Shang Hai TV Magazine Scans on Raymond Lam Fung [5/8/2006]

Photographed by 峰桔 of 52raymond.com, original Chinese text by 橙汁鸡翼, also of 52raymond.com, and then converted from Simplified Chinese to Traditional using the convetor on chinese-tools.com, so then I could read and translate it ^.^

Raymond Lam, Tammy Chen, The New Breath of Love
Adapted from Taiwanese writer, Wang Wen Hua's novel, 61*57, idol series The New Breath of Love has been filming since May in a low-profile manner. Our reporter got an exclusive chance to visit the set the day before the series finished its filming completely, and got to see Hong Kong TVB's famous siu sang, Raymond Lam, and the beautiful Taiwanese actress, Tammy Chen, working together.

Raymond Lam: Providing a bit of reality to idol series
In the series, Raymond Lam's character Tsui Hoi is one that is free and doesn't allow himself to be controlled by others. His attitude to love is like a game, and not until he met Tammy Chen's character, Lam Ching Wai, did he begin to become afraid, wanting to take on a responsibility, but not being able to do so.

That day when the reporter went to visit them on the set, the crew had just come by train to a cafe. The weather was very hot and Raymond Lam went straight to buy refreshments for the workers as soon as he arrived. Apparently, Raymond treating others is a very common thing and no matter their age, other people would still refer to him as big brother Fung.

Before the beginning of the filming, the reporter asked for Raymond and his girlfriend in the series, Tammy Chen, to take a photo together. It might've been because he's been followed too closely by reporters recently, but he seemed rather irritable and reluctant. But once they began the filming of a scene that was about him and Tammy seeing a concert together, he very naturally reached out his hand and pulled Tammy over towards him, gently hugging Tammy's small waist from behind, slowly and relaxedly letting his affections show. "Worthy of a being actor!" the reporter sighed.

The New Breath of Love is Raymond's first non-TVB series. He told the reporter that he has worked with almost every one of TVB's fa dans and that co-operating with actors that aren't TVB's, he could learn from their good qualities. When he films his next TVB series, maybe he could bring something new into it. Due to the fact that TVB very rarely produces idol series, Raymond's performance in The New Breath of Love can also be considered as a first attempt at something. Raymond said, "Taiwan produces more idol series but their style is rather powerful and unconstrained, a bit far from reality, while TVB's series tend to stick closer to reality and so I hope I can bring TVB's style into the idol series."

Speaking of the strongest feelings he has towards this series, Raymond said, "This series is the most relaxed one I've participated in since entering the entertainment industry." Although he has to work for over ten hours each day, at TVB he has a record of passing a few days without getting any rest. Laughing, Raymond said, "After going through TVB's training and then going out to film in the Mainland, whatever hardships aren't really that tough anymore."

Tammy Chen: Giving him a little hint
Even though Tammy has always been filming idol series, but she also plans to film many different character types. In The New Breath of Love, it was her first time challenging an older and unmarried woman, playing the role of the thirty-year-old Lam Ching Wai. In Tammy's opinion, this character is just like her name ("Ching" means quiet), she is introverted and conservative, with a "when I fall in love I will also have to marry" attitude. And even though, inside, she really wants to go out with someone, when she meets someone who she likes, she refuses to take the initiative, instead quietly waiting for the other to take action. Two men with entirely different personalities walk into her life at the same time. One is the well organised Wong Ming Ching, played by Alex Fong CS, and the other is the good-looking, humorous and romantic Tsui Hoi, played by Raymond Lam. According to her previous thoughts, she should be choosing Wong Ming Ching, who is similar to herself, but at the same time she is attracted by Tsui Hoi, who doesn't "follow the rules" and makes her happy at one time, sad at the other.

Tammy Chen has always liked Wang Wen Hua's novels. She thinks that his discussion on love is very close to what people of this modern world thinks. Before she started on this project, she especially went to pay Wang Wen Hua a visit and talked with him to gain an understanding of his thoughts and feelings he uses when writing on a particular character. His suggestions were indeed helpful to Tammy when she was "moulding" her character. As to Raymond Lam, who she is working with for the first time, Tammy's evaluation is: "He's very smart. He always knows to do the appropriate thing at the appropriate time."

The real-life Tammy's attitude towards love is very close to that of Lam Ching Wai's. The only thing that is different is that when she meets someone who she likes, although she won't take the initiative, she would still give him a little hint. Her Prince Charming doesn't necessarily have to be good-looking, but must understand her and be smart.

The sun shines into reality

Raymond Lam
Sentence of motiviation:
Not to be afraid of small characters, complete each job that is handed to you well...

The rough beginning:
When Raymond Lam first entered the entertainment industry, a lot of people didn't understand why. With a rich background, he could study abroad in an American university and finish his Architecture course, then afterwards inherit his father's business. But just for an interest, he gave up on university after one year and came to TVB's Acting Class. TVB has a lot of capable people and Raymond could only start with walk-ons. But walk-ons aren't as bad as what most people think, at least you could show your face. Raymond's first on-screen appearance was as a waiter serving tea. In the series, the audience could only see his hands pouring the tea and the only time when they could see his entire body was in a big group photo and no one could tell him apart in the big group of people. Afterwards, in an ancient series, he at least had one line, but because his face was masked, and so, similarly, no one noticed him. He continued doing walk-ons for almost a year.

The struggle:
Talking about that rough time now, Raymond didn't have a single complaint to make. In the acting industry, luck and diligence is as needed as in any other industry. Hardworking doesn't necessarily bring you chances, but if you're not hardworking, even if a chance comes, you still wouldn't be able to take it. The only thing you could to is: not to be afraid of small characters, complete each job that is handed to you well, cherish each on-screen appearance. Don't be afraid of doing those walk-ons, instead let the director see that you are serious about this job. And sometimes whether or not an actor is serious is the key to making the director choose you for a role. Raymond had preparations done and when the chance came, he was able to grasp it.

The fortunate thing was, about a year later, there was a series that needed an actor who looks very bright, but with tanned and healthy skin. At that time, Raymond had just returned from a job in India and was very tanned, meeting the criteria of the role. Even though Raymond was the third male lead, but it was enough to make him wild with joy. He completed the job seriously and diligently and because his performance was so good, after filming that series, he received his next series, A Step into the Past, playing the role of the King and coming second only to the leading actor, Louis Koo. Afterwards, he finally began his time as leading actor and now, he is TVB's highly promoted siu sang.

Next goal:
For the next six months, Raymond will be filming two modern series, with a total of one hundred episodes, one of which is a sixty episode long series that is for the tenth anniversary of Hong Kong's handover back to China, a collaboration between TVB and China, starring Mainland actors Chen Bao Guo, Chen Kun and Hong Kong actors, Gallen Lo, Raymond Lam and others. The fact that such competent actors from both sides will be working together makes Raymond really anticipate this series.

** Happy to see Raymond co-operating with Gallen again after Golden Faith in Fung Wan Shui Yuet!