Filmmaker | Theatre Practitioner | Media and Technical Theatre Educator

Yusri Shaggy Sapari is a professional kepo (busybody) using the medium of recorded video to explore stories of people. He started his journey recording his grandmother and TV shows on his audio cassette tape recorder as a child.

Shaggy went on later in his teenage years to study media hoping to become a journalist. That’s when he fell in love with the arts. Upon graduation in 2009, Shaggy worked on commercial and television sets as a production intern.

In 2011, he started work in The Necessary Stage to digitise their video archives recorded between 1987 to the 2000s. Later on, he was hired as a theatre video and sound technician in several main season and touring productions. This period brought him on tour to other cities such as Rijeka in Croatia, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Brisbane and New York City.

Shaggy had the opportunity to be mentored by Brian Gothong Tan as part of the Orange Playground in 2014 to train him into a multimedia designer.

As a multimedia designer, Shaggy has worked on shows with the Singapore Theatre Festival, The Esplanade, Lasalle College of the Arts, Singapore Repertory Theatre, M1 Singapore Fringe Festival, Bhaskar Arts Academy and The Necessary Stage.

Shaggy spent countless hours in the theatre during those years and left in December 2015 to form Paradise Pictures in 2016.

Paradise Pictures was created as a platform for Shaggy to use his experience in theatre to capture theatrical shows in their best light. Many performing arts companies struggle with finding the right fit to record their shows. Shaggy hopes to use his experience to improve on what has been done by those before him. You can often see Paradise Pictures supporting shows at theatre venues all around Singapore.

Shaggy is also an award winning documentary filmmaker having achieved the Film Grant Award in 2018 with Freedom Film Festival, Nominated for Best Documentary at the National Youth Film Awards, Viddsee Juree Audience Choice Award and Bronze Award for Excellence in Filmmaking for Spotlight Film Awards in 2019.

Shaggy’s works explore themes of identity, culture and heritage in Singapore. He is not limited to his own culture as a Malay Singaporean of Javanese descent having been involved in The National Heritage Board’s Intangible Cultural Heritage documentary project exploring Chinese, Indian, Eurasian cultures and beyond within Singapore.

Aside from film, Shaggy enjoys food but these days he loves being frugal even more.

Roles: Film Director, Multi-cam Director, Director of Photography, Film Producer, Projection Designer, Film Editor, Film Colourist

Recognition/Awards

Freedom Film Fest Trailer Boys Paradise Pictures.jpg

Audience Choice Juree Viddsee Paradise Pictures.jpg

Commissioned Artwork - Spinning Connections: Creative Takes on Intangible Cultural Heritage by National Museum of Singapore and Maybank Foundation - Kilatkan Silat 2023
Official Selection - Cambodia International Film Festival 2020 - Trailer Boys 2018
Kuala Lumpur International Film Festival in the Sky 2020 - Trailer Boys 2018
Bronze Award Winner - Spotlight Film Awards 2019 - Trailer Boys 2018
Audience Choice Award - Viddsee Juree Awards 2019 - Trailer Boys 2018
Nominee, Best Documentary, Open Youth Category - National Youth Film Awards 2019 - Trailer Boys 2018
Official Selection - Singapore Shorts 2019 - Trailer Boys 2018
Film Grant Winner - Freedom Film Festival 2018 - Trailer Boys 2018

OFFICIAL SELECTION - Kuala Lumpur International Film Festival in the Sky - 2020.png

