1. Advertising people, when trying to sound grand, call TV adverts 'films', as if to glorify what is essentially 30 to 90 seconds of persuassion. Feels incredibly pretentious. Like calling a song you wrote a 'composition'. Please, call a spade a spade.
2. Whilst I firmly believe making a movie with very little money and a lot of determination is a nice hook to spin a news story (and most of the newspapers and magazines coming to the press/preview screening would probably agree), a certain TV company feels it's bad publicity to tell people your movie budget was RM$10,000 where RM$8,000 was spent on the camera. I think it's bad publicity to tell people you spent RM$1.5 million on badly dubbed, poorly cinematographed, horrendously written trite (which accounts for about 87.283% of the film output of Malaysia (probably)).
3. The suits here are still idiots beyond comprehension: "I know it'll take two days to do, but I need it in half an hour! Pleeease...?" (this was, obviously, followed by the response "NO".)
4. I still have a thing for ass. And I still don't know why. Tits are a dime a dozen, but a peach of an ass... goddamn.
5. Working at Paul's Place without air-conditioning leaves you smelling like a construction worker (don't worry, it'll be on during the screening).
6. To quote the Pumpkins, "time is never time at all".
7. No matter what, no matter how, I can't get wireless internet at 1 Utama. Everyone else can and I envy them. I will be forever relegated to the Starbucks at Damansara Heights.
8. Whenever I have nothing to do, no-one gives me any work.When I have things to do, EVERYONE has something else for me to do too. It's getting on my fucking nerves. Leaving late when I need to leave early and leaving early when I don't necesarrily need to. If I don't arrive at my own screening tomorrow on time I'm not coming in to work on Thursday and that's that.
9. Keira Knightley is drop-dead sexy in 'Domino'. Yes, the plots a bit weird but I loved the movie and it's all down to her (with Tony Scott's fucked up visuals coming in a close second). Could've done with more of a lapdance scene though, but WOW. Feisty.
10. Taxi drivers are bastards. Last Saturday a taxi driver on the lane to my right of me near KLCC kept getting really close to me, trying to overtake me even though it's a red light in front. I stop the car at the red light, he swerves behind me, cuts around in front of me and another lane of cars performing an illegal u-turn whilst other cars are going in the other direction whilst, I shit you not, giving me the finger with mucho gusto the entire time till he was out of sight, leaving me wondering what I did to the fucker.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Monday, February 20, 2006
Marmot Control
Phew. Things've been a bit hectic, haven't they? Let's recap:
After a crazy day of work last Wednesday, I rushed to Red Communications to show Lina my showreel which consisted of 20 minutes of 'Ciplak', my music videos and short films. She said she enjoyed most of the Ciplak stuff and told me that whilst my directing's very rough around the edges I was a pretty good editor (I've always thought this anyway. I try and fix everything in post).
We talked a bit about what the prospects were of releasing 'Ciplak' to the public. Censorship's still a big issue, together with sound and picture quality. At one point she suggested re-shooting the movie in Malay.
Can't imagine that happening.
Right after that meeting I rushed to Taman Tun, picked up my guitar and rushed to Hartamas to audition another drummer for Triple 6 Poser. Not bad at all.
Then Thursday rolled around: another day of craziness at work. Straight after that I rushed over to the KLPac in Sentul and was literally blown away - Sentul Park is kick ass! Beautiful lakes and rolling fields and modern art and other such stuff. I met up with Ian and we went up to the Indicine room where they hold indie film screenings and acoustic gigs.
We talked about how the KLPac was starting an indie film series every first Sunday of the month. The March slot is open but it's too soon: no time for magazine coverage (I imagine the demographic that would enjoy 'Ciplak' to be the type that reads magazines more than newspapers). We talked about an April slot but a someone else has already taken it (later on I decided to book the place in April and pay the rental fee, then join the series at a later date).
After that I went home and for some reason decided to design a poster (see previous post).
Friday had less craziness, but craziness none the less. I left and rushed straight to Ampang for a quick meeting with the boys at Voxell to talk about animating the credit sequence. They may also animate some other bits for me. Meeting lasted 5 minutes because right after that I rushed straight to Etnik studios in another part of Ampang for rehearsals with Y2k. After that I rushed back to Taman Tun for a meeting with Liang.
