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Published on August 25, 2007

Television production house I'mush-shi-ma unveils its latest project this weekend - a show devoted to the nitty gritty of becoming a singer.

The reality show, aptly titled "The Album", premieres tomorrow at 4.15pm with a taped programme on Channel 3 and will continue every Sunday through October 14. The producers promise a wealth of behind-the-scenes footage as the six candidates go through the ropes, but say fans shouldn't expect another "Academy Fantasia" or "The Star".

What makes "The Album" different from other reality shows currently being screened is that the players are not unknown youngsters, but celebrities in their own right. The programme follows the progress of TV hosts ML Nattakorn "Pleum" Devakula and Patcharasri "Kalamare" Benjamas, actresses Khemupsorn "Cherry" Sirisukha and Yardthip "Yard" Rajpal, actor Thrisadee "Por" Sahawong and news announcer Peerapol "Champ" Euariyakul as they are prepped and polished to record an album and appear in concert.

"We wanted to do something different," says Pathira "Jo" Palawatvichai, deputy managing director of the production house, who is working closely with i'mush-shi-ma's head honcho Chairat "Man" Likhitcharoenpong.

"That's why we've chosen six socially attractive people for our project."

Pathira came up with the idea for the show two years ago while working with RS Television. She presented the project to several channels but was turned down because of the costs involved, which top Bt10 million.

"Making an album for a singer is expensive enough, but for this project it increases six-fold," says Pathira, who worked with the music label for more than a decade.

"Usually you have just one producer handling 12 tracks on an album. For our show, we have five producers, six music video directors, three voice trainers and three choreographers handling six people. Also, each album has only two music videos. Obviously, with six artists we are thinking about several more.

"In addition to the reality show, we're looking at a concert and an album. That gives you an idea of why the production costs are so high," she adds.

"Pleum, Kalamare, Cherry, Yard, Por and Champ are all hot in their own fields but not one of them has ever recorded an album," says Pathira.

"When we first approached them, they were surprised and refused to take part in the project. But after we explained our ideas and that we wanted to give them a once-in-a-lifetime experience of making an album, they gradually came round to our way of thinking.

"Por was the last to confirm his participation because of a very tight shooting schedule. At that time he was filming a drama in Khao Yai and had no time to take part in the choreography course, so we sent the choreographer to him," she recalls.

Each of the candidates receives training from a four-person team over a period of four months. Shooting starts with a discussion of their concept, strong and weak points, and music styles before moving on to the recording studio. And, as with "Academy Fantasia", the celebs receive training in singing, dancing and acting.

"The duration of the courses vary according to their needs. Champ, Yard and Kalamare have had to work harder on their steps because their songs have more danceable rhythms. Champ, who is doing Korean-style pop, worked on his dancing for six weeks, though he took two weeks off to nurse a painful ankle.

"None of them have any dancing experience but they're all good at acting," says "Academy Fantasia" choreographer Art Asakorn.

"Por is doing a rock album so he needs to project power and strength but we have to tone down Kalamare's overacting. Cherry's the easiest to work with because her songs are pure pop. Actually, she dances very well but doesn't seem to like it.

"Champ has the hardest job as he's never danced before. Yard has no training but loves dancing. As for Pleum, his acting obviously isn't as developed as Cherry's and Por's but it's good. We just worked on stretching his muscles.

After the end of the taped shows, all six artists will release their albums and stage a concert.

"The reality show will support album sales. We don't want viewers to think the whole show is a set up - we would genuinely like them to be successful in their singing careers," says Pathira.

Songwriter Methawin has worked with the celebs in coming up with numbers suited to their particular talents.

"Pleum's songs are easy-listening, a bit like Nop Pornchamni or Boyd Kosiyabong. Kalamare is more pop rock and Por is modern rock. Champ is K-pop and J-pop, which are big with today's teens. Yard is dance, which goes well with her sex image, and Cherry is pop.

"Pleum is pleased with his songs. He especially likes two tracks: 'Pleum' and 'Noi Jai'. I think he was surprised to discover how much he enjoyed his singing lessons," he explains.

"Cherry wanted to write her own numbers but that didn't work out. And Yard developed throat problems during her course because she was working too hard, focusing on her acting and attending events."

While viewers won't get a chance to cast their votes in this reality show, Pathira points out that "The Album" offers more than simple entertainment for television audiences.

"It will help people understand the hard work that goes into making an album," she says.

"Occasionally, the major music labels offer viewers a glimpse of the recording studio. We are really taking them behind the scenes."

Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul

The Nation