OFFICIAL SELECTION - Cambodia International Film Festival - 2020.png

Bronze Award Winner - Spotlight Documentary Film Awards - 2020.png

Film Grant Award - Freedom Film Festival - 2018 Black.png

Performances/ Exhibitions/ Talks/ Works - 2016-Present

Multimedia Designer 2015 - PRESENT

Anak by Alvin Tan 2023
Kilatkan Silat, Paradise Pictures at National Museum of Singapore as part of National Heritage Board, Directed by Yusri Shaggy Sapari & Sarah Lin 2023
What’s The Buzz, Viddsee, Directed by Yusri Shaggy Sapari 2022
Butterfly Lovers, Bhaskar’s Arts Academy and Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Directed by Santha Bhaskar 2022
Butterfly Lovers, Bhaskar’s Arts Academy and Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Directed by Santha Bhaskar 2021
Model Citizens, The Necessary Stage, Directed by Alvin Tan 2021
Marabu: The Forgotten Sentinels, Bhaskar’s Arts Academy, Directed by Santha Bhaskar 2021
Pivot!, Jo Tan, Directed by Chong Tze Chien 2021
Shook, NUS Stage, Written and Directed by Sean Tobin 2021
Mak Mak Menari, M1 Singapore Fringe Festival, Co-Directed by Soultari Amin Farid and Grace Lee-Khoo 2020
Caught by Singapore Repertory Theatre, Directed by Ed Sylvanus Iskandar 2019
We Were So Hopeful Then, The Necessary Stage The Orange Production, Directed by Alvin Tan 2019
A New And Better You, Lasalle College of the Arts, Directed by Edith Podesta 2019
Mergers & Accusations, Esplanade, Directed by Chen Yingxuan 2019
Marina Bay Sands Best of Best Award Show, Rawspark Group 2019
Marina Bay Sands Lunar New Year, Rawspark Group 2019
Trailer Boys, Paradise Pictures, Directed by Yusri Shaggy Sapari 2018
Extra-Ordinary Celebrations, Extra-Ordinary People, Directed by Richard Tan 2018
Requiem for Change, Lasalle College of the Arts, Directed by David Glass 2018
Building A Character, Singapore Theatre Festival, Directed by Mei Ann Teo 2018
NOMAD, Ang Mo Kio Secondary Anniversary, Directed by Adib Kosnan 2018
Fuchun Fiesta, Fuchun Sec School, Directed by Adib Kosnan 2018
28.8, Teater Kami, Directed by Adib Kosnan 2017
State of Mind, Directed by Thong Pei Qin 2016
Furthest North Deepest South, NUS Theatre Studies Year 3 Show, written by Chong Tze Chien, directed by Felipe Cervera 2015

