Update 100-01 Update 100-01 Countdown! 29th October 2006 11:04 AM
I never thought I'd hear the likes of it but I am estatic to annouce that Countdown is finally out! Coincidentally, apart from being our 100th post, today is the FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THIS SITE. With 13338 visitors as of March 6th this year and countless others since this website's beginning in Oct 29th 2005, I dare say we've done pretty well over the year having produced a great deal of films and even a drama play, The Vault, to boot. Anyway, without further ado, I would like to proudly present Countdown:
If you liked what you saw, please try to comment and rate the video too. Theese links will also become a permanent fixture of our 'Links' column. Alternatively, its also available for download for the next 14 days HERE (Bloopers), HERE (Download Site #1), andHERE (Download Site #2). I sent an e-mail about the yousendit downloads to your respective e-mails (Might be in your junk mailboxes). Do download them as mementos or something and distribute them if you can.
If you would like a high quality version of Countdown (The rest are all very compressed), pass me your physical address and I'll airmail a DVD copy of Countdown to ya. This promotion as a part of our 1st anniversary is FREE for a limited time only! You don't have to be a member of this production to get your copy of a DVD. Order one today! Haha that was damn blatently shamless. Anyway, the point is: Do circulate the film around as much as possible on your MSN Messenger nicks or blogs. Frankly, the film has its shortcomings (Acting, I've been told, is a bit off), but I nonetheless believe that this is the best film we've done thus far so let's be proud of it and go for maximum publicity! (:
I promised everyone CAS hours so please stay in contact for that too. Now that the film's done, I'll be filling out the various AEP, Proposal, and Excel sheets to facilitate the acquisition of hours for your IB Diplomas. Do check this site regularly for updates regarding this. Don't worry, I'll make sure I give you guys as many hours as possible =P
I will probably be sending Countdown in for competitions in the immediate future as soon as I can attain original music to use (Festivals don't allow films to use copyrighted music). On that note, if you have any suggestions/comments/feedback/hard criticisms/opinions, etc. about the film, please DO NOT hesitate to let me know. Feel free to say anything you want. No hard feelings, alright? Pending your feedback, I will continue making many more amendments and improvements in the near future in order to prefect and engineer this film for competitions - So keep em coming.
Speaking of competitions, BLINDED, the film we did around this time last year is in the finals of the Canon Film Festival. There'll be a press screening on November the 2nd or 3rd so do look out for us on the 9 O'clock news. In all likelihood, there will be a semblance of democracy in the competition whereby one can actually VOTE for the best film online. I'll e-mail y'all again with the link soon. If you could vote for us, it'll be great! The actual festival itself is on November the 24th at Zouk (I think. That's where they usually held it for the past few years). So stay tuned *fingers crossed* if we win.
Now that Countdown is complete, I just wanna thank and give a few shout outs to key individuals who have made this production possibe.
CAST:
Shawn: You were sick with flu and fever yet you still made the extra effort to come. I remember going 'Oh shit!' the night before when you told me you were ill. But you came anyway. That really touched me. Thanks for sacrificing so much of your time being in Council and all to attend the rehearsals and everything else. Thanks (:
Elsa: Haha Elsa it was pretty hard (And awkward) getting you out of your extremely busy schedule to do this but I am grateful that you did anyway for the whole two days. I remember having to pull alot of strings to get you out of IOP, but in the end it was worth it. Thanks for putting up with the many many takes we had to do of your scene and doing alot of embarrassing and disgusting stuff like fiddling with old power boxes, putting a tape down your shirt, etc. You always told me you're a bad actress but I think everyone will now disagree. As the star of this film, you were fantastic.
Kiat: Man, we were so unsure of who was going to be our lead cop actor so my heartfelt thanks goes out to you for bearing with us while the deliberation took place. Thanks for coming down to EVERY SINGLE rehearsal, meeting, and film date even though you weren't sure whether you would even be acting. You were awesome in the role and I thank you for just being yourself the whole time – Yes that angsty, but very nice guy that you are.
