Influence through challenges
Nat Geo People’s new show Stepping Out takes social media influencers out of their comfort zones for a good cause, writes Bibi Nurshuhada Ramli
SOME of us take the comforts in life for granted. But what if they’re suddenly taken away? That’s what 16 social media influencers from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines have to go through on Nat Geo People’s new docu-series
They’re taken out of their comfort zones (no more high-speed Internet and air-conditioning!) and into entirely new surroundings — but it’s all for a good cause. In each episode, a pair of Internet stars will have to give up their mobile devices and spend the next three days learning and championing an assigned social or environmental cause through the guidance of a local NGO.
They will then go through two physical challenges to earn advantages before competing in the ultimate challenge where they will create the most compelling public service announcement (PSA) video on their cause to be shared with the world.
One of the featured influencers, Malaysia-based but British-born YouTuber, Mark O’Dea, told New Straits Times: “It may come across as a fun show but it highlights serious and meaningful social causes that all of us should know about.”
In his episode, the 26-year-old was given the chance to visit the Mah Meri Cultural Village near Sepang. He learnt about the unique cultures, heritage, and daily lifestyle of the Mah Meri Orang Asli tribe when picking clams and trying out their cultural dance.
“To be honest, I am spoilt with a privileged life — with comfy beds, my own choice of food, hot showers, air conditioning... I admit that I dreaded going on
but it was actually a good opportunity for me to reflect on my blessings while overcoming my fears and challenges.”
The rest of the Internet stars featured are Hanie Hidayah, Jenn Chia, Jared Lee, Joseph Germani and Faiz Dickie from Malaysia; Coraleen Waddell, Lloyd Cadena and Medyo Maldito from the Philippines; Hirzi Zulkiflie, Dee Kosh, Jasmine Lee and Trevor Tham from Singapore; and Ria Sukmawijaya, Nessie Judge and Aulion from Indonesia.
The other NGOs featured are Reef Check Malaysia Juara Turtle Project; Eats, Shoots & Roots; Biji-Biji Initiative; Science of Life Studies 24/7; Damai Disabled People’s Association; Management & Ecology of Malaysian Elephants (Meme) and Bukit Merah Orangutan Island Foundation.
So what was O’Dea’s biggest takeaway? “Don’t complain and learn how to appreciate life and what you have! You may think that you aren’t privileged, but some people may have it worse.”
Show producer Lina Tan of Red Communications shares more about the show’s conceptualisation.
HOW DID THE IDEA COME ABOUT?
My friends told me that some kids today don’t even know what a live chicken looks like. Glued to their gadgets, they don’t go outdoors. And then some people always click “Like” or comment “Great job!” on the charity projects they see on their social media timeline. How many of them actually go out there and get involved?
The whole idea of the show was to create awareness of these causes and garner enough interest from viewers to go volunteer themselves.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS?
We looked at turtle and reef conservation, we studied sustainable food gardening in an urban environment and we tried our hand at upcycling (using waste materials to create new products), among others.
We also highlighted the Orang Asli. There were no judgment calls, but more of observing and respecting their way of life. We made the influencers live in huts with no electricity. (laughs)
In the elephant conservation episode, one of the challenges was to go through elephant dung and find fruit seeds. Apparently the dung make really good fertilisers!
HOW DID YOU PREPARE FOR THE SHOW?
The conceptualisation took about three years where we had help from Finas who gave us a research grant. We wanted to highlight different causes and we made sure they were interesting enough for television. We also checked to see if the Internet stars were game enough for the challenge and would bring something entertaining to the show.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS TO BE THE STARS OF THE SHOW INSTEAD OF ACTORS OR SINGERS?
These Internet stars create their own content for their respective online platform, so I feel they’re more creative and genuine when it comes to coming up with their own PSA videos. We didn’t tell them what to say to the cameras.
HOW DO YOU THINK THEY FARED?
For these Internet stars, it’s not just about the competition at the end of the day but their journey as well. They had no idea what they were getting themselves into. We brought them to the NGO locations and without warning took away their phones. Being Internet stars, they were like fish out of water! (laughs)
Even though there was drama at the beginning, the influencers turned out to have a great time and the experience had changed their lives for the better. The show aims to prove that if you set your mind to it, you can do anything.