PRODUCTION LOGS

Update 148-01

2007-08-31T00:28:00.000-07:00

Update 148-01
First Year Anniversary
30th August 2007
11:54 PM

Well, well well. Looks like exactly a year ago on this very same day, August 30th, 2006, I decided to depart the comfortable, relaxing shores of Singapore in order to embark upon what will probably be the greatest expedition and gamble of my life. That’s right – Today, August 30th, 2007, marks the official 1st Year Anniversary of my life here in the United States of America, a.k.a. the US and A. As clichéd as this sounds, and it does sound cliché, it seems as if it were only yesterday that Darren and I were singing ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’ in good ole’ 5.14; even though it’s been a year, I still wake up EVERY morning and look out the window expecting to somehow magically reappear back in Tessarina gazing at the skyline of Bukit Timah below me.

I’ve been asked this question many times by many different people over the past few months and it still sticks out quite pertinently in my mind: Do you regret coming here? Taking a moment to reflect upon the life that I’ve lived, the trials that I’ve overcome, and the experiences that have so greatly enriched my life, I can resoundingly say that until this day, I am still unsure of what my answer is.

Laugh at wavering indecision and ‘cup-half-empty’ outlook if you will, but I really have to honestly admit that I still miss all you folks back in Singapore. Even though I have relatively settled down here in the US with the fluff of another huge action flick, near-perfect GPA, Honors Program, making really awesome friends and achieving the Dean’s List, I can’t quite shake the feeling that I still persistently miss Sunny Island. This despite many successes here: I got my driver’s permit, was chosen to be on the ‘Chancellor’s List’, and invited to join the student government on campus just last week. Despite all these triumphs, I still yearn for the familiar smell of Roti Prata at the corner shop, teh tarik at the hawker center, and carrot cake at the local food court. Moreover, food is one thing, but I still really long for my friends, such as you, good readers, who have been an integral part and parcel of my life for sooo many years.

I always wanted to come to the US to earn my degree, and if given a choice to repeat history, I would’ve still come here inevitably. However, what I might hold back on is having come so early. Needless to say, going to university at 16/17 is no ordinary experience. Although the countless things I’ve experienced here are inherently unique, I can’t help but wonder about the priceless other events that I missed with my ACSI cohort. We can’t always win every battle or have our cake and eat it so I suppose this is a classic example of my mind trying to futilely turn back the time and contemplate many absurd ‘what if I had…’ scenarios.

So do I regret leaving? Yes and no. Yes because I still miss you friends and food dearly, but no because I would’ve never missed an education here for the world. Whether or not my gargantuan sacrifice is worth it will be something to judge twenty years from now (Assuming the ISD haven’t found me and I’m still alive then, of course). Even though I have had my success here, nothing will ever replace or recreate the immense pain and nostalgia I’ve grown to associate with Singapore. Frankly, for all its idiosyncrasies and faults, it’s really a place where I can say ‘this is home, truly.’ (Hur hur)

Funny how life is so bloody ironic, ain’t it?

Ultimately, even though I will probably never see my native shores again, I will always be here for you, my comrades, friends, and classmates. If you ever find yourself stranded (God forbid!) in Amerika, you will always have a warm bed in my house, a hot cup of imitation BLT-brewed teh, badly cooked Asian food, and all the frozen burritos you want to last you a lifetime. Even though I know that I am but a passing glance in the deep labyrinths of your minds undoubtedly stressing about IB Prelims, or a faint memory of a distant lost cause in the recess of your psyche, please know that I will always be here if you ever need me, be it in person, on the phone, or online in the form of MSN and Facebook (I know many of you, like me, are Facebook whores now!!!)

I am an only child, but you, dear friends, are my own flesh and blood – People I would gladly call my brothers and sisters any day. So as you head out tomorrow for your last day of ‘proper’ school, I would like you to know that it has been a proud privilege being a part of your lives back in Singapore, having lots of fun times together, and working together towards the goals, dreams, and aspirations we share. Ultimately, I hope and pray with utmost sincerity that our relationships can grow together regardless of physical distance, and that we seek solace in one another through all the trials and tribulations of life in the years to come.

The Best Is Yet to Be.

Oh, and before I forget, GF HL and GG with your exams haha.

You *might* need it.

Update 147-01

2007-08-18T13:25:00.000-07:00

Update 147-01
Visits from the Motherland
18th August 2007
1:11 PM

Apologies for not blogging frequently lately (That is, of course, if any of you still read this silly page). Anyway, I’ve been incredibly busy lately with weddings, primarily – I did like 8 weddings over the past 2 weeks, including 3 weddings over a period of just 2 days! Needless to say, I’m totally, utterly and unequivocally exhausted – And the editing process is not helping much either as I now have to edit a grand total of over 5,000 still pictures and a dozen or so hours of footage (A conservative estimate). How fun.

Two of my mum’s good friends came over the past week too so I (Of all people) had to show them around San Diego and LA as if it were my own backyard. Those of you who know me (or even don’t because it’s quite obvious) will also know that I am just absolutely HORRIBLE at directions. One time me and Ali were trying to get to the East Coast and ended up in Jurong instead. That’s how bad I am. Anyway, I had to direct these people about and one of them is this uber rich lady in Singapore that is used to her BMW 7 Series or Porshe’s GPS navigation system and sensors. So I had to become the human navigator 24/7. Which I guess is good in a way, because I now know how to get to bloody LA or SD.

Some pictures for you:

Yes, I spent my afternoons taking gloomy/emo/angsty pictures and stalking surf boarders and fishermen.

After that I went up to Las Vegas to visit my Uncle and his family, who flew in from Canada to ~~get wasted~~ see us. I got sick after that from all the activities after we came back and I’m blogging now as a ‘break’ from editing. (That’s how bloody desperate I am, damn it!)

ANNDDD…....

To top it off, Daniel Hum (aka Dan da Man) from Purdue University came by for two days and I had to show him around too with one of my other good friends. We had a great time, though it was sooo bloody tiring, and not to mention, HOT AS HELL (No pun intended). I brought him shopping (Again, very unlike me) and we caught the Bourne Ultimatum afterwards.

For those of you that did watch it, did you realize the GARGANTUAN goof at the end of the film? Bourne puts a Glock 18 to the Doctor’s head but when he puts it down again, POOF it’s a SIG 228!!!! It’s soooo damn obvious because it’s the kind of thing BLT would do! Urgggh that’s so damn unprofessional. Sorry if I’m going ballistic (Again no pun intended) but you’d think they wouldn’t make such a stupid screw up considering their multi-million dollar budget. Anyone else notice that?

Oh by the way, for those of you who don’t know Dan the Man, he was the dude that made the infamous BLT Productions’ logo with a guy shooting himself in the head (He must have a great opinion of me), as well as Vendetta fame as the infamous guard/union boss that dies repeatedly under some very mysterious circumstances without the audience noticing:

Oh and to compensate ya’ll for not blogging as much recently, here is a clip to feast your ears upon haha. Damn I miss that country.

I would actually feel nostalgic after so many visits from people back home, but somehow I am too tired/busy to care. *Shudders*

Update 146-01

2007-07-22T20:43:00.000-07:00

Update 146-01
Tough
22nd July 2007
9:04 PM

Ah. Life’s been hard indeed without a laptop. Weirdly enough, history has repeated itself and I have had the fortune of ~~koping~~ borrowing my friend’s Dell laptop. It’s not stellar but at least I can do the minimalist semblances of editing for my wedding/event gigs. This is pretty funny as the last time I shot my laptop, I ended up borrowing Ben Soh’s Dell laptop for over a month too. Pretty coin incidental – Though I dare say this trend does not amuse me in the least.

Meanwhile, in the midst of studying for my driver’s permit test, I spotted the following:

Only in America…

Speaking of which, I had this hilarious MSN conversation the other day which went something like this:

While I am somewhat saddened by this turn of events somehow I’m not quite surprised either. I get 'Oh wow how's China?' a lot but never quite South America. This is interesting...

>.<

By the way, the latest student council video is available HERE:

Update 145-01

2007-07-14T23:40:00.000-07:00

Update 145-01
Noooo
14th July 2007
11:47 PM

I'm writing this post to all of you with the gravest of news that the film you all have been waiting for will be further delayed by a turn of very unfortunate circumstances that I myself am still reeling from. Basically, I had actually finished the film and had essentially wrapped up all the sequences apart from the Special FX and music – Before it was STOLEN from me whilst I was printing something at a local photocopying shop.

I was barely 2 feet away and had turned my back to collect my printouts when it was snatched from the shop. The only edited copy of the film I had was in that laptop's harddrive and I have no other backup to replace it with as I had only finished the last parts of the film THAT VERY MORNING.

Whilst the theft of my $2,000, 6-month old laptop is regrettable, I was more devastated by the loss of the one and only copy of a near-finished product. As such, because I thankfully still have the raw tapes, I will now have to re-import all the footage and start over editing from scratch. After I borrow/beg/steal (God forbid!) a new computer, I'll be up and cranking again and I should have the film ready, within a month or two at the earliest. Yes I also lost all my favorites, data files, documents, essays, pictures, and a whole lot of other important info.

I can imagine this must be rather disappointing for all of you who are literally dying (No pun intended) to see this film, and I'm terribly sorry this had to happen. I filed a police report, but considering this is Amerika (With tons of murders, car chases and rapes), this will probably be a pretty low priority for them.

Sighs. Despite so many setbacks and tribulations, I am more determined than ever to finish this film. Please keep me in your hearts, minds, and prayers.

Oh, when and IF I find out which SOB took my laptop... *Cocks shotgun*

Update 144-01

2007-07-05T00:46:00.000-07:00

Update 144-01
Independence Day
4th July :54 PM

So it was independence day today. Interestingly enough, this is Update 144. How auspicious. Being the patriotic American that I am (Yeah right), I sat at home and did nothing all day - A la Amerikan style. At this juncture of celebrating American dominance over the world, I would like to draw attention to this decadent map found on JJ's Blog:

Singapore, it appears, is HillBilly central - How appropriate eh? Here's another tribute to the greatness of Amerika, land of opportunity, freedom, and equality:

Anyway, went to the park letter with my friends to watch the fireworks. They were actually pretty good. Oh if any of you buy a DSLR, make sure you JUNK the 18-55 mm kit lens. It is USELESS and serves the same function as an expensive $100 paperweight. I had to borrow my friends Canon 100mm f2.8 for this though I did use the kit for some of the wider shots. Here are some unedited photos. Cheers to the Amerika!

Yes, that is a smile face (:

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Update 143-01

2007-06-28T21:22:00.000-07:00

Update
28th June
9:30 PM

Ah so I'm finally 18. It's been an interesting day, to say the least. Whilst there was none of the extravagant fanfare that characterized my impromptu 17th birthday party organized by Tim Seow in Singapore, it was still a pretty poignant day nonetheless. As much as fame and fortune account for these days, it's still family and friends that form the fundamental core of any relationship.

I had an opportunity of realizing that today. Unlike many of you who have grandiose 18th birthday bashes and what-not, I essentially spent the day at school and had a restaurant dinner with a really good friend. Quite a far cry from what you would expect from the publicity-whoring BLT of old, don't you think?

Ah well. As much as I wish I was more popular here or had more friends to celebrate this birthday with, I'm essentially grateful for what I already have and the simple pleasures of life – Spending time with my parents is not exactly the ideal, spectacular 18th milestone, but for me, it's something I had really neglected all my busy years back in Singapore. At least I managed to do it this year. I mean, for the past 4 birthdays, I was FILMING shit every year, all day.

As I look back at my old plog post about my last party, I can't help feeling a sense of nostalgia tinged with a little bit of regret; I still can't quite get over the fact that it's already been a year since that wonderful, memorable night. I will never forget that day for the rest of my life and I only wish I could've spent today with you, my good friends back there rather than typing in smilie faces over MSN. As cliché as this sounds, and it does sound cliché, it seems like only yesterday that I left Singapore. Sighs. Such is life.

The last picture is pretty damn ironic because of that Hollywood balloon...

Fine, I'll quit reminiscing. Oh yeah, I bought myself (Sad eh?) a used DSLR today for about 1,000 SG buckaroos. I've been looking at getting myself an SLR for quite some time ather than koping someone else's camera, but I guess I needed a convenient excuse to buy it. Looks pretty professional, huh? If only people knew...

Interestingly enough, they were selling crayfish at the supermarket!!! Something totally unprecedented that I had never witnessed before. Those of you that know me from my childhood would know that I was crazy about 'Yabbies' for many years of my elementary school life. I never considered myself a very religious person, but once I saw them on sale, I really thanked God for small blessings such as that. It was truly His present to me on an otherwise uneventful and lonely day. Afterall, the supermarket and NEVER ever sold crayfish before; of all things they did on my birthday! They were so unusual that even the store clerk had problems finding a proper barcode for them at the counter.

Ultimately, as tempted as I am to become cynical, bitter, or depressed about not having a big party or bitching about how few friends I have here relative to the hordes I had in Singapore, I am trying to tell myself to look on the bright side of life. Little, subtle things like my friend's dinner treat, lunch with my parents, the crayfish, and DSLR really made my day and I am truly grateful that I still have my health, family, and some levels of depleting sanity, at the very least – Which is a lot more than what many other folks have.

So on this 18th birthday, I'm going to refrain from whining (Per usual) and count my blessings instead. Thanks everyone for your continued prayers, support, and love for me even though I'm 10,000 miles away! I still miss you guys!

And yes, I bought 4 of em (:

Update 142-01

2007-06-21T16:36:00.000-07:00

Update 142-01
Intelligence
21st June
4:30 PM

I got my history results today. Check it out:

On top of getting 102 for the midterm and 103 for the final, I actually got 100.55% as my final grade. Thanks is in order to all the history greats like Ali, TP and Sam Chan - You guys taught me well (:

As stupid as the world thinks Amerikans are, I cannot help but wonder what kind of future (Or lack thereof) Singapore has after reading this article:

WTFzors!!!

"Portable umbrella with my phone" - Sanna Gabrielsoon
"Get money from your phone, just like an ATM!" - Ben Chow
"A handbag that doubles as a phone" - Lynda
"Holographic displays" - Jeremy Ong

What are you? Dumb? Okay rhetorical question since the answer is obvious. I worry for Singapore's future.... Wait - WHAT future??

Here are some wedding videos I made over the weekend for ya'll to ogle yet. It's so ironic I'm involved in the wedding industry, the epitome of human love, yet have none myself. Ah well. Enjoy! Both are of relatively different styles and songs (Client's customize and choose both) but you get the idea...

Click To Play

Update 141-01

2007-06-15T22:56:00.000-07:00

Update 141-01
The Card
15th June
11:20 PM

Hello all! My apologies for not updating more frequently (If any of you turds still read this page that is). Been having exams over the past few weeks - Final exams which I did not study for at all. Sighs. Ah well. What's new, eh?

Anyway, my university sent me a friggin' birthday card with a little note inside from the Vice Chancellor. Tis' a rather thoughtful gesture (Eat that ACSI!) though I'm kinda wondering why I would get a card in the first place. Does everyone get it? If they do, it must be really tiring for the Chancellor to personalize and send out thousands of cards every month. (Population here is 20,000)

Now that my exams are over, my true life's purpose - The joy, inspiration, and driving ~~bane~~ force behind my life has finally arrived. EDITING. Woo Hoo.

/SARCASM

No, not really. I friggin' hate editing. It's seriously the bane of my already meaningless existence. One of those... Necessary evils akin to death, life, and NS (For some of you). As a result of my finals, I've neglected a couple of wedding videos for my clients, as well as a few school-related event videos I was supposed to do. Sighs. To top it all off, I still have my own film to edit.

Speaking of which, feast your eyes on some production stills!

© 2007 Nakayama Photography
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Update 140-01

2007-05-25T22:00:00.000-07:00

Update 140-01
Arrr
25th May
10:05 PM

It's been a while since I blogged. Some latest developments:

1.History HL: Thanks to IB History HL, I got 102% (Yes, out of 100) for my latest history midterm. How I got that I have no idea – The only thing I can say is 'IB!'

2.Honors: I got into the honors program (Somewhat like a GEP program here). Now, in exchange for my eternal slavery to the system and endless hours of compulsory service hours (Think CAS), I get the use of a private elevator, free printing (Previously 10c per page), US$500 worth of free textbooks, and some uber posh lounge to 'relac' in and smoke Marlboro. Needless to say, it's pretty high society. My plans to world domination have just begun.

3.Money: As a convenient present on my upcoming 18th birthday, my parents claim that I have to pay for school fees with my own money and buy my own car in order to grow up. SIGHS.

Watched the premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean III last night with my friends. I shall decline to comment on the plot (Or lack thereof) which seemed to focus on reviving old characters, explaining complication pirate law, giving Keith Richards a longer-than-really-needed cameo, and introducing an endless, complex cycle of plot twists that even confused the architect of unexplainable twists (moi).

I didn't get the entire United Nations thing either – Okay so you have crazy Asian pirates led by some Yoda Chinawoman, loincloth-clad Africans (So not cliche!), stuck-up Frenchmen, turbaned-Arabs that were really gay (I still don't get that guy's voice), and some Latin American Banditos that look completely out of place. WHAT THE HELL.

I have no idea if I should be impressed with Disney's attempt at political correctness or be utterly disgusted with their portrayal of non-Anglo cultures. The Humanities student in me senses a subliminal, underlying anti-colonial subtext of the story: Let's see, we have stuck-up Brits attacking a multi-ethnic band of pirates...

No wonder it's called 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The WORLD'S end'.

Finally Hollywood has some vague, mystic-like knowledge about Singapore – Albeit a cliched, stereotypical one. GREAT. Although people will now know where/what the hell it is, they'll still think we spawn pirates, are really close to China, speak CANTONESE (wtf), and idolize Chow Yun Fat. How fun. For those of you that are going overseas, be prepared for extra scrutiny at airports, stares of menace, and 'arrrr' from the customs official when you show your passport.

Speaking of going overseas, if any of you buggers have nothing else better to do in December after IB Exams, visit my sorry ass here in California. I'll be your chauffeur and drive you around. We can visit the ghettos (My house) and go on (film) shooting sprees.

Aye.

Update 139-01

2007-05-16T12:05:00.000-07:00

Update 139-01
BLT's Next Action Extravaganza Rehearsal
16th May
12:05 PM

BLT's latest action movie rehearsal stills:

Update 138-01

2007-05-02T23:25:00.000-07:00

Update 138-01
Battle of the Bands!
2nd May
11:25 PM

I did this video over the weekend:

On the day itself, I went down to the location with my camera and was told to film something along the lines of '300 spoof', 'epic battle', 'guitar fight', 'crazy action' and 'make this shit look good'. It was very run-and-gun but I guess it was pretty up my alley. You can download your own copy HERE too. Enjoy!

