I shall tell ...

Post mortem

2006-06-03T14:16:00.000+08:00

Wow... am really glad to see some remarks and comments from the readers. Thank you very much. Your comments, be it bad or good, do make our day. Honestly, I was apprehensive about the whole serial when I heard about the all-green cast way back in Dec'05. Then again, to give them their dues, it was a fun project for all of us. The entire production team had fun and we were really pleased with the results. They do perform, well beyond our expectation. Perhaps the most comforting thing to know then was, we realised our singers-turned-actors FARED so much better than the '*tar I*ol'. That really boost our morale.

These dilligent youngsters are fantastic. They learned fast and they do possess the right attitude to work. Nevermind about the rumours, the entire production team witnessed the most sincere and hardworking bunch of youngsters in the media industry to date. Personally, I believe it is this zest and passion that make them shine like stars. Well, one might argue that many of them lack the good look for the typical idol drama. Then again, their personality shine through the characters they play and this makes them LIKABLE on screen. Don't you agree with me? Good actors are seldom endowed with good looks. hahaha.

On the whole, we reckon the cast did well. We feel the series is watchable and we have had good ratings. In this case, I can safely say that Success is all about the result and not so much of the journey ... Do keep your comments coming and for all we know, we might have another project with the same cast or something bigger. Hyak Hyak Hyak.

Am Back!

2006-04-10T03:24:00.000+08:00

Awww, sorry. I have been a lazy lass!
Truth is, I was busy in Jan and maybe Feb. March is a crazy month for me. April should be a filled with lots of travelling for me. I deserve it.

Okay, you didnt 'tune-in' to hear about me. That much I know.

Jan to mid-March was spent on on-set production, post-production and doing the music and effect of DREAMCHASERS. Yes, by now, you would have finished watching 6 episodes of the series.

Tell me, what are your thoughts of the serial? Like it or Hate it? I want to know.

I hope my prolonged absence has not kept you away for long ...

Bumble Bee

2005-12-28T02:10:00.000+08:00

Today, my life is like a bumble bee. Having given myself a little break during the Christmas season, life came back to hit me like a ton of bricks. Ouch ... such is life. c'est la vie!

Sorry to keep you hanging with no updates during the festive season. I have been lazy.

Tomorrow (I actually mean 28th) is the imaging day for my new serial. Let me tell you a little about it. Actors who play certain characters has to portray a certain image in the show. So, our dear Image and Fashion consultant will work together with the production team to come out with the "image". On the actual day itself, the make-up consultant will colour the actors' face n do up their hair to make them look the part. Geez.. I have to use so many words to explain this simple process. Well, why not you guys hang in there for another day? I shall use pictures to explain to you tomorrow. YES, pictures!!! Don't you love it! Did I hear a "yeaaaaaa"?

Picture: An example of how to fall "arse over tits"?

Alone

2005-12-23T18:33:00.000+08:00

Ever wondered why most 'creative' people feel lonely despite being surrounded by people? Truth is, we are often absorbed in our own thoughts and our own little world. Yes, it is definately a case of egoism and mandatory attitude to have for creative juices to flow endlessly. Lest we become too worldly, our work would turn mundane and boring.

Speaking of which, I am looking for 2 interns to help me with my project for Jan to March 2006. An intern would be paid a token sum but you get to learn. So, mail me and tell me why you should be considered for the internship. I am very serious. The interview would be held next week. 28th Dec afternoon. So hurry.
[UPDATE: I have found the two interns. Possie is closed. Thank you.]

Pre-requisite:
*Fast learner with a passion for paperwork and keen sense for tv production work.
*No grumbling despite the f***ing long working hours everyday.
*Need not be experienced but need to have the passion to learn and passion for tv work.
*PC skills - MS Excel + Chinese text input
*Star-gazers need not apply.

For the benefit of the entire production team, we are only looking for serious individuals who wish to be part of the action.

Quiet

2005-12-21T22:46:00.000+08:00

Am keeping a low profile these couple of days. Cant tell ya and wont tell ya what's keeping me busy because my ass is on the line. Besides, am brain-dead as the festive season approaches. Here is a picture amongst my collection of a person whom I reckon is getting better with his job as time goes by. Am rather impressed with his recent work. WTH, I don't think he can vaguely recall having worked with me in the same possie a decade ago. Keep guessing ...

