(From Left) Mr Mohammad Masri Abdul Rahman, CPL Wesley Agustian, LCP Pan Zian, and LCP Amadia Pramudita Pradayan Rachman in the editing room.
If you’ve been following SCDF on its social media platforms, you might have seen some of the captivating videos created by the talented team at MPU. Meet Mr Mohammad Masri Abdul Rahman and CPL Wesley Agustian, who bring their talents and dedication to every project they undertake.
Driven by a passionate team of three officers and full-time National Servicemen (NSF), the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s (SCDF) Media Production Unit (MPU) makes learning about emergency preparedness and SCDF’s lifesaving mission engaging and enjoyable.
Leading this dynamic team is Mr Mohammad Masri Abdul Rahman, the Senior Creative Producer. Reflecting on his career, the 45-year-old says: “I’ve always been fascinated by the power of storytelling and its impact on people. Growing up, I was inspired by how filmmakers and producers could educate and inspire audiences.” This fascination led to a fulfilling career in media production, starting as an AV Production Officer in the Corporate Audio Visual Section, and later playing a key role in establishing the MPU in 2019.
CPL Wesley Agustian, a Multimedia Specialist in MPU, combines artistic talent with skills in multimedia management and digital communication. “I have found my sweet spot, where my skills and interests align perfectly with the unit’s goals. In MPU, I get to integrate my artistic side with my organisational skills,” says the 26-year-old, who handles various projects from managing MPU’s assets as the unit’s archiver to creating engaging publicity collaterals.
Here are some highlights from their time in MPU, reflecting on their most challenging and rewarding projects, impactful community initiatives and personal growth.
The team helping a firefighter talent with the final touches to his attire before filming an action scene.
Mr Masri: Producing a long-form anthology film for SCDF’s Workplan 2020 during the pandemic was extremely challenging. We had to adjust our production strategy while ensuring safety protocols for our cast and crew. We faced challenges like coordinating remote shoots, working with a minimal crew and rigorous sanitisation during filming. Despite this, our team was determined to present a compelling story, and we’re proud of the final product.
CPL Agustian: The Singapore Global Firefighters & Paramedic Challenge (SGFPC) in November 2023 was a standout project. On a tight timeline, we enhanced the event’s theme and design, creating publicity collaterals like a wall banner at Bugis MRT Station, advertisement screen doors at Tanah Merah MRT Station, posters and a TikTok advertisement. It was a real test of our creative problem-solving and communication skills. As the archivist, I also led the team in cataloguing and preserving all event assets for future reference. This project was my biggest challenge so far, and my proudest accomplishment!
Mr Masri: Producing a musical video for SCDF was the most rewarding for me. Despite music production not being our forte, we composed three original scores within two weeks, which was no easy feat! Interestingly, the video was inspired by a true story of an undergraduate unhappy with her boyfriend joining SCDF. Our video highlighted the bravery and dedication of SCDF officers, and it has since become a hit among officers, showcasing the power of creative storytelling and its impact on people’s lives. I am grateful to my boss for allowing us to explore and experiment with new production methods.
Mr Masri and CPL Agustian: Our festive video for Hari Raya had a significant impact on the community. Our in-house talents brought the story to life, emphasising fire safety and prevention. The messaging — especially the tagline ‘Keep your family close but your Rendang closer (attended at all times)’ — highlighted the importance of kitchen fire safety.
The overwhelmingly positive response, with many sharing their own stories and appreciating SCDF’s gentle reminder, proved the effectiveness of subtle messaging in driving home key points of SCDF’s mission of saving lives and educating the public on safety and emergency preparedness.
Capturing the moment without making a splash while filming DART Specialists for the SCDF recruitment TV commercial.
Mr Masri: I believe in nurturing an environment that encourages creativity and experimentation. Giving my team the freedom to explore new ways to tell the SCDF story and take risks is crucial. This approach inspires us to produce content that resonates with our audience. I appreciate the energy and creativity our team of mostly NSFs team brings, helping us stay current with trends and technology in photography, videography and storytelling.
CPL Agustian: Working in a team of NSFs with diverse backgrounds and skills has been transformative. Our team may come from different backgrounds and have different skills — design, audio, engineering, film, and management — but we unite to overcome difficulties and produce quality content. With a shared goal and willingness to help each other, nothing is too difficult for us.
Enjoying a light-hearted moment with the cast and crew between scenes.
Mr Masri: The camaraderie within MPU extends beyond professional duties. We enjoy family-like reunions when former NSFs return for In-Camp Training. Once an MPU member, always an MPU member.
CPL Agustian: I cherish the friendships formed during intense projects like the SGFPC. These experiences show that meaningful connections can thrive even in a fast-paced work environment.
CPL Agustian: The MPU experience has been a catalyst for my personal and professional growth. I am not only getting better at my job, but also growing as a person. I am more confident in leading and communicating with a team to meet our goals.
These skills will benefit me in my future endeavours, including my aspiration to become a Malay language teacher. I am passionate about language and culture and believe that our mother tongue is a precious part of our heritage, connecting us to our roots and community.
*This story has been adapted from an article that was originally published in SCDF’s digital magazine, Rescue995.
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