Saturday I went with Saiful to get the computer and soundcard for the music studio and on Sunday I rested, watched Domino and almost killed the DVD player when it started fucking up halfway through season 7 of Friends. I may need to buy a new one.
Phew. And to think, when I first got back to Malaysia a typical day was to wake up sometime before eleven, go to the mamak for breakfast, go to Mid Valley to skate (badly) for a couple of hours, wander around the mall, maybe meet up with Jordan and Rauf for a drink then go home, watch a DVD and sleep.
At least I'm getting stuff done.
After a crazy day of work last Wednesday, I rushed to Red Communications to show Lina my showreel which consisted of 20 minutes of 'Ciplak', my music videos and short films. She said she enjoyed most of the Ciplak stuff and told me that whilst my directing's very rough around the edges I was a pretty good editor (I've always thought this anyway. I try and fix everything in post).
We talked a bit about what the prospects were of releasing 'Ciplak' to the public. Censorship's still a big issue, together with sound and picture quality. At one point she suggested re-shooting the movie in Malay.
Can't imagine that happening.
Right after that meeting I rushed to Taman Tun, picked up my guitar and rushed to Hartamas to audition another drummer for Triple 6 Poser. Not bad at all.
Then Thursday rolled around: another day of craziness at work. Straight after that I rushed over to the KLPac in Sentul and was literally blown away - Sentul Park is kick ass! Beautiful lakes and rolling fields and modern art and other such stuff. I met up with Ian and we went up to the Indicine room where they hold indie film screenings and acoustic gigs.
We talked about how the KLPac was starting an indie film series every first Sunday of the month. The March slot is open but it's too soon: no time for magazine coverage (I imagine the demographic that would enjoy 'Ciplak' to be the type that reads magazines more than newspapers). We talked about an April slot but a someone else has already taken it (later on I decided to book the place in April and pay the rental fee, then join the series at a later date).
After that I went home and for some reason decided to design a poster (see previous post).
Friday had less craziness, but craziness none the less. I left and rushed straight to Ampang for a quick meeting with the boys at Voxell to talk about animating the credit sequence. They may also animate some other bits for me. Meeting lasted 5 minutes because right after that I rushed straight to Etnik studios in another part of Ampang for rehearsals with Y2k. After that I rushed back to Taman Tun for a meeting with Liang.
Saturday I went with Saiful to get the computer and soundcard for the music studio and on Sunday I rested, watched Domino and almost killed the DVD player when it started fucking up halfway through season 7 of Friends. I may need to buy a new one.
Phew. And to think, when I first got back to Malaysia a typical day was to wake up sometime before eleven, go to the mamak for breakfast, go to Mid Valley to skate (badly) for a couple of hours, wander around the mall, maybe meet up with Jordan and Rauf for a drink then go home, watch a DVD and sleep.
At least I'm getting stuff done.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Fingers Crossed
So tonight I'm going to meet this film & TV production company that e-mailed me after seeing the website to show them my showreel. I packed it with all the music videos I've done, my two short films and twenty minutes of 'Ciplak'. If she doesn't want to know what happens next in the movie after watching the first twenty minutes I guess it's not her cup of tea.
Don't know what will come out of it but it's worth a shot. My friends have all been telling me to get rid of this whole "I don't like to network 'cos it seems so fake" routine. It's the nature of the business, they tell me. Get out there and brown nose. Fingers crossed.
Then, on Thursday, I gotta meet another person about the possibility of screening the movie at a rather high profile venue. Fingers crossed on that one too.
I also tried to call the media people in charge of advertising rates for KLue and asked about getting one of those mini-ads in the listing's page. Not as cheap as I thought it was. And I can only make the April issue.
Poo.
Don't know what will come out of it but it's worth a shot. My friends have all been telling me to get rid of this whole "I don't like to network 'cos it seems so fake" routine. It's the nature of the business, they tell me. Get out there and brown nose. Fingers crossed.
Then, on Thursday, I gotta meet another person about the possibility of screening the movie at a rather high profile venue. Fingers crossed on that one too.
I also tried to call the media people in charge of advertising rates for KLue and asked about getting one of those mini-ads in the listing's page. Not as cheap as I thought it was. And I can only make the April issue.
Poo.
Friday, February 10, 2006
I Dream of Jason
Y'all know Jason, right? Machete weilding, hockey mask wearing momma's boy? Can't die? Dreamt of the fucker.
