When Autumn Starts and Summer Ends

Autumn 2010, I officially started my journey in Puttnam School of Film (Lasalle).
I believe no one in our batch will forget how I introduce myself.
As usual, I'll build a barrel from people. I was kinda depress with the class situation.

Anyway, we started with planning our portfolio (autobiography).
For some reason, we have to do it.
So I experienced the process of being a director + actor.
I've to trust my crew and I just need to do my job. haha...

INSIDE THE OUTSIDE

Inside The Outside is basically about how I struggle with myself and at the same time,
I used my dialect, Teochew as the language, because it's my identity.
As much as possible, I tried to portray myself in a 3 dimensional figure.
Living situation, hobby, my idol, my relationship with my mum....etc...

We're fortunate to be issued with a camera and a sound boom. haha....
It was not a easy work, cause I insist of finishing the shoot in a night, and we
managed to do it....*clap clap...haha!

Sound: Theron [Alway so committed]


Acting + Directing is really not easy!


Check Sound...Check Check Check....



TRAILER: INSIDE THE OUTSIDE


XIAO TING

Xiao Ting was a portfolio project I did in Semester 2, we were tasked to film a portrait of
someone. Xiao Ting is the real name of the cast, Xiao Ting, however it was based on a true
story of a friend I know long ago. She's a contradiction for me. I don't know if she's noble or
stupid. For love, she's willing to sacrifice anything. The fortunate thing for her is that the man
she loves is nice and loyal to her so...ya...

Anyway! ya...haha! Initially, I wanted a sex scene, however my lecturers told me, it's cliche...
they believe I can do better than that, so they challenge me to represent her in another way...
So I've to crack my head...rewrite the script and stuff...it was quite a pain in the ass...but at
least I realize that, thinking process are very essential in film making...everyone can make a film,
but how are one present it is the main factor.

Also in the first place, I challenged myself that I'm going to minimize the use of the dialogue,
using camera shot and props to tell a story. A lot of planning was considered, the cloth she wears, the kind of shots...are very essential....lucky it turns out well...haha!

Again I used my room, I've to reset the setting of my room to create a more girl feel, but I think it
didn't turn out well...haha!

DP: JAN [Damn fortunate to have him as the DP]

Cast: Xiao Ting [Haha...I think it's a bad experience for her...haha...!]


Sound Dept + Voice behind the radio: [Shan, Jessleen + Vicky very tough girls]


TRAILER: XIAO TING



From The Negative

From The Negative was the Major project for us the Level 1, which revolves around a depress, hopeless girl enlighten by a blind man who loves photography. Inspired by my friend Daphne, Life is like photography, it develops from the negatives.

I was lucky that I was privileged to direct my own story, and that time, we had the privileged to
use most the equipments, such as the light, dolly etc...however we had restricted areas of usage.

The process from Pre-Production to Post Production was very intense. However I chose the path of restricting myself taking control. I gave them the space to enjoy the process and learn from each other, including themselves. It was a fun experience for me at least...I keep pushing my crews thought....haha! I think it was hard for them...haha!

I emphasized alot on safety and respecting each others more than the outcome of the film. haha! Try not to be too egoistic. haha!



TRAILER: FROM THE NEGATIVE

SIM Track n' Field 2010

To SIM Track n' Field,

Firstly I've to thank you all to give me this great chance working with u all.
You're the best. Run towards your goals and not run away. =)

First Act

During my summer break, roughly 2 months ago, I work again with Sherman on a project.
This time I join in the acting part. It was a wonderful experience and the most interesting thing is that, it was my first acting going into the public and I did something which not many dares.

The link is as follow.
Do check it out. Mine is walk 2.

http://www.ghostwalking.sg/index.html

Excessive [過渡期]

A glass, empty, waiting to be filled:

- I stare into the space; an emptiness.
(The space I'm having, the emptiness I have)


A glass, filling, waiting to be filled:

- I smoked; filling up the emptiness
(The element I used to fill my emptiness)

A glass, half filled, half empty

- Looking thru. the contact list; venting
(I'm only half way filled)

A glass, filled/empty

- Reaches the limit/nothingness
(I looked empty but I'm filled; I'm filled but I looked empty)

A glass, overflow

- Over the limit; Excessive
(I'm filled, messed up and I crashed)

-----

The last week of my summer break
I realize how much time I have
24hours a day, 168hours in total.
I'm suppose to relax and slow down after a 2 months rush.
However I felt extremely depress.
It's the space that makes me depress -
apart from research and developing
Ant's Track Video and Grace&Guan Chang's Wedding Video,
I've nothing to do.
I looked thru. my contact list, msn list...
Depress.



