New Kind of Workshop.

First Day

I’ve walked in, doesn’t know what to expect. Mixed feelings of cuakness and excitement churned down inside the stomach. Anyway, after few while, after adapting to the environment and always-have-something-to-say guy besides me, it felt like any other seminar I’ve attended. More interesting perhaps because it’s about filming a documentary. Although there were technical jargons that sound so aliens to me like recci, all the types of camera etc which most of the people there knew (especially the guy besides me). Plus, the trainer was funny. There were some pervert jokes (that was expected before hand with guys were mainly the participants) but he’s not boring, and most importantly, he’s my BOSS. Ha ha. That’s the reason I’ve joined the workshop anyway, because he wanted me to understand the idea of producing a documentary so I can do my job in the future.

I was expecting to be an outcast there, which it was almost right, except for the fact there was one girl who took accounting and now work in advertising (oh yeah, there goes my savior for loneliness). It’s admirable how one could work in an industry people expect you to work in and one day you took the 180 degree turn and go the other direction (I mean her, not me. Lol). Anyway, she’s hot, so no wonder she was willing to take that risk. I was expecting to be intimidated by the way people were going to be expressive and opinionated and I was almost right there too. Although not really intimidated la, just amazed how people could be so confident expressing their thoughts blatantly. There were these two most outstanding people in this workshop, just call them Mr Loud and Miss My Way.

Miss My Way: I wanted to be a producer because I hate the producer who always changed my script and everything. I always fight with them so I want to be producer, director and script writer, all at once so I don’t have to fight with them! (This later proved the reasons why it’s hard to work with her).
Mr Loud: *Lecturer speaking (Trecci whatever). Yes, I KNOW THAT (and more perhaps). WE SHOULD DO THIS (My way is the best). HAHAHHA (which forced me to laugh too because he was laughing with his face tilted towards me. So it’s rude not to do so. Lol).

If you don’t get it, just ignore the re – enactment I’m trying to produce here. My point is it’s a whole new world with same type of people. The major difference is there are more people in one specific characteristic (i.e expressive) and to see how passionate they are with their jobs are something to be admired and intimidated of.

The rest of the workshop

I’ve followed the two teams to shoot their documentary at Paya Indah Wetland in Dengkil with different themes and definitely different way of working. It was a sanctuary with great view. If you want to escape the hustle bustle of city life, do come to the place because serenity is its middle name. Anyway, there were some dramas and more gossips throughout the shooting and post production between the team members of both teams. It was a relieved to me not to join any group and decided to be an observer.

The People, Animals, Scenes and Moi captured using my beloved K550i (Bile la nak ade DSLR nie)

However, it was also a setback because each time I went to one group, they would ask me about what the issues the other team was having or what were they talking about them. Lol. I could say that age didn’t really give you wisdom in certain aspects. There was also an unexpected predicament in the middle of the workshop when the facilitator a.k.a my boss got the news that his father had passed away in the middle of the class. What an emotional scene of real life was depicted there. So, he had to go back and postponed the preview of the documentary next week. Moreover, the more I’ve talked to the people I’ve met there; the more envious I am with what they have achieved. There was this one guy who was at his 30’s (tapi kelihatan sangat muda), had his master of culinary (chef) in Perth, worked in New York, traveled the world and decided that he had enough experience in that area and now joined the film force. How amazing was that? It was such an inspiration to live life to the fullest like that.

All in all, this was a tiring, exciting and refreshing experience to someone who had no knowledge or idea on what really happened behind the scene of every documentary / drama / film etc. For me to join all these new / experienced directors / producers etc brought the sense of appreciation to the industry I often criticized, because I now know little by little how hard it is to work as artistic people (and limited the opportunity to venture into something new and fresh) and how the industry is under appreciated. Moreover I know that Fauziah Latif likes guy with bald head (gossip itu penting okay. LOL).

Unique. Weird. Bring it on.

As some of you know, I had quit my old job and now working on a new job. Reading back my post on how optimistic the previous job looks like was something I have to learn from: Never expect life would always be all rainbows to you. Because in the end, rainbows do disappear and most of the times it’s just grey clouds dimmed the lights (All these metaphors are just for own artistic flair, lol, meaning life is never fair). Anyway, I can never sit at home and do nothing, so here I am, working in a production house, very diverted from my course of studies. However, the path is still of interest. Moreover, I am starting to feel the optimism up again, but not to say I am loving the job, sufficient to say it’s pretty cool for the moment. Because I am an entertainment addict, I love everything from journalism to music to movies, so to be involved in the industry itself will show me just how wonderful the industry is, OR, how ironic it would turn out to be.

