Ophelia: A Film Work Blog By Erwin Nah

Behind-the-Scenes

2009-06-01T23:06:00.002+08:00

Lies a very ugly place, filled only with people who have no vision, nor creativity, nor the ability to take responsibility for their own failures. What I detest most are these fakes who believe only absolutely in themselves, blinded to everything but their own imagined fears and stupid worries.

So today I will learn. I will learn not to make the same mistakes twice, to be careful with my work, to try and try and try to make sure everything's perfect. No more fear, no more doubting myself, fearing that I'll not make it.

Because what greater feeling is there when one day I've proven that I can reach the top without having turned into people like these.

And then I will spit on them.

For My Friend's Mother's Company

2009-05-22T19:06:00.000+08:00

The "Just An Intern" Shirts

2009-04-16T15:45:00.003+08:00

FedExcrutiating

2009-04-01T17:54:00.002+08:00

The one thing that every intern should learn before he goes to work at any company is that when sending items abroad, always lie about the value of the item.

And always say it's dirt cheap - because in places like China their perception of cheap is TOTALLY different from yours.

Just remember that. And you'll do just fine.

ONE

2009-01-05T19:51:00.003+08:00

The Wormwood Chronicles: Day One Or How I Learned To Use Excel & Do Printing

This would be the first entry for the new section here, a section that is going to carry on for the next six months. I work somewhere in the Newton area, inside a very nice-looking vintage-style apartment, with 2 rooms, one living room, one balcony and a small walkway somewhere. It is very very nice, and makes me think of days sitting by the balcony, stoning away the night.

But this will probably not happen, because there would be no need to stone after work. Unless I'm doing some intensive shooting or what-not. We shall see. I sit at a desk nearest to this nice small balcony, and will probably feel the pull of the weather in the coming days.

I am currently understudying the 1-month old intern Ms. C, and have one producer Ms. J, and one boss man TBP above me. There is also one editor Az. There is also a fashion designer working in one of the rooms. I found out that she's a good lunch partner. The other intern is leaving on Thursday. Which means I have until then to learn the ropes.

I've discovered that the kind of water the clients are served are different from our own, and this in turn is also different from the crew's. I am now adept at creating and formatting contact lists. I also kinda sorta know how to print stuff on CDs. I discovered that I will be working in the same area as I was back in NS, and this is not the only reminder from that period.

Tomorrow morning I will have to wake up early to try and pass my IPPT once more. I am incapable of running that damnable 2.4 km like it was a walk in the park. Forgive me if I need to breathe.

Also discovered that the P2 card storage does not have any available card reader in the market. This is dismal. More tomorrow.

Opening Night

2008-11-05T09:55:00.003+08:00

Yesterday was the screening for "Zealot", the new short made by Ms Chng Bee Hwee and myself. Audio and everything finally came together. The only problem was the contrast of the screen - totally off by a mile. At the AVID workstation we have 2 screens (unless you sit at this other one), one shows a really light version of what you're editing, another shows how it's supposed to look like on a True HD screen. So all was supposedly well.

Then yesterday happened. The TV screen downstairs is configured differently. But everything seems better than what was initially exported. My goodness, that would have been a complete disaster. Not that the film was fantastic or anything.

Otherwise, it was bloody fun filming with pals. Good times with ol' buddy ol' pals. I guess it's time now to begin studying for the exams.

Sorry for the lack of updates about things that have happened in between, but that's cause I've been spending too much time in the AVID suites just going crazy trying to work with the clips that don't screw up. All in all, I think we did a pretty good job with all the disasters falling from video-editing skies.

For example,

E. Bee Hwee, delete the sequences we don't need. I think we didn't use any of those right.

Bee Hwee proceeds to delete one or two which are enough. And goes on to delete the rest.

E. Uh, Bee Hwee are, can stop deleting already. Eh, stop. Don't need to delete that one.

Erwin looks at another screen in which the clip that was being used for editing has been wiped off the screen. Bee Hwee ignores Erwin and continues her cleaning frenzy.

E. Uh. Bee Hwee, you just deleted our stuff.

Bee Hwee snaps out of her stupor and looks at me bewildered.

I decide to terminate our friendship before leaving for home, several contingency plans of how to work through this in time for the next day's screening running through my head.

I decide that I WANT TO DIE.

Then I see that last glimmer of hope. ONE CLIP, renamed earlier by me ("FINAL", how apt), escaped Bee Hwee's mad culling, because it wasn't named like the others.

Salvation never tasted so sweet.

Secret

2008-10-08T01:44:00.003+08:00

I realise now the main thing that stumbles me at each turn is my irrepressible need to be lazy. And after I've undergone the laziness and experienced the horror of That-Which-Laziness-Produces, I freak out and allow Last-Minute-Panic-Salvation to create something from the dregs captured earlier.

So the secret would be to be consistently hardworking.

Yes.

Right. I shall just say an endeavour will be attempted.

And hopefully succeed. Wish me luck.

The Return of the Native

2008-10-02T15:06:00.002+08:00

I'm going to have to come up with a script for a 10-minute short film, and there's something strange looming over this project. A certain make-or-break moment overshadowing the entire project. Althoguh I haven't begun to work on it yet, I think it should be a good run. Or at least I'll have to make myself believe that at the end, if all shouldn't go well.

But work hard I will.

Considering that "Ninja Privates" was a dismal little thing I conjured up in about 30 minutes, did no editing and just ran with the filming; I think it'll suffice.

But work hard I shall for the next one. Just after a few rounds of whisky and maybe a few knocks against the head.

I think I'll be just fine.

Taking No Prisoners

2008-09-10T12:46:00.002+08:00

So the second (and final) draft of Vent seems to have gone down well with the audience. Albeit it was a very quiet audience - up to the point of our film's Q&A, then there was a comment commending our use of lighting, and another question from Zixin regarding the sudden reappearance of his tie. It's because of the non-continuity editing (one) and also because he put his tie back on (two).

Which has just sparked off another thought in me, maybe I should have had him in a suit and briefcase as well? That would have made it more interesting.

But all in all, I think we didn't do too badly. We didn't have noticeably blurry shots, and I think the flawed parts floated past the audience quietly. So yay for this time round. I wonder if there's any correlation between sex, action and death. Something to ponder about for the next film, and after this one, I suspect I've got an unhealthy fixation with cigarettes and smoking.

Avidly Looking Back On That Lonely Walk Back To Hall

2008-09-02T02:09:00.002+08:00

I spent the entire afternoon with Bee Hwee trying to figure out what was wrong with the video-editing systems only to have Vincent tell us that the XDCAM reader is not compatible with Macs.

