What 15 years taught me... (and wish I knew earlier)

I turn 15 full years in the media and entertainment industry in a few days. June 2010 was when I started doing this, mostly as a TV Director, as well as lecturing concurrently for most of the 15 years plus adding Radio work recently... 

All of which I am very grateful for.

But truth be told, 15 years...is a strange number because it feels like a sandwich.

It's neither very experienced nor very junior.

I am neither new nor am I very old...

...and I've been around long enough to know that neither of the above matters in the way hiring is done nowadays. 

Specifically, I've seen so many TV Directors come and go.

Off to do jobs in other industries to pursue other interest or better prospects, for example Corporate Communications or Real Estate Agents... some just fade off and forced to do other jobs like drive a taxi, because of circumstances... and while I tell myself, hey, you are still here, I often do wonder if my time will come to join the above and which side I will be on?

I have also seen those who have stayed on into their 50s and 60s, and wonder if I do have what it takes to be like them?

So much has happened to the TV industry broadly since I started in 2010.

Back then, when I was younger, I thought I can do this forever, but since it is more likely that I cannot, here's somethings that I have learnt... and wish I had learnt earlier in my 15 years.

Care about money –

I didn’t care about money the way I should have earlier. Admittedly, it is because years ago, I didn’t have to.

I was sold on the idea of how if you worked for passion, money will follow you, but to be honest, that is as good as hoping for some sort of magic, one day I would have enough. That wasn’t the case. Let's face it. This (media) industry, especially in Singapore, does not pay. Also, the wages have stagnated or even regressed as the years have gone by. 

To be offered the same or even lower wages than what I was offered 10 years ago, is very common and this is compounded by competition with younger, less expensive hires adept in new skills. Previously, I could just be a Director. Now, the Director also has to be Editor.

Whatever your views are about these changes, it's actually a thing. 

Therefore, care about money as early as you can.

Generally, people my age in the 40s and older, lack the same time buffer compared to when I was started out and was younger.

So, some people say follow your passions. Others say follow the money. I say please follow the money, because life is expensive and very practical. 

Not everyone will understand your path... 

...when I started. 

This meant a lot of doubtful questions from people. 

Till today, I am still asked if I direct wedding videos. (Nothing against wedding video makers) 

It did make me realize that there will always be someone who’ll not be aware of what you do, your circumstances etc.

That's okay. I don't understand theirs either. 

Give freely. Love freely. Receive freely. 

Turns out no one is keeping score (most of the time). 

Some people don't get you.

Sometimes people burn you as they are freeloaders. 

But in the grand scheme of things, it usually works out. 

You don’t need to have many friends in the same industry - 

Friends vs Acquaintances. Know the difference early.

In this same industry, you will have a lot of acquaintances. They are ok and I enjoy every minute with them (mostly). 

Some may want something from you for their benefit. Beware. 

Some will just turn out to be disappointing. Cut your losses, stop wasting time and to hell with them. 

But friends, especially the sincere ones? These are few. 

Maybe it's because my standards have changed. But I think it’s partly also because I actually enjoy my own company and genuinely prefer other people in other industries for broader interaction. 

Either way, know the difference and for sure, know who those sincere friends are. Value them. 

My bullshit tolerance gets lower as I get older.

Generally, I give people lots of room to sling their bullshit and I just accept it. Partly my condition after 15 years a freelancer…  but lately, it just feels like there is a lot of shit being flung. It’s not that it’s used to be. 

Today, the work environment and the industry aren’t the same as before. 

Bullshit is never going to go away. 

Broken promises. Check. 

Disingenuous people and Backstabbing. For sure.

Low / Late payment. Standby for Excuses. 

15 years of this and counting. It does not go away. 

Here's the thing. You are not responsible for making it go away. You cannot control that. But what you can control is not being part of it... 

Which brings me to... 

…you don’t have to tolerate bullshit

Yes... and therefore, you don’t have to accept it, especially after 15 years. 

In the grand scheme of things, our time in time industry may not very long anymore, since you

are past middle-aged (assuming a 20 - 25 year career). Why do this to yourself? 

If it is going nowhere productive, just cut it and move on. But don’t be an asshole about it.

Choose your hard and your unhappy. 

There’s too much going on and too many uncontrollable variables to everything. 

You just have accept constant and that is nothing worthwhile is easy. It's hard. Life is hard.

Work is hard... and that's actually what you can control 

You can choose your hard. 

When I learnt to accept that, life became simpler. No. It did not guarantee happiness...but at least I got to choose what my hard and my unhappy. 

A good partner in your life triumphs everything.

Yiling is a good partner. She may disagree with that, but I think she is. 

Yiling and I can sit next to each other for hours, not say much, and nothing happens. 

To me, that is great.

We all have regrets.

It’s part of life. You don’t go 15 years in the industry with none. The goal is to learn from them and move on. But do remember the idiom. “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me" 

I always wondered if there is fool me thrice...

Learn more from your parents.

It’s true. One day, you will notice that It’s more than you give them credit for.

Ageism is prevalent... 

It’s a legit thing. (I probably did it when I was younger too without being aware of it). 

It’s not as kind to us older folks. 

One day, you will be an older folk too. 

...so is being put in a box. 

The number of times I have been asked (within the same media industry). 

"You have only directed TV shows, what do you know..." is so many, that if I got $10 every time that was said to me, I could put a downpayment down for a new first-hand car.

Experience and knowledge seem to be considered opposite, but why can't it be combo (unless of course I was applying to be an Oncologist or a Surgeon). 

If I were to tally up my 15+ years.... as of today, it's great.  

…because at the end of it. 

The 15 years of consistent work has helped me raise my 2 kids that I have today. That’s most

important to me (not the awards or whatever).

Am I wealthy and financially free? No. But I am debt-free. No mortgage. No loans to pay etc.

Can life be better. Yes. 

Do I wish I can give my kids more? Yes. Everyday. Who does not want to fly Singapore Airlines all the time?

But life could a lot worse too. I know it. I've seen it. 

...so I choose to just believe that I have many more good days coming in front of me.

Here's to my 15th year and beyond... 

Sean Cheong

Sean is a familiar practitioner in the Singapore Television Industry. Over the last 15 years, his work has spanned in both above and below the line positions. He also lectures at various tertiary institutions and is an event host and moderator for finance related topics. As a self-taught trader, Sean has lost too much money in the finance market, but still finds a way to live to tell the tale. Above all of those different roles, Sean is most proud of the role of Dad to his kids, Mikaela and Micah.