Bloke: Blokey I must admit that I missed having you as my usual lead. Don't get me wrong - Not that Kiat wasn't great in his role, cuz he was, but man, it just felt weird without you ): But you know what, something that really made my day was the way you handled all that rigorous auditions, meetings, and shoots. After putting in sooo much effort, your great sportsmanship really touched me even though we choose Kiat in the end. I actually felt quite bad about that and wanted to do two versions and all that crap but... Ah well. Bloke, I just want you to know that your help over the past 3 years of filming is something I'm very proud about and that it was a pleasure working with you (and all your eccentricities).
Jeff: Your last few days in Singapore must've been a pretty busy and stressful time. Having just been through the same thing myself, I really appreciate you coming down for the film despite undergoing such a tough time moving and all. Not to forget, I must also thank you for also supporting me financially. I doubt anyone in the right mind would have lent me owe them $500++ for almost 6 months. I don't even see myself doing the same (Probably cuz I don't have that much money in the first place). But you get the idea, man. Really appreciate it. Underneath your tough, bad-ass, and stoic exterior, you're a really nice guy (:
Jon Lui & Orion: You guys are the greatest. All the behind the scenes choreography, fights, stunts, etc. were a product of your hard work, creativity, and dedication. Thanks also, for coming down to countless after-school meetings despite your undeniably busy schedules. Thanks for always working ever so hard even though I was away filming other scenes and creating a great, well-thought out and planned fight scene for this film.
David Cheong: I gotta credit the other side too haha. Thanks a million to David, for helping me choreograph all the triads and keep them well behaved (Relatively). Heh I doubt I could've filmed all those last scenes without your help and discipline. I recall shouting 'David get your men into position' all the time and you would get all the triads ready for their particular scene. Thanks for always being ready to go film and tolerating long waiting hours (With Elsa *Cough*). I remember offering you CAS hours but you turned me down - Saying you just wanted to do this for the heck of it. Haha that rocks. Thanks man.
CREW:
Ben Soh: Thanks Ben for always being there for me to boss around. Haha. Seriously though. Thanks for putting up with all my shit, sacrificing so much of your time, money, and most of all, your dignity in order to get things done. I understand that it wasn't easy balancing your time at that particular point in time because of all the discipline issues with the school and all so I am really grateful that you helped me out so selflessly.
David Liew: Well, what can I say? My money man. Haha. First of all, thanks for spending so much money and being the chief financial backer of this production. Not only did you lend us your gorgeous XL2, but you invest almost $300-$500 in making this film a success. Thanks for always being so accommodating with my typically endless requests for help with props, money, etc. You went through hell with your own company just to get this movie done and I really respect and appreciate that.
Malcolm: Hey man thanks for always coping with my numerous technical incompetencies and being ever so patient when I got so stressed out and angsty. You're one of the most calm and collected guys under pressure that I've ever seen. Thanks for your time, he DVX, and most of all, your advice - Especially over e-mail the past few weeks even though you had exams and other stuff. You'll be a great (And better) filmmaker next time, mate. =P
Michelle: Even though you don't know jack about technology, your help in this production was more than what I could ever ask for. Thanks for always being there for me and calming my nerves on many a stressful after-school meeting. Thanks for always staying back with me during recess and after school - You didn't really have to but you did anyway(: I was always on the verge of giving up on this film; I was so wound up, so overwhelmed by the sheer logistical nightmare and coordination of this entire thing but you kept me going. I could not have, without a doubt, saw this video through if not for your moral support, optimism, encouragement, and faith in me.
Tina & Wei Ling: A movie without funding is as good as not having a movie at all. Thanks for your kind and generous donation to this most noble *coughs* cause. My gratitude goes out to you for having confidence and hope in me and this project. Honestly. Couldn't have seen all the logistics and everything through without your contributions.
Alastair: Ali thanks for being a great 'Location Manager' hehe. I gotta owe it to you mate. Without your Dad's warehouse, where the hell else could we film? Thanks for hosting 60 + people at your warehouse, and most of all, for entrusting the entire compound to me the second day although I was somewhat nervous about that =S Haha. But seriously though, thanks - Your help has made this thing possible.