And so I spent another few hours waiting for videos to transfer over a network and over cables to my little station. Then it was editing till dinner (screwed up vital clips that refused to work), which was subsequently forgotten and so was the time.

The result is this:

The 2-minute project is mostly fleshed out now, with a new title and accompanied by an excellent score, borrowed from the film The Fountain, "The Last Man" by Clint Mansell.

And so I present to you, the first version of Vent.

Thanks once again to all the crew, I'm sorry the credits aren't up on it yet, I'm still trying to work that part out.

Do You Like the Food? (Working Title)

2008-09-01T02:39:00.003+08:00

The 2-minute film project shoot was wrapped up on Saturday night, and it was completed with the help of an efficient and exceptionally jovial crew.

Credits:
Murderous Wife - Goh Zhi Ling
Cheating Husband - Kester Tay
Director of Photography - Low Koon Yen
Producer/Production Photographer - Chng Bee Hwee
Gaffer/Sound Recordist - Wei Shan Boey
Video Assistant/Lunch Coordinator - Jessie Ng
Production Assistant - Nazran Ahmad
Catering - Candice Nah (Mom)

Thanks to this wonderful bunch of funny people, the shoot was a blast and managed to move along without anyone throwing a tantrum or being grumpy. Or at least I was having too much fun to notice.

Thanks also to my mom who say to my friends: "Erwin's a bad host."

This shoot is made even more memorable because several crew members, in between the moments in which I am thinking hard about the shots, took the opportunity to hone their photography skills and take shots of the set. What came out was an exceptional capturing of the day's work.

I present to you, a few productions shots from the as-of-yet un-edited film.

The end for now.

The Shooting Gallery Days Come To A Close

2008-07-18T23:57:00.003+08:00

Today marks my last day as an intern at the Shooting Gallery. It is also the last day for Nicole and Vanessa, both of whom I will probably see again next week.

Here's a recap, for two days I've been doing street-casting. Which the superiors made seem more serious than anything else. And they don't ask us about it today despite setting the scary quota in place and all that. Anyways.

It was a sad beginning to the day. Shiqi and Jasmine came into the production room early in the morning and we all took last photos together. I cannot yet express the amount of gratitude I have for these two fellow interns, not only for providing the best intern days ever, but also for the company on long shoot days and also for bringing their cameras today.

Then it was saying bye to Jocelyn, the Line Producer.

And then upstairs to stone around before helping Kelvin with some stuff. And of course, the creation of The Escalation of Boredom video. Which I was commissioned by Kelvin to do. Then it was shuttling to Deena's desk to cure boredom whilst waiting for lunchtime to swing round, and then onwards to lunch.

Lunch was, as ever, at Palm Gardens, the nearby coffeeshop. I ate my farewell chicken rice, and coincidentally the Chicken Rice Uncle who loved us Interns so much was also leaving Palm Gardens for Toa Payoh. We had lunch with the Photography guys, Jocelyn and Janice.

Then onwards to the Fruit Stall, where jokes like "uncle's banana" and "auntie's mangoes" were made, not to mention where Nicole killed half my pineapple (Kelvin's pin-ap-play) while we were shoving around.

Back to the office, the video had completed its rendering, and it was premiered to the Shooting Gallery world.

And then Janice came to say her farewells, and "not-to-be-strangers". Another friendship closes its curtains in the context of the workplace. I feel absolutely guilty at this point for not having said goodbyes to Freddy, Chris, Uncle Seb and Auntie Karen. I shall rectify this when I return for the Intern Farewell Dinner we're trying to set up with the People.

Then read a script for Juan, and then helped with another script development, and then waited around, before we all left to go for some poly-photog-students' travel to Japan photo exhibition (I'm not being deliberately mean, I just can't seem to wrap my head around the name of it now, it's some Japanese term/word in which they'd substituted the last word for whoa, I remember that much, just that it's slipped my mind for the moment).

We went in a group of Nicole, Vanessa, Desmond and me in Sze Ling's car. Johna, Shiqi, Jasmine and Deena went in Kelvin's. Eric went with Norbert.

Got there, stayed awhile. Got out. Had cheap wine and smoked a cigarette with the guys.

Went to a Malay restaurant at McKenzie Road for dinner. Chatted, laughed and fed a hungry black cat. Laughed over photos in phone, talked about people in the office and laughed even more. After that, Norbert left with Bernice (who came along after the exhibition), and Kelvin suggested Vietnamese coffee at Killeney (?). Deena, Eric, Desmond, Johna, Jasmine, Kelvin, Kelvin's Girlfriend Neng Li (?), Sze Ling and me ended up at the old Ya Kun (I think that was it, but I can't be too sure). The rest had gone home. Grass Jelly with Longan all around at Kelvin's suggestion, and he doesn't have any. Talk more about everyone.

Hitched a ride back with Sze Ling. The talk with him was enriching, for its life lessons.

Back home, need sleep. Need to be at Boon Lay at 11 am tomorrow.

----------------
Now playing: Marie Digby - Spell
via FoxyTunes

Still Working

2008-07-03T16:54:00.002+08:00

I've been working on several TVC shoots so far, so life hasn't totally stagnated. Although I've discovered that I would really love to do the pre-production planning for motion picture projects. It's been long hours thus far for each shoot, sometimes 2 different shoots on two different days, thus requiring me to wake up early on both days and leave late as well.

The last one beat the record of all the others though. We came in at 8 am and left at 5 am the next morning. This one was a killer. I might have reported 7 am in a different post, but this is cause I've forgotten all of this - and anyways, what difference does one hour make when one has to leave that late in the night?

Other things that have been going on is me wondering if I should come back here for my PI, and how I'm supposed to get the right job that I want if I can't get that stupid form to CAO by the 30th.

Figure it out.

The Brain-Death Cataloging

2008-06-12T01:16:00.001+08:00

The Art Department

2008-06-06T12:16:00.002+08:00

So I've been relegated to the "Art Department", which is the informal name of this place, because it's actually a separate company providing props but it's also a subsidiary of the company I work for. And I don't want this blog to be found so quickly as of now. So I shall avoid mentioning it much (it's not hard to find this Uber-Secret blog of mine).

Anyway, if you want to know what I do here, it's pretty simple, I've got no Internet here, and I'm to catalog props and stuff for 10 days. I'm down to 5 days after today, but this weekend I've been called to help in a TVC shoot and so there goes the weekend as well.

Oh, I should explain how it's possible that I'm online right now. Okay, there's this computer that I use here occasionally when I need to enter the data of the stuff for the online catalog, so I'm taking this time in-between chores to post this real quick. Here's the short story so that there's no need for me to spill too much or say too little:

This is Intern Hell.