And it freaked me out.
It's all vague, but I remember this much: I was driving from some village where Jason had just been 'defeated'. It was my task to take the head and bury it somewhere and I was heading into the city driving a 4X4. Halfway down the highway, that's when I realized it.
The head was moving.
I had the head in a bag and assumed all the bumps were causing it to move, but the highway was smooth, and the head was moving.
Worse, it started grunting.
I ended up in some city and ditched the car, running to some special headquarters of some kind, constantly looking over my shoulder. When I got there I had to sort out a meeting with some guys who were renting my video camera. The meeting went ok and I finally thought I could rest.
Till I heard Jason's footsteps on the roof.
There he was, a silhoutte through the sun roof of the building, staring at me with his machete in hand, head re-attached to the rest of his body.
And he wanted me dead.
I rushed back home and thought everything was fine. A moment later, the guys that rented my camera came over to return it (that was quick) but insisted I go outside to pick it up. Something was different about these guys this time but I went out regardless. After a while I realized the guy was stalling so I grabbed the camera off his hands, yelling at him as to what the fuck he thought he was doing and rushed back into the house to discover one of the other guys trying to rape my maid.
I chucked him out and stared out the window: these guys were possessed. Single-minded, they had only one thing in mind - my maid - and weren't going to stop. I knew they wouldn't be able to break into the house but that wasn't my only problem.
Jason was on the roof. And now he was screaming for my maid.
And Jason could break his way in.
That's when I woke up, around 4 in the morning, freaked to shit. Godammit, I don't even like the Friday the 13th movies! Haven't had a nightmare in a long time, and even when I did, it was an emotional nightmare. This was evil people trying to kill me and rape my maid, for fucks sake.
After a while, though, I did manage to fall asleep again. And this time I dreamt I was playing baseball.
Which was different.
And it freaked me out.
It's all vague, but I remember this much: I was driving from some village where Jason had just been 'defeated'. It was my task to take the head and bury it somewhere and I was heading into the city driving a 4X4. Halfway down the highway, that's when I realized it.
The head was moving.
I had the head in a bag and assumed all the bumps were causing it to move, but the highway was smooth, and the head was moving.
Worse, it started grunting.
I ended up in some city and ditched the car, running to some special headquarters of some kind, constantly looking over my shoulder. When I got there I had to sort out a meeting with some guys who were renting my video camera. The meeting went ok and I finally thought I could rest.
Till I heard Jason's footsteps on the roof.
There he was, a silhoutte through the sun roof of the building, staring at me with his machete in hand, head re-attached to the rest of his body.
And he wanted me dead.
I rushed back home and thought everything was fine. A moment later, the guys that rented my camera came over to return it (that was quick) but insisted I go outside to pick it up. Something was different about these guys this time but I went out regardless. After a while I realized the guy was stalling so I grabbed the camera off his hands, yelling at him as to what the fuck he thought he was doing and rushed back into the house to discover one of the other guys trying to rape my maid.
I chucked him out and stared out the window: these guys were possessed. Single-minded, they had only one thing in mind - my maid - and weren't going to stop. I knew they wouldn't be able to break into the house but that wasn't my only problem.
Jason was on the roof. And now he was screaming for my maid.
And Jason could break his way in.
That's when I woke up, around 4 in the morning, freaked to shit. Godammit, I don't even like the Friday the 13th movies! Haven't had a nightmare in a long time, and even when I did, it was an emotional nightmare. This was evil people trying to kill me and rape my maid, for fucks sake.
After a while, though, I did manage to fall asleep again. And this time I dreamt I was playing baseball.
Which was different.
Wednesday, February 8, 2006
Tales From the Pantry
Since I tendered my resignation and the news became public, a lot of people have been coming up to me about it, asking when's my last day, and they all seem to have the same question, comment and congratulation. I just noticed this when someone came up to me whilst I was making coffee in the pantry (although I didn't understand her at first due to the health snack bar she was chewing).
Here's a typical scenario. I've split some of the bits into multiple choice answers depending on the type of colleague who's asking:
COLLEAGUE
(whispering)
Hey, dude/you/hot stuff... I heard the news. When's your last day?
JUSTIN GUBER
27th of March, man/buddy/chica.
