‘The next one will be the best one.’
— Chung King Fai



Mr. Chung King Fai, an experienced script writer and director, was graduated from Yale University in the U.S.A. with a bachelor’s degree in drama. After graduation, he worked as a teacher at Baptist College (now called Baptist University). He taught drama for five years. Afterwards, he moved over to TVB and worked there for eight years. Then he joined ATV, where he stayed another eight years. It is no wonder that he is reputed to be experienced in TV production. In 1983, he was invited to be the Dean of Performance Arts at the Hong Kong Academy for Performance Arts.

Since 1950, Mr. Chung has never stopped participating in dramatic productions. Recently, he directed a drama called Shadow Box, which is compiled of three short stories of dying patients.

Q: What did you gain most during the years you worked in the two television stations?
A: Excitement. I miss the excitement I had in making TV shows, especially the live shows. Accidents happen all the time. You must be prompt and calm to handle them. I didn’t have any chance to enjoy such excitement after I quit those jobs at the TV stations.

Q: What types of programmes did you produce?
A: A variety of programmes, like variety show — that is, Enjoy Yourself Tonight, game shows and TV dramas.

Q: Which of them were you most interested in?
A: TV dramas of course. The format of TV dramas in the past was much like that of stage dramas. They differed from today’s TV dramas, which are in line with the format of movies.

Q: Which production was your favourite?
A: I don’t have any favourite work, as I am never satisfied. I always say that the next one will be the best one.

Q: Other than the administrative work, do you give any lectures in the Academy for Performance Arts?
A: Yes, I have a lecture on the history of drama. Some- times, I have discussions with the students about dramas or I give advice to them on their productions.

Q: What is your view of the future of drama development in Hong Kong?
A: I am optimistic about it because there are now many institutions offering training in drama production. Some of the dramas produced in recent years have quite a high standard. But there is still room for improvement.


February 1996

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