2008 JT movie award

2008 going to end soon, basically my blog in December is all about the four short dramas produced by my friends and me myself.

Now, I'm going to have a mini movie award for all of us.

For those who win, don't thanks me, this is just a fake award, no trophy and price money.
I just voice up my own opinion, who is the best and who is my favourite....
For those who didnt win, you are still good if you think you are.....

Best Picture: Who Will Care? (won) , Jaded(nominated)
Best Original Sreenplay: Jaded (won) , Perfection (nominated)

Best Actor in Leading Role: Kim Fatt in S.H.E Ball (won) , See Yeong in Who Will Care? (nominated)

Best Actress in Leading Role: Szetoo in Jaded (won) , Pai Wah in Perfection (nominated)

Best Actor in Supporting Role: Jing Hua in Perfection (won) ,Eugene in S.H.E Ball (nominated)

Best Actress in Supporting Role: Fang Jing in Who Will Care? (undisputed champion)

Best Art Direction: Jaded
Best Cinematography: Who Will Care?
Best Film Editing: Perfection

Best Sound Editing: Perfection
Best Music: Who Will Care? (won) , Jaded (nominated)

Best Costume: S.H.E Ball (won) , Who Will Care? (nominated)
Best Makeup: S.H.E Ball (undisputed champion)

Best Title: Who Will Care? (won) , Jaded (nominated)
Best Title Design: Perfection

Best Movie Quote: Who Will Care?

滚开啦，连笔都不懂得握的人，注定你一世和狗争饭吃！

Best Character: 寒 in Perfection (won) ,

无名乞丐 in Who Will Care? (nominated)

Best Twist Ending: S.H.E Ball
Best Cameo: Wei Xiang in Who Will Care?
Best Laugh: S.H.E Ball

Perfection

An artist seek a perfect man for her painting, turned become a murderer.

"Perfection" is the short drama produced by me and my friends.
Generally it received mixed reviews from lecturer and students.

To make a horror movie is a challenging task, we never try this before.
In fact, no senior ever try this before.
Mr. Jerry already told us the risk and problem we gonna face before we start our pre-production, but still he support us.

From the beginning until the end, I always know "lighting" is our biggest weakness.
Over-exposure, color is irregular, video noise....it's all because of lighting.
We cannot blame the lighting person, because non of us can do better.

One thing I admit, we are too ambitious (or "greedy" as I mentioned before), we tend to inject too many things....
The story moves too fast, until there is no room for audience to switch their mood....
Everything in the plot come out too sudden, and it is not smooth.

Mr.Lim said he don't like to see the murderer revealed in the earlier stage, he want more suspense.
Actually we do keep some suspense in the plot, where we didnt show the murderer cut off the victims' body part.
But, most of the lecturers and classmates already know our basic idea before they watch it, which is why, the suspense gone, and this is unavoidable.
Obviously, I see better "suspense" respond in second screening for our junior.


Regarding to the character development (which I care the most, after cinematography), I think it is not bad, atleast we didnt simply throw a bloody character and want the audience to accept her.
In the drama, we actually develop her character neatly, explain her personality slowly, especially at the beginning part.
Scriptwriter deserved credits.

But, as what Mr.Justin comment, if we add more psycho elements to the character, it would be better.
For an example, the artist killed the victims with her anger, then turned smiling for satisfaction, then turned crying for guilt.

Talked about killing scene, it is not managed well....especially the first and second victim.
Many people found that it was so fake,
maybe the props, maybe the sound effect, maybe the acting are not good.

If you asked me, I like the third and fourth victim's killing scene.
Both of these scenes really met our goals.
It was planned and organized to shoot in that way during scriptwriting, and we did it!!!

Another thing to discuss is the music and sound.
I think we did a great job.
One thing I am sure about our drama is....
when there is a music bedding, the scene is nice,
when there is no music, the scene is boring.

The message of this drama is clear, especially when we show the famous quotes by Aristotle and Empedocles in the end.
We give this movie a sad ending, and deliver a meaningful message negatively.

"Perfection",
perhaps it is not a perfect drama,
but atleast, it is a completed one.

Production crew:

Producer: Ai Yin

Production Manager: Chien Yi

Director: JT

Scriptwriter: See Wei

Camera: Yuan Chin and Poh Yi

Editors: Pui Yee and Pai Wah

Jaded

A prostitute, with memories that haunted her.
She wait her life to end, and to die.

