According to my family, I lived up to my name growing up—quite the ham and very much into movies, science fiction, horror, the weird and unexplainable, and ever the joker.

My first crush was on a girl that was staying in my neighborhood. She was a thing of great beauty but she never noticed me.

I have to thank a neighbor who wanted to audition as a sports presenter on Ovaltine World of Sport back in 1980/81. He asked me to accompany him for moral support and after he finished his audition, Gregory Rozario popped his head out and asked me to audition as well.

They called me back, but not my neighbor; the following week then I was on the show co-hosting with Brian Richmond. My neighbor didn’t speak to me for a few months after that.

I am grateful that I am able to utilize my god given talent and get paid for it.

A great work attitude is also essential as well as the ability to be versatile.

The older generation remembers me from my days hosting World of Sport, It’s Your Move, Videoblast and POSB Show but the younger generation has far more distractions on social media so I am not that recognizable a face for the “now generation.”

Film was my escape growing up.

Having a 16 year gap between my second sister and I made me look for imaginary friends and the like, which I found on TV and in the comic books.

I was influenced by Rod Serling and the original Twilight Zone, the original Star Trek, Land of the Giants, Lost in Space, The Time Tunnel, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Night Gallery, Banacek, The Six Million Dollar Man, Jaws and a little movie called Star Wars.

Watching them made me forget I was alone at home and I used to mimic Rod Serling and Captain Kirk and his star date reports every week.

Being part of the SIFF is sort of a dream fulfillment. Watching the movies is one thing; actively being a part of the festival is something else and being able to interact with some of the idols that made the movies is the icing on the cake.

I don’t like missing out on trailers before a movie, movie patrons who keep using phones once the movie starts and drivers who cruise at speed limits in the overtaking lane.

The best advice I’ve been given: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t. The worst: Any time someone says, “Trust me.”

My guilty pleasure is Jamie Oliver’s 30 Minute Meals—my wife can’t keep me out of the kitchen.

I believe in ancient astronauts. The evidence is everywhere.