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Promoting the stars
THE STAR NEWSPAPER,
Thursday March 12th, 1998
By Wan Wai Yee
It's a profession few would dare to venture into but, show promoter Alan Chan has committed his energy and financial resources into it.
The young managing director of Galaxy Productions created a stir in the local music industry recently with his aggressive promotion of pop concerts including the Sammi Cheng concert.
(The concert, supported by the Malaysian AIDS Foundation, will be held tomorrow and on Saturday at Shah Alam Stadium).
"A monk once told me that in our world, a person between the ages of 21 and 30 is like a child who is learning to walk. So now at 31, I am just beginning to walk," he said.
Despite his modesty, Chan has in fact "walked" a long way now, having being in the business for the past 13 years.
"When I started, there were many other promoters in the field but the numbers have decreased recently," said Chan who is married and has a 14-month-old daughter.
Having built a strong reputation for prefessionalism, his services are well sought after by both sponsors and artists' managers who have come to rely on his experience.
He organises shows in Singapore as well as in Malaysia.
"It is fun, exciting, and even difficult, but we must be sure that we can complete the work we set out to do," he said.
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For example, Chan will reject an event or even delay it if he knows in advance that he cannot possibly finish it.
"In this business, one's track record must show that one can do things according to schedule and that one is reliable and responsible too, he said.
For example, Chan will reject an event or even delay it if he knows in advance that he cannot possibly finish it.
"In this business, one's track record must show that one can do things according to schedule and that one is reliable and responsible too, he said.
To him, everyday is a learning experience. He has to constantly make sure that everything is running smoothly.
"Sometimes, one of the VIPs would like to meet the singers or artiste but the artiste may not be feeling well, so as the person in charge, we have to come out with our own solution."
"You don't want to offend the VIPs but, at the same time, you must take into consideration the needs of the artiste. So, tackling human relationships and communication is something I have to handle, with a lot of discretion all the time," Chan explained.
Gaining the trust of those involved is also important because to set up a big event like a concert takes group effort.
Chan said that for most of the events he organised, he required between 200 and 300 back-up staff to ensure everything went smoothly.
He also attributed his success to his upbringing and unique background. Chan, the youngest of six brothers, was born here to Hong Kong parents, who became Malaysian citizens later.
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At nine, he returned to Hong Kong for his education and returned in 1985.
By helping out in his father's Chinese medicine practice, Chan got to know some of the people in the entertainment industry who sought traditional treatment from his father.
My father used to ask me to take care of some of his patients who are in the entertainment business and I became friends with. They suggested I join the industry, and I thought I'll try it out for three years," he said.
Chan said it took him about two months or so to get a project done, in terms of setting up the venue, accomodation for the artistes and permission from government departments.
His advice to newcomers in the field is not to look just at the glamorous side of the business.
"There are both the good and bad sides. What may look good and easy has a lot of hard work involved behind it." he added.
He said to ensure an event ran smoothly and was successful, one had to have good communication with the sponsors, artistes and their managers and the government departments.
Right now Chan's hands are full attending to last minute details of the Sammi Star Show '98 in support of the Malaysian AIDS foundation.
Aetna Universal Insurance Bhd is the presenter of the two night concert. For more information, please contact Galaxy Productions Sdn Bhd Hotline at 03-2068333.
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