"Jaded" is another drama produced by my classmates, the team is formed by many strong crews.

Basically, the drama is all about the story-telling of a prostitute about herself.
Her childhood, her past, her memories, her flashback, and the reason for her being a prostitute.

For me, there is nothing special about the story.
We all know, usually a prostitute become one is cause by "a nightmare".
"SHE DONT WANT TO BE A PROSTITUTE"

But the special thing about "Jaded" is, their story-telling technique is quite different, abstract and heart-breaking.
The character development is very good, her stories and secret is reveal layer by layer.

It's very interesting too to see the first-person narrator to tell her own story.
The tone and voice is so sad, so numb.

One more thing, the still photograph used in opening credit is great.
Very beautiful, it's a work of professional.

That's all for my positive review for "Jaded".

Generally, "Jaded" receive positive comments from lecturers.
Mr. Jerry said, "Jaded is excellent, it already seperate itself with the other 3dramas."
Mr. Lim said "Jaded" is beautiful, nice and details. Bravo!!!

Audience like it or not? I am not really sure.
But I heard Mun Yi said before, she like it, and she cried when she watched.
Now, I have to make my position clear here, I don't like "Jaded".

In fact, I think "Jaded" is the most boring and irritating drama among us.
Why? because it is not dramatic, it is not entertaining.
Their style is more artistic.

I like the music they chose, it fits the image so damn well, but only at the beginning.
Once I realize the bedding is so draggy, I hate it.
It is hard to put full concentration to the story and video if the music makes you feel sleepy.

Mr.Lim also said, the shots of water glass is very memorable, nicely composed and well-planned.
I agree with him. You will never see thiskind of shots in other group's production.

Following of what I write, is based on my own opinion, and definitely didnt concern much to the drama itself.
(DONT SHOOT ME!!!)
It's more towards politics issue and production problems.

Most of us know, there are some internal problems throughout the progress of pre-pro, pro, and post-pro in "Jaded".
Every group have arguement, but normally we can deal with it, and we can reach an agreement and understanding among the crews.

The director of "Babylon A.D." claims that his movie is a disastrous production, because the crews didnt shoot the movie according to his style at all.

Zhang Yi Mou is the famous auterist model director.
His scene is visually unique, and it is used consistently in his movies.

But sometime, I doubt that.
You know, the so called "consistent" could be co-incident.
The so called "visually unique" in a memorable scene could be his crew's idea.

I read a review by Christopher Doyle, the cinematographer of "Hero".
He admit that, why they used green color in "Hero" is because they have no other color else to choose.
In fact, green color did not have any specific meaning,
and it didnt represent "youth", as what most film critics interpret.

So, my point here is....
"Jaded" is considered a lucky and co-incidentally great production.

It is hard to give credit scene by scene to crew by crew.
You cant say, "Wow, this scene is great. Credit to the director!"
"Wow, that scene is great. Credit to the screenwriter, or editors, or actress!!!"

So, if the crew can settle their internal problem among themselves, without spreading to other people, no one knows right???
If you ask me, I really cannot see any weakness in "Jaded".
It is a great movie for artistic movie goers.
But since I know there is internal problem, I doubt that.

The act of "Babylon A.D.'s director is so stupid. It spoils the movie.

That's all for my opinions.
Once again, no offence.
Thank you!

S.H.E Ball

A man who pretend to be Ah Kuah,

in order to approach a woman in volleyball game.

S.H.E Ball is another drama produced by my friends.
Most of the audiences like it, they simply enjoy the show.
But the lecturers found that there are still a lot more room to improve.

~once again I need to clarify~
I am only writing my personal opinion, no offence!!!

For me, this drama is very entertaining.
Frankly, the story is not fresh.
But they really success to make audiences laugh.
Everyone is happy to watch it.

The opening sequence is well-done. Editor deserved the credit.
The technique they used is good,and they fully utilized their limited and normal footage.
I admit I never learned to edit video in that kind of style before.

But, the same editing technique continued to be used in the entire movie.
In the middle part of the movie, I say, "Not again...."
I am sorry to say that I don't really like fancy transition and effects in editing.
S.H.E Ball style is very close to American teenage movie, especially their editing style.