COLLEAGUE
Aww... such a shame/pity/tragedy. The company's gonna lose a good/talented/astonishingly gorgeous man. Why are you leaving?
JUSTIN GUBER
Going into production, starting my own company.
COLLEAGUE
Oh, wow! That's so cool/entrepreneurial/sexy! No wonder you're not sticking around. Best of luck/good for you/I want your babies.
Ok. So the third choices are all made up, but they could happen...
The point is, everyone at first says how much of a loss it is that I'm leaving, probably assuming I'm going to another agency, then when they hear I'm going into business they suddenly change expression entirely and are incredibly supportive (except for one dude). It's been happening so much I now have two questions in my head:
1. How good was my work here? Is everyone saying it's a loss that I'm leaving to be nice or did I actually do some good work here? Because I can't shake the feeling I'm not cut out for this industry.
2. Why does everyone suddenly light up when I say I'm going into business? Are they again just being nice or does it reflect some hidden desire inside them to break the shackles of bosses and run their own thang?
Food for thought. I'm gonna go see if I can make all the third options in the dialogue above happen. Cue thumping bassline...
Here's a typical scenario. I've split some of the bits into multiple choice answers depending on the type of colleague who's asking:
(whispering)
Hey, dude/you/hot stuff... I heard the news. When's your last day?
JUSTIN GUBER
27th of March, man/buddy/chica.
COLLEAGUE
Aww... such a shame/pity/tragedy. The company's gonna lose a good/talented/astonishingly gorgeous man. Why are you leaving?
JUSTIN GUBER
Going into production, starting my own company.
COLLEAGUE
Oh, wow! That's so cool/entrepreneurial/sexy! No wonder you're not sticking around. Best of luck/good for you/I want your babies.
Ok. So the third choices are all made up, but they could happen...
The point is, everyone at first says how much of a loss it is that I'm leaving, probably assuming I'm going to another agency, then when they hear I'm going into business they suddenly change expression entirely and are incredibly supportive (except for one dude). It's been happening so much I now have two questions in my head:
1. How good was my work here? Is everyone saying it's a loss that I'm leaving to be nice or did I actually do some good work here? Because I can't shake the feeling I'm not cut out for this industry.
2. Why does everyone suddenly light up when I say I'm going into business? Are they again just being nice or does it reflect some hidden desire inside them to break the shackles of bosses and run their own thang?
Food for thought. I'm gonna go see if I can make all the third options in the dialogue above happen. Cue thumping bassline...
Sunday, February 5, 2006
The Screening Question
After a couple of days with no replies (and I notice my comments section is rather empty, so I assume either none of you had an idea or you only read my blog when you're in the office and it's been a rather long holiday) I finally got some replies from the people I sent e-mails to.
First off, it seems like I should be able to screen my film at the HELP auditorium, which would be pretty cool. The only thing is the dude that handles all that (Mr. Wong Tuck Cheong) is at a film festival overseas and won't be back till the 20th, so I can only start going through it with him then.
Secondly, James Lee sent me a very helpful e-mail detailing all the different ways to get a movie screened which helped me figure out my options a lot clearer.
There was also an e-mail suggesting I show it at the cinemas near Pertama Complex, but I don't think they do digital.
My thought process right now is going something like this: the first option would be to have the movie screened at HELP first, with entry by donation, and use these screenings to get some publicity as well as use the setting as a way to screen it to production companies, cinema owners and people on the board of censorship. Then use the publicity to give it some recognition, attempt to get a rating and try and rope in some money for a cinema screening.
Another possibility would be to have a private press/promo screening first for publicity so that when it's screening at HELP there's already some info on it in magazines, then try and get into the cinemas.
Questions questions questions. By screening it at HELP I can get away with the whole censorship issue, but (and no offence to HELP) nothing beats a cinema.
Then again, my movie isn't exactly cinematic.
First off, it seems like I should be able to screen my film at the HELP auditorium, which would be pretty cool. The only thing is the dude that handles all that (Mr. Wong Tuck Cheong) is at a film festival overseas and won't be back till the 20th, so I can only start going through it with him then.
Secondly, James Lee sent me a very helpful e-mail detailing all the different ways to get a movie screened which helped me figure out my options a lot clearer.
There was also an e-mail suggesting I show it at the cinemas near Pertama Complex, but I don't think they do digital.