Theatre Sound/Multimedia Operator 2012-2015

Best Of, The Necessary Stage 2015 (Brisbane, Australia & New York City, United States of America Tour)
Pioneer (Girls) Generation, The Necessary Stage 2015
Gitanjali [I feel the earth move], The Necessary Stage 2014
Don’t Know, Don’t Care, The Necessary Stage 2014 (Singapore School Tour)
The Project, The Necessary Stage 2014 (Singapore School Tour)
Poor Thing, The Necessary Stage 2014
Best Of, The Necessary Stage 2014 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tour)
Best Of, The Necessary Stage 2013 (Penang, Malaysia Tour)
Mobile 2: Flat Cities, The Necessary Stage 2013 (Singapore & Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tour)
The Project, The Necessary Stage 2013 (Singapore School Tour)
October, The Necessary Stage 2012
Crossings, The Necessary Stage and Trafik (Croatia) 2012 (Rijeka, Croatia Tour)
Crossings, The Necessary Stage and Trafik (Croatia) 2012
Singapore, The Necessary Stage 2012
Director, Director of Photography, Colourist 2016-PRESENT
Oleanna - Major Minor Encounters & The Windland Collective 2024
Agape Education Reels - 2024
5th TGV Global Blockchain Sustainability - 2024
Oligo Asia Corporate Video - Human Resources Technology Festival 2024
Get READy, Write Now - Singapore Management University 2024
Intellect Sales Video for Chanel 2024
Intellect Sales Video for Standard Chartered Bank 2024
Get Ready, Write Now - Singapore Management University 2024
Hantu Kaki Kotor - Ekamatra 2024
Love All Around by Abhaya - Esplanade 2024
ASEAN SEDP 2.0 - Asean Foundation 2023
Gelek by The Public Space 2023
Tan Ean Kiam Arts Awards 2023 - National University of Singapore
Christmas Island by Nabilah Said Presented by Ekamatra 2023
Rollup Day by ALT Layer 2023
Demo Day by Oasys 2023
Hack-A-Ton by Ton Foundation 2023
The Public Space and Esplanade - Babes & Friends Together Again! Babes Conde, Louie Reyes and Ding Mercado 2023
Centre 42 - Asian Dramaturg’s Network - Book Launch Broadcast 2023
Vox Camerata - Musica Intimae 2023
T:>Works - 24-Hour Playwriting Competition 2023
Smile Asia - Asia Student Leadership Conference 2023
What's Considered Poor In Singapore? | Street Interview by Asian Boss 2023
Survivor Singapore by The Necessary Stage and Esplanade 2023
TZ APAC - Demo Day Broadcast and Marketing Videos 2023
Are All Singaporeans Rich? | Street Interview by Asian Boss 2023
Singapore Drama Educators Association - Theatre Arts Conference Broadcast 2023
SG Assist - Caregivers Among Us Documentary 2023
Singapore Institute of Technology - Learning by Design: Applied Learning Programme at Serangoon Gardens Secondary School 2023
Institute of Mental Health - training video, Confiding in Someone by Visual Story House 2023
Institute of Mental Health - training video, Giving Compliments by Visual Story House 2023
ESSENTIALLY MACBETH 必要麦克白 by NUS Chinese Drama, NUS Chinese Orchestra and Judy Ngo 2023
End of the Line by NUS Stage and Chong Tze Chien 2023
Connections Conference, Broadcast, by Singapore Drama Educators Association 2023
Gerak Symposium by NUS Centre for the Arts 2023
KKR Dinner & Dance, Pre-Performance Entrance Videos 2023
The Paiseh Pieces by The Second Breakfast Company 2023
#canyouhearme Campaign by Intellect Company 2023
Tri-vima by The Esplanade Co Ltd 2023
Clumsysaurus by Grace Lee-Khoo 2023
How Bad Is Cancel Culture In Singapore? | Street Interview by Asian Boss 2022
What Singaporeans Think Of China | Street Interview by Asian Boss 2022
Fei Yue Family Services Craft Kits 2022
Queered Fabulations: Worlding bodies in project SALOME Live-Stream by SIFA 2022
Tompang Lalu: The Innate Gesture - opening performance by TiTam Co. 2022
Panel Session: Safeguarding Policies in Singapore - Existing Frameworks and Practices Live-Stream by SDEA 2022
FUME, a performance by Pat Toh 2022
March On Programme by The Esplanade Co Ltd 2022
Lotus Root Support Group by Miriam Cheong, Shannen Tan and Renee Yeong 2022
Epiphyte by Sze-Wei Chan 2022 (Colourist only)
Lil Shake Mix Vol 2 by Patch and Punnet 2022
Street Art and Murals: Beyond Framed Narratives and Cliches Broadcast by Aliwal Arts Centre 2022
Rindu Di Bulan by Rupa co.lab 2022
DBS Bankassurance Corporate video 2022 (Director & Colourist)
PlayTime! The Noisy Forest by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2021
What Singaporeans Think Of Death Sentence For Mentally-Disabled Man | Street Interview by Asian Boss 2021
Viva NOS 10 by New Opera Singapore 2021
Vidsee Juree Awards 2021
The Rake’s Progress Digital Presentation by New Opera Singapore 2021
T Cares by T:>Works 2021
PlayTime! The Noisy Forest digital presentation by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2021
Grant Writing 101 by Singapore Drama Educators Association (SDEA) 2021
The Platform by Chowk Productions 2021
