The Making of Senyuman

Every project has its own heartbeat. A rhythm made up of ideas, challenges, laughter, and countless moments behind the scenes. For us, Senyuman was more than just a mini-series. It was a journey of creativity, collaboration, and a shared belief in the power of storytelling to connect with people in a meaningful way. This is a behind-the-scenes look at how Senyuman was created, highlighting each step of the process.

The Brief

The initial brief we received from our client McDonald’s Malaysia was to come up with an idea for their International French Fry Day campaign. As we did our research and collected consumer insights, many of the people we surveyed said that when it comes to Fries, it has to be McDonald’s.

“McDonald’s Fries have a nostalgic feeling. It gives a lot of memories,” said Dorothy Fong, the script writer and director of Senyuman.

As we began developing the story of Senyuman, it became evident that the series was more than just about Fries. What started as a campaign idea grew into a story about memories, both joyful and painful.

Casting

The mini-series needed two main casts: Ming, a quiet and withdrawn young man who had forgotten how to smile, and June, a bubbly and happy-go-lucky colleague who tries her best to cheer him up. Finding the right cast to embody these two characters was crucial in bringing the heart of Senyuman out in the best way possible.

For the role of June, Nabila Razali felt like the perfect fit. Having already collaborated with McDonald’s Malaysia in previous campaigns, she was a familiar face to the brand. More importantly, her natural charm and warmth effortlessly embodied the character we had envisioned for June, making her presence on screen feel both authentic and relatable.

As for Ming, one of our team members suggested Jack Tan, an award-winning actor known for his emotional depth and versatility. His ability to convey complex emotions with subtlety made him the ideal choice to bring such a layered character to life, and his dedication on set elevated the story in ways that resonated with everyone involved.

“He acted in Abang Adik and also in the movie Gold. I was really impressed by his acting, so I immediately thought of him, that’s why I suggested him,” said Lim Shi Ying, the Assistant Director of Senyuman.

Jack Tan and Nabila Razali in between takes on set

Music

No story feels complete without the right music. The moment we heard Senyuman, a song written and performed by Malaysian vocal harmony group, Back2Basixx, we knew we had found our theme song. Lively, heartfelt, and unforgettable.

Yet the series also had quieter, more emotional moments, which called for softer, more intimate music that was specifically crafted for each scene.

Samuel Tan, the music composer for Senyuman’s soundtracks said he allowed the story to fuel his emotion when producing the music, translating the core meaning of the story through the music.

“I had to step out of the usual structure of music production and play the music by feeling,” he said.

Pre-Production

With just a month to prepare for a three-day shoot, the team had to work around the clock to make it happen. Everything needed to come together, from casting extras and sourcing the right outfits, to securing locations and preparing every single prop for each scene.

Of course, things didn’t always go according to plan. With such a short timeline, challenges came up almost daily. From last-minute changes to unexpected delays. But through plenty of problem-solving and teamwork, we managed to push through and get everything ready in time for the shoot.

Illustration of Unique Way of Eating Fries

3-Day Production

The three shoot days were intense, filled with late nights, hungry moments, and constant adjustments to unforeseen changes, which sometimes put the schedule behind, forcing the team to think on their feet and adapt quickly. Despite the challenges, spirits remained high, and everyone including the cast and crew stayed cooperative and focused. Each department played their part, from lighting and camera crews to production assistants, ensuring each scene was executed well. On top of that, the actors and talents delivered amazing performances, bringing the emotions of Senyuman to life in a way that exceeded everyone’s expectations.

Post-Production

As soon as shooting wrapped, the team immediately dived into the offline cuts of all seven episodes. Remarkably, the offline edits were completed in just three days, a testament to the team’s efficiency and focus. Watching the episodes come together was an emotional experience; many of us found ourselves tearing up at the story unfolding on screen. The client’s feedback was minimal, and they too were moved by the series.
Once the offline cuts were approved, we moved on to the online edits. This stage naturally took longer, as we polished the visuals, fine-tuned the pacing, and made adjustments to the music to ensure each scene’s emotion was executed accurately.

Watch all episodes here:

Media Launch

After months of hard work, it was finally time to share Senyuman with the world. The media launch brought together various media outlets and press for a first look at the series. Our main cast, Jack Tan, Nabila Razali and Jian Wen were present as well to share their experiences and answer questions about bringing their characters to life. Adding to the excitement, Back2Basixx performed their song, Senyuman, live for everyone, filling the room with energy and good vibes. Seeing everyone’s reactions, laughter, tears, and applause was incredibly rewarding and a fitting celebration of the teamwork and creativity that made Senyuman possible.