Attention All Huay Guan People

That day I was studying for my biochemistry test in the library

Suddenly thought alot about 'ali baba'

By the way, I dont miss it or anybody..... Victoria still does....

But one nagging question have been troubling me since the show ended

REALLY REALLY WANT TO KNOW the answer

"Who is the lamest person in ali baba cast and crew?"

Shortlisted three people: Me, Sua ning and Liting

Okay, set up a vote board at the side of my blog. So Huay Guan people, please vote enthusiastically. And in my tagboard, please leave comments if you can to explain why you vote for who....

The winner will be crowned King or Queen of Lameness for 2006

Thank you.

Haha

HKT and the Philosophies of Life Lesson Four

"All things are of impermanence. Only when one truly lets go will he attain eternity" Li Mubai

"世间万物接无常。只有真正放开才能得到永恒" 李木白

"If the world is going to end in the next hour, I will spend it with you"

"如果一小时后世界末日，我一定陪着你走到尽头"

That is what people say to each other when they are in love. But when you are secretly in love with someone and yet the someone gives you a cold shoulder, this is what you should change it to:

"If the world is going to end in the next hour, I will spend it watching Jewel in the Palace"

"如果一小时后世界末日，我一定看《大长今》到尽头"

Laughing my ass off

I was reading my ex-student's blog and wondering what on earth 'lmao' is....

Never ever heard that word being said... At first i thought that it was some dialect word...
Then the other day Sua ning taught me the word.

It is: (drum roll)

LAUGHING MY ASS OFF (LMAO)

Okay. problem is solved. Looks like there is a growing generation gap. Don't even know the jargon that people are using today. Haha

I got one more question.

Every Tue morning when I go to the Brainforest of Clementi, I always see this super-fat guy waiting for the bus.

I wonder:

Do these people get stuck at the house door when they are going out?

Smell Of Rain

Watched "Smell of Rain" at the new Cathay Picturehouse on Sunday 12.20am

First of all, the theatre is really very small. But being new, the seats were nice and comfortable, even though we were at the first row.

After watching the movie, I only got one word to describe the show and that is 'beautiful'

Lately, I have watched alot of gritty films about sad singaporeans. Films like Eating Air by Kelvin Tong, 15 by Royston Tan and 12 storeys by Eric Khoo make me very sad with their sad stories about sad people.

Therefore, this movie becomes very refreshing, even to the Singaporean film industry.

It is a simple story, about the friendship between two guys, and the love between a guy and a girl. One guy is affected by his childhood.Very simple, yet very solid.... This is the kind of scripts that I like, simple and solid. I dont like scripts that concentrate more on frivolous gimmicks than the development of the story. For example, Longhouse by Toy Factory.

The cinematography was well done. Shots and camera angles were done tastefully and attracts people. Very unlike the gritty edgy images shot in films by our famous boys like Eric Khoo and Royston Tan.

Music scores were great.

All these elements combine together to make the film a asthetic treat.

A lot of people felt that the pacing was too slow and the film can get abit draggy. But I thought it was alright. Maybe because I have seen films with much slower pacing like Ang Lee's Sense and Sensibility. Anyway, although there were very strong dramatic undercurrents in the show, there was no dramatic moments. Everything was very bland, the narration moving along fluidly. If people saw the film without any background knowledge at all, they might think it is done by Ang Lee himself. The styles are similar.

The only thing I felt can be better in the film was the acting of the two leads. They had rather deadpan expressions and although the script require them to be something like that, the emotional processes that they are suppose to be going through never did occur properly. I couldnt tell at all. I felt the acting could be better, a little less raw.

Anyway, Tue afternoon, if you are free, please proceed to Picturehouse to watch the film. It is a good film, and something different from what the rest have to offer. Every show is sold out except that one. That is what I heard. Definitely better than Jack Neo anytime.

Anyway, today I went to watch "Cross-talk Master here we come" by Young people's Performing Arts Ensemble on heavily discounted tickets. Very Average. Nothing much to talk about. Could be much better. Lucky it is heavily discounted, otherwise will kill myself.