Sorry about the lag of blogging. I assumed no one reads this page anymore haha. Especially all you busy IB people!

Update 137-01

2007-04-25T08:21:00.000-07:00

Update 137-01
Auditions II
17th April
4:43 PM

Had more auditions over the weekend to fulfill my sadistic quota. Been so busy lately to blog. Nothing to report really. Some semblance of normalcy in life here at last haha.

Oh yes, we can't have this anymore though:

Curse you Cho something something!!! ):

Update 136-01

2007-04-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

Update 136-01
V-Tech
17th April
4:43 PM

Hello! My apologies for not blogging more. In my life (Or lack thereof), I've been incredibly busy; yes, even by Amerikan standards. Right now, I've reached the 'video guy' Stage II of my school. People are chasing me for multiple video projects and filming their events. SIGHS. I've wondered why in Singapore, and I'll wonder why again here: What the hell am I doing? Anyhow, it does keep me busy and my mind off Singapore. I guess that helps me immensely. It's relatively fun and satisfying anyway. Well, so I tell myself.

I assume by this point in time everyone know about the crazy shooting that happened in V-Tech, Virgina. My deepest condolences go out to the many victims of the massacre, but one thing in particular struck me the most. Forgive my ignorance and ethnocentrism here, but of all things, the guy that shot up the place had to be a Chinaman. Well, not really; he was a Korean guy (I can imagine all the Japs & Chinese going 'Phew'). They originally thought he was a Chinaman last night. I swear it was one of those 'All ya'll look alike...' scenarios.

I'm not Korean but the point is that now there's this added stereotype of Asians being crazy gunmen. Thank goodness my campus has so many Asians so I didn't feel too awkward. I'd hate to be one or two token Asians in friggin Montana or Wyoming. Can you imagine the awkward stares and suspicious sideways glances... a.k.a "The Treatment" the next day?

Now, they're going to be uber strict about who they let into the States, perform psycho-checks on people, and maybe even force us into concentration camps like they did to the japs during WWII. GREAT. On a more practical note, I think I'll lay off my gun craze for awhile.

Well, on the bright side (If there is one), at least people will stop thinking of all Chinamen as backbone-less, obedient, and respectful pansies. Now, all I have to do next time in a heated argument with anyone is just reach into my bag/shirt and everyone will be scared shitless. Muhahaha. Okay nevermind.

Update 135-01

2007-04-15T10:07:00.000-07:00

Update 135-01
Auditions I
15th April
10:03 AM

A new quarter term has just started and everything's heating up. Unfortunately, my professors this quarter kind of suck. Unlike this guy:

(Funny stuff starts halfway through)

My apologies for not ranting more regularly. I guess after living here for some time now, nothing in Amerika is *that* much of a novelty anymore. Though I do have some weird stuff happening occasionally. Therefore, in order to compensate for my boredom and increasing rigidity of life here, I decided to hold some auditions again just for ~~next film~~ kicks. After all, it's been some time since my sadistic quota has been met ever since Jeff and his guns left for HK. Yes, I made them sign this rather interesting clause:

"We are not liable, and cannot be held accountable in a court of law for any on-set fatalities/injuries, or other legal troubles that might occur on-set."

We got some pretty... Interesting... Characters... Including Paris Hilton:

Eccentric professor guy

Drill Sergeant!

And a whole host of other interesting people:

We even got a Russian/Eastern European guy that had served with the French Foreign Legion! How cool! Bah I have so many photos; can't put em all up. We got about 36 people auditioning - Which is pretty good considering it was Easter. (Don't worry, I held it after church) Still, either they're all atheistic or my audition was just so damn good they had to come down....

Update 134-01

2007-04-06T21:02:00.000-07:00

Update 134-01
Grades
6th April
9:04 PM

In case you peeps are wondering why I haven't updated for so long, it's because I was sorta wondering if anyone still reads the plog anymore. Well, the new quarter has started and I'm doing really retarded subjects this time: Geology, Environmental Science, English, 20th Century History, and Politics of the Underdeveloped World.

Unfortunately, I got a B (Psychology), B+(English), and As for the rest of my subjects last term. Bah. The thing is, I can't BS my Psychology paper and the English Prof can sorta see through my BS too. Sighs. Ironically enough, the day I found out about my rather bad results, a letter arrived at my house telling me I was bestowed the supposedly prestigious National Dean's List Award. I half expected them to be using some sort of ploy to get ex-straight A students to pay a subscription/membership fee or something, but it was surprisingly free. Even more interesting was the fact that this award is only given to the top 0.5% of all American college students.

This after I got 2 Bs. Hmmph. I've said it before and I shall say it again: Either I must be damn smart or Americans are damn friggin stupid.

Another ironic case in point: Singapore, a country with less than 50% Christians, has a 2-day holidy for Easter and Good Friday. America, a supposed Christian country, doesn't at all!

Meanwhile, THIS scene became familiar.

My slept over again last night to do editing. Movie is still not done. Damnit.

Oh yes, before I forget: In my Politics of the Underdeveloped World Class, I convinced my Professor after an adamant argument that Singapore is still a third world country.

Singapore: 0 – BLT: 1

Update 133-01

2007-03-30T21:20:00.000-07:00

Update 133-01
Next film
30th March
9:20 PM

I'm waiting for my friend to come over and edit. He's bringing a sleeping bag so I'm guessing it'll be another long, sleepless night staring at a computer screen. Sighs... Just like old times...

I have officially wasted my holidays trying to figure out what to do for my next film.I currently lack any ideas, though we have came up with the following pyramid to guide us in the long, arduous journey ahead.

We're currently at Stage I. I aim to reach Stage IV by next year.

Update 132-01

2007-03-20T21:04:00.000-07:00

Update 132-01
Exams!!!!
20th March
9:30 PM

YAY!!!! Exams are finally OVER!!! Unfortunately, I was really badly prepared this quarter. I doubt I'll get the same stellar grades I did last time. I'll probably get all Bs (80+) or something. For one class, I didn't read a single page out of its 10 books and for another, I started reading the material the day before the exam itself. As a result, I resorted to gimmicks and other 'smoke and mirror effects' as my dead (literally) line drew closer.

Philosophy:

I complimented my TA and said he looked like Keanu Reeves. Which is sorta true, actually. He wears trench coats and his continually pasty all the time. Hopefully he remembers me when he marks my very very long-winded 9 page essay about the problem of evil and human nature.

US Politics:

This class was pretty similar to the stuff I used to take in Singapore. Damn content-based and require critical thinking. Invested the most amount of time in this subject but ended up putting stupid answers when asked who the Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court was. My answer: Jonathan McClure.

Modern Political Ideologies:

I constantly sleep in this course because the lecturer drones on and on without remorse. I never read any of his books and only studied the outline 30 minutes before the test. In the end, it was worth it because I wouldn't have known how to answer this question even if I had studied.

"India and Pakistan are about to go to war (again). Pretend you are writing a letter to the Indian Prime Minister stating why he should adopt Gandhi's principles in order to resolve the crisis. (50 Points)"

Bloody hell... 50 Points??? Anyway, I contemplating a myriad variety of unusual responses to this essay before launching into one of my standard maximum-Bullshit essay that didn't really answer the question but did in a very warped sort of way. I hope I can full the guy that marks it. I signed off the 'letter' as:

Your Chief Adviser & Closet Confidante,

Luke Vijay

Luke if you're reading this, I hope you appreciate the irony.

English

My English teacher is essentially a reincarnate of Carrie Cheah in both physical form and mannerisms. As such, my bullshit levels did not work on her at all!!!!!! Bleah ): Hence, I decided to offset my inadequacies by writing her a 20 page essay. In case you're wondering, the recommended page number is 4. You get the idea. We had a rather intriguing encounter today when I handed in my essay.

Teacher: “Is that a book?” (Indicating my long, thick stack of papers)
Me: “Yeah. Hopefully you'll give me a Pulitzer.”
Teacher: “Sure... As long as it isn't as verbose, long-winded, and complex as your previous work...”
Me: (With nervous laughter): “No no... Of course not... Here, have a Countdown DVD.”

So I gave her a copy of Countdown as a cheap/desperate gimmick. Hopefully it'll blow her away.

Psychology:

This class was hard. I earnestly tried my best but I doubt I'll get beyond a B. I think you can tell how hard an exam is by the 'freebies' they throw in to salvage what's left of your grade.

I'm wondering if they discriminate against color-blind people though...

Update 131-01

2007-03-16T22:24:00.000-07:00

Update 131-01
Black Comedy - II
16th March
10:24 PM

Congrats to everyone involved in Black Comedy. I was about to say it took some balls for Reuben to shave his head but then I realized he was playing the gay character. Nevermind. Kudos to everyone!!! I'm sure all the hardwork, dedication, and creativity of all cast and crew paid off in the end. I would've been there to celebrate the event myself but my Lear Jet broke down. Ah well.

I miss the esprit de corps of ACS. Sighs ): Curse you David Liu for not filming the play for me. Curse you too SG Gahmen for forcing him to book into camp!

In the little that I can do from 10,000 miles away, I've nonetheless decided to honor ya'll firstly by putting up the pre-show vid made by Malcolm:

And secondly, I would like to dedicate this entry to the lead of Black Comedy, Asher Tan, who has grown from strength to strength over the years. Sorry for giving you shit roles in all my movies pal. Hope this entry makes it up to ya.

From what I do remember, I do recall Asher always dies tragically (and rather un-glamorously) in every film.

By Bloke in my very-much-forgotten POD-Korean War Reenactment Movie:

By Jeff in Vendetta:

By Bloke again in BLINDED:

And finally, and most embarrassingly, by DALE, yes DALE, in Countdown. Coincidentally, he died in the EXACT same spot as he did in Blinded....

Glad you finally got break man (: You deserve it!

On another completely random note, the US Navy came on campus to recruit people and give a talk on why people should join the Armed Forces (Evidently they're short of manpower in the War on I-RACK.) However, instead of greeting them merrily as they did when MINDEF spooks descended down on ACS(I), the campus erupted in PROTEST. Yes, that's right. Imagine a bunch of students (And liberal Professors) marching up and down with bullhorns, signs, and chanting slogans that don't really rhyme but are nonetheless quite catchy.

It's been 90 F here lately and I guess the heat and the prospect of exams next week is making everyone a little edgy. Hence the warm (hur hur) reception.

Beat that Singapore.

Update 130-01

2007-03-11T16:09:00.000-07:00

Update 130-01
PSA
11th March
4:09 PM

Okay I need a favor. Basically, the university has persuaded us to take part in some youtube competition for this stupid Homecoming Video which we totally improvised to the max. The thing is, we're supposed to win by garnering the most number of online-views. Unfortunately, this competition has been going on for months and basically we just put up our video online... Lets see, two days ago... And this thing ends in about a week or so. You get the idea. Basically, I need you loyal viewers (If any) of this site to watch the video below - Send the link to your friends and family! It's not really that important that they watch the entire clip... We just need the views haha. Speaking of which, can someone tell me if refreshing Youtube gets you a 'view' count?

Anyway, here it is... Again:

Thanks! (: To reward you for your generosity and benevolence, I will treat you to dinner when you come to Amerika. But until then, you can feast your eyes upon this:

We were supposed to do some class project thing and we forgot about it until about 2 hours before it was due (What's new, eh?) Since one of our members has a 60's style bread (For a stage play), we got inspired to do some totally impromptu, satirical spoof of a 1950's Public Service Announcement about video game violence and obesity.

On other fronts, my friend bought a new gas gun. It's HUGE.

I have come to also realization that there is a reason why most drive-bys end in failure with bullets hitting unintended targets or innocent bystanders. I decided to put it to the test by shooting up the book I use to take notes with. Yes, that was the extent of my frustration. Anyway, shooting half a clip normally gets you this result:

However, shooting sideways or 'poppin caps', a la 'Gangsta' style into a book gets you this:

Only 6 out of 20 rounds hit the book! So that's why this happens (Watch the vid! It kicks ass!):

Looking at the Calender, I've realized that my exams are a week from now. But the weather here is increasingly becoming somewhat like the climate reminiscent of Singa-Bloody-Pore: i.e. Friggin hot... But dry (Thankfully). It's making me incredibly lethargic and unwilling to study (Or maybe that's just my excuse). Curse this stupid weather!!

Coincidentally enough, I got 20,000 hits on this site on March 6th - Exactly a year from when I installed a visit ticker on this plog!! Check it out on the sidebar. How cool eh? Either I have some semblance of web popularity or I've been clicking refresh too many times...

In order to salvage my declining interest in blogging, I'm taking comfort in the former.

Update 129-01

2007-03-06T23:22:00.000-08:00

Update 129-01
Alpha Lambda Delta
6th March:29 AM

Interesting. I got a fancy-pancy, special-paper letter in the mail today from this 'Honors Society' called Alpha Lambda Delta – Yeah I know... What a mouthful. Apparently, they want me to join because of my 'outstanding academic achievement that has a cumulative GPA higher than 3.5'. Supposedly only 70 ++ get selected per cohord (Quite small if you considering the Freshman class has 5,000 people). Anyway, if wondering if I should join – They claim it'll enhance my resume greatly but I'm balking because I've heard all the horror stories about Fraternities, hazing and what-not. Hmmph. I wonder if they genuinely want me or this is just some gimmick to get me to pay annual membership dues and buy club T-Shirts.

I think I'll go check it out with a Glock tucked under my sleeve. I should be safe as long as its not some cover club for an underground NRA meeting. Then again, this is Amerika...

On other fronts, I woke up at 6 AM today to do my group's presentation. As per always, I was left with the responsibility of jacking up all the distracting graphics stuff that throws smoke and mirrors at the teacher in order to hide our substantial lack of content. I just koped the power point I made for Michelle's IOP – Which had a bunch of pictures taken by Cassandra and Kentay (Which I claimed I took, of course.) I also had a few picture of my own inside courtesy of the time I ~~stole~~ borrowed John's DSLR for a week over the last general election.

The teacher took a keen interest with the pictures and asked me to explain several of them. Our topic, by the way, was on the quality of school teachers on the American public education system:

Teacher: What's this supposed to mean?

Me: Uhh – It's a metaphorical representation of how education, like water, trickles down from the teachers to the students. (That's actually a Long-kang, btw)

Teacher: And this?

Me: A umm.... Physical manifestation of a student's alienation and detachment from societial norms. (It IS Bloke, after all...)

Teacher: What about this one?

Me: Erm... That is a symbolic picture that represents how we often shield ourselves behind the fan of sociological comforts in order to dissuade anti-establishment views.

Teacher: *Eyebrows raised*: Right... And why's this picture in there?

Me: Oh this one's simple... Yes... Umm... Well... We feel immense and gargantuan guilt at our inability to grasp the innately horrific and selfish motives of our species that we end end up slashing our metaphysical wrists in order to relive ourselves of the unbearable pain....

Teacher *Slightly stunned*: Okay what about this one then?

Me: Ah yes... You see, teachers are like light bulbs... In the darkness. They light up their surroundings and shine like flaming torches that guide the paths of their students in order to impart upon them values and beliefs that will lead to a successful life ahead.

Teacher: Oh-kay... What's the 27 for then?
Me: Ah! You see, the number 27 represents the average number of students in an elementary school class...

Huzzah for IB English A1!

Update 128-01

2007-03-03T00:22:00.000-08:00

Update 128-01
Black Comedy
3rd March 2007
12:21 AM

As they need to sell 2,400 tickets and are unlikely to reach their target without BLT's help, I've decided to put ACDC's latest Black Comedy Drama Trailer online. Check it out and buy tickets now!! (:

Disclaimer: 50% of all profits go to the 'Save BLT From Exile Fund'

/*End of PSA*

Anyway, I did a psychology test recently about racial profiling and stereotyping amongst Americans. According to the reasearch thesis, all races as a whole generally view White Americans positively and attribute things like 'fairness, equality, intelligence, etc.' to them whilst describing African Americans as 'hostile, dangerous, robbers, gangsters, etc.'. This was, of course, done subliminally. I was asked to match specific, character-describing words on a computer screen with a picture representing either a European American or an African American. Following which, I was asked to roleplay an eyewitness at a crime scene and recount the differences of a crime perpetuated by a Black man versus that of a White man.

Unfortunately for whoever conducted this experiment on me, the lecturer already told us about this particular test as we were required to know about it for one of my Psychology midterms. So guess what? I did the complete opposite of whatever was 'expected' of me. Yes, for the crime scenario, I labeled the Black robber as 'Nice, cordial, friendly, harmless, and peaceful' chap who was only robbing the store out of desperation while depicting the White man as a savage NRA, AK-47-wielding drug-abuser on the loose and out to kill peaceful citizens like you and me.

Tee-Hehe. I sorta felt bad for the poor girl recording my rants but shrugged it aside. Afterall, I reckon all the other participants would be doing the 'normal' thing of portraying Blacks as gang-banging, low-riding gangSTAs. That's right - The onus was on me to bring equilibrium to the results. Muhaha.

Black comedy indeed. (Hur-hur)

Oh by the way, I hear not all of you have gotten Countdown DVDs. If you haven't, please let me know and I'll get a minion to send more copies around. Thanks!

Update 127-01

2007-02-28T08:23:00.000-08:00

Update 127-01
HEAT
28th February 2007
8:20 AM

It's been excruciatingly busy lately – Something which I'm pretty sure you folk in Singapore can associate with. It appears that staying up late on Saturday nights is starting to become a regular feature of my weekend. I stayed up to 3 AM on ~~Saturday night~~ Sunday morning filming 'Heat', a big and over-hyped rock and roll/rap concert at the university. We operated 4 different cameras. My friend's SLR that has a live-LCD display sucks. Warning to all you potential shutterbugs out there: DO NOT BUY DSLRS with live-LCD display screens. Anyway, I had some fun that night. We even got some All-Access Passes that granted me authorization to enter anywhere at the event. *Muhahahaha.*

Anyway, the concert has relatively enjoyable. The first part were just random DJs though – Which essentially just entailed random drunk people getting high and dancing around with even more random people whom they don't even know.

It strikes me how deceiving events like this are – They showcase all the unpopular bands first and the better performances only come on later during the night... Or morning in this case. Like Moving Units – Who seem to be like 40 year-old Rolling Stones.

Then this guy, Lupe Fiasco came on. I'm not really a rap fan – Okay fine, I'm not one at all. The point is, his manager pissed me off. The fellow tried to bounce me off the stage after I stood in front of him with my uber video camera.

“Yo yo man whatcho ass doin' on the stage dawg!”
“Uhh... I'm filming this for the university. You'd better talk to the coordinator...”
“Listen punk! I'm Lupe's Manager man. I ain't talking to nobody!”

