Thursday, February 25, 2010

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

It's tough being the lead: Zzen

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Insomnia, weight loss, immeasurable stress, and the not-too-flattering honour of lying in a coffin. Malaysian actor Zzen Zhang endured the above to play a leading role for the first time.

Before this, the Star Search 2001 played supporting characters. He received a Best Supporting Actor nom at last year's Star Awards for his role as the really evil Robert Zhang, the man who raped Joanne Peh in the 2008 blockbuster drama The Little Nyona..

Currently starring in Priceless Wonder, he says that the glitz and fame that come with helming the Channel 8 drama is earned through hard work

"There are more scenes, more lines, but also more chances for viewers to see me. There's pressure everywhere. I will always heave a huge sigh of relief when I get home after a day of filming."

The 20-episoder had a tight film schedule of just seven weeks, with more than 10 scenes to be shot per day. As Zzen's character Caishun is bubbly and chatty, the number of lines to memorise each day almost killed the actor. He revealed that he would keep the script behind his back at all times "to save [his] life."

There were only two rest days during the entire filming, and the 31-year-old eventually lost four kilos. "I did it through shi li (quality effort), not ba li (eight-pack abs)!"

Then there was the usual coffin, in which Zzen will lie for the third time running.

With experience, comes familiarity, they say. The fellow was not apprehensive and jumped into the coffin without hesitation.

He quipped, "Don't underestimate the wooden box. It's actually quite soft and comfortable. I can fall asleep inside."

The Malaysian even believes good things come his way with the coffin-lying experience. After all, he is set to marry his longtime girlfriend this year.

Priceless Wonder airs weekdays, 9pm, on Channel 8.

Credit: Spcnet

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

23 Feb 2010 - 章缜翔:当主角要付出代价

入行9年的章缜翔,首次在新传媒8频道电视剧《游戏人生》挑大梁。他直言,当男主角压力超大,让他睡不着、人消瘦,还要再度躺棺材,可谓代价颇大!

缜翔参加01年《才华横溢出新秀》后进入演艺圈,跟张耀栋、唐育书同一届。入行以来,多数饰演主角的弟弟、朋友,直到08年的《变奏曲》,才升级当第二男主角,情深意重的小流氓角色令人眼前一亮。

去年的《小娘惹》,他饰演强暴白薇秀的大奸角“罗伯张”,给观众留下深刻印象,还获提名《红星大奖》最佳男配角。

现在,他终于在《游戏人生》当上第一男主角。第一次当男主角,不免倍感压力。

他接受新动网专访时说:“场数多, 对白多,观众看到我的机会也多了。 有形无形的压力都有。每次一拍完回家 ,就会大大喘一口气。精神上是比较累,因为总是要保持很high的情绪。”

戏越拍人越瘦 头发也没时间剪

《游戏人生》每天赶戏赶得很厉害,一天拍十多场戏,20集的戏7个星期得拍完。偏偏缜翔的角色性格活泼多话,台词比谁都多。

他担心忘词,只好把“天书”(剧本)塞在腰间,随身带着,必要时拿出来救命。

拍这部戏,7个星期只休息2天,头发长了都没时间剪。更“严重”的是,戏里有几场脱衣露上身的戏,根本“来不及”健身。

拍到后期,瘦了4公斤,“唉,身材比较消瘦啦……不过我是靠实力的,不是靠八粒(腹肌), 哈哈!”没得把握机会展露好身材,缜翔还是语带遗憾的。

他坦言:“我已经尽了全力,希望观众看到我的努力,如果做得不好希望大家谅解。”

躺棺材,越躺越走运?!

