Good Morning Mad World

Allow me to re-introduce myself.

For the past half-year, I’ve been strolling past life, busy with projects, activities, decisions, and my direction in life. I know it’s been a long while since I’ve updated this blog, but ceasing to post anything isn’t the end of it. I’ve just found myself enough time to write up something on my progress thus far.

A lot of projects I had mentioned earlier in my posts have come and gone. Some have stayed with me, others had been put away. It all came down to timing, whether that was in interest or resources for that matter. But a lot has changed over the course of these passing months. And when I mean a lot, I mean a smorgasbord.

Since 2011 rolled in, I’ve been busy with a few things (which haven’t put any coin in my pocket), but has been progressing to a stage where I am now being serious about what I want. I mean, dead serious. We’re talking about taking the leap of faith, that giant step forward. I don’t want to be meandering around, hoping and believing something will happen. I WILL make things happen. For better of for worse. It all comes down to pushing yourself and becoming all you can be. I know I’m sounding a lot like some hacked up morning show or whatnot, but yeah, it’s been a long time coming.

In a way, it’s a new year’s resolution… only the resolute decided to visit me two months after.

Since February, I’ve enrolled into IFSS, the International Film School Sydney. It’s been a whirlwind of a ride, having to embark long driving trips every morning to reach the school and then endure the rest of the day… attempting to stay awake. Reasons being that I once was a nocturnal insomniac didn’t help the situation and I’m slowly weaning myself off of my usual late nights. How unfortunate that my inspiration only works at night and it’s been clashing with my moral high ground to actually sleep. For the past couple of weeks I’ve been falling asleep in class, which isn’t a good sign. DAMN MY INSATIABLE NEED TO STAY AWAKE AT NIGHT. It has got to stop. Unusually, unlike my days of working as a casual office hand/telemarketer for the past two years, I actually WANT to take that hour/hour-and-a-half drive to the school, even if it means waking up before the sun touches the sky. Too bad my body’s going to cop it one day.

The decision to even attend the school came about from coincidence, perfect timing, and frankly, my need of direction for myself. I’ve been considering film school since my sister brought back an info pack from the Careers Expo 2010. I sifted through it and read on everything the course would offer… and so I attended Open Day. I have been past the school a fair handful of times due in part of an acting friend of mine, Laurent Boiteux, who attended auditions there last year, but I’ve never really stepped foot into the place. Needless to say (and I’m not saying this to impress mind you), I was impressed. Truly. That was my first instinct walking into the school. Cosy, relaxed, everything in one place. Of course, now known to be the largest intake of students IFSS has ever had, it gets a tad bit crowded inside.

I was surprised though, that after Open Day I immediately filled out my application and sent it in that afternoon. Give or take a few weeks down the track and I was asked back for an interview. Now, knowing me… I ABHORE interviews. I hated job interviews really, but that only stemmed my despicable distaste for the process. I was excited, nervous, and dredding about what the heck I was going to say. I can only think back to after the interview was over, and I was relieved and happy with what I had to say. In the end, I was being myself, not some uptight girl that had to appease to the coporate man behind a desk or clipboard. I felt free to be who I was, and I think that being myself and having that confidence that I hid for so long for so many years has repaid me in kindness. Still, embarrassingly enough, I didn’t expect the Favourite Five Films question to be asked…

Yeah Marie, why didn’t you expect a question like that FROM A FILM SCHOOL?

Anyway, go check out the website: http://www.ifss.com.au It was a decision well worth it on my part.

In part of that, I’ve decided with my good friend Maria Tran that I would teach her a thing or two on what I’ve learnt. And so the act of giving and passing knowledge has been achieved. This has been going on for the past two weeks (i.e., two lessons) and a few others have joined in the long and arduous task of listening to my ramblings every Saturday. Still, with film school draining me of sleep, these Saturdays may very well be a sixth day of my week to prepare. I may even end up running out of things to teach and pass on, and all it’d be is a recapping of the week prior. Really, there’s a lot to learn, it’s just a matter of figuring out what everyone wants to hear.

Also, I’ve been hanging around ICE every now and then regarding the short film I shot last year. STUFF has finally come to a grand beginning. The launch is happening next week. In a way, I’m relieved, excited, and yet tentative about the shortcomings hereon. I’ll admit, I’m the type of person that hates to see her work towards a live audience. Truthfully, I’ll run and hide to avoid watching the looks on everyone’s faces when they watch or see any of my work in general. I feel more comfortable just being… anonymous. That’s why I love online art communities. In a way, I have to face the music one way or another. My work will always be critiqued and people will be critical. I say this now without knowing how I’ll react, but it’s for the better. Adaptation after all.

Yep, I’m plugging it. I’m entitled to.

