Written by TSL Academy Content Creation Bootcamp x LKY Fund For Bilingualism
“Okay, ready? Action!” A second later – one young Gen Z creator blinks cold water from his eyelashes, mouthing in Singlish, “Kena sabo, but I took one for the team.”
This hilarious moment, born from one group’s improvised water scene, instantly captured the playful, unpredictable energy that makes truly compelling content come alive. This was no ordinary workshop.
Back by popular demand, TSL Academy partnered the Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism (LKYFB) to deliver youth-centric content creation bootcamps for a second year running. To make it accessible to budding creators, the full-day session hosted at TSL’s Office was completely free-of-charge for creators aged 17-25 to attend.
What followed after a hard day’s work in mastering short-form video creation, bilingual hosting techniques & GenAI translation tools, was a graduating class who walked away with renewed confidence in code-switching on camera to tell stories that bridge cultures & inspire us all.
Insider tips from TSL KOLs: “Bilingualism is a legit superpower“
The curtain on digital creation was officially opened by TSL’s own bilingual Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), Zhin and Selina. They covered the philosophy that juggling both English and one’s Mother Tongue onscreen wasn’t merely about translation, but storytelling that hits home across different cultures.
They spoke candidly about their real-world hustle, sprinkling in essential creative hacks, insider tips, and hard-earned lessons from years of crafting content that clicks. Their key takeaway was powerful: bilingualism is a legit superpower. It instantly unlocks doors to fresh humour, undeniably richer storytelling & regional opportunities for monetization across cultures.
Getting hands-on with content ideation & execution
Next, under the expert guidance of TSL Academy trainers, John and Alastair, participants secured a front-row seat to the intricate process of content execution. The duo meticulously broke down every stage of the creative journey – from the initial spark of an idea, to the intricacies of camera work on set – showing precisely how small concepts can explode into big, engaging narratives.
Participants didn’t just watch – they rolled up their sleeves. They collaborated on storyboards, bravely pitched scripts, and immediately began bringing their ideas to life. With continuous, real-time feedback from the trainers, the energy in the room remained infectious, transforming into a collaborative burst of activity as each group completed the ambitious task of scripting, filming & editing a wholly original 60-second video reel as their graduation assignment.
Renewed confidence & a toolkit of practical skills
By the close of the session, attendees walked away with much more than just notes. They left with renewed confidence, lasting inspiration, and a toolkit of practical skills to approach content creation with genuine purpose. With the right mindset and expert guidance, we can all craft content that resonates – both locally and globally – in today’s dynamic digital landscape.
All we have to do is start by sharing heartfelt stories in earnest, and work hard at fine-tuning our strategies & skills to develop a clear niche. In this case, it could very well simply be the ability to bridge cultures seamlessly through multi-language mastery.
About The Smart Local (TSL) Academy
TSL Academy, the learning and development arm of TSL Media Group, offers students, corporates, and aspiring media practitioners hands-on, industry-ready skills. With years of experience training clients and partners such as the Ministry of Home Affairs, IMDA, Singtel, and leading educational institutions, TSL Academy brings immersive workshops, structured mentorships, and practical training sessions to life. Participants gain insider insights into TSL’s proven digital content strategies while learning to craft stories that truly resonate across platforms. Dive into ‘GenAI in Content Creation,’ uncover the secrets of ‘Comms with Gen Z,’ and explore many more topics—all with TSL Academy.
For enquiries, contact us at [email protected].
