Update 34-01 Update 34-01 Update for Meetup 31st May 2006 8:03 AM
Greetings from America. This would be my 18th trip to the United States of America – Something that I’ve done annually, sometimes even every six months since I was born. This journey is particularly bittersweet. Those of you who know my personal circumstances will also know that this trip was supposed to be more than just a mere vacation. Anyhow, enough personal stuff. If anyone wants anything from the States just MSN/E-mail me. Until I come back, Mr. Anti-Social - - Yes that’s you Jeff, is in charge of everything.
Speaking of mail, I’ll be fully contactable by e-mail and MSN Messenger so do continue to contact me online. Please continue to contribute ideas. As Jeff has said, there’ll probably be yet another scriptwriting meeting this week as well as something the week after. Remember, I need a full script out by next week. A synopsis will be good. Unfortunately, the deadline for Canon Film Festival this year has been pushed forward to October 14th rather than November 21st as it has been for the past 3 years. This unfortunately means that we have to basically film every single video and edit before October 14th - Which also happens to be the Common Test week. I’ve always said 4-5 films from now until November was a rather lofty ambition but now I think it’s something short of impossible. But I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – We still gotta’ try anyway! At least give it a shot and have no regrets after that. I would like to take the opportunity to stress how damn important everyone’s motivation is if we really want to win this year. No film can be done without the dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment of all the team members. I understand everyone’s friggin busy but come on guys – Work a lil’ harder will ya’?
Before we break into a desperate and depressing rant about this bleak situation, I think we should still try our best to make do with the current circumstances. We might have to cut one or two projects but the confirmed films we’re embarking on are the action, phone, typo, and marketplace ideas. I feel execution and delivery of lines will pose a rather large problem so casting needs to be near-perfect this time. I question the Jeff-Bloke model combination we’ve been using for the past few films so perhaps this time rather than improve our overall acting, perhaps we should just keep cheesy dialogue (Blinded kind of dialogue) to a minimum.
Anyhow, please note a new segment on the sidebar which provides links for most of the films we’ve done. Not only are there more prominent videos such as the Vendetta Trailer, BLINDED, Orientation Vid, REW Vid, and The Vault and Mole Videos, but there’s also some random crap like Darren’s Mustang Sally remix and Bloke’s Numa Numa dance. Please view them if you have some free time.
Till the next post by Jeff, do try and think of something to do and get down to writing a synopsis and script for your assigned groups. Thanks a mil.
Update 32-01 Update 32-01 Update of CAS rehearsal list (Final) 23rd May 2006 10:37 AM
I just came back from the X-Men gala premiere at 12 midnight yesterday so I'll TRY and keep this short. For those of you dying for spoilers and perhaps a little review of my own, I'll put it up the next entry. It was a pretty good show all in all considering I wasn't really a big fan of the previous X-Men flicks. But I must say the gala dinner food was awesome though. Reminded me of the stuff they serve at the VIP lounge during Asian Aerospace.
CAS is finally over I hope. I did not go to school on Monday but if everything went according to plan, the school should have collected all CAS files by now. If you've not taken back your CAS documents yet, please find it in a little cardboard box at the back of the 5.14 classroom in a green file (Apologies if green doesn’t agree with you). Speaking of CAS, I'm currently waiting for a definite confirmation with regards to whether or not we can get CAS hours for our upcoming film projects.
On other notes, we've decided to acquire a new 3ccd camera. It'll be arriving by the second week of June. Not only will image/audio/focusing capabilities be enhanced drastically but it finally makes us too professional. As superficial and image-conscious as it sounds, I have to admit that the camera is huge! (It even has to be shoulder mounted) Although the bulky size is a slight cause of inconvenience, I do suppose it makes us look a tad more serious in that 'news-reporter'-ish way...