Next up, watching "猫人" by Theatre Practice 'Shijian' (Pay as you want) Hopefully it is good

Then will be 'A Language of Their Own' by Checkpoint Theatre. I think it is a gay show because sponsored by 'fridae.com' a gay website that made news last year on newspaper

Also, bought tickets (heavily discounted) for "Furthest North Deepest South" by The Finger Players (Winner of Production of the Year at 5th LTA) Thank you Haiyen laoshi for giving up the ticket.

Hopefully can watch Singapore GaGa soon as well as Royston Tan's new film which I heard is fantastic.

Maybe watching 'Queen Ping' at the end of the month again on discount tickets.

Anybody who want to watch these shows can look me up. Help you all get tickets. Those participating in August and Sept productions, its good for you to see more productions because then you can see how pro people do all these things

Ask Haiyen laoshi whether can help in her new show today. "Madame Black and White Snake" directed by Jiawei Laoshi. Whoa. Cant wait. Those who want to help, can tell me also. I will help you tell Haiyen laoshi

Thanks

My Short Film

This Semester, I decided to take a module on Singapore Film.

The project was to do s short film.

I got together with three other people that I know very well to do the film.

GEKL, WL and KRRL.

Thank goodness for them.

I got to fulfill what I wanted to do.

A film with meaning and properly done.

If I am doing with other people (strangers) I might not have been so forthcoming.

I might not have been able to make my ideas come to life.

Thank you, GEKL, WL and KRRL for letting me do what I wanted to do.

More thanks to Jared, who was so encompassing to my ideas even though you might not have liked them.

The short film is out. Consists of two segments. I scripted and directed for one segment. GEKL did the other one.

In the film I didnt get to put my credits. Here I am going to put them. People might say that I am proud or whatever. But when I did something that I felt was rather well done for an amateur, I want to put my name down to it. Its a feeling not many people will know. They will think I am so show-off.

Of course I would like to put it on you-tube for all my friends to share, especially my huay guan friends because it stars Xiao Ali-Ang Zhengxiang. But I cannot because of some problems.
Sigh......

Anyway, here are the credits

Title of Film: After Twelve

Segment: Birth-Day
Script: Ho Kian Tong
Director: Ho Kian Tong
Cast: Ang Zheng Xiang (aka Xiao Ali)

Segment: Good Night
Script: Tan Gek Leng
Director: Tan Gek Leng
Cast: A lot of people including KRRL, WL, Jared

Those who know me and who manage to see the film, please give me feedback on the story and the acting. The technical part like camera work and lighting all that no need because I am not a film director so I wouldnt know.

I just wanted to know if I scripted well or not and whether I directed the actor properly or not.

Thank you Zhengxiang. For being so patient and eating the stupid pasta so many times.

Thank you Mrs Ang. For taking one day off to come for the filming. I am so indebted to you. Thank you and sorry for the trouble.

In advance, thank you to those who wants to see the film.

8 Brutal Truths of a Highly Effective Singapore

There are eight brutal truths I discovered today on my journey to the Brainforest of Clementi

1) Chinese Reality Talent Competitions in Singapore are not really about real talent. You have to be either handicapped and credibly good or really really rich to win the competition. Talent is a plus but it is beside the point

2) The reason why some people want to play their music really loud in MRT and buses is not that they want to share good music with everybody. They just want to annoy the hell out of you and hope that a Singaporean would be crazy enough to go pick a fight with them.

3) Some NUS students are really aliens in disguise. They have big brains but are unsympathetic rude and hostile agents. (Martian Government please do not sue. The issue is really about us, not you)

4) Singaporean Chinese population is made up of mainland chinese, hong kong chinese, taiwan chinese and malaysian chinese and Singaporean chinese. A breed of chinese is dying out, but I cant remember which one.

5) Singapore dont really have a hugely successful campaign. Unless they start a 'Campaigning Singapore' Campaign.

6) Whatever fun stuff that is brought into Singapore, it is really for the tourists and really really rich people. The rest of us just have to be entertained by murder, rape and charity debacles.