Mizuno Spring Summer Conference 2021
Jurong-Pioneer Junior College Malay Drama Video 2021
Playtime! Karang Guni Boy by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2021
Playtime! Karang Guni Boy Digital Presentation by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2021
Anglo-Chinese School Drama SYF Digital Presentation 2021
Shook by NUS Stage 2021
Playtime! Amaas Sarees by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2021
Playtime! I Nak Fly by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2021
Step-by-step Planting Guide | Every Child a Seed Programme by National Parks Board 2021
Embracing Difference by ITE Central and Adib Kosnan 2021
Matched Retirement Savings Scheme video by Woodlands Community Centre 2021
CosmicWander: Transcendence Broadcast by Singapore Art Museum 2021
Electrolux Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Annual General Meeting Broadcast 2021
Playtime! Amaas Sarees Digital Presentation by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2021
Playtime! I Nak Fly Digital Presentation by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2021
The Wolf of Mr Dong Guo《东郭与狼》Digital Presentation by Paper Monkey Theatre 2020
Journey West: Web of Deceit《西游记之盘丝洞》Digital Presentation by Paper Monkey Theatre 2020
Hug The Tree By Paper Monkey Theatre 2020
Lil Shake Mix Vol 1 by Patch and Punnet 2020
Reinventing Merpati by Ruzaini Mazani and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) 2020
Mizuno Spring and Summer Conference 2020
Viddsee Juree Award Show 2020
Singapore Botanic Gardens Exhibitions Videos by National Parks Board 2020
Pick-a-hero by Singapore Repertory Theatre 2020
Spotlight on The Artground by National Institute of Education 2020
Mak Mak Menari, M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2020
Fly High Promotional Videos by Singapore Repertory Theatre 2019
A Clockwork Orange by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2019
CATalysts by Singapore Repertory Theatre and Science Centre Singapore 2019
Late Night Texting 2019 by Centre 42
State of Love Trust and Stars Promotional Videos by The Substation 2019
Subtle Downtempo No by Raw Moves 2019
Ghost Call by Raw Moves 2019
TRACING SINGAPORE HISTORY THROUGH MALAY MUSIC by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2019
Faculty Interviews with Intercultural Theatre Institute 2019
Cassia Kaki by ArtsWok 2018
BITTEN: return to our roots by Thong Pei Qin and Dr Nidya Shanthini Manokara 2018
No Strings Attached Festival by Paper Monkey Theatre 2018
Bulan Madu by Teater Ekamatra 2018
ASEAN Data Science Explorers by ASEAN Foundation 2018
Peer Pleasure 2018 by ArtsWok 2018
Late Night Texting by Centre 42 2018
Points of View by Centre 42 2018
ASEAN Community Forum 3 by ASEAN Foundation 2018
National Heritage Board Intangible Cultural Heritage Documentaries 2018
Theatre Reviews: Last Word or the Start of a Conversation by Arts Equator at M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2018
Hayat by Pink Gajah at M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2018
National University of Singapore Dream Composition Competition 2018
Courts Megastore Opening 2017
No Strings Attached Festival by Paper Monkey Theatre 2017
Late Night Texting by Centre 42 2017
ASEAN Community Forum 2 by ASEAN Foundation 2017
Mother I Part 2 by Grace Kalaiselvi 2017
Feed Your Imagination, The Car by The Esplanade Co Ltd. 2017
NUS Centre for English Language Communication Instructional Videos 2017
Singapore Theatre Educators Association, Theatre Arts Conference 2017
Petty People by Thong Pei Qin, National University of Singapore 2017
ASEAN Community Forum 1 by ASEAN Foundation 2017
LIDAH AKU PUNYA by The Arts House 2016
The Malay Man and His Chinese Father by Noor Effendy Ibrahim 2016
Si Woof Woof by Noor Effendy Ibrahim 2016
Mother I, Amma Naan, Ibu Aku by Grace Kalaiselvi 2016

Media Educator Experiences 2017-Present

Teck Whye Primary School
Fairfield Methodist Secondary School
Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School, 2nd Prize & Honourable Mention Copyright School Challenge 2022 Video Competition
Victoria School, 3rd Prize Copyright School Challenge 2021 Video Competition
St Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School
Anglo-Chinese School (Secondary) (Barker Road)
Singapore Management University
Bedok Green Secondary School
Tampines Secondary School
Woodlands Primary School
Bedok North Secondary School
Riverside Secondary School
Sembawang Secondary School
New Town Secondary School
Meridian Secondary School
North View Primary School
Spectra Secondary School
Zhenghua Secondary School
Geylang Methodist Secondary School
Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School
Manjusri Secondary School
Ngee Ann Secondary School