2013

Alhamdulillah. After a rejuvenating holiday, we have started sprinting with a few projects, and then some more potential projects. No time to panaskan enjin. :)

It gets better because now we are operating from a proper office. 

A big year for Playground Productions. Insya Allah.

Taps.

Pesan Senior

#1 : Ramai orang cakap tuhan tu ada. Tapi tak ramai yang pegang yang tuhan menentukan rezeki (jodoh/kesihatan).

#2 : Most people are limited to material things. They do not seek to discover their true potential.

This senior has an active blog on entrepreneurship. Click Here

Good thing i joined the alumni basketball team. :)

Alhamdulillah.

Taps.

Note on : Line Producing

Citation : http://www.creativeskillset.org/film/jobs/production/article_3870_1.asp

The Line Producer is one of the first people to be employed on a film's production by the Producer and Executive Producers. Line Producers are rarely involved in the development of the project, but often play a crucial role in costing the production in order to provide investors with the confidence to invest in the project. As soon as the finance has been raised, the Line Producer supervises the preparation of the film's budget, and the day-to-day planning and running of the production. Line Producers are usually employed on a freelance basis. They must expect to work long hours, though the role can be financially very rewarding. Career advancement is based on their experience and reputation. Where a Line Producer has a creative input to the production, he or she is often credited as a Co-producer.

Responsibilities

Line Producers are in charge of all the business aspects of the physical production of films. They are called Line Producers because they cannot start work until they know what the 'line' is between the 'above-the-line' costs, which relate to writers, producers, directors and cast, and the 'below-the-line' costs which include everything else, e.g., crew salaries, equipment rentals, development costs, locations, set design and construction, insurance, etc. Line Producers are usually recruited onto the production team during the later stages of development. They are given the script and asked to assess the likely 'below the line' cost of the production which involves breaking down the screenplay into a schedule - a timetable for the film shoot that shows how long it will take to shoot each scene. From this schedule the Line Producer can accurately estimate the cost of each day's shooting, and produce a provisional budget estimating the total amount of funding required. Once the Producer and Executive Producers have raised the required finance, the film can go into pre-production. 

During pre-production, Line Producers work closely with the Director, Production Manager, First Assistant Director, Art Director and other Heads of Department to prepare the production schedule and budget, and to set the shoot date. Line Producers oversee all other pre-production activities, including hiring the production team, setting up the production office, location scouting, ensuring compliance with regulations and codes of practice, sourcing equipment and suppliers, selecting crew, engaging supporting artistes and contributors, and monitoring the progress of the art department and other production departments. 

During production, Line Producers hand over control of the final budget to the Production Accountant, and delegate the day-to-day operation of the production office to the Production Manager and Production Co-ordinator. However, Line Producers are ultimately responsible for overseeing all activities, and for ensuring that the production is completed on time and within budget. This requires setting up and implementing financial monitoring systems, controlling production expenditure, controlling production materials, and monitoring and controlling the progress of productions. Line Producers usually allow a 10% contingency in the budget to cater for unforeseen circumstances, and spend much of their time juggling figures and resources. Line Producers are responsible for certain Health and Safety procedures, and for sorting out any insurance claims. At the end of the shoot, the Line Producer oversees the 'wrap', or winding down, of the production. 

Skills

Line Producers must possess an in-depth knowledge of scheduling and budgeting, and of all the physical and technical processes of filmmaking. They need excellent industry contacts, and must command the respect of the production crew. Exceptional communication skills are required, as well as the diplomacy to balance the creative expectations of the director, artists and creative personnel with the financial resources available. They always need to plan for the worst, whilst simultaneously being able to inspire others to excel in their work. Unlike Producers, Line Producers are not responsible under Health & Safety legislation for setting up health and safety procedures; however, they are required to carry out risk assessments according to regulatory requirements. They must therefore know how to identify the hazards in the production environment, to assess the level of risk, to recommend action, and to carry out a review of their assessment. 

Qualifications/ Experience

No qualifications can prepare anyone completely for this hugely demanding role. Line Producers must have considerable industry experience, which can only be acquired by working for a number of years in film, television and/or commercial production. Individuals usually progress to the role of Line Producer by working their way through a variety of roles in Assistant Direction, Location Management and/or the Production Office. Many start their careers as Runners or Production Assistants. Line Producers must also attend the required Health & Safety courses.

