As agent to such Australian stars as Cate Blanchett and Anthony LaPaglia, she knows intimately the machinery behind motion pictures.

Three years ago, RGM Entertainment Group, an Australian company, set up a Singapore base, saying that Asia 'offered plenty of opportunity for growth'.

RGM is behind the partial shooting of Point Break 2 here, and is in talks for another film to be shot entirely here. Its long-term goal is to mine Asia for film-worthy material, post-production talent and possibly, stars for the big screen.

The 56-year-old is married to an actor, Robert Hughes, and the couple's home is a condominium in Leonie Hill. Their daughter, who is married and has a son, also lives here.

Ms Gardiner, herself, once nursed hopes of screen acting until she realised she 'hadn't the commitment to be rejected, possibly, that many times in a day'. But what she does have is a knack for talent spotting.

'When I first saw Cate, she just struck me as being amazing,' recalls the Sydney native of their first meeting years ago.

With experience and opportunities - such as the ones created by RGM - she reckons talent here might also have a shot at Hollywood.

Q Australia has produced stars from Cate Blanchett to Anthony LaPaglia to Geoffrey Rush. If you had to name Singaporean talents who could make it in Hollywood, who would they be?

A There are many talented Singapore actors, writers and film-makers; I would never single anyone out. Actors such as Lim Kay Tong have already had considerable success in the US. It's harder for actors, since not so many roles are available, but for writers and film-makers, it is a matter of whether they want to tread the commercial path, or remain local film-makers.

Q The Australian Theatre for Young People is Australia's flagship youth theatre company, and involves more than 6,000 young people. Nicole Kidman started there in her teens, and now is the company's patron. Could we operate a similar hothouse here?

A I understand that there are already some similar schools for children interested in theatre here.

I believe Singapore will produce many fine actors, film-makers and writers from these kinds of youth groups. They may not even be restricted to actors and film-makers, but extend to all artists, dancers and musicians.

Q You've lived in Sydney - near the Opera House, the Blue Mountains and Manly Beach. What has Singapore got to offer by comparison?

A You can't compare the two cities, and you should not. Singapore has the tropical landscape. The pool water is always warm which is a big plus for me! The city is easy to navigate, and everyone knows the food is amazing.

Q You work with world-class talents in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. How do you manage the different time zones from Singapore?

A US from 6am, Australia from 8am and all day, and United Kingdom kicks in around 3pm. You can work 24/7 if you are not careful, but e-mail obviously makes a difference. And who wants to work through a chicken rice lunch?

Q What's the difference when people say they want to 'do lunch' in Hollywood or Sydney, compared to Singapore?

A Well for a start, give me duck rice or laksa any day over a caesar salad. And no one drinks alcohol at lunch in Hollywood - a great shame! But if you mean talking films, doing deals, then Singapore does not yet have that level of industry. There are not the high-level deals to be made here yet. But there is always a Singapore lunch, which, in many ways, is far better for your digestion.

Q How did you acquire your taste for chicken rice?

A My Singaporean friends introduced me to it and I fell in love. I eat it regularly. Any time. I'm addicted.

Q How might you get Cate to try some?

A Well, if I can get her to Singapore, she will be given no choice.

Q Many successful Australian actors and directors move to Hollywood when they make it big. Why not you?

A Well, thankfully I am not an actor or director! As an agent, many of my clients work in Hollywood, but I have no reason to live there myself. Visiting Hollywood for work several times a year is enough for me. My skills are in finding and developing talent and we are now actively looking in the Asian region for film-makers and writers, literary material and books to develop. The last place I need to live in is Hollywood! I think the future lies in Asia.

Q Warner Bros Movie World, Universal Studios and Disneyworld are hit theme parks from the film industry. If you had your pick of these to be built in Singapore, which would it be and why?

A I don't have a great interest in theme parks, so I'm afraid I'm the wrong person to ask. I hate roller coasters and scary rides. It's scary enough riding in Singapore cabs!

Q How does the Australian sensibility towards expat life compare to that of expats from other countries living here?

A Australians are fairly laid-back so they seem to adapt well, but I really haven't made a study of other expats and how they deal with living in Singapore.

What's not to like? I think the best way to settle in is to accept that you are in a different culture, and you must respect the differences and embrace the changes in lifestyle.

It would be good to turn down the humidity a bit though!

sereneg@sph.com.sg

Tip

Don't try to recreate your life from 'home' up here. Embrace the cultural and lifestyle changes and make sure you travel to the region and see as much of Asia as you can. Oh yes, and bring an umbrella!