London in Film?

12 Days of London... is not enough I was under prepared and had things I had to prioritise instead of sight-seeing.

I didn't like London very much...

But heres the rest of the photos that didn't end up on Tumblr but I thought was pretty decent:

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Me!

Brief Job Description

Many of my friends ask me

"So what exactly does your company in Hong Kong do?"

I've decided to answer this question here so I don't have to answer it over and over and over again... Right now I've been shooting videos, for many purposes.... the one that I most frequently shoot for is Hong Kong's FashionTV.

Shot & Edited

Not my proudest edit nor shoot but... the nicer ones hasn't been uploaded yet... But that's what I'm doing now... going to shows and events to video and document for FashionTV.

Second type of video I make is for Dragon-i... a nightclub in Hong Kong.

Shot & Edited

Second time shooting nightclubs... first one was the one with Akon at Club Cubic located in Macau. you can also find this video on their Dragon-i Website

Third type of video is for our own production house... called Xin Wang. Right now what we done is we've bought two DJs Paul Oakenfold and Afrojack and I've edited a little promo video before they arrive in Hong Kong.

Edited

Surprisingly these video has been getting 20,000+ views on Youtube and s by for the most popular thing I've edited.

So these are the three names I work for mostly. Xin Wang (my employer), FashionTV and Dragon-i...

Macau Once More

I don't know if I can call it coincidence/fate/god/luck/karma/life/chance or whatever synonym there is to explain my past week.

On Tuesday I went to a day trip to Macau with my dad. We bought the ticket at a shop and headed to Macau. The weather was pouring rain, foggy and we could bare see what was happening. We explored casinos and walk around the city central for 7~8 hours. I took my Nikormat film camera and shot 1.5 rolls of film... around 50 shots of Macau and 20 shots of Hong Kong I shot earlier.

On Wednesday I headed to my camera shop early in the morning and took my film to develop. In the afternoon when I went to collect it the shop owner said my 2 rolls were blanks... ... nothing was in the rolls... and I was left with two blank exposed film and had to pay $50 for nothing... The shop owner told me to return with my camera for check up... I couldn't believe that since I know I took a few good shots and a few shots of my dad when he was going to leave Hong Kong soon and I didn't know the next time I will see him... I couldn't capture my moments with my dad because of my rookie mistakes...

On Thursday night I got a phone call from my boss telling me that we are going to Macau for a shoot on Saturday.

On Friday the camera shop owner lectured me about film and taught me techniques to avoid the same mistakes...

On Sunday I stayed in Macau after the shoot and try to relive and retake some of the shots I took on Tuesday. The day was cloudy... so I didn't get the nice effect on Tuesday where I had the wet ground full of rich reflections.

On Tuesday I developed my film... this time... they all came out nicely!!!

The best ones would be at: http://visualdocumentary.tumblr.com/

Feels like Hong Kong

Dead End School

Don't Cross the Yellow Line

Everything is happened at such a right timing that I'm surprised myself... When I receive a film camera, the 2 months contract job, The film production company opportunity, returning Macau. I mean the time slots fits in so perfectly that it freaks me out a little... Although I wasn't able to retrieve photos of my dad I think it made me even more careful next time I take photos with my fim camera.

Mistakes are the process of success right?!

Being Press

Uma Thurman & Donnie Yen

I've been working in Hong Kong for 3 weeks now, running around chasing celebrities. Holding on my monopod, camera, microphone, headphone and cables everywhere I go. Getting told off by staff about recording intellectual property and all kinds of madness. Then I return to the office edit out all the shaky footage, videos where I forgot to stop recording, weird moments of celebrities.

The jobs are fun, you get to see people you admire, you look up to or even had a crush on. You see how they try to bring out the best of themselves to the camera, for the reporters and for the audience. Downside is that you don't really have time to look at your stars in awe, most of the time you are concentrating on the camera shot and trying to get the best out of the celebrity before they are gone, and when they are gone you'll be unhappy that you didn't get a chance to do what you'll like to do as a fan and all you can do is brag about who you saw.

Amanda S

In this field you really try to be efficient and fast. Shooting only necessary things to save battery, time. Travelling light for running around locations and editing a video within a certain timeframe.

