SilverKottage

WW1 Australian Sniper, Billy Sing

A few years ago when I was in New York, I was thinking about what sort of films can Australians make that can be marketable overseas. One night, I watched Saving Private Ryan and I thought, the only real good Australian War film is Gallipoli.

The last time I watched Gallipoli was back in high school. I didn’t think it was that great, but it did have a young Mel Gibson as the supporting character. I think it was a film we had to watch for English, about mateship and larrikanism.

I then asked myself if I were to make an Australian war film, from who’s perspective would I make it? So I tried to see if there were any Asian ANZACs and the one name came up, Billy Sing.

Well, it’s 2010 and I never wrote a script about Billy Sing. But reading his simple bio on Wiki, it seems like his journey can transition into film pretty well. The film should focus on cultural differences (we are talking the early 1900s here) and also, overcoming this cultural barrier and the development of mateship and brotherhood.

A few months ago, I read an Aussie cinematographers blog that he’s working on a Billy Sing mini series. Well, the trailer was just released in December 2009.

Trailer for “Legend of Billy Sing” mini series:

What do you think?
To me, the trailer doesn’t really feel that appealing. It tries to go the Metal Gear Solid 4 voice over and torn soldier feel but just doesn’t cross the emotion at all.

For a low budget indie project, what this needs is some good character development. I don’t see it here in the trailer either, but I do sort of like the last line. “At home, they call me a Billy, the press calls me the assassin, the enemy call me a murderer”… but maybe it should’ve just been “At home, they called me a hero, but in the trenches, they all called me a murderer”.

Well, let’s hope this mini series is okay. Most likely it will be taken up by either ABC or the SBS. Maybe Showtime or Movie Extra too if it’s alright.

If not, I guess I can write that feature on Billy Sing, which I’ll just call SING.

Oh, and I wonder if Peter Jackson will make the ANZAC film that’s been talked about so that it will coincide with the 100th Anniversary since the battle of Gallipoli? He’s probably busy doing the runs for The Lovely Bones.

Going into the cinema, to be honest, I had mixed expectations to The Treasure Hunter. I wanted this film to be good but I’ve been told by others that it’s crap (though, these are the people that would rather watch badly filmed in cinema pirate DVDs).

Kill the bad guy, save the girl. All part of a days work for an action hero.

Well, I’ve finished watching the film and I can tell everyone that this film is actually enjoyable. The story structure is classic treasure hunting and the characters pretty much match the various archetypes of the genre.

Classic Character Archetypes for the action genre. Don’t forget your talking LOLKatz!

We got the hero, the mentor, the damsel, the comic relief, the serious guy. Bit like an RPG, isn’t it? There’s also definite hints of inspirations from other hollywood action films besides the obvious Indiana Jones and The Mummy, such as the Harley scene in T2.

A completely and utterly useless scene that’s only in for the special effects and bullet time action.

What didn’t work with this film is some of the pacing and also the villians of the film. Kevin Chu tries to cram a back story for most of the lead and supporting characters that the film loses momentum and has action pieces that does not forward the story at all.

Also, I don’t know if this is a good or bad thing, but he didn’t exploit Lin Chi Ling’s sex appeal. But don’t fear, there is a scene which I thought is much more effective and tasteful.

Well, if Kevin Chu doesn’t think sex sells, I’m sure SilverKottage does!

And another one for luck.

In all seriousness though, this film, although has it’s flaws, did take me on a journey. Maybe the journey had some bumps, but I’d recommend people to still take this journey as you’ll never know when the next Asian film will be up on the big screen in Aussie Land.

This film also has an ending that’s similar to the start of a script I’m writing. DAMN YOU KEVIN CHU!

Rumbling Hearts, or as my girlfriend likes to call it, Rumbling D*cks, for the ridiculous storyline.

While I was researching about an anime that my girlfriend described to me as stupid and stretchy indecisive portrayal of high school girls, I stumbled upon an interesting filmmaker’s blog: The Great Swifty.

Yes, watching other people win awards do gets me SAAAAADDDD But, also pushes me to work harder.

The blog is written by multi shortfilm award winning writer and Director, Edmund Yeo. The blog is his journey since 2004 to present day. From humble beginnings in studying film in Perth to traveling across Asia’s many festivals to screen his films.