Ivan: You such a busy guy so thanks for putting up with all my nonsense and pleas to come down to photog. for us. More importantly, thanks ever so much for letting us abuse film in your GARGANTUAN, fancy-ass mansion. It was really awesome. I remember when I first stepped into your house after you moved, I told Ethan 'I sooooo wanna have a SWAT team raid here' - And I did haha! Thanks to you, my friend. You had to put up with alot of shit from your parents and stuff but you did it nevertheless - Giving us free dinner and entertainment at your rooftop too! For that and much much more, thanks!
Now that that's all said and done, what else can I say but - Please enjoy the film! For those of you who have participated in Countdown or have been with me for past productions, this is an accumulation of all your hard work, effort, and support over these past 3 years - And I thank you sincerely for it. I know and understand that there were many times where u felt left out and bored with your crummy roles as random thugs, cops or even background crew, but I want you to know that this would've never been possible without you guys either. Even though we have 3 leads, each and every one of you is the star of this film. I doubt any of the scenes would be as awesome as they are without ALL of you acting in them - Even if you only one second of screen time or half a split-screen devoted to you. Everyone matters. Your sacrifice has accentuated (Big word whee!) the depth and entertainment of this film.
Countdown, like any of our other films, would never ever ever have been possible if it weren't for your kind and selfless dedication, and help. From the bottom of my heart, my gratitude and thanks goes out to all of you for making this film a success! I honestly and deeply appreciate it.
Have fun watching the film and stay tuned for further updates! Do keep in contact and let me know how I've done. My heartfelt thanks to all of you! (:
Update 99-01 Update 99-01 Counting Down 23rd October 2006 5:20 PM
I wasn't able to complete Countdown this weekend. However, because my sociology test has been reduced dramatically, I'll be able to finish it hopefully by tomorrow or the day after. Apparently, the professor decided that an essay assignment for our class (Over 700 people) would be too hard to mark so she decided to reduce the test to multiple choice and short answer questions 'not longer than a word or two'. Hehe. So anyawy, counting down (hur hur) from the next one or two days, Countdown will be available soon.
For those of you who haven't give me your address (Physical one not e-mail) yet, please e-mail or MSN. I know its gonna be expensive but I think I owe ya'll that much (In addition to CAS hours) at least for being my minion for two days the hardwork.
- posted by BLT @ 5:22 PM(0) comments
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Update 98-01
Update 98-01 Editing sucks 21st October 2006 8:48 AM
My computer hung and subsequently crashed yesterday (Again). Thankfully, I saved a copy of the project file on my external hard drive so I only had to redo about a quarter of the film... Sounds bad but it could've been much worse. I'm in the midst of color correcting right now - Which is basically tinting the film to suit a certain color. I'm pretty much in unchartered territory here - Having to tweak and adjust every single cut (There are thousands of cuts) to a single color scheme, I've never done it before.
Anyway, expect a release online sometime soon on Google Video. Also, I'll be mailing back copies of DVDs for FREE to anyone in Singapore. Just e-mail me your address and you'll get a disc in your mail within the week. Again, I know I've been making alot of empty promises for a release soon but please believe me, I'm trying my absolute best. Thanks for your patience.
- posted by BLT @ 9:01 AM(1) comments
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Update 97-01 Update 97-01 Progress 17th October 2006 4:20 PM
"I didn't know what to write for the critical analysis so I just threw all the bombastic words I knew at the paper - Hopefully they'll think I'm pro." - Friend
I guess I'm normal here.
Editing is going okay. I'm nearly done with a cut of the final movie - The only things that are standing in my way right now is color correction, other footage enchancement stuff, graphics animations, some last bits of special effects. Composers are slacking off right now very busy so I can't send this film for Canon Film Festival or any other competition for that matter until I get original soundtracks from the people who promised to do them for me *Ahem* Ahem*. Yes. So until then, I'm gonna release a beta, non-competitive version of the movie with copyrighted, cliche music pilfered from the likes of 24, Man on Fire, and Kung Fu Hustle.
With luck (Alot of it), such a copy will be up and running on Google Video or YouTube (Same thing now) by Sunday. (Monday SG time)
Meanwhile, to whett you appetite, your can download the News Reporter Scene HERE. Its only 30 seconds and 5 MB in size. It was such a pain in the ass to edit. I had to create every single frame of that clip - And there were 527 frames in total. You get the idea. I think its worth it though: Enjoy the tongue-in-cheek news bar.
