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

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!

Brandon Chia & Ong Huiying
Directors