On the side, I’ve had a project going on with Laurent Boiteux. I won’t say much on the details yet, but we’ve had tremendous help from fantastic and talented people who were willing to put in their time to shoot in a span of two days late last year. Everything’s complete except for some tidbits that still need sorting on my part. In a way, I’ve come to realise how hard a producer’s job is in this regard. Still, I’m co-producing with Laurent, so at least there’s less weight on my shoulders for now.

Aaaaaaaaaaaand really? That’s all I’ve been doing. Just re-reading this now makes my head hurt. Why do I do so much? Or at least feel like I do? I don’t know if I even have time to myself anymore. At least not as much as I wished. I miss drawing my art. There’s a heap of Photoshop files that are laying in my hard drive, incomplete. I miss writing fanfiction. I haven’t been for the past year actually. I miss playing the piano. I haven’t touched it at all, and still want to perform Tangled’s Healing Incantation again to at least upload onto YouTube for reference purposes. I haven’t touched my books still lined up in a row on my desk. I’m counting three, four, no five books I haven’t read or have yet to complete. I haven’t read the latest mangas I’ve bought, nor have I played any of my games in a long while (except for Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands. That was a guilt trip after the consultation I had this week).

This is just me being a geek. A very weird one unless you sympathise with my hobbies. But overall, I know I miss these things, but I know I’m doing what I love doing right now. The one thing I really miss is seeing my sisters when I return home. I never see them as often as I want (and half the time I’m stuck in my room working on assignments… or this post for that matter).

So many things have been happening. I have bigger plans to attend to soon after I make a few arrangements, but I remember a bit of advice I was given that has to be helping me so far. (It was originally in regards to co-ordinating and producing, but it still applies):

“Follow your gut instinct and trust your intuition.”

Yeah, I feel like I believe in that. That doesn’t mean I’m going to be simple-minded and stubborn about it, but I will follow what I feel is right for me. Whether that is for school, for side-projects, for teaching, for everything.

Good Morning Mad World. It’s great to be back.

UAFF & Q4J: Action films get discussional

Last Saturday (07-08-2010) local guerilla filmmaker and good friend Maria Tran held an event: the Urban Action Film Forum, where a number of special guests arrived to join in the festivities and the discussions. Among them were Chris Pang (Tomorrow, When the War Began) and Wang Fei (Shanghai Lady Killer), but the honorary guest of the night was HK director, Antony Szeto whom has graced us with his presence. It was amazing that a small local suburb like Fairfield would be honoured to have Szeto’s company at this forum event, and to have him discuss his experiences in the film industry, especially in regards to the action genre itself.

The event held a number of guest speakers who joined Antony Szeto up on the panel, including:

• Craig Anderson, writer/director/actor of ABC TV series Double the Fist.
• Ali Khadim, local filmmaker and parkour artist of Team 9Lives.
• Warren Coulton, actor/stuntman/director/producer of shorts Yakka Oy! and The Transit, and managing director of Clear Vision Films.
• Igor Breakenback, actor/stuntman/filmmaker of upcoming film Good Luck With That, and managing director of Breakenback Films.
• Peter Castaldi, managing director of distributor Pack Screen.

T-Shirts anyone?

We had our laughs, but we got down to the real nitty-gritty about the action film industry, especially the prevalent (and problematic) lack of such genre films in Australia. In fact, it was the main focal point throughout the night. It did bog me down that action films don’t get any attention or say in the Australian film market, and even if they did, it would never get picked up due to the ever-prevalent ‘gods’ of the industry saying “No! You shall not pass! It’s too stressful!” It reminded me of a short conversation I had with a stranger, and with this night fueling that train of thought, it’s only given me this sense of passion and duty to write and make an action genre film… actually, that’s what I’ve been doing this whole time! I have so many ideas that they haven’t been properly written or typed down yet! What the hell am I thinking?!

But I digress, the fact that Australian funding for an action film is rare, it IS possible! Just have a look at Daybreakers and tell me that it wasn’t Australian-funded. It’s a start, but it’s possible! The decline since the late 1980’s is probably the reason why no one’s even thinking about action genre films in Australia. Perhaps the film industry needs to understand the popularity that action can bring, especially in an international market.

For most of the night, after the discussion forum, everyone mingled. Unfortunately, I had to man the front desk, but that didn’t deter the fact that I sold a number of Q4J tees on the way. At least I was useful for something, right Maria? Thanks goes to Lauren Maher for taking a snapshot of me all on my lonesome that night. And yes, those are her balloons. I know a number of familiar faces had attended the night, if not for the forum then for the media coverage for the night. It was abuzz with life, and probably the most I’ve seen people in the PYT.

After the night, it made me think about where I’ve been going with my writing, and a majority of the writings that I have written or kept in backburner in my head. I will still hold onto them dearly, but there will come a time when I want these stories to be told and made for an audience that’ll appreciate them. If not for the bad-assery laced in it, but for the complexity of story-telling itself. Action is what I’m aiming for, just for now.

At the end of the day, I say: “Good on ya Maria!” Best wishes and heaps of luck on your Quest for Jackie Chan!

