“Wah..this is just like an actual movie ah..?”
Those words were uttered by the director’s younger brother as we parked the Pajero, filled to the brim with the production equipment in their driveway. It was a weird moment, but an honest one. I personally have been working on this for the better part of 4 years, and I’ve been talking about it for just as long to anyone who was in screaming distance. And oddly enough, the response we got was constantly a variation of the one quoted above. We, the partners would have liked to think the response was mostly one of awe and respect. But to be honest, deep down we all knew it was more of disbelief. Many thought this group of 20 somethings (hey, isn’t that a song…?) were just a bunch of kids chasing a dream. We all got our fair share of doubters, some even coming from within our ‘support structure’.
“What? You think your just gonna call up Apple and walk up there and get their stuff issit..?!”
“Yeah..pretty much…”
And that’s exactly what we did. And that’s exactly what we got. (Admittedly, I’m leaving out some details, like the phone calls, the marketing plans, the business plans, and all the swearing (internally) but we don’t need to be bogged down by details right..?)
So, with our doubters in tow, we went about our business. Over several time zones, over several regions, we got the preproduction work done. We had had several “interesting” meetings with several producers who were interested in our humble little project. After much internal discussion and deliberation, we settled on the one that we felt fit our profile best. And what was the reason behind the eventual chosen one, I hear you ask? Well, they gave us our freedom. They gave us the license to run the production any way we felt best. Not only were the Executive Producers interested in our project, but they were interested in our dream. They were interested in the way WE wanted to run the production. It didn’t matter that we were a bunch of young, inexperienced kids. They didn’t want us to stick a famous face in the lead roles. They didn’t want us to do anything we didn’t want.
It had been a while since any new posts were written for the blog, so I thought id write something up. For all those kids out there who have a dream and want to chase it down. This is our story. We had our dream, we studied, we researched, we worked our way through everything, and we got our dream. They were right, we were chasing a dream. And no matter what happens, we’ve achieved that dream.
It’ll be nice to get some of that awe and respect now.
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6 comments:
What are you babbling about? there are already a lot of 20 year plus individuals working on their features in Malaysia itself, you are speaking like its damn tough and you are so great for being able to do that. Teck Tan was one of the guys who pulled it off, and it was on film. With DV and HDV nowadays, there are so many features being made this year alone. Look at this guy who did a movie called Ciplak. Young guy, and new as well. Not to mention some of the more well known 20 plus filmmakers who are also making their features or has already made them.
Look around you before you go around saying you made it when its getting so common seeing features being made by young people. You seem so ignorant of your surroundings.
Looking at your marketing plans which you think is so great and judging at the response from the comments, its not as great as you think. Perhaps its time to rethink, and be humble.
Well, sorry if I offended you with my comment but that's an honest feedback from my side. Good luck.
Are you people gonna launch trailers soon. People wanna see what this movie looks like.
Also, anon, why so stress. These guys are just trying to show young people that it is possible. Yes, there are a lot of movies being made in Malaysia, but there are still so many people out there who don't even know where to start or dare to coz they think they don't have it in them.
OKlah, granted the post was a little self-congratulatory, but hey, they're entitled to a little celebration no?
And as for their marketing plans, they've never really come across as thinking it was damn good or anything, just that these people seem to be trying everything they can to get people to know about the movie.
And in the end, all of this ain't gonna mean shit .
What is gonna matter is if people like the movie or not.
Oh gosh, you guys are resorting to deleting your own post now to conceal facts?
Thats pathetic.
Like the post title suggests, it was not meant to ruffle any feathers. Unfortunately, a miscommunication has taken place, and what was initially written as a piece fueled by rewarded pride and positivity is now perceived as a pompous, self-righteous, syok sendiri monologue.
I've had my share of 'anonymous' attacks, and it irks me how people throw caustic comments around but lack the courage to back themselves up with an identity which is the least they could do to prove their worth in credibility. In addition, it forces me to address you as 'to whom it may concern', which is pretty darn impolite of me but such is the situation.
So. To Whom It May Concern.
These guys never said they were the best filmmakers in the universe. Neither did they say that they were breaking new ground, nor paving the way to a ginormous wave of wannabes, nor did they claim to be the only ones who were capable of doing it. But suddenly you have painted them in that light.
So what if they are appreciating any awe & respect they may receive? It should only be given when it is due but they sure have already earned mine. Following this blog alone has convinced me that these guys are riding on their dreams, and I think ANYONE who follows such unbridled passion, AND sticks around to see the end of it, deserve to give themselves a pat on the back for getting as far as these guys do.
Do keep in mind every youth should be encouraged and have the right to think big and believe that they can do more than they've ever imaginied themselves capable of doing. And I applaud these guys for trying their best despite the odds being against them.
Offering words of encouragement to those whose spirits may be easily dampened is an act of nobility. Offering 'honest feedback' in an attempt to murder an innocent post with innocent intentions is not.
I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Some may feel good about the post, some may not. That's life.
And we should respect each other's opinion. Who are we to judge who's right and wrong.
So everyone should be given a chance to voice their views. If we only want to hear good things then it does become a syiok sendiri blog.
I think that in deleting the 2 posts that were there last night the admin people might be trying to just avoid it from spiralling out of control since one of them was really just a personal vent.
However, it is prolly better for you guys to just leave all comments on and allow debate to flow uncensored and just moderate it should it begin to get out of hand.
And to anon 1 who started this comment thread, I think anon 2 and aireen are right, these guys have never behaved like they are the only filmmakers in the whole country.
In the end, it is a blog and I guess that personal views from their team will prolly make it up here as that is the nature of a blog to some degree.
I once had the chance to meet the writer/director Arivind Abraham at the MVA and I think those who have met him would know he is not one to boast and really just enjoys everything about the movies.
So hey, let the comments roll on no matter what they say and I hope these guys do well in what is going to be a big year for Malaysian film.
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