Mercy On My Intern Soul

2008-05-30T12:54:00.002+08:00

I've just been kindly informed that next week I'll be rotated to work upstairs in Artisan. That's the Art Department for the rest of you. Supposedly it's hell on earth, of a sort/fashion. Fashion. The irony. What will I be doing there?

Not Googling Earth.

Not Facebooking.

Not retrieving telephone numbers and emailing hotels.

I will be cataloging props. All day. For two weeks.

Am I worried? Not particularly, considering that I've done similar work both in the SPF with the evidence room and also with ironing bales of cloth at Nsemble for my aunt. Monotony, I can handle. Let's just hope the other thing doesn't happen though...

Another Longish Day At Work

2008-05-29T10:51:00.004+08:00

That is my breakfast. It's kopi in one of those hard to handle packets, and a bag of that colourful biscuit, bought especially by the sis from somewhere in Buona Vista.

Last night was a good night, not the same as last week's Zouk night, but worthy of the same satisfaction. More or less, cause they were both enjoyable evenings, and we both know those have been in short supply since India. It was enjoyable cause the company was excellent. We kinda inaugurated a new member into the gang, how long he'll last I wouldn't know, but the guy's Joan's Boyfriend, and also the first of the "spouses" we've ALL met and hung out with, so I'm thinking he'll be around longer than the rest.

But it was good last night to hang out with the Trinity, and now adding Matthew it'll be like the Scooby Gang or something. I've been thinking about it and this really reminds me of some show, but I can't seem to place my hand on it.

Last night we bet that out of all of us, Andrea would probably be the first to get married. I reasoned that either Joan and Sze Wenn are too obvious as choices for such an undertaking, and knowing how Fate tends to work out, it's the one who's least likely. And it's definitely not me, cause I'm too poor for marriage and also not that interested in anyone to want to ask for their hand. So Loke's the one.

Last week was also officially Erwin's Most Scandalous Week 2008. It tops even last year's events. By a lot. I've officially reached peaked all the good intentions necessary for road paving.

And then I realise that I've got the knack for picking them, and also that I tend to get a little emotionally attached. Which in this course of action, is I suppose, a big no-no. This is a little warped, but when you're embroiled in events such as these, one has to adapt somewhat. So I've abandoned morality, or at least I've come to an arrangement with myself that allows me to function without constant self-loathing, and a reasoning that is utilitarian in its direction.

But anyway, this is a work blog and as such I should relegate my entries to their various departments. No point having 3 (that you know of) blogs when I'm indiscriminately writing everywhere right?

Work has been... dull. I get errands to run, small assignments of no consequence to complete, and script-reading. Script-reading is my favourite part thus far, cause I get to read stuff and then critique on them. And even if my input isn't really valued (cause when you're an intern it's bad enough, but when you look and sound like me your credibility crashes below the negative), at least it's there on paper and I'm learning some stuff for myself.

But besides that... nothing really. But I'm hopeful, and I'm really able to enjoy nua-ing, even if it's in an office and I've got to constantly grapple with guilt about not doing anything (as of that moment). But I'm willing to wait, cause I know when things start to happen I just might have too much on my hands. This wisdom has come from NS and the other internship. When there's time, enjoy it.

So I do. A little too much sometimes, but I do.

What I Learned Today: Lesson #1

2008-05-28T16:15:00.002+08:00

Yesterday and today I learned as much as possible about the manipulations of the Google Earth program. I know I sound kinda suaku when I call it "the Google Earth" program, but to tell you the truth, that's how I feel about it and that's how I'll refer to it. Yes yes, all of you people who would say that you've got it on your computers et cetera would most likely want to be all smug about it and say how cool you are for that. But you're not okay? I was on one of the early platforms of the program, and it didn't work so well and didn't prove to be much help to us here in Singapore. So I dumped it. Yeah, all of you with your so-called Google Earth installed on your comps, how often do you actually use it properly? Aha!

Anyway, I digress, as I am prone to here on my blog, but we've established that it is clearly and solely my prerogative. So deal with it.

I used Google Earth yesterday to pinpoint good positions in Singapore from which we might be able to get a good shot of the sun rising majestically over a new day, casting its life-giving light over apartments and condos. Today we used it to find a collection of buildings that were shown to us in a black and white low-res photograph.

Van travels round the world beside me in through Google Earth. She went to look up those fascinating Nazca Lines, Niagara Falls, and various other places of interest. I only like the keying in and flying around the world part, it's like being Superman.

I Take That Back

2008-05-14T09:52:00.004+08:00

As I was standing under the nice shade of shelter at Bishan interchange, I thought to myself, ah, how nice, a light drizzle. I have missed you dear rains of Singapore.

Then I board the bus and alight at my workplace's bus stop, and begin to make the trek inwards. The rains are still light, but then it gets heavier. And I get caught in it. And my jeans are entirely soaked. Making me remember why I didn't like the rains of Singapore all that much.

Last night I was looking at this.

That is James Blunt. And this is his actual size. Okay. Not actual, actual. Don't be stupid. This is the actual size I saw him in, and pretty much in the same resolution, in that I was unable to make out any of his features. And, AND,

There was no large screen from which we could see his performance. It was a good concert, but not exactly super-WHOA (okay, it's early in the morning and I'm dealing with a wonky Internet connection, so my vocab isn't tip-top perfect).

Beside me, V sits using her own Mac, and we're both agonizing each time the Internet goes down (then up, then down, it's like a console cheat, maybe I'm not pressing A or B, but I've got so many more buttons!).

And I'm going to publish this before it fails again.

First Day of Work

2008-05-13T10:16:00.002+08:00

I've begun work here at the production company. They specialise in TVCs but have a motion pictures department as well, I've been assigned to the production-side, and I'm working with the producers, who are in the same room as the directors. I'll probably be seeing more of TVC-production than anything.

Yesterday was my first day here. There are several interns working here, most of the them are in the Photography department, and those are from Ngee Ann's mass comm. I watched a shoot yesterday involving water splashing behind bottles. An entire set of flexi-glass, lights, wires and flash-thingies were all hooked up in this large room just for a single camera linked to a Mac G5 to get a frontal shot.

The shoot went on for most part of the day.

Another thing to note is that I mistook the address for my workplace and ended up somewhere in Outram. This was embarrassing to the core, considering that it should have been pretty obvious from the start considering the large company sign in the front and the impossibility of certain other factors. Let's just say I was misled by a previous situation.

