Rising Sun - a mini-series

One of the outcomes from my honours.

It is a draft of an opening credit sequence to a mini-series I am developing about Asian ANZACS. I reckon such a story is highly relevant at the moment, in light of the Billy Sing feature film fiasco.

It is a DRAFT, so not perfect. It's just a way of exploring our options. Will hopefully be able to get out there and shoot the real thing soon.

The title Rising Sun was an interesting decision process. Whilst brainstorming ideas for a title, I started off literal and dragged out titles like "The Diggers" and "The Forgotten". I was trying to capture a sense of the forgotten nature of the ANZACS that have slipped through the cracks of mainstream modern Australian history, including those from the indigenous population.

I arrived at Rising Sun because the symbol of the Australian army is the "badge of the rising sun". But what also occurred to me was that the term Rising Sun is often associated with the Empire of Japan - land of the Rising Sun. Because of this, I became a little unsure, and a began to ask everyone around me what they thought when the hear the phrase "Rising Sun". But then I thought, maybe this plays to an advantage. Since I am focusing on Asian ANZACS, and Rising Sun has the Asian connotations of Japan, maybe the confusion would suit the series purpose on the whole.

I reckon it's interesting that the symbol of the ANZACS is similar to the symbol of one of the former enemies of Australia, and I dunno, that might add an interesting element to it, especially in terms of marketing the show.

Anyway, here are some details of the vid:

Filmed by Changas, again on his d3s.

Music composed by yours truly in garage band, with the orchestra JamPack.

Ending title graphic was knocked up in 10 minutes in AfterEffects with just some jpegs of a hill, the Rising Sun badge, and a digger - sunset flare created with Video Copilot's Optical Flares.

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Changed the name of my project to "My Accented Lens".

The change came upon further reflection of the title 'The Slanted Screen' - it was referring to how representations of the Asian male was slanted or skewed, and thus referring to the racist connotations of the term Slant.

It would only be appropriate for my project if I was exploring the negative and stereotypical representations of Asians by non-Asian filmmakers. However, my project is about me dealing with my Asian-Australian heritage through filmmaking, and through my own lens. If i called it Slanted Lens, I would be referring to myself as a Slant. This of course can have it's positives for certain themes of Asian representations in Western media, but it's not specifically related to what I want to say in my project. It is far from it, though it does deal with it somewhat in one of the projects that I am currently developing and hoping to pitch. More on that after this Friday!

Anyway, settled on My Accented Lens since I have been using Hamid Naficy's 'An Accented Cinema' to frame my project, and since it's from my perspective as a filmmaker, thus me looking through my lens... you get the imagery.

Anyway here's a preview of what the main menu looks like. The transition is cooler, but no time to upload that - I shouldn't' even be on here writing this! gargh!!!

Wish me luck guys... :s

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Boom!

Here's the promised battle VFX test video.

Description:

Short video testing Visual FX and props for an upcoming film. The costume here is very ww2/Korean war, but the film we are testing for is to be set in WW1 and revolves around ANZACS of Asian descent. Rifle carved from wood with simple door bolt screwed on for the 'bolt-action' - it's meant to be a Lee Enfield MkIII* and still needs some finishing touches. Helmet and packs from Mitchells and Aussie Disposals. Jacket is an old one my dad used when he was in the UK.

Shot on Nikon d3s + Nikkor 28-70mm, f/2.8.
Composited in AfterEffects CS4. Editing + Sound Mix in Premiere CS4.
Visual elements from Video Copilot's 'Action Essentials 2'.
Colour grading with Red Giant's 'Magic Bullet Looks'.

This footage was shot as a quick test of the 5dMkII and d3s for rolling shutter artifacts and performance in low light. Rolling shutter on both were negligible, and the Nikon out performed the Canon in low light, thanks to its amazing ISO capabilities.
d3s is our favourite because of its low light performance, and its much sharper images.