How come the maids I encounter aren’t as cute? >.< (PS, she’s a real life Akihabara maid!)

His latest offering is a Japanese short, Kingyo, is edited entirely in split screen. It is about an Akihabara maid (the girls in cute french maid outfits and keeps making love hearts with their hands… their cuteness instantly makes my IQ go down a notch) crossing paths with a University Professor, whom were both lovers to each other.

Some secrets are best kept in a jar, swimming with the fishes.

Once was a time when a friend of mine suggested that we make a film that follows two people split screen the whole time. Actually, Susanto’s SCA film had a 8-10min split screen continuous shot in it.

Anyways, reading Edmund’s blog really kicks me in the bum for not making any films since I’ve gotten back from New York. And he’s one year younger than me too!

Thumbs up to Edmund and his team. Don’t give up the dream! I haven’t… really! I’m just… well, occupied.

Never fear though. Optus/MTV’s ONE80Project could kick start me again. Though, we’ve heard all that before, right? The last time was what? In November for Flickerfest?!

Basically, it’s a competition for filmmakers to make a maximum 3 minute trailer for a one hour drama. The winning entry will get $250000 of production cost to bring the one hour to life.

So, if there’s anyone that’s interested in collaborating… we’ve got 20 days to get it all together!

You never know, my actor might end up like 2008’s winning film lead actor, Xavier Samuel and get casted in Twilight (don’t worry, even if Myers doesn’t keep writing, they’ll milk the franchise to it’s core) .

For the ladies, and the ladies inside of you, Sexy Xavier. The next Heath? Hhmmm…

Oh, and to end my post, here’s some night photos taken with my 7D. I actually realised I’ve never tried night shots with my camera yet. Enjoy!

Hot Pink Water at Lumiere. A studio costs AUD$550/w!

Old vs New. St Andrews Church vs Lumiere.

 
Some say, Smurf berries can power the school for months!

By now, most of the entire world would’ve watched Avatar already. Or else, their $1.4B sales are from the fanboys.

I have a secret to tell you that might make you go blue.

I’m not going to comment too much on the film, since I’m sure you’ve heard a lot about it. What I do want to say is that I enjoyed the film and it’s 3D use is very subtle. Revolutionary in that after a while, you’re not aware of the change in depth.

James Cameron is excellent in his main genre of Sci Fi Action. Even if people do say the story is a cliche, I think it’s fine as new audiences, particularly the teens, would not go watch Dances with Wolves, Pochahontas or Fern Gully.  Actually, even I haven’t seen any of those films. The one film that Cameron’s Avatar most similar to me is The Last Samurai, but at least that film was more heroic and Cruise’s character was captured by his enemy instead.

If we were CGI, we’d get to make love on screen.

Now, everyone is hoping for an Avatar sequel… which really, won’t be about Avatars. Unless the Na’vi can jack in and take over other creatures’ bodies. The most logical followup story would either be A) The humans invade Pandora with Star Destroyers and a Death Star or B) We delve deeper into Pandora and it’s dark secrets and past.

Actually, if you think about it, the scene where all the tribes team up is basically 10,000 BC.

What should Cameron’s next film be?

 
Probably not World of Warcraft… Cameron doesn’t want Raimi’s dirty seconds and people would just mistake it for Avatar2.

I recently watched the new trailer for Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. Unlike a lot of people, I’ve known the new film is a live action contuation of Disney’s 2D animation adventure in Wonderland.

The mouse called and said we’re not going to be in the sequel.

Back then, this movie was way too trippy for me. Smoking caterpillars, invisible cats and screaming queens with flamingos as polo clubs.

And you know what? Tim Burton’s is just as trippy. I just hope that they’ll be some surprises in the film as judging from the trailer, it seems very similar to Prince Caspian.

Didn’t I see this garden somewhere before?

Trailer for Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. CHANGE PLACES!

If you’ve been wondering why I haven’t update for a while (not that I update often anyways…), I’ve been on a trip to Brunei and as soon as I got back pre Christmas, my family took over a restaurant in Chatswood, Sydney Australia.

It’s Modern Australian. At the moment, we’re still adjusting some nook and crannies with the new team. But I’ve got high hopes that the place will hit it off on the North Shore.

