Stop and Observe

Class 2 Progress Reel

2008-10-01T10:03:00.005+08:00

I really suck at maintaining a blog. lol

I need to start pulling up this blog and writing my thoughts more. :/

The last update was almost 3 months!!!

AM Class 2 Progress Reel from Barry on Vimeo.

AM Class 1 progress reel.

2008-07-28T00:17:00.002+08:00

Its been almost 2 months since i touched this blog.

Been wanting to write so much stuff that was going through my head and about the movies I've watched. Just been so busy doing animation after animation after animation. AM and the Jedi Masters program have been so time consuming. Hope this will help me continue to update this blog.

Wanted to put this up a month back. Here's my progress reel.

Progress Reel from Animation Mentor

Prince Caspian

2008-06-03T15:11:00.006+08:00

Had heard alot of comments about this film before watching it. Comments came rather luke-warm saying it was not that fantastic. My overall impression wasn't disappointment, more like.... "yeah.... passable..." Not a really great summer block buster but a good enough movie to sit through and enjoy for 2.5 hrs.

Too tired to into much detail. I actually did mildly enjoy the film and loved the comedy that was placed into it. The only gripes I have about it would be the visual choices, for example the night shots. These shots bothered me a great deal, especially the shots in the opening sequence. Alot of the shots had the scene in the dark with a blue tinge lighting which just made the shots hard to read. I could hardly make visible what was going on in the shot. There was nothing to help eye focus on any particular spot, with no contrast in colour or brightness. But it was still better than Golden Compass's final battle scene.

This film didn't really get me all that excited, but it did entertain me. I was definitely more excited by the trailer. :/

The truth always hurts....

2008-05-29T17:09:00.002+08:00

Nah. I haven't been hit by any major emotional blow or set back. Was just thinking about this when I was having a discussion with a friend about getting feedback on my work. I was a little apprehensive fearing to get the words "YOU SUCK!" and yet like a fly to bright lights I just had to know. Human nature is a very interesting thing, we are always so drawn to know the truth but yet when we are 1 step away from "enlightenment" we get cold feet.
I remember somewhere somebody once said that "A person can never accept any outright truths about his/her self that don't meet personal expectations". I find that to be true, we tell another to be frank and honest. But deep down inside, we always have expectations on what to hear. If you're lucky, it might be something good. People who have come to realise this tend to try and thread carefully with their "honest"opinions and words are chosen carefully. Its fun to see this "drama" played out at times, as you can observe many small signs in body language, facial expressions and choice of words that they are not entirely truthful.

Human social interaction is such a fun thing to observe. You'll learn alot about yourself and others at the same time.

End of my random thoughts.........

AM Class 1 poses (part 1)

2008-05-27T10:12:00.003+08:00

The pose for the theme "STRENGTH" (This was tough to show):

The pose for the theme "DEVASTATION":

The pose for the theme "EXCITEMENT":

AM assignment on overlap.

2008-05-25T02:12:00.010+08:00

One of my Class 1 assignments from AM.

I've learnt alot at LAS and AM.

Animation Mentor Overlap Assignment.

Darn.... the video don't come out as smooth. Makes the hop of the block look weird.

Accuracy of Death a.k.a Sweet Rain

2008-05-24T14:58:00.003+08:00

I love talking and discussing about film although most of the time my writing sucks. :p

Caught this movie over the weekend. Although not a major block-buster and something most consumer movie goers would appreciate, it surprised me by turning out to be more of an art-house style film. Initial response to the movie poster and trailer would be pretty much similar to everybody else. "Its probably "Meet Joe Black" in japan." Why not? The trailer looks like it, death walks the mortal realm, learns from mortal, falls in love and poof. I have to say that i was gladly mistaken. Its a film meant to make you think not cry. Its a film which requires active observation instead passive entertainment.

I got my first hint that this wasn't your typical Jap consumer film at the very beginning when Warner Bros credits appeared as distributor (the famours WB shield). These big players wouldn't distribute many Asian films unless they were more than the usual consumer type of films. On to the film.

Plot/Story and Direction:

Based off a Japanese novel, the story definitely wouldn't be bad in anyway. Considering that the novel would already have some success and following. I never read the book so I wouldn't know as well. The key things here to me would be how the story was told in the aspects of visuals, composition and direction. The subtleties and details in the movie rewarded observant viewers. Most of the story, background story and setting were told in the many visuals and acting direction taken. For example the progression of time through a few simple objects of technology. - (The walkman, Ipod and robotic servant.) And the constant motifs that link up the 3 parts and characters. I would definitely find this aspect of the movie pretty well done.

