Wee Li Lin Went Shopping Indeed!

Well, first and foremost, I have to say that it was my first time attending a Gala Premiere of any sort. Pretty fancy. Maybe overly fancy for a local film I should say. I’m not trying to devalue local products, but if they really wanted it to be fancy-schmancy, they should probably do the whole red carpet thing and not like put up wooden tables and people hv to collect their tickets or something, you know.

Anyway, about the film. It stunk! Plainly, it just doesn’t make sense. Well, I’m not saying it’s the kinda stuff for crazy people, but seriously, Li Lin, what the hell were you trying to say, huh? I mean, if it’s not for that I ignored my seating number and went all the way back to ease myself into the special and comfortable 2-seater, I would’ve probably be driven mad by the insufferable nonsense you’ve got spewing out of that film.

Too harsh?

Okay, here’s the thing. Even TODAY newspaper rated you 2/5 and I think for the first time, they’ve got it right. The whole three stories weaving into one and the three characters’ lives intertwining…girl, that’s just old. Used way too many times especially in Singaporean artsy films. I mean, what is the deal with 3-in-1 here, people?

A lotta of the story elements don’t add up, went unresolved (especially the Aaron story). Though I have to praise you for not letting any of your characters speak with a fake American accent and no pretentious dialog, it still looked unbelievable. And I especially hated the part where Aaron walked around with a fucking sword in his hand in the middle of Marina Square. I mean, come on. Who do you expect to believe that crap happening in Singapore? I once was just taking a picture at Esplanade and I got a harassed by two dumbass CISCO officers and you expect us to believe no goddamn soul harass Aaron and takes that sword away from his ugly, nerdy ass?

Better check what’s goin’ on up there, Li Lin…

And for the record, I really don’t appreciate how you blatantly use the racial stereotypes. All the Chinese characters are rich or at least well-to-do and the Malay makcik only gets robbed and cried her ass off like a pathetic fool. Hey, c’mon, I’ve worked with Kak Mas before she deserved a better role than that. She’s an amazing actress. And the Indian dysfunctional family and the Malay transvestite…it keeps going on and on and if this issue is not addressed, pretty soon, we’re gonna have the same problem where there’s a movie with 3 Chinese dudes and 1 token Malay guy who only says, “Sial ah!”

So please, I’m sure you’re more intelligent and sensitive than that. Malay people are more successful these days, in school, at work and you know it. And Indian people as well. Please treat the minorities with some respect, huh.

Well, that’s all I have to say about your film. I know you put a lotta effort in it and all these negative criticism is probably crushing your spirit. But, that’s how hard it is to break through. But I’m sure it’s not as hard as trying to get a job and not getting it ’cause you just don’t speak a certain language.

Adios!

Progress

As much as I’d like to say that the title is referring to my professional life, unfortunately the Fates haven’t been too kind towards me.

Anyway, I had a Refuge meeting with Anant on Saturday afternoon. Before the casual meeting, we had sushi from Carrefour and I gotta say, I’m pretty hooked on those tasty treats. Little rice snacks have never tasted so good. When we got down to serious talking, we managed to list down the plans for Screenplayer, like scriptwriting and DV competitions, and also determine the tentative periods as to when these events should be held every year or bi-annually.

Admittedly, things have been pretty slow over at Screenplayer, that’s why we’re trying to organize a lotta stuff…well, not a lot-a lot, but several events to help Screenplayers participate more and let our organization be known to more schools and other media-related bodies out there.

And, of course, no thanks to SFC.

Today. My bad, it’s Monday morning already. On Sunday, I met up with Ali to go over the progress for the prequel of Eras of Evolution. He showed me the rough sketches of a few pages. I must say he drew quite a cute Isabel. When I asked him what did he use as reference, he told me the anime picture I sent him. It was in fact a picture of adult Imari from the second season of Bible Black. But, I told him to make her bustier still, almost like Black Canary. Not too muscular, but…busty.

So, overall, there have been progress in some parts of my life. I’m awaiting reply from Mega Media for a job application I sent them two days back. It’s for the post of Videotape Operator. I know, not really the job I should be doing. But, for real, I’m just shooting the ball and if it happens to go into the net, I’ll celebrate and pull my shirt over my head.

Rotten Luck

Well, I didn’t have anything to write yesterday…

And I was revising my scripts most of the day ’till I received the ICA letter.

I didn’t get the job. They said they’re unable to offer me any position now.

Well, bull-fucking-shit!

The news was depressing and, last night, I met up with Anant just to have some coffee. We talked about jobs and shit and then went over to his place to check out available media-related jobs. He said maybe the ICA rejection is a sign I stay in the media industry. Maybe. But the industry here is so fucking depressing.

Anant, if you’re reading this, I’m seriously at my wits’ end. And here’s why:

I could very much go back to post-production jobs, get overworked and paid micro-nuts and be depressed about the industry all over again. Or, as you suggested, I could take up writing. Which does seem like a pretty good deal, except that I hadn’t written in a while and here’s the honest reason – I’m actually afraid writing other stuff would push away the interest and momentum of writing my comic book material.

It may sound silly to you, but it’s a big worry to me. Maybe that’s why I haven’t written any other script since poly. ‘Cause I don’t wanna be committed to another story and think about fleshing out the characters. I already have too much to elaborate and connect and, yes, even though I have GPS in my head, I still have a finite of brain space I can accommodate for writing.

