Difference between revisions of "Form Records"

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'''Form Records''' was a Singaporean publisher, retailer, and distributor of music, music videos and direct-to-video programmes. They're 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.
'''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.


Channel 8 stars like Chen Liping, Huang Wenyong, and Tang Miaoling had supporting and/or leading roles in some of these programmes. Similarly, Hong Junrui, David Tham, Koay Jing Li, and Feng Ziliang, many of whom had roles in Channel 8 dramas as well, appeared in several productions. However, like in most Channel 8 shows in the 1990s, their voices were mostly dubbed over.  
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.


The Form brand was shared with related business entities, like Form Music Publication Pte Ltd and Form Kidz Pte Ltd.
==Series==
==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...]].
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)===
===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 Record’s Malaysian subsidiary.
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===
===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.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Cast
|-
! 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)===
===At the Zoo (1993)===
Like ABC English for Children, this programme was in both Chinese and English.
Like ABC English for Children, this programme was in both Chinese and English.
===Children Educational Videos===
===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 starred Chinese actors and actresses.
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)===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Cast
|-
! 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)===
===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.  
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)====
====Enhance Your IQ (1997)====
A spin-off video/ Some scenes were filmed in Nee Soon Central Community Park (then known as Yishun Central Park).
A spin-off video. Some scenes were filmed in Nee Soon Central Community Park (then known as Yishun Central Park).
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Cast
|+ Cast
Line 47: Line 110:
|-
|-
|}
|}
===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)===
===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.  
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)===
===Ten Brothers (1995)===
Based on the Chinese legend. Huang was the only actor whose voice was not replaced by another voice actor, 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.
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.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
Line 65: Line 131:
| Qi's Father || [[Tony Kim]] ||
| Qi's Father || [[Tony Kim]] ||
|-
|-
| Qi's Mother || May Teo ||
| Qi's Mother || May Teo (Zhang Yunhong) ||
|-
|-
| Er Gu || Cai Pingkai || Cameo
| Er Gu || Cai Pingkai || Cameo
Line 121: Line 187:
|-
|-
|}
|}
==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.


==External links==
==External links==
[https://www.youtube.com/user/FormRecords/videos Form Records YouTube channel]
[https://www.youtube.com/user/FormRecords/videos Form Records YouTube channel]

Revision as of 16:58, 29 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 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.

Cast
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)

Cast
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).

Cast
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.

Cast
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)

Cast
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.

External links

Form Records YouTube channel