… see what I did there?

Progress on the Forefront

You’ve probably noticed the amount of mediocre film reviews I’ve been posting lately. Well, truth be told, they’re pretty quick and easy to write up for now since a lot has been happening over the past month. I’ll be posting everything in detail as soon as I find the time to write them down, but for now, here’s just a taste of what’s been happening.

STUFF – THE DRAMA OF IT ALL

Since May 1, I’ve been undergoing an intensive film production course set up in Parramatta, having to travel there every weekend to attend the classes and create something out of it. Needless to say, when they said intensive, they really mean INTENSIVE. I’m not that much of a dramatist and I know my writing is very subtle. I’m the kind of writer that brushes things under the carpet. I hide things for people to think about. This course has been teaching me quite the opposite! You have to be loud, obvious, simple, and overall, DRAMATIC! I’m definitely not going empty-handed out of this, but I’m feeling the highs and lows of this process, which is a good thing to get me in gear.

SECRET PALACE

During May (and perhaps late April), I’ve jumped on a project sprouted from Laurent Boiteux, which has started creeping into its production phase. I don’t know what details I can say as of now, but I’ve been busy storyboarding the short film for a while now in between my casual work and the film production course. With all of this happening around me, I’ve only gotten through halfway of the script – ten minutes worth of shots… 95 shots. When you think about it, would that make over 200 shots for the entire thing? Yeesh.

REAL LIFE

Ah yes. Normal life. How has that been? Well, now that I’ve got some casual work for almost a month now, it’s been keeping me on my toes. I know though that this casual gig will expire soon (most likely this month since ‘m almost done with the task at hand) so that only lets me focus on the other two I’ve mentioned so far. Otherwise, I’ve been thinking of more ideas, which leads me to…

BRAINSTORMING

I’ve been having a lot of ideas for filmic concepts. Most of them so far have been with the help of Laurent collaborating in the co-writer seat with myself. At the moment, my typing hands will cease to mention these projects, but they’re really high concepts.

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Not only have all of this come in, Maria Tran gave me another graphics job to attend to. Now it’s a matter of getting onto Pamela’s request whenever I can.

Who notices the dwindling events, things have been going at such an alarmingly fast pace that I’m beginning to  swamp myself with work. I know I haven’t been getting enough sleep that it’s gotten to the point that my body is starting to sleep during the day. You know it’s not a good sign when your eyes will droop close on their own. While doing other things like supposedly typing scripts. Even watching television won’t keep me awake.

In fact, I’m actually tired now as I’m writing this up. The days are beginning to take a toll on me. ANYWAY! All of these things will be explained in due time whenever I can have a break. 4-6 hours of sleep isn’t quite the healthiest lifestyle right now.

Oh yes, and there are still reviews on the way all lined up in a row. Expect to hear more soon!

Movie Review: Green Zone

Green Zone starring Matt Damon

Date: Monday, 29th March 2010
Time: 9.30 PM
Location: Parramatta Event Cinemas

A soldier goes against government protocol. Loses his comrades, turns renegade and uncovers a conspiracy. Bad-assery ensues thereafter.

After a long day, both Laurent Boiteux and I decided on catching a movie on a whim. With the production of action films taking over the cinema complexes nowadays, Green Zone didn’t disappoint. Filled with action, conspiracy, and highlighting the perspectives of war from left-wing, right-wing, and those stuck in the middle, the film brought to light what the war may have been like behind the camera lenses and the media.

With Matt Damon taking the role as a militant sticking his neck into things he shouldn’t (or should!), the film was no different from his reprisal of Bourne (thus the creator’s filmic choice). A soldier as part of a team in search for W.M.D’s (and many of you should know that acronym) gets his head in too deep after uncovering a conspiracy driving  behind their campaign. With governments, politicians, and the military in the mix, you know something bad is going to go down. The idea of visualising the war from the W.M.D. campaign was a new concept. Heck, it was kinda refreshing especially with the knowledge of how the W.M.D. fiasco just kept the situation and circumstances aflame with media and public curiosity and anxiety.

The film was your typical action film. Driven by the camera angle choices, such as the infamous shaking during high-tense moments, it created the feel for drama and panic throughout this war film. Although, I’ve gotten used to the format as opposed to when it first surprised me after watching The Bourne Identity. Luckily for me, I don’t suffer motion sickness. What I really loved about this film was the pacing of it and how it weaved and intersected different elements together in order to create this larger picture for the world to see. But it was the elements themselves that add to the story as well. You only begin to wonder how the corporate political world affects everything in the military administration. It’s almost the Master and the Dog complex, until the Dog actually bites the hand that feeds him.

Overall, Green Zone has my vote for making the W.M.D. campaign into an intellectual, if not action-packed, visual medium. Though I condone the idea that war is a good thing, the film plays on the psyche of each character and how they react within these tense situations, making this film memorable to say the least, with a few good twists.