I was seriously about to get some caps busted up my ass before a university official came to save me. I didn't know jack about this chap but I found out after that apparently he's some three-time Grammy Award winning up-and-coming artistic about to take over Usher or something along those lines.

Got home at 3 AM (Again) like last Saturday. But whatever, I'm not complaining – We had free flow of a few different kinds of pizzas and other interesting (non-alcoholic) drinks. So there was a decent amount of incentive for us to stay up - Oh, and most importantly, from our high vantage point on the stage, we got to laugh (Sadistically) at the crowds of a few thousand people transitioning from queuing into various stages of drunken singing, and most importantly, attempted moshing before getting bounced by buff guys in black jackets.

Update 126-01

2007-02-20T19:35:00.000-08:00

Update 126-01
Film Shoot
21st February 2007
11:40 AM

Okay okay I know I should update more considering I have some sort of viewership to cater to (I hope). My apologies. Thanks to everyone for wishing me a good CNY – Except that I don't really celebrate it. Yep, even in Singapore. I appreciate the gesture nonetheless though we always use the opportunity of an extended vacation to go into Malaysia to buy pirated stuff cuz the guards are slacker then. Hehe. Call me insensitive or ignorant if you will, but having an extremely small family that neither resides in the US nor Singapore doesn't help much. Luke calls me a 'Cultural Bastard' and I tend to agree with his label. Ah well... Guess what I was doing? Why, making a movie of course!

Coincidentally enough, there's this random and useless holiday called 'President's Day' that happens to fall on the day after CNY so I shot this film over the CNY weekend here in Amerika. I guess I was going for a more realistic, grittier, and hardcore noir-thriller film than I usually do. Well, what can I say? I don't have a SWAT team here, you know... Though I will... Eventually... Anyway, don't expect the usual BLT-guns-guts-gore extravaganza that usually characterizes my movies. Inspired by The Departed, I wanted to try something new: A more realistic, scarier, and nasty film.

Fine fine... Call it an excuse to hide my lack of a SWAT team if you will....

As per usual film shoots, the shit hit the fan as soon as we met to start. Firstly, our token minority character – An African-American gangSTA', did not show up, claiming his brother had met with a 'car accident'. I was kinda cheesed and wondered if he got into an accident stealing a car or... Nevermind. I shalln't be so racist – T'was just pissing me off. So we replaced him with another guy which probably turned out better anyway. I subsequently forced the only Asian guy on our team apart from myself to act as a doctor (The cliches!!) so he missed his Chinese New Year dinner. Wierdly enough, his name is called 'Hans' and someone broke his $200 gas-powered SIG 226 when he lent it to us for the movie. o.0

I also forced this girl to stay behind (Even though it was her birthday) to act as a random extra/blood cleaner. Muhhahaha.

Oh, and I coerced this other dude to not book in for work at Target so he could act as a thug. Looks the part, doesn't he? Hmm I hope I don't get him fired...

Then, stuff starts to go even more wrong! Before we start, we discover that our Director of Photography, this guy here, forgot to CHARGE HIS (camera) BATTERIES. *Den Den Den*

Uh huh. That was what I wanted to do...

Yeah, I'm a rather sentimental turd – I decided to wear the same outfit I've been using ever since our very first film, Titus Andronicus. Also, note my trademark holster + utility belt (: I was acting under the assumption such voodoo would bring us better luck – Probably because we needed it.

So he ran to K-Mart to buy a mile (Literally) of extension cables so we could use his camera powered from the wall socket. Next, our homemade 'squib' blew up on us and into this poor 'Doctor's face. *Mutters under breath* For what it's worth, it would've been a good shot if done properly... It seems that a hallmark of all shows I do is a poor actor lying for hours in a pool of his own blood – And this film was no exception. As you can imagine per past films, it was a bitch in cleaning up the blood. Some of it even leaked through the floor and appeared dripping through the ceiling of the level beneath us (Think cliched horror movie). Damn, I pity the Chem students who have classes there this week...

2 Years doesn't really change much huh?

Next, our outside scenes were characterized by an acute shortage of light – Nothing new there though. However, one of the cars we were supposed to use didn't show up so we ended up randomly asking this guy with a MERCEDES to star in our film along with his girlfriend (She's a photographer I invited). Phew. Lucky break there.

It's now 3 AM and the streets are deserted. We had been dutifully traveling in a 7-Car 'Convoy' so we decided to race each other along the empty streets to loud rap music and other bling-bling things that I can't quite pronounce. I think we were pretty close to losing our minds so everyone just kept driving fast (and furious - Hur hur). Then we lost each other and wandered into some completely obscure wilderness to shoot our very last scene but got chased away by some cowboy-hat wearing, shotgun wielding, vulgarity-hurling hillbilly who must've assumed we were frat boys hazing someone. Gah. Such is life in the US of A.

All in all, I guess BLT had a fun time but it was rather scary at moments when the hillbilly was chasing us with a pack of (Metaphorical) wolves or that one cop car kept circling around our film shoot repeatedly. Speaking of which, I actually got the cops to AUTHORIZE our guns and let us use firearms on campus publicly. Muhahahahaha. BEAT THAT SINGAPORE!!

I'll post up more frame grabs and pictures as time goes on. Till then, have fun with Chapel bathroom forms, bi-weekly hair checks, and searing tropical weather! (:

Oh, and not to forget, IAs and essays too....

Update 125-01

2007-02-15T20:32:00.000-08:00

Update 125-01
Jew Karey
16th February 2007
12:32 AM

Alright it's been an interesting week so expect a long-ass entry. Oh before I forget: I'm wondering if you jackasses got the 100 DVDs I got someone to send out. If you haven't, tell me! If you have and still haven't told me, shame on you for forgetting about BLT only 6 months after he left! Okay fine I digress. But honestly though – At least drop me a message or let me know somehow cuz I put in quite a lot of effort into ~~coercing~~ convincing someone with money and threats to send this stuff out. Thanks Ben! (:

I have a strong suspicion that I score better for subjects I don't study for here in the US. For instance, I studied really hard for my philosophy and psychology midterms but I only managed to get 80++ for both (FYI, before you studious people start gasping, 80% is a 'B' here in the USA) To my surprise, I got a 96 for my Political Ideologies and 90 for my American Politics midterms – Tests which I did not read a SINGLE page of reading material from during the entire term. Ironic ain't it?

Speaking of grades, I was accused of cheating and plagiarism two days ago by my English teacher because she claimed my essay was 'too advanced', 'too verbose', and 'too good' for a Freshman. I thus made an angry, insulted face full of shock, horror and disgust and subsequently gave her an electronic copy to scan through with the 'plagiarizing-detecting machine'. It checked out, obviously. (For the record, I don't ever ever EVER cheat on essays. Okay fine – Even IF I ever did, I would never be dumb enough to get caught; thank you IB History! ^_^)

Anyway, she kept apologizing to me today in front of the whole class and I was even bestowed the dubious honor of being forced to articulate my essay in front of the whole class – Something which would ordinarily be inviting except I kept stumbling over my over-inflated vocabulary. Yes, for those of you who are wondering, I used 'gargantuan'.

On other fronts, it looks like history repeats itself again – Or rather, rears its ugly head once more as I did my uni's student council Homecoming Video this week. Although they chose us over the MPAC-Reincarnate equivalent here on campus, something which I was particularly proud of and led me to agree readily, I began to wonder if MPAC-Spawn had deliberately rejected the council's request to do their video. I soon found out why. We were supposed to film with the school's mascot and all that in some really cheesy video but they didn't show up at all – Typical. Next, they hand us EIGHT bags of oranges and tell us to do 'whatever the hell our creativities wanted' – Typical. Lastly, they want it shot, edited, and handed to them on a silver platter within 24 hours – Typical again.

But.... DoubleTeeEff? What the hell are we supposed to do with 8 bags of friggin' oranges?

As usual, councils always put me in tough spots like that. *Nudge Nudge* Remember the Council vid? Anyway, so we basically came up with a 'feasible' idea to have crazy college kids run out of lecture theaters a la Drew Carey style. Most of the lecturers we approached were kind enough to make an announcement for us to ask their students 'run like hell flapping their arms around like chickens'. One ancient but kind biology professor whom I'm guessing is Nordic or Eastern European did it rather humorously – Albeit unintentionally.

“I vant you all to run out-ta here viff arms karzy krazy. Run like Jew Karie. I zoo not know who zis Jew Karie is – But vrun like himz"

She then did an imitation of what we wanted them to do. Imagine an 80 year old Grandma doing that. It was hilarious. Unfortunately though, the results weren't quite so fantastic – For the first 6 lecture theaters we visited, a total of almost 5,000 people, not a SINGLE person ran out of the auditorium doing anything! Considering it's friggin Amerika – Land of Borat and MTV Whatever Things, I assumed people would be more spontaneous, fun, and cooperative over this sort of thing.

Unfortunately, they turned out to be rather Singaporean and glanced at us with weird but unmistakeable 'WTF you doing with that camera?' looks. Pfft – And I thought apathy and ignorance were Singaporean traits... Well, we finally managed to get a grand total of SIX people to do it out of the tens of thousands of students we approached. Being BLT, I had multiple cameramen shooting simultaneously so I just put it on loop from different angles as if there really were crowds of people doing it. Yep, 5 seconds of footage plays over and over again.

Tricks of the trade (:

Yes yes, I know – The film bears an extraordinarily striking resemblance to the commercial I did for The Birds or the Blinded Trailer.

What can I say, apart from the fact that I lack creative ingenuity? *coughs* That IS a rhetorical question, in case those of you are dying to answer that question are wondering. Well, I suppose one resorts to familiar, tried-and-tested methods of advertising when all else fails. If you're sick of me putting on deep-voiced weird accents and doing that cliched 'this has nothing to do with us' plotlines, I can assure you this won't be the last one. They are Americans afterall.

You must be wondering: Why oranges? Erm, for starters, I have no idea. It might be because it's Orange County or it might be because it was the cheapest fruit in season to buy 8 bags of. But whatever – I don't really give a shit because they let us ME keep all the oranges. After rolling down a hundred or so oranges down various staircases countless number of times and embarrassing myself in front of so many people, I'm not complaining when I say that I'll be having free orange juice for quite some time now....

Update 124-01

2007-02-10T04:14:00.000-08:00

Update 124-01
Auditions: Part II
10th February 2007
8:15 PM

Muhaha we had auditions again on Thursday – The turnout wasn't that big but it was a testament to how racially diverse America is.

First, this lady with the name of 'Blanco Blanco' came in and started reading the script in a totally weird accent.

“I will crush you personality!” (I think she meant 'personally')

Then this Korean dude came in that couldn't really speak English... Qnd yeah... I'm pretty sure you guys can imagine the stereotypes...

As with the stereotypes associated with the following people:

We even asked this guy to improvise a drive-by shooting:

Needless to say, it was a rather interesting evening.

Anyway, I finally finished this MTV highlights for that one party I shot sometime ago at a bar. Don't blame me if ya'll don't find it terribly exiting because she wanted it long (5 minutes) with her own choice of music. Anyway, enjoy it for its artistic talent – I shot it virtually no light at all; hence the pixels and gain. I'm surprised the video came out at all, really...

Click To Play

As much sadistic fun I'm having doing all of this, I still can't help but miss doing the drama trailer... They have some equally "dynamic" personalities involved:

This last one REALLY freaks me out...

Update 123-01

2007-02-05T07:25:00.000-08:00

Update 123-01
Auditions
5th January 2007
11:25 PM

I went down to the Malaysian Counsel-General today to do some admin work. Not to be racist or anything but its amazing how cultural values are held even by those living overseas. I ended up waiting 4 hours for the fat, donut-eating security guard (Cliched but true!) to come back from his lunch break clutching a week-old copy of the 'Straits Times'. I am then informed that they were already closed and that I would have to come back the next day to see the Counsel General.

The guard then tells me to 'relac lah boi. Amerika got many many things to do yah...'

What a helpful sod.

Anyway, I heard that people had to AUDITION and go through rigorous interview sessions in order to join ACDC this year. How do I know? Well, this trailer is a testament to it.

As such, in light of how elitist AC Drama Club has become, I have decided that I myself am not exclusive enough with my own organization. Therefore, I decided to hold auditions for our group on Sunday.

Only after undergoing the process myself did I realize why ACDC did it – It really is such a kick! The immense power and discretion it grants those folks behind the desk is something fascinating. We started out humbly enough – Only snickering slightly when they started doing stupid things (Unknowingly).

On the whole, we tried our level best to keep a poker face. After a while, we got bored and start making them do stupid improvisations and cold reads.

Like this guy whom we did an interesting improv session for:

“Pick a fight in a Southern bar”

And this dude who we forced to act like a retard as part of our 'casting process':

“Convince the owner of the local McDonald's that you're a not THAT retarded but you actually are.”

Interestingly enough, we even had a John Travolta look-alike try out.

As well as an extra from 'That 70s Show'.

And Dr Xavier miraculously healed without his wheelchair.

After a while the people coming in became more and more bizzare. Firstly this dude came in that was like the William Hung of film auditions:

I would actually love to put all their auditions up but I'm too lazy. Sorry.

Then this guy came in and did an impressive and spectacular monologue that could've came right out of a 'Scarface'.

Click To Play

Alex's Monologue

I thought he was putting on a Tony Montana accent to enhance his role. Then, we discovered he was an Italian guy (Yes, all the way from Rome) auditioning to act. I suspect he's gay (Not that I'm discriminatory, of course). He put 'No problems with nudity' in bold, capitalized fonts all over the audition form. Go figure. Oh and wierdly enough, EVERY SINGLE person we auditioned claimed they had 'Kung Fu Skills' and fired 'Shotguns' before. One guy even told us he could 'throw peanuts' like no one else could'.

After a while we couldn't take it any longer. My friend brought along metal – Yes, METAL guns for us to play with. Following which, we effectively became a gun club meeting with each of the members trying to shoot each other. Muhahaha. No more crappy Chinese blackmarkets! Woots! Oh by the way, Desert Eagles are friggin HUGE and HEAVY. I can't imagine anyone in real life actually shooting that damn hand-cannon.

Being the professional, well-versed, and trained pros that we are, we even had a disclaimer on the back of all the audition forms which stated:

We got them to sign and date all of them.

Muhahahaha. The things power can do.

This is a sign that we should audition more people.

Update 122-01

2007-01-25T07:57:00.000-08:00

Update 122-01
FPS Productions
25th January 2007
11:53 PM

A few random happenings to recap my week:

1. I realized today that I have not worn glasses for the past 3 months. Not because of vanity or appearances, but rather because I dropped my 2-month-old glasses into the Pacific Ocean at Laguna Beach. Ah well. My parents still don't know. How I've survived since then without glasses is beyond me. It's either my eyesight has improved or else I can't be bothered taking notes during lecture. Its probably the latter.

2. I got into the Dean's Honor List today for my results last quarter. Woots. Yes, a real university Dean's List... Not some *cough* IB *cough* one...

3. I told my parents that I shot my laptop after hiding it from them after all these years. They were so proud that 'I wasn't so careless and dropped it' (As I had originally told them) that they said they'll get me a new computer.

4.The Director of Student Life at school wants me to help them film/photograph some random stuff for them... *What's new?*

5.I realized today that I've not read a single book from any of my courses and I have midterms next week. Yay.

Anyway, on a slightly better note, I have finally been able to officially registered a Student Organization I started on campus known as the 'Film & Photography Society'. Has a nice acronym ain't it? I even get an impressive CAMPUS ADDRESS. Muhahaha. Now, people can write to us as a part of my university! Tee-Hee-Hee. I even took the opportunity in choosing Campus Mailbox #1 too! We're number 1 haha.

Literally.

Basically, to start a student club here in uni, it's not so friggin hard as they made it in ACS. It wasn't exactly a walk in the park considering I had to write a group CONSTITUTION, attend some retarded workshops, and produce other lengthy paperwork stuff which I typically excel at (Knowing me).

It was a hell lot easier than the crap I had to go through in *attempting* to start a CCA in ACS(I).... And in case you're wondering, Nope – This was not a repeat of that horrible FAG incident at the start of last year. It's pretty damn coincidental that I should be starting a new club at my campus considering I was fighting for my life the same time last year doing the exact same thing in Singapore... To very different results.

However, there is a small little problem to my plans. You see, like ACS, my university already HAS a filmmaking club known as the Filmmaker's Assocation... Who are essentially about as active and professional as MPAC was. Unfortunately, they were here before us and are the 'official' filmmaking club recognized on campus. Sound familiar?

History certainly does have a way of repeating itself huh? Well, everything would be pretty much the same... Except... They have 102 MEMBERS... and we have... Umm... 15.

Yeah... You get the idea. It's this:

Versus:

This:

Pretty good odds don't you think? Ah well, I've fought worse... I think...

*Gulps*

Anyhow, after a month or so of hard work and planning, we finally had our first *Official* (Really our third meeting so far) meeting today for all the people that had ideas in writing scripts for our next movie – Just sorta like a scriptwriting team.

Yeah, as you can see. They're quite a *ahem* talented bunch.

Note to self: DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT EVER ask Americans for their ideas for what to do for a film. Remember I used to holler and shout at all of you to come up with ideas during production meetings and I would be greeted by awakard silences and crickets? I actually did that for the group... Thinking that no one would come up with any ideas and hence leave it up to me to decide (Hehe cheap tactics eh?) But NO – Lo and behold, each group member ACTUALLY came back this week with a detailed, immaculately prepared proposal for possible films we should undertake!

I was like...

O.o

One of them even did us a promotional flyer to whore around:

Which I am getting them to put up for me tomorrow on the 50 different message boards around the campus. Naturally, I'm not doing any of such manual labors...Muhaha.

Ah the sweet powers of delegation.

Man I'm such a ~~jackass~~ genius sometimes.

(:

Update 121-01

2007-01-21T21:28:00.000-08:00

Update 121-01
Adventure
21st January 2007
9:30 PM

Yesterday I did a 60 year old lawyer's surprise birthday party. It was at this really up-market jazz-bar-place in Beverly Hills. It was just a 4 hour gig which I made $350 from. What's up with lawyers and posh old-age parties? This is the second one I'm filming in the span of a month! Its either lawyers all 1) Live to an old age 2) Like to party or don't now how else to splurge their money.