Idiot box

2005-12-19T01:03:00.000+08:00

Why does the west call the TV, the idiot box? Do TV programmes really have the ability to reduce viewers to mere idiots? Perhaps it holds true for the couch potatoes. There are always the smart viewers. hehe... only the discerning ones need apply.

Just what do viewers want to watch these days? Am feeling bored with all the reality tv from hollywood already. I know for sure, most people still have that innate "voyeurism" in them. Umm... not that sort of Buaya. More like, getting into people's thoughts or simply just watch them doing their daily stuff. That's BIG BROTHER for you. Check out the book, 1984 by George Orwell if you do not already know what 'big bro' is. The more I see the world today, the more I feel George Orwell may have become the accidental prophet. Sigh ...

Scheduling

2005-12-18T00:46:00.000+08:00

Picture: Catching sleep in between shoot.
Just how do we decide when to shoot certain scenes? Arh... that's where the scheduler comes into place. The scenes in a script are first grouped according to episodes (ie. the natural flow of the story). This document is the MASTER-RUNDOWN. The master run-down will have columns such as Episode, Scene number, "Scene" (eg. Lily's flat, John's room etc), Number of pages, Characters etc. These information will be sorted according to "Scene" and characters. With these information, the scheduler will try to piece the schedule of various actors, location, "Scene" and a whole bunch of heuristics to come up with a filming schedule. This is definately not easy.

You see, actors come & go and they have other commitments. Some sing, some are needed to do publicity work, some are needed to do other serial or programmes concurrently, some are needed to practise for their stunt/performance in charity shows; all in all, they do not commit to one project at a given time. This is where the fun starts. heh heh.

Viewers tend to see the glamourous side of an artiste. If you had the chance to follow them around for one day, you would see how hard it is for them to make their living. Freedom is a luxury for them. Why? Their time is entirely manipulated by schedulers. Schedulers from Variety shows, Drama, Radio, TV, Programmes, Publicity, Record companies and the Press will communicate with one another to optimise the artistes' daily schedule. This is especially true for the 'popular' ones.

Can you imagine you being told where to go and when and what to do at a certain time day after day after day? Now you know why artistes can sometimes be extremely cranky? Arhhhh ... now you do. ;D

Location ...

2005-12-16T17:43:00.000+08:00

Picture-perfect scenes are usually the work of the DOP. A certain 'amount' of kudos has to be given to the Location researcher. What the $%^& does this person do then? It is usually a she, (don't ask me why) and she would go around hunting for location required by the production team and attempts to 'borrow' the place for filming purpose. You see, we can't just walk in anywhere or any street and place our camera n actors and start shooting. We need permission!

I used the word 'borrow' because we need to return the location to its original 'grandeur' when we have finished with our work. Well, that's my ethos btw. If you ask people whom have given permission for their place to be used for filming in the past, they might have a few grumbles. I do not blame them. Erm... filming is actually a very very very messy thing to do. We move things, we shift things, we place things, we stick things EVERYWHERE .... JUST to make sure the camera captures the best angle to tell a story. Usually, we make a lot of noise (especially scenes involving fights n quarrels). Even if it is a quiet scene, we still have to make SOME noise. Er ... the crew, talents, directors, assistant directors (AD) will all have to communicate with one another.

"Lighting 4, move right!"
"Lower! yea, the flap ..."
"Flare! Got flare!"
"Okay okay okay, ready? Roll tape ..."
"Tape is rolling."
"Right .... rollling ... 3 2 1 ACTION!!!!!"
" ......... "
"CUUTTTTT!"
"#$%^&*$@@$%$&**%^$ ......"

It would be cute to let you listen to our 'live' recording ... hehehe. I'll think about this.

We do not film our scenes at 'indoor' venues all the time. There are many instances where we do scenes under the bloody hot sun. If I had a camera then, you would be seeing all the grouchy faces on the set. No-body, absolutely, no-body appreciates being under the hot sun if they are not there to do sun-taning.