Editing and Visual style:
Nothing fantastic but it was very clear, which is good. The number of films coming out these days don't seem to have this anymore. The basic idea of proper visual communication and editing to easily let the viewer comprehend the movie. There wasn't anything that struck me, except that it was good-old fashion editing and cinematography which served its purpose.

Overall:
I think its a good movie to watch. Maybe a tad bit slow and draggy to some, definitely not your everyday popcorn movie. It had some pretty nice comedic moments as well. Overall its a movie that would have you thinking and reflecting on life or in this case death. I did enjoy the movie but generally I like movies whether good or bad, because there's always things to learn like what to or not to do when filming.

I think the name "Sweet Rain" suits the movie better.

Hedgehog's dilemma

2008-05-23T15:05:00.006+08:00

Not really sure why this topic came up in my mind recently. Probably because of the interesting changes happening in the group dynamics with some circle of friends. Throughout my years of growing up, I've learnt through personal experience and observation that this analogy of human intimacy does truly exists. What is the Hedgehog's dilemma? It describes the situation where a group of hedgehogs attempt to huddle close to gather in attempt to seek warmth and comfort, but because of their physical nature they cause some harm and discomfort. (Although in reality, this does not really happen.) If you realise this concept sounds familiar, go watch Neo Genesis Evangelion (i think its ep4). This alludes to a persons need for emotional and social comfort in groups (friends and family), but because of things like differences, weaknesses and mostly similarities (something for another time.) they tend to "hurt" each other unknowingly. Better explanation at wiki: Hedgehog's dilemma

Don't think any of this is true? Think about it, look around you, observe your friends and families. Well maybe it might just be me then? I've seen it happen far too many times when friends get too close and they start to know each other all too way. Assumption of each others actions start to kick in and there's an old saying here. "Assumption is the mother of all screw ups." Maybe I'm cynical, but I've definitely learnt to either keep a "safe" distance in friendship or in some cases live with the "hurt". This is all just part and parcel of friendship and social interactions, and at most times are caused by low tolerance for differences or at times similarities. I'm equally as guilty in this as any other person sitting next to me on the train. I guess its human nature and partly from the selfish need to "fit" harmoniously in a society. I still look back today and laugh at those mistakes in hope that I would not make the same mistake again to another.

Here's a little short-film I dug up. It was done by a friend in my university days and based of the "Hedgehog's Dilemma" (or complex). In my opinion, he was one of the best story-tellers/film-makers I knew. I kind of missed the days of guerrilla film-making. When you were a student, everything complicated looked cool and awesome. :)

Something big is coming this fall.....

2008-05-22T14:59:00.006+08:00

Eagerly waiting for this to be out in fall. This is the movie release to start of the series, although our team had no part in this. We did some really really fantastic work on some of the episodes. I'm extremely proud to be part of the Singapore team that did the show and fortunate enough to have worked on some of animation shots in a few episodes. Has been a great learning experience, working with 2 fantastic lead animators - Kyle Dunlevy and Cedric Lo.

Reboot & Update

2008-05-21T15:18:00.005+08:00

I've never been a big advocate of blogs. Especially senseless ones with little information of use. I guess the time has definitely come where I would succumb to this internet craze and move forward. And partly because my interest in animation demands the need to be more "open" in expression and confidence in showing my own work.

Why suddenly here and now? I guess I really did literally stop and observe for once in my life again. I had spent the past decade since high school finding myself and then eventually chasing a dream and passion. Although I did observe things a little from time to time, it was usually passing moments. Me driving around in a car didn't really help, as it just allowed me to pack more activities in a day. It further isolated me more from observing the general commuting public.

It was not until recently, when I decided to go green a little by taking public transport to work. The 1hr commuting back and forth each time gave me the opportunity to observe people and reflect on my day for little epiphanies . It also allowed me to do the observation i needed to do for my animation homework with Animation Mentor (AM). Recent inward reflections dawned on me that I have just taken another major change in my life. Although not apparent and forced by external circumstances like change of school/location. This was more of an internal shift in choices and attitude. Although the ball is already rolling or bouncing, I feel excited to realise that it has only just begun.

I can usually be incoherent at times when my thoughts move faster than i can type. This blog would be an opportunity for an observation of myself - my thoughts, my views, my work, my life and my family. This would also serve as a chance for me to "reboot" myself and update to the cultural and physical changes happening around me and the world. Hopefully, this won't end up like most of my half-hearted attempts at things and die out somewhere in cyberspace.

Stop and observe everybody around you. The little nuances and movements that make them who they are, the cultural backgrounds that make them think the way they do. It helps to greatly open your eyes to the world around you....