It went alright I guess. The lighting was HORRIBLE but I suppose my camera managed to cope with a bit of tweaking and extreme low-light gain. The quality would've been more normal if I had more light but well... I didn't. So here are some unedited and very-pixelated stills:

That said, the shoot went rather smoothly without too many hitches. The real trouble happened AFTER the party. Following our departure from Beverly Hills around 11:30 PM, our tire hit something in the middle of the freeway. Pulling over to the side of the road, we realized the tire was flat. Almost simultaneously, a random tow truck pulls over out of nowhere and the driver hops out to greet us. We thought we were saved. Turns out we were most horribly wrong and that his arrival would essentially catalyze what would turn out to be a four hour ordeal.

Anyhow, the chap turns out to be Russian/Eastern European:

"You folks need ze help, da?"
"Umm yeahhh... Our tire punctured..."
"Tire ka-put? No no. Ve do not do zes tire punk-ture. Ve only do kar ak-cident help."

With that the guy climbs back into his truck and drives off merrily. So we're stuck. Thankfully we had a spare so my Dad and I started pulling out the screws to the tires. To our horror however, we realized that the last screw on the tire was different - It had some kind of lock which prevented people (Probably poor, inner-city African-American 'gangstas') from stealing the tire. The problem was, we didn't have the key to that 'lock'. So we try our level best to salvage things from the car to use in an attempt to break this weird-looking screw. I broke both a butter and pen knife in half trying to somehow clobber the thing out to no avail.

Then my Mum says she has to take a piss. Which kind of sucks considering we're in the middle of friggin' nowhere at the side of a God-forsaken highway. But she does it anyway - Into an empty Starbucks cup I was drinking out of a few minutes before. We finally give up bashing away at the tire (It's all scratched up now). That must've been a funny sight: Two Chinamen garbed in business suits hammering away at a car tire in the middle of the highway at 12 AM.

Thankfully, we magically find a card to the insurance company in the glove compartment. So we call and the cliched kind-but-company-policy-following-bureaucrat decides to help us out by sending a truck our way. Its 1 friggin AM btw. Problem is we don't know where the hell we are. My Dad randomly whacks a city 'Burbank' and the operator asks what STATE we're in. My Dad cheekily answers 'a BAD one'.

So we sit in the car and wait for an hour before another tow truck pulls up. And yes, you guessed it - Its ANOTHER Russian/Eastern European guy. Gosh what's up with that? I swear there must be some sort of Cossack syndicate operating these trucks. Anyway, the guy tells us to 'check ze glove kom-park-ment' for the key. Which we do find... Which kind of sucks cuz if we had known the damn key was in there we would've already been home by then (It was 2 AM then). Anyway, the nice guy helps us out and changes the tires for us.

"Da you see? Viktor fix tire for you."

However, just when we thought it was home-free, the car battery dies... Sighs. To make things worse, we have to call the company AGAIN who has to verify it with the driver (and other bureaucratic red tape), etc. Sighs. ANYWAY, the guy gives us a temporary jump-start.

The guy can't help smirking "You fellows... harve bad luck zes night, da?"

We finally reach home 2 hours later.

Gosh what a scary... And amusing situation.

Things I learnt:

1. Always keep a jackhammer or blow torch handy (Or make sure the screws on your tire are all uniform)
2. Memorize the number to the insurance company.
3. Be nice to the operator because they're the only ones that can help you.
4. Always keep torchlights in your car. Coincidentally, I had one of those police flashlights from 'The Vault' days.
5. Tow truck drivers that work the dead-night shift are somehow from Eastern Europe
6. Not all of them are Communist - My dad gave the chap a $5 tip and he said 'God Bless you'. That single gesture already debunks two stereotypes.
7. Have a cup in the car handy for nature's calls. After doing your business, leave it at the side of the freeway for some unsuspecting homeless bum or someone desperate enough to drink out of a Starbucks cup along the freeway.

Update 120-01

2007-01-17T05:27:00.000-08:00

Update 120-01
Engagement
17th January 2007
9:26 PM

It's almost ironic that the temperature here in California has even exceeded even that of states in the East. I thought global warming was supposed to make things HOTTER! Grr. Not only that but it's even been snowing early in the morning. Unfortunately - or possibly fortunately, I've been waking up late so much so that the only semblance of snow I see left is the damned frigged cold. Well I've been sick the past couple of days – Hence the absence of updates. (Not that many people notice...) I've been rather down lately. To my complete surprise, I found a letter from Mich and Cassandra today. I can't read their illegible handwriting but ah well – All I could make out was 'We're feeling guilty for not sending Christmas/New Years Cards' written in big, bold font.

I'm supposing that was their motivation though I'll probably have to ask someone else to decipher the rest of it into English for me hehe.

Well, as they say: Its the thought counts. Thanks! (:

Anyhow, the reason for me being sick is a certain wedding engagement shoot for a couple at Huntington Beach. After 'koping' my friend's Canon 30D DSLR and a one hour journey down to LA, I became $150 richer. Woots. It ain't a lot but it sure beats flipping burgers as I always say... Plus, you get to take emo-shots of two people in love. Quite sweet. As it was almost 0 Degrees, they were more eager to get the shoot over with than I was. Oh well. I'm not complaining. Unfortunately, they were a rather conservative bunch and I couldn't get them to do all the poses I wanted them to:

BLT's Guide To Wedding Photography Poses 101:

Things to make your ~~victims~~ clients do:

1.Hands together walking down sidewalk *awww*
2.Watching the sea from behind *how scenic*
3.Sitting down by the ocean *dont get washed away!*
4.Girl glancing off into the horizon with guy – Oh Em Gee Emo!
5.Both holding hands and running off into the distance
6.Both laughing directly at the camera
7.Sitting at the bottom of steps in a dazed manner
8.Draw heart shape in the sand and take picture of shadow *Max Angst + Artsiness*
9.Guy holding the girl bended over
10.Tilted angle shot with sea in the background
11.Couple whispering into each other's ears
12.Couple lying inversely to one another staring at sky
13.Snuggling close up
14.Carrying girl
15.Hugging each other – Medium, close, long shots
16.Girls arm over guys shoulder
17.Embrace facing camera
18.Girl jumping on guy
19.Both kissing in between the ocean
20.Girl in the background, guy kneeling in front to screen right
21.Close up of hands clasped together (with ring if possible)
22.Lying in grass together on ground
23.Girl smiling in the camera gleefully – Or distantly; that adds more ANGST!
24.Both jump at the same time!
25.Girl leaning against guy

Gosh I'm such a cynical anti-romantic. Anyway, please enjoy a few photographs for your viewing pleasure.

Hmm. It's really quite interesting how black and white photographs accentuate the emo-ness of a shot so drastically. Tricks of the trade eh Kentay?

Update 119-01

2007-01-05T05:28:00.000-08:00

Update 119-01
Business
5th January 2007
8:31 PM

Well, the new year has gotten off to a pretty intense start. I'm doing Psychology, American Politics, English, Modern Political Ideologies, and 'Evil' (Some philosophy class). Things have lifted off the ground pretty quickly at I'm pretty sure this quarter isn't going to be a walk in the park like last term's was; thankfully, my hours are slightly better this time around. Just a few days ago we went down to LA to meet Dan The Man for some great Cuban food. For those of you that don't know, Dan The Man got into Purdue University (Famous Engineering college) at 16 like me and does all the fancy titles you've seen in productions dating back to the Vendetta days 3 years ago. Thanks for everything Dan! It was great meeting up after so long.

Oh and before I forget, Orientation Video II is up. Enjoy. Frankly, I felt last year's was better (But maybe that was because I handled it personally) haha! Man, I still can't believe that a year has already passed since we made the 06 Orientation Video. Seems cliched, but it seems like it was only yesterday. Sighs.

This is so wierd but I have been subconciously wearing last year's Orientation T-Shirt. I've been wearing it for a week until my mum pointed it out today... Talk about coincidental... And overt sentimentalization. Gah.

That aside, down to business.... Literally. Just a few days ago, I started my own company that's fully legitimate and official. I just got my license yesterday and am now a legally certified videography and photography service provider in the region with a business ownership under my belt. It cost me a fair bit of time and money but I managed to get the permit eventually. Yipee. That's one New Year's resolution down – I'm not even going to bother counting how many are left to go cuz I'll probably not complete them =S

Several of you have asked me about CAS so I'll live up to my promise. If all cast and crew could check your e-mails it would be great. If not, you can get the links here. Anyway, I trust you've been having a great time this year slaving your butt of for the Admin. Well, to help you in your struggle against an evil dictatorship rife with tyranny, oppression, and corruption, allow me to present to you CAS HOURS FOR COUNTDOWN.

Anyway, for those of you who do know what I'm ranting about, this letter should alleviate your IA, EE, TOK, CAS rushings significantly. Please find links at the bottom of this page to the Personnel List, CAS Weekly Attendance List, Proposal Form, and AEP Documentation. If you actually did contribute to Countdown (Real or Imagined) through.... Umm... Moral support... Or giving BLT a pat on the back when he needed it on those rare occasions, then you can go ahead and allocate yourself some CAS hours. Who the hell's counting anyway?

I filled out all the forms already with my own nonsense just to give you an idea of what the Evil Admin wants from you. Don't copy what I said exactly cuz that is 'Oh Em Gee' Plagiarism and might get you exiled *cough* I meant... Expelled... Rather, be a smart kid and paraphrase. Obviously, not all of you turned up for each and every meeting I jotted down on the Weekly Attendance List. The MAXIMUM hours you can claim is 107. I actually DID put in that many hours, FYI.

If you think you got any more than 107 then you are either extremely hardworking or one desperate/dishonest bastard. Anyway, what do I care? Just put on your Excel Sheet those meetings you think you attended... Or even those you can't quite remember whether or not you attended but just think you did after getting wasted from an overdose of beer. Conversely, if you already have enough CAS hours by now and don't need this, then donate it to someone else who does. For the AEP form, just bullshit your way through saying how great Countdown was and how much you improved/became from violent as a result of it. Feel free to paraphrase whatever crap I wrote down.

When that's all done, just print it out, staple it together nicely, and hunt down Jamie Tan. Once/If you find her, remind her that she once used to know a poor sod by the name of BLT who was promised CAS hours for this movie. You might want to pass it to one representative who can give it to her to sign all at once rather than hand it to her individually. I think she'll appreciate the latter much more. For those of you in The Vault, put the documents in that nice green folder I bought for ya'll to give it an added edge in the presentation department.

Alright that is about all... And probably the last I have to say about Countdown. I'll update you if anything else pops up or any other situations arise. Until we next meet again, I would like to again extend my sincerest and heartfelt thanks to all of you who have made this production the magnificent, stunning, and masterpiece that it really is. Words cannot describe how touched by the support, generosity, and courage each and every one of you exhibited throughout the course of this endeavor. From the bottom of my heart, I wish you all the best of luck this year and hope ya'll have a great time of fellowship and camaraderie together in what I guarantee will be one of the best years of your life.

Here are the links:

Proposal Form

Weekly Attendance Sheet

AEP Reflections

List of Personnel

Update 118-01

2006-12-31T08:00:00.000-08:00

Update 118-01
2006: It Could Be Worse!
1st January 2007
12:00 AM

This is going to be a long entry not for the faint-hearted light reader so please bear with me.

It has just turned 2007 here in the United States and I'm high on too many peanuts, chips, and champagne.

Moreover, I have shamelessly copied the idea of doing a photolog of the entire year in a month-by-month breakdown so here goes my cynical, pseudo-emo, and bittersweet visual recollection of the now-past year of 2006. This is in commemoration of all the people, places, and events that have shaped, molded and inspired me to be the person that I am today. Thank you everyone back in Singapore for being the best friends, companions, and comrades that I could ever ask for! Even though it has been a lonely four months away from ya'll, I still miss each and every one of you. This long and angsty entry is dedicated to all who have made 2006 easily the very best year of my life. So sit back, relax, and enjoy some travel back in time.

January:

January was terrible. It was fun doing Orientation and its accompanying videos but I got screwed over by the Senior Admin for announcing an Interest Group called FAG during a CCA briefing. Truth to be told, it was a rather foolish move on my part and I deeply regret being so naïve and brash. Nonetheless, I still maintain to this very day that it was a mistake inevitably waiting to happen because of the way things were being run on the supervisory side of things.

At least the OC and I had fun making random vids while it lasted.

Anyway, I was threatened with suspension, my parents called up, and I also lost my seat on the interim Council... A whole bunch of other bad shit happened to me which I shouldn't blog about. With the destruction of my vaunted FAG-CCA aspirations, this was essentially a pivotal turning point in life for me and I decided that I was to never again trust the school. I will always remember January 06 as a time of hardship, sorrow, and regret. Not only did this single event spell the end of the school's trust in me, this one incident had such a profound effect on me that I grew increasingly sardonic and cynical as the year progressed. The only thing that kept me going was 5.14 and the support of my friends.

I have no idea who is guy is or how he ended up like that but I thought it was a funny picture anyway since it was the first week of school. I'm pretty sure Yao Wen was the culprit.

February:

With the loss of my CCA ambitions, I decided to lie-low and contemplate my purpose (Or lack there of) in life. I was offered a place at CSU Northridge and was strongly toying with the idea of going to the United States but went against it. I would ultimately regret that decision as they banned students under 18 from attending foreign universities later that month. Faced with that stumbling block, I basically forced myself to make the most of my life in Singapore and try out my hand at drama theater as a fresh change from film – Sowing the seeds to the beginning of our production for Centerstage, The Vault. If not for the drive and purpose The Vault gave, I would've easily slipped into chronic depression, or worse, *gasp* sobriety.

March:

The Vault. What can I say? The entire month basically revolved around putting up this production. I gave it my best and my all. I was thoroughly and unequivocally caught by surprised when I found out that we had won all three awards up for grabs. I didn't realize it at the time but I reckon on hindsight that producing The Vault was easily the best and greatest time of my life. I would pay a million bucks if I could re-live the special night of 31st March 2006. It might not seem like much to a lot of you considering its just some small-ass one night competition but doing Centerstage was truly memorable; I cherish this night immensely and it will always have a small niche in my heart for the rest of my days.

April:

Beijing, China.

This field trip was awesome. Hanging out with Michelle, Jeff, Slow, Orion, Bloke, Lui, Darren, Yao Wen, Dickson, and Ham was really really really fun. This was probably one of the best holidays I've ever had. It was so entertaining shooting each other amongst ancient Chinese ruins and taking 'angsty' photos with Mich. I even managed to secretly met up with a local arms dealer at an underground tunnel in some random corner of Beijing and brought back some really cool weapons to Singapore. We had so much fun playing 'CS' in the hotel, running around in costume (I still remember Slow as a ninja) and scaring the shit out of Kia Hua. Hehe. Shopping was great too - Buying back a whole lot of pirated goods with Jeff's money after spending all of my own on guns. Gosh that was fun. Will do anything to go back to Beijing with the same bunch of people! Pity about the food though. I hate Chinese food. It was apt that Mel remarked that the only thing I ate the entire trip was literally only fried Omlette and fries. And yes, I still remember Ethan shooting an unamused Chinese waitress with one of our guns.

Note the following similarities:

May:

Elections! Not that I liked the results or anything, but I sorta knew before hand that our dear opposition was not going to make any substantial gains this year. Nevertheless, it didn't stop me from attending countless rally after rally - Sometimes even ponning school to attend some. Having met SDA chairman Chiam See Tong before in an interview in Sec 3, I was heartened that he managed to preserve his hold on Potong Pasir.

Another not-quite-so-pleasant election was being held at our school concurrently. Despite having a severe blowup in a certain boardroom in our school with a few key individuals that shall not be mentioned, I decided to run for office nonetheless with a fervent and relentless advertising campaign in the hopes that I would somehow get selected despite their obvious disposition against me. However, it didn't quite work out as planned and I never got in anyway.

Although it occurred to me after the whole fiasco that I should not even have bothered trying to get elected, it was pretty heartening nonetheless to work around the clock with Campaign Manager Mich and ~~minions~~ volunteers Kai Lun, Nick Chee, Jeff, Lui, and DML coming up with unique and creative advertising gimmicks for the school.

June:

I discovered that I actually somehow got into the University of California. Something which I had previously thought of as impossible. Thoughts of ditching this country permanently and disrupting NS entered my mind. I also attended a Birthday party at Fish & Co. organized by dear Timothy Seow. Coming from an extremely small family with no relatives in Singapore, this was the very very first (And probably last) Birthday party of my entire life. I was so touched by the gesture that I nearly wanted to stay on. Ironically enough, I just noticed that I wore this exact same outfit (Seen in picture) to leave Singapore EXACTLY 3 months later on August the 30th.

Having tried out drama and stage production, I decided to move on to film and set out to create what would eventually become Countdown months down the road. Having went back to LA towards the end of the month, Jeff took over from me in running all operations in my absence. I must say that I was thoroughly impressed with his leadership skills until this very day.

July:

Did the Haven Trailer and Student Council productions. Also filmed Malcolm's debut production, A Film About Lvoe. Which, looking back, I realize is a screwed up production. Nonetheless, shooting these movies was rather fun and enjoyable.

Exam's weren't quite the same though. I had the worst results of my entire school career. Then again, I was deliberately slacking of. Towards the end of this month, I decided to leave Singapore... For good. After the exams, the production of Countdown went into overdrive and I immersed myself in making this 60-70 people film somehow happen.

August:

This was probably the most stressful and tumultuous month of my life. There was just so much going on simultaneously. Every day was a whirlwind adrenaline rush of activities as I had to balance the production of Countdown with packing up to go to the States. To top it all of, Jeff left too. My emotions were a roller coaster wreck and there were days in which I felt I just could not go on. I was often seconds away from throwing in the towel and giving up BOTH endeavors. Every waking moment was a pursuit to either accomplish something or to reassure myself that I was making the right decisions. Doing Countdown and coordinating over 60-70 people was so damn tough that I had to fight to keep myself motivated and driven to succeed by forcing myself to stay level-headed at all times.

However, the last week of August was truly sweet. Every day was a gathering for me either in class or after school. Many thanks to 5.14 and all my friends for planning farewell party after farewell party 24/7. It was really tough leaving at the airport. I must say that leaving Singapore for good was one of the toughest calls I've never had to make. I was honestly extremely close to just giving up and staying on in Sunny Isle over those last few days.

September:

Month of overwhelming emo-ness and extreme angst. To counter such sentiments, I devoted my all to editing Countdown as a final tribute to all of you who have made it possible. There were moments of incredible frustration (I hate computers!) but that dedication kept me going. I also became a part-time carpenter and electrician fixing and building stuff around our rather spartan home.

October to December:

To be honest, not much stuff happened in these few months. I started university and finished editing. Traded expensive video cameras between various sellers. 'Borrowed' a record 6-7 PCs from various stores for editing purposes. Made a handful of friends. Started an event videography business. Developed an obsession with reminiscing the past. Became more angsty about not being able to return to Singapore. Contemplated joining the Democrat Party. Got horribly sick over Thanksgiving. Received several packages of guns and teh. Fai Fai came to visit and I got a 3.9 GPA. Hmmph...