But yes, back to my workplace. I am seated here now at a round black table with 3 black chairs, another Intern in front of me (she's from California), and there are a few people here at work already but the ones in charge of me aren't. We do not get desks of our own. Caligirl V is reading a book.

There are three other interns here as well, two are year 3 (4?) SADM students, Y and N, another one is their junior (I think) J, but I can't be sure cause she's pretty quiet (she began work yesterday as well). Everyone here is really nice. Do note that this is based on a first day's impression.

The office is also a really nice place. The decor is really - how can I put it - rustic? African? Brown? But it's nice, there are like statues and stuff all over the place. There are ancient Macs placed side by side with table decor, the toilet's really nifty, and the place is nicely lit so that it's shadowy but not dark.

I just noticed that I might be able to wear shorts to work. Every other day my dressing gets more casual. Yesterday was polo tee and jeans, today it's t-shirt and jeans, tomorrow, SHORTS!

Yesterday I was made to look up stock footage for the better part of the afternoon. Hopefully today I get by okay. I don't think there's anything more to say at this point, did I mention that I alighted one stop earlier today and had to make a walk of shame across a walkway-less road with cars zooming by, that was horrible.

I tried the McGriddles thing today. It's actually bad. The point of the sausage is it's savoury taste. Even if some of the maple syrup from the hotcakes with sausage gets onto the sausage, it's only nice because the sausage's taste is directly mixed with the syrup. The pocketed bun confuses the taste entirely, making it somewhat, thick in the mouth to chew. Those pockets of maple syrup drops aren't enough to overpower the bun's tastelessness, and the sausage's taste is nullified by both the bun and the syrup drops.

Tonight is the James Blunt All the Lost Souls concert.

We Got So Bored Here

2008-04-08T15:57:00.003+08:00

Made this for the French students just before we, the Singaporeans, left for Goa. This was put together using a Sony Hi-8 digital Handycam, a tape format which is absolutely foreign to me. It was horrible in the beginning because it took so much trouble to actually borrow the camera from the school, and after that it was even worse when it began to dawn on me that I'd run out of time to pull together any script of any sort.

In the end, we just shot whatever we wanted to, passing the camera around whenever possible so everyone gets some sort of viewpoint in. And in the end, thanks to Harshal for pulling stunt duty, and thanks to everyone making random funny comments, we actually made something that all of us (okay, I'm generalising) enjoyed.

So there was a film screening and all that, and after we left for Goa. You know the rest, or if you don't, then read it on my travel blog.

I think I'll put up the almost script here later on. And if I ever manage to upload it to YouTube, I'll be sure to screen it here as well.

Three Different Beginnings For The Same Script

2008-02-21T13:33:00.002+08:00

And that's what I have right now. Cause everyday is a new story. And no camera.

I'm insanely jealous at the moment that Jessie gets to learn how to use real film videocameras and learn FCP. All I've got here is the chance to travel round India, as opposed to writing a script the school will want and then hire a film crew to make.

Well. The choice is clear isn't it?

I Should Be A Movie-Poster Designer

2008-02-16T04:24:00.001+08:00

Recognise the title font anyone? Used that for Answering Machines Don't Answer, Love.

Whilst Everyone Else Stayed Home

2008-01-23T04:49:00.000+08:00

I venture into the wild unknown territories of India (okay, it's Ahmedabad and I'm living on a campus) - armed only with a perchant for good books and fake DVDs, hoping that somehow along the way I get my worldview transformed and I finally settle into writing the script that marks my destiny.

Because I care what other people think, and I want them to be awed.

Delhi Did Me Good,
Erwin

The December Films

2007-11-09T17:50:00.000+08:00

Completed AMDAL and handed it up. The screening of it was a disaster, having a bad projector to screen a movie that's got characters silhouetted half-the-show more or less made it a non-film (with film actually having images one can see). Don't even mention the sound, the film depends entirely on the answering machine messages filling in the gaps but in the end it just came out all mangled over the speakers. Sickening person who wiped the MD track. Who does that anyway (inside joke)?

Damn me and my not placing subtitles. Remind me sometime dear readers never to bother with deadlines because they can be changed (if enough voices are raised in protest).

On to the topic at hand then!

The December Films

In December we're going to make films, first, I'll go to get permission from the school, then draw out cameras, refine the script, work the locations and props, then proceed. Due to the subject matter at hand, we'll more or less be making every genre of film ever conceived.

Which is going to be hard work. But I think we'll manage.

Two would be short films, and one would most likely be a feature, considering that we probably will need all the time we can get to deliver our message.

Brainstorming on a piece of paper now.
Erwin Nah

Answering Machines Don't Answer, Love.

2007-11-01T09:38:00.000+08:00

This is the rough edit of the film, music courtesy of Monofone (via Hui). We had a lot of trouble making this film, considering that we're moving into the zones of attempting some special effects and loads of sound manipulation. Not to mention that the colour is totally off from what we filmed and edited. Problems with the exporting.

Special Thanks to the following:

Low Koon Yen - for being Icarus Tan, and proving that he's not a mere actor (cleans!).
Chang Haw Han - for being Winfred Chong, and for helping out from his busy schedule.
Faiz Law - for encouragement
James Mairata - for the vetting of the original script and suggestions.

And everyone else who have helped with filming. Those involved you know who you are.

Cheers,
Erwin Nah

Last Saturday We Filmed AMDAL

2007-10-25T09:54:00.000+08:00

And after viewing the rushes, discovered the continuity errors and now we've got to reshoot the last portion. Plus I was horrid as an actor, so this is my do-over. Haha.

Lessons Learned This Round:
1. If ever necessary, inform production crew of the latest time possible, or none at all.
2. Don't rush a shot or let others sway you to hasty decisions. Otherwise doors won't be where they're supposed to be, and there'll be excess props in the scene.
3. Not everyone is a director, not everyone cares about your film as much as you do.
4. Everyone is human, everyone has moods, so patience on set should be the priority.
5. Don't be lazy. Set up the tripod for all stationary shots.

So far that's all I can come up with for now. You can read more here.

Cheers,
Erwin Nah

Wo(Man) Production Day 1

2007-10-17T09:05:00.000+08:00

Yesterday we headed over to Daph's place to begin filming on Wo(man). We had Mac's Drive-thru for lunch, sat around for a bit waiting for Daph to finish eating after she'd fetch Kxxxxx (don't know if they want to reveal anything yet) from his place.

We began filming after that, and I've discovered the versatility of castor wheels. These things are bloody helpful in making a scene more dynamic. The space available in Daph's place also helped, not to mention the flat floor.