Quantity  > Quality

Being able to shoot around 3-5 events and edit around 3 3min videos a week forces you to compromise quality. You need to supply content therefore you can't make a finer edit.

Although this is a wonderful experience I do not want to be in the field being a reporter.

Beatrix Kiddo vs Snowman

P.S. Another advantage being press is that you get access to most events and most of the time you get the front row seat or the best spots in the house. Front on in fashion shows, red carpet, store openings etc.

Yarrrdbird

Stussy is breaking into the food collaboration, having doing a collab previously with Plan Check restaurant in West Los Angeles the second one was at Hong Kong and I was lucky enough to take part of it. Stussy chose Yardbird for their second food collaboration.

I was there around 12:20am and the first seatings were filled already, we wait for around 40mins before we headed in. The place has two floors, we were at the basement level where the kitchen was so we were able to see some of the preparations. The seatings were pretty jammed as they try to fit as much people as possible, which was a good thing since I prefer the pack, loud and busy environment with people chatting along, laughing and having a good time. The food was great there were highlights such as the Twice Fried Chicken, Popcorn Gizzard, Crispy Ramen Salad, Fried Chicken Fillet and Sweet Potato Gratin... a lot of highlights I know... but the food was great! The portions were definitely enough if not too much. It was a once off menu but I sure hope that they keep the ones I listed above. The staff were all friendly and trying to social with everyone.

It was def a pleasant experience and be sure to check out their regular menu some other time.

Unfortunately the photos I took were taken with my film camera so I will upload them once I get the processed. Meanwhile enjoy this inspiring video they did with OTHERS x HYPEBEAST.

33-35 Bridges Street Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

No Reservations

Hours: 6 til Midnight | Closed Sundays

Thoughts on shooting with film

I apologise for not posting enough these days when I'm in Hong Kong. I haven't had much time to sit down to scan at videos on websites or to type out something worthy of posting.

One thing I had time for is the film camera I take around Hong Kong to shoot as I travel around town. I take it almost every time I head out and looking like an absolute tourist.

After processing three rolls of film I had built up some sort of an idea I want to write down about the difference in film and digital photography.

Film has it own charm. It forces you to teach yourself about photography basics and getting a better fundamental. When I shoot in film I didn't know how my image look until 2 weeks later when I retrieve it from the photography shop. 80% of the images were horrible, I had to learn why and what mistakes I made for this to happen.

"You were too dependent on the exposure meter!"

"ASA 200 can't take indoor or night shots, it's too dark."

"You are looking a lot of detail on the dark sides."

"You can't point your camera towards the sun!"

Those were the comments of the shop staff and owner. When they told me that I've already taken 3 rolls of film and in the back of my mind thinking "Oh shit, I've wasted 3 rolls of film." Each shot taken by my film camera I had to think carefully and how the image would come out 3 weeks later. I had to start remembering what I've taken, how I took it and how to correct it next time. It excites me every time opening the patch of photos I've developed and seeing which ones came out best and sharing it with others.

Here are some of the horrible ones I've taken with my camera.

The good ones ends up on my Tumblr Blog: http://visualdocumentary.tumblr.com/

Located too dark, losing detail

The outdoor was too bright

Night, not enough light

Exposure compensated for the sky

P.S I really hope Nevets start posting his roll of film series again.

First Film Camera

Weird how things can just fit in so perfectly.

At the end of last year I was thinking of getting a film camera for photography and my digital camera for video but because most of the quality film cameras and film was pricey I hesitated and continued with my digital camera. Last year I've built a fundamental knowledge with my Panasonic GH2.

When I returned to Hong Kong my Uncle told me that when they packed they discovered an old Nikon film camera and asked if I wanted it. He said he bought the camera ages ago and never used it. I said yes right away :)

Still looks dusty as these were taken before service.

I took it to get it serviced and picked it up today :D Apparently it was in very good condition despite the camera's old age.

Cannot be more excited to go out in Hong Kong and take some fabulous film photos!!!

Galleries at Central

I saw advertisements everywhere about Takashi Murakami's Gallery at Central and I asked my friend Ollie to come along. It was hidden on Pedder St's Pedder Building a small narrow entrance and up the lifts we went. It was on the 7th Floor and while other exits on other floors we peeked and saw other galleries. As we went onto 7th Floor it was the GAGOSIAN GALLERY showcasing only Murkami's artworks. The guards were very cautious that we don't stay too close to the originals as we might spit, sneeze onto the masterpieces.