My pet hate would be for the passer-bys to hang around in view of the camera to WATCH us work. Hummm.... how I'd wish we would be left alone. No crowd controls, no need to go "SILENCE!!!!!!!". That is not all, if you were I, am sure you would be SO pissed with the following scenarios:

* Passer-by A gets behind the actors and smile towards the camera (lens) while the scene is shot.
* Passer-by B literally stands next to the mic and starts singing....
* Passer-by C,D,E,F crowds near the set to DISCUSS and do LIVE COMMENTARIES while filming is in progress.
* Passer-by G,H, I,J, K purposely follow the actors around while camera is still rolling ...

WTF .... we are not doing reality show... 请饶了我们吧!!

For the record, I do not mind crowds watching silently and BEHIND the camera lens. I love crowds like this, you get to watch, we get to complete our work. Happy right? So the next time, when you see a crew filming outdoor, please zip your mouth, off your phone, and get behind the camera n then you can watch. okay? ;D

Picture

2005-12-15T02:46:00.000+08:00

Cute huh? Amitaba ...
btw, can you still make out the character in the pic?
(opps, sorry ... my muse is on leave tonight)

Ah... a big 'ThankYou' to the few who has left comments for me. I have since replied. Another 'Thank you' to those who recommended this blog to friends.
Kum Siah ... Dor Tze ... 谢谢 ... Welcome to my humble Blog.
I shall have more material or stories to write when filming is in progress. Oh, I know what I can write for tomorrow. hyak hyak hyak.

From the heart

2005-12-14T02:08:00.000+08:00

Ever wondered why some actors' performance moved you while others simply $%@#? Have you ever tried telling a lie? If you have, that is the same feeling am trying to describe. That is, if you sincerely believe in the lie that you are telling, chances are, you'll convince others. Likewise for acting, it has to come from the heart. Internalise the emotion ...

Similarly, a good actor has to be able to play the character with his/her voice. Majority of the local actors fumble at this & they usually fail miserably. Most do not seem to 'get it'. Sigh ...

Well... this is where Dubbing comes into play. If you are in your 30s, you would remember watching series with Dubbed voices of LiNanXing & ChenLiPing. Dubbed-over voices are life-savers if we have actors who cant deliver lines convincingly. Then again, all competent actors hate them!

Today's picture: Yet another skit by the young adults. Do you know their names?

Blushing

2005-12-13T02:47:00.000+08:00

Awesome! I was pleasantly greeted by the number of hits today. For the past few weeks, it has been 1 or 2 friends who faithfully read my site. Today, I am pleasantly surprised to see 700+++ hits. Am blushing already! Thank you for your support and your emails. Keep them coming and I will reply when I have some time on my hand.

My My My ... this is getting serious. Umm... I would love to share more on TV work for all to see... no doubt.

Thing is, we are still in the pre-production stage of the drama. Ah... pre-production actually means getting the scripts written, casting, putting together a potent production team, and a whole lot more of co-ordinated efforts.

For the record, a typical production team involves:
Production:
Executive Producer, Storywriter, Scriptwriter, Production Manager, Scheduler, Casting Director, Director, Assistant Director, tea&coffee lady etc ...
Camera Crew:
DOP, Lighting & Sound Specialists, Electrician, Grips etc ...
Support Service:
Fashion & Image Consultant, Make-up & Hairdo Consultant, Gurus for location & facilities, Set Designer, Set Specialists, Props Specialists etc ...
Post-production:
Editor, Animator, Effects Specialists etc ...

There are simply too many 'specialists' required for a typical production.

I am sure when production swings in full force, I shall have more updates for you. At least, there will be more pictures. Afterall, they speak a thousand words, don't they?

Picture: Young adults graduating from their acting classes.

Scriptwriting

2005-12-11T18:22:00.000+08:00

People who knew me in person often gave me a hard time for the bad stories on our national TV. Most people seem to think local scripts suck big time. Umm... I honestly feel the same, sometimes. I don't blame them for making SCVs or StarHub their best friend.

For the record, I don't write scripts. Good scripts are usually "god" given. It is rare. There are instances where good scripts are met with lousy actors or lousy directors. More often than not, having a good production team and good actors do make mediocre scripts watchable. It is all about team work and packaging. Yes, TV is all about team work. I can't emphasise enough on the importance of teamwork in TV work.

Writing script is by no means an easy feat. Try writing one yourself and you will know what I mean. Punchlines and interesting dialogues are part and parcel of scriptwriting. However, writers simply cannot have every scene coated with punchines and fantastic dialogues. That would be an overkill... I'd rather have silence. Heh Heh ... let the actors do all the work. Hyak Hyak Hyak.