Space is only useful if I made use of them, but I'm tensed, tight.
My mind is not resting a single min, just like my blood never stop flowing.
I could feel my cell gathering making my tissue
tightening my muscle
pumping the blood vigorously thru. the vain to my brain -
It's like filled and overflowing with memories, ideas, disappointment, fear, death, etc...



It was a self-realization that this is a excessive period, I've to bypass this -
Excessive Period is a never ending period, it comes and go as and when he likes...

My space is just like a glass, empty.
Slowly it's filling, all kinds of funny thoughts starts pouring in.
I'm getting moody but it never stop...it's unstoppable.
Resulting in overflowing.

*Do not ask me why I choose such a scene to film, figure out yourself.

Dialogue In Between [時話]

I believe that this piece of work is a break through for me
compare to previous works I had, I start playing with lighting and sound.
It was a stressful and worrying process but like what I say, there's always
at least a solution to a question.

I really hope to see comments, regardless good or bad, please find fault with me.
I really appreciate it.

心聲

[Ear piece is highly recommended]

The Fashion Designer-Gonna-Be

[Pearl's Group]

[Shirley's Group]

[Lousia's Group]

[Designer/Model: Sun]


[Designer / Model: Shirley]


[Designer: Serena - Model: Steph]


[1 More Photos Coming]

3 years to the mountain

25th Apr 2010

[A date to be remembered]

I'm turning 24 this year
I only start to realize myself at the age of 21
That year, I made a decision of going back to school

I asked myself this question one night in army camp
"If I'm going back to school, what am I going to do?"

21 years, I tried many things
Taekwondo
Forming a Band
Mechanical Designer
Event Planner
etc.

I know damn well that I've been wanting to be in the Arts Industry
I know damn well that I belong to the Arts World
I know damn well that I only can do well in what I like

When I left army,
When I become a event planner,
People told me
"Jesmen, have you ever thought of becoming an actor?"
"I think you can be a lousy stand-up comedian among the best."
"Jesmen, since you want to deal with arts, why not Lasalle or NAFA?"

It was a weird connection, I related that present to my childhood
I wanted to
a cop
an actor
director
a musician

Then I realize among all these, being a director, the feeling became so familiar
I felt a connection to it
It seems to be like a destiny

So I spent a year outside to gain experience, money and the way to be a man

Time passed
I'm finishing my foundation
I ever told myself
Whatever opportunity comes,
I will grab and I will learn.

I took 3 years just to had my 1st production with a local film-maker
-Sherman Ong-

It was an awesome experience
They asked me, taught me, shared with me
It was a short film for the upcoming Art Festival

I told myself
"It's gonna be an awesome show"

I felt so honored to be invited and getting to know
Yuan Bing (Local Film-maker)
Han (Local Professional Photographer)

The basic lesson with Yuan Bing
The kind of lights to used for different effect
Where can I get the kits (Cinegear)
How much....
Who are the directors outside
The encouragement

Handling the mic for sound can be difficult
but not with the help from Sherman
Short is never a matter when you have extension
Endurance is the challenge

At that moment when Sherman passed me cash,
I was shocked...
I rejected it but Yuan Bing said I must accept
and Sherman said
"You're part of the production..."

At that very moment I was touched not by the amount
but the fact that they invited me, taught me, guide me and stuffs
and they see me as part of the family

I know that moment
"I've made a right decision"

"I will let you know the screening date."
Sherman said before I left.

Some amazing things I discovered and capture

[The Opening Top]


[The Indian Alley]


[Tanning Under The Sun]


[The Lock Up Access]


[The Dying Day]


[Another Side of Singapore]

[Table for Three]

[Under The Glory Heaven; But We're Just Human]


[The Film-maker & Actors]


[My Teachers]


[A Masked Beauty]

[The Beautiful Flight]

[The Conflict]


[An Unpleasant Dinner]


[The Angry Jealousy]

水禪 [Water Zen]

Water Flows.
Water is shapeless, formless.
Water vacuum all the sound.
Water can be peace; disaster.
Water creates patterns.





So is Life....

From Strangers to Friends

I don't want to make this too emo,
I really enjoy my foundation time.

When I was told I've to attend
Foundation Course before I can go to my faculty,
I was little disappointed but I know I will appreciate
something that worth me remembering.
As long as I want it to be a nice and memorable one,
I will create them.

Indeed, today is the last day we as a class and I'm able to
make a montage for everyone.

First Cash

I got paid for doing this video for the NUS students.

2 lessons learn.