It should also be noted at this juncture that contrary to what was previous stated, the final submission for all entries to the Canon Film festival is 14th October and NOT 21st November. Wrongly assuming that it would be the 21st of November as it has been for the past 3 years, this now means that we have to shoot and finish editing ALL projects before the end of year examinations. This basically means we’re quite screwed because the original plan called for post examination to be a period of editing and improvement – Now, we have to rush everything; probably at the expense of the exams. I have no idea what else to do but to press on…
Anyway, thanks to the 11 of you for coming down to our latest script brainstorming meeting on Saturday. Voting to diversify labor and maximize efficiency by working on multiple projects simultaneously, we've decided to split up the main crew into several divisions which will work on the 4-5 projects planned from now until October:
1. Alienation:
Although the context of it remains largely the same, the plot has changed somewhat with Mel's suggestion that perhaps the protagonist is torn between her boyfriend and the other people in her life. Once she gets a boyfriend, she begins to alienate the people, family, and friends around her as the relationship almost becomes an obsession. As she progresses along the empty streets and locations, etc. in real time, these past memories are played in flashback, evoking sympathy for the character who becomes increasingly isolated from the world - Only seeing her relationship as the sole source of her life. (Carefully making sure that the film doesn't lapse into over-emo/suicidal/angsty-ness typical of teen flicks) As the film wraps up, we witness the boyfriend breaking up with her - Leaving her totally alienated and ending the film on a sad, broken, and dejected note.
2. Action Thing:
The plot is still pretty much the same as the last one except that we're trying hard to improve the confusion at the end and make the entire thing seem less like a 24/Infernal Affairs fan film. Context will be a huge problem as always and I anticipate dialogue and acting to be a huge problem as well, though we're working hard to tackle the situation. As usual, people will regard action films as 'lame' and corny considering we're pretending to be adults and all - A situation we've been attempting to tackle since day one. The lack of culture and location will also be a big stumbling block.
3. Undecided:
I particularly like this idea by Zheng Hao about how the protagonist goes to a hawker center one day and doesn't know what to eat for lunch. Not only is this piece simple and easy to understand but it speaks volumes about the diversity of Singaporean culture as shown through its vast array of cuisines. There's a lot of room for artistic expression and meaning in this one which gives it a strong chance of succeeding at film festival.
4. Phone Idea
This one is getting better and better. Put simply, basically the main character loses his cell phone and the film details the perils of people who want the phone (Used cell phone dealers, thieves, etc.) or want to return it to the original owner (His friends, honest people). Eventually, the phone returns to the owner. Two unique endings have been proposed - Both of which I particularly like: After passing through the hands of so many people throughout the show, the phone is finally found at a second hand phone dealership where it is ironically bought back by the original owner who is unaware and thinks he is buying a new phone... Or.... After the phone has gone through so much trouble and his friends eventually get it back to him (At a huge cost to themselves), he has already gotten a new phone model by then and nonchalantly sells of the phone the minute he gets it back.
If you noticed, the film in a film idea was rejected at last week's meeting on grounds that it was too clichéd and done before. Anyhow, apart from the four films mentioned above, we still have projects such as Ali's Diary of a Madman, the Group 4 Project Video, and our Year 4 production headed by Malcolm. To top this all off, I will also be assisting the secondary school drama club (Year 4s) in the production of their first ever film. That’s all for now.
Update 30-01 Update 30-01 Update of New Film Ideas & CAS Attendance Form 14th May 2006 10:00 PM
Alright guys am really sorry. Thanks to those who told me over MSN but we forgot to include the amount of Action, Creativity, and Service (ACS haha) hours that ya'll get PER REHEARSAL and overall. I apologize profusely. Mel and I are meeting tomorrow to settle this so rest assured. I promise that it'll be uploaded up at the very latest tomorrow night. I know this is kind of rushed but please hand up all your completed portfolios to me by Wednesday. I will try to submit them to MsJLuah on that day itself. Sorry that ya'll have to rush.
Anyhow, with regards to film ideas, for your viewing pleasure please feel free to watch some noteworthy films from some film festivals last year to perhaps get some ideas. Thanks again to all who have contributed ideas thus far. Keem em' coming!
CANON FILM FESTIVAL:All Finalists (Films to note are the winners of last year's competition: Twenty Four Seven, Pink Boy and MooMeow the Catcow)
Update 29-01 Update 29-01 Update of New Film Ideas & CAS Attendance Form 13th May 2006 11:50 PM
Alright this is a long-ass entry and for that I apologize:
I doubt all of you want to hear all this crap I have to say so before I go on ranting about the new film ideas we’ve came up with after today’s meeting, here is a copy of the CAS Weekly Attendance Sheet that was promised. Thanks Mel. Please feel free to spruce up the very meager descriptions - It’s the best we could do. All you have to do now is copy + paste the dates which apply to you. Remember, this is a very very general list which lists down ALL our rehearsals & meetings thus far; not all of which may be applicable to you. You will have to personalize your own list according to your turnout.