The two ladies in the picture are the new kids on the block. Personally, I feel both are relatively talented in acting. In case you are wondering, the pic was taken when they were playing out their roles for a short skit. Both are excellent. Silver did move me with her performance. Bravo!!!

Cars

2005-12-10T18:10:00.000+08:00

Bundle 1: Dashing, Wicked Smile, Rich, BMW (preferably a sporty model), Bungalow ...

Bundle 2: Average Joe, Warm Smile, Poor, BMX, HDB ...

That's so stereotypical of characters for our idiot box. I usually tease the scriptwriters if they own the same script template. Much like the writing machine 'invented' by Roald Dahl (See The Great Automatic Grammatizator). heh heh.

These two bundles are easily the main characters in my upcoming show. Problem is, where am I to find a gorgeous sports car for our Dashing lead. Heh heh... there is always the sponsor. Yes, the sponsors again. The thing is, which sponsor to approach? Arhhhh ... that's when I go shopping. Cars! Cars! Cars! Mind you, car sponsors are different from other product sponsors for TV in Singapore. We "borrow" the car and we don't actually get to keep it. It is really rather stressful to 'borrow' a car to be used for filming. We really have to keep our eyes out and take extreme care with the big ticket item. Or else ... hyak hyak hyak.

Arh... the picture above. Erm... it was recently taken at my office when she was trying out a role. Not bad at all. I won't tell you more because I want you to keep reading and be back for more. hyak hyak hyak...

Sponsorship

2005-12-10T02:02:00.000+08:00

TV has always been a great marketing tool for reaching out to the masses. Coca Cola and MacDonald's have certainly benefited from TV ads that help to build their empire. While it is generally accepted for Hollywood to allow blatant product placements, our own TV viewers would make a hell lot of noise for similar marketing tactic used on national TV. Why the double standard? Remember the hoo-ha generated a year or two ago when Zoe Tay was "literally blamed" for showing too much of a certain brand of milk powder on national TV. You can't blame the poor lass, she merely had to do what she was paid to do. Bloody viewers. Damn if you do, damn if ...

My passion for a certain brand of shoes is taking its toll on me. As it turns out, I am rather eager to recommend these fantastic shoes to as many people as possible. Well, it is not as if I own the brand or something. In fact, I do not even benefit in any other way from it. I just love those shoes. AND I just got to see more people wearing them. Don't even attempt to tell me you have never impose a certain hawker food on your mates? Women and their shoes!

Okay, what has shoes got to do with my topic today? Hehehe ... I tried to talk to the shoe shop into sponsoring their shoes for the actors in my show. But of cause, I did use my brain before dialing the numbers on the phone. Having consulted the appointed Fashion and Image Consultant for the show, even he agrees with me that the shoes do complement the look and style he had in mind for the kiddos. See?

Now, I just hope the shoe shop will consider our proposition and that the negotiation will work out fine. Sponsorship = 20 seconds of fame.

Passion

2005-12-09T01:53:00.000+08:00

What makes a good actor? What makes a good director? What makes a good tv person? What makes a good cook, musician, doctor, or even Butler. The answer is Passion.

If you ask anyone who has ever been involved in TV or creative work, they would usually tell you, they are very much in love with their 'job'. To many who probably have to drag yourselves to work everyday, you will probably never understand the strong desire to get to work everyday. Why would I say that? Ask yourself if you would groan at the mere mention of OT (overtime). We wouldn't! We love what we are doing and we would usually make sacrifices to make things right for the project. In a nutshell, we must have passion in everything we do.

The foto illustrates attentiveness, the pre-requisite of passion.
p/s: Aren't they cute.

Casting

2005-12-08T01:40:00.000+08:00

What constitutes to good casting? Casting is important to a show. As usual, there are commercial constraints too. Some leads are internally assigned because of their popularity. Others are fill-ins. Today, I contemplated on the casting for the minor roles of my serial. What goes through our minds when we do casting? Do we base our decision on the suitability of the actor to undertake the role? Or do we blatantly accept any Tom, Dick or Harry who happens to be free to do our projects and costs less? Or do we view it as a favour to people whom made some impression upon us? Or should we even contemplate on new faces and risk our production schedule (thereby putting our necks on the chopping board)? These questions ran through my mind as I thought of the list of actors or faces to fill in the roles, as suggestions, mind you. There is always the audition. It is fun to do auditions. Not that it is my favourite part of the action though.