Can't wait to begin using the dollies and tracks. That'll really help in getting better shots, as opposed to the static scenes we keep having now.

More practice on using the camera off the tripod, what with experimental shots attempting to mimic snorricam movement etc. Those were hella tiring on the arms and shoulders, but not as bad as Mike Lady Jessie lugging her rolls of wires and batteries and boom mic scythe stick, getting tortured every time the camera rolls into some obstacle. Like BOOMP!

Daph was in director's chair, Phoebe was the actress (once again she shines through, I don't know how she does it, like some people just have the talent) and I've already mentioned mike lady.

We spent 30 mins or so trying to make the lighting right for one scene, toilet light, redhead outside, sidelight, tweaking over and over and over trying to get it to look right. For ONE scene. The rest of the night changed into a rushed let's-get-through-this-quick situation. It's a horrible horrible thing.

You begin everything all happy and nice, taking your time, patiently testing out different types of shots, then the time just disappears and everyone begins to realise that they'll be having a little difficulty going home, leading to a hastiness that manifests itself in the form of rushed exchanges on what to do next, fast walking and prompt movement.

We also discovered the sound connections should be checked beforehand and calibrated correctly without assuming that whatever we take out of the techshop will be nicely fixed. Called up the helpful seniors who kindly saved us from our plight. And we learned a valuable lesson about the camera connections.

That's the most valuable lesson here.

- I EDITED THIS POST WRITTEN 2 DAYS AGO AT THIS POINT FORTH

Turns out that what we thought of as a mistake on our part corrected with the help of the seniors was actually wrong. We should just leave the sound connections where they are.

Another thing to note here:
While everyone's got their youth-portal writing jobs, freelance magazine writing, tuition-giving occupations taking up their time, all I do is waste my day away doing absolutely time-wasting things.

That's as far as the thought went.
Erwin

Answering Machines Don't Answer, Love.

2007-10-13T18:07:00.000+08:00

Here's the Short. I'm Not Entirely Happy.

2007-09-30T20:23:00.000+08:00

Ma Cherie (Working Title)

2007-09-17T08:48:00.000+08:00

I completed the short version last week, but I've realised from my video that it's a little too personal and thus almost absolutely absent of any resonance for the audience. As much as I would love to just indulge myself, no one else is going to understand what the dick I'm going on about.

So maybe I should just give it the long take OR remove several shots that might not be necessary. Or I could just reshoot the whole thing with a new storyline. But there isn't any time left.

And it's only 1-min but I've got footage for too many other things in it. Maybe after I've edited it into a full version it might work, but that's still just a personal love letter.

What have I done?
Elix Arkan

Noveau Direction

2007-09-04T16:28:00.001+08:00

I think that I'm going to try to use every single person in CS for filming over the next 3 years.
Everyone deserves some onscreen fame, not just the friends we keep.

So far, for future reference:
Rongjun
Ji-En
Cheryl Quek
Charlene
Lay Ming
Jodi
Ting Yi
Sheila
Naz
Kailing
Sheila
(at this point it's pretty much the people who walk in front of me)
Chee Harn
Estelle (one unit)
Faiz

Some of the names have already appeared too many times, but yeah.

I think I'll go write roles for them and have them in some project to do during the holidays.

Now. SCRIPTWRITING HO!

206 & 225 are haunting me.
Elix

More Notes to Self:

2007-08-26T00:16:00.000+08:00

Be careful who I speak to and be most careful who I associate myself with and what I learn.

Okay. I'm going to become a ghost in school now. Let's do the underground thing.

...And The Like

2007-08-25T00:47:00.000+08:00

I'm not doing enough with my time. It's not supposed to be like this. I'm better than this. Oh despair.

Rough Cuts Against The Bones. Presenting: Youthanasia.

2007-08-18T16:02:00.000+08:00

So We Had Phoebe Write This

2007-08-14T13:23:00.001+08:00

I am writing on behalf of Titusi Films to inform that due to personal reasons and technical difficulties, we would have to withdraw from this competition. We regret to make this decision and apologize for any inconveniences caused.

Thank you.

And we're out.

Due to the fact that I'm still on a brain roll, I think I'll continue thinking about various plots for Image & Sound Production.

John Smith's 1976 The Girl Chewing Gum was screened in class today. Excellent stuff there.
Japan Culture Club's Kosai is omg funny.

Cheers,
Erwin

So We Had Phoebe Write This

2007-08-14T13:23:00.000+08:00

Decisions

2007-08-14T12:44:00.000+08:00

To drop out of the competition because after using 3 cameras, 2 tapes, 4 computers, 1 taxi ride, 1 parking summons, $20 petrol top-up, $26.00 lunch and lots of time spent thinking, we are experiencing every known problem possible in attempting to capture the clips.

And we are still unable to do so.

Give Up,
E.

AND IT ALL CAME CRASHING DOWN AROUND OUR HEADS

2007-08-13T23:19:00.000+08:00

Tape died.
Camera played a part.

New film concept with 2 people filming.
Down.

One epiphany bordering on cheesiness which I wrote in intentionally.

Lost Youth (Working Title)

2007-08-10T23:30:00.001+08:00

We brainstormed in school and so far what we've come up with seems like a good formula. We've got continuity set-up, we've got our actors and actresses, and we've got the smaller camera to maneuver around.

The locations are picked, the props mostly done, and all we need now is to collaborate the story and make the scenes run.

Cool Scenes Formula Has Proven Itself Once Again,
Erwin Nah

Starting Line

2007-08-09T22:56:00.000+08:00

And so the competition has commenced. We've got 6 other groups to compete with, and the worst possible thing to happen has - the word of the week just so happens to be "youth". Like what the hello! There's another YourFilm.sg that's having that as a theme.

Trust Your Friends,
Elix Arkan

Updating Life

2007-08-08T08:48:00.000+08:00

Love Letters - a screenplay at the moment.

I am attempting to create a screenplay based upon the relationships I've had. Right now it's more or less based on C, but I'm considering including all the crazies I've met along the way.

Maybe that would make the show a little more intriguing and less linear, but essentially it's going to be a study of that one relationship that has managed to have a hold on me for so long.

But the crazies I suspect are definitely happening.

Right now I'm in Detenber's first COM207 class for the sem. Tomorrow we'll be getting our word for the Standup@youth.sg and we'll be working hard over the weekend.

Enjoy,
Erwin

2007-08-07T12:51:00.001+08:00

I am going to be swamped in videos for the coming semester. Why? Cause I'm taking all the crazy modules which require some form of filming. Wow. Talk about the availability of experience.

ISP is a 1 min short and a 3-4 mins final piece.
VisComm is a 1 min short.

