasantham| Info-Ed | Silver Screen The long-running series was headed in Members felt that the history and the right direction by incorporating culture of places along the Russian investigative angles and substantiated railroad was well-presented by the by subject matter experts. engaging new host, Malene.

Guru Paarvai (A Teacher’s Perspective) Theerpugal (The Verdict) Season 4 Season 4 Vasantham| Drama | Blue River Pictures Vasantham| Info-Ed | TheMedia Featuring strong performance from the Examining the verdict given to local cast, the well-produced school-based crime cases, the fourth installment of drama was steeped in realism through this info-ed continued to be well its coverage of relatable issues. researched and informative.

Maethaavi2018 (Genius 2018) Uyire (Ties That Bind) Vasantham| Info-Ed | Violet Tales Vasantham| Drama | Mediacorp Testing secondary school students on Gripping, relatable, well-produced their language, general knowledge and family drama that was supported by the math skills, the quiz competition was consistently strong performance from effective in conveying information in an the cast. engaging and lively manner.