He Shuming is no stranger to the National Day Parade (NDP) stage, having first directed an NDP music video in 2020 for Nathan Hartono’s “Everything I Am”. That project came during the early days of the global pandemic—a time when sourdough starters were trending and uncertainty loomed large. “We wanted the video to reflect all the uncertainty and emotion of that time,” Shuming recalls.
Now, five years later, he returns for the NDP Diamond Jubilee, directing the SG60 music video. “To be invited to direct the NDP music video for our Diamond Jubilee is a massive honour. I was also genuinely excited and slightly starstruck to work with Charlie Lim and Kit Chan, two artistes I’ve admired for a long time. The NDP song and video is something many Singaporeans look forward to every year, so to have had the opportunity to contribute to it, not once, but twice, I’m very proud and grateful for the opportunity,” he shares.
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Shuming’s creative process begins with the song itself. “I always start by listening to the track, breaking down the lyrics, and brainstorming concepts,” he says. For SG60, he drew inspiration from community choirs like Sing Song Social Club, which became the heart of the music video. “I wanted to build the atmosphere of a community choir—strangers coming together to sing a song and letting that energy vibrate through the hall. It may seem simple, but executing it with around 100 people singing and moving through the space required a huge amount of planning.”
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Technology was central to bringing this vision to life. “The Apple iPad has been my constant companion throughout both pre-production and on set. It holds everything from my script to notes and shot plans. For example, we had to carefully choreograph not just the performers’ movements, but also the camera positions and timings across different parts of the song. The iPad made it easy to pull up references during location scouts and sketch out ideas during tech rehearsals.”
Shuming adds that the iPad streamlined collaboration across the team. “Everyone—from the cinematographer to the choreographer, assistant director, art director, and even the gaffer—used iPads. It made sharing information much smoother across departments. My assistant director and I even have similar strapped iPad covers that we carry on our shoulders. It’s like our weapon going into a battlefield.”
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Directing an NDP music video differs from Shuming’s usual filmmaking in its heightened national significance. “Technically, it’s pretty much the same as your typical filmmaking process. But there are other considerations in the creative choices I would make; it is made with Singaporeans for Singaporeans, and on one of the biggest national platforms, so there is a level of stress and expectations that are probably more heightened.”
The experience also offered new lessons. Shuming points to the vignettes woven throughout the video, inspired by five Singaporeans across different eras from the 1950s to modern-day Singapore. “It was honouring these amazing individuals, learning about them, and bringing their stories authentically on screen. These vignettes are also extended into the actual Parade show. Working closely with Boo Junfeng, the Parade’s Creative Director, was a learning experience in integrating narratives with the live show, ensuring that visually they are efficient and emotionally compelling.”
Collaboration with Charlie Lim, Kit Chan, and The Island Voices further enriched the project. “Working with Charlie was delightful; he was so open to my notes on the early drafts. The Island Voices brought incredible energy, and Kit Chan was a dream to watch on set. She knew exactly what she needed to do. Everyone gave their all, even in the afternoon heat,” he says.
Looking ahead, Shuming is already working on new projects for the big screen. “One is a period drama about two sisters’ coming of age in post-war Singapore. Another is an omnibus film with a group of international filmmakers that I’m quite excited about,” he reveals.
Through SG60 and beyond, He Shuming continues to show how thoughtful storytelling, meticulous planning, and creative collaboration can turn a national song into a visual experience that resonates with Singaporeans across generations.
All photos: Courtesy of He Shuming