My thought process right now is going something like this: the first option would be to have the movie screened at HELP first, with entry by donation, and use these screenings to get some publicity as well as use the setting as a way to screen it to production companies, cinema owners and people on the board of censorship. Then use the publicity to give it some recognition, attempt to get a rating and try and rope in some money for a cinema screening.
Another possibility would be to have a private press/promo screening first for publicity so that when it's screening at HELP there's already some info on it in magazines, then try and get into the cinemas.
Questions questions questions. By screening it at HELP I can get away with the whole censorship issue, but (and no offence to HELP) nothing beats a cinema.
Then again, my movie isn't exactly cinematic.
Thursday, February 2, 2006
Port Dickson: Random Ramblings
Written at 6:43pm, 30th of January at the Port Dickson Yacht Club
Ten minutes ago I was digging a hole in the sand.
Just diggin'.
It all started when my mom called. We were at the Port Dickson Yacht Club (where I was fulfiling my duties as a good son by spending time with my family) and I had just pinched a loaf when my mother rang.
"I need you to come down to the beach to watch over Hizrin (my brother) whilst I go copy a recipe in the library."
Fair enough. Moments later I was stood at the shore of the beach watching my brother swim under the watchful eye of our housemaid. A few minutes passed and I hesistantly sat down. I wasn't dressed for the beach and the thought of sand riding up my crotch and infilitrating my Vans made me very careful about the whole affair. After a while, I decided to dig a hole.
First I used my hands, carefully at first, so as to not get sand under my nails. After a while I didn't give a fuck and just kept digging. And digging and digging.
Then I noticed my brother's sand-toys.
Using his 'scand scooper' (as opposed to a shovel. Why didn't my parents buy him a toy shovel?) I started scooping sand, non-stop. Just scooping and digging and watching the hole get deeper and scooping and digging some more.
And, strangely, it was the most relaxing activity I'd done in a long time.
After months of trying to finish the movie, this simple act of digging felt incredibly euphoric. Time stood still. Everything else around me was meaningless. All my worries, all my doubts, the noise of surf and the children playing, the heat, the glare of the sun as it set before me, none of this mattered.
The only thing that mattered was the hole.
I wish I could describe exactly how it felt - Meditative? Satisfying? - or why I was digging the damn thing in the first place, but I can't put my finger on it. Was I looking for something? Did I expect to find something special hidden underneath all this moist sand? BUrried treasure? A Turner seascape? Or perhaps a new idea? Inspiration?
Whatever I might have been looking for I never found it. My mother came over to tag me out and I went to the club house. As I walked away all my 'sand-concerns' popped up again and I walked carefully over the soft white as the sun set behind me and a club sandwich awaited my arrival.
Strange. When you've stressed yourself out over a project to the minutest detail the most mundane activities are the most refreshing.
Ten minutes ago I was digging a hole in the sand.
Just diggin'.
It all started when my mom called. We were at the Port Dickson Yacht Club (where I was fulfiling my duties as a good son by spending time with my family) and I had just pinched a loaf when my mother rang.
"I need you to come down to the beach to watch over Hizrin (my brother) whilst I go copy a recipe in the library."
Fair enough. Moments later I was stood at the shore of the beach watching my brother swim under the watchful eye of our housemaid. A few minutes passed and I hesistantly sat down. I wasn't dressed for the beach and the thought of sand riding up my crotch and infilitrating my Vans made me very careful about the whole affair. After a while, I decided to dig a hole.
First I used my hands, carefully at first, so as to not get sand under my nails. After a while I didn't give a fuck and just kept digging. And digging and digging.
Then I noticed my brother's sand-toys.
Using his 'scand scooper' (as opposed to a shovel. Why didn't my parents buy him a toy shovel?) I started scooping sand, non-stop. Just scooping and digging and watching the hole get deeper and scooping and digging some more.
And, strangely, it was the most relaxing activity I'd done in a long time.
After months of trying to finish the movie, this simple act of digging felt incredibly euphoric. Time stood still. Everything else around me was meaningless. All my worries, all my doubts, the noise of surf and the children playing, the heat, the glare of the sun as it set before me, none of this mattered.
The only thing that mattered was the hole.