Anyways.My shipment finally came. Surprisingly, a lot of my illegal stuff got through - Makes me kind of wish I had brought my random stuff instead of giving/selling them away and my DVD/VCD collection which I asked Ashok to plunder (Which he did with a hysterical glint in his eyes). On hindsight, I should've brought the Glock too.
Alot of unpacking awaits me.
Meanwhile, my malay food festival continues. I've eaten Laksa, Mee Rebus, Gado Gado, Tahu Telor, and Mee Siam for the past few meals. Props to globalization.
Update 96-01 Update 96-01 Editing sucks 15th October 2006 8:50 AM
I have officially had it with editing. Yesterday being Saturday, I sat my computer till to 2 AM from 7 (No, not PM damnit. AM!!!!!!) I'm seriously at wits end editing this stupid video. Can you imagine watching the same old movie for at least 5-12 hours everyday for about 3 weeks? Well, if you can, that's what I'm going through. It is shit. The length this film is eating out of my time is killing me. I can't wait to finish it. I still have no idea what to do for tinting/color correction though. Damnit. Indeed, my gratitude goes out to all the editing consultants out there. Really appreciate the help and advice over the past few days. You guys give me direction and keep me going. Thanks!
In fact, I was so exhausted and haywired staring at a computer screen for 12 hours that I decided to take my car for a fast spin around my university's carpark at 7 PM just for kicks/cheap thrills. Some cop came by and gave me this really wierd look. My heart skipped a beatd but I managed to give him this matter-of-fact, 'whassup dawg?' look so he left me alone.
No offense to the kind folk who operate this website but the drama blog is seriously authoritarian. Saw the link on Acxis and man, they have a dictatorship-like constitution! (If there is such a thing in dictatorships... but BLT is still jealous anyway) Gosh. They post stuff like MINUTES, attendance rosters, meeting agendas, friggin organization charts, and a damn comprex schedule. Eh but its damn scary cuz you can get fired for not turning up for more than 4 meetings, thrown out of office, etc. (Think CCA version of 1984) No, in case you're wondering I'm not comdemning it. Rather, I reckon I should've made the plog like that more when I was still in Singapore.
Update 95-01 Update 95-01 Storytelling 13th October 2006 5:50 PM
They got the guy. Everyone's feeling a little safer now. I still hope the bookstore sells pepper spray though - I haven't gotten a chance to check it out yet. I think my social life is progressing. Today, I held captive and intrigued an audience of five people in English class telling them an enchanting tale about a faraway magical little isle where Asians spoke English, drank tea with milk, and became soldiers at 18.
It was so wierd though. Halfway, some other guy tried talking about how his best friend killed people and ended up in jail, but no one would listen. Class ended halfway so they want me to continue the rest of my story on Monday. Since its the 13th maybe I should tell them stories about no chewing gum (Gasp!), littering fines (Noo!), or the oh-so-dreaded spanking laws (OhEmGee!).
Right. On to business. I reckon we can still make the Canon Film Festival deadline because they extended it to October the 21st. I actually sent BLINDED in as a contingency because of the initial Oct 14th deadline, for friggin US$45 (OUCH) via UPS Uber-2-Day-Worldwide Express. When I came home, they said they were extending it. Damnit. Had rather mixed reactions. On one hand, I actually have a chance to send Countdown in (If I can shorten it to 15 min from its current 30), but US$45...
Uh-huh. Bet you're all wondering about Countdown. Well, I'm near there. Really. Nearer then I've ever been to completing this blardy elusive movie. If I keep going at this rate, it'll be done *fingers crossed* at the very latest next weekend. Yeah, I know I probably said something along those lines last week but... Well... That was before homework came >.<
It seems I'm disregarding my homework to edit this stupid movie. I have alot of oustanding assignments due. Damn. This sounds too familiar.
Update 94-01 Update 94-01 Amusing American Tales 10th October 2006 4:10 PM
I had the pleasure of finding out having two last names is bad news. Our shipment of stuff from Singapore has been held up under custody for weeks at the port of Los Angeles. Why? Because my mum's shipping documents have 'Lee Tan' as her last name on some of them and just 'Lee' or 'Tan' on others. Just because of that, Mr-Donut-Eating customs officer suspected some oh-so-illegal activity and had it all impounded. Thankfully, its all been 'cleared up' and my stuff is somewhere along an interstate on the way here. Props to American bureaucracy.
