Difference between revisions of "Form Records"
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'''Form Holdings Limited''' was a publisher, retailer, and distributor of music, music videos and direct-to-video programmes, headquartered in Singapore and with offices in Malaysia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. It was listed on the SESDAQ. | '''Form Holdings Limited''' was a publisher, retailer, and distributor of music, music videos and direct-to-video programmes, headquartered in Singapore and with offices in Malaysia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. It was listed on the SESDAQ. Form was founded by Ang Choon Beng alias Ang Siong Kiat.<ref>[http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/oral_history_interviews/record-details/103bc515-115f-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad Oral History Interviews: Mr Ang Choon Beng]</ref> | ||
Form Holdings is best known for their series of children's educational programmes made in the 1990s, which include the Mental Arithmetic series, the ABC English for Children series and many others. All these were published under the '''Form Records''', '''Form Kidz''', and '''Form Music Publication''' labels. | Form Holdings is best known for their series of children's educational programmes made in the 1990s, which include the Mental Arithmetic series, the ABC English for Children series and many others. All these were published under the '''Form Records''', '''Form Kidz''', and '''Form Music Publication''' labels. | ||
Revision as of 06:06, 30 August 2019
Form Holdings Limited was a publisher, retailer, and distributor of music, music videos and direct-to-video programmes, headquartered in Singapore and with offices in Malaysia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. It was listed on the SESDAQ. Form was founded by Ang Choon Beng alias Ang Siong Kiat.[1]
Form Holdings is best known for their series of children's educational programmes made in the 1990s, which include the Mental Arithmetic series, the ABC English for Children series and many others. All these were published under the Form Records, Form Kidz, and Form Music Publication labels.
Channel 8 stars like Chen Liping, Huang Wenyong, and Tang Miaoling had supporting or leading roles in some of these programmes. Similarly, Hong Junrui, David Tham, Koay Jing Li, and Feng Ziliang, many of whom were Channel 8 child actors, appeared in several productions. However, like in most Channel 8 shows in the 1990s, their voices were mostly dubbed over by TCS dubbing artistes.
As of 2019, only the Malaysian subsidiary, Form Records (M) Sdn Bhd, survives. Form Holdings Limited has since been repurposed as a holding company for a membrane manufacturer.
Series
The executive producer for many of these series was Hong Hanlin, who was also executive producer for the movies Nobody's Child and Missing You....
Hong Ziqiang sung the theme and interlude songs for many of these series, until around 1997.
ABC English for Children (1992 - 1996)
Probably the most well-known Form publication, this series starred Chen Liping as Miss Aiyoyo and ran to 6 volumes. Some volumes were also available in English and Malay dubs. A seventh volume under the same name, unrelated to the rest of the series, was produced by Form Records (M) Sdn Bhd many years later.
At the Bird Park
An alien which looks like a bird suddenly hatches from an egg. The Little Professor and his friends visit Jurong Birdpark to help the alien find its mother.
| Character | Actor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Little Professor | Hong Ziqiang | |
| Alien Baby | Wang Jiaowang | |
| Aladdin | Feng Xingzheng | |
| Little Soldier | Lin Xingting | |
| Little Princess | Lu Peiying | |
| Xiao Hui Jing | Chen Ling | |
| Xiao Fei Xia | Anthony Chen |
At the Zoo (1993)
Like ABC English for Children, this programme was in both Chinese and English.
Children Educational Videos
A two-disc compilation of musicals based on tales like Aesop's fables, Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales, and Chinese folk tales like Tadpoles Looking for their Mama. The musicals were filmed in China and mostly starred Chinese actors and actresses, although Singaporean child actor Hong Ziqiang appeared in a few of these videos.
Do You Know Why? (1995)
| Character | Actor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge Angel | Michelle Chia | |
| Da Ge Da | Wang Jiaowang | |
| Da Niu | Hong Junrui | |
| Da Xiongmao | Chen Liru | |
| Da Ming Xing | Zeng Weijing | |
| Xiao Hui Jing | Lin Kai-er | |
| Xiao Wuzhi | Lin Yuru | |
| Xiao Tianzhen | Feng Xingzheng | |
| Xiao Ke Ai | Bobo Liew | |
| King Ironhook | Chen Weili | |
| Protector Goddess | Katherine | No Chinese name given |
| King Ironhook's Henchman | Hong Ziqiang |
Mental Arithmetic (1995, 1998)
Unlike ABC English for Children, the character Miss Lian is played by Amanda Lian who is director of her own Maths enrichment centre. The series ran to 3 volumes.
Enhance Your IQ (1997)
A spin-off video. Some scenes were filmed in Nee Soon Central Community Park (then known as Yishun Central Park).
| Character | Actor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ms Lian | Amanda Lian | |
| IQ Professor | Bai Yan | |
| Robber A | Lin Xinghong | |
| Robber B | Ng Kin Wah | |
| Xiao Qiang | David Tham | |
| Xiao Pang | Hong Junrui | |
| Xiao Li | Wang Ruixian | Credited as Huang Ruixian |
| Xiao Ling | Huang Wanzhen | |
| Xiao Mi | Su Shiyi | |
| Bo Bo | Zhang Weiling | |
| Boy at park 1 | Hong Ziqiang |
Primary Composition
Two educational videos targeted at Primary 4 and Primary 6 students respectively, which gave tips on writing Chinese compositions.
Say It, It's Easy (1996)
Published by Form Music Publications. Unlike ABC English for Children this programme focused more on English phonics, and none of the children were trained actors.
Ten Brothers (1995)
Based on the Chinese legend. Huang was the only actor whose voice was not replaced by a dubbing artiste, although all his dialogue appears to have been re-recorded. Ten Brothers did not follow the format of most Form Record productions, as it was more dramatic in style rather than educational.
| Character | Actor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uncle Hua | Huang Wenyong | |
| Auntie Hua | Betty Lee Sit Fung | |
| Qi's Father | Tony Kim | |
| Qi's Mother | May Teo (Zhang Yunhong) | |
| Er Gu | Cai Pingkai | Cameo |
| First Brother | Koay Jing Li | |
| Second Brother | Hong Ziqiang | |
| Third Brother | Hong Junrui | |
| Fourth Brother | Hong Junrui | |
| Fifth Brother | Feng Xingzheng | |
| Sixth Brother | Liu Hanyi | |
| Qiqi (Seventh Brother) | Cao Xuemei | |
| Eighth Brother | Feng Ziliang | |
| Ninth Brother | Qing Zhixian | |
| Tenth Brother | David Tham |
What a Wonderful World (1996)
| Character | Actor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nanny | Tang Miao Ling | |
| Father | Huang Wenyong | |
| Mother | Betty Lee Sit Fung | |
| Nanny's Granny | Yau Chung Chii | |
| Da Bu Liang | Zhuang Zhenzi | |
| Xiao Bu Liang | Koay Jing Li | |
| Da Fan | Hong Ziqiang | |
| Er Fan | Zeng Weijing | |
| San Fan | Feng Xingzheng | |
| Xiao Fan | Bobo Liew |
Logo/introduction sequence
For most of its history, Form used the same introduction sequence featuring a yellow bird on a rainbow backdrop. Most of these videos had the version which used an instrumental excerpt from "Good Morning, Teacher". However, some videos used a generic jingle instead.