I don’t know…maybe it’s just my style to go into detail when I’m writing. Maybe that’s why I can’t appreciate TV writing…well, S’pore TV writing at least. Like, if I wanna commit to a script, to a story, I’ll commit it through a certain period. And to put this theory to test, I think I will start to write out my own indy script, about 48 minutes long, like a telemovie script.

Countdown Begins…

Yesterday, at around 1800 hrs, me and a few other men…NSmen to be exact, from units 104-106 of the Public Shelter Units, were briefed on our upcoming ICT for this year.

It will be held on 9th and 10th October, whereby on the first day, there will be IPPT – Individual Physical Proficiency Test.

Well…

Actually, it’s not really a big deal and yeah, I am just making it sound like a huge thing. But…I am currently injured, or have not fully recovered from my scaphoid injury. So, I’m really thinking about having my Pes dropped so I can skip IPPT as a whole. Ordinarily, I still can’t pass the damn thing ’cause of the standing broad jump. That’s a stupid test, really. How can you determine somebody’s fit just by jumping far? Even the fitness instructors admitted it’s more technique-based than fitness-based.

I have short legs, okay?

So anyway, if I do have to take and then, ultimately, fail the IPPT, I have to go for Remedial Training for 7 straight Saturdays. Yup, that’s crap alright.

*sigh*…NS. You’re a real heavenly gift from Singapore.

The Lost Week

Alright, I know I didn’t update the past week. Honestly, I felt kinda lazy and there were a lotta things happening. So here’s the rundown of what happened in…

“THE LOST WEEK”

Movies – Hell of record I set last week. I watched Harry Potter on its opening day in S’pore, which was on Thursday, July 12. Although I’m not a big Harry Potter fan…actually, I was never a fan and my last experience back in 2002 watching Chamber of Secrets was a total letdown, I must say Order of the Phoenix didn’t disappoint me that much. I would, however, love to see the Dumbledore and Valdemort battle go on longer and more intensely. The next day, I went to watch The Condemned, starring my all-time favorite idol, Stone Cold Steve Austin. I had a pair of free tix, so I asked Anant along to this testosterone-charged, explosive, adrenaline-pumping action movie where all the girls had big knockers. Stone Cold’s girlfriend in the movie played by Madeleine West was a nice-looking MILF. Anyway, it was a great experience as we got to watch the movie in Shaw’s Preview Theater, which I assume is where P Ramlee used to sit Runme Shaw and screened the premiere of his movies. Cool to be in a place of history.

NS Reservist – As I’m writing this, the clock is ticking away to the moment I have to get the hell outta my house and drag my unwilling ass all the way to HQ 1st CD Division for an NS Routine Reporting. Honestly, the reservist shit isn’t the thing that’s bothering me. But the idea of having to interact with those dumb bunch of mats again and especially the fat dumbass who’s yet to pay me for my photography services at his wedding. Asshole. Anyway, it’s only about 2 hours so I think I’ll be able to bear with it.

ICA – I’m anxiously waiting for the reply from ICA. They told me it’s gonna come by tmrw, Tuesday. But I’m giving it ’till the end of this week. Hopefully, I’ll get it. Otherwise, I’d have to look for another freelance editing job and then all that work at ThreeG Karma would go to waste ’cause I don’t think the makcik’s gonna pay me. Dammit!

Screenplayer – And finally, we had our third Screenplayer meeting yesterday afternoon at Starbucks Millenia Walk. There were seven people again, but not the same seven. I believe this officially makes me the veteran in these meetings ’cause I’ve been to all of’em and lemme tell you, yesterday’s was the most awkward ’cause there were several uncomfortable silent moments. So much so I think that’s why the two girls went off first. When it got down to the guys, it became a little more laxed and after Shaun Koh’s departure, it got more comfortable with only four people there. Maybe, I think, we should just keep the meetings as little as possible. I dunno, maybe…

So that’s about it for the lost week. And, uh…I think I’ll be updating more regularly this week ’cause I don’t have work. Again!

‘Till next time…

Still Awesome

I just had to watch Transformers again. So I did, by myself. And damn, it was actually more enjoyable than the first time ’cause this time round there weren’t any annoying, whiny American brats fucking up the cinematic experience.

Anyway, the movie was still breath-taking and enjoyable throughout and damn, Megan Fox is so fine, I think I’m hooked on her. I hope she stars in more movies. She’s not only hot-hot, but also brave-hot, beautiful-hot, caring-hot…she’s amazing.

Well, as for the Transformers, I can’t wait for the two sequels. Hopefully, the standard won’t drop and it can only be done by Michael Bay to keep the style the same.

Finally Over!

After a long month in the fiberglass cast, my hand is finally able to breathe again.

I had my cast removed with a motor saw, which looked quite scary at first, but the attendant demonstrated on his own hand that the blade dun even cut through skin. After the X-rays, the doctor said I’m recovering well and everything looks good enough that he even pulled out the wire that was holding my scaphoid fragment. The sensation of him yanking out that wire halfway from my wrist felt real funny. All I can say is metal and flesh just dun mix. Well, at least I got to keep the wire.

So now, I hv a half-sided plastic mould over my arm just to stabilize it coz I’ve lost quite a significant portion of strength in my hand. My therapy starts next Wednesday. Hopefully, everything goes well and I’ll be able to regain my normal hand functions.

‘Till then, I’m gonna enjoy this one day MC the doc’s given me and just try to put my arm under some warm sun and apply oil on it. Smells man.