What else? Not much, really.

Sighs.

What an anti-climatic end to a really fast-paced and exciting year!

Ah well. I always comfort myself in such situations by saying it 'could be worse'. It's the case in most situations so why not apply it to the year itself?

And that, my friends, my motto for the year 2006.

It Could Be Worse.

So that's all for 2006, folks. Hope you've enjoyed this long-winded and detailed account of my life in 2006. Now, I have hereby decided to be decadent and fill out a random quiz. It can't get any worse than this >.< NEW YEARS QUIZ:

1) Was 2006 a good year for you?
Bittersweet really. I quote my motto: It could be better but it could've been a hell lot worse too.

2) What was your favorite moment of the year? Centerstage. On hindsight, I had the most fun and laughter on that one night than the entire year combined. Doing The Vault was truly amazing, entertaining, and magical.

3) What was your least favorite moment of the year? That retarded blowup with the Senior Admin at the start of the year. That was horrible. Oh, and the airport on 30th August 2006. The gamut of emotions I went through in the span of two to three hours at Changhi was one of the most intense experiences I've ever undergone.

4) Where were you when 2006 began? I honestly have no idea. I looked through the production log for a December entry but the last one I found was sometime at the end of November.
It was the infamous entry about me shooting my laptop LCD screen. Hmmph. Maybe I was dead at the end of 2005.

5) Who were you with?
With my dead computer.

6) Where will you be when 2006 ends?
Well, at home for one. Stoning and doing nothing spectacular (And resigned to it). Not out clubbing or partying like *some people*

8) Did you keep your new years resolution of 2006?
Largely. Met a few ambitions but failed miserably in others. Nothing's perfect I guess.

9) Do you have a new years resolution for 2007?
Definitely – See below.

10) Did you fall in love in 2006?
Yes. With a beautiful Canon XL2 – She is officially my girlfriend as of a month ago (:

11) Did you break up with anyone in 2006?
Unfortunately, I broke up with
ACS(I) and
The Motherland. T'was a painful and somewhat reluctant separation.

12) Did you make any new friends in 2006?
Hell yeah. A whole lot of new friends who I dare say will probably end up being my friends for life. Its been great meeting new people this year and equally sad being torn away from them by circumstance.

13) Who are your favorite new friends?
~~No one~~ Everyone. Really! All my new friends have been great.

14) What was your favorite month of 2006?
March and April! (Centerstage & Beijing) and possibly August when I was screwing around and doing a whole bunch of random/illegal things the week before I left.

15) Where did you travel to in 2006?
Beijing, Toronto, Los Angeles (Obviously), and not to forget my monthly forays into Malaysia to restock on illegal merchandise.

16) How many different countries did you travel to in 2006?
Five.

17) Did you lose anybody close to you in 2006?
No shit. About... Let's see... EVERYONE... Sighs. I've physically lost everyone close to me in Singapore and have gone from hero to zero here in the United States. I miss every last one of you! Thank God for MSN Messenger.

18) Did you miss anybody in 2006?
This questionnaire sure has to rub it in...

19) What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2006?
Lucky Number Slevin, The Spanish Prisoner, Daisy, 24, Lord of War, The Usual Suspects, and of course, Countdown (:

20) What was your favorite song you heard in 2006?
Probably Can't Stop by Red Hot Chili Peppers

21) What was your favorite record from 2006?
I shall be politically correct and say Haven ^_^ No seriously, it was good though =P

22) How many concerts did you see in 2006?
A few. Can't remember. I do recall the last one I attended was Lynette's concert, which frankly sucked. Okay fine, it was just... Mildly boring. I fell asleep halfway and woke up to find himself being targeted by some Ah Bengs from HC sitting at the row across for some reason or another. It nearly broke out into fisticuffs if not for the fact that it was a Sunday after church. Umm. Yeah.

23) Did you have a favorite concert in 2006?
The Vault! Haha no. Erm... Haven was nice... So was that one indie rock concert at Esplanade I went with Tim Seow and Slow to.

24) Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2006?
Not really. I got SEMI-drunk (Yes, partially only!) at the end of last year for some stupid 48 hour film shoot. Ali, Ben, and Bloke will remember that incident particularly fondly. Anyway, I didn't like the experience so I vowed never to get that wasted again. Note to all your drinkers, or people who think drinking is cool: Don't drink too much! Getting drunk is NOT fun.

25) Did you do a lot of drugs in 2006?
Not that I know of if you don't count caffeine addiction.

26) Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Too many to remember. For one, I greatly regret not taking proper care and allowing someone to break Han Sheng's Uzi Sub Machine Gun. I am still deeply haunted by that untill this very day. Also, there's that regrettable FAG incident which I keep harping about, and also, shooting my laptop. No wait that was the year before. Damn!

27) What was the worst lie you told someone in 2006?
Well, I told nearly everyone that I wasn't going to America when I really was until the last minute. I also blatantly lied to several teachers about it – Namely Dharma. I felt *somewhat* bad about that but I suppose favors have to be returned, don't they?

28) Did you treat somebody badly in 2006?
Again, too many incidents to remember but Michelle gets the award for most badly treated minion in 2006 (A position formerly occupied by Bloke). Some other situations also stand out in my mind: I sent Kentay to Beach Road at 11 to buy dogtags or some random reason or another. Made Mel get her dad to build us a 20 foot vault door. Spray painted guns all over 5.14. Made 6 large, gaping holes in the classroom ceiling as a result of trigger happiness and leftover explosives after Countdown. Forced Elsa to stuff a tape down her blouse. Got Tina to lie in a pool of 'blood' for 3 hours. Convinced David to quit his company to film Countdown. Coerced Kai Lun into doing a lot of minion dirty work. Forced Kiat to act in some retarded 'Oh shit' history video. Humiliated Ben Chia for life in that said movie
. Got Bloke to do more retarded videos. Got Darren to do the same.

Okay I'm tired of putting links up. Anyway... *Takes Breath*

Borrowed $500 from Jeff for 8 months. Koped Mel's phone for a year until she caught me at the airport. Got JJ to postpone some Council game or other for Countdown. Stole library books from the school for Mich. Asked David Cheong to beat up Ben Lei with a retractable riot baton 4 times for Countdown. Ruined Ali's dad's warehouse. Got my Chinese tuition teacher in trouble at the airport after convincing her to bring back some pistols from Taiwan for me. Pissed off Ivan's parents by shooting up their house. Convinced Sher Sern to invest $50 in my carbine selling business which I never returned him. Persuaded Shawn to pour Talcum powder down Yi Yang's pants (For the sake of film, naturally). Stole boots, uniforms, and rifles from NCC – As well as Mr Ferd Quek's Mum's cart. And umm, made Tim Seow to act in some totally bizarre film for Maclolm. Oh, and not to forget, brainwashed Chief Minion Ben Soh into becoming a crazy, frog-killing, diabolical maniac in order to make him turn to the dark side.

Man, I'm so evil.

29) Did somebody treat you badly in 2006?
Yes. The government of a certain island and the administration of some school that we all know. Both are synonymous in my mind now as enemies of freedom, peace, and prosperity for all mankind.

30) How much money did you spend in 2006?
Too much. Let's see, I wasted $900 on The Vault. $1000 for my shot-up laptop. Bought new guns for a few grand. Paid $600 for Countdown on top of everyone's donations. Deliberately put my video camera into water and paid $200 for repairs. Wasted two air tickets getting here.... And... A whole lot of other crap that I've deliberately erased from my mind in order to avoid feeling inexorable pangs of guilt.

31) What were your proudest moments of 2006?
Winning Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Play awards for Centerstage. Successfully smuggling back illegal weapons from Beijing. Attending the first birthday party of my life. Having the guts to leave the Motherland. Getting accepted into the University of California at 16. Finishing Countdown after an intense 14 hour shoot.

32) If you could go back in time to any moment of 2006 and change something, what would it be?
That stupid FAG incident in January. Yes, that one moment screwed up my life for the rest of the year. I still can't get over it!!! Oh, and on recollection, I should not have shot my laptop either. Or spend so much money on illegal firearms for that matter.

33) What are your plans for 2007?
BLT's 2007 New Year's Resolution:
1.Study hard & make honors roll and own everyone else on campus in terms of grades.
2.Make it into a better university by 2008 or get scholarship.
3.Start my own company.
4.Get into a film festival and subsequently break into Hollywood (Yeah right).
5.Scheme a way to steal back into Singapore without ending up in an ISD prison cell.
6.Get a job. (Legally)
7.Learn how to drive. (Legally)
8.Pick up photography for reals and own Kentay.
9.Find good church and somehow draw closer to God.
10.Get a life.

Time will tell how well I accomplish (or not accomplish) the above list. I'll check back in a year (If I'm still around by then, that is). Till then, my very best wishes to all who are going back to school and embarking upon a new phase and milestone in their lives. My sincerest and deepest gratitudes goes out to everyone who made 2006 truly spectacular, touching, and unforgettable for me. For what its worth, while 2006 could've been worse, it couldn't have been any better either. Thank you for making my life so much more enriching, enjoyable, and meaningful. So here's to a fantastic near year ahead full of ~~exams~~ hope and joy. All the best and good luck (Those of you in IB will probably need it), for 2007. And yes, I still miss ya'll badly! With a brand new school year start, I know the temptation will be there to just forget about me and continue on with life blissfully, but I still remember you guys fondly and vividly. So continue to keep in contact and come visit me before you die from NS and IB!!!

Good hunting.

Cheers,

BLT

Update 117-01

2006-12-29T22:30:00.000-08:00

Update 117-01
San Diego Part II
29th December 2006
9:48 PM

Gah. My results came out today. I got As for all 5 subjects - Albeit 2 of them were A-s. In case you're wondering, there are no such things as A+s because As are scores above 93 and A-s are already 90-93. Its pretty sucky that I missed a straight 4.0 GPA by 0.10 cuz of the two A minuses. Sighs. Surprisingly enough, I got a 98 (Yes, out of a hundred in case you're wondering) for my final film exam - Something rather unexpected because I totally BSed the exam as if it were some English Literature paper. Unfortunately, I wasn't so lucky for English and US History: I missed an A by 1%. Grr. Must do better next term.

Anyway, on a lighter note, I got these in the mail!

Thanks Ali and Reuben for your awesome cards... And Ali for your wonderful teh dust which will probably make the tea here taste a whole lot better. Thanks guys. I really really really appreciate such a kind and thoughtful gesture from ya'll! Turthfully, I'm quite surprised I got anything at all hehe. Thanks for proving me wrong, guys. It *almosts* makes me guilty noticing that $16.85 postage stamp... Thankfully, the prospect of good teh absolves such sentiments ^_^

Here are more random pics I took at Laguna Beach whilst galavanting about LA/San Diego a few days ago.

Yes, I know my obsession with portrait landscape shots of seashores is getting rather overdone. I promise this is the last you'll see of them.

Oh and before I forget: Happy New Year everyone!

Update 116-01

2006-12-26T06:54:00.000-08:00

Update 116-01
San Diego Part I
26th December 2006
10:54 PM

Well hope everyone's Christmas has been great - No matter what culture you're from. Mine went rather okay I guess - Just stonning around with Fai Fai; whom I'm now calling 'Fei Fei' for kicks cuz I'm bored. Since he liked my Glock alot and kept fingering it throughout our Christmas dinner, I felt kinda sad for him and thus decided to give him a P99 and a thousand rounds of ammunition (: It's a pretty big (and hard) thing for me to give out a gun. He appreciated the gesture but I don't think his Mum was very pleased at all. She kept mumbling something about security, 9/11, and getting shot. Ah well. Hope I don't get him into any trouble. Then again he's sitting First Class (And always does) so I'm not worrying TOO much.

Here are some pics from San Diego. I actually have more but I can't be bothered to upload all of them. I'll do so in the next post. I shot all of these on a point-and-shoot credit card camera. Take that you DSLR users!

First off we went to the beach and the first town ever built in California - Some old Western rustic place...

Where I met this guy and asked to take his picture...

Then went on board an aircraft carrier... Which was a rather drastic change in scenery...

Which had RUSSIAN plane... (Isn't the Cold War over??)

So I decided to join the crew...

Zhi Yuan would be proud...

Sighs. Taking a look back at my post I realized that all my pictures could look a hell lot better with a bit of photoshopping. Gah. Right now all I know how to do is crop stuff... I seriously need to learn in order to improve. I actually have a hell lot more pictures I'm too embarrased to put up that would've looked damnnn good with a wee bit of photoshopping magic (So I think, anyway) Like video editing, I think photoshopping is half the contributor to good photos. *ahem* Right Kentay?

Update 115-01

2006-12-23T06:25:00.000-08:00

Update 115-01
Christmas
23rd December 2006
10:21 PM

Muhahaha. Guess what? I sold the Canon XL1 I bought for $900 for $1300. Quite a decent profit there hehe. Now, I only owe about $1400 for the XL2. Woots. Could be worse. Thankfully, I've secured a couple of deals filming some wedding in May and a Samoan family gathering in June... Yes... Don't ask me why. I need the cash.

My childhood friend Fai Fai (Not his real name - I just call him that to piss 'em off) whom I've known since the age of 2 is here for the next couple of days with his mum. We used to be really close when we were young - He brought me to really cool things like private yacht parties, presidential suites in one of the resorts he owned in Bintan, and VIP tickets to the biannual Asian Aerospace where I got to sit a table away from PAP Ministers. Anyhow, its been really great meeting up with him though I must say he's mellowed down ALOT since his dad passed away last year. Its pretty sad - Alot of money but no father. I really pity the chap; so I gave him a free DVD of Countdown (: Okay fine... It was probably wasn't the best gift but I suppose its the best thing one can afford when you owe loan sharks US$1400.

Speaking of DVDs, I've sent back a couple so if you haven't received anything in your mail, take a shotgun/parang to your local post office and demand they give you back the DVD. Yes, I know Countdown is soooo damn good that even usually-honest postmen are tempted to steal them, but the DVDs are for YOU - Not Ahmed or Ah Pei who works overtime for Christmas. As there are simply too many DVDs to send from the States alone (82 to be precise), I also delegated the sending of several DVDs to people in Singapore. Unfortunately, they must be really *cough* busy *ahem* to send them out despite the fact that I sent it via USPS priority which reached them a week ago *cough*. I'm pretty sure these people have *valid* reasons for why they're sitting their asses on my money and not sending out the discs.

Anyway, that aside, I've been essentially spending the past few days gallivanting around California visiting San Diego and Big Bear Mountain with Fai Fai. So far, traveling about has been a pretty fun experience and I haven't been this stress-free in quite a long time. It's not that those places are particularly fun or anything; its just that unlike Singapore, when the school term here is over, it's OVER. Unlike TOK and EE essays you guys are probably rushing out now *sniggers*.

As Christmas draws around the corner I decided what better way to commemorate the festive spirit than with some Christmas-ey photos - Unedited and un-photoshopped unlike some photographers. So do enjoy the snow-capped, picturesque mountains of Big Bear and imagine yourself having a really white Christmas!

To be honest, I've never seen snow before - But when I did, the first thing that to my mind was...

More pics of San Diego coming up soon. Have an awesome and Blessed Christmas everyone! Cherish and enjoy the fellowship and time together with friends and family!

Update 114-01

2006-12-20T08:32:00.000-08:00

Update 114-01
Event Videography
21st December 2006
12:30 AM

Its holidays for me now so I decided to make myself useful and go into event videography in order to make some money - Rather, offset the cost of my new camera. For those of you that don't know, I got a buffed-up version of David's Camera, the Canon XL2.

Took that picture without the mic but you can imagine what it does with it on. Anyway, the lens seems rather out of place but its supposedly better. Its a completely manual, 16x zoom which can apparently simulate film-like depth of field: In English, that means that it can focus on the subject but blur the background. So yeah, pretty cool; especially for Camera Geeks who can appreciate it... Like this guy or this girl. Unlike David, I paid US$2,000 (SGD$3,000) versuses the 6,000 he paid for the whole package. I also got Malcolm's Manfrotto/Bogen tripod which he paid $700 but I got for $200. Hehe. Eat that you rich kids.

Los Angeles is a great market place for extremely good used video camera equipment. If you look around enough, you can get professional-grade stuff for a quarter of the price they cost new.

Anyhow, I spent my weekend filming this Korean guy's 80th birthday party at some posh retirement home in San Diego that seemed more like a resort than anything. This guy is pretty cool - Not only is his influence pretty widespread in the Law circile, but he was also one of the first Asians to go to Yale Law School. I got US$400 for the four hour event. That seems like a lot... If you don't have a $2000 debt to clear with ~~loan sharks~~ parents.

As you can see, if you excuse the stupid pixelated compressor I used to extract the stills, the depth-of-field capabilities of the camera are pretty awesome. Okay its getting late now. I actually have alot more interesting screen grabs but I should quit posting so many pictures before I get sued over invasion of privacy or something (The guy's a lawyer, after all)... And it's America... So you never know...

Update 113-01

2006-12-15T08:15:00.000-08:00

Update 113-01
Finals: OVER
16th December 2006
12:29 AM

Finals are finally over. Huzzah!! Just came back from coffee with friends and my mum's kinda pissed that I came home at 12. Ah well. Finals are over... Here's to two weeks of ~~vacation~~ filming! I got a couple of gigs this week with regards to that. I'll explain more in a few subsequent posts.

Anyway, I think that for the first time in my life, I can easily say that I have done pretty decently in every subject... Except film, ironically enough. Save for that, this has essentially been one of the best exams ever - And I didn't even study ~~at all~~ that hard. For the first time also in a lonnnggg longggg history of deprivation, I had this big-ass fresh lobster dinner last night. Was absolutely heavenly. It made sacrificing 3 hours of study time worthwhile (Not that I studied when I got home anyway). Luckily for me though, I finished my sociology exam the next day in thirty minutes.

Speaking of which, this brings me to the crux of this post: Exams in an American university. Although my results have yet to be released, I can state with a reasonable degree of certainty that I'm definitely not going to fail anything (Unlike Singapore...)

Why?

Well, its not because I've grown any smarter since I got here, nor have I became any more hardworking. Rather, it's because of the way the examination system here is structured. First of all, my exams are only based on a quarter system (3 months), so I don't have to study stuff based on entire school year's curriculum (Or two years in IB's case). This effectively means that I can commit everything to short term memory and still score. Furthermore, the tests they give twice a quarter are not cumulative - Meaning once you take a mid-term exam, you won't be tested on its contents again for the finals. How cool is that?