1. Collect a deposit
2. Discuss with the group

Sherman Ong's Workshop [NoNak SaKu 雞飯］

Today is rather an exciting and critical day.

We had a workshop held by Sherman Ong, an award-winning filmmaker, photographer and educator. Straddling fiction and documentary, his films were exhibited in Europe, US, Brazil and Asia and have won awards in Hong Kong, Greece, Italy, Indonesia and Malaysia. He is an alumnus of the 1st Berlinale Talent Campus 2003 and has premiered works at Rotterdam Int’l Film Festival, Int'l Documentary Festival Amsterdam, Institute of Contemporary Arts London, International Electronic Art Festival VideoBrasil and the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum.

More Info: http://www.facebook.com/shermano?ref=sgm
http://www.shermanong.com/about.php?tipo=5&

-

We experienced what is working with the limit and being indirect through film.
Having first 2 hours of discussions understanding his knowledge about film and watching his work. We then spent 1 hr 30mins experiencing the basic journey of film making. Given only limited time and medium, we manage to make a very simple scene:

Director: Lin Feng / Jesmen
Plotting: Ling Feng, Syuk, Khai & Rain
Camera man: Khai & Jesmen
Actor 1: Syuk
Actor 2: Jesmen
Voice: Rain

Having 3 hours of sharing among groups was critical. Exchanging critics and praises, learning from everyone's mistakes. I remember strongly something said by Sherman, "Leave the answers to the audience, make them guess, our job is to film and tell them answers."

Through out the whole event, when Sherman mentioning film is all about indirect, which really catches my attention. I've this philosophy with me recently which I'm really make me feel that I'm a genius, "Being Directly Indirect and Indirectly Direct", so when Sherman said that really makes me feel that, "See, I knew it."

He also mentioned about Yin & Yang, which is The Philosophy of Tao. In life, or take film as an easier illustration, when there is a good guy, there will be a bad guy, that's the relationship.
However, no bad guy is really that perfectly bad. Just like Yin Yang, in the black space, there is a little white spot and in the white space, there is a little black spot.

Kranji Memorial, Singapore

Initially I planned to used my semester break to do a short film

"Make It Personal"

Which means

The film is about all about me

Things

Places

Thoughts

However due to certain reason

I'm only manage to travel to Kranji Memorial

"Make It Personal"

is not only about me in the video

but pre-production, production and post production

No external help was seek

I hope you all enjoy this video

Balige - A Tragic Love Story

First thing first
I've to apologize to Qiang and gang.

I really tried to spare time for this video
but I realize it need more than just few day to edit
due to the sound, the camera and stuff...

I've tried my best out of the worse

But really appreciate for me to play with your clips...

Thanks...

-iMoive Edited-

My First Horror Work - Corridor

On this year's Halloween Night
I actually was helping my brother to settle his video work
Then I remember I video a scene at his corridor

For the past 16 years
I never realize his corridor is that scary until I video it down

A lot of missing element still
but it's just a try out

Comment Please.
- iMovie Edited -

CCS Project: Hajj Lane

Alright
This is a short intro for my CCS group proj. at Hajj Lane
We're combining Film and Fashion together.

Thanks guys for all the effort
More clips coming...
Stay Tune...

Black Market is a office + shop form by Previous Lasalle Fashion Student
More details in this interview

-Edited by iMovie-

In My Dream (Experimental 1)

Initially wanted to express out the feeling of life.
However later I find that this feelings is a bit too personal.
It was also a try out for my iMovie.
Till today, I still feel that I can do better for my Video Workshop.

Edited using iMovie

Experimental Clone

I'm a bit bored and having Insomnia
Just play with my stuffs again
haha!
Quite Fun
Comment please.

Edited using iMovie

SIM MUAY THAI CLUB

Alright
I must thanks SIM Muay Thai Club to set up such an interesting performance
Not forgetting Daphne for recording these videos
This allow me to play with editing
But this editing is a bit boring
Not much I can play with
Maybe I can't think much to play with.

Well
Enjoy!

-Edited using iMovie-

The Unholy Romance

The unholy romance was my initial idea for the video assignment.
However I find it not attractive and very dramatic.
And I was totally new user to iMovie so I had no idea how to make it exciting.

This film is making use of photos to create a stop-motion effects.
The mask is a Kabuki Mask, which comes from Japan.
Kabuki simply means Song, Dance, Show.
It was an ancient stage performance in Japan.
It almost similar to Geisha, however it involve Guys.
Most Kabuki are about Romance and Wars.

I was also influence by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
So I make use of both influences into this film.


-Edited using iMovie-