Please note that this was a quick test of several things, and not a proper controlled test. We just wanted to shoot some war stuff with two great cameras!

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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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Reference Photo

One of the shots in the Going Home short film I wish to have is quite nicely summed up by this photo I found on flickr.

I had this exact shot in mind for when the main character looks down from his office into the street, and sees a woman in a red cheongsam and red parasol, disappear round the corner. A really freaky but awesome find really.

Also, just cast the actor for the lead in the film. Met him on Tuesday, and am quite happy with him to take the lead role. Asked my dad to play the Grand-father figure, and will get some makeup on him, mainly grey(er) hair ;). Changas has a little cousin who can play the kid-version of the main character. Still need to cast a housewife. Can hopefully start shooting by next weekend!

Keep an eye out for stuff. =)

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Asian ANZACS

Just doing some research on Asian ANZACS for my Project.

Quite difficult to find information out there on this interesting part of Australia's War History, so every little bit counts for a lot.

I've compiled a list of links to online sources that I've found so far.

• Forgotten Heroes - post from 'the tigers mouth' - lists several notable Chinese-Australian Soldiers who served Australian in World War 1
• Caleb Shang entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography
• Chinese Australian Exservicemen Database - from the CHAF (Chinese Heritage of Australian Federation) website, a project from La Trobe University.

One particular Chinese ANZAC I have been focusing on is Caleb Shang. Below are the links to d¡

• Caleb Shang Embarkation Roll - from Australian War Memorial Records
• List of Honours and Awards recommended for and received by Caleb
• Caleb James Shang's service record
• Sidney Waugh Shang's service record

Big thanks to Yuey who's kindly passed on some information and resources he has found. His blog, Asians Down Under has been quite an inspiration and definitely worth a look.

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Some Research

Just placing some of my research links on here so I don't lose them. Feel free to check 'em out for yourself if you so wish...

• Courage and Service holdings info at Monash - http://library.monash.edu.au/vwebv/holdingsInfo?searchId=1168&recCount=20&recPointer=5&bibId=1645159
• Jack Sue: Matter of Honour holdings info at La Trobe - http://library.latrobe.edu.au/search~S5?/Xmatter+of+honour&searchscope=5&SORT=DZ/Xmatter+of+honour&searchscope=5&SORT=DZ&extended=0&SUBKEY=matter%20of%20honour/1%2C25%2C25%2CB/frameset&FF=Xmatter+of+honour&searchscope=5&SORT=DZ&4%2C4%2C
• Chinese Diggers by Teck Tan holdings info at Melbourne - http://cat.lib.unimelb.edu.au/search~S30?/Xchinese+diggers&searchscope=30&SORT=DZ/Xchinese+diggers&searchscope=30&SORT=DZ&extended=0&SUBKEY=chinese%20diggers/1%2C5%2C5%2CB/frameset&FF=Xchinese+diggers&searchscope=30&SORT=DZ&1%2C1%2C

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Going Home - A Short Film

Just completed the screenplay for one of the short films that I am making for my Honours Project, currently titled 'Going Home'.
The central plot isabout an Asian man in his mid-30s, going home from work. As he makes his way home, his senses are stimulated by certain smells and images which spark memories of his childhood home.

This was the first fully formed idea I had for a short film for this project, and it was strange because I had been intending to avoid stories of the 'first generation' of migrants. This was because I felt that most diasporic/Asian-Australian stories out there generally revolve around that generation, and those themes of moving and adapting to a new foreign place, of being distant from the homeland, were themes I did not fully understand, since I moved here when I was only 6 months old and basically grew up here. I was more interested in stories from the later generations like mine, who grew up or were born here - the ABC (Australian Born Chinese) stories.

The inspiration for the idea was my dad. I cant' remember what I was doing late last year but I was thinking about my dad, and was wondering what made him and my mum decide to move to Australia, and how he felt about it. Then a story sort of just fell into place in my head - a simple narrative that expresses what I feel to be quite a strong nostaglic emotion.