A big thumbs up to Steph from CineAsia for passing on two complimentary passes to Kevin Chu’s new film, The Treasure Hunter. CineAsia is a group dedicated to bringing blockbuster Asian films to the large cinemas in Australia. So that means no more waiting for DVDs or watching movies in small Chinatown theaters (though, I guess I do miss the stains on the floor).

Things are always better when they’re complimentary

The Treasure Hunter stars Jay Chou, Chiling Lin, Chen Dao Ming and Eric Tsang, this action adventure film opens in just two days in Australia.

I didn’t see it, but I was informed by my brother that the movie trailer was shown before Avatar 3D at Event Cinema. Kudos to the CineAsia team for getting such great support from Aussie commercial theatres! This amount of trailer publicity is on the level of Christopher Nolan’s Inception trailer.

See, it is true, Jesus is Buddha!

From the looks of it, it seems that Kevin Chu has swapped basket balls with whips and motorbikes. Someone sure has been watching recent Hollywood films!

Jay Chou shows that he can start fire by blowing anything.

I’ve always thought contemporary martial art films are making a comeback. That’s what I’ve been telling all my Hong Kong friends and fellow filmmakers. Remember that movie that had Andy Lau in it? No, not Street Fighter…

You better watch it, Jay Chou is on his way to whoop your ass.

So fingers crossed and hope this film does not sink like quicksand.
But either way, it’s got Jay Chou for the girls and Lin Chiling for the guys!

MMmmmmm…. Can’t caption, hands busy.

But yeah, what my girlfriend says is true… she’s definitely putting on a cute voice here.

This week, I have watched two movies. One based off a simple children’s book and the other, a cult Hong Kong comic.

Firstly, let me begin with Spike Jonze’s, Where the Wild Things Are.
I first heard about this film when my brother showed me the teaser trailer a year or more ago. Instantly, I was amazed by the detail of the monster characters. Later, reading that Jonze  chose to use animatronics and people in suites, I was even more amazed.

Just like the book (which I read after watching the film), is a simple story about a boy named Max that travels to his imagination. An island full of monsters. Where there are no adults or people to tell him what to do. A world that he can call his, becoming a king.

Now you can boss us around and do whatever you want…. what ever…

But unlike the picture book ending with Max leaving the island because he’s hungry and lonely. The film delves deep into the psyche of Max. Each of his emotions are represented by each monster and it is when he’s realized what his monsters are, that he realizes himself and how foolish and childish he really is.

I’d watch the sunset with my monsters too if I had some. So romantic.

The media says that this film is too dark, scaring kids. Well. They are right! But also, the kid that sat two seats next to me seemed to enjoy the ride and wasn’t fussed about it at all. This is no more scarier than the latest Harry Potter films and besides, the scenes are made to be scary. The monsters clearly tell us what they’d do if they find out Max lied to them.

So… you’re just a guy in a big halloween costume? I’m not really going crazy?

The production of the film was grand and shots were perfect. The lens flare’s throughout the movie gives the film a much more natural feel and the landscape of Victoria never looked more beautiful. Sorta makes me want to go… again.

I just hope that if anyone is planning on adapting a 10 page book to a feature film, they learn from Where the Wild Things Are.

One of my very first posts when I started writing this blog was about the Storm Riders sequel, The Storm Warriors. Back then, I was excited that one of my fav films when I was a teen was being continued and updated with the latest special effects.

The Pang Brothers weren’t wrong when they said this film is going to be 300 esque with the most digital effects that Hong Kong has used in live action yet. The pallette of the film is true to it’s comic book roots and yes, there are many moments that reminded me of 300. Should I dare to say that the film might out 300 he original 300 even in some parts.

Rice field workers get pwned by immortals wannabes.

What The Storm Warriors lacked in story and plot, made up for well choreographed fight scenes and believable Chi powers. Yes, you will think that you too can kill people with swinging your sword in the air!

Aaron Kwok and Ekin Cheng have both aged alright in the last 10 years. And it seems it was only last year that they took on the roles of Cloud and Wind. But unfortunately, their roles are still as stale as the first film. Both actors never have much to play with in the film. Cloud is always emo/hardcore whereas Wind, which is meant to be the more benevolent one, is a mindless robot for most of the film.

Please let me live. I want to be in Storm Chasers next year.

The usual Pang Brothers trademark twist ending is gone. Instead, we have a cliffhanger that’s trying to get people crying out for another film. But the only crying is Ekin’s bad acting… he really should stick with comedies… he seems to do alright in those these days.