On other fronts, a girl got raped on campus by some apparently 'big and tall' 6' 4" (185cm+) random black guy. So now all the girls are really scared and are demanding escort services, etc. Some even decided to take justice into their own hands as I found out:
Rachel: Ohmigod Brian! Did you hear about the girl! I was sooo freaked out I bought pepper spray! *Takes cylindrical object out of handbag*
BLT (Amused): Oh really?
Rachel: Yeah! Now I can spray mace into the eyes of any 6' 4" (185cm+) guy that tries anything... Weird...
BLT: But... (Noting that Rachel is only slightly taller than Mel) How can you reach his face?
Rachel (Slightly dejected): Oh...
I found out she bought it from the CAMPUS BOOKSTORE for about $10. Immediately, all sorts of ideas came to mind using pepper spray as an offensive weapon. I tried persuading her to test it out on some random, helpless passer-by to see the range, but she refused. Ah well. I'll go check it out myself one of these days.
- posted by BLT @ 1:07 PM(2) comments
Update 93-01 Update 93-01 I Hate Editing 9th October 2006 8:40 AM
I thought I found a good church yesterday near my place. The people there were really friendly and hospitable - A family at the church even invited us to their home for big lunch and a chat lasting almost 3 hours. We were really touched by how nice they were. Then we went home and did some searching for the church website via Google - We found THIS and THIS instead.
This guy has more guns than I ever did. I never had the luxury of a grenade launcher ):
Erm yes... As you can imagine, my parents are re-considering going back next week.
Anyway, based on your many comments, I have re-done the flashback scene with the introductory bomb-setup sequence. You can download it for a limited time HERE. Feedback is welcome and appreciated as always. Some All of you have been telling me that blasting helpless, unarmed, tied-up civilians 50-odd times with automatic weaponry just ain't cool. Okay fine. It is somewhat of an overkill. I haven't touched that as of yet on the amended flashback scene; though I probably will shorten it eventually when my common sense (What's left of it) kicks in.
Editing is going okay I guess. I actually did a rough draft of SCENE II (Conversation scene) but am too embarassed to put it up as of yet. Speaking of which... I really friggin hate editing. It is easily one of my weakest points. I have been damn sian sitting at a computer 24/7 over the past week reviewing the same ole footage over and over again. Gah. But it'll get done eventually. I hope.
Due to popular demand, Yao Wen and Darren release the next episode of their 'Kiat sucks' (Literally as you will see) series. If you dont get the first two, I dont blame you cuz I didn't either... But because it comes from the guy who made the green tea video, did a rendition of mustang sally, and has a chow yang face, I found it rather hilarious. Just think of it in that context.
I think my parents must be homesick for Malay food or sometihng. I had mee goering for lunch and am going to have lontong/rendang/bee hon/prata for dinner. Hmmph... Nevermind. I shalln't question what is good.
- posted by BLT @ 8:40 AM(0) comments
Friday, October 06, 2006
Update 92-01 Update 92-01 Behind The Scenes 6th October 2006 11:06 PM
We interrupt angsty-emo posts and rants about American pop culture to bring you breakthrough, never seen before photos of our primary actors behind the scenes. Haha. They just cracked me up so much I have to put them. Hope this lightens up your day in the midst of exams and haze. Courtesy of Yao Wen who makes a laugh living out of slimeballing my lead actors (Not that I'm complaining though).
Update 91-01 Update 91-01 College Classes 3rd October 2006 9:46 AM
Attended college classes for reals yesterday. COMPARATIVE POLITICS:
I get taught by this really interesting English professor with a pretty strong Cockney-Scotish accent. One of the first things he does is compare the rules and regulations of totalitarian states vs that of democracies. After highlighting the USSR and China as examples of the former, guess what?