I am still green, the coast is still clear, so I hope I can enjoy myself doing things that don’t stress me out. Just hope it won’t have frequent cats and dogs rain, if anyone do understand my try-to-sound-poetry-but –not-that-good metaphore. Oh, and people, if you have weird hobbies or wild hobbies, like duct tape artist, junk craftman, any extreme weird sports, or collecting Google logos (for real!haha) or know anyone who does, drop me a line here. It might be your way to stardom! (Or maybe a one day chance to be on TV. At least you can brag to your children one day).

Ok, like this. But don't worry, doesn't mean you're a weirdo. Really.

P/S: MU, please don’t sucks anymore. Work harder ok! Lol.

Joy Part 2. Not really joyous.

He picks up another pebble and throws it as far as he can. The sounds of wind and pebble dropped into the black lake bring satisfaction to him somehow. “This is for screwing up my life!!” he throws another pebble while shout the words as loud as he can. Nobody can hear him because he’s all alone there. The lake was muddy and probably an ex mine, hidden from the big road he used to cycle home from school every day. He considers the spot his sanctuary, a place he can be himself. Away from hypocrisy of the world he is forced to live in. It’s not a pretty sight, it’s gloomy and spooky, but it’s better than real world. “Am I a psychopath?” He thought to himself. He watched Oprah last night about a guy who mastermind the murder of his family because he felt he doesn’t live up to his parents’ expectations, so killing them ease the burden to be someone he’s not. But the fact he loves watching Oprah definitely makes him as normal as any kid his age. Or mature (i.e geekier) than any of the kids. He feels relieved in that sense but depressed in latter because he’s not like the people in his age group, who loves MTV and Indie bands, who think skinny jeans and box shaped shirts are the ultimate fashion statement and shuffle is the thing you have to know to appear cool and have thousands friends on MySpace. Blame the internet for deciding popularity and latest culture ones should adopt.

After absorbing his mind in the serenity of the lake, he feels at ease. “Tomorrow is a promissory note, don’t count on it. Just use the cash you have today man.” Philosophy always bring some motivation for him to face another day, especially when shit happens. And today is a shitty day. It started with the fact he woke up late, that led to he forgot to bring his wallet and had to starve the whole day at school. And to make things worse, he had to do public speaking at today’s assembly on, sardonically, Eating Disorder. To add the double dose of humiliation, his stomach grumbles with a loud sound at perfect timing when he’s saying something about not eating will give you more health problem than being skinny. One of them even shouts “Don’t worry, we’ll help you dude!” Followed by stream of laughs and he eventually forced a fake chuckle to cover his already red face. So it ended up with people shot him a mixture of pity, concern and smirk all day long. “What a great day to start your final year of high school,” he sighs. There’s only one thing he is looking forward to this year: the photography club. He has saved up money during school break and bought a DSLR. Nikon D60. The perfect camera for a beginner. One might argue between Canon and Nikon but he always think Nikon is better. Just because. If money is no objection, he would definitely buy a Leica. Classic and one of a kind, it feels like him. Besides, he has practiced taking pictures of flowers, grass and water drops (some says they are essentials in photography, or what he had observed from Flickr).

While he was thinking about what would be the first assignment in the photography club this year, someone is creeping slowly through the grass, eyeing him with a devilish grin. Slowly, the person tip toed and right as he’s about to throw another pebbles, a pair of soft hands covered his eyes, “Guess Who??” A voice so familiar he smiles and the stress he felt a moment ago seem to reduce greatly. “Geez, I have no idea. Please don’t kidnap me because I’m broke and a burden to society. A total waste to you,” giggling while turning him around, the hands loosing the grip, and he can catch the glimpse of an oval shape almond eyes with that familiar smile he hasn’t seen in ages. “Ilia, what the hell are you doing here! I thought you are supposed to be in some land of the Gladiators right now?” He seems to have the urge of hugging Ilia but being a good guy, he just hold her hands and lead her into the bush where he came from to his bicycle. “Ah, why are we going out? I want to hang out here and talk to you.” “Oh, no. We’re not. I can’t risk having real kidnapper here and having your dad cut off my head for endangering the life of his favorite and only princess. I know he wants to for some times now.” Laughing at his statements, she put her hands around his shoulder. “So, BFF, what’s up? Or down, judging from your emotional let out just now? Rested against his bicycle, he sighs. “Can I just say life is a major suck up? Well, maybe with the exception of having a perfect BFF who knows when to show up at the same time I feel like a lake is my current best friend.” Laughing heartily, Ilia look simply radiant. Her hair is long and wavy, and she has gotten an inch taller than the last time he saw her.

