THE grand finale of the H-Factor Nationwide Creative Youth Workshop
2008 saw great enthusiasm among participants at the Best Western
Premier Seri Pacific, Kuala Lumpur, recently.

The workshop was a
community service campaign initiated by Malaysian celebrity Hannah Tan
to promote positive development of creative talent among Malaysian
youth.

It featured nine speakers covering different topics –
Comedy & Theatre by Harith Iskander, Film & Acting by Hans
Isaac, Radio by Serena C and Pietro Felix of Mix FM, Music by Reymee of
Innuendo, TV Hosting by Tan, Dance by Fellast Yan of Wild Stream
Productions, Motion Graphics & Animation by Joey Khor of Hue
Visualab and Mentalism by magician David Lai.

Tan said the whole project took about eight months of planning.

Let’s get creative: Reymee (left) and Hannah Tan having a light moment with the participants.

“I have always wanted to do something like this but never had the time.

“The main issue was getting the funds and asking people for money, which has been a very humbling experience.

“From
the corporate point of view, everything has to be justified and this is
a community-based project, which is why I had to take out my own money.

“The reason I started this was when I was looking for an acting school but could not find a proper one.

“The good schools are in Britain and the United States but not everyone can afford that.

“So I thought, why not have it here because there are many credible and well-established people.

“The workshop is a place the youth can learn without paying a premium from a creative pool of local talents.

“The talented are out there and instead of them coming to us, we are giving them the knowledge.

“We have received an overwhelming response among the kids, parents and participants.

“We want to encourage the kids to make a difference with what they have.

“A
lot of people have helped me and I want to pass it on. I also want to
show the the kids that it is all not about glamour but it does take a
lot of hardwork,” Tan explained.

She hopes to work with the Education Ministry and open the programme to the less-affluent in government schools.

The workshop was open to all Malaysians aged 13 and above.

Participation
was free but an administrative fee of RM30 was charged per participant
to fund the basic costs of the event’s administration.