And the competitions. Oh my, I hope I'm not killing myself.

From The Wreckage

2007-08-06T15:26:00.000+08:00

Okay, so...

Two weeks of production workshops have left me somewhat accustomed to commuting from Home to School. And we've learned how to use the cameras and all.

This week, we're going to take part in the Stand Up @ Youth.SG film competition, with Daphne and Phoebe as my team mates. We're going to try to use the Sony DSR-390 and all that.

Might just take part in another competition, one that several people in school have already been working hard on. But then not much time left to do it. Especially the editing part.

Ah shit. Just realised the problems

We need to have consistency in all 3 parts of our film. Each segment is 90 secs long, and we're supposed to compile each part into a whole. This will present problems when we need to get the actors to be in it over 3 weeks.

Okay. I think I can safely assume that all 3 of us will probably be acting, and we'll get whomever else to play the extras. Damn, don't really wanna act again.

This will be good practice for the script-writing phase of the project.

Oh yeah,
Erwin

Champagne All Around

2007-07-18T00:28:00.000+08:00

The Human Cluedo video was a phenomenal success with the freshmen! We did the filming about a week before FOC commenced and only managed to complete editing on the 3rd day itself, due to everyone else's commitments with the camp.

I did the writing and directing, Phoebe chipped in with zany ideas (which of course got included because they worked for this project) and Shannon did the editing.

Clara and Ziliang were also involved in the filming because they had parts in Cluedo, and a big thank you to Clara for helping with some of the camerawork when the rest of us had to be in the scene.

Thanks to Ziliang for the fantastic delivery of the lines, it was a real boost to the show. Thanks also to everyone else who came and was a sport, especially with the kinds of things you saw me doing, I don't think anyone else would have supported the vision.

I thank you for your faith, and to Phoebe, thanks for doing the bullet time and final filming part. Great job on working the actors. Thank you actors for enduring the many takes of different funniness.

For anyone who didn't like the film or the process, well.

Once I get the film from Daphne I'll be sure to place it up somewhere so you can enjoy. Oh before I forget, I would like to thank everyone in the LT that night, thank you for enjoying the film and being so great about the whole thing. Sorry for the lies. Glad you enjoyed the film.

Rocking on, do the dance.
Erwin Nah

Singlish No Bad Production Photos

2007-03-05T02:08:00.000+08:00

Extras Wanted!

2007-02-23T14:43:00.000+08:00

Yesterday I was an extra for Faiz's film. I was a "businessman" who reads a newspaper on the MRT and is part of the ensemble cast targeted to be Dennised. Faiz choreographed the finger-snapping and some of us were more enthused in our performance than others.

I never knew so much could be put into finger-snapping. Plus, I can't snap with my right hand.

Their filming process is very very different from the experience I had. The feeling I got from watching them work is that it was very methodical and calculated, whereas ours (my 108 group) was more messy and spontaneous. I think lah. Not that it doesn't work or work, just an observation that different groups function differently. And I don't fit that careful planning fixed shots kinda style.

They were pretty adventurous in their filming as well, there's this reverse-shot thingy which I shan't say too much about here. That would give me a run for my money if it gets executed well on Final Cut.

Lessons learned from their filming:
1. Extended filming days draw heavily on the main actors.
2. Take more shots than one might necessarily need, don't be stingy with the film (maybe I learned this already, just that I was reminded).
3. Getting people to participate as extras is sometimes pretty tedious. Friends met at the MRT stations are also great resources, see Jun.
4. People are nice on MRT trains and avoid cameras.

*Seeing Charlene's group film today using the Wide-screen lens attachment makes me want to use it so badly. It makes the film look oh-so-good. I know, film-slut aren't I?

Do What You Will,
Erwin

2007-02-15T14:10:00.000+08:00

Here is my submission for the T-shirt design competition. I don't know how voting goes, and I don't think that it's wonderful. But well, what can you do if your computer crashes halfway through in the early morning and you've got to redo tonnes?

2007-01-26T00:07:00.000+08:00

No Video, All Radio.

I don't have any video-shooting modules this sem, but I do have CS 103: Introduction to Electronic and Broadcast Media, which has already demanded a photo assignment depicting our interpretation of the Digital Divide. I've not begun on it as of yet.

3-Minute Video Ideas:

1. Hall-life - or the lack thereof. Shoot something that's entirely set in Hall. A documentary on the different ways people have come to think of their halls or have decorated their halls. Halls as the extension of self.

2. Reality TV sort of film - mockery of Laguna Beach, but similar "high"-production-looking methods, calling itself, Nanyang Link Stretch of Tarmac: The Real SCI. Characters gossiping at the Coffee Machine in the morning, the cigarette people in the stairwell, the Benches Bitching (request for Scott).

3. Documentary - Canteen Vendors in NTU and their adventures with the Students. I suggest the Fruit Drinks Stall @ Canteen B. Also, the Japanese Food @ Canteen A and the Western Food Stall @ Canteen 2. All very friendly and popular, confirm can get film-worthy shots and stories.

4. Interview the Shuttle Bus Uncles

5. Ghost Stories of NTU. Real experiences within NTU.

6. THE FOC COMMITTEE - action-like flick showing the High-Powered Corporate Meetings of the FOC Committee.

7. One-person reenactment of their respective Hall Cheerleading Roles - an investigative look into how one-person cheerleading is just bloody funny. See Shannon, Flora, Justin and Kester.

8. Pseudo-Friends - a remake of the classic comedy's scenes, but with our own people.

9. Making the DJ - do a documentary on the Radio Fusion year ones and their journey - hopes and fears.

10. An entire condensed version of a CS108 group meeting to brainstorm on what to film, the concerns when coming up with ideas for a 3-minute film. Which means a scripted meeting, but hilarious to see how the group moves toward just filming themselves for 3-minutes. Cuts to be made to faces and reactions when the group members have conflict. Maybe The Office kind of style.

11. A funny documentary on CS108 Video Dos and Don'ts. Film other groups when they go for filming, then use those footage of their slack time and all to make an instructional film for future prospective CS108 students. This one would require lots of coordination with the other groups as to when they're filming and all, but will score the best (if done well) and will be shown during future lectures (confirm!). Plus plenty of laughs cause all the bloopers will be yours.

12. Running After the Bus - stake out bus stops in NTU and just put together a collage of people running for the bus, zoom in on their flustered faces and all that.

13. 3-minute film of me cleaning up my room and document all the hair I find around.