缜翔在《游戏人生》饰演一个职业赌徒,还主持假丧事蓬开赌。剧中就出现他的“遗照”,还有躺棺材躲避警方追查的镜头。

这已经是章缜翔第3次在戏里躺棺材,已经驾轻就熟,跳进去就躺下来,没有什么忌讳。拍棺材戏,会拿到2元红包,缜翔都尽量马上花掉红包钱。

躺棺材的感觉是——“别看它只是6片木板钉成的,其实很柔软,很舒服的,要躺在里面睡觉也是可以的。只要不盖到完,也不觉得热。”

缜翔笑着说:“有人说,躺棺材运气会变好,哇,很灵验呢!” 他不禁联想到当上第一男主角、又即将完成人生大事。

缜翔求婚成功,将在今年内和相恋多年的女友结婚。有人说虎年不适合嫁娶,但缜翔说,日期还没有定,有待高人指点。

《游戏人生》每逢星期一至五晚上9时,通过8频道播出。

Credit: xin.sg

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

27 Feb 2010 - 《游戏人生》今天开赌 新面孔梁丽芳担纲

圣淘沙名胜世界赌场已经在大年初一(14日)开业,以“小赌怡情、大赌乱性”为主题的本地剧《游戏人生》也从今天(17日)在8频道启播。这部戏是入行将近10年的章缜翔首次担任男主角,还请来马国女星梁丽芳跟他搭档,两人在戏中更有深情吻足一分钟的镜头。

梁丽芳之前在新马合拍的08年《绝对佳人》和09年《快乐一家》都当过女主角,但她主要仍以马来西亚为基地,鲜少在本地宣传,因此新加坡观众对她仍陌生。她最近出现在本地荧幕上是与戴阳天主持旅游节目《阳光大马心感受》。

梁丽芳受访时表示这是她第三次和章缜翔合作,不过是第一次演情侣。刚和新传媒续约的她说,不排除未来转移基地,在本地长线发展。

梁丽芳和曾诗梅在《游戏人生》演姑嫂,但荧幕上看起来却像姐妹,她说两人合作拍戏时不觉得,但到新加坡宣传后,已经听到不少人这么说。

曾诗梅这回则与老公唐育书第一次在同一部剧合演夫妻,不过和剧外的恩爱相反,两人在剧中经常吵架。

唐育书觉得夫妻档合作很舒服,他笑说:“因为平时没有机会骂她。”

曾诗梅则唱反调:“他演回好人,但我却因为被向云带坏变得好赌,必须精神集中去演,可是面对他会想到他是丈夫,演得很辛苦。”

剧中对白提到“离婚”二字,夫妻倆在家排戏时都会用其他字取代,因为他们觉得念出来感觉不自在。每演完一场吵架的戏,两人会相吻表示和好,让戏中的负面能量消散一空。

另外,鹤天赐演章缜翔的弟弟,常为达目的而走捷径。问还没机会扶正的他会否羡慕章缜翔当男主角,鹤天赐说要看角色,如果有机会就拍,没机会只好等啦。

Credit: 联合早报

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Monday, February 8, 2010

8 Feb 2010 - Zzen and the Art of Acting

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SINGAPORE : Actor Zzen Zhang seems to have lost weight since he played the scheming scoundrel Robert Zhang who abused Joanne Peh's character in the hit Channel 8 drama "Little Nyonya".

He looked somewhat skinnier and had slightly sunken cheeks when I caught up with the Malaysia-born actor at the press event for his upcoming series "Priceless Wonder".

"That's the price of being a leading man," he said.

The 31-year-old told reporters that he had lost about three to four kilograms and got thinner as filming went on and now needs a belt to hold up his pants.

He explained that this is the first time he is playing the male lead in a Singapore drama serial, and the anxiety and hectic filming schedule made him shed the kilos.

His character in the 20-part series had a lot more lines than he was used to so he kept the script with him virtually everywhere he went and worked hard to memorise his parts. He also only had two days off during the entire filming period.

However, it is a price he is more than happy to pay. This drama gave him the opportunity to play a good guy for a change, albeit a flawed one.

"Priceless Wonder" sees Zhang playing the lovable rogue Li Cai Shun, a career gambler who, despite his gambling habit, has many admirable qualities.

"He is a good guy compared to the character I played previously [Robert Zhang]," Zhang said. "He gambles but he does it to support his family, he is filial and also very good to his girlfriend."

"I was like 'This show came at just the right time to allow me to change my screen persona'. It lets people see I have an adorable side... that I can play good guys as well," he said, bubbling over with enthusiasm.

Though Zhang admits that he was quite comfortable playing the villain in "Little Nyonya", he wanted to avoid being typecast as a baddie.

The actor who was offered a contract with MediaCorp after finishing third in Malaysia Star Search 2001 said he was looking to hone his acting skills playing different roles and not be just another pretty face.