The biggest difference however, resides in the amount of time you are allocated. Ever felt so pressed for time in Singapore? They typically give you about 2 hours to complete a few essays for social sciences or make a literary commentary for English. I bet many of you have suffered from bad planning, decided to write your essay while planning it out in your mind simultaneously, or scrambled at the last 15 min of the exam, furiously writing your final points. Not so in America.

In the US, you are given THREE WHOLE hours. That's right. For every subject too. I can just take my time, write a detailed draft, or plan out everything succinctly down to the smallest detail. You can even take a whole good hour or half to just outline your essay. To top it off, not only do you get three hours, but they typically only ask you to write one or two essays - Unlike Sunny Isle where they make you answer a few dozen SBQs and SEQs for everything. I had so much time that I wrote a ten page essay for US History, and a 7 page essay for Politics. My hands are extremely muscular now. Anyhow, point is: So you can basically write as long as you want - Or as little as you want. Yes you heard me. As little as you want too...

The best part about the testing system here is that although they allocate three hours to the exam, you can take however little time you want. Let's say you're a genius/jackass who completes his paper in 2 hours. Do you have to wait around, stone, and dig your nose for the next hour or so tossing your paper back and forth for 'corrections'? Nope. You can just stand up, hand your paper in, and leave. Some people are so smart/stupid that they only took 15 minutes to hand their paper in and leave. I really love this aspect of the testing system. You are not pressured to either stay or leave. It bestows upon you the liberty over how you want to conduct your own test. Its not like in Singapore where you're forced to be confined to an exam hall for the ENTIRE duration of the test - Even if you're done early. Not so down here. To top it of, you don't have to undergo that entire strict protocol crap that dictates examination rituals. I'm not saying they let you cheat or anything because they most certainly dont, but they dont have that entire bullshit about not allowing correction tape, when you can use the bathroom, or putting your bags in front either.

I think that this system is truly superior to the Singaporean model. Firstly, you're not pressured into writing hastily or executing bad judgment. You dont have to rush anything. You're allowed to sit down, think, and most of all plan how you wanna do your paper. You are never put in a spot where you have to chiong-ing everything all at once. This allows you to excel to your FULL capabilities. Moreover, the timing of the exam is so flexible that you can leave the area anytime once you're done with your paper. If you're ready to turn in your paper, you should be allowed to submit it and leave. I don't get why Singapore forces you to sit in a freezing cold auditorium and doze off for an hour or so waiting for the examination to conclude. There's no rationale in that. So what if they want to force you to check your paper thoroughly? Shouldn't that be your own personal call and be decided by you alone as the test taker? It is for the reasons mentioned above that I truly believe the American system triumphs over the Singaporean system. If Singapore is to eventually reform and rejuvenate its stagnant educational policies, then it has to be more open minded, tolerant, and accepting of each individual's different paces and allow them to excel and take the paper however which way they deem appropriate.

Wow. This has been my first vaguely intellectual post in a long time. Feels good trying to act smart ^_^

Update 112-01

2006-12-09T02:10:00.000-08:00

Update 112-01
Finals
9th December 2006
6:12 PM

My ~~minion~~ friend Jervois has just sent off the DVDs at the post office(At his own expense tee-hee-hee). Select personnel should be getting them within the week. Make sure you distribute them!

Remember that sociology test I was ranting about in my previous entries? Well, I managed to get 92/100 without studying. I've somehow convinced myself that if I studied, I might actually be able to get better than that.

Therefore, being more homesick and sian than ever lately (As epitomized by my indulgence in Tosai tonight), I've turned to doing my school work on a regular basis as some form of distraction - Except that I usually end up surfing the net mindlessly for cheap cameras most of the time... Which is turning out to be more oxy-moronic than anything... In the league of Singaporean beauty and American intelligence. Anyhow, I'm trying to get my life (Or lack thereof) in order and come to terms with the reality of being an exilee (Is there even such a word?) - I haven't been too successful though; not to get into an emo-angst rampage but I still miss sunny isle: Yes, even with its new, strategically-timed GST hike after the acquisition of a certain strong mandate.

Hey, what can I say? Nothing's free in life - And HDB upgrades offered during elections are not exceptions.

8 Things I need to do in my life:

1. Take up photography
2. Learn how to drive
3. Pick up a musical instrument
4. Go hikking and do random stuff more
5. Study for the first time in my life
6. Get a life - Also for the first time
7. Find a church
8. Be less emo, homesick and self-pitiful (All three are related)

On other fronts, I've finally managed to create teh that is vaguely authentic! Huzzah. Basically, it involves me buying expensive British 'Benteley' tea instead of the typical Liptons. It's pretty pricey but I reckon good teh is worth every penny (:

Oh, and ummm... Did I mention? I have final exams next week?

Its wierd but I'm not getting that same ACSI 'Oh shit we have exams next week' syndrome. Either I've studied too hard and I dont feel like I'm screwed or...

Update 111-01

2006-12-06T04:26:00.000-08:00

Update 111-01
More Movies
6th December 2006
8:30 PM

Desperately running out of ideas and having no other viable choice, I decided to write my film class term paper on Countdown - My own movie. I shrugged aside the irony of the situation has I handed it in, knowing full well that I would get an F or worse (At best). Little did I know that not only did I get an A on the project, but the professor was so impressed with Countdown that she showed it today to our film class, an audience of almost 50-60 people. Coincidentally, our film class is held in an actual theatre with those cool reclining chairs and all. So I finally got to see Countdown on the Big Screen (Literally).

According to the professor, we were apparently very 'philosophical':

"I noticed how Brian put the characters at certain screen positions. It's typical in film convention for women to be situated at the left of the screen in order to accentuate their lowly stature because the left hand side of the screen is inherently visually weaker. In Countdown, the hostage is always shot on the right - A position of authority, power, and menace."

"You played alot with spatial quantity and I liked that alot. The overthrowing of workplace conventions is a pertinent theme I got from your story."

"The film had alot of moral fiber to it - Of greed, the love of one's family, and above all, vengence."

"I loved the cultural disposition of Countdown."

"Countdown has more fireworks than the Fourth of July"

Unfortunately, we didn't get to finish the entire film because the professor did a long exposition on Countdown's motifs & themes (Which I myself didn't know existed but I nodded vigorously nonetheless). Pity they didn't get to watch the whole show but I guess something's better than nothing. I think I got my point across though. Overanalyzed film-literature for the win! (Damn that sounded so nerdy)

Anyway, I now have a bunch of people asking me for DVDs. I was quite surprised though - I thought I was screwed after hearing the countless bursts of uncontrollable laughter directed at Jordan in that particular scene. I guess people, irregardless of culture or nationality, know how to spot ~~a jackass~~ comic relief.

Update 110-01

2006-12-04T07:20:00.000-08:00

Update 110-01
Movies
4th December 2006
11:22 PM

My apologies to the loyal readers of this site (If any). Been extremely busy with classes lately. I'm currently taking 5 courses when the usual load is typically 3 or 4 per quarter. Hmmph. Have had to do alot of homework. Have final exams next week too. Oh before I forget, everyone that took part in Countdown, please pass me your address so I can send you a DVD. Thanks!

Anyway, not much to say except that life here has gotten a little suckier but oh well. I cant really say why over the net. Since a blog is a 'public' place and all. No offense, but it beats me why certain people would bother putting passwords on their blogs. If they dont want people seeing what they post, then don't bother posting. Thats my first random observation of the day.

The second is that because I've just watched 'Lucky Number Slevin', I realized that Elsa is essentially Lucy Liu in that show. I won't go into the spoilers because its a seriously kick-ass, twisted, and gripping show that I love(Almost as much as Countdown =P) but basically she also gets shot in the end but wears a vest and survivies (Yeah I just gave out a plot twist)... But hey what the heck. Hollywood has stolen yet another one of my ideas *Sighs*. Then again, as that old cliche goes, the best compliment someone can give is by copying you. Hehe.

No, not really. Damn.

So, to rid myself of that angst and emo-ness that has characterized me for the past year or so (Ever since I took on film), here's a cheers to old times! May such ~~gayness~~ fun never end!


For old time's sake. As the 'professional' filmmaker I percieve myself as, I was apalled to find out that this clip is our highest grossing video on Google Video with nearly 11,000 views and counting. So much for improving over the years...

Update 109-01

2006-11-29T03:35:00.000-08:00

Update 109-01
Sick
29th November 2006
7:31 PM

Hey guys? Guess what? WE WON CANON FILM FESTIVAL 2006!!!!

Seriously?

Haha no. We didn't. We got absolutely... NOTHING. Zip. Zero. Nada.

Sighs.

This seems to be a disturbing trend. In EVERY film festival that I participate in, every damn competition that I join, I always get beat my 'philosophical' abstract and experimental arthouse films!! Ugh! Why do independent commercial films have to be oxymoronic? Can't people recognize the creativity and innovation involved in making an epic action film without the aid of studios or proper talents? Grr. Its really infuriating how people with a hand phone camera or handycam can just waltz around their house filming completely random, useless objects like cups, tables, chairs, or the family dog, dub an apparently 'deep', random voiceover that gives off the slightest hints of intellectual provocation, and win countless competitions along the festival circuit geared towards the promotion of such crap.

There is ZERO filmmaking talent involved, a crap storyline (If ANY in the first place), and a totally retarded underlying messages that range from 'you must slash your wrist, angsty kid', to 'this cup is symbolic of my life at work' . I've seen films which just depicted some random fat guy getting up from bed and turning on his PlayStation Two (With random voiceover) score at dozens of festivals worldwide. I don't get it. Ever since this loss at the hands of the forces of darkness (Again), I have vowed to put destroying artsy films one of my top priorities after my lifelong 'Obliterate Singapore' ambition. Unfortunately, the probability of me succeeding is about as high as the probability of me destroying Singapore... Which is... Pretty damn high in my opinion!

No, not really. Gosh I'm feeling damn sarcastic today.

Oh before I forget, please go watch Ivan's Jack the ~~RIPPER~~ Beansprout. ~~I've been paid 40% of the profits to say watch it~~ I've heard its really good and stuff so please set aside a night for some laughter.

Seriously though – I would've probably ~~snuck in~~ bought tickets if I was back there right now. I've always been a moderate fan of W!ld Rice since I watched Return of the Tai Tai (Don't ask why) So please go watch, you won't be disappointed! I heard you can get discount from Ivan so please go buy your tickets now!!

/End Public Service Announcement

Since several of you have expressed interest in my personal life (Or lack thereof) and my happenings in America, I shall oblige. Basically, I've been EXTREMELY sick over the past 5 days. I swear its the Prata. Long story short, I down with the WORST gastric flu I've had in my life – Of all things, over Thanksgiving. Yeah, that's right. I didn't get to eat any turkey. All I've been having for the past week or so has been soup, porridge, and soup again. This has to be one of the best Thanksgivings ever... Anyway, I'm better now (Hopefully) so I'm back with a vengeance to my old cynical and sarcastic self. No, in case you're wondering, gastric flu does NOT affect one's mental state (At least I don't think so...).

It's been four friggin' months but I'm still homesick. WTF is up with that. Seriously. You're supposed to get over missing the Motherland in like a week or two. I have no idea why at all! It's incredibly furstrating that I think about Singapore EVERY DAMN DAY. It's as if I can't get over it. It's always at the back of my mind. Even when I see things happening around me, my mind will go 'Hey what if I did that in Singapore...' (This is before I slap myself). So yeah. For the sake of my sanity, I wish to consciously erase my past life, but I really can't. You buffoons have been a part of my life for far too long haha. This is crazy. As much as I try, I cannot forget Singapore and my friends left behind – Which strikes me as rather weird cuz when one escapes from hell, one does not ever look back.

/Wrists

Update 108-01

2006-11-28T09:02:00.000-08:00

Update 108-01
Rumors
28th November 2006
9:02 AM

I have broken my oath of silence to rebuke and rebuttal the untrue, malicious, and vicious rumors circulating around that I have been spotted in Bangkok, Thailand. Photos of me in Thailand have been distributed by the evil Loh Sher Sern. (Not that you should ask him for pics *Ahem*) In it, I am supposedly playing softball, a sport I gave up in middle school in America, so it can't be true. I'm here to state once and for all that I've NOT been exiled to Thailand. For those of you who have mistaken me for that hot, georgeous and handsome young chap in the photo (I can't blame you guys now, can I?), please don't miss me so badly ^_^

No, in case you're wondering, he's/she's is NOT a tranie >.<

Update 107-01

2006-11-22T21:27:00.000-08:00

Update 107-01
Pursuasion
22nd November 2006
9:17 PM

Yes! I just ~~brainwashed and indoctrinated~~ convinced an American to come to my house to eat prata and satay with teh for Thanksgiving dinner tonight.

Woots.

Oh kudos to Dale Tan Pang Han for doing up our DOWNLOADS SITE. You can now download Countdown and its corresponding trailer and behind the scenes clips. Thanks man.

Update 106-01

2006-11-20T17:07:00.000-08:00

Update 106-01
Canon
21st November 2006
9:05 AM

Hey everyone, please go down to this place called the 'DXO Bar' at the Esplanade on the 24th of November at 6 PM our latest film awards ceremony. Please dress fancy (Preferably in black & white triad outfit) and act ~~aristocratic~~ nice. Nevermind.

On that note, I've said it before and I'll say it again for the last time haha: Please VOTE FOR BLINDED. If you wanna come out of that bar slightly ~~drunk~~ richer, you know what to do.

But seriously though, please go down to the event. Its nice to relive and revive that film spirit once in a while, aye? I promise you wont be disappointed.

Hell, not winning is still alright...

That's what the alcohol is for.

Update 105-01

2006-11-17T20:32:00.000-08:00

Update 105-01
Rendezvous
18th November 2006
12:32 PM

I underwent a rather curious incident last night. See, America has this humongous gray/black market of used, second-hand professional camera equipment. I was rather frustrated about not being able to get a cheap 3CCD camera (If there even is such a thing) in Singapore so I've been surfing Ebay fanatically ever since I got here. The only thing that even comes close to this in Singapore is Sim Lim Square - Albeit they don't even sell used goods.

Anyway, I saw a posting on Craigslist (Something like classifieds) for a Professional 3CCD Camcorder, the Canon XL1s (The earlier version of David's XL2) at only a fraction of the price of the newer model.

I decided to give it a shot and rang the guy up. After trying to entice the chap to come down to my area, we instead settled to meet in the downtown Los Angeles ghettos... Which obviously isn't exactly the safest place to meet. Initially, he suggested some random dinghy restaurant (Think Pulp Fiction styled diners) - Which got me really suspicious. With much coaxing, I finally got him to rendezvous at a mall nearby.

Prior to this, I had conceived the notion in my warped mind that the seller was probably this clichéd long-haired, buff White guy with biker tattoos (It was his voice, I swear.). Earlier that day, I had also read about people getting shot or robbed while trying to buy the latest Sony ~~fad~~ product, the PlayStation 3.

Being the paranoid bugger that I am, I had a Glock stuffed in the back of my pants 'gangsta' style and a switch blade in my left pocket. Being the well-meaning but over-protective folk they are, my parents decided to head there an hour in advance to scout the location. I am not kidding when I say that it resembled some undercover narcotics drug bust:We even brought walkie talkie radios along with earpieces; a la Secret Service. We choose a central atrium and they positioned themselves at the exit and entrance to the place reading newspapers (Can you get any more cliché than that?)

We waited. I sat at the table reading a book.

Finally, he appears, wearing a a skull cap, looking like ~~Borat~~ Cohen from Da Ali G Show -

And we are both shocked. Speechless.

He had assumed that I too was some big, bad-ass White guy but as it turned out, both of us were Asians.. And horribly wrong about our preconceptions. Anyway, to cut the long story short (The rest of it wasn't quite dramatic) we had a cool chat. Per typical Asian-culture, I even bargained the camera down to US$900 - Which is a pretty decent buy considering the newer models retail for about US$3,500.

Anyhow, I'm pretty happy with my purchase overall. Although its far from the top of the line, the camera looks relatively new and I think *Fingers crossed* I got a pretty good bang-for-buck deal.

Hehehe. Now I can finally do what camera ~~nerds~~ techies call 'Depth of Field'.

Admittedly, it was a rather intriguing.. Rather exhilarating and tense experience which I prefer not to repeat again... But I think we'll be back to the ghettos again sometime soon.

Why?

Well, let's just say we spotted a Laksa (YES LAKSA!) eating place next door...

Update 104-01

2006-11-14T17:48:00.000-08:00

Update 104-01
Singapore Soil
14th November 2006
5:46 PM

I come home from school today and observe a little orange notice sticking out of my door.

Its from the US Customs and asks a certain 'Mr. Tan' go down to the local postal office.

When I get there, I am handed my package, a brown Singpost cardboard box. Inside it containing:

Heh. Talk about blatent eh. I was scared shitless; thinking perhaps they would charge me with illegal firearms smuggling or something because of the Glock. I had wanted to bring it over with my main shipment but couldn't because of that terrorist liquid attack in August.

I had wanted it ever so badly not only because was it was a parting gift from Jeff but also because it was my FIRST EVER GUN going back to the Titus Andronicus days! (Rather, this might be the second after the first Glock 17 got confiscated by cops... That's another story. Who cares?) Anyway, I was beginning to regret asking for it to be shipped over to me....

Thankfully, this slip of paper engineered by my cunning and intuitive wit that I asked Ben to put inside the box saved me:

Phew.

Surprisingly, the reason why it was briefly confiscated was not the presense of a Glock 17, but rather the presence of 3 test tubes of Singapore soil inside. Apparently, bringing foreign soil into the United States is illegal. Luckily, I managed to convince the fat, uniformed white guy that had a permanent 'WTF' look etched across his face (No, he was not eating a donut) that the test tubes were sealed and would remain that way.

Anyhow, my heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Ben Soh for footing the $60 bill, Sher Sern for 40 packets of instant teh, and Ali for the school magazine. Thanks guys for ~~making me more friggin emo than ever~~ getting this package to me. I really appreciate the gesture. Really means alot (:

Mmmm. If you think about it, the contents of the box are rather symbolic; everything from my old life: Guns, Teh, ACS(I)... And Singapore soil. Heh. How I miss them all!!!!!!!!!!! Okay shit this is getting emo. Alright I'll quit doing that. Althoguh I haven't read the school mag fully yet (Although I will over the next few days with alcohol and a knife nearby), I did notice that I am completely absent from the entire book. ~~I guess it must be part of the Admins plans to erase any references to my embarrasing existence~~ I guess I didnt take part in much stuff this year. Even Centerstage isn't mentioned - The only picture I have is that of a side profile of myself cleaning an M4a1 Carbine.

How appropriate.

Anyway, I'll quit complaining... At least for the next 40 days of instant teh.