7) The group of people Singaporean men hate most is Singaporean women. Think Vietnam Brides

8) The group of people Singaporean women hate most is Singaporean men. Think Sarong Party Girls.

Blind Spots

Lately angry about something.

Don't understand why SMART AND SENSIBLE people suddenly got blind spots.

Somemore still argue when point out blind spots to them.......

(NO! GEKL, not talking about that WED night in WL car that argument about everybody is sad and lonely. That one I really accept because you are right)

Some blind spots are forgivable. Some are pathetic and laughable.

Like Steven Lim (the dumb stripper at Singapore Idol and 'Ruhua') and his crazy compatriots.

Mediacorp lately got one show for all the talent show rejects. Obviously created to let audience laugh at all these people who have no performing talent.

Yet still all these people go and join.... To show their determination, perserverance and to pursue their dreams or whatever. Like 'Dream Chasers' the show acted by Superstars....

Cant they see this is a trap? When your perserverence and determination and dreams block you from seeing the truth, it becomes a blind spot and you become oblivious. Sigh...

So pathetic... So laughable...... I pity them

If they really want to be famous or recognised, go choose something they can do well at or really have talent in. Put all concentration and focus and perserverance to do that thing they are good at. Then become famous, recognised, win awards go onto newspapers. Still will become famous what. Just maybe will take longer.

At least better than let people laugh and talk about. You all know shame or embarassment or not?

Like me like that. I am glad I got one defined talent and that is in the business of theatre. I might not be able to sing properly or host properly (actually I can lah just that I dun bother to show properly) but at least I can do theatre. No need to be multi-talented. I am just relieved I got something besides studying. If you not very good at many things then that one not call multi-talented but it is jack of all trades. But being a jack of all trades might not be bad also. At least normal people will be impressed instantly. ( like some people is called '全方位' even though they are not exactly all-rounded)

Anyway, when blind spots like these hardly affect me, I dont really give a damn. It is when blind spots start to affect me in ways that I cannot accept then I become irritated.

But never mind, people got blind spot I wont attack. Why waste my time. Cant be bothered. I will find my way to overcome it. If I have to do it the hard way I will. People may say I am stupid. But never mind... I got no damns to give.

Holey Shit 2

Haha.

After the first holey shit event, I never thought I would encounter another shitty disaster. But it happened anyway, this time right in front of my eyes (For those who missed the first shit event, read my past blog posting: Holey Shit)

Was walking down Yishun Ring Road with my childhood friend because we want to go Northpoint eat....

Then halfway we walked onto an uneven path. I tripped but luckily never fall down. Seeing my friend more intent on talking than seeing where she was going, I warned her to walk carefully.

Who knows she really fall... She tripped over a grid stone and fell to the floor. While holding out her hand to prevent a nasty fall, she smacked the hand into FRESH dog shit next to the tree....

'Pratttt!' went her hand.... Okae I am exaggerating. There were no prat sounds but she really made holes in the dog shit.

'Holey shit!' was my first thought. I quickly helped her up and after that I couldnt help bursting in laughter.

'HAHAhahaha! WAHAHAhaha' I laughed like nobody's business

Somemore she half irritated half laughed.

In the end never eat.... I send her back home (lucky also in Yishun) so she can go wash up....

Haha..... I dun think I can take anymore shit stuff.

Better not happen to me. If I kena sai and got people laugh I will throw the shit at the person.

Haha

Transamerica + A Language of Their Own + Magic Fundoshi = Unwatched

I have been so busy lately that I have missed going out with friends on a few occasion

That day, WL + Kh + MM went to watch Transamerica (R21). This is the movie I so wanted to watch because it has Felicity Huffman in it. But I gave it a miss because I had too much to catch up with after 'Ali Baba'

Now, nobody want to watch with me already....

A Language of Their Own, a (M18) production by Checkpoint Theatre. Heard that it was very good. Wanted to buy tickets to check it out. But cannot find anybody to go with me. Think I am going to miss it. (GEKL you want to watch faster say hor)

Magic Fundoshi, the comedy directed by Glen Goei and it has Hossan Leong. Not sure if the production value is high but even if low production values I can watch it. My shifu say can low value production can watch once a year. At the new drama centre somemore so I am quite eager to check it out.....