"An actor seeks recognition for his acting not his looks. It's useless to have people say 'he is so handsome'," he said, before adding diplomatically that he "was not referring to anyone in particular."

"Acting skill is permanent, but looks are transient."

After turning in an excellent performance in "Little Nyonya", Zhang's popularity is rising among audiences in Singapore as well as in China, where the series is currently airing.

"I did not expect the result to be so good and the audiences to respond so positively," he said, adding that he felt lucky to have met good people who helped him along in his career.

Zhang has also been lucky in his personal life.

Zhang revealed that he will tie the knot "soon" with his long-time girlfriend from Johor, though he declined to give details about her identity. He said that they still have not set a date as they are getting a professional to find an auspicious day for their wedding.

"Priceless Wonder" debuts February 17, 9pm on Channel 8.

Credit: Channel NewsAsia

Thursday, February 4, 2010

4 Feb 2010 - Bet on it

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Credit: 8 Days

4 Feb 2010 - 章缜翔:输钱皆因赢钱起

向云在新剧《游戏人生》饰演烂赌鬼,戏外却甚少赌博,但一买马票,就中头奖1万元!

综合娱乐城的赌场开业在际,新传媒8频道也顺势推出以赌博为主题的电视剧《游戏人生》。向云在剧中饰演“烂赌鬼”。自小在“赌博世家”成长的她说,亲友以前逢年过节相聚“开台”,自己经常把红包钱赌个精光,后悔不已。

向云:要发达就要开心!

自认没有赌运,但10年前,向云就真的好运降临,中-头-奖!

她回忆:“当时郑婉龄拿了风水书来帮我搬动家具、改风水。一个星期后,我考到驾照,就把驾照的号码前后拆开买马票,当晚竟然就中了头奖!”

因为平常不嗜赌,向云只买了10块钱,结果中了1万元,“赞助”了买二手车的费用!

谈起中头奖,向云笑得神采飞扬。她还大方公开“中奖秘诀”,“中马票那天,我从早到晚心情都很好;难怪人家说,保持好心情,好运就会来!所以,要中奖,也要保持开心!”

梁丽芳 财星高照!

梁丽芳梦见孔雀送真字

来自马国的《游戏》女主角梁丽芳说,自己不会赌,但奇怪的是,她偶尔会梦到真字!

“去年3月,第一次来新加坡,听说四马路观音庙求签很灵,就去拜拜。回家后梦见有人给了我4个字,说会中奖一定要我去买。醒来后我忘了整件事,没有买。”

她续说:“几天后,又梦到有人提醒我千万要记得这个梦境,那是9只孔雀在天上飞。妈妈说孔雀代表的数字再加个9, 买了1块钱,真的有中奖哩!虽然只是马币68元,但这是新加坡送我的小红包!”

章缜翔:输钱皆因赢钱起

章缜翔:赢来的都输光了

平时只会买马票、打麻将和black jack,连jackpot都不会玩,拍戏时“临阵磨枪”,首次担任男主角的章缜翔恶补了赌术。

从小到大,缜翔就中过一次马票,赢了百多两百元。“很久以前,买了一次4D,是我的车牌,中奖了,很开心,很想继续中,就买买买买……到头来,没再中了,把赢来的钱都倒贴回去。”


唐育书曾诗梅:名人买4D有诀窍

唐育书和曾诗梅在《游戏》演夫妇,育书说,平均可能一个月打一、两次麻将,输赢大约百多元。但,他透露,老婆不能打,因为“她等牌太明显,谁都看得出她在等什么牌。”

所以,诗梅比较常买4D、多多,并称这为“投资”。不过,身为艺人,亲自去买4D会不会不好意思?

很有经验的育书传授秘诀: “哦,跟同事们分享一个‘艺人买4D’的好方法,就是固定去一家买,而且在非繁忙时间买,就可以了。就算被人看到,也只是那一区而已!哈哈!”

由章缜翔、梁丽芳、向云、唐育书、曾诗梅、鹤天赐主演的《游戏人生》,将从2月17日(大年初四)起,每逢星期一至五晚上9时,通过8频道播出。

Credit: xin.sg

4 Feb 2010 - 赌王之王

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Credit: iWeekly