Independent Film

Just doing some non-project-related, yet career related.. research...

Picked this up from David Liu's facebook, a talented Singaporean based director I met at the Singapore Film Festival last year.

Nothing amazingly new but in the videos below, producer Ted Hope talks about the benefits of going into Independent Filmmaking, utilising all the opportunities afforded by the New Media technologies. Ted Hope has produced a number of films, the most recognisable for me being 21 Grams, American Splendor, and even Ang Lee's Xi Yan (The Wedding Banquet)!

The most interesting was his mention of the 1000 True Fans 'theory' by Kevin Kelly. That article is definitely worth a look as food for thought to anybody seriously wanting to make a living as a creative artist.

Some Job Opportunities in Indie Film with Ted Hope (part 1) from Hope for Film on Vimeo.

Some Job Opportunities in Independent Film with Ted Hope (part 2) from Hope for Film on Vimeo.

Haven't had time to review and process my own opinions as yet on these topics - I have an exegesis to write for my Asian-Australian Film project. Oh, I have a title for the project now "The Slanted Lens". It is a re-appropriation of a similar titled documentary "The Slanted Screen" by Jeff Adachi, about the representation of Asian men in American Cinema. You can check it out a preview of it on youtube here. It is a really interesting and insightful documentary, especially when you find out that one of the biggest Hollywood silent film actors was Sessue Hayakawa, who actually played romantic leads opposite Caucasian females.

I figure my title is appropriate since it's about me as a filmmaker, finding Asian-Australian stories that I really want to translate onto the screen. Anyway, it's too late to spend any more time thinking up another title.. so it stays... for now.. maybe... opinions please!!! I need help on this matter!

Wish my luck with the rest of my assignment.. 5 days left to go!! argh!!!!!!!!!!!

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That's a wrap!

Finally, the camera's of stopped rolling for principle photography on my short films. There are a few pickup shoots to follow, but the bulk of the two films have been recorded onto digital celluloid, better known as CF cards.

It's been a long haul, filled with interesting experiences both old and new, but the journey isn't finished - yet. Editing will continue till the films are ready to be released to the critical eyes of you, the public. The 'real' work of putting the film together will now occupy my time, as well as eeking out points of discussion for m exegesis which is still to be properly drafted (I feel so screwed now...).
I will be working my hardest to ensure my vision is as understandable as I hope it to be, and then it shall be released, at which point the film will no longer be in my hands but in the hands of people who will really make the meaning of the films known - the audience. I can only hope that I have the skills to be able to communicate it properly in my chosen medium, video/film, and that it is engaging enough for you, as the audience to actually pay any attention to them.

Anyway, below are stills from Going Home, which we wrapped on Saturday.

You may notice that the meal being eaten by the family in this film is the most Western of takes on Asian cuisine... and it's supposed to be Chinese New Year Dinner... poor planning and limited resources... but not to worry, it can be edited around.

On Tuesday, I shot the short Romantic Comedy 'Dumplings'. It was just the one night shoot, which we shot at the bookstore I work at - Academic and General bookstores. Just about a guy who wants to ask his co-worker out. Nothing terrible original, but it was fun to shoot. No stills from that, but it should be a quick edit.

Also, stay tuned for from test VFX footage for a possible WW1 trailer on ANZACS of Asian descent.

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Production

Going Home is almost finished! Last day of shooting is this Saturday (not including pickups, if we have any).

It's been a great experience, and my first real, proper taste at directing. The actors have been great to work with - Daniel Wu as the lead, and Kareem Ford Sarhan in a small part.

We shot the first scene last Saturday, and it was great to work on the dynamics of characters with two fantastic actors. Definitely daunting at first, but I'm getting used to it.

Below are some production stills. The first few is us on location at Flinders St Station. It was great to get permission to film at this iconic station of Melbourne, so thanks to Metro for their kind support.

The second lot is us at my RMIT post grad room., We re-created an office is that space with two computer screens, two sets of keyboards and mice, one phone, cups, pens and pieces of paper. I reckon it looks 'office-y' enough given what we had.

There's also some stills of our actor Daniel, taken with my Pentax k7 with the 50mm f1.7

The stills were taken by either my k7 or changas d3s. Awesome cameras.

Film will be finished soon, and will hopefully be able to upload more videos soon.

Watch this space.

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Going Home - first preview

Here is a first preview of the short film I have been filming, Going Home. More information about the film can be found in this earlier post

This is the first cut of the first flashback scene. Only the first part of the clip is almost finished - the Chinatown clips are random fill shots. Most of the footage has not been colour graded yet.

Shot on Nikon d3s, 720p 24fps. Edited in Premiere CS4.
Shot on Location in Melbourne, Australia, at Tian Jin Gardens Spring Street, and Chinatown on Little Bourke.
Flashback scenes shot in Siem Reap Cambodia.

More details can be found on the youtube page.

Watch in full screen to enjoy the pristine 720p HD footage that Changas shot with his beautiful Nikon d3s.
Enjoy.

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