I know that some of you have came down more often than it says your category was present for. The Crew, SWAT, Actor columns are just guidelines that highlight the MINIMUM hours each of you receives. For example, Kia Hua came for the rehearsal at Yang’s place, Elsa went for prop sourcing at Beach Road, and Kiat came down for the rehearsal at my place. Being Crew, Acting and SWAT members, all of them will have to trace which meeting date corresponds to their presence and paste it into their attendance sheets (In addition to those already tabulated) individually as it is not reflected in the general list. Please exercise initiative and discretion. Once again, forms are available for download here.
Thanks to all 6 for coming down today. Really do appreciate the help. We've come up with several ideas thus far – All of which are unfortunately inconclusive at the moment. Rather than scrap action totally for the sake of winning, Jeff has suggested that perhaps we should film at least one action film since we're pretty decent at it and is something we all enjoy. We're planning to do almost 4-5 films this year simultaneously from now until November - An aim which I concede is extremely ambitious but I think with ample time allocated for PROPER storyboarding, planning, and fine-tuning, actual execution of the film will be fine and less prone to last minute screw ups…..
Unlike last year where we shot BLINDED on November the 10th and had to submit on the 21st, hence only giving us 10 days for editing, I think we’ll be less rushed and have space for continually improving the script, organizing serious rehearsals, developing proper choreography, and tweaking advanced editing this time around. Gone are the days where we ‘just whack ah’: I recall rushing Ali to print the final script ON THE DAY OF FILMING ITSELF, Bloke asking me to 'pass me the script hidden under the table, will you', or me going ‘Okay Jeff try to pretend you're not looking at the script held up by Zheng Hao behind the camera'. Although this looks set to be a very long term project with the potential to consume a large amount of time, I think we should at least give it a shot anyway. (No pun intended)
Here are some ideas as presented by Luke at today's meeting:
1. The Winning Entry to Canon Film Festival 2006 Comedy/Reality Drama/Documentary - Story circles around a group of individual attempting to film a winning entry to a film competition. However, they face difficultly because of their age. This is a good idea because we easily dodge most of story related-problems by incorporating them into the story itself. Sneaky, eh?
2. Alienation Philosophical/Abstract/Interpretive/Drama - A normal student finds herself alienated from humanity when she comes home from school one day to discover that her parents, and everyone else she knows, are gone. We're toying with the idea of perhaps making the protagonist is a real bitch and thus there's some form of deeper meaning: If you're a real arse, you'll end up getting alienated and ignored by those around you. But moreover, I dare say it’s more of a typical art-house film in which we will attempt to score on camera shooting and editing techniques by filming ‘artistically’.
3. No Title Yet Abstract/Drama - Story revolves around what happens when someone's cell phone gets stolen and how this one article affects all who come into contact with it. There this sense of cyclic karma in that maybe the phone will return to its owner or perhaps the owner is always one step behind getting the phone back.
4. No Title Yet Abstract/Drama/Philosophical - Another one of Luke's karma stories about 3 main characters whose lives interact in seemingly non-related ways but indirectly affect each other drastically. This idea is the most undeveloped and it loosely involves something along the lines of 3 depressed, emo-angsty teens trying to commit suicide but failing in the process because of some fated occurrence.
5. Action Film Idea Action/Suspense/Drama/Thriller - Another Vendetta-like action flick from us. The film essentially centers on a cop and his new partner who are out to solve two apparently unrelated kidnap-ransom and a bomb threat situations. The film starts off with the police ambushing the bomb site and finding a live bomb with 10 minutes left to detonation. It is then revealed that the kidnapped hostage may be the only one who knows how to disarm the bomb. They head over to the suspect hideout (Which they also somehow know) with the explosive inside their car boot for the hostage to disarm once they rescue him (Note the lack of time). At the site, the lead tells his rookie partner to stand down and stay in the car for his own safety before entering with... Yes, you guessed it - A SWAT Team.
Once they enter, all hell breaks lose. SWAT & baddies engage in a ferocious firefight (As always) and chaos reigns supreme. The eager partner, convincing himself that his friends need help, knocks out a bad guy and dresses up in their garb; hoping to infiltrate the gang and rescue the hostage. At the same time, the hostage, who has been tied up and gagged for the longest time ever at the deepest recesses of the compound, decides to take advantage of the firefight above and surprise his captors. He manages to escape and even switches places with the lead kidnapper - Gagging and binding his former captor to the very chair he once occupied.
By this time, most of the SWAT and baddie henchmen have killed each other off - Leaving the main cop left with a few stragglers here and there. Followed by more gunplay, BLT action, blah blah, he finally reaches the room where the hostage is held.