I wish I could describe exactly how it felt - Meditative? Satisfying? - or why I was digging the damn thing in the first place, but I can't put my finger on it. Was I looking for something? Did I expect to find something special hidden underneath all this moist sand? BUrried treasure? A Turner seascape? Or perhaps a new idea? Inspiration?
Whatever I might have been looking for I never found it. My mother came over to tag me out and I went to the club house. As I walked away all my 'sand-concerns' popped up again and I walked carefully over the soft white as the sun set behind me and a club sandwich awaited my arrival.
Strange. When you've stressed yourself out over a project to the minutest detail the most mundane activities are the most refreshing.
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
The Cast & Crew Screening: CNY meets KFC
So it was, I decided (for some odd reason) to have the cast & crew screening on the first day of Chinese New Year, thinking I'll screen the Seattle cut and possibly spend the Saturday putting together a blooper reel.
Then I watched the Seattle cut. More sound problems. For some reason some of the dialogue tracks got pushed a smidgen and some of the fades no longer faded into each other, making very abrupt cuts in sound. So I spent Saturday night fixing all these little problems, re-rendering the cut, then attempting, once again, to burn the fucker to DVD. As before, this took me many tries, the computer all the while crashing, but finally, it got to it.
By now it was Sunday and I went to pick-up my girlfriend to hang out with her for a bit before preparing everything for the screening. I asked everyone to come around 7:30pm. About 4 of the cast & crew members couldn't make it, but everyone else could. In fact, everyone else wanted to bring a friend. Or three. In the end I had a guest list of 30 people. Originally I was going to cook some pasta for these people but in the end I figured two barrels of fried chicken would go down better.
Anyway, my girlfriend and I had a quick bite at Penang Mari, bought some paper plates and drinks and made our way back home. The DVD finished burning at around 6:30pm, I slotted it in and... oh, fuck.
The chapters were in the wrong order.
Fuck fuck fuck.
I quickly went about setting up another DVD to burn and after a few tries it started transcoding the files at around 7:00pm.
That's when the first of the many guests arrived.
Hoping everyone would turn up late, I prayed that the DVD would burn properly. As the guests started coming, Tony came over with the projector and we set about preparing everything for the screening. To test it out I put on 'Lost Boys', which kept everyone inside occupied for a while whilst those outside chit-chatted throughout, a lot of the people I'd invited hadn't seen each other for some time.
Diana went out and bought the chicken and some snacks whilst I stressed over the DVD. 8:30pm rolled around and the computer said there was only 15 minutes left. Thank God. I announced to everyone that the screening would be starting soon then ate some chicken. Fifteen minutes later I checked the computer. It said there was only 15 minutes lef... hang on.
Oh.
Oh, fuck-a-doodle-do.
There was no way I was going to leave these guys waiting another two hours, so I figured maybe I could program the chapter list on the DVD player. Yeah. That'll work! I called everyone in and started off with a little speech that went something like this:
"Err... thank you all for coming. I... I really don't think I need to talk about how much work's been put into this and I'd just like to thank everyone involved in making this dream of mine come true: thank you so much. Oh, and if anyone has any negative comments or didn't like the movie do me a favour and shut the fuck up after the screening. Now I'm going upstairs to play 'Soul Reaver'."
No, I didn't go upstairs to play 'Soul Reaver'. Although I was very tempted.
I played the disc and re-programming the chapters didn't work, so I had to put on the Seattle cut. Great. I sat in the corner, tense as fuck, watching everyone's reaction.
And I think they liked it.
They laughed in all the right places (and some of the wrong places too, but that's ok, I'll take what I can get) and not just a snigger or a giggle, I mean huge laugh-out-loud laughs. And when the highlight of the action sequence played out everybody started applauding which made me feel very warm inside.
The strange thing is not enough of these reactions registered as I was so frickin' tired so my mind is, for some reason, still dubious as to whether or not people enjoyed it.
After the screening everyone came up to congratulate me (more warm feelings in my tummy) and, apart from a few mistakes in one or two of the cuts or exposure pointed out by some, the overall reaction was incredibly positive.
Which was nice.
Though tired, dehydrated and near death, it all turned out alright on the night. I'd like to thank all those that came, it was great to see you all in one place and thanks for the positive comments and feedback. I couldn't have done it without you guys.