She had moved to Italy just when they were about to enter secondary school. She was his best friend from the moment he picked her as his assistant monitor in Standard 2. He had a major crush on her during that time, but it gradually disappeared (or maybe not completely) as they became best friends until she moved to Italy. He was so upset he didn’t talk to her for about a year, but thanks to the technology, they’ve started to chat on YM, gradually see each other when she visited Malaysia and continued to do so until this very day. He knows everything that’s going on with her, from her first boyfriend, to her first kiss (yeah, they are more liberal there) and she’s been doing part time modeling there, no wonder she’s looking so good now. “Guess what?!! I’m going to finish my O Level here! Meaning we’ll see each other more often, isn’t this wonderful??” He knocks out his bicycle for the shocking news. “Er, and where are you studying?” He is really hoping for a different answer than what’s coming. “Yours, like duh! It’s an international school right? I want to go to school everyday with you, like we used to. Oh, it’s going to be so much fun!” Her excitement is what dreading him all these while. Never thought his worst predicament would come true. He likes the way it’s already is. The long term and long distance friendship he has developed with her. “Oh, Syafiq, she’s about to discover what a loser you are at school. Prepare for trouble.” Forcing a fake smile, he tries to impersonate the level of excitement she is having. “Sure Ilia, it’ll be like the good old times.” Walking back together with Ilia, he knows what little truth lays in that statement.

Musika.

Well, I love music.

I felt music is truly the best stress reliever. Okay, besides praying to God that everything will turn out better.

I love people who sing from their hearts. Even more so when they put a little bit of themselves into the songs (like write their own songs, their own way of singing).

My family members LOVE to sing and I love singing with them. We have some raw talents there. Maybe because my late grandfather loved playing the harmonica and sang songs (Oh, I miss him).

Anyway, music is indeed the window of your soul. Gosh, I used to have crushes on lead singers, anyone who can pour out their emotions through singing. Although I know there are ways to express rather than singing, but singing still touches my heart every time (yes people, I am a sensitive and sentimental being. I have a pretty high empathy).

The reason for my post is because American Idol is back and they have massive talented singers there. But for the moment, I’m rooting for Adam Lambert. I wanted Anoop to do well so badly but he just messed his second (or third) chance big time. He has another chance to prove himself. Adam is one of a kind. And a rockstar. Just LOVING IT.

By the way, Anoop used to be in a group of REALLY talented people back at his university called Clef Hangers. They were brilliant! I wished there was one like this back at UTP (it’s too late anyway. Heh). Here’s one of the many videos I’ve watched of them.

Play the music, not the instrument.

Meow.Moo.I don't know how bear sounds like.Lol.

Although I LOVE cats and cows so much, now, I have a second thought. Bear...your life seems sooo appealing...So easy...So carefree....

Beautiful. Yes. Mess? Far from it.

Pics from h/phone

Magnificent would be my adjective to sum up Jason Mraz Live in Kuala Lumpur concert last night. It was way better than listening to his songs in the album. He was such a creative and entertaining musician. He’s a super talented song writer, with looks and cool personality (he’s got it all. One fine guy he is. Hehe). Anyway, I was not an obsessed fan before I went to the concert, I listen to his songs throughout the years and liked few of them, but last night might just turned me into a big fan. I even you-tubing all the live performances from last night. Haha.

Anyway, last night was great. No complaints (other than wishing I was up front there) and the crowds were great. It was a full house (I’ve watched Muse before and it’s wasn’t as packed as Mraz) but they’re still well behaved. No pushing and those annoying actions, everyone seems to have blast. My favorite songs were geek in the pink, you and I both, beautiful mess and he did a bit of medley with the remedy with Oasis Wonderwall. He sang his songs differently from the way he sang them in the album; give us the element of astonishment. Such a genius. Moreover, he’s sooooo genuinely warm himself, so it’s really easy to enjoy the show (he’s said thank you in different languages. Heh). He even took a few pictures using a Polaroid and threw them to the crowds (lucky them). Oh, only one minor disappointment. The girl who sang Lucky with him was completely a stranger (to me la at least) and her voice just didn’t suit the Lucky song. I wished earlier it would be someone with a soothing voice, like Yuna. Anyway, just my personal opinion.

All in all, the best concert I’ve been to so far. Jason Mraz, you’ve made my day in this gloominess of time =). My wish list for next artist to come : Mika (I dig his songs like realllyy much ok), Bon Jovi, Lily Allen and N Sync Reunion Concert (Haha).

He sang, every little thing will be all right. Yes, I hope so too =)