A 20-strong team consisting of cast and crew members of Channel 8’s The Dream Makers 2 flew to the land of kangaroos to film certain key scenes in the 32-episode drama series for two weeks in September. And Toggle was part of the entourage from start to finish: we got to breathe the same air, sleep under the same roof, and had equally early call times too – but that’s another story for another day.
After weeks of ‘Dream Makers 2’ #throwbackthursday stories, we’re finally down to our last person in this series and that is none other than Rui En, who will be reprising her role as the bubbly and happy-go-lucky Fang Tonglin in the sequel.
For someone who’s terribly afraid of the cold and almost never seen on set without her trusty black goose-down jacket – even in Singapore, Rui En shared that this trip was nothing short of comfortable and manageable as temperatures fluctuated between 10 to 20 degrees.
The well-heeled actress, who has travelled around the globe to places like Miyama, Tasmania and even Paris, just to name a few, for work, shared that this Melbourne trip felt “more like a holiday than a work shoot” as the bulk of her character’s scenes was “purely taking photos” for a wedding variety programme - with little to no dialogue required.
Contrary to the relaxed pace in Melbourne, filming Poetic Justice in Macau ranks high on her list of most challenging overseas work experience. She spoke candidly of doing a lovey-dovey scene, which required her to hug co-star Dai Xiang Yu for a wide shot in the drama, during her interview with Toggle. While it may have looked good on camera, we learned it was not the least bit romantic in real life.
“We were in the midst of a heatwave and even before we hugged, the both of us were already drenched in perspiration. The minute we hugged and wrapped our arms around each other… the sweat is just ugh!” she shuddered, adding that they instinctively repelled from each other immediately, after the take was done.
Thankfully, the glorious weather in Melbourne had nothing on the balmy, sticky humidity she and Xiang Yu had to bear in Macau, although the cast and crew experienced strong and chilly winds during the first few days of the shoot.
The production was blessed with ample sunshine and blue skies for most parts of the trip, including a morning proposal scene filmed at the tulip farm which saw Rui En prancing about and frolicking in the rainbow-coloured tulip fields – never mind that she had to wear a sleeveless floor-length dress for the outdoor shoot.
While the sun proved to be a source for comfort on cold days, it was also the culprit behind their earlier than usual work mornings. (Ed’s note: the earliest call time of the trip was at 3.30 am for the hot air balloon scene)
“Early call times are unavoidable because inevitably the sun would rise earlier than in Singapore,” said Rui En, who shared she'd try to skip dinner, head back early, wash up and go to bed immediately to ensure she clocks in a certain amount of sleep every night.
“I’m very particular about how much sleep I get,” she confessed, “I don’t know why when I come here I feel sleepier – but I’ve been able to grab quite a good rest yesterday because I ended earlier. So I’m very refreshed today!”
Sleep duration isn’t the only thing she obsesses over. In fact, we learned that the actress can’t sleep well without the help of background noise too.
“When I don’t have it (noise from the TV), it’s a bit harder to sleep, she chuckled, “It’s a bad habit of mine.”
Toggle: What’s your favourite picture taken during this trip?
Rui En: This picture at the tulip farm which was taken by our cameraman. I think the picture got “feel” and it’s very seldom we get to see this kind of scenery.
(Ed’s note: We’ve attached our version of her favourite picture instead for clarity purposes)
When you travel abroad what do you never leave home without?
Skincare products. I’m very particular with the whole skincare routine as I have sensitive skin.
What is the first thing you'd do when you enter your hotel room?
Turn on the TV as I need to have some noise or sound in the room and then start unpacking. Noise is a comfort thing if not the environment would feel unfamiliar and lonely. I sleep with it too – I need it actually, in fact when I don’t have it, it’s a bit harder to sleep. It’s a bad habit (chuckles).
What’s your most memorable overseas work trip?
It would be Tasmania. Before that I haven’t been to Australia and it was my first time at a destination with mountain and sea scenery. It was very pretty and really fun.
What did you do on the flight to Melbourne?
Tried to sleep.
Most memorable filming location?
All have been really pretty but I think the most memorable would be the Tessellar Tulip Farm. I don’t think I’ve seen real tulips in the field before and it’s very pretty and really nice for photos.
I look forward to…
Going home.
Song of the trip?
‘Wide Open Spaces’ by Dixie Chicks.
The one item you’d take to a deserted island?
Sunblock.
What do you need for a perfect holiday?
The right companion.
Anything you hate about travelling?
Flying.
Rui En’s stickman drawing makes a reappearance in a doodle for Toggle on the next page.