Saturday, November 24, 2012

Disko Baldi Shorts - Bisikan Hati

Our latest video. Shot and Edited by Nik Amir Mustapha.

For some reason i can't embed. So click here

Enjoys. More vids coming soon.

Taps.

Memories of Projek Disko Baldi in Love

Memories.Shot and Edited by Khai M Bahar.



It was really a great run.

Taps.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Blast from the Past

It's good to be reminded of where you came from and how you started.

I met a Lady recently and we got to talking about how small theatre productions can be really good. She hasn't been going to any lately, but one of the best one that she could remember was Toast.

That was back in 2006. It was a small double-bill theatre production which consisted of Toast! (written by Redza Minhat) and wake up and smell the coffee (written by Eric Bogosian). She was the Kakiseni judge back then, and she liked it so much that she gave us full marks. Unfortunately, there were not enough judges who were available to judge the show, so we didn't get nominated.

She asked, what are we doing now? and i told her we just fnished a telemovie and also working on a feature film, shooting next year.

Our old website here. Back then, we were Aroma Stageworks.
 
Talk about a blast from the past.

Taps.

KOLUMPO

Looking forward to 2013. One of it is this:

Monday, November 19, 2012

Pipi Rosli's - Big Jet Plane on Ukulele



Anonymice strikes again! Keep it up Pips!

Taps.

On Producing

A Producer surrounds himself with quality people (most of the time subconsciously). He then invests in their emotional banks, without any prejudice. This is how a Producer can be a resourceful person.

A natural Producer is someone who does all of the above without even trying. This is because his natural mode or instinct is to 'give'. And when the time comes, people would naturally want to help the producer.

A producer who is an opportunist is different. Yes, he/she may also be a resourceful person, which makes him/her an effective producer. But an opportunist just withdraws from the emotional bank. Rarely does he/she invests, or do something for other people. This may work for short term, but less chance in the longer run.

Taps.

What can be learnt from Isra' Mikraj

In Isra' Mi'raj, Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) met Nabi Musa during when the Solat was 'bestowed' (excuse me for the lack of words). Nabi Musa gave advice that 50 times per day is too much and finally, after a few negotiations, it was settled that only 5 prayers times per day is sufficient.

Am not here to debate whether or not this really happened. But my point is that (One of) the take away message is that in anything you do, be sure to ask somebody who has gone through it. My own thinking is that you have to put a side the fact that there are things you don't know, you don't know. This is due to lack of experience.

Things you know, you don't know can easily be dealt with. Hey, that is what wikipedia is for. And of course you can always ask Master Google.

Putting things in context, it is the same with Bikin Filem. Am so glad that we have mentors that can guide us, to make sure that everything is accounted for during the planning and the pre-production stage.

Heck, in our session today, it was even more basic that that. We were asked  about the core idea of making the movie which included purpose of making a movie, why we tell the story the way it is told, why each characters there, and what are each their intentions.

I cannot reveal who our mentors are. But all i can say is that we are in good hands. Insya Allah.

Alhamdulillah.

Taps.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Pasport Ekspres

Had a chance to work with Rewan Ishak on a Short for Astro's MyHometown. Alhamdulillah, it has gained traction. I think it resonated well since it offers something different than the usual rempits, hantus, and gangsters. Passport Ekspres has been sent to Festival Filem Malaysia 2012. Let's see where it will bring us.

In a bigger picture, looking at the profit record in the FINAS website, the community has spoken. They want to be offered at least a storyline and good acting. Audiences are definitely getting smarter. Filmakers have to now think about growing more writers and more importantly directors who are also story tellers. Lining up gags just don't cut it anymore.

You need not go far. There are lots of new talents around. Just have to open up to the youngsters.

Sometimes people forget. Be it on a film or a TV screen, it is still storytelling at its core. It's just a different media.

Here you go, Pasport Ekspres. Enjoy.

Taps.

 

Disko Baldi Shorts : Nak Tengok Jer pon Boleh?

Great stuff

Back in MMU, i was very active. There were many societies to choose from. Some even made it to the book of 'extinct MMU societies'.

It was interesting to note that societies that were more successful, were those which was created by friends, wanting to spend more time together by doing common things that they enjoy doing as friends. This bunch of friends became so close that they are practically family.

Filmmaking, or theatre production is no different. Not saying that it is the only way to do it, because we may meet in a production, and become friends after, and that could still work. I am saying, chances are, you will produce a better product together if you do it as a family. 

So let's be friends and let's make great stuff together as family.

Taps.

3 months

It's been 3 months since i've become a full time producer/actor. It feels longer though. Maybe it's because i may have been more productive compared to the last 10 years as an Engineer.

Things are going great with Playground Productions. 

We produced our first telemovie, Aku, Dia & Tong Sampah (650k hits ratings + 200k on youtube, and still counting). We signed a deal for a feature film, shooting next year with an exciting cast and crew. Disko Baldi is getting a TV series, set to shoot in April next year. We produced a Radio Drama play. We entered a short film competition. Box of Delights, our family theatre unit is growing positively with the addition of new family members. We also hosted and performed in events. Last but not least, we have a corporate video gig coming up for an oils and gas services company.

And Insya Allah, more to come.

Taps.