Slow mo fighting is BETTER fighting.

This film could’ve been so much more. Mainly if there was a true reason for why the villains had to go to some cave and if Wind and Cloud weren’t such message dogs.

Aussie Short Film Golden Girl, Genevieve Clay with last year’s fruit cocktail.

SilverKottage was invited to attend the media launch of the Bondi Short Film Festival and below, is an impression of the films that Jonathan, a correspondent of ours, had.

I had the privilege of being at the media launch of the 2009, 9th Annual Bondi Short Film Festival. It is being held this coming Saturday 28th November 2009 at the Bondi Pavilion. I was able to see four films that have been shortlisted and here are my thoughts:

Frances and Annie
This film is presented by last years Tropfest winner Genevieve Clay and it shows. It is a well made short film that questions the perceptions of society towards those with disabilities. When a busy body neighbour Samantha hears about the trouble at Number 25, she jumps to conclusions. An insightful film, and one that shows Genevieve’s talents.

Hamburger Eyes
A unique film by Nick Fogarty made about the photographers that put together the magazine “Hamburger Eyes”. Watching this film, I couldn’t help feeling a little bias towards it having a soft spot for photography. A unique way of combing the story of photography into film.

Sunrise
A touching film by Platon Theodoris that was actually created by the kids at the Sunrise Children’s Village in Cambodia. It is a beautifully told story about a young boy who must look after his sisters while his mother goes away to work on a farm. This film really grew on me after the first viewing. It is one worth watching.

Post It!
A film by Paul Slater that follows Sci-Fi writer Jim Gordons bid to win back his best friend from his now live-in girlfriend. I found it to have a funny and humorous take on mateship and a film that encapsulates Australian humour.

A well recommended day out for the family, partners, kids and relatives. A showcase of Australian short films and talent.

Seems like a promising line up indeed! Great to see some great Australian talent and hopefully they’ll get to the big leagues. Genevieve Clay seems to be working the short film circuit a lot so I think she’s a definite name to remember. Though, another film about disadvantaged people? What’s next? A real film called Simple Jack?

Oscars on the way.

Nick Fogarty’s Hamburger Eyes is on Vimeo already, and you can also check out his website.

Platon Theodoris’s website can be found here.

You know this guy loves his film when his site is based off a giant miniDV tape!

Seems like if you want to be a good filmmaker, you need an online presence and be multitalented… a bit like someone you know?

I made it!

Actually, no… I didn’t even have time to enter the competition with all the work I’ve been doing with Paper Cranes and private videos and playing with the 7D.  
Nevertheless, I hope to have something for the next festivals coming up…. (Though, I’ve heard that one before!)

But, congratulations to the following 14 finalists of the Bondi Short Film Festival!

“Triple Concert in D Minor” – Writer/Director/Contact: Daniel Mitchell
Rebecca had always wanted to play her beloved triangle with an orchestra, when the national youth orchestra are in town holding auditions, Rebecca has the chance to make her everlasting dream come true.

“Fences” – Director/Contact: Tim Dean Writer: Chris Corbett
A young boy discovers that the world is more complicated than he ever imagined.

“Hamburger Eyes” – Director/Contact: Nick Fogarty
A short Documentary, shot on 16 mm film, made about the photographers that put together the black and white photo zube “Hamburger Eyes” – A magazine published tri-annually in San Francisco and captures pictorial history of both the intimate and iconic moments of everyday life.

The Bucks Party – Production Administrator/Contact: Kathy Wheatley Director: Mike Hoath
Aaron doesn’t like to see his old mate Tim as often as he’d like to these days, so when it comes as no real surprise when Aaron discovers that Tim has asked Dave, a bloke he works with, to be the best man at his upcoming wedding. Ever the loyal friend, Aaron shrugs off any small feelings of jealousy he might harbor and commits instead to a night of partying and drunken celebrations with his mate for his bucks party. But that night Aaron discovers something about the best man that could well and truly derail the marriage before it even starts, and has to then question his own motives before deciding what to do with the information.

