Skyshot pitched an engineering series entitled Tomorrow City to CNA early last year and it was commissioned in April 2020. After 1.5 years of hard work, the 3 episodes were broadcast in August & September 2021. You can catch all the episodes on meWATCH
Filming Challenges
The Covid-19 pandemic happened right at the start of pre-production and the construction sector in Singapore came to a grinding halt for around 6 months until Oct 2020. As a result, the principal filming was delayed for around 6 months. Getting access to the construction projects was the biggest hurdle to overcome. Besides attending numerous safety induction courses, there were Covid safety measures like regular PCR testings, safe distancing measures. Crew scheduling became harder to plan and execute.
Filming Methods
Construction processes can vary from several hours, days and or months. To capture them, our crew uses our Titan DSLR time-lapse camera systems, running at shooting intervals from several seconds to as long as 15 mins. Drone filming is also used to capture the scale of these massive projects from the air.
Synopsis
In the first episode, we tunnel under and feature the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System as it enters its second phase. But tunnelling on such a scale comes with its challenges and to construct within limited space, the team has to employ state-of-the-art machinery. Next, the series takes a closer look at Singapore’s solar master plan. Renewable energy takes space and to meet its targeted energy output, planners have to relook at how space is utilised. Lastly, the city of tomorrow needs to secure its economic future, by upgrading the infrastructure that supports the lifeblood of Singapore, the port.
Episode 1- EARTH
The Deep Tunnel Sewage System 2 or DTSS are among the deepest tunnels in Singapore, reaching a depth of 55 meters. The team filmed the tunnel boring machine and the specialists working on these monster size robot. It was certainly a challenge filming in these confined spaces with limited ventilation.
Singapore’s sewage system takes 300 hectares more space than it currently needs. This mega-project promises to change that, by building a mega-sewer underground. By using new technology, this infrastructure will also take Singapore’s sewage management well into the next century. But tunnelling under built up areas is less than ideal. The team has to find the space to get massive tunnel boring machines underground. Even underground, they have to contend with geological challenges and the ever present risk of sinkholes.
Episode 2 - SUN
Singapore is geologically challenged and with climate change, growing population, and economic competition – the country needs land to develop. To overcome the pervasive space challenge, the country is investing in mega-projects that will help overcome this problem and take it into the next century.
In this episode, Singapore’s largest floating farm is proving a challenge to engineers who are doing it for the first time and the construction team has to find new and innovative ways to complete the project.
When completed, the energy generated will contribute to a large part of Singapore’s 2030 solar target. But scientists are looking further into the future. To boost the country’s solar energy generation, they are developing the next generation of solar panels.
Episode 3 - WATER
Surrounded by the sea and impacted by intense weather patterns, Singapore is a small island with limited natural resources. To survive, it must future-proof its economy while looking after the needs of its residents.
In this episode, Tuas Megaport rises from the bottom of the ocean, as Singapore races its most ambitious construction project to date to build the biggest container port in the world by 2040. Singapore is building the biggest AI-powered container port to date. But as the city builds, more water is needed to supply its growing population. At Singapore’s top research institute, research teams rely on Nobel Prize knowledge to develop a high-tech filtration system. If it works, it could become a key part of Singapore’s water supply chain.
You can catch the full episodes on meWATCH
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