Now things get really intriguing. The partner, who has snuck into the site, enters the room dressed as one of the thugs. The hostage (Also now wearing what the thugs are to escape), thinks that the partner is another thug and kills him. The main cop, thinking that they are about to execute the hostage on hearing the shots, enters the room and seeing a lone bad guy (The hostage dressed up), shoots and kills him despite the hostage going 'Wait - Wait'. He then releases the 'hostage' (Actually the lead kidnapper) who immediately takes advantage of his situation by grabbing a gun and killing the lead. The main bad guy then runs outside and avoiding the perimeter policemen, commandeers the lead's car... Which by this time, has a bomb in its boot that is set to go off in a few seconds...
I felt this idea was rather thought provoking (For an action flick) and I loved the lethal combination of wrong assumptions, over enthusiastic characters, and extremely bad luck coupled with Murphy’s Law of ‘anything that can go wrong will go wrong’.
Independent Projects which I am helping out with:
1. Diary of a Madman Abstract/Interpretive/Drama - Alastair's drama shot entirely in first person perspective about how a deranged student thinks and imagines his companions are about to eat him. Are these visions merely a product of his unsound imagination or is there more to it that meats the eye? (Haha sorry couldn't resist)
2. Year 4 Film Quasi-Abstract/Drama/Action - Last I heard was that our Year 4 Division was doing a complex film about a SWAT guy who got shot and couldn't decide which last memory flashback he wanted to die with. Something like that. These guys have pretty good ideas that are continually changed as time goes on.
3. No Title Yet Mel & Zheng Hao's film. Not sure exactly what they're doing but knowing Zheng Hao & Mel, one can expect really sweet angles and camera work typical of their photography skills.
That’s all I have for now concerning upcoming projects. Everything is completely open to change and everything I’ve listed is far from being confirmed. I admit a lot of things have to be sorted out; among which is our lack of a big 3CCD camera (We do have a small one though), funding, and a really good script. To be honest and realistic, because of our heavy schedule I doubt we’ll be able to do everything that we’ve planned but as I said earlier – We might as well try. Again, I’ve been repeating myself like a broken tape recorder but I’ll say it again. Anyone interested in taking part please let me know. My thanks goes out to those of ya’ll who have been engaged in MSN Conversations with me suggesting and discussing possible film ideas. Thanks.
- posted by BLT @ 9:19 AM(0) comments
Friday, May 12, 2006
Update 28-01 Update 28-01 Update of Brainstorming/Discussion Session 12th May 2006 10:00 PM
This is the second time I'm typing this stupid entry. Damn internet. Anyhow, thanks to all for coming down to Wednesday's CAS Meeting. It wasn't very productive but we got most of the stuff done. Mel and I will get the Weekly CAS Schedule uploaded by this Sunday (Latest). Apologies for the delay. After downloading the forms, please submit all 'portfolios' (With Cover page, Proposal Forms, and AEF Reflections) to me by next Wednesday so I can get them signed and returned to you by the 22nd. Thank you.
There'll be a scriptwriting/brainstorming/discussion session tomorrow for all who are interested in having a say with regards our entry to Canon Film Festival 2006 around 10 AM at my place. It should not last beyond lunchtime. By the way, if any of ya'll are keen on contributing ideas or suggestions to our next film or wanna be a part of our camera/acting/directing/editing/scriptwriting/producing team, do let me know. Would love to work with more people.
By the way, in case ya'll haven't noticed. Ali has been running around with my camera for the past few days shooting seemingly random stuff (Apologies to those who got spooked out). From next week on, he'll be armed with a tripod in order to finish Parts II & III of his film adapted from Lu Xun's Diary of a Madman. Shot entirely in first person perspective, this film is our attempt at artsy-ness. I have no idea how it's gonna turn out but I guess there's only one way to find out. Go Ali!
On other news, BLINDED & VENDETTA are finally available for download (At redueced quality) at www.bltproductionlog.anglochinese.org. All you gotta do is right click on a link and hit 'Save Target As...' The 4 CAS Documents as mentioned in the pervious entry are also available for download at the same site. Many thanks to Dale for the site hosting.
With the release of the Common Test Schedule, it is evident that we cannot participate in the stage competition on the 9th of July. There are Econs, Bio, and History exams the following 2 days of that Sunday and I dont think it'll be very feasible or wise to take part in a competition the day before the tests of such important subjects. I'm sure there'll be other opportunities in the near future. Also, although filming is set for the 3rd week of June for the upcoming film (Whatever it is), it may also be postponed to the 3 day 'holiday' after most of the Common Tests are over when subjects not many people take such as Music, Chinese B HL, etc. are being tested school may be optional.