Now I gotta figure out the main press & publicity screening. I've got a couple ideas as to where to screen it but I'm not too sure. One thought was to have it at the HELP auditorium since my last two short films premiered there. Another thought was to have it at Paul's Place (might be cool, very lo-fi, something new for the arty-farty-literati's) and the ultimate was to just rent out the digital screening theatre at GSC (mind on overdrive, here).
Anyone else out there got any ideas?
Oh, and in case some of you are wondering, anyone who reads this blog gets a free invite. Noonch.
Then I watched the Seattle cut. More sound problems. For some reason some of the dialogue tracks got pushed a smidgen and some of the fades no longer faded into each other, making very abrupt cuts in sound. So I spent Saturday night fixing all these little problems, re-rendering the cut, then attempting, once again, to burn the fucker to DVD. As before, this took me many tries, the computer all the while crashing, but finally, it got to it.
By now it was Sunday and I went to pick-up my girlfriend to hang out with her for a bit before preparing everything for the screening. I asked everyone to come around 7:30pm. About 4 of the cast & crew members couldn't make it, but everyone else could. In fact, everyone else wanted to bring a friend. Or three. In the end I had a guest list of 30 people. Originally I was going to cook some pasta for these people but in the end I figured two barrels of fried chicken would go down better.
Anyway, my girlfriend and I had a quick bite at Penang Mari, bought some paper plates and drinks and made our way back home. The DVD finished burning at around 6:30pm, I slotted it in and... oh, fuck.
The chapters were in the wrong order.
Fuck fuck fuck.
I quickly went about setting up another DVD to burn and after a few tries it started transcoding the files at around 7:00pm.
That's when the first of the many guests arrived.
Hoping everyone would turn up late, I prayed that the DVD would burn properly. As the guests started coming, Tony came over with the projector and we set about preparing everything for the screening. To test it out I put on 'Lost Boys', which kept everyone inside occupied for a while whilst those outside chit-chatted throughout, a lot of the people I'd invited hadn't seen each other for some time.
Diana went out and bought the chicken and some snacks whilst I stressed over the DVD. 8:30pm rolled around and the computer said there was only 15 minutes left. Thank God. I announced to everyone that the screening would be starting soon then ate some chicken. Fifteen minutes later I checked the computer. It said there was only 15 minutes lef... hang on.
Oh.
Oh, fuck-a-doodle-do.
There was no way I was going to leave these guys waiting another two hours, so I figured maybe I could program the chapter list on the DVD player. Yeah. That'll work! I called everyone in and started off with a little speech that went something like this:
"Err... thank you all for coming. I... I really don't think I need to talk about how much work's been put into this and I'd just like to thank everyone involved in making this dream of mine come true: thank you so much. Oh, and if anyone has any negative comments or didn't like the movie do me a favour and shut the fuck up after the screening. Now I'm going upstairs to play 'Soul Reaver'."
No, I didn't go upstairs to play 'Soul Reaver'. Although I was very tempted.
I played the disc and re-programming the chapters didn't work, so I had to put on the Seattle cut. Great. I sat in the corner, tense as fuck, watching everyone's reaction.
And I think they liked it.
They laughed in all the right places (and some of the wrong places too, but that's ok, I'll take what I can get) and not just a snigger or a giggle, I mean huge laugh-out-loud laughs. And when the highlight of the action sequence played out everybody started applauding which made me feel very warm inside.
The strange thing is not enough of these reactions registered as I was so frickin' tired so my mind is, for some reason, still dubious as to whether or not people enjoyed it.
After the screening everyone came up to congratulate me (more warm feelings in my tummy) and, apart from a few mistakes in one or two of the cuts or exposure pointed out by some, the overall reaction was incredibly positive.
Which was nice.
Though tired, dehydrated and near death, it all turned out alright on the night. I'd like to thank all those that came, it was great to see you all in one place and thanks for the positive comments and feedback. I couldn't have done it without you guys.
Now I gotta figure out the main press & publicity screening. I've got a couple ideas as to where to screen it but I'm not too sure. One thought was to have it at the HELP auditorium since my last two short films premiered there. Another thought was to have it at Paul's Place (might be cool, very lo-fi, something new for the arty-farty-literati's) and the ultimate was to just rent out the digital screening theatre at GSC (mind on overdrive, here).
Anyone else out there got any ideas?
Oh, and in case some of you are wondering, anyone who reads this blog gets a free invite. Noonch.
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