"Aye. You know there this little tiny Pacific island called... Singapore. Over there, you can't even chew gum! *Gasps & spasms of horror from the audience* Yep. I'm telling ya - This is an example of EXTREME government interference in people's lives. Here, let me read this to ya"
He fishes into his bag and procures a Straits Times article cut-out. (No, I didn't give it to him)
"In that country, they even tell you when to have babies. At first, they didn't want them to have babies like China, but now they do. They even set up official dating angencies and are encouraging sex. *Laughter bellows through the audience* Oh? Don't believe me, now? Let's me quote ya...This is some pretty rauchy stuff I must say..."
He proceeds to quote something about the government encouraging people to 'smooch and have sex under the stars' in their cars. I was slumped in my chair in such embarrasment that I forgot what the rest of the article said; except that when I came to, everyone else was slumped in their chair too - With laughter.
Huzzah. Our Global City is finally getting recognition worldwide! Just what gahmen wanted. FILM STUDIES:
We watched the FIRST ever movie screened for a paying audience. It was produced by this French magician and electrician who were among the first filmmakers back in the 1900s. Even facing the limitations they had more than a hundred years ago, they're still much better than me >.< This is despite not only lacking sound and color, but also having to deal with alot of jumped frames because of the slow FPS rate (Frames per second).
Their film was about these 3 French jokers running around in tight suits and umbrellas. They enter a factory and screw up everyone by playing pranks on them and blowing up the machines. After which, they get blasted off to the "Moon". (Yes. That orbiting entity) There, they find strange creatures in skeleton body suits who attack them and bring them before the "Moon-King" to be sacrificed. However, the Frenchies escape and realize that you can kill the creatures by tapping them on their head with umbrellas (Big-ass fight scene ensures with effects of the time that would put George Lucas to shame today). After a pitched battle, the escape and return to earth for a hero's welcome.
After the show, one of the students remarked that he admired the imagination of the people at such an early time.
I, on the other hand, lament the lack of improvement and ingenuity made to films nowadays in terms of plot (Probably because I was guilty of it too). Yes, despite advancing color, sound, and digital effects, nothing much has changed plot-wise.
3 French jokers running around in tight suits and umbrellas. - Three Musketeers/Monthy Pyton Gone More Wrong Than It Already Is
They enter a factory and screw up everyone by playing pranks on them and blowing up machines. - Jackass/Punk'ed
They get blasted off to the "Moon". - Armageddon/Apollo 13
here, they find strange creatures in skeleton body suits who attack them and bring them before the "Moon-King" to be sacrificed. - The Mummy
The Frenchies escape and realize that you can kill the creatures by tapping them on their head with umbrellas. - Indiana Jones/Star Wars Episode I tapping Pit-Droids on the nose
After a pitched battle, the escape and return to earth for a hero's welcome. - Virtually the same ending to any American movie
As you can see, most elements of modern cinema were really derived off these first few films. Nothing you see in the theatre today was a purely 'modern' invention. Back in these hey-days, they even used stuff like SPLIT SCREENS. Yes, split screens. Think 24. Jump-Cut editing (Tony Scott/MTV style) - Essentially everything you can think of in a film that you see today was already done by them. The first directors were really pioneers; their sets and 'special effects' were fantastic and they went to extraordinary lengths to get their picture shot: Including driving a motorcycle one handed with a camera in the other, filming from inside a box above a huge waterfall, and digging a hole under train tracks to caputre the under carriage of a moving train. How many directors would do that today?
Not me.
I went away feeling rather depressed.
Another reason why is because, like literature, film theory is also heavily weighted towards bullshit theme & technique interpretation and analysis - The only difference is that when your Film Professor starts her first sentence with 'Quintessentially', you know your bullshitting days are numbered.
- posted by BLT @ 6:42 PM(2) comments
Update 90-01 Update 90-01 Flashback 2nd October 2006 8:32 AM
Flashback Draft ready for critique. HERE. Its really basic, without scene transitions, color tint/correction, and other special frills - And I probably won't be using the same soundtrack but here goes anyway, just to prove that I'm not slacking.
If you take issues with people being shot multiple times read this.
- posted by BLT @ 5:31 AM(0) comments
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Update 89-01 Update 89-01 Faces 1st October 2006 4:13 PM
Didn't do much over the weekend. Went to some big-ass birthday party with over 100 people last night. I didnt know ANYONE. Sighs. Didn't recognize any faces at all.... Until I decided to buy some coffee.