Countdown Trailer

2006-11-07T09:50:00.000-08:00

Countdown Trailer

Countdown trailer is up. I had fun showing this shit to my English class who were blown away (Literally) by the guns and gore of the film but... Most of all, by the 'high caliber of English' in Singapore.

Update 102-01

2006-11-06T22:58:00.000-08:00

Update 102-01
More post-Countdown stuff
6th November 2006
11:02 PM

Hey everyone just finished a trailer. Available HERE & HERE.

I spent the past 8 hours or so (Nonstop) doing this. I have no idea why it took so long considering it isn't terribly complicated. I guess I had trouble trying to figure out what footage to include and what not to include. Was toying between either keeping it concise and breaktaking or introducing alot of visuals but a longer timeliine. I choose the former in the end. Hope it works. Please feel free to comment and add your remarks as always.

Now that Countdown is more or less done, I have an admission to make. I'm sure ya'll recall me venting and ranting over MSN about how screwed up my computer became after editing so intensively for so long. I believe that I had said that because my computer kept crashing and that the future of Countdown was placed in serious jeopardy as a result of that. In the end, I did finish the movie. How? Well, let's just say that I've been 'borrowing' computers from a certain big-business, established corporate conglomerate store that happens to sell computers.

I conceed its a rather devious thing to do but I did what I had to do to get this project done =S

It involves me basically buying a brand new top of the line dual-core, 4 GB RAM computer from this retailer. After using it for about 2 weeks for editing, I can return it to the shop and get back a FULL refused with no questions asked whatsoever. None at all. Then, I buy that same computer (Or even a better one), use it for 2 weeks, then return it again. You get the cycle. I haven't lost a single cent doing this FOUR TIMES over a MONTH. It isn't perfect because I've often had to redo one or two scenes to accomodate new computer changes... But ultimately I did manage to get the film done. Admittedly, it's rather... Sneaky... But I comfort and justify myself that I wasn't a complete jackass.

How so? Well, for one, because they don't check or ask any questions when I return the computer box, I could've jacked a couple of internal parts like the processor or the harddrive and return a shelled-out CPU to them.

Hell, because I paid cash, I could've just taken the CPU and replaced it with a few pounds of pebbles or iron bars in the box and they would've been none the wiser.

Yes, BLT does have morals - Albeit questionable and warped ones.

But hey, some's better than none.

To make myself appear less evil and lessen the impact of the previous admission, I've decided to release:

Random Countdown Facts, Admitted Mistakes & Trivia, IMDB Style

1. The first 'bomb-setting' sequence of the film, some of Elsa's hand shots were actually BLT's hands.
2. All the sequences of the lead cop walking around and shooting Ethan in the flashback was actually Bloke - Kiat's dialogue was all shot later.
3. Kiat's "Waste Them" is actually Bloke's voice; Bloke has such a hard time saying the line that he developed a lisp 'Wathe Them!'
4. Phua Kai Lun dies 4 times.
5. Bryan Loke, former lead actor, makes a cameo as a sniper on the roof in a split screen.
6. Ethan Koh dies twice; once as a brother and another as a random cop.
7. Yi Yang dies the same way as he does in The Vault.
8. The warehouse shootout sequence was filmed over 2 days - Most of which was during daytime.
9. SWAT team members were continually cycled throughout the film.
10. Reuben was sitting around looking after the bags when he was picked to play a SWAT officer.
11. Dickson and Daniel have cameos as normal policemen who die in the warehouse raid.
12. The smoke from Jeff's Glock and the tape are actually from Edward's pipe.
13. The car ignition, lisence plate, and bullet shell dropping shots were all filmed seperately 2 weeks after the main shoot.
14. Ben soh, David Liew, and Edward have cameos as cameramen in the film.
15. Jeff, Elsa, Dickson, & Daniel are the only characters to survive the film; everyone else dies.
16. Body Count: 70
17. Malcolm Ong, the Director of Photography, appears in the 'behind the scenes' video wielding a hand phone camera.
18. The film is promoted as being the last ten minutes of 3 peoples' lives. However, its half an hour long. Guess its justified because its 10 min x 3 characters haha.

Update 101-01

2006-11-04T07:54:00.000-08:00

Update 101-01
Post-Countdown
4th November 2006
8:11 AM

Countdown is finally over. I cant quite get over that fact somehow. I had hated Countdown so damn much when it was in post-production - To the extent that even my MSN Nick proclaimed 'I HATE EDITING'. Now that its done and over however, I feel a certain sense of emptiness about my life. I guess it had provided some sort of distraction when I was settling in down here - Qf purpose and meaning to life. Its been an integral part of my life for so long that now that its gone, I sorta crave it back. Heh. What a love-hate relationship.

Now I know what having a girlfriend is like hahaha.

Anyway please vote for BLINDED, currently in the Finals of the Canon Film Festival, HERE. The website is pretty screwed up and I think you can vote more than once under a different name! Unethical but rather humorous at the same time.

I've wanted to get into Canon for such a long time that its sadly ironic that when I finally get it after 3 years of endless hardwork, determination, and labor, I can't even go. Sighs. Its so irritatingly ambivalent and paradoxical.

After a year, I think we've come quite a long way haha. Check out an exerp from the very first post on this site on 31st Oct 2005.

The body armor guy calls me and says he's willing to sell 9 vests at $600+ (originally $800). I'm supposing I'll agree because Kevlar vests are somewhat of a rarity. We shall be traveling to Beach Road and Salvation Army tomorrow to hook up with 'Andy', our Army supplier contact; maybe we'll even make a side trip to Sim Lim Square to check out camera supplies.

Haha I remember some time 2 years ago I said I was gonna get a SWAT team and everyone laughed their asses off at me for 15 minutes. Heh. How things have changed!

Despite editing being over and hence granting me new found freedom, I haven't studied for all my exams this week; but I suppose I did okay in the end *Fingers crossed*. During one of my Sociology exams, I forgot to bring the OTAS sheet so I thought I was screwed and would lose all my points. Thankfully, the TA (Teacher's Assistant)very kindly let me go out of the examination hall to the bookstore to buy the damned sheet. I was genuinely astonished by such kindess. I'm pretty sure you never see this kind of thing in Singapore. "No OTAS sheet arh? Fail lor!"

Sociology rocks. For our assignment this week, we are ordered to go do something that 'violates the norm' - AKA do something stupid. According to the professor, previous years did things like walk around in a ski mask in downtown LA during broad daylight, sing in an elevator, and ask your parents when was the last time they made love. (Think crazy MTV 'Whatever Things')

On a rather ominous note, the haze as followed me here. Some jackass decided to burn up the forest and so now everything is a lil' cloudy. Thankfully, its not even remotely health-hazardous - Its just a bit irritating and somewhat depressing.

How symbolic.

Countdown: Finalized

2006-10-29T10:10:00.000-08:00


Countdown: Finalized

Update 100-01

2006-10-28T20:10:00.000-07:00

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:

Countdown
Bloopers (This is really funny)

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), and HERE (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! (:

- BLT

Update 99-01

2006-10-23T17:22:00.000-07:00

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.

Update 98-01

2006-10-21T09:01:00.000-07:00

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.

Update 97-01

2006-10-17T02:16:00.000-07:00

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

2006-10-15T09:09:00.000-07:00

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.

Editing has made me go haywire. I think I'm driving the people around me nuts... Like my graphics animator from Perdue University. Heh.

Update 95-01

2006-10-11T17:37:00.000-07:00

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.

Deja Vu.

Update 94-01

2006-10-09T13:07:00.000-07:00

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.

Update 93-01

2006-10-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

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.

Update 92-01

2006-10-06T22:57:00.000-07:00

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

2006-10-02T18:42:00.000-07:00

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.

Update 90-01

2006-10-02T05:31:00.000-07:00

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.

Update 89-01

2006-10-01T16:18:00.000-07:00

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.

Update 88-01

2006-09-29T21:46:00.000-07:00

Update 88-01
Started University
30th September 2006
9:41 PM

Before I talk about my day, which I presume most of you are keen to find out more about, a business annoucement is in order. For those of you wondering what the hell happened to Countdown, basically my computer went ka-put while editing. I'm in the midst of searching for a new one so no worries. I was reviewing Initial B Orientation footage the other day in a bout of homesickness and realized there was so much of it (Made everythin even more nostalgic). It was a few hours long and took up a total of 60 GBs. I was telling myself to never ever shoot with 9 cameras again. Not only was it hell to coordinate (Especially around the whole of Singapore for the Amazing Race segment) but editing was pretty crazy too. Then, I realized we shot Countdown with 5 cameras (3 professional ones), 10 hours of footage, and 120 Gigs of space - To be compressed into a 15 min short. SIGHS ):

In order to placate and perhaps whett your appetites, I have put all the Countdown production photos online. HERE. You're gonna have to look for the 'Countdown' Set/Album (Located on the right hand side bar). There are gonna be alot of other photos up online soon from BLINDED, Centerstage, etc. This site is seriously kick-ass. I have a 2.5 GB space limit and you can download the footage in original size (Click 'All Sizes). I currently have about 800+ photos on and there are set to be more coming soon. Just browse around the sets and enjoy yourselves haha. Props to Malcolm for the recommendation.

So I started university today. Went rather 'okay' I suppose. Its that typical nervous starting-school days where you dont know anyone but pretend you do. It really is quite unsettling though I must admit that I'm pretty seasoned by all this moving about having starting afresh at so many new schools between the States and Singapore. It'll take time (Not too much I hope). I'm at a considerable disadvantage compared to the average college student in terms of social networking and getting to know people:

"So what dorm you from?"

"Oh I don't stay on campus - Underage heh. Live in nearby appartment." *Weak smile*

"Oh so you have your own appartment eh? Wow thats cool, dawg. I always wanted to do that but I got no dough."

"Urm... I actually live with my parents..."

"Oh well, then I bet driving yourself here everyday's a pain!"

"Uhh... No. Actually my parents send me..."

The guy looked at me as if I just told him I was from Mars, ate hamsters for breakfast, and then decided to take over some guy's body in a bid to blend in with humans. Later on, I was asked to join this asian sorority after walking by their booth. They called themselves KASA. I was a bit puzzled, and asked what it stood for. Some guy told me not to ask questions and just come to the party tonight with a '6 pack of miller lite'.

I declined politely.

I found out later it apparently it stands for Korean Association for Smoking & Alcohol.

... Hmmph.... And I thought we were decadent.

Apart from that everything went rather smoothly. A few classes were cancelled because the TA (Teacher's Assistant; kinda like a sub-professor) didn't show up. Its quite interesting observing the ripples in the group when you say you just came from Singapore. Some girl told me I could write a book about my life. I took that as a compliment. On other notes, text books are friggin expensive. Its an average of US$50 per book. And there are like 3 books per course. And I have 5 courses.

Ouch. There goes lunch for 2 weeks.

Update 87-01

2006-09-27T18:31:00.000-07:00

Update 87-01
Starting University
28th September 2006
9:30 AM

I start university today. Never thought I would be saying that phrase so soon. I had always had this dream, this vague aspiration, to go to university before 18. I have no idea why. Maybe it runs in the blood. My mum made this same journey when she was 17 to a uni in London - But thats another story. Now that my goal has been realized, it feels surreal; simply because I never actually thought the day would ever come. It always appeared so far off, what you would think about when you were asked one of them 'what do you wanna be when you grow up?' questions.

Now, on hindsight, I find that my life has passed by so fast - That everything that has led up to this point has been a mere 2 minute flashback from a short film, a distorted and messy collage of distant, idealized recollections earmarked by certain special occasions and significant memories in the life of the protagonist. Sitting at my computer now typing this out before I attend my very first Sociology class 5 hours later, I can't help but feel rather overwhelmed by it all.

Am I scared? Hell yeah. I probably am. I have made a grand total of ZERO friends thus far.

Having existed for over 17 years now, I'm trying to come to terms with who I am as a person. It somehow occurred to me now, going to university and all, that deciding what I wanted to do in life and how I wanted to shape my destiny were inextricably related to who I already was. As I begin the long and arduous journey to a new life here, I find it nearly inevitable that my personality, characteristics, and idiosyncrasies will be influenced by my new life here in America - And I took the onus to forcibly tell myself not to change. Then it struck me, like cold rain sizzling against a car's heated bonnet, that there was not much to preserve anyway. Who am I, as an individual? I can't explain why, but I cannot help but think about my own cultural identity (Or lack of) when I reflect upon my roots.

It is tough, living this lifestyle of being neither here nor there. It becomes even more surreal, as a minority in this country. Don't take me wrong - There is very little discrimination here, but one cannot help but feel rather displaced. In America, I'm too Asian. In Singapore, I'm too American. You can't really got more paradoxically globalized than that. I don't feel at home in either place. To be harshly honest, I don't feel much allegiance to either place - America or Singapore. I don't have relatives in either. In America, I can't help but miss Singapore - And vise versa in the other direction. Yet somehow, I feel like an alien, a stranger, in both. All my life, since I was 2, I've played this little game of hop-skotch: A trans-continental zig zag of constant shuttling between the US and Singapore.

As I soon transition into the adult world where identity and ethnicity become increasingly relevant and pertinent, I can't help questioning who Brian L. Tan really is. What is my identity? I am supposedly Chinese by virtue of my Great-Great-Great Grandfather being from some random village but my family from my Grandfather's time on never spoke a word of Chinese. I don't know anyone from China - All my relatives are 'pernakans' from Malaysia. We don't eat with chop sticks. We nourish ourselves with Western food most of the time; our Chinese culinary diet sadly confined to cliche stir-fried veges and sweet and sour chicken. No offense to her, but my Mum can't cook Chinese food for nuts. Her quiche, salad, pizza, and angel hair pasta with basil (mmmmm) are much better. Sure, I love Chinese food, but we like Mexican even more.

I like to think of myself as your typical ~~Americanized~~ 'Global Citizen' guy - Loyalty only to himself; but the truth is that I don't know who I am. I suppose I am who I choose to be; a hodge-podge paper mache of different backgrounds and nationalities but then again, I'm not quite sure myself. In a split second, I can adopt an American, British, Singaporean, French, Malay, or Indian accent (The latter of which, I have been told, is none too convincing due to lack of practice.)

When I was a young lad at the age of 11 in America, I used to go around school pretending to be a French or British exchange student just for kicks. Nevermind. My mind (Like my fluctuating identity) is wandering. I was telling myself to write a nice optimistic post about going to university and my ambitions here but I guess that kind of fell through when this entire culture-identity issue surface. Hmmph. Anyway. Thats just been some displaced, disconcerted random thoughts about myself. I half contemplated deleting it because its so rambled but nevermind. I need to flush it out of my system since I have no one to talk to down here. Now, on to more interesting stuff...

I met this lady, at church last Sunday who migrated to the States 10 years ago, bringing her 7 year old son with her. Now, because her son never went back for NS, he's an exile too. But I don't think that would mean much to him having been away for so long. I wanted to talk to him, but wierd thing was he wasn't there at the church. Maybe the ISD... But it was nice anyway, talking to the mum and sharing a little solidarity.
Until the next emo/angst bout I will indulge myself with a little sweet taste of home.

Wierdly enough I found them in this big but average American supermarket that I also bought $1.50 wine from. Erm. Not that I drank, of course. Well... Not much anyway. Although the bottle was huge. I wonder how the hell they make money.

Huzzah for globalization. Guess it does have its benefits...

Ah here's another thing to keep me busy, for a couple of hours... Or days... At the looks of things:

Therein those boxes contain an unassembled 8 foot long dining table its 6 accompanying chairs.

Great. Too bad they dont teach carpentry at my uni.

Update 86-01

2006-09-26T02:21:00.000-07:00

Update 86-01
Apologies
26th September 2006
5:17 PM

Apologies for the lack of blogging for the past few days. Not having internet... Really gets me mad... Mmmm lets not go there before I start ranting per usual. On other fronts, my computer has decided to quit on me. All editing on Countdown has stopped becuase I put in too many digital effects, and other FX to the extent that my computer declared it was 'Running Too Low on Virtual Memory' and refused to run Adobe Premiere henceforth. I will buy a new computer soon.... Somehow. Don't wory. Countdown will be complete... Eventually...

I start university in 3 days. Although I do have occasional bouts of fear and anxiety about going to college at 17, I must admit that I'm feeling rather... Detached from the whole process altogether. I'm not nervous, I'm not particularly thrilled, and I'm not THAT scared (So I tell myself)... I think I'm just a bit zoned out/stonned about the entire event. To me, its just like resuming school with no friends after a 3 week holiday. I feel more concerned about Countdown editing than I am about starting university. Uh-oh. Something's definately wrong there. Ah well. Wierd, huh?

I also have to declare that I ate bee hon and hor fun the other day after a one hour journey to Chinatown. It was... Heavenly. This marks the longest time I haven't eaten a single dish of Asian food - For one whole Month. Unfortunately, this looks likely to be the usual trend seeing how hard they are to get. Though to be honest, it isn't exactly that hard when you're surrounded by an endless supply of tacos (And free salsa packets), fried chicken, and burgers. Its just that when you eat such stuff after so long, one tends to appreciate the finer things of life, and the nostalgia that comes with it; i.e. 'eh we used to get this next door from that hawker center...'. Hmmph. Till my next trip, I shall survive on chocolate and coke (Not together) binges. Whee.

I love American fast food joints. You order a small drink usually less than a dollar and they let you have as many refills of any drink you like from this soft drinks dispenser. I went to Ikea yesterday and drank 6 cups of coffee (One after the other) for just 99 cents. No, I didn't get high (Unfortunately). Though I did drink so much coke one time I... Nevermind.

I think Bloke will enjoy living here.

I also met this guy that looks like a buff SAM CHAN. Yes. No shit. Stretch Sam Chan to like 180cm/6 foot 2/ ben soh's height and make him also buffed and bulked (and American). Man. He has the exact same face and those identical little glasses Sam Chan has. Quite intriguing eh? It may be racist but I think there's an element of truth to it when they go 'all you chinks look alike'.

I went to church yesterday, for the first time in a month. Was also, like bee hon and hor fun, heavenly - In more ways than one. Was a rather delightful, refreshing experience.

On other notes, it really is interesting observing people's reactions when they here you just came from Singapore. I should make a sport out of it. If they DO know where the hell Singapore is, (That its not part of Korea, China, or Japan), they'll say something like this:

Girl: "I heard rumors that in Singapore you can chew gum and you can be fined for littering."

Me (Dead serious; while chewing gum and throwing the wrapper on the floor): "Its true."

What followed were loud gasps of horror, disgust, and shouts of 'Oh Em Gees' by the entire youth group at church. You get the idea.

I think I will go back there next week.

