Annual Log #02: A look back at 2024

(Well, I've failed to log my life on LinkedIn quarterly.)

I manifested 2024 because I feel like everything I've done in my 12-year career has led to the incredible ride that 2024 turned out to be. (Buckle up, it’s a long one.)

We kicked off the year with the announcement of Tales From Incredible Tales Season 1, which had been in the planning stages since late 2023. It all started when our listener-turned-friend Heather introduced us to Utt via email, leading to an unexpected crossover on our podcast, Dead Air (watch it here) in 2023.

That crossover garnered attention—not just from regional horror fans but also from the IP owner of Incredible Tales, Mediacorp. A couple of months later, they emailed us to pitch a potential Incredible Tales podcast spin-off. The rest, as they say, is history.

Utt and I often say to each other, “We manifested the comeback of Incredible Tales in the form of Tales From Incredible Tales.”

While pre-production for Tales From Incredible Tales was underway, we hit episode #100 of our podcast, Ghost Maps. Producing Ghost Maps weekly for five years has become second nature—no longer a chore but pure muscle memory.

Of course, I still enjoy it, but I sometimes need to remind myself that we’re essentially creating a bi-weekly horror anthology with overarching storylines based on actual supernatural experiences—basically a horror short film in audio form.

The build-up to #100 culminated in a major cliffhanger, revisited a month later as our way of thanking listeners. (It wasn’t exactly planned, but it gave us time to focus on TFIT in the meantime.)

Directing the spin-off series of a show that terrified me as a kid—and sitting next to Utt to talk about ghost stories—was surreal and a definite career highlight.

That said, Season 1 was no walk in the park. To say we had a tight schedule is an understatement. Originally commissioned as a 10-episode series, it turned into a 14-episode run when the client liked what we delivered and requested more after we wrapped production.

This wasn’t your regular podcast show in a small studio with a few cameras. We had 5-camera setups, social cutdowns, BTS footage, full art direction, and more. It was chaotic, but we pulled it off as a team. This team? My ride-or-die crew now. ;)

Amidst all the chaos, I managed to squeeze in a short trip to Hong Kong, one of my favorite cities, to spend time with my family.

It was nice to take a breather from post-production and practice my “digital nomadism.” Growing up watching Hong Kong films made me dream of becoming a filmmaker—not because of Wong Kar Wai (though I respect his works) but because of Johnny To and Andrew Lau.

While in Hong Kong, I received news that we were commissioned for Season 2 of our documentary series on Singapore’s Paralympians. After covering the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics in Season 1, this time it was for the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

Documentary work is familiar territory for me, but shadowing these athletes during their rigorous training taught me a new definition of grit.

I was also honored to be chosen as a judge and speaker for the 2024 CNB Drug-Free SG Video Competition. This industry has given me so much, and I felt it was only right to pay it forward.

What we thought would be a one-season show became a 20-episode renewal. Season 2 had to go bigger—and it did. We filmed a podcast episode at Bukit Brown Cemetery (with proper permits) for the premiere and at Haw Par Villa for the Halloween finale.

We also leveled up production by partnering with DC Pro, PMI Gear, and Aputure for equipment support. Looking back, I think we outdid ourselves for Season 2—but we’ve set the bar high if there’s a Season 3. #manifesting

For season 1 of the Paralympians documentary, I joked to my producers, “Wouldn’t it be great if we could capture the Paralympians at the actual Paralympic arena?” Well four years later, we manifested that too!? The producers managed to secure funding (thank you RK, Fanny, Jayce and team)

Thanks to funding, I flew to Paris with Chervin, my usual collaborator and cinematographer. Two weeks of non-stop shooting away from home were challenging, but I lowkey miss those days.

I also launched my own online creator journey this year with my YouTube channel Creative Swiss Knife and SlowArtArchive. It’s still in its infancy, but if you’re into photography, behind-the-scenes content, podcasts, and documentaries, do check it out.

Returning to Singapore, I was surprised to learn that Ghost Maps won Best Fictional Podcast (Indie) at the Asia Podcast Awards 2024. On top of that, Singapore’s Little Thailand won at the 2024 Bangkok Movie Awards!

Took a well-deserved break by first visiting my extended family in Fujian, China, with the entire Ong clan from Singapore (can you believe that I’m the 3rd generation of Ongs since my grandfather landed on these shores?). He was a late starter, I guess—haha. Also managed to sneak in some filming around there (which will be announced in due time).

Then we took a detour to my favourite country (other than Singapore), Japan, as we bid farewell to both the China-based Ongs as well as the Singapore Ongs. It was my first multi-country trip ever, so that was quite an experience. We stayed mostly in Osaka but experienced our first autumn.

We ended the year with a celebration for HANTU’s 5th anniversary at Enclave Bar, which also featured in my Golden Mile Complex documentary.

2024 has been a year of manifestations, milestones, and unforgettable memories.

2025, let’s f***ing go!

-Kyle

#annuallogs #kyleong #creativejourney #2024 #manifestation #selfimprovement #writing #reflection