Will be moving into production on it as soon as I find an actor who can play the lead character. I have been sketching shots that I want to shoot, and have also scouted out some locations. I am nto much of a storyboarder, but I do sketch out shots and sequences that I am very clear about. I've posted up some of my sketches below.

Opening shot.

Scene 1 & 2.

Scene 2 opening shots.

Scene 2 Wide Shot - in front of Restaurant.

Scene 2 - leading up to first flashback.

Train sequence.

Walking home - plane flashback sequence. Not sure how to pull this on off yet, probably a VFX shot.

Walking Home.

That's all the sketches so far. I don't think I need to do anymore unless more come to me. I have a good idea of how it shoudl all look now anyway, and I like to leave some space for creative improvisation on set whenever I shoot. Hopefully can get this baby done very soon - keep your eyes open.

Ciao for now.

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Reflections prt2 + Asian-Australian Project

Part 2 of reminiscing.

In Malaysia, I stayed with my mum's family first. Whilst there, I shot a few videos of my Grandma preparing dinner. She was making Yeung Dao Fu, or.. the best way I can describe it is Stuffed To Fu.

Grandma in the kitchen.

I loved the natural light that the kitchen had, with the sun coming in through the back door. The wall int he above image is a little blown out, but I like that, especially in the videos.

This brings up something that I have noticed lately - I have noticed this general difference in preference of image quality between video and photography. When Changas was over, I showed him this awesome new plugin developed by the awesome guys at Video Copilot, called Optical Flares. This plugin allows you to add, yup you guessed it, Lens flares into your video footage so you can achive certain looks. The plugin is so comprehensive that it allows you to imitate flares from real lens irises, and even adding Chromatic Aberration, which Changas was quite surprised and impressed with. Changas is a photographer, and he says that most photographers go for the cleanest look they can, choosing lenses and photoshopping to remove any sort of Chromatic Aberration in their images, as well as removing grain. Whilst int he video world, you can find plenty of plugins that allow youto imitate certain film stock grain, and generally making the footage more dirty. I wonder where this difference of preference comes from?

Anyway going back on topic, I filmed my Grandma preparing dinner, and the footage I got was quite extensive and looked great. I am currently editing it into a short doco that I am making as part of my Honours project on finding Asian-Australian stories. I am intercutting the footage with footage of my mum cooking Chinese New Year dinner. The doco is currently titled 'Tastes of Home', and is just an exploration of my mum and her cooking. Themes I'm looking at exploring are generational influences, senses of home, how cooking is used by displaced peoples to recall home, whether it actually means that to the older generations of migrants, etc. I have the style already, just need to do a few more interviews, and I am considering introducing my sister into the story, so that I can explore the themes from 3 generations of Chinese-Malaysian women.


Changas was over to help me film some things on his newly aquired Nikon d3s. The above image was taken by him, me and my mum as subjects.
My k7 is currently non-funcitonal because I damaged my lens on the last day of the trip. It's in Japan now, getting fixed... I hope. But yes, Changas' d3s is a beautiful piece of equipment. Check his stuff out on his blog here: http://iamchangas.blogspot.com/
Thus I am stuck using uni gear, though the z1p is still a very ncie camera. But I'm waiting to test out the newly acquired z7p.

Back to Malaysia. Below are pics of the end results of my Grandma's cooking, and the relatives consuming the fruits of her labour. *note the box of roast duck was brought from take away :) *

Resting after the meal.

Getting all artsy... but i quite like the photo. I love the light.

Since my Grandma was already there, decided to do a kind of portait.
Shopped one in b&w for kicks.

Not sure if they're good though, seems way too dark in her face. What do you think?

Some more photos from my first stay in Malaysia.
This beautiful, succulent sambal sting-ray. My god I miss it...



Stay tuned for more next time

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