Update 85-01

2006-09-19T20:49:00.000-07:00

Update 85-01
Amused
20th September 2006
11:45 AM

Spoils from a trip to Taco Bell amuse me to no end.

Mind you, there are hundreds of variations across three different types of sauces: Mild, Hot, and Extreme Hot Salsa. One wonders why the bother. I nearly choked on my tacos reading them. Maybe that’s the intention.

What would bring Jack Sparrow, Trinity, 'M', Irina Derevko, and that cosmonaut guy from Armageddon together? Why, chocolate, of course. That’s right. Or rather, to be more precise, Chocolat. I had actually watched this film almost 6 years ago but I watched it again last night. Set in 1960’s France, Chocolat is a delight to watch. It’s really not my type film (Yes, not a single gun) but it holds a rather poignant and enriching message about conformity, love, religion, and life. Although it ends on a rather ‘feel-good’ and upbeat note which isn’t my particular cup of tea (Or hot chocolate), I nonetheless thoroughly enjoyed this film for its beautiful setting, breathtaking cinematography, good acting and nicely woven, albeit simple plot. With such a star-studded cast, what more can I say? Watch this film after exams if you want to be uplifted and happy.

Hmmph weirdly enough, Johnny Depp plays a River Rat (French version of a pirate).

Anyway, I’m done with an extremely rough cut of ALL non-action scenes. It is nowhere near completion though I will begin action scenes later today. I will get some test clips and yes, pictures, of countdown out by tomorrow. The library (And not having regular MSN & internet for the past 3 damn weeks) pisses me off cuz my HDD doesn’t work here and Blogger can’t publish.

Update 84-01

2006-09-17T19:01:00.000-07:00

Update 84-01
Disjointed
18th September 2006
10:03 AM

After a few days of absence, I'm back with a vengence. This entry is gonna' be long. Alienation and lonliness does things to you. For me, I'm writing e-mails, blogging, blog surfing, looking at old emo pictures and daydreaming more than I should. Looking forward to tags on this site and e-mails like never before, one tends to appreciate the simpler pleasures of life. Over the past few days I've only talked to Dimitri online - Whic doesn't say much at all. Haha. Kidding. Dim, if you ever read this crap, I want you to know that our MSN conversations keep me going. Thanks Ali, for your e-mails too. I should have full internet capabilities in a few days. Anyway, emo stuff later, business first. Countdown editing is crawling along. I have a few issues that remain unsolved and I have no idea what to do without some stuff:

1. Countdown Timer: Should it be red or yellow and should it include milli-seconds after the seconds?
2. Could any of you who read this plog record your own voice saying as many of the following as possible?
a. Open Fire!
b. Cover Fire!
c. Retreat!
d. To your left!
e. Fall back!
f. There're too many of them!
g. Arrgh! (Just got shot)
h. Clear that area now!
i. Hold that position!
j. Go go go!
k. We need reinforcements!!
l. Anything else you would say when you're being shot at by alot of people

Seriously. I need this for one of the scenes quite urgently where its played over the police radio. So yeah. As many of you as possible. Anyone at all. Just record with your handphone mic or that $50 Creative mic. Whatever floats your boat. Say all the lines as if you're very frantic/urgent/desperate while being SHOT at. Then send the file to my e-mail. buck_suck@hotmail.com. I stress again; this is quite important and urgent. Thanks.
3. I need muzzle flashes of m16s
4. I need original music

I'm about halfway done with rough cuts for non-action scenes (i.e. Dialogue, etc.). Wierdly enough, being the action junkie that I am, I'm actually DREADING to edit the action scenes such as the big-ass office and warehouse shootouts. There's so much footage to sift through and I have to superimpose nearly all the scenes with muzzle flashes and other special effects which are a real killer to edit as they require me to impose and subsequently render each individual frame. Its incredibly time-consuming and just plain sian. Just as a heads up notice, I'll begin uploading pictures taken by our still photographers from the next update onwards so look out for that. Some of the photos are really nice.

I feel sick. Not homesick or lovesick, at that. I think I'm coming down with the flu or something. Its been very hot the past few days but last night temperatures dropped to about 40 to 50 degrees farenheit (I dont know what that is in Celsius). So wide open windows coupled with me garbed in shorts and t-shirt, I woke up with a rather nasty headache, blocked nose and fever, all of which haven't subsided yet. So I guess my illments will be justification for the upcoming rant.

I'm sure all of you have experienced this at least once. Have you called up some big organization's hotline were greeted by some monotonous automated machine which tells you to press one for English, two for Spanish and zero to speak to an operator, or some crap like that? Well, here in America, that's the norm - As I found out trying to get my phone line and internet started up. After listening to countless irritating machine voices for almost 5 minutes and dailing 1s or 2s on the phone's numbers were hot, I finally get to talk to a human being. Picture if you will, the cliche air-head blonde. Now, giver her a headset. Next, give her a computer (Not that she knows how to use it). Then, put her at a desk as an employee of AT & T Telecom Services Inc.

Operator: 'Hi. My name is Jenny. Thank you for dailing our 1-800 number. How might I help you?'
Me: 'Hi can I'd like to set up my phone line please.'
Operator: 'Okay sure thing. What's your name and address?'
I give it to her. Operator: 'Thank you. Please hold the line while I transfer you to our phone installation services department.'

I'm left hanging (Literally) listening to Green Day's 'Had a bad day' before someone finally picks up.

Operator: 'Hi. My name is Maegen. Thank you for dailing our phone installation services department. How might I help you?'
Me: 'Can I'd like to set up my phone line please.'
Operator: 'Okay. What's your name and address?'
I give it to her... This time a little more grudgingly
Operator: 'Please hold on.'

Again, I'm put on hold listening to slash-wrist Green Day emo music while I wait for the folks at AT & T to get their act together. Finally, some other lady picks up... And AGAIN transfers me! This cycle is repeated six times. Six. Yes, six blardy times. I pretty much memorized ~~my name~~ my new address by the fifth round. I consider myself a rather impatient person by nature (And experience) but I imagine this situation would be rather unbearable for the most patient of indvididuals so I hung up after I started pulling my hair out (I've got alot to go around now since I don't have to cut it). Being on hold for so long on a PAY PHONE (I spent $5 worth of quarters), Green Days 'You Had A Bad Day' was fast becoming a reality.

I was ranting about this to Ali the other day but I might as well put it online: Apparently, the internet company demands a phone line set up before they can get my net started. But, you see the problem is that I dont have a phone yet.. So yeah... America's a big humongous beaurocracy - About as bad as Singapore. Its really pissing off cuz when you finally get an operator he or she puts you on hold and transfers you to another dude who does the same thing; the cycle repeats itself a few times before you finally get through or throw your phone against the wall in rage (The latter usually comes first). Blardy red tape. But I think its slightly better than Singapore cuz you can apply for things online and it does so instantly - Only problem is we don't have internet. And we can only get internet if we get a phone line set up. But we cant apply for a phone line online cuz we dont have no internet. Classic chicken and egg problem.

Furniture in Amerika is really affordable. I bought this huge desk recently for the great price of only US$149.99. It looks pretty good for that price in my opinion. Its so compact too! I was wondering how such a big desk can fit into a small 5 foot box!

Now I found out why -

On hindsight, I should have paid more attention to the label:

That's right. The desk comes in PLANKS. Attached is a grand total of over 400 different nails, screws, etc. I have no idea what the hell to do.

See those little stickers? Yeah I had to label each and everyone of them (With precious DV tape stickers) alphabetically in relation to the manual on how to assemble it because the furniture company probably forgot to label them. SIGHS. This is gonna be hell to assemble.

Well, see that fire place in the picture?

Worse come to worse I could just use them all has firewood for a merry ole' bonfire! Whee!

Considering this is the first piece of furniture we bought, I can't imagine the day we buy a sofa, TV cabinet, shelves, dining table, etc...

Anyway, I think I'm really stuck in the past. The reality of this situation is that everyone else has moved on - But I cant. Reminiscing my past life has become a very unhealthy habit of mine here. I'm settling down somewhat but I think about Singapore alot. Almost constantly. To extent that it becomes nostalgic, enchanting even. Wierdly enough, the editing process of Countdown is what keeps me sane - It gives me some sort of purpose and meaning.

In way, I'm rather ambiguous about starting school. One one hand, going to university, especially at 17, quite frankly scares the shit out of me. On the other hand, I'm longing for a return to normlacy, routine, and stability in my life. The tranisitions I've undergone over the past month have really been incredibly disorienting and I find myself asking alot of questions and harboring alot of doubts about the world, God, and life in general. Those of you who know me will also know that I'm not an especially spiritual or religious person but I've been kinda wondering where God is in all of this and what His plan is for my life - Especially since I've been absent from church for the past 3 weeks. I need to start praying and and finding a church. Speaking of needs, I also need a friend, damnit. Life sucks when you're alone. Gosh this entry has been so disjointed. Hope thats not symbolic =S

Update 83-01

2006-09-13T13:03:00.000-07:00

Update 83-01
Random Complaints
13th September 2006
12:15 AM

Editing pisses me off. Sitting at the computer for four to five hours at a stretch doing the same scene over and over again sucks when one has no inspiration whatsoever. Don't worry. I'll press on nonetheless - Though I would greatly appreciate any suggestions on how I'm doing so far and how I might do the rest of the scenes... (Refer to previous post) so that I can move on and not harp about it. Hi Amy. How ya doing? And Jack, whoever you are, do know that I did not want a Honda CR-V. My parents choose it and I respect their decision. Its a black CRV, btw. Stupid blardy tagboard doesnt allow me to post. Grr.

Tea in Amerika sucks. I went out of my way (To Chinatown; not even stopping to eat real Asian food) to buy Lipton tea and Carnation milk. I went back triumphantly to my place to make a good cup of teh but it turned out horrible. Something is fundamentally unfavorable in the water here for teh. It just doesn't turn out right somehow even with the exact same ingredients like the Lipton teabags and Carnation milk. Hmm.

Hey Malcolm, my favorite (And only) tagboard spammer, could you e-mail those links to me plesae? I somehow cannot access them from the tagboard. Btw could you also tell me how to neutralize halogen white balance? Also, I need to figure out how to make a voice wav. file sound as if its emitting from a radio and phone. (For phone scenes and radios for Slow's listening in the car scene) Lastly, I had to bug on this, but have the DVDs been done? Yes yes, I know you're having exams so I apologize. Please e-mail me (Not tag me) if you need further discussion or clarification.

Jeff, could you please tell me how I can extract the SWAT 4 sound effects? They're in some totally random file configuration which I cannot access or edit. Additionally, your voiceovers aren't clear enough on the editor. They're wayy to muffled - Even to be coming out of a phone or radio. Would you mind re-recording with a better mic? Sorry for the inconvenience. Thanks. Do e-mail me too.

Ben soh, sorry to push but hows the Glock shipment coming along? Do you need my address? By the way, could you tell me how to do the '24' slide transition thing whereby the footage moves/shrinks to a certain segment of the screen in order for split screen conversations to occur, etc? I was toying with Premiere's scene transitions for almost 4 hours yesterday and still can't seem to get it. Let me know as well. Thanks.

Btw, if any of you who are reading this is from 5.14, could you please help me move any of my random stuff from the back of the classroom and dump it into the infamous gun armory cupboard? This is, of course, asuming it hasn't been destroyed or thrown away by HKP. If not, just take everything (Pirated DVDs, prop bomb, boxes, spare gun parts, etc. etc.) and throw it into the cupboard. Many thanks. Will post again tomorrow with more orders. Heh. Do comment on footage and e-mail me. Kthxbye.

Update 82-01

2006-09-12T11:52:00.000-07:00

Update 82-01
Countdown Conversation
12th September 2006
11:40 AM

Hello. Still not internet. Its getting a bit pissing off. I can only come online when the office opens - Which is around 11 AM (2 AM SG time), so I doubt I can see ya'll. Would be great if you could e-mail though. Malcolm, could you yousendit the thing to me please? I doubt you'll be online anytime soon at 1 or 2 AM so I think it would be better if you could send it to me via e-mail.

Ah yes, business: Countdown editing is going rather slow cuz I'm a bit sian most of the time without anyone to help me out. I did the conversation scene though - Downloadable HERE. Apart from being a first draft and that its also in its rawest form, it has also been compressed drastically to reduce size, so please bear with it. Suggestions regarding acting, ting, music, coloration, mood, etc. would be much appreciated. I threw it Kung Fu Hustle Axe Gang music for kicks. Enjoy and comment. Thanks. If you think it sucks, watch THIS. It may change your mind.

Hmmm strangely enough I miss eating authentic Asian food. I've not eaten any for the past 2 weeks, of course excluding Americanized chinese 'takeaways'; i.e. Panda Express and Little Chinatown which come in little pint-sized boxes you see in the movies. I must head down to Chinatown sometime soon when I get a car. Wait. I already have a car. Oh yeah. My parents just bought a new car - The same new car. Honda CRV. Gah. I wanted a different car but oh well. For the same price they paid they could've gotten a Mercedes - But my mum doesnt like the smell. *grumbles* Nevermind. Doesn't mean much to me when I get my own car. Muahahha!

Grr its been 2 weeks since I've left. I miss ya'll like crazy. Damnit must not get emo.

Update 81-01

2006-09-10T15:04:00.000-07:00

Update 81-01
Still no internet
10th September 2006
2:52 PM

Mal. Chill the hell out. Relax. Seriously. By DVDs I meant only the random movies - Which should'nt be more than 4+. I thought we clarified this already. I DO NOT NEED SOG FOOTAGE NOW. Got it? I only want my random movies. Don't need to spam my tagboard you shithead. Sorry. I hate it when people spam boards. Like wtf man. I think I got the idea. You could at least be a little more discreet and EMAIL ME. Now I have to do some techie stuff and get rid of your angry wtf posts. It pisses me off but nevermind. Understandable. I will pass you the proj file for a 15 min version of BLINDED. As I said earlier on MSN, the 15 min version merely EXCLUDES CREDITS. NOTHING ELSE. THE VIDEO IS CUT AT 15:02 - THATS IT. And Mal, we forgot to include certain people on the credits list for your Lvoe Film. I will sort this out with you when I get online again. (Hopefully sometime soon)

Anyhow, I'm at my friend's place right now borrowing his computer. Will not have internet until Thursday but I will borrow the appartment office manager's computer whenever I can on a daily basis. Comments on the video were appreciated. Hmm. Any suggestions on what tint I should use? Would be helpful. Yes, Kani is sending me some stuff. Any of you wanna' pass stuff to him, please do. Thanks. Not to big though cuz' otherwise he has to pay extra charges on top of the already expensive mail services getting the package here. We're still car hunting. Its very irritating, to say the least because every car both has its good and bad points. I find it increasingly frustrating. My appartment over here is rather nice: Has the usual facilities like a swimming pool, gym, business center, function room, etc. I daresay its slightly better than Tessarina except its only two floors tall. I have no idea why but every building in California seems to be less than three stories in height.

That's all I can think of for now. Again, I sincerely apologize to Mal but you honestly need to sit back, relax, take a chill pill and calm down. Gosh exams must be getting to ya'll *Sniggers*. School must be starting soon huh? Mine starts in about 3 weeks. Good luck to ya'll starting school; exams must be coming so the stress level must be elevating. Wish everyone all the best and good lucking in school. Hope everything goes alright. Try to keep talking, okay? Thanks everyone!

Update 80-01

2006-09-09T12:58:00.000-07:00

Update 80-01
No internet
9th September 2006
1:03 PM

Hello! This isn't a 'proper' update (If there is such a thing). Just a random quickie. I moved into my apparments - More description on that later. I guess I'm doing alright but I don't have internet set up yet. So I'm now borrowing the office computer of the management office. Don't have much time. So anyway, sorry for being so beaurocratic here but things need to get done:

1. Ben Soh send my glock
2. Malcrum burn DVDs and pass to Mich
3. Mich pass DVDs to Kani
4. Kani send DVDs + whatever to me. You know my address
5. Malcrum burn a 15:02 minute version of BLINDED for Canon

Thats all I can think of to boss people around now. Sorry about that. Btw I made a short clip dedicated to Kai Lun (And to also prove that I've not been slacking all this time). Its not very long. Just 4 deaths of Kai Lun available HERE.

There are two versions, one tinted, and one untinted. I'm not really sure what kind of color scheme and code I should produce the movie into. I was originally thinking of doing a 'Domino', 'Man on Fire' look but I'm not really sure now. Any suggestions? Please do feel free to comment and propose something cuz I myself am at a loss. Thanks. Check this site out for examples. Do let me know ASAP. Thanks.

Anyhow, thanks everyone for tagging or talking to me on MSN. I know school is starting soon with exams around the corner and its understandable that you'd be too busy to chat but I must say it has really helped me adjust greatly and settle in a little more knowing that there'll always be people to talk to nearly 10,000 miles away. Gotta run now. I'll try to get this computer again tomorrow or Monday or something. BLT out.

Update 79-01

2006-09-07T18:00:00.000-07:00

Update 79-01
Moving
8th September 2006
9:00 PM

Am moving today to the new appartment! YAY! Finally! Haha. Can't wait to move in and establish by base of operations. Muhahaha. I can't type a long post today again because we're pretty busy moving and all so this'll just be a brief update. We still haven't gotten a new car yet - Although we did meet a really nice car sales guy who for the first time in history didn't think Singapore was a part of China/Japan/Indonesia. Kinda' felt bad not buying from him but nevermind. The other car (The one with no window) has been returned to the car rental company. Luckily for us, insurance covers the damage I think. Phew. Thanks to everyone for their care and concern over MSN haha. Fortunately (Or unfortunately to some of you), I'm fine. Thanks though.

As we're moving in now, I'm not really sure whether internet has been fully set up yet. I'll try and leech of someone's wireless network but I'm not sure how it'll go. I MAY be out of contact for the next few days or so, but rest assured, I'll be busy working my ass of on Countdown! I'll get something out soon, I think...

Arrgh it's one week since I left and although it may not seem like it from my posts, I miss ya'll like crazy!! Gah. I wasnt sure whether I'm doing the right thing here, but I guess after some pressure from those of you who watched David's farewell video and also want to see the farewell video Ali did for me, I'll put it up online. It's available HERE. To be honest, I'm not fully comfortable putting something so private up online but I guess for a limited time only, those of you who said stuff for me at least deserve a right to see the video. Anyhow, that's all I have for now. Till the next time I come online, see ya!

Oh I finally got the airport pics from Jun Wei. Thanks man.

I have no clue why, but ~~some jackass~~ Jun Wei took that in black and white. Nevermind. In a non sarcastic, cynical way, I'm grateful nonetheless(: Thanks.