14. Recipes for Hall life - quick meals to satisfy the time-starved WKWSCI undergraduate.

15. Supper Places Around NTU - a look at Hall Supper Lifestyle.

16. McDonald's Delivery Man, I love you. - Film the stretch of road leading into NTU, making a collage of the McDelivery men who ride through the night to satisfy hungry students.

17. Do a documentary on Fin, our Vietnamese counterpart and her life here in Singapore.

18. Do a video of one another, tracking how you guys are in lectures, at the benches, with respective cliques and all. Will work if executed properly.

19. Do sequels to all the previous sem's videos.

20. Organise with different groups, come up with an overarching storyline, with individual videos intersecting with each other to create one long video, but with stories that can stand on their own as well. Quite hard, but if manage to pull off will get you a A++++ cause no one's been able to manage it before. And since it's not been done, can you imagine the possibilities. I want to see this one happen (well, not slipshod ah, please).

I know, I know, I'm praising my own ideas, but I think they're all pretty much workable and not too hard to make. Plus they can be placed into 3 minutes without making them into trailer-trailers.

Use these ideas however you like, and leave comments as you like. Would love to see them happen.

Rock On Filmmakers,
Erwin

2006-11-06T10:50:00.000+08:00

Credits to Shawn!

Thanks must go out to out favourite CS108 Lecturer/Tutor Shawn! Thanks for the Flash over-the-phone technical help!

LOVE,
Phoebe

2006-11-06T03:44:00.000+08:00

In Lecture Theatres Near You

Click here to visit the official movie site and catch the trailer.
Thank you for reading. Don't worry, this isn't the death of this blog. Far from it, I might say.
I do have to add that you have to see it in either Internet Explorer or Safari, otherwise the Flash intro is going to screw up.

Cheers Darlin',
Erwin Nah

2006-11-05T21:57:00.000+08:00

From China With Love

This project is definitely a REFRESHING experience for me. Having to stay up throughout the night till the wee hours of next day’s morning is driving me up the wall. But all is worth it when our final production is out and I can say nothing but this ROCKS! Yeah!! *triumphant look*

The process of shooting the video is really cool. For the swing scene, we have to drag our half-dead body and totally unconscious mind out of bed at 4am and make our perilous journey to Jurong East to shoot. The process carried through to about approximately 7am. And then, it was RUSH hour again! We have to make our way to school to attend Cherian’s morning lecture. Gosh. Then phoebe, our lead demented, has to endure the torture of “fabric of sanity” falling on her head several times to get the scene done. But no worries, it is fake.. haha.. partly no one wants to contribute real stuff. Hahaha.. so we just make do with food dye. Hoho. And for putting in all the bits and pieces together and video editing, we shld all give our credit and utmost respect to our techno maniac, Racheal.. *applause*

Next, for the website. It is yet another proud result of our hard work. For the opening page, we made use of the flash effect to make the words appear and disperse. After which, the effect is imported into dreamweaver. At the same time, we also made frequent application of the rollover effect as ur can see. The buttons are actually our own pictures stamped and made into buttons to navigate viewers around our webpage. This is the ingenious idea from Erwin. *applause again*

To add a final finish to our work, we camped in the Mac lab for more than 5 hours listening and trying out suitable background music to go with our movie’s intended vibe. In the end, after much debate and argument, we settled on two sound tracks from the freeplay.com which we think suit the sinister and at times helpless atmosphere which our trailer wants to create. HORRAY!! Our project is COMPLETED. ☺

Love,
Jia Jia

2006-11-05T21:50:00.000+08:00

It is this project that brings us together

The Steep and Thorny Way to Heaven is finally on screen. Thanks to my teammates, Phoebe, Erwin, Rachel and Jiajia. All of you have done a great job. Rachel, you are good at editing. Erwin, thanks for giving us a clear direction throughout the process. Phoebe, you are really like a demented kid. (I mean in the video, haha!) Jiajia, thanks for exploring the Flash and Adobe with me. Credits for all of you!!

I will never forget the toilet scene. It was a big sacrifice for our actress. Sorry, Phoebe, I was the person pouring the pail of water over you. Besides that, for the playground scene, we woke up early in the morning for filming. I can remember that it was Wednesday on that day and we were late for our cs102 lecture. I will never forget the experience when jiajia and I rushed for the 179 bus at the Bus Interchange.

We stayed at the Maclab late almost every day. It is so scary for me to walk alone all the way to my hall when everything around me is dark. For the music of the video, jiajia and I were trying so hard to search for music that can suite our movie in the creative commons. We were even thinking of asking jiajia to play the cello for the music of our video. Although we were managed to find some finally, thanks to Erwin for finding a more suitable music for us.

There are a lot of funs throughout the filming process. It is a memorable experience for all of us. This project brings us together. It’s teamwork that makes us succeed.

- Kar Wei

2006-11-03T22:22:00.000+08:00

The Completion of a Dream is the Effect of Work

Phoebe asleep after working till 4 am

It's done. The video and website are both completed and ready for your viewing pleasure. All this must be credited to Rachel, whose technical knowledge of both Flash and Final Cut Express has single-handedly saved the entire project from mundane obscurity, scorn and derision. We shall celebrate soon my friends!

Thanks also must go out to Phoebe, Jia Jia and Kar Wei. Everyone's done a great job, doesn't matter how much you think you've done or not done. All of us have done our parts to the best of our abilities. Really, really thankful for you guys. :-)

Okay, okay, enough of me rambling on, here's the link for our film. It's best view in Internet Explorer or Safari. Don't bother with Firefox. Something's screwed up in it. I don't know why.

Thanks for your continued support,
Erwin

2006-11-03T07:34:00.000+08:00

goodmorningworldseeyoulater

Just came back to hall room and showered. It is now 7-something a.m. and I am here to show my appreciation for Phoebe and Rachel.

Last night we stayed in the MacLab all the way till morning light. People fell asleep at different tables, but eventually we managed to get the video cut, complete with music and all. And we've also exported it.

Mac's Big Breakfast (of which I owe money to Phoebe for) in the corridor just outside the Nanyang Chronicle. Phoebe was so quiet. The poor tired thing. But it was a nice experience to have friends just lounging in the wee hours of the morning having breakfast.

Indeed, little things do mean a lot.

Now that the video's cut, all that's left is the uploading of it tomorrow. Or shall I say, today.

