Behind the scenes of Mediacorp's realistic hospital set, where almost every TV drama ends up

Mediacorp maintains a highly realistic and versatile hospital set, a key production asset that brings countless medical scenes to life across numerous television dramas.

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I would say that in most dramas, there would be at least one hospital scene. I think, this is life. We try to show that to the audience.

This elaborate set includes functioning hospital beds, heartbeat monitors, and transformable wards that can span different eras. Actors like Romeo Tan and Felicia Chin, who star in the current drama "Better Days," have filmed numerous hospital scenes on this set throughout their careers. Tan noted that hospital scenes are common in dramas as they reflect life, making the set an essential element of studio production.

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Because it’s so difficult to film in real, busy hospitals, our set is often booked by multiple productions at once, including external projects. So, the set is designed to be highly customisable – the same space can be transformed from a B-class ward (four beds) into an A-class ward setup with added fixtures like a sink and bathroom, depending on the story and shooting requirements.

Mediacorp senior art director Chen Jia Gu explained that the set is continuously adapted to avoid being too recognizable between different productions. Because filming in actual busy hospitals is difficult, the set is frequently booked by multiple productions, including external projects. Its design allows for high customizability, enabling the same space to transform from a basic four-bed ward into a more equipped A-class setup with added fixtures, depending on the story's requirements.

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We try to use authentic equipment whenever we can to help the actors get into character. The hospital beds and heartbeat monitors aren't just for show – they actually work, and we also stock supporting props like bandages and oxygen masks to complete the look.

Authenticity is a priority, with most equipment, such as beds, gurneys, and monitors, mirroring those found in real medical facilities. Chen highlighted that the heartbeat monitor is the most expensive piece of equipment, contributing significantly to the essential hospital atmosphere with its persistent beep. The creation of this workspace involves detailed floor plans, construction drawings, and 3D models to ensure practicality for the crew and authenticity for the actors, facilitating planning for all departments involved in production.

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It’s been with us for a few years and is definitely the ‘MVP’ for adding that incessant beep and essential hospital atmosphere.