Reasons to Stay in Hong Kong: 003

The last reason that I wanted to stay in Hong Kong is after watching A Simple Life (2011). A low budget film that swept in Venice Film Fest, Hong Kong Film Awards and many more other competitions.

Andy Lau, one of the most dedicated Hong Kong film personel produced and acted in the film. Despite great losses previously with other films he has invested he continues to support Hong Kong filmmaking. Other people such as Nicholas Tse has reinvested in to producing quality Hong Kong films. There is a strong pride and support in Hong Kong filmmaking. There's numerous passionate filmmakers in Hong Kong and I hope I can be part of this society and the movement to push Hong Kong film to the top.

Adding with the other two reasons I posted earlier I have a strong believe that Hong Kong film is going to revamp and be influential like it once did with martial art action movies and cultural styled films. There's many talented film directors and I hope I can be on the field and learn a thing or two from them.

Reasons to Stay in Hong Kong: 002

The next day 3rd November 5:00am I saw another video.

Made by a small crew of passionate people in Malaysia. The other reason why I would wanted to stay in Hong Kong is because of the people. It is a fast paced culture and people react in a faster efficient way. In Australia I have encountered too many talkers, they chill more than they do. They dream and talk about ideas when they've never taken action or the task is far from practical.

After watching the video above I looked into D1 Production's other videos such as 血魚,  The Making of Canon 650D TV Commercial and their 血魚 behind the scenes. All of the crew members are dedicated in their work, full of passion and the video reflects it. It's not an ordinary YouTube quality video but one that is like a micro-film, one that is capable of winning international short film fests.

In my opinion I think there are more people more passionate making a Hong Kong film than an Australian film. Also it is easier to recuit and build a proactive, dedicated and professional team in Hong Kong than Sydney.

Reasons to stay in Hong Kong: 001

Some of you may know I've got a one way ticket to Hong Kong. My mum got the ticket for me so it wasn't by choice I made that decision but it opened a door for me. As I hopefully graduate this year I'm looking for experience, career and opportunities. I think there's opportunities for me in Hong Kong but I'm just not sure what it is yet.

In the pass 3 days I saw videos lead me to believe in staying in HK for my career. Although those things might not be talking about Hong Kong or filmmaking directly, I thought it connects with me and my situation directly. In these posts I am going to write about the three videos to make make me believe in Hong Kong Films.

On Sunday 2nd November around 5:00am I saw a documentary on expats in Korea, Seoul.

Foreigners living in Seoul for an unknown extensive time. This is episode 1 of the series. I watched all three of the released episode til 6am and fell asleep thinking. If I go back to Hong Kong to work I would be more of a foreigner than a local, it would be a great experience to connect back to my roots, restart my life, meet new creatives and film enthusiast. They said Seoul is like a melting pot and Asia is the Europe of our era.

P.S. They shot these episodes with 3 Canon 5D Mark III, incredible.

SYNTHESIS Promo Video

As I've said before I've been trying to collaborate with my friends this year and build up a profile for myself.

I made a short promotional video for my friend as she prepares to launch her magazine: SYNTHESIS.

Visual Doc on Tumblr

Now Visual Documentary is going to be on Tumblr as well as Blogger.

I've createed the Tumblr site because I want it to focus and present solely on me & my friend's work.

Blogspot is going to be blogging about our inspirations.

I find it hard for other's to view my work on this platform that is why I'm going to try and create two so I can present my personal work as well as my friend's in a more viewable format.

I hope this is a going to be a good start, please bear with me lol

Lights

Just photos I took on the past few days with the the theme in mind.

Tree in spotlight

Colours

Street Fighter x Dragon ball x Pokemon

I was so bored out of my head that I took out my old collection and decided to take some miniature shots just like Kai did in Digital Rev.

Best of Cockatoo

Speed of Light

I went out late last night with my friends and ended up waiting to catch the night bus ride home. As we wait for the ride my friend went to buy a pack of cigarettes.

"Just stay here and take photos while I go buy them."

So I stayed, and took photos.