Wish Me Luck.
Erwin

2006-11-03T03:26:00.000+08:00

Ken Dolls & Imaginary Pals

This is our new best friend Ken Doll. I'm supposed to be him or he's supposed to be me. We're Phoebe's Imaginary Pal. Ken belongs to Shixiong. Thank you for generously allowing us to fiddle with him out of your sight. Here he's on my bed. - Erwin

November Firsts

2006-11-02T15:35:00.000+08:00

tonight was cool. erwin and i met up at around 2am to shoot more 'cool scenes' to substantiate our film. i think we can really make him look like ken, thanks to cheryl's make-up skills. he looks strangely plastic, which is good. the shooting on the road was funny. a sports car slowed down out of curiosity, probably to check out what 2 idiots were doing in the middle of the road in the wee small hours of the morning.

in addition, I FINALLY GOT TO SIT ON THE OVERHEAD BRIDGE OVER THE EXPRESSWAY! it was really exciting, being in a precarious state and all, while being filmed at the same time. though i was mostly worried about drivers who'd report us to the police, because they'd think i was on the brink of suicide.

press on PERSY, more editing coming up this week!
Phoebe

2006-10-12T23:28:00.000+08:00

Katong Dreaming of Tau Huay

Note to future groups: Please take note that it's not very nice to ask your actors to pay for the cab fare if they're not from your group. Just a thought. Ri's group was great. They didn't want me to pay.

Also, it is vital that you choose nice places to film. Having locations that are recognisably CS isn't exactly thought-provoking or interesting. It will merely highlight the amatuerism of your film. For example, Amanda's group chose to shoot in Katong, which came through for the group because a lot of the shoot's location were stumbled upon by accident or chance. Great colours, Providence supplied nice people, and I found the Rochor Tau Huay's little outpost there.

Another thing to note is props. These will be essential for anyone who wants to make their film stand out. My group only seems to have the Ken Doll (thanks be to Shixiong) and maybe Phoebe's all-white get-up. Hopefully they work out for the film. I'm starting to feel a bit fearful after looking at Amanda's filmshoots they've got costumes, colourful umbrellas and walls, as well as willing sisters and helpful supportive mothers. Likewise with seeing Shannon's.

Leigh's group chose to shoot along the Singapore River and one of the problems she let me know was about the bystanders, some of whom intentionally wanted to kajiao their shoot. So have big, burly bouncers guard your shoot if you can.

Lovely Umbrella Ghosts,
Erwin

2006-10-11T23:56:00.000+08:00

Something Screaming In the Cupboard

we had to borrow xianghong's cupboard in hall to film the cupboard scene. i managed to get the bike chain from home as a prop. for once, i actually felt claustrophobic!!! and the worst thing had to happen, i had a leg cramp while being locked up inside.

anyways, i was screaming and yelling from inside, so much so that the neighbours were peeking over when i literally rolled out from the cupboard after the scene was done.

i could barely stay awake today because we woke up at 5 to film at the swings. we need to stop filming at unearthly hours!!!

look good on the dancefloor,
phoebe

2006-10-11T23:11:00.000+08:00

The Early Bird Catches Old Men Working Out Weirdly

Good morning World.

I woke up at 5.30 am this morning in order to go for filming at some playground somewhere. The aim of this shoot was to catch the sun rise and hopefully get that twilight/dawning glow somewhere in our film. This shall be one of the cool scenes hopefully.

I sat in the swing with Phoebe while the rest filmed it all down. We tried it from many angles but there were several problems:
1. There were too many early risers practising Tai Chi, or jogging, or going to school, etc.
2. There were too many poles in the way. Add this to the too many people in the shot above.
3. The sun rose but we didn't really manage to get any shots of it. Bugger.
4. I sat in the swing and swung till I was giddy. Haha.

Looking at the scenes play out on the computer today, I realised that actors have to be very very aware of their body actions, even if it feels natural or okay to be doing something, when it's captured down on film it may really look bad.

The camera person/director should be very aware of what appears on screen and rectify accordingly, if not the entire shoot's gone to waste.

I had to wear a suit for this shoot so it was kinda weird sitting in (too-low) swings early in the morning and having to recite too-serious lines. Heh.

Should have brought a change of clothes. Whole day's worth of people looking, gawking, asking, mocking, wondering what the hell I was dressed to the nines for. I like ties. Give me a break.

When we got back to the Bus Interchange, Jia Jia and Kar Wei walked on in front out of sight, so Phoebe, Rachel and I took a cab back instead. We thought we were going to be late for CS102 lecture.

In the afternoon we headed to Xiang Hong's room to shoot the Cupboard Scene. What happens in this scene is that Phoebe's character's madness begins with a traumatic childhood where she was locked inside a cupboard. Phoebe brought the bicycle chain and she sat inside the sauna while we got ready.

Her role was explained to her and she was subsequently locked inside. We turned off all the lights and began filming.

Phoebe is a really dedicated actress. She actually shrieked and bawled in fear as though she was being flayed alive. I like the little bicycle rattling part.

Man, tomorrow I've got to help Amanda's group in their filming. Looks like it's another long long week then. Till later. Hope this helped.

Cheers,
Erwin.

2006-10-09T00:04:00.000+08:00

Darkness Uploaded

we just uploaded our video onto finalcut this afternoon. argh, and a lot of the scenes are too dark! probably will have to re-shoot some of the stuff. hmm, actually, i think we might have to add in some scenes, because from what we have now, i'm afraid it's gonna be too boring for a 3 minute video.

Says,
phoebe

2006-10-08T22:58:00.000+08:00

The Beginning

Today we did the first round of filming. Oh man, it was really crazy. The rooftop and IMH scenes were hilarious, what with the mouldy tit-tats and the ugly mascara streaks. Haha.

We did the toilet scene at my hall. People, watch out for it! Big sacrifices made for that, the water coming down, and the pad thrown.

red dragons,
phoebe

2006-10-08T20:10:00.000+08:00

The Finishing Line (is still faraway)

Today was the day we began the filming for our CS108 project.

Scenes included the asylum cellroom scene, the rooftop "Infernal Affairs" thing as well as the washroom scene. It was crazy. But we had fun.

Wearing a suit the entire day wasn't so much fun though.

Things to note:
1. Remember to bring hair wax and beauty stuff if you intend to make a slick appearance.
2. If your initial idea of a location doesn't work out, improvise.
3. Take risks in allowing your actors to sit on railings, but make sure they're calculated risks.
4. If someone wants to make mascara tears, please bring the mascara.
5. Remind your camera man to make sure nothing looks too offing in the film. A swinging leg going round and round isn't good material (that was me, I'm sorry).

The toilet scene involved me walking into the ladies' and climbing out and into cubicles. It also involves plenty of fake laughter, water and pads.

Everyone was exhausted at the end, but it was worth it.

Cheers,
Erwin

2006-07-05T00:50:00.000+08:00

Hello This is A Test of What I Can Achieve With just Some Luck