Sigh, dun think can find people because got Hossan Leong got Glen Goei means expensive tickets. At the new and EXPENSIVE drama centre somemore.

Anyway, if anybody want to watch all these shows can contact me. Leave a message on my tagboard or just call me lah. If you below 18 or 21 never mind. I get the tickets. They never check anyway.

Haha

Ali Baba Goes Into Memory... Once more

Lim Hai Yen (yes, from the ETCetras) once taught me in a lesson: The reason why we act is because to preserve the character in its story world when the production ends.

Yes. When you act well in the character given to you, you will be able to impress your character onto those watching you act and when the play finishes, the character will go on living forever in people's hearts, in its own storyworld.

Eight long years ago, some actors in 'Ali Baba' moved me. They acted well, and these characters survived in their story world. No doubt, when the production finished, ali and company lived on in my heart as well. I was quite sad then, but I told myself it is okay. Ali and the rest are always there, just whether I choose to acknowledge them or not....

Never have I dreamed that eight years later, Ali Baba comes to life again before my eyes, this time I have a hand in breathing life into the play again. The feeling is just..... incredible.

This time round, there are people who still acted well. Sesame Town becomes more colourful and bright and prosperous than eight years ago.....

Before I knew it, Ali Baba and the rest of them have to go back down into my memories once more.

All I want to say is: In my heart, Ali Baba and company are still dancing, laughing, singing and catching frogs together. It never ever ended, and will never end.

People will think my brains are not working properly in this post.

No. It is not about brains, it is about heart.

This year, the cast should feel lucky. Last time after production, we were very sad. On top of that, school start the next day because march holidays over. So we missed 'Ali Baba' IN SCHOOL. I am sure you all know how sucky that is.

At least you all got the march holidays to nurse your feelings and go back to school. So take this opportunity and adjust your feelings to get ready to go back to school.

Leave all your characters in your memories.

For me, that is one more time

Perhaps.End

Tomorrow is the end of the production 'Ali Baba and the 21 Thieves'

All I can say I will be tired and relieved when it is all over. Finally I can take a break on saturday and sunday and not have anything that bugs me from time to time.

The past few days were a emotional roller-coaster for me. I was happy, stressed, tired, angry, lost, sad, very sad and worried throughout the few days at Kallang Theatre.

Something happened to me that made me lose control of my emotions in the theatre. At that point of time, everything that I have repressed for the past few months came out. I was shocked that I couldnt control my emotions at all.

Later I was telling my teacher that I found out that I am no good at controlling my emotions. I am only good at suppressing them.

Yes, I found out alot of things over the few days I was in Kallang. These things too big and too complicated, I shall not say it here.

Anyway, I have come to the end of another journey. Tomorrow I will reach my destination, the end.

Perhaps it is the end. Perhaps not at all because there's always the next production to look forward to....

Perhaps.End

Everyone from Ali Baba Production take care. Dont be sad. If fate allows us, we will meet for another production. Take care and Thank You!

Worthy Sweat, Meaningful Tears

Today my production moved into kallang theatre for the first day.

Was extremely fustrating for a first day. Actually all productions have a fustrating first day trying to get everything set up and running

But in the midst of the fustration and angst everywhere, suddenly we discussed something happy at lunch.

We talked about the next few productions in my theatre troupe and if nothing goes against me, I will have a theatre work schedule all the way up to 2008.

YES!!

You dont know how happy I am. Theatre has always been one of my greater passions and if I cannot do theatre one part of me will die.

For that moment, I felt that all the tears, fustrations, angst, worries and sweat that I experienced for this production is worth it and was meaningful....

Which student can boast of a theatre work schedule for 3 years?

Somemore it is part timer schedule....Including this production I would be doing about 5 till 2008.

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

I may have been silent all these years....

But I will be no longer silent

Boys Do Cry

Boys do cry

Today was a very unhappy day. In the morning went for the final rehearsals before we enter Kallang Theatre. Was quite worried because a lot of light cues haven settle yet and even the sound cues yesterday wasnt played well.

