This feature was first published in Journeys Summer 2020.
This article was written by communications writers Didi Hari Krishnan and Kinjal Shah.

From opera singers to writers, animators, designers, actors, and musicians—Singapore American School alumni boast a variety of visual and performing arts careers across the globe. Where are they now and how did they get there? Here’s a sneak peek into the career paths of a few of our alumni!

JACK OF ALL TRADES: ALISON TAN (CLASS OF 2008)
ART DIRECTOR, FIFTH BLACK MEDIA, HONG KONG

With Barbara Harvey, high school visual arts teacher, as her greatest mentor and cheerleader, Alison Tan (Class of 2008) earned the confidence to put her ideas out there. As Harvey helped her develop her drawing technique in an art class at SAS, Tan learned that she must first honor her ability to be curious about several mediums and subjects!

Today, Tan is an art director at Fifth Black Media, a creative content agency that produces Design Anthology magazine and counts Swire, Grosvenor, and Lane Crawford among their clients.

“What I love most about my job is that I can give a platform for other creatives to work together, share ideas, and make some money doing what they do best. There is always something you don't know, and something that someone else does better than you. Work with them, learn from them, and develop your own creative voice,” she says.

Even as Tan started out as a graphic designer, she found her interest in styling props, building sets, and learning how to apply other forms of image-making to design. For aspiring designers, Tan has a few insights she’d like to share:

Build your book. Polish your folio. Then take it to an organization that requires a broad range of design work because you will grow the fastest there.

Ask for work. Understand the value of good design and make a connection. "I love your artisanal sandwiches but your branding isn't standing out among the competition. If you're open to having a conversation about it, I'm a designer. You can see some of my work on...etc."

It's okay to be the jack of all trades. It's incredible to develop a personal style, but your strength can also lie in possessing a variety of skills. This has served me well in meeting the needs of different clients.

FINDING YOUR NICHE: ELLIE STANTON (CLASS OF 2008)
WRITER AND PRODUCER, PUBLIC HISTORY AND MUSEUMS

Writing documentary film scripts for the National Civil Rights Museum as a 22-year-old production assistant is the stuff that dreams are made of! Top that with producing and writing two films for Hamilton: The Exhibition, a traveling exhibition in Chicago, and you may already be at the peak of your career!

Ellie Stanton (Class of 2008) graduated from the University of Virginia with a bachelor's degree in history and media studies and later received a master’s degree in American history from the University of Cambridge. A connection through an alumni directory opened the door to the museum world.

Starting out as a production assistant, Stanton worked her way up to become an associate producer, creating films for the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas and the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. She then became an exhibit writer at the Newseum in Washington, DC, where she wrote exhibits on the Vietnam War and the Black Power movement. Stanton credits SAS’s incredible art and photography facilities and classes taught by Paul Griffin and Barbara Harvey for giving her a strong foundation for film production, and Mr. Guggisberg’s AP English Language class for sharpening her writing.

At SAS, it was Eric Burnett and Jason Adkison who showed Stanton how history can be relevant, accessible, and fun. To this day, Stanton has used Burnett’s public speaking tips often, especially at the Newseum while giving tours, delivering talks, and participating in live TV interviews.

“I love that I get to be creative and that I'm always learning something. My work is all about translating complex information into accessible and compelling content. I'm often amazed that I get to read history books as part of my job.”

Career tips for the history buff:

Keep strong mentors in your corner. Find someone early in your career who can guide you and act as a sounding board.

Develop a niche. Work with material you're passionate about. If not for a background in American history, Stanton would not have bagged the opportunity to write documentary film scripts for the National Civil Rights Museum.

Keep up with the trends. Visit as many exhibits as possible. Pay attention to exhibit design and technology. Watch how people interact with exhibits to learn what works and what doesn't.

SHARING THE LIMELIGHT: MATT HARRIS (CLASS OF 1982)
SCREENWRITER AND PRODUCER

Working in an industry where you get to rub elbows with some of the most talented actors and producers in Hollywood? That’s the life Matt Harris (Class of 1982) is currently living in Los Angeles.

SAS played a major role in shaping who Harris is today. The opportunity to attend high school in Singapore while living in a youth hostel on Adam Road turned out to be one of the greatest experiences of his life.

“While kids back home were learning to drive, we were trekking in the Himalayas. While they were late-night dining at Denny's, we were devouring exotic delights at the stalls. While they were following the same path as so many others that came before them, we were forging our own.”

Harris graduated from Cal State Bakersfield University with a bachelor’s degree in English and later completed his master’s degree in American Literature from San Diego State University. He then moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in screenwriting.

Last year, a screenplay he wrote called The Starling was purchased and produced. The movie stars Melissa McCarthy and is due to be released in theaters later in 2020. Since then, another screenplay he wrote has been optioned. He is also the executive producer for MTV’s most successful and long-running series, Ridiculousness.

Harris shares some insights into what it takes to be in the screenwriting business:

Do not second guess. If you're serious about working in the business, then you should just dive right in. Waiting for your break is simply a path to frustration.

Believe in yourself. Accept that creativity comes with inherent doubt and insecurity and give yourself permission to write something bad. It's very liberating, and eventually, it will allow you to write something that may be very good.

Do not lose sight of your ultimate goal. Don't waste your time working on a job that's not getting you any closer to where you ultimately want to be.

MAGICAL MOMENTS AT DISNEY: MARK LIM (CLASS OF 2012)
IMAGINEER, DISNEY

Mark Lim (Class of 2012) always appreciated how every Disney theme park—whether in Tokyo, Orlando, or Paris—provided vastly different experiences to their guests. This fueled his desire to help create lifelong memories for visitors at “the happiest place on earth.”

Lim jumped from commercial agencies to game companies before he landed a role as an Imagineer at Walt Disney in California. One of the best parts of his job is that he is usually immersed in several projects at a time, which keeps him on his toes.

“Whether it is through the medium of animation or working within the physical space of a theme park, the story rings true,” Lim explained. “My current role combines my love of artistic technical know-how with my passion for storytelling for Disney theme parks.”

Lim learned a lot from his time at SAS. He took advantage of many elective classes that helped broaden his horizons. He is extremely grateful to Ms. Barbara Harvey for being the first building block in the foundation of his art career.

Here are some valuable tips for aspiring artists from our Eagle-Imagineer:

Seek experiences outside. Try not to focus on being the next art prodigy. Get out and experience life. Have experiences that will influence your art.

Set goals. Keep setting goals for yourself. Set them often. Make new ones, and complete existing ones.

Take that leap. Do not be afraid to try new things or take risks, especially when starting out.

Practice. Set aside time during the week to focus on honing your craft. Make time for art and don't practice only when it is convenient for you.

Be kind. Always be professional and genuine. Do not give people a reason to not want to work with you.

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Journeys, our print publication, shares current, in-depth stories written by and for members of our school community. It is mailed to current families, faculty, staff, and alumni in December and June. If you are interested in contributing an article to Journeys, email communications@sas.edu.sg. Read more articles here.