“Swings and Roundabouts” – Producer/Contact: Nic Halliwell Director/Writer: Anna Mcgrath
It’s hard to find love, especially when you’re not even looking for it. Through a chance encounter, Ian and Flora give each other an excuse to smile…

“Frances and Annie” – Director/Contact: Genevieve Clay
When a young woman drops by to greet her new neighbours, her preconceptions of who is responsible for a horrendous tragedy hinges on a face and a note…

“Post This!” – Producer/Contact: Tara Foster Director: Paul Slater/Writers: Chris Byrnes, Tara Foster, Natalie Long/ Megan O’Dore/Anthony Roth/Celeste Dodwell/Lee Jones/Duncan Fellows
SCI-FI writer Jim Gordon loses his creativity after his best mate’s girlfriend moves in. So what will Jim do to get his creativity and best mate back.

“The Bubbleologist” – Production Administrator/Contact: Kathy Wheatley Director: Oyvind Opshaug/ Writer: Kazmir Sas
What is Bubbleology? Bubbleology is an exciting new, cutting edge study into the creation of bubbles. Since making the discovery in his teens, Andrew Suttar (aka Doctor Froth) has since taken his findings to audiences of children and adults alike through Perth, across Australia and around the world, spreading the gospel of bubble through an enthralling mix of science and theater. Be mesmerized as the Bubbleologist contorts an assortment of custom made bubble wands to create his very own brand of bubble art. Over time, his art has become a philosophy and Andrew believes that a bubble is more than just a bubble. The bubble-ologist is a visual poem about a high school science project, which became a passion, which became a passion, which became…something else…Is there more to the humble bubble than we first thought?

“JerryCan” – Producer/Contact: Stuart Parkyn Director/Writer: Julius Avery
Five bored kids with nothing to do decide to blow something up. Paper, scissors, rocks seals the fate of Nathan, who risks everything after he is bullied into making a life and death decision.

“My Girlfriend Jim” – Director: Damian Mclindon Producer: Ariel
Jim will do anything to dodge his chores.

“Fokkers Mountain Path” – Writer/Director/Contact: Luhsun Tan
The true story of a civilian’s clandestine account of a disappearing colonial world as his life ends in a Japanese POW camp.

“Sunrise” – Platon Theodoris
When their mother leaves them for the work and cash of a cucumber farm, 9 year old Chim is forced to quit school in order to care for his two younger sisters.

“Driven” – Director/Contact: Taylor Age Litton-Strain
Driven explores the conflicted expectations of today’s parents. Juggling work and fractured family relationships, it is the child who bears the unexpected consequences of his father’s frustrations…

“Close Distance” – Contact: Ruth Saunders Director: Richard Vilensky Producer: Cecilia Ritchie
Isaac Levi goes to collect his son from soccer one night only to find he’s been violently beaten. His search for vengeance leads him beyond his own sheltered world and into the streets of Islamic Sydney.

I’m pretty boned that I can’t make it to the screening on 28th November 2009 at the Bondi Pavillion. But hopefully, one of Silver Kottage’s correspondents will be attending to give me a review of how the event and films are.

This film is no Romeo and Juliet… or is it?

I got a chance to go to an advance screening of Micheal Moore’s latest offering.

This time, Moore tackles issues of America’s economic system of Capitalism by delving into issues about the average Americans swindled into borrowing more, when they don’t have enough to pay back. The corrupt and underground workings of blue chip companies and investment firms as well as the coming of the prodigal son of the States, Barrack Obama.

With a mix of emotional interviews, stock news footage and Moore’s satirical comedic antics, this film follows pretty much the same structure as his previous films. But one aspec that I haven’t seen before was how personal he has placed his own life into this documentary by including home footage and also his Father, who portrays the average American during the good years of Capitalism.

So would you let me in if I give you a donut?

This film is a wake up call for Americans and the World that although America seems to be the leading country… deep within, it is killing itself. That society should not be run on how much one is valued, but of how important one is to society.

YES WE COULD’VE

One man could’ve saved them… but he died in the 40s… let’s hope the current man in The House knows what he’s doing.

Never got to watch this before I brought the Canon 7D, but definitely something to have a good laugh at.
NOTE: Contains Explicit Language

So what do you think? Should the Fuhrer have just waited? The Canon 5D MK2 isn’t so bad… at least it takes great photos!
If you want to know who Bloom and Chung are, Philip Bloom is a professional Cinematographer that’s well known in the camera tech world and Dan Chung is a DSLR News Shooter. I have Philip’s link on my right panel, I might put Dan’s one on too.