Tak Tanya Pun

Always check when you speak, if the person you are talking to can just reply " Tak Tanya Pun?".

If no, then what you say matters.

Taps.

Juice Online Mix Tape

Check the Playlist out.

Awesome new music artists out there. My personal favourite is Think Tadpole Thing - 250 Megabyte. Couldn't believe that this is Malaysian.

And be sure to check out Sehari Dalam Kehidupan as well.

Oh, and Juice should totally invite Projek Disko Baldi for the next party. haha. I kid.

Enjoice.

Taps.

James Morrison - If You Don't Want To Love Me

Mode Jiwang Pagi Khamis. Happy New Year Everyone!

Taps.

Ramleefestasi @ Stor DBP

Went to Stor DBP yesterday to catch Ramleefestasi by the Revolution Stage. it is a tribute show to the great works of Allahyarham Tan Sri P. Ramlee.

It was performed by mostly first timers. It was enjoyable to see them having fun and this led to them being able to show their potential. And some of them really do have it. The directors/artistic director did a good job at optimizing the talents. Those who sang well were featured more in the singing parts and those who could act had more acting roles. It was smart in that sense.

Having said that, what could be further improved (if they decide to restage), is that the performance can have a better flow. This is what most deviced plays suffer, when trying to combine a few segments together.

Also, i'd like to see them challenge themselves more by being more experimental (without butchering) P. Ramlee's words and make it their own interpretation. It would be great to see more creativity (of which i believe they potentially have). The same script could be performed in a different setting, be it era or space.

Beto's performance was as expected. Talented as usual. It was funny when he said "I Love You" and some of the girls in the audience squealed. Heheh.

And it's good to know that Crissie has been bitten by the theatre bug. Like most of the MyHarapan talent, this is also her first time on stage and she did really well.We were chatting about the differences between screen and stage acting and how on stage, we are free to move and also do not have to be worried about contis and type of shot taken. Freedom!

We are definitely going to see more of her on stage. :)

I am hoping to see more of their work. It is is good to see new talents emerging in the theatre scene. Hope we all can grow together.

They have 2 more shows today. 3 pm and 830pm. Stor DBP

So go catch them.

Taps.

Start with Why

We follow those who lead, not because of them, but it is because of ourselves. They start with a purpose.

So true.


Taps.

Observations on Casting

Just concluded a 3-day casting session for our feature. Now i know how it feels being on the other side of the camera/table.

It was interesting to have met so many different types of people from different backgrounds who came for the casting session. Some were from ASWARA, and some came from as far as Johor to audition. Some who were really raw and has no idea on acting, and some were more experienced and have had some form of formal training.

I find that one of the most important thing in casting, is to just commit to whatever is instructed. This is assuming that you really listen well to the instructions. Also, it is also good to research the previous works of the production house to see what kind of acting style they prefer. Do they prefer a more natural approach? or the more "buat-buat" acting approach.

Another observation is that theatre actors may have better improvisational skills. However, they may need to tone down their acting, and really focus on the action given and to avoid theatrical acting. After all, the studio is quite small. 

Somehow, raw talents who have not had any formal training are more easy to direct. This may be because, (unlike those who may have had formal training, or may have acted before,) they do not have to 'unlearn'  their acting style to suite what is required.

Did i mention to LISTEN? yes, the most important thing is to listen to the instructions given, and also, if required to communicate in a given scene, listen, digest, and react accordingly. If you are busy thinking about what to do or say next, chances are you are not listening outwards. You may miss some moments where magic can happen.

But all in all, it was still a relatively good turn out, both in terms of quantity and quality.

Can't wait for our callbacks next week where we have a workshop. More improv!

Taps.

Tayangan Filem Perdana : A Night for Palestine

https://www.facebook.com/events/305296782908447/

Invited as a panelist to talk about the film "Lemon Tree" alongside Khairulnizam Bakeri (Novelist "PECAH"),Ahmad Amir Azfar Shahidan (student of International Relations and Law, from University of Aberdeen) 

This will be interesting. Can't wait to hear what they have to say about the film.

Taps.