Fourteen months after the release of the TV big hit "My First Love Story", producers at SAMedia Productions have given the green light to begin production of its long overdue sequel, known as "The Girl Next Door".

Director Sam Chee Siang, who directed the entire filming process, told reporters: "We are going to begin filming the sequel soon, once we are done with it, release dates will be made known to public."

Filming of "My First Love Story" began on 26 Nov 2002 and took nine months to complete, but preparation works amounted to a stunning 15 months, including a 8.5 month production break in between due to external commitments

Made at a cost of more than SGD5000, it was the most expensive film SAMedia Productions ever undertook since it was established in 1983. "My First Love Story" was rated R(21) by the Singapore Board of Film Censors for reasons that remains undisclosed.

Starring XXX and YYY, "My First Love Story" tells of how the two persons met in college and lost touch before meeting up again and developing feelings for each other through studying for the A levels together.

The plot partially reflects the sad chain of events that tie down some 3000 boys every year. The couple eventually broke up a few months after the boy went to serve his National Service stint and the girl entered NUS and found another guy.

The female lead has defected over to a rival company some months after her contract with SAMedia Productions expired. It is rumoured that the female cast is now involved in the production of another serial known as "Finally A Real Princess".

SAMedia Productions refused to give more details on her defection. SAMedia spokesperson Mr Leumas said that this was classified as a 'trade secret' and the media was not entitled to know.

When asked if the Director felt angry about the female lead defecting over to a rival company, he calmly replied no, stating that she was entitled to 'seek greener pastures elsewhere' after her contract with SAMedia Productions had ended.

However, the Director added that there had better be originality in their script. He declared that if he sees his own being plagarised, he shall commence legal action against them for breaching copyright laws.

Rival company spokesperson, speaking on the condition of anonymity, says that he does not know when the filming will end. He believes it will most probably exceed the production length of "My First Love Story" marginally.

Critics say that "Finally A Real Princess" will definitely gross sales of "My First Love Story" as their media campaign is sizeable. However, skeptics say that like "My First Love Story", profit margins will be low due to the high production costs involved.

When asked whether SAMedia Productions will re-employ the female lead when her contract with the rival company expires, the Director's answer was "highly unlikely".

However, there might be a third sequel, Director Sam hinted. "That'll depend on the takings of the 2nd sequel, and many other factors that cannot be determined right now," he commented.

SAMedia is now looking for another female lead to star in "The Girl Next Door". Interested parties please email your complete resume to flykite@jolintsai.popz.tv

Remember to include your telephone number and wait for us to call you. PLEASE DO NOT CALL US.

--extracted from The SamHub Times, SAMedia Publications, dated 051004