Throwback Thursday with Jeanette Aw in Melbourne
On the set of The Dream Makers 2: Jeanette Aw tells us how playing a dispirited Zhao Fei’er has affected her emotional wellbeing
For this week’s special ‘Dream Makers 2’ #throwbackthursday series, we have Jeanette Aw, the Snapchat guru who, when not channelling the emotions of Zhao Fei’er before the cameras, can be seen “vlogging” about her travel experiences and the sights and sounds of Melbourne on her mobile phone – all day, every day, like she’s maintaining a “travel diary” of sorts, quipped Ah Jie Zoe Tay.
Indeed. If you follow Jeanette on aforementioned social media platform, you’d have had a firsthand glimpse of on-set happenings – including a candid video she filmed of us, the media, eating on the job (translation: sampling freshly shucked oysters at South Melbourne Market as part of a media tour).
Jeanette indulged in the briny bivalves too ( photographic evidence here) after asking us if it tasted good (yes, it did), and contrary to popular belief, this actress eats and has a hearty appetite to boot.
“All this while people think I’m very skinny and that I’m very petite and I don’t eat. But I do!” she chortled in protest, “And I exercise a lot to make up for it.”
Her secret to keeping trim and fit? Hitting the gym – time permitting – after work, or “30- to 45-minute jump rope sessions” in her hotel room, said Jeanette.
“I think I shocked everybody, but it’s something that even I can’t control,” she mused.
On set in Melbourne, her character often had a distant look in her eyes, rarely smiled and appeared subdued and mellow. Before stepping into the shoes of Fei’er again, Jeanette consulted with mental health professionals to prepare for the role. Afraid of sinking in too deep, she wanted to have a safety net and “someone to turn to immediately” if necessary, she confided.
Aware of the emotional changes whirling inside her – especially since it’s evident from her moody captions and posts on social media, Jeanette later added, “Not that good, not that good. I need to pick myself up. (Laughs)”
“I’m actually a very happy girl and I’d say this is very new territory to me. I guess I can feel Fei’er because I played her in part 1 and I think there is continuity in this character and in many ways – I think our paths have crossed, and I’m probably more Fei’er than Ou Xuan (Jeanette) right now,” she laughed.
visit our microsite. Watch The Dream Makers 1 on Toggle.
Special thanks to Tourism Australia and Tourism Victoria.
Related:
WATCH: The official 'Dream Makers 2' MV
Throwback Thursday with Qi Yuwu in Melbourne
Throwback Thursday with Romeo Tan in Melbourne
(Continued on next page)
What did you do on the flight to Melbourne?
Read a little, watched two movies and slept.
Most memorable filming location?
Alfred Nicholas Garden – I had to go into the pond in freezing weather.
I look forward to…
A real holiday.
Song of the trip?
‘Nothing Gets In My Way’ – because Beauty World (the musical) is all I can think of now.
The one item you’d take to a deserted island?
Food.
Check out Jeanette’s cute doodle on the next page!