SilverKottage

Another fan film has emerged on the internet and it’s also a reimagining of a fighting game that’s already been made.

This time, it’s Mortal Kombat. But unlike the Street Fighter fan films that I posted a few weeks ago, this is not a fight demo, but more of a prologue to a feature film.

Directed by Kevin Tancharoen and written by Oren Uziel, the rumour is that these two have approached Warner Bros with this short as a pitch for a reboot of the film that Paul W Anderson made int he 90s.

Check it out, starring Michael Jai White (played Spawn and also the guy that wanted The Joker dead or alive in TDK):

As you can see, the film has a more real world setting with references to Mortal Kombat characters. The style actually reminds me of Max Payne. And I’m guessing the reason for this is the influence of Christopher Nolan’s Batman films.

But don’t dispair, as Tancharoen has been quoted as saying his vision of Mortal Kombat will still have super natural elements, fatalities, and a universe where multiple worlds exist, similar to Harry Potter.

Will we see this film in 2013 as IMDB suggests? Only time will tell. But I’m sure hoping it does!

Outer World Ninja fued duking it out in the Mortal World? SWEEET!

The latest news in the world of DSLR filming is Adobe has recently released Creative Suite 5. With all new features for every program, the most talked about feature in the film universe is Premiere Pro’s ability to edit H.264 files natively.

Busting Final Cut Studio’s balls.

What does this mean? It means us Canon SLR users can pull footage off our memory cards and edit straight away! This means no more waiting for footage to convert to a more stable codec, which usually takes twice as long as the original footage shot.

That’s right… rub it in Adobe, rub it in…

I’m yet to test out CS5 Premiere Pro, so I’m not sure if editing in H264 would be smooth or not. Then again, I probably can’t, since I’m still stuck with 3 year old technology… base model technology actually… my 13 inch Macbook that doesn’t even have a DVD burner

So, I guess it’s time for an upgrade. What do you think? Macbook Pro 17inch with i7 or a Quad Core 27inch iMac?
Decisions, decisions…

That’s a new idea for Steve Jobs, the iPunch.

On other news, the geek world of the internet has been blessed with not one, but two Street Fighter fan films that doesn’t suck. One by indie filmmaker Chris Cowan testing out his Canon 7D and the other, by Joey Ansah, best known for his bathroom fight scene with Matt Damon in The Bourne Ultimatum.

Here’s both films:

Street Fighter Beginnings End

Street Fighter Legacy

So, what do you think? Pretty sweet action I’d say and if Chris had the budget and connections of Joey, I’m sure the quality of the two would be even closer.

But really, besides from a fight between Ken and Ryu, I’d like to see some story development. Why are they fighting? Why does Ryu wander around like a man with no purpose? Surely if they’ve given so much time in the action sequence, they could’ve added a plot to it. It’s like eating toast with no bread but just the butter.

Oh well, at least it’s still better than the last incarnation of the Street Fighter mythology…

I haven’t seen this, but, why is Chun Li punching? Why does Balrog use a gun? Why is the reason Vega cover his face cause he’s ugly? Why does Chris Klein overacts so much?

Hhmmm, you know what? Maybe I should make a King of Fighters Fan Film, I’ve always wanted to… Oh wait, a feature film is on it’s way! By Hong Kong’s Gordon Chan. Let’s hope he learns from Andrew Lau’s Initial D and make a half decent adaptation.

Oh my… they used the Dark Knight’s score

Ah, you just can’t escape the Hong Kong influenced corniness.

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.

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.

Filming a wedding is always special. Seeing the cheers and tears flowing on the happiest day of two individuals.

It’s even more special when I had the chance to film my friend’s wedding.
Congratulations Lili and Andrew, I hope you all the best and happiness in your journey together.

The day was long and it was tough. Especially since myself and the crew at Paper Cranes Production was given the task of filming during the day and showing the footage in the evening… Not just raw footage, but edited to music and a pre-wedding footage.

I give to you, IMAGINE.

Andrew & Lili Prewedding Film “IMAGINE” Same Day Edit Love Story from Paper Cranes Productions on Vimeo.