Anyway, thats all I have for now. See ya'll tomorrow.
- posted by BLT @ 6:49 AM(0) comments
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Update 27-01 Update 27-01 Update of CAS meeting details (again, again, again) 9th May 2006 8:50 PM
Hey sorry i forgot to attach one of the forms, the AEF Reflection one, I'm so so so so sorry. Please download it here. (I also added it to the list on Update 25-01. Apologies about all the contradicting reports by the both of us but there'll be a CONFIRMED CAS meeting tomorrow. I know ya'll have heard me say than too many times but we're really having a meeting tml. 3:00 PM (After lunch or something?) at 5.14 please. Those of you who will be late please come anyway. We really need to settle this. Also please print out and bring all your forms. Thanks and see ya tomorrow!
- posted by BLT @ 5:34 AM(0) comments
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Update 25-01 Update 25-01 Update of CAS meeting details (Yes, again...) & BLT's Election Rally Trip 7th May 2006 5:30 PM
Been quite sometime since I last updated. This is becoming more of a personal page (With the photos and all) now but I'll try and keep everything formal and to the point for the time being. Council results are out. Congrats to everyone who got selected - In particular members from The Vault: Yi Yang, Shawn, Elsa, Tim Seow, Orion, and Sher Sern. Good try Zab, Kia Hua, Charlie, Tina, Lele...And umm...Me...Haha. Aiyah nehmine lah. Let's move on. ^_^
Okay anyway... This lil' update here is just to confirm a CAS Meeting this Thursday provided theres nothing on (Hopefully not). If I'm not mistaken, the school wants all CAS records in by 22nd May and we need to submit and get our hours approved by Ms Luah before that date. As such, it is imperative that we get down to completing all our paperwork as soon as possible. Once you're dismissed on Thursday, please head down to 5.14. I've put the forms online so please download and PRINT them to bring on Thursday.
Its quite a pain in the ass to download them cuz free file hosting (Especially by technologically incompetent me) is never hassle free. Just click 'Free Server' or some crap like that, go through the many ads and download it:
Ideally, we're hoping to claim as many hours as we can across all fronts of Creativity, Service, and Leadership. Do try and remember when we had rehearsals and meetings because even though I do have a list of when we met up to rehearse, I may have left out a few sessions so please remind me. Thanks. We also each have to prepare a short reflection of the activity. Try and think of what BS to write before Thursday. Hopefully we'll be able to complete all the 'portfolios' by next week for submission to Ms Luah for approval and then finally to upper management for claim.
Some of you have asked me about the stage competition we're doing in July as it is unfortuantely situated in the middle of common tests. This really sucks considering the event has quite alot of publicity and it would be a great opportunity missed if we cant go. Anyhow, all SWAT members, we'll have a discussion and vote this Thursday to decide whether or not we should take part.
By the way, if anyone wants a Vault CD please let me know. I also just spliced out the segment of the Mole too so if anyone from the Mole (Or anyone else for that matter) would like a copy just lemme know too. Anyone wanting Kozyakwee (Sorry spelling) or Nuts & Bolts let me know also. Thanks.
By the way, since I did not get into council and thus want to find some way of attaining self-fulfilment, prupose, and productivity in my meaningless life, I am embarking on a new short film for the Canon Film Festival 2006. Thats right. The silly film festival that we've been competing in for the past 2 years but have not gotten further than consolation prize Zouk Tickets (Which we couldn't even go for cuz we were underage). Let's do something that can actually win this year. In light of the dreaded July Common Tests it'll most probably be a very small scale production with minimal crew and will be filmed on the 3rd week of June. Whether or not it involves the usual 'trademarks' - Guns, SWAT, and corny plotlines doesn't matter. What matters is we WIN -
Or even if we don't at least this time we'll be old enough to go to Zouk. =P
If anyone has any concepts - Any ideas whatsoever do let me know please. No matter how stupid, absurd, or ambitious they are just suggest it to me. All genres are fine. Let's go for something new this time.
Anyhow, I went to an the SDA Election Rally 2 days ago with Kani, Kentay, Sam, Auggie, Shiv, and Kevin. Yang was also there for a while. Enjoy the photos! Will be putting up more as I polish them with my (limited) photoshop skills. Thanks John for lending me the DSLR which made these shots possible.