Juicy stories?

2005-12-07T01:47:00.000+08:00

How juicy can a story be? It all depends on who digs the dirt. Then again, I wouldn't want all co-workers, friends, enemies and strangers to get all paranoid about my ability to double-cross. Being priviliged to all sorts of media info and juicy gossips, I feel a slight obligation to share with some of the selected few who take time to browse this site. hehe.

Ehem... we shall see ... meanwhile, here is a recent foto comprising of the upcoming ... xxx

Scoopie ...

2005-12-05T23:31:00.000+08:00

Alrighty! It is plain stupid of me to even ask for permission to publish my "collection" of fotos here, right? I should just do it blatantly! Be a real Paparazzi for Christ's sake!!! I wonder if there will indeed be a paparazzai culture here? Humm ...

Wahaha ... I can almost see a picture of the future! The actors & popular people will end up being seen in public places with paper bags over their heads. hehehe....

Since we are on the topic of Scoops, why don't I show you some of the fotos I have amassed so far... 猜猜他們是。。。?

Disappointment

2005-12-03T03:02:00.000+08:00

Awwww ... I am utterly disappointed with today's showcase of "acting". I shall tell you about it when I have composed my thoughts. Definately not now ...

You would ask, "Why not?"

Not now because being the disillusioned me, I have nothing good coming out from my gab.
%^&*# ...

Something interesting do worth the mention though.

It was a freaking hot arvo today. I trodded into the production office and it appears that everyone is out for their day's filming. Quietly I tiptoed to the next room to take my first peak at the bunch of youngsters rehearsing for their skits. Well... they gave me blank stares as usual. I do not blame them. They have absolutely no bloody idea who I was. Well, I did not bother to introduce myself either. It is usually fun to be 'ignored' until they find out what sort of impact I will have on them in their days to come. hehehe. The 'orhhh', shock or horror to their faces upon realisation is simply PRICELESS ... ehem. Truth is, they gave blank stares to my bosses too. hehe. This is getting fun.

Young people, nobody teaches them manners anymore. Why would I even say that? I am guilty as charged. ;)

But I have digressed. I meant to tell you what went on in the little room between myself and my bosses after the kiddos are done with their 'acting'. We were discussing ways to make the not-so-perfect-looking actors & actresses we have on our hands, look better on-screen. Mind you, it is an art. Cameras are good lying machines. They can be made to lie well if the DOP is doing his job (btw, DOP = director of photography aka cameraman).

The bunch of us were watching the promo reels involving the kiddos. The reels were recently filmed and is now showing on national tv. I must say the quality of the promotional traliers is fantastic. As it turns out, the guy making the magic is someone I used to work with a decade ago. Small world?

Balmy ... I know I promised pictures. We did take some. Until I get some clearance ... you won't get to see them here just yet. Akan datang ... hehehe.

I'll be away from Singapore tomorrow morning.... be sure to hear from me on Monday.

Anticipation

2005-12-01T23:50:00.000+08:00

I know you must be really dying to know what I have come to claim in my Blog description. Yes, I am indeed the insider. Nevermind about the role I take on when it comes to my being behind-the-scene. What matters most is I get to feed hungry readers and friends with what happens beyond the camera.

Forget about the 'The Making of xxx'. My scoop will probably be more interesting. Why would I say that? Well, I will probably show pictures of who's who and what REALLY happens on the set, especially when am in a good mood or foul mood for the matter.

You see, the primary motivation for this show-tell thingo is probably to keep my close friends well-informed of my work. As an aside, it will serve to let curious readers who are always trying to pry for on-set-juicy-stories. I am sick and tired of being asked countless times of 'do-you-know-xxx'.

Tomorrow ... I will be on the set at 5pm to capture footage of 'you-know-whos' being conferred certs to certify that they can start acting. Well, we will know soon enough whether they can really act.

Frankly speaking, it was incidental for me to stumble upon this project after nearly a decade of hibernation.

I'll probably post some pictures here tomorrow, if my mood is right. hahaha.