Mr. Lim said the shots is not clean, color between shots is irregular.
But I think it's fine, the weakness is not really that obvious.
Just, I found some of the editing is not clean...
if you really watch the video frame by frame, you will realize.
(sorry, I worked as editor before during intern, you know, "editor sickness")

Mr.Lim said research should be done on the volleyball game rule, there are a lot of mistakes shown in the movie during volleyball match.
But I don't think this is a big deal. Nobody really cares you know.

Anyway, the volleyball match is too draggy, and it is boring.
Which is why, I guess this made Mr.Lim realize their mistakes (regarding to volleyball game rule).
Lets say, if they make the volleyball match shorter, use montage or fast cut by editing technique, I don't think anyone will realize their mistakes.

I heard some of my classmates said they don't really like S.H.E Ball,
~you laugh because you are entertained by their make up and acting,
in fact, there is nothing to laugh with.~

But, fongway once told me,
~they had memorable experience, they are having fun~
Yup, one day in future (lets say 20years later), when they look back to their production, they will smile and said,
"Well, those days....when we were young....ahaha"

My opinion?
I think the movie is nice in the beginning, boring in the middle part.
But the twist ending really rescue the movie!!!
I didnt expect thiskind of ending....
(round of applause)

Seriously, I can never make a movie like "S.H.E Ball"
I really don't know how to make people laugh by using video.
~Salute~

Production Crew:

Director: Eugene

Producer: Lydia and Mun Yi

Camera: Nicholas

Starring: Kim Fatt and Yuin Yue

Others: Lace, Elyssa, Victoria

Who Will Care?

A beggar, turned to become a drawing artist....

due to a pencil, due to a humilation, due to a girl....

"Who Will Care" is a short drama produced by my classmates few months ago.

Generally it receive postive comments from lecturers and students after screening.

One thing I wana clarify here....
~ I just write my review based on my personal opinion~
don't shoot me!!!

For me, the story is simple and normal.

If I'm not mistaken, the idea was came from Derique Gan and Andy Yong, who I don't expect them to write such an ordinary story.

I thought they can write a creative and freaking story.

But the result turn out to be good.

A harsh word to describe them is ~ they are not ambitious~

But a good way to decribe them is~ they are not greedy~

Other groups production seems to be "greedy"

They try to inject too much of things inside their story.

And it turned confusing or irritating.

Which is why, I say "Who Will Care?" is the best short drama among us.

No doubt!!!

She said, "Scram, can't even hold a pencil properly, you are destined to live like a dog!"

This line is so important to the story.

Because of her insult, he change!!!

The story fitted the 20minutes feature time just fine and well.

Not draggy, not overcooked.

Mr.Lim said the criss cross between the narrator and dialogue allows the viewers to have a change of mood from time to time.

I agree with him.

But one more thing that Mr.Lim didnt mentioned, is....

~the music~

The music is so beautiful, it melt your heart.

It keep on switching your mood, and playing around with your emotion.

And I admit, I nearly cried when I first watched this video during visited their editing.

Mr.Lim said the the film is clean. Shots, color, brightness is managed and controlled well.

But personally, I think it would be better if there is more varies of camera shots, angle and movement.

Ofcourse, as I mentioned earlier~ they are not greedy~ which is the good thing.

I underestimated their so called "normal" camera shots, which turn out to become "clean" camera shots.

Fishball boy, stationary shop Ma'am, the gangster (who is me), the drawing artist....

All of these small characters appeared in the right time.

It suit the mood, it suit the narration, and it suit the plot.

Miss Lim said there is Jack Neo taste in "Who Will Care?"

I say there are some Stephon Chow's humour inside.

Perhaps the story is simple, but how many chances do you have to see a movie that tell a story from beggar's life and point of view???

I can't recalled any movie.

Why Stephen Chow?

Some of the dialogue and camera shot looks alike.

Why I like "Who Will Care?"

because the message is good, and the story is very inspiring!!!

Soundtrack recommended:

"Erenade to Spring" by Secret Garden

"Poeme" by Secret Garden

"She" by Kris Phillips

"Iris" by Goo Goo Dolls

"刮目相看" by Gary Cao

"Forrest Gump" OST

Production Crew:

Director: Bobet and Hui Hsien

Producer: Derique and Andy

Camera: Wei Xiang

Art, Costume, and Sound: Yoke Man, Chian Lue and Fang Jing