PAPARAZZI 2020 | About Paparazzi

About Us

Paparazzi is the annual theatre production staged by students at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information. 2020 marks the 18th edition of Paparazzi. Usually held physically at the beginning of October, this year’s production saw many firsts for Paparazzi.

This is the first Paparazzi that is fully devised – written by our directors, Brandon and Hui Ying, The Truth About Keeping Secrets is based on real stories from our peers in school. Characters were largely created by the actors who play them, and this production was a true collaborative effort.

Additionally, in light of COVID-19 restrictions, Paparazzi 2020 has gone fully online and interactive. This year, the audience – you – plays a part in the story. You control the decisions our characters make, and how that affects their lives.

Our History

OCTOBER 2013

I Love You Because

A take on the classic love story of Pride and Prejudice, the 11th edition of Paparazzi marks Paparazzi's first musical, and deals with the expectations of love, and the disappointment — or joy — that comes with experiences in reality.

OCTOBER 2014

The Beaux Strategem

A local rendition of playwright George Farquhar’s restoration comedy, Aimwell and Archer, two gentlemen from London hatch a plan to regain their lost fortunes by mustering their charm to marry into a rich family.

OCTOBER 2015

Those Who Can't, Teach

Adapted from the play written by Haresh Sharma and originally performed by The Necessary Stage, this play takes an introspective look at the lives and workings of teachers and students in a fictitious secondary school.

OCTOBER 2016

Boom

Adapted from the play written by Jean Tay, the play tells the surreal world of Boom, where civil servants wake the dead, corpses are terrified of cremation, old women are besieged in their homes, and Ah Bengs still dream of being Superman.

OCTOBER 2017

Fear of Writing

Adapted from the play written by Tan Tarn How, Fear of Writing peeks into the lives of individuals from different walks of life and offers a window into how they feel about censorship and Singapore’s society at large.

OCTOBER 2018

Adapted from the play written by Haresh Sharma, More presents how it’s like to want more, what it feels to need more and what it means to have more. This play looks into the lives of individuals from all walks of life, and see how they rise to get more (or less).

OCTOBER 2019

What Big Bombs You Have !!!

Adapted from the play written by Haresh Sharma and originally created by The Necessary Stage, this play looks under the surface of a seemingly normal household where untold secrets are waiting to be uncovered.

DECEMBER 2020

The Truth About Keeping Secrets

Paparazzi’s first fully devised, interactive online production, this film explores how through lies, gossip and many dares, three girls end up learning more about themselves than anyone else at a party.

Producer's Message

When I took over the reins of Paparazzi 2020 last year, I did not expect a worldwide pandemic to get in the way of things. I remember feeling helpless when my executive committee sat down for a meeting in March and were advised not to proceed with a physical production. The five of us sat in my room that night, throwing out random back up plans to see what would stick. Deciding on an interactive film seemed like a tall order, but we had nothing to lose.

All 49 of us involved in Paparazzi this year worked tirelessly to give you the film you are about to watch. Despite all the changes that were made, nobody batted an eyelid. Two months of rehearsals, three filming days, and one website later, we’ve finally reached the end. I hope The Truth About Keeping Secrets is as enjoyable to watch as it was for us to make, and that in making decisions for the characters, you can see a bit of yourself in them.

Nivani Elangovan
Producer

Directors' Message

From the moment we came on board as directors, we knew we wanted to do something new and exciting. During one of our first yet most important creative meetings to date, we decided that The Truth About Keeping Secrets would stand as an original play by Paparazzi 2020. It was time to shake things up.

The transition to university is not easy. (Anyone who says otherwise is a liar.) The Truth About Keeping Secrets is a dramatised version of events that transpire on campus. After all, what is a play or film without some drama? University is challenging and at times you will realise that it has beaten you down but even so, we want to celebrate these strange years of our lives with all of you! There are special moments in this film that have really sparked joy in us, both writing and filming them. We hope they bring that same joy as well.

COVID-19 turned The Truth About Keeping Secrets into a production unlike any other faced by the PAPA Family of the past. What started as a traditional theatre production to be held at a Black Box, turned into an interactive film accessible anywhere with decent internet connection. It also happens to be one of our proudest achievements thus far. We would endure the many nights writing and rewriting the script, the many screams of frustrations, the eye bags and the breakouts that follow suit for a genuine play from our hearts.

We hope you find someone to laugh with along the way in The Truth About Keeping Secrets and we hope your university life just got a little bit happier too!