Creative Content Industry Guild or CCIG for short, just had their 4th Annual General Meeting yesterday, 28th March 2015 at FINAS, Ulu Kelang. There were many interesting issues and suggestions were raised during the meeting. First, there are still some confusion on CCIG's role. Then, there's still some doubt and hopes by experinced industry players.
CCIG is actually an accrediation body which was set up in order to recognize and identify the skills of industry player from all functions, from script writers all the way to editors. This includes actors, directors, special effect artist, sound mixers, and even includes non-film industries such as digital games. The scope is very wide. In short they are SIRIM of creative content industry personnel.
Why the accrediation needed? According to CCIG, by accrediating them, it would raise our industry standard and would enable more foreign productions to produce their films in Malaysia.
How does accrediating improves the industry standards? The accrediation is done by our own Malaysian experts. I do have respect on many of them. Yet, if we want to be recognized internationally as skilled film industry players, do we get accrediated from someone international or among ourself? Common sense would say, get someone well qualified who have higher standard than Malaysia to form a penal to qualify us.
Some topics on "Pitching" centre was also discussed. The idea is, in order to get funding from the center, one need to be a member of CCIG. I'm okay with that. But, they also mentioned, that you need to accrediated. The minimum requirement to get accrediated is to have a minimum 2 years experince in whichever field you want to get accrediated or must have done at least 2 films. So, how the heck a beginner can get fundings? At least for a short films. This in a way already putting a stop on new aspiring filmmakers with fresh ideas from get involved with this industry. Looks like you have to wait at least to years and work in the industry first before you can get accrediated and get a fund from "Pitching Center". Btw, nothing is confirmed yet until the center opens on 2nd April next week. I'll update on the opportunities available once I check it out.
Next topic I find interesting and have been a hot debate on the internet is the aim to make an Oscar winning film within the next 3 years in foreign language category. Realistically, with our current standard it's a bit far fetched. Unless we make several movies which are similar to The Journey, then it might be possible.
But then, there is a misconception in Malaysia on what makes an Oscar worthy movies. Instead of targeting for Oscar, we should target for internationally commercially successful movies. Why? It would be much easier than hitting the Oscar's bullseye. What? You still don't get it?
If you have read my review on Isyarat Cinta, I said the movie had the potential of becoming an international movie. It's still far away from an Oscar worthy movie, but not too far from commercially successful movie.
CCIG or Finas should identify how to improve a movie, not just making more and more assumptions. I didn't see any of them trying to improve or talked about the film scores. Everyone is talking about the directions, scripts and actings. Everything is more on visual. Not much effort was put in to improve on film score. Of course, film score is very specialise as you must be able to compose musics.
Secondly, to make great movies, it's not necessary to make an epic movie or big budget movie.
Third, there is nothing wrong to make ghost movies. Just make a great ghost movies. Japan, Korea and Thailand used to make great ghost movies. They were famous around the world. They still do make nice ghost movies. In fact, Malaysia could have the potential of making some unique ghost movies due to our diversed cultural background.
Fourthly, for full feature films, do not allow any films below RM300,000 budget and which takes less than 6 months to make it, to be shown on cinema. There are high possibility a low budget movie and/or produced in a very short period of time is a crappy movie. When we have crappy movies, whoever watch it and would think all other movies produced by Malaysian are crappy as well. They are indirectly spoiling our market.
Finally, new aspiring filmmakers need some sort of fund at least for a shortfilms. Some easy access would be appreciated.
Anyway, I am happy that Finas is giving heavily subsidised traning workshops on filmmaking. I myself have attended some of their workshops and I would suggest more people to take opportunity to attend them. I'm also thankful to the governement to make initiative by setting aside some funds for creative industry. I just hope the execution part will be done smoothly.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Review & Analysis: Isyarat Cinta from an upcoming filmmaker perspective
!!!WARNING! NOT SUITABLE FOR NORMAL MOVIEGOER!! WARNING!!!
*** This review is done from an aspiring filmmaker's point of view. It won't be a normal review. So, it won't be suitable for you to read if you still haven't watch it as normal moviegoers won't even realize what I'm about to write here. I'll be focusing on how the movie could have been improved to make it a world class film.***
Isyarat Cinta is a love story of a mute guy, Iskandar falling in love with a beautiful blind lady, Dhia. A beautiful concept. Due to his condition and unable to communicate with her, he asked his brother, Ariel to be represent himself.
I'll start with the what works in the movie. Mr. Mazelan Manan's original idea of a love story between a mute man and a blind lady is beautiful. The actors did their work really well. In fact, I personally liked Adi Putra's and Liyana Jasