Pipala Tree

2012-02-01T22:23:00.001+08:00

2012-01-30T23:45:00.003+08:00

A long time ago in a hostel room at NTU

2012-01-27T01:28:00.003+08:00

5 years ago to be exact. Spooked.

新年快乐

2012-01-24T23:26:00.002+08:00

龍年行大運!

Off-Day

2012-01-21T01:42:00.004+08:00

The 4th Year

2012-01-21T01:42:00.000+08:00

21 days ago at the turn of the New Year. We celebrated the 4th year. Peak of the tallest hotel.

Oh My Buddha!

2012-01-18T20:59:00.000+08:00

Videos of Camp Ehi-Passiko 2011. Another job well done. May the Dhamma flourish in the hearts of these young people.

War Films

2012-01-18T01:16:00.003+08:00

Randomly looked through the titles on the shelves of Carrefour. The megastore carry lots of Indonesian imports. Picked two obscure war films. May not be groundbreaking but special in their own little ways.

Only The Brave (2006) dir. Lance Nishikawa

I've watched a short film with regards to this subject matter and saw snippets of Go For Broke! (can watch the entire film here on Youtube). Japanese Americans who fought for the US Army in WWII. After Pearl Harbour, Japanese Americans were eyed with suspicions by the US government and moved into internment camps. To prove their loyalty to their motherland, young Japanese Americans signed up for the war and were shipped to the Europe.

Only The Brave is an indie war film with action sequences that perhaps may not be appreciated by mainstream audience spoilt by big-budget war flicks. I appreciate the exploration of the soldiers' backstory though towards the middle, it got sort of a routine and drew "not again!" responses. Perhaps it's because I watched the film on my MBP sometime around 3am in the hotel room with a bed screaming for my head. Buddhist themes peppered across the entire film. A good material if I were to shoot a low-budget indie war flick.

The film ended with an epilogue that the Japanese American army unit portrayed in the film is the most decorated military outfit in the history of the US Army. Not sure how that is true and it if it so, it's a pity it's such a little-known fact.

Merah Putih aka Red and White (2009) dir. Yadi Sugandi

The first Indonesian film I've ever watched. Cheesey lines and plot. But I can still appreciate the film. It definitely took a lot of effort to make it. Plus so much oozing of patriotism, how not to like it? Enjoyed the coming together of soldiers from different faiths. I wonder if Indonesian Chinese took up arms with the Republican army and fought the Dutch?

Solid.

2012-01-18T00:21:00.003+08:00

Break the hiatus from politics. Solid speech from MP Vikram Nair. I'm a new fan. Exposed holes in WP's speeches. Bo wei gong. Then again, this will go mostly unnoticed with the anti-establishment fervour at a new high.

Clean wage system. What you see is what you get.

LIONS XII

2012-01-17T23:37:00.001+08:00

Back in the Malaysia Cup. Mixed feelings but this one is heart over the head. I don't want to see the S-League become second class. But football could well be the gel, the healing force to bring the people together as politics here become divisive.

Caught my first game with the guys. We won 2-1 over Kuala Lumpur.

Brings back good memories watching the Singapore team on TV. First introduction into football by my eldest sister in 1992. The fire only caught on me in 1993. I had posters, a sticker book and a mixtape of songs sang by the Lions. My dad used to be pissed when the first thing I did every morning was to read the Sports Section to find out the latest news about the Lions than read about current affairs.. My mom once scolded my eldest sister for introducing football to me as I rather watch the games on tele then study for my tests. From where I used to stay, I could see the old Jalan Besar stadium and the Lions trained there every evening. In 1994, my mom promised me that she would bring me to Kallang stadium to finally watch a match live, if I worked hard in my academics. That was also the year we won the Malaysia Cup and the League and subsequently pulled out of the tourney. The next thing to do is to bring my parents to Jalan Besar Stadium and enjoy the game.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

2012-01-16T00:44:00.003+08:00

This is my motto for now. Billy Ocean's voice haunting me. CNY is around the corner but I've got no time and energy for the festive mood, YET. Tons of work to do, so much so I have to pack a bag to bring work home for the weekend. It's easy to throw in the towel now but I would like to believe I'm stronger than that. It's a rush against time to meet the deadlines and pressure. Such a shitty situation, can only happen once in a lifetime. I can blame my fate/fortune/luck or whatever lah, but I would like to change the way I handle the situation than let the situation overcome me.

Guan Gong vs Aliens

2012-01-11T23:53:00.002+08:00

Now this is a gem, shared by a filmmaking friend on Facebook. Guan Gong fights Alien invaders, a la Ultraman. 1970s Hong Kong film I think. Where has it been all these years!?

The Tiger Nephews

2012-01-08T22:57:00.001+08:00

Lanka

2012-01-07T11:12:00.002+08:00

Tara

2012-01-07T11:06:00.003+08:00

There's so much joy and loyalty in a dog. An amazing creature.

How do you make a movie for US$9, 000/- ?

2012-01-06T02:52:00.000+08:00

15 Minutes (2001) dir. John Herzfeld

15 Minutes was not made with US$9, 000/-. It was the flick of the night as the plan to catch a midnight show alone at the neighbourhood cinema fails. Did they stop screening Flying Swords of Dragon Gate already? 2001 New York City looks archaic in 15 Minutes though the 2000s is just around the corner of my mind.

The point here is Edward Burns. Despite having a fairly sucessful career as an actor, Burns continue to ply his trade as an indie filmmaker, working with low-budgets and even shooting some of it on miniDV. In 2011, he shot a feature (Newlyweds) on 5DMkII in 12 days costing just US$9, 000/-.

Trailer looks promising. Inspiring huh?

Frontiere Interdite

2012-01-06T00:13:00.000+08:00

Linewatch (2008) dir. Kevin Bray

Another one of those crime dramas that never seems to make it to the local theatres but which I always enjoy watching.

The Wave

2012-01-04T08:07:00.001+08:00

I'm excited. This is a good team with some good plans. The wave has arrived and if we ride on it correctly, we should bring the Mission to greater heights.

Sony Nex-5

2012-01-04T00:54:00.004+08:00

I've always like to work with small cameras since university days. The fluidity and control over your images. Throw out the tripod too. The downside is the man-on-the-street would think that you're only fooling around. How could small cameras match the bigger machines? Fortunately for technology. I'm not letting go of the 5D but the compact size of a Sony Nex5 is quite impressive. Like a point-n-shoot camera.

Not the best but still look better than DV cameras right? It was only 4 years ago when we shoot all our assignments on DV tapes. Freshmen now come in and start to work with prime lens on their projects.

The Grandmaster

2012-01-03T01:15:00.001+08:00

The Number 1 film I'm looking forward to in 2012. 8 years of pre-production and 2 years to shoot. What could have been the original Ip Man film before Wilson Yip sneaked it in 2008.

How would the world's most romantic filmmaker interpret the kungfu genre?

2012

2012-01-01T13:34:00.000+08:00

Happy New Year.

It's gonna be one fantastic year.

lost

2011-12-30T02:24:00.001+08:00

Oh and I'm just waiting till the shine wears off.

Pawnshop Keeper

2011-12-30T02:14:00.002+08:00

I've never been able to fully-appreciate Korean films. Too intensive for my liking. I had my reservations with The Man From No Where initially but not anymore. This one is different, one heart-stopping cinematic experience. Haven't experienced this kinda adrenalin rush from the movies for a long time. No regrets! Won Bin matures from a teenage idol to a serious method actor. Won Bin is also a reminder of a varsity joke.

The Man From Nowhere (2010) dir Lee Jeong-beom

This is the 171th DVD I'm trying to make a record of all the titles I have. I estimate it will go to 250 or even 300. Not sure what to do with them eventually. I can't possibly turn my bedroom into a video library. Get rid of the lesser titles perhaps and keep the good ones? But then again every film is a piece of work that deserves some respect, something to learn about. Even if film connoisseurs from schools may protest, even gems that is Hollywood!

Next time, have a second look at your neighbourhood pawnshop keeper.

remembering quentin

2011-12-24T11:14:00.003+08:00

"remembering quentin tarantino films make my heart sink."

"how come?"

"the dream is too far away"

"sometimes i feel that myself. in fact, many times... ..."

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

just do it lah

2011-12-24T11:08:00.000+08:00

If I have a million dollars, it would solve everything and I can go out and make a film without having to worry about bills and a day-job. But I don't. I'm also not in the industry to be at the bottom of the food chain and hope for a miracle that someday that opportunity lands on my lap. I've seen too many do that and years after lose sight of that dream. I'm lucky to have come from a middle-class family without debts nor do my parents require any financial assistance from me. In fact, I think they will give me the funds I need to make a film but no, I'm not going to use their hard-earned money in my own 90%-sure-lose-money-venture aka filmmaking.

I've worked on a local feature film set before to know that you can shoot it comfortably for just $100, 000. We've been muddled by the myths of big-budget Hollywood and forget that many modern day filmmaking mavericks launched their career with budgets as low as $7, 000 (Robert Rodriguez) and $28, 000 (Kevin Smith).

So what's the next best thing to do? Take out part of my savings and make a feature film myself.And no, I do not have $100, 000 and neither would I be using that much money to make a film.

SHT

2011-12-24T10:44:00.003+08:00

I made a little promise to myself a week ago, not to be too bothered with politics and sociopolitical blogs in this country. Too infantile, short-sighted and too many self-righteous sheeps that simply mimics what others say. Nothing good ever happens in this country, if you believe everything our swashbuckling netizens say. However, I find it hard not to say something about the Seng Han Thong incident.

"because they are Malay, they are Indian, they can’t converse in English well”

This is the sentence attributed to PAP MP Mr. Seng Han Thong on the Internet and subsequently, made the rounds within the circle of my social media. Friends go up on arms against Seng for making such insensitive and some say, "racist" remarks. The same sentence was copy and pasted onto almost every twitter and Facebook status of our Internet "activist".

The problem is, how many of them actually watch the video and realise that the above comment was taken out of context by a certain socio-political website with other words conveniently left out, just to further their own politicl agenda? There's a lot of difference between

"...because they are Malay, they are Indian, they can’t converse in English well”

and

“And I notice that the PR (SMRT Public Relations) mentioned that some of the staff, because they are Malay they are Indian, they can't converse in English good, well enough, so that also we can learn from. I think we accept broken English.”

The latter was really what was being said by Seng.

I have friends who commented that Seng's insensitive remarks is a reflection of poor political showmanship. They really must read up on statements made by politicians from Europe, America, Australia and (not too far away) Malaysia (instead of surfing the web for their next holiday destination) and compare them to what Seng had said.

It's hard not to feel pessimistic about the future of this country if the Internet is a reflection of the real society. It's interesting to note how quick we are to jump at every discomfort in our lives as Singaporeans to be a policy mistake of the PAP, as if the PAP can stop the rain. One misconstrued opinion can become "truth" when spread by mouths of hundreds.

Ok back to hibernation and serving the Buddhist community based on Buddhist values. As a heartlander would say, "我不要chup了".

What are you doing in my park?

2011-12-22T20:19:00.001+08:00

I like all these little-known cop drama. Shot in 2009 on a HD camera, most of the time without a tripod. Fluidity of it makes it look like a newscamera or a high-budget TV drama. HD being video means whitewashed when indoors on a sunny day. Perhaps big names on the film won't take the risk of either making it a low-budget hit or an indie-wannabe. Cop drama, turf wars, police corruption and a whole load of mess in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

I actually think this film is a hidden gem. Val Kilmer, 50 Cent and Sharon Stone, plus the technology of HD video. If Gomorrah can be nominated for a Golden Palm in 2008, I think Streets of Blood shot against a realistic New Orleans street without purposeful art direction and minus away all the cheesy Hollywood moments have the makings of a cult hit.

Streets of Blood (2009) dir. Charles Winkler

Maybe you'd like to join me?

2011-12-21T19:55:00.003+08:00

Maybe you'd like to join me?

抱佛脚？

Technically观音菩萨 is not a Buddha right?

Eh yah hor. Aiyah, Bodhisattva's foot also counted lah.

Rushes. No colour editing yet. It's back to the drawing board, trying to make it work better. Too much mediocrity to the name.

Organs

2011-12-21T00:01:00.002+08:00

43 organisers (and 7 missing ones)

I don't know how to use better words to describe my heartfelt appreciation for the youths of SBM. It's never easy to do Buddhist youth work in Singapore, with the lack of resources and support and the cynicism of "armchair experts'. These kids probably had "better" things to do during their free time. But they spent countless hours for months preparing for the camp. Then on camp day itself, they climbed the stairs and the hill, lugging along tables, chairs and litres of drinking water against adverse weather elements. They chose to spend as little as possible, like renting the cheapest vehicle they can find, which turn out to be a rickety old van with non-functioning breaks. Even when the weather threatened to spoil the event, their mood never dampens. Environment and conditions can challenge them but they realise that ultimately, it's their attitude towards their surroundings that matters most.

They worked at the background, away from the limelight. Perhaps that's how SBM develops our youths. Serving others in unglamorous roles and see how their sacrifices can add happiness to the lives of others. Some of these organizers are as old as the campers but they readily take on responsibilities, putting the welfare of the campers first.

See the value of serving others and the joy you have in your heart, when you realise that your small little actions could generate into something bigger. Build spiritual friendships in a safe place where you can grow. Spiritual friendship also means that you allow your friends to learn new things and give them space to make mistakes. Understand your faith and realise what an inspiring teacher the Buddha is and how His teachings can benefit yourself and other teenagers Take ownership of this the Mission. It belongs to all of us. Look after it well, make your voices heard and let it grow in wisdom and compassion. Continue to serve with passion as servant-leaders and spiritual friends who look out for one another.

"Spiritual friendship is the whole of the spiritual life." - The Buddha

The Mission

2011-12-18T21:59:00.000+08:00

Larger than life. Keep it close to your heart, let it grow.

VG10

2011-12-14T01:29:00.003+08:00

I'm a bit greedy but a Sony NEX VG10 will make a good camera besides the 5DMk2. I don't like big cameras so a small coke can size of the VG10 will fit just fine. The only problem is it still looks like video-like.

Will be even better if Canon can fuse the size of the Canon HV series video with the censor of the latest C300.

Education

2011-12-14T01:21:00.002+08:00

A proper education really does make a man.

2011-12-13T20:10:00.000+08:00

1. The only FT that should remain in Singapore are maids and construction workers.
2. If pay is too low, Singaporeans will not want to do them but we should not hire foreigners to do these jobs. Such jobs include cleaners, coffee shop helpers etc. The elderly should not do these jobs too since they are old and should enjoy their last few years. PRCs should not take up these jobs too since we do not want to see them everywhere i.e. our heartlands.
3. We should not be made to compete with the world. We should hire only locals even though some FT may be better qualified and ask for a lower pay.
4. The government is always to blame if costs are high (cos we keep hiring locals remember?). If locals want to compete with FT and ask for competitive salaries i.e. lower salaries, the government is to blame again.
5. The government is ALWAYS to blame for our predicament. We in no way have control over our own lives. Everything is predestined.

Written by a hall friend.

Cao Cao

2011-12-13T00:38:00.000+08:00

"寧教我負天下人，休教天下人負我"

Jiang Wen's portrayal of Cao Cao in The Lost Bladesman struck me hard. Many months later, I'm still spooked by his charisma on the big screen.

He should have been on Red Cliff. Or should I say, Red Cliff's portrayal of Cao Cao as a narrow-minded one-sided villain who fought a war over a woman needs a major revision. A significant yardstick away from becoming a classic.

Don't you want to be an uncle?

2011-12-12T20:47:00.000+08:00

Lars and the Real Girl (2007) dir. Craig Gilliespe

Xenophobic Shit

2011-12-11T22:36:00.001+08:00

I'm tired of this narrow-minded xenophobic shit, coming even from even the mouths of our "elite" undergraduates. I've got no qualms if you want to bitch about foreign talents flooding out Singaporeans for white collar and PMET jobs but seriously, bus drivers? And let's not get started about that particular picture making the rounds on Facebook; a MRT train carriage full of Banglas and Chinamen, the construction kind, and the SAF tagline, "What Would You Defend?"

You find me one Singaporean with a diploma/degree who is willing to build a career as a bus driver. Or better still, find me a young Singaporean who is willing to become a Bangala/Chinaman and work under the hot sun as a construction worker.

Singaporeans are indeed very much ignorant. We don't see the Eurozone Crisis and the American debt and the comfortable jobs we have but complaining about not having enough money when they flock to pamper themselves with the latest gadgets. Now the liberals would say, "it's the PAP gahmen fault la!" Rightly so! Heavy rains, flooding, bus accidents, Slutwalk, December-suddenly-so-hot, it's all the bloody gahmen's fault lah!

I think the Noose Thai correspondent, Pornsak Sukumvit, said it well:

"Not like Singapore, one day flooding everybody call police."

Hugging the Buddha's Foot

2011-12-10T22:26:00.001+08:00

More feet, more luck!

The Limits of Control

2011-12-08T00:10:00.001+08:00

The Limits of Control (2009) dir. Jim Jarmusch

Double expresso. In separate cups. Jim Jarmusch made his first feature film for only US$12, 000. Collecting DVDs is not an expensive hobby, unless you consider the fact that films are available for download off the Internet for free. Jarmusch is not common on the shelves so the DVD costs close to $30 one year ago. Pricey, considering that shops sell most DVDs below $20 and when you consider China and Indonesia imports, below $10. Controlled my urge for the annual warehouse sales and I got it for just $8.

I'm not so much a hobbyist, neat-freak, making sure every copy of disc is in air-tight plastic sheets. I just like to watch movies and re-watch them again and again to re-live those cinematic memories.

Valen the Tiger Nephew

2011-12-07T21:13:00.001+08:00

SBM Youth

2011-12-07T00:36:00.001+08:00

Introduction video of SBM Youth on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the founding of Singapore Buddhist Mission. Sort of like a "corporate video". It's like being back in WeeKimWee School. Rushed out 3 videos in 6 days. In bed by 0300 and up for the day job by 0730. I think somethings' always in the blood. Pardon the grammatical errors in the subs.

Meditation

2011-12-06T00:42:00.001+08:00

I think I need to be more discipline in my meditation practice. Train the mind and keep it at bay from monkeying around.

Christopher Nolan

2011-11-29T22:10:00.001+08:00

Such indeed is life. One big mystery, psychological thriller. Nolan moment.

The Prestige (2006)

Memento (2000)

The Dark Knight (2008)

I've reached my 165th piece of DVD but there are about another hundred more on the shelves. There isn't much space left. Some time later, some titles may have to go, especially those which you would probably not watch again. Maybe I will reach a stage whereby only the top 200 titles will be on the shelves. The rest tucked away in a dry dark corner. Information Literacy professor back in university taught that DVD archives can last only about 20 years. A reminder on the ephemeral existence of ours. Change is the only constant.

Tim Burton

2011-11-24T22:57:00.001+08:00

Films by Tim Burton. Only 3 of them. Each work is a reminder of a certain phase in life, growing up, watching movies, thinking about life.

Big Fish (2003)

I'm not big on Gothic films so Big Fish is for me the favourite Burton film. I think this is one of the most touching film ever made, though it got critically panned by critics and audience alike. Maybe it's just me.

Batman Returns (1992)

I remember spending Friday afternoons with my mom, fetching my elder sister from her piano lessons at Geylang. We would take a bus in front of an Econ Minimart stall with a Batman Returns poster and stickers (I think Panini) for sale. Buy either Gardenia or Sunshine Bread and you can get a packet of stickers for free as well. A few years later, caught the ending of the film while the parents were shopping at the Kallang Courts Megastore .

Beetle Juice (1988)

I reckon my love for cinema started at a young age. Sometime around 5 to 6 years old, I spent a lot of time with the VCR and the tv. Yes, my mom taught me how to create "bootleg" copies of my favourite cartoons and movies. Had the film on tape and spent lots of afternoons re-watching and re-watching Beetle Juice.

Sam Gerard

2011-11-22T23:58:00.001+08:00

U.S. Marshals (1998) dir. Stuart Baird

2011-11-22T23:19:00.001+08:00

I'm trying to swear off sociopolitical blogs for awhile. It gets too depressing, reading all kinds of comments there.

...Straighten Up... Fly Right...

2011-11-21T22:23:00.001+08:00

The Tuskegee Airmen (1995) dir. Robert Markowitz

Friends die in our business, and for a lot of reasons. And the only protection you have against losing one is not to have any.

Love in a Puff

2011-11-21T01:13:00.001+08:00

Love in a Puff (2010) dir. Pang Ho-cheung

Changi Sunset

2011-11-17T20:26:00.001+08:00

Had a "reservist" call-up so I didn't have to work. I don't mind the occasional military obligations. National Service was a significant part of my life, though I reckon I could have done better as a soldier.

Went to Changi Beach in the evening to take some pictures. It rained a bit and so I sought shelter in a verandah. It was the less popular stretch, plus it was a weekday so there was no one else in sight within about 100 metres. Worked on the feature film script for the first time, tentatively titled "Finding Kar-wai".

Refreshing, very liberating. Haven't felt this way for a long time.

Home-cooked Dog Food

2011-11-17T20:25:00.001+08:00

Credits go to Pearly Sim. I can only cook Maggie Mee and non-edible jungle-survival food stuff.

The Wee Kim Wee Spirit

2011-11-17T20:12:00.001+08:00

One of the perks of working in this wonderful place is your own personal office room. The work is tough but meaningful. On the desk is a SCI mug, a reminder. The Wee Kim Wee spirit lives on in this alumni!

Long before the faculty takes on the name of Singapore's 4th President, the late Mr. Wee Kim Wee who himself had an illustrious career in journalism, the school was simply, SCI (School of Communication & Information). We are now known as the Wee Kim Wee School. More commonly known for its journalism division than the other concentrations, it's great to see the works of current students in the Broadcast & Cinema gaining some recognition.

On hindsight, I wish I've made better student films.

Who are who are who are we
we are we are Wee Kim Wee!

I "penned" the school cheer, or fondly known as the Weekimwee Cheer, back when I was in the students' club. It warms my heart to hear about it again.

Help make a film!

2011-11-16T00:26:00.001+08:00

Crowd-sourcing is big amongst American indie/DIY/micro-budget filmmakers and now it has taken root in my alma mater. Likely to be the first every crowd-sourcing attempt in Wee Kim Wee School. Help my juniors make their thesis film so that they can not only graduate in one piece but most importantly, make an impact and land themselves a coveted job in the tv/film/broadcast industry.

Fast Food High Times

2011-11-16T00:08:00.001+08:00

During a Q&A session after a public screening of my short films, the moderator asked me what would be the type of films I would like to make in future / or make a name for myself / something like that lah. I said bromantic comedy, something like Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (minus all the weed and sexual references).

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004) dir. Danny Leiner

Harold: So what are you in here for?

Tarik: For being black.
Harold: Seriously.
Tarik: I am serious. You wanna know what happened. I was walking out of a Barnes & Noble, and a cop stops me. Evidently, a black guy robbed a storein Newark. I told him, "I haven't even been to Newark in months." So he starts beating me with his gun, telling me to stop resisting arrest.
Harold: Holy shit! What'd you do?
Tarik: I kept saying, "I understand I'm under arrest. Now please stop beating me."
Harold: I don't understand how you can be so calm about all this.
Tarik: Look at me. I'm fat, black, can't dance, and I have two gay fathers. People have been messing with me my whole life. I learned a long time ago there's no sense getting all riled up every time a bunch of idiots give you a hard time. In the end, the universe tends to unfold as it should. Plus I have a really large penis. That keeps me happy.

the Chosen One

2011-11-15T00:23:00.001+08:00

Kung Pow: Enter the Fist (2002) dir. Steve Odederk

Master! I was hoping one day I could be the Chosen One!

all you need

2011-11-15T00:17:00.001+08:00

All you need to make a film is one car, one HDSLR, 2 friends and many many Buddha's feet.

Failures

2011-11-14T22:59:00.001+08:00

"I've missed more than 9000 shot's in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game's winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed."

Like a Boss

2011-11-10T23:10:00.001+08:00

Chess Master

2011-11-10T23:07:00.001+08:00

The Chess Master and an evening nap.

ND Fader

2011-11-10T19:26:00.002+08:00

Another filmmaking investment.

ND Fader

2011-11-08T23:46:00.002+08:00

Lai lai... Another investment, new toy, must-have.

The weekend film adventure turns sour. Must have an AAR. Starting to have the thoughts of "maybe I'm not good enough, this isn't for me". I do not want to grow old and become indulgent/delusional like most..erm.....xxBLANKxx do. If you can't do your best, show your best, you might as well not start.

Stages of Film Production

2011-11-08T23:42:00.005+08:00

Credit: The Frugal Filmmaker.

True.

The Altis' Dashboard

2011-11-07T22:08:00.001+08:00

Anyone with a Spider-man, alloy or bronze?

Sea Bass Go Home

2011-11-07T21:36:00.002+08:00

Same ol' march again.

"Otto, I'm not a Nazi"

2011-11-01T23:19:00.001+08:00

Stalingrad (1993) dir. Joseph Vilsmaier

"The best thing about the cold is ..." "... you don't have to worry about sunburnt..."

Supported Zak's presentation of his photography project, Our Gurkhas.

The photographer-turned-Computer-Progammer ended the night by sharing this nugget, "perfect is the enemy of the good."

Capitao Nascimento

2011-10-31T20:52:00.002+08:00

Elite Squad (2007) dir. Joseph Padilha

Winner. Golden Bear, Berlin Film Festival 2008. This film ranks as one of my all-time favourite. The Sequel is actually much more explosive and mature though. But nothing beats the first experience of watching the first parter.

When The Cold Wind Blows

2011-10-30T23:52:00.001+08:00

Every Singaporean men who have served in the military will find this song sweet. One of my favourite marching/running chants with Jaguar Company back in Pulau Tekong. Always thought about my mother and what she was doing back home.

In the early morning march
with a fieldpack on my back
with an aching in my heart
and my body full of sweat
I'm a long long way from home
and I miss my mama/lover so
in the early morning march

when the cold wind blows
When the cold wind blows
When the cold wind blows
When the cold wind blows
When the cold wind blows

I know I know
you have to go
so hurry back home
I miss you so.

Kudos to whoever that made this into an indie rock song. Brings back good memories. May many more generations to come continue to find National Service a worthwhile duty for the nation.

Ten Commandmants For Dogs

2011-10-30T22:14:00.002+08:00

Tara is actually a very skinny dog.

My life is likely to last 10-15 years; any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that before you buy me.
Give me time to understand what you want from me; don't be impatient, short-tempered, or irritable.
Place your trust in me and I will always trust you back. Respect is earned not given as an inalienable right.
Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment; I am not capable of understanding why. I only know I have been rejected. You have your work, entertainment, and friends, but I only have you.
Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice and your tone. You only have to look at my tail.
Be aware that however you treat me, I'll never forget it, and if it's cruel, it may affect me forever.
Please don't hit me. I can't hit back, but I can bite and scratch, and I really don't ever want to do that.
Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate, or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right foods or I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak. It may be I am just dog-tired.
Take care of me when I get old. You too will grow old and may also need love, care, comfort, and attention.
Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, "I can't bear to watch" or "Let it happen in my absence". Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember, regardless of what you do, I will always love you.

© Stan Rawlinson 1993

Flash Floods

2011-10-29T03:18:00.001+08:00

When I was at Bangkok 2 weeks ago, the people there were so calm, despite the looming threat of a flood that had caused devastation elsewhere in the country. Back here, I'm convinced something is very wrong with some of my countrymen the way they whined about flash floods with waters as high as erm, till the ankle that is. It's the gahmen's fault lah!

Hugging the Buddha's Foot

2011-10-28T01:04:00.001+08:00

Mentally drained from the dayjob. But not that it's terrible. It brings back good money, funds the films, keeps me sane, connected to the society, the "real world".

Sayang Sayang, the Tiger Nephews

2011-10-24T00:56:00.001+08:00

So cute these nephews. Brings a smile, warmth inside me.

Waterfront Town

2011-10-24T00:05:00.002+08:00

Punggol used to be where my parents would bring us for the weekends. The marina club, seafood dinner, live band and yachting.

In 5 years time, this will be home.

Stump

2011-10-23T02:13:00.006+08:00

I was born and raised here / I got it made here / and if I have my way I'm gonna stay here / for life

Patrick Stump's stuck in my head the entire day. Met King of Deception my former boss, somewhere not too far away from the above. I don't mean Deception in a bad way, if anyone could recall one of local tv's finest moments back in the good 90s. One of the most genuine person I've ever met.

"So are you coming back to film production?"

Facebook

2011-10-19T23:23:00.002+08:00

"We are defending a piece of land where other people do everything for us so that we can live comfortable lives and complain about people doing everything for us."

Thinkers

2011-10-19T23:22:00.005+08:00

Buddhism as a philosophy attracts a lot of thinkers. Naturally, the local Buddhist community has many members who are active critics, devil's advocate, lots of bright ideas, reasons why things will work and why some things don't, and then when action is required, they remain comfortably on their armchairs, contented with mere rhetorics, citing this and that reason for not being able to translate thoughts into actions.

The same way why I have huge respect for this young team. Bright young adults with lots of tertiary, family and youthful commitments, yet they still put their heart and soul into the youth group, sacrificing personal time and endeavours. Of course, there's always room for improvement and my wish is that they not burn-out, from the lack of support, the lack of people who step forward when it actually matters.

Hug The Buddha's Foot

2011-10-19T22:00:00.000+08:00

Working on a new short film.

Sabai Sabai

2011-10-17T22:38:00.000+08:00

Bird Thongcai McIntyre's Sabai Sabai was playing in my head as we made our way around the streets of Bangkok, especially since a Thongcai KTV DVD is on top of my dad's wish-list. Sabai Sabai is also the philosophy, attitude of life which the Thais exude: No worries, take life as it comes. Bend with the wind, like a tree. And above all, keep smiling. Something I can appreciate very much.

The most natural thing for me even in the holidays is to raid the DVD stores. Armed with a list of to-buy Thai films but did not had much hope since Thai DVDs rarely include English subtitles. Only managed one, Blissfully Yours, by Cannes winner Apichatpong Weerasethakul.

Blissfully Yours (2002) dir. Apichatpong Weerasethakul

DVD stores (those selling original discs) are a rarity in Bangkok. Could only find 1 in Mahboonkrung. The rest of the stalls peddle pirated discs. But even in that 1 rare shop, you could find gems, films you could hardly ever find on the shelves of local shops.

Machete (2010) dir. Robert Rodriguez

The Usual Suspects (1995) dir. Bryan Singer

JSA (2000) dir. Park Chan-wook

The rare Korean film that I admire. The Korean wave didn't really get into me. Too intense for my liking.

Memento (2000) dir. Christopher Nolan

The newspapers penned a different image of Bangkok. Yes, there were sandbags around major buildings, but the mood here was so relaxed, it's like business as usual. No panic, no shortage of food in the market, the streets were crowded, hordes of tourists, even Singaporeans as well.

There's something magical about this city that keeps me coming back, the third time in 5 years.

2011-10-17T17:33:00.003+08:00

"... ... I think its amusing how foreigners like me think how lucky and blessed Singaporeans are, and yet they don’t see it. Their comfort, their safety, their opportunities, an economy that is still keeping and creating jobs, a government that is possibly not corrupt. what is wrong with being satisfied with these? so many other countries can’t provide jobs for their graduates, are in debt... ..."

Bangkok

2011-10-13T01:40:00.002+08:00

Flying off in noon time. Still weighing the options. News have been positive thus far.

Nasi Lemak 2.0

2011-10-10T20:03:00.000+08:00

Nasi Lemak 2.0 (2011) dir. Namewee

Low-budget indie comedy across the straits. Shot entirely on a 5DMk2 which helped made the film look sleek and professional, despite the shortage of funds. Sincere and heartwarming, it's like the director's love story to Malaysia (my only gripe with the film is its lacklustre climax and abrupt resolution). Having spent a lot of my primary school December holidays at my maternal grandfather's kampong in Muar, the film speaks to my heart like a personal love story to the northern neighbour as well.

Went to Johor Bahru to spend a lazy weekend in Grand Paragon Hotel with the home folks. 10 minutes walk to Pelangi with DVD shops that peddle pirated DVDs. Tough to find any originals around. The pirated industry is big business. I asked for the original of the film. The pirated version cost RM2 (that's S$0.80!) while the original disc goes at RM6 (S$2.50). Bought an extra disc as a belated gift to Rojak Boy, the DOP for the thesis film. Something I think he can relate, especially since he carries a Malaysian passport. The funny thing is he packed his bag and left for this Southern Island when he was a child, cannot speak proper Bahasa Melayu, served Singapore as a fireman and cheered on the Singapore Lions during the Causeway derby football match.

The peninsular to the north and the southern island has a very peculiar relationship.

前人种树，后人乘凉

2011-10-06T23:58:00.002+08:00

RIP Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T19:49:00.000+08:00

I know everyone on cyberspace is flocking to pay homage to Jobs but I've got good reasons to join the bandwagon as well. The MacBook and then the MacBook Pro have been my essential filmmaking tool since entering comms school. Save for The Soldier, all the films I have made were edited on a Mac computer. These machines enable amateurs to edit professional videos easily, cheaper and good, via another Apple product, the Final Cut Pro (and Express). When they say all you need now to make a film is only a computer, a software and a video camera, that computer is usually a Mac and that software, Final Cut. Indie filmmakers, amateurs, hobbyists and students need not rely on established studios or break their banks anymore just to have access to expensive editing facilities and making films. Steve Job's Mac computers gave us that freedom.

... Jobs made digital editing and filmmaking a more realistic and low-budget option, affording those with a passion for film opportunities they might not have gotten in the past. "As an up and coming horror film director, I had to be careful how I spent use the budget for my films and one way of maximizing the budget was for me to also edit my own film," James Wan, the creator of the 'Saw' franchise and director of this spring's surprise horror hit 'Insidious' said. "Thanks to the technology that Apple created in my indispensible MAC computer, I was able to edit on my own without sacrificing quality." - George Lucas, JJ Abrams and Other Filmmakers React to the Death of Steve Jobs.

“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

May you find Nibbannic bliss.

Confessions of a Nobody Filmmaker

2011-10-05T21:49:00.000+08:00

Cataloged all the films I've made and put them in the Films page above, conveniently ignoring those mini video assignments/homework/re-edits-in-progress, or too-embarrassed-to call-my-own. Until someday with 0.01% chance of making it big and it could be on some DVD special of features to come.

In the meantime, I can take "pride" that I have no festival awards, no films on the circuits. I couldn't bear to watch my thesis film. I think all my shorts from university days are campy, predictable and pretentious. I'm a hobbyist/wannabe/guerrilla/day-job/Sunday/ HDSLR-wielding/nobody filmmaker. True story.

Sometimes I wonder what could have happened, if I had made a better impact with that once-in-a-lifetime chance with the Kungfu Master and the closest I could ever get to enter the mainstream HK/Chinese film industry.

Buddha's Palm

2011-10-02T22:50:00.004+08:00

Buddha's Palm (1982) dir. Taylor Wong

Hong Kong filmmaker Derek Yee he started out as an actor in the movie industry. The protagonist of this Shaw Brothers' Classic.

Sophomore year in 2008. The 1 week break before the examinations. I had a bad flu so I had no mood for the books but this film on DVD in my Macbook at the benches.

Tara is 1-Year-Old

2011-09-29T01:58:00.002+08:00

This was how she looked like when she was 2 and a half months old.

Tara turns 1-year-old on 21 September 2011. A loyal dog, such a gem in our lives.

Dragon Squad

2011-09-29T01:54:00.000+08:00

Dragon Squad (2005) dir. Daniel Lee

Don't have much good things to say about the film though it has some magical moments that could have been much more developed. Perhaps too many stars, too many characters, or a money-milking tool. Nothing wrong. Filmmaking is a business. At times a tad too corny in trying to glorify the young enforcers with illustrious careers with what SAS, PLA, SWAT, etc.

Love Trilogy

2011-09-26T21:32:00.001+08:00

Sanif Olek's LOVE Trilogy consists of the following short films:
Lost Sole (2006)
A La Folie (2008)
Ameen (2010)

Now when you purchase a copy of the film you help play a part in funding the still-in progress feature film, Ramuan Rahasia (The Missing Ingredient).

It is a crowning moment for a filmmaker to complete his/her first feature. Helping with a small part adds up to a bigger picture.

From Dusk Till Dawn

2011-09-24T20:47:00.002+08:00

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) dir. Robert Rodriguez

You can never go wrong with Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. Wonderful bonus materials with a feature-length behind-the-scenes documentary which makes me miss the life of working on set. Of course our working hours are horrendous and we don't have as much benefits as they do in the States.

"But we did!"

2011-09-24T19:18:00.001+08:00

My buddy, Zakaria Zainal's ambitious photography project, Our Gurkhas is "an anthology of portraits and anecdotes from the retired Singapore Gurkhas as they reminisce about life in the Lion City — from the 50s till today."

Photo Credit: Zakaria Zainal

“There was a time when people said that Singapore won’t make it,” Kishore Kumar Gurung said, “but we did.”

The last three words to the above lyrics of ‘We are Singapore’ would often leave the retired assistant superintendent amused.

Amused, at how his Singaporean friends would sing it.

“But we did,” Gurung repeated again in a dour tone.

Born and bred in Singapore — as his father too served in the Gurkha Contingent — he is only too proud of the great achievements of this small island.

"Singaporeans should be proud too!"

The way the song is being sung should be changed he suggested, especially the last three words.

"But we did!" the retired assistant superintendent said emphatically.

See more @ Our Gurkhas Facebook Photo Album.

Indeed.

Tropa de Elite 2

2011-09-20T23:33:00.001+08:00

I have been in love with Elite Squad since the first time I watched it back in 2009. I even had the theme song playing on my iPod during the regular runs. When they announced the making of Elite Squad 2, I had some reservations, especially with the trailer. So they promoted Captain Nascimento, giving command in comfortable suits. Also because the first film was so successful and the sequel may run the risk of what most sequels truly are, money-milking devices with rotten scripts.

Elite Squad 2 proves me wrong. What an explosive and matured film it is! Deserves it's place as Brazilian's all-time highest grossing film. I'm still reeling from the images of the film and the gaze of Wagner Moura; a man devoid of soul.

This was Elite Squad,

the Sequel,

and the main theme, my running anthem.

Tara

2011-09-19T01:25:00.002+08:00

Munich

2011-09-19T01:17:00.004+08:00

Munich (2006) dir. Steven Spielberg

The Darjeeling Limited

2011-09-18T02:44:00.003+08:00

The Darjeeling Limited (2007) dir. Wes Anderson

Jack: Which direction did your's go?
Francis: What do you mean?
Jack: Your feathers... mine blew toward the mountains
Francis: That's not right. It's not suppose to get blown away. You're suppose to blow on it then bury it.
Peter: I didn't get that. I still have mine.
Francis: You guys didn't do it right. I asked if you read the instructions. You did it wrong... I tried my hardest. I don't know what to do.

Because of my Buddhist upbringing, I tend to believe that I'm more positive in life than most people, even when the chips are low, the odds are stacked against me. I always thought I have outgrown the phase of emo, wallowing in self-pity shit pretty fast. But of course there are times when I feel exasperated. I thought about The Darjeeling Limited this evening and how I could connect Owen Wilson's Francis. The Darjeeling Limited is the 143th disc I have recorded and only halfway through. The film is a collection of memories of June 2008. A failed sponsored trip to Beijing, friendship, a viral attack that could have cost my life, of giving up a vegetarian diet.

Star of the Soldier

2011-09-17T14:10:00.002+08:00

September 11, 2001. High up in Afghanistan's Mountains, Vergos, a French reporter, finds out about the Al-Qaeda terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre. He remembers... 1984. Nikolai, a young Soviet musician, is drafted to fight in the war in Afghanistan. Sick with fear, he's engulfed in a world of violence and death.

While on a combat mision he is captured by Commander Massoud's Mujahideen and taken deep into the mountains where the Afghan rebels are taking cover. Although some Mujahideen want Nikolai dead, others feel compassion for him. There he also meets Vergos, who stays with the rebels to document their fight. Against all odds, the Soviet soldier, the French reporter and the Mujahideen gradually become friends. A year later Massoud's Mujahideen set Nikolai free. Accompanied by Vergos, he embarks on his journey to Pakistan - but was later assassinated by fanatics.

Based on a true story. Vergos is really the director himself, Christophe de Ponfilly, and Nikolai, a friend he made in the Afghan mountains who never saw home again.

L'Etoile Du Soldat AKA Star of the Soldier AKA The Soldier's Star (2006) dir. Christophe de Ponfilly

Behind the scenes of a terrorism said to be "Islamic", with which we are permanently threatened in the same way as children used to be frightened by telling them tales of the bogy man, is Afghanistan. A country I discovered in 1981, which I have crossed on foot several times and which I have filmed for my documentaries. A country from which I learned some truths which remained in the shadows.
During one of my clandestine trips to this country in 1984, Massoud freed a young soviet soldier that had been captured by his men and wished come to the West. With the person that at the time was helping me with the equipment, we were able, after a difficult voyage through the Hindou-Koush, to bring him to Pakistan. Unfortunately in Peshawar, the political representatives of Massoud’s party did not approve the decision of his liberation. They took our Russian friend, who was killed a few months later. This story did not arouse the interest of many people in Western countries. But it was from it that I started to think about making a movie.

The media frenzy that followed the events of September 2001 and the obsession for terrorism that ensued, only increased my desire to shoot this movie. After September 11th the most disparate things have been said on Afghanistan. During the Taleban period, Afghans were seen as dangerous fanatics, after having been depicted as caricatures of uncouth, violent, feudal warriors.By all means the distance between reality and its representation has dramatically increased.
- Christophe de Ponfilly

Little-known in this part of the world, French documentary filmmaker, Christophe de Ponfilly made a career out of war and socio-political documentaries from war-torn Afghanistan. He died two months before the release of his debut narrative feature film, The Soldier's Star. Some Internet sources said he committed suicide. A little gem that I came across from the stacks of all places, TS. I couldn't find much information about the film on the Internet. It's a real pity because it's such a powerful film, especially in a time like ours for the past 10 years. A take on an actual experience Christophe encountered while documenting the Afghan rebels fight against the Soviet back in the mid 1980s, a young Soviet soldier, captured by the Afghans gradually became close friends.

Well-thought used of black&white footage, HD video and 16mm film. When in Russia, the film was shot in HD video, creating a soap-opera look, the comforts and familiarity of home, the inflexibility of regular living. In Afghanistan, the 16mm takes over.

An impactful ending to the film when the filmmaker draws the audience back to reality, using actual footage shot by Christophe of a Mujahideen and Nikolai. That Vergos is really Christophe, the director himself. Nikolai was real, once living. A young man and his bashfulness evident from the reel captured. The casualness of the Afghan rebel puts a warm human face to the enigmatic generalisation of a people little-known.

16 September

2011-09-16T00:09:00.002+08:00

Success Stories LEE KUAN YEW (2001)

88th birthday of the granddaddy of Singapore. A timely post on this DVD boxset (but what's a boxset without collectibles?) A Hong Kong production that gives a fair reflection of Lee Kuan Yew, despite street impression that Hong Kongers are suspicious of the man. One line that ends the two part documentary, "Detractors will say of course that things could have been better. But then... conjecture has no part in history."

No matter our political inclinations, we should be mindful that Singapore is what she is today because of the leadership and brilliance of Lee Kuan Yew. No one can doubt his sincerity in building a stable and prosperous country, despite the ever presence of a heavy hand. It will be a great pity if future generations and a possible non-PAP ruling party will to rub off Lee's contributions to this nation as mere authoritative luck.

Relics

2011-09-15T01:00:00.002+08:00

from secondary school days. These are songs which I associate to a specific phase in life, seasons, memories. Soundwaves of a Brylcreemed spikey hair. Maybe these songs would be a good glimpse on how I was like from 13 to 16. Another day for all the 'N Sync, Westlife and Backstreets.

Paris, Texas, end of the World

2011-09-13T21:22:00.001+08:00

Paris, Texas (1984) dir. Wim Wenders

This is a very special gift from a very special somebody who had scoured the shelves off almost every store in the island, Australia and Amazon.com. The same film which Travis (the Scottish band) got inspiration from to name their band as such. The title of which found its way into the lyrics.

A barren and desolate Texas.

Once

2011-09-12T22:29:00.003+08:00

and the wonders of HDV filmmaking.

Once (2006) dir. John Carney

I have a HV10 camera which shoots HDV videos on DV tapes. It's a little broken though. Once was shot using the HDV format and what wonders you can achieve with crisp cinematography, great story and a beautiful soundtrack. Sometimes I think we get too attached trying to find the best format for our films when we forget all the basics of camerawork. Especially so with the advent of the HDSLRs and the fluffiness of soft-focus.

Filmmaker's Guide To Good Weather

2011-09-12T22:01:00.001+08:00

Chili and onions. A lesson I learn from 3 years of volunteering on my seniors' FYP film shoots and later working on my own thesis film. Plus 4 years of wkwscifoc. Even Prime Minister Lee endorses it.

Sweet Disposition

2011-09-12T01:04:00.000+08:00

(500) Days of Summer (2009) dir. Marc Webb

Beautiful soundtrack. Splitscreen magico.

I don't like romance but I won't mind watching this film again and again. That says a lot.

I'm at disc #138. About another 100 to go. Let's see how far the list can go. It has to stop somewhere. I don't have enough shelves for everything. At least some of it has to go out, somewhere else. The ones which I think are not worth a re-watch. I can't possibly keep everything forever. Maybe some day I can open a public film archive with a screening room and red sofas.

Impromptology

2011-09-12T00:47:00.005+08:00

One of the best training that I had back in university was to take your camera and go out at night and shoot. Grab a couple of friends and just try and shoot something. Practice on your framing, on guerrilla filmmaking, on directing actors, on impromptology, location scouting, seeing the world in the twilight zone. I've shot so much stuff that I haven't even had time to sit down and edit them, even though it's been a year since graduation. It's time for a revisit. That being said, the shimmer of the night seems to be most attractive for a low-budget debut feature.A point to note.

Masterclass

2011-09-11T23:48:00.002+08:00

Filmmaking masterclass at PKSSSS. Yah right, dream on. You can learn to laugh at your own foolishness. Just don't go overboard.