By Joe Lee From NST Online , 19 June 2004

THE former Australian International School, abandoned over a year ago, has now been reincarnated – it’s now the home for another educational institution with far more glamorous aims.

It may look beautiful (or outrageously tacky to some) in its obnoxious yet enticing blue and yellow, but it’s definitely eye- catching. It houses 12 of the most popular students of any local educational facility.

A huge sign proclaims the three-storey bungalow in Kajang’s Country Heights is home to Akademi Fantasia 2.

If the sprawling grounds are not impressive enough with its koi fish ponds and paved driveway, then the four foot tall AF man welcoming visitors at the entrance into the Akademi would perhaps (disturbingly) do the trick.

As loud as the building is with its bright choice of hues, so is the interior. With its sponsored choice of furnishing, it’s a combination of a high-tech kindergarten, Andy Warhol’s playroom, an explosion in a paint factory, or simply (if you’re a huge fan), the perfect environment to stimulate creativity.

Over RM200,000 was spent to turn the abandoned building into the colourful Akademi, which varies from sophisticated in the vocal and dance training areas, to leisurely in the bedrooms and many living rooms and simply homely in the kitchen, dining rooms and common rooms.

There’s every convenience in the two used floors of the teaching area on the first floor and the living quarters on the second.

From Coke-stocked refrigerators, aromatherapy candles littered around the building to the huge aquarium which acts as a divide between the dance training area and the kitchen, to the comfy pillows strewn around the living room, the Akademi reeks of luxurious comfort.

There are even exercise bicycles available for use in one of their lounging areas.

Interestingly enough, if you’ve seen the ‘set’, you would have noticed the underwater motif, which is not there without a reason.

Set designers Rafidah Othman and Faizal Zulkifli were responsible for the choice which bears a meaning deeper than the nearby aquarium.

Apparently, the mirrors aquarium/sea life themed decor, reflects the ‘Truman Show’ life of the students in the Akademi.

There are extensive two-way mirrors running every length of the first floor, concealing a dozen cameras and just as many members of the production crew and cameramen.

They are there to offer a voyeuristic journey for viewers into the kids’ lives.

The Akademi can indeed be likened to a well-decorated aquarium.

And indeed, this is the most interesting thing about the whole gigantic set, which is what the Akademi really is. Especially when you consider how well the whole production is actually concealed from the students.

Crew members are hidden away, as with a makeshift studio in the ground floor of the Akademi, hidden from view while cameras only exist in hidden corridors behind the walls of the rooms.

It’s nothing short of amazing that all the rooms on the first floor (the second which is the living quarters is camera-free), are actually rooms built within rooms, though they look nothing like sets from the inside with entrances to the corridors cleverly concealed.

Exits are strategically placed away from the sight of students as production and technical crew begin work from as early as 7am until 10pm.

As many as 70 can be on duty at a time while no less than five will be on guard around the clock, monitoring as well the 12 hidden cameras and two visible remote cameras aiding in gathering enough footage for the show.

And boy, are the kids on show. With classes beginning as early as 8am, with just brief meal and prayer breaks offering a brief respite from the hectic schedule, the kids are pretty much on display with no contact to the outside world.

Apart from audio visual monitoring of the students’ whereabouts, 24-hour security and two wardens – each taking charge of the male and female students dorms – keep an eye on the students.

Heck, monitoring of their movement extends to when the male students are taken to Friday prayers at a nearby mosque, as well as when a Christian student heads for church on Sunday.

Those are the only times they’re allowed to step out of the grounds.

Other than the lack of freedom, the students are indeed well taken care of, pampered even with every homely luxury present.

After all, how many Coke machines, TVs and living rooms do you really need? And while they only haul an overnight bag with them into the Akademi (to avoid discrimination based on their respective backgrounds), they will be leaving with a ton of sponsored items like clothes and shoes used daily in the Akademi.

Everything is provided from toiletries to teddy bears for the girls, and it’s more than enough to compensate for the strenuous weeks of training that they have to endure.

So if they come out complaining this time around, they should deservedly be sent home with a hard smack, especially if they don’t perform to expectations – which so far they have – in bettering the results of their seniors.

KEEPING TRACK OF AF

DIARI Akademi, used to be aired just once a day from 8pm with a repeat at 11.30pm, is now on twice daily, at noon and at 8pm with repeats at 11.30pm -12.30pm back to back, on Astro Ria.

And with increased airtime, coupled with bigger production efforts, the second season of Akademi Fantasia has managed to live up to the hype, with the ‘Got The Fever?’ tagline indeed becoming a relevant enquiry as many have succumbed to the epidemic that is Akademi Fantasia.

While there was initially concern over how the second season would fare, the follow-up seems to have eclipsed its predecessor, being bigger and better in every way, especially due to the 12 students chosen this time.

With better vocals, interesting personalities and all-out dedication from the kids, AF2, especially in its first concert at the MPPJ Civic Centre last Saturday, bears testimony to the abilities of the talented dozen. They have exceeded the low expectations set by their seniors, after just five days under the watchful eye of the faculty.

Decent performances came from Farah, (Seandainya Masih Ada Cinta), Zahid (Percayakan Siti), Adam (Jangan Lafazkan) as well as Nurul (Sejak Ku Bertemu Padamu). AF2 polled favourite Linda, too, all right with Melly Goeslow’s Tak Tahan Lagi.

The students that reminded of umps in reminiscence of their seniors’ often less than average offerings were Edlin (Bintang Hati), and Anding (Jika Kau Bercinta Lagi).

More impressive were Zarina (best known for her role as the former fiance of first season graduate Khai) with Kris Dayanti’s Mencintaimu, Bob and Hail Amir’s Wajah Kesayangan Hamba and Mas, who did better than expected with Ella’s Permata Biru.

Kaer, one half of the lovable comic duo with Mas, also deserves applause for his sterling effort with the rather difficult Januari. Fitri? He could be the weak link.

Overall, it was an impressive first concert as the judges – director Rashid Sibir, singer Awie and Kudsia Kahar – would agree.

The first two weeks of concert, though, won’t have much bearing on the kids’ future, as will the daily programmes. That’s because the elimination process only happens in the third week.

From there, the format remains pretty much the same.

The prize for the top graduate this time is awesome – the winner will drive away with a Citroen C3 worth RM120,000 sponsored by Directional (M) Sdn Bhd as well as RM10,000 cash.

We’re also glad the faculty, with three new additions, is also doing a top-notch job with excellent performances by Siti Hajar Ismail (vocal tone), Adnan Abu Hassan (vocals), Linda Jasmine and Corrie Lee (dance and choreography), Fatimah Abu Bakar (performing arts) and Ramli MS as the principal.

However, we’re a little concerned about motivational speaker Dr Abdullah Sher Kawi, who appears to be more intent on giving his best side to the camera.

His motivational gushings can be a bit ‘yucky’ at times.

CAN’T get enough of the kids? Here’s more info on them. For updates on Akademi Fantasia, surf over to our forum here

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