Yesterday third major rehearsal and I didnt do well. Sigh

So I was very worried. But when I am worried, I will never show it. When I am around people, I love to make jokes and say stupid things. Because my opinion was that how you want people to react if you show them that you are worried stressed and sad? Do you want them to offer sympathy? Then its like that you are quite an attention attracter.

I did nothing of that sort. No frowns no black face no red eyes. I put on a very strong front even though today afternoon I was the most uneasy person in the world.

My director said something which I felt was to reprimand me for my poor performance yesterday. Also, she wanted to interrupt full dress rehearsals in the theatre if she felt the techincal side was not well done. I am the overall responsible person for the technical side so its damn stressful because if she had to keep interupting I will be the worst Stage Manager on Earth

But I agree with my director. We only have two rehearsals at the theatre which is not enough. So interuptions in a full run is inevitable

Just when I was at my most uneasy, worried and tired moment... My stage manager course shifu (master/teacher) message me: "everything okay?" At that moment I become very agitated because it means so much to have your teacher to show concern for you when things are not going well.....

Sitting in front of the computer in the office, with so many people walking around, I started crying. No. It was not the cry out loud dramatic type of crying. It was just silent tears.... Lucky the computer faced a corner wall and I backfaced everyone so nobody saw at all....

But I couldnt help it. It was an undescribible feeling to find someone that you can talk to and who can help you when your darkest moment arrives... Anyway throughout the few messages she exchange, as usual for a teacher, words of encouragement were given.

No I didnt feel better.... but I felt braver....

Kongming single handedly held off 300000 troops with a zither. All because he is not afraid when he met with big problems. I always preach it to students. Now I realise sometimes its quite hard to practise it.....

Hopefully I will not 'die' like Kongming

Boys do cry....

And I realise that I really have been.....

Silent All These Years.....

Long post. Those who doesnt know what I am talking about.... its okae....

Haha

Disaster Zone

This March I will never forget it as a perfect disaster zone.

It all started from yesterday

My teacher from productions call me to ask me I have done something that she had ask me to. I realise I never and I panicked

In the end, the whole day I was extremely uneasy and making phone calls till my bills explode.

When I was on my way to some stupid event (talk abt that later) I reflected and realise I got so much work on hand. I was working for this march production, where I am Stage Manager (which basically mean alot of work given the scale of the performance. I got 66 cast 100+ crew and 169 cues to take care of) I am rushing out the script for what is hopefully my directorial debut in August and I am also trying to script for the film project for Brainforest lessons

Plus I got schoolwork, tests and lab reports to deal with.

Dont tell me the time managment crap. Alot of times when everything comes together at once, you really will be quite lost about what to do.....

Anyway, despite of all these going on, then I throw down everything to go watch a stupid school stage performance by Nanyang JC. The first show was ridiculous and the second one was acceptable. But I still felt I wasted my time.

So thank you GEKL

Thank you Kunhua. (yes, FM 9.33 potential super DJ, now the most famous part time haha)

Kiantong's Friendster

In no order of merit:

Gekleng, Weiliang, Sayanee, Guanhong, Elvin Yio, Elvin Ng, Andy, Yingtong, Khairul, Cai Ning, James, Victoria, Boon Seng, Soumya, Ravind, Kenny, Ming Keong, Liting, Pong, Miaojuan, Xiling, Jason, Daniel, Xinle, Huitian, Sheena, Vila, Anand, Ziyang, Roy, Jean Paul, Ronnie, Liren, Benjamin Fang, Bobby, Daniel Ng, Caine, Hweeshan, Rizal, Phil, Johnathon, Sze Qian, Timothy, Pecillius, Qinhao, Yihao, Jiarui, Kunhua, Mingmao, Luqman, Hoirul, Huijing, Cuimei, Lilian, Mansze, Elson, Yikai, Wanyi, Lyon, Eugene, Zheyi, Kaiyin, Rouxin, Darren.

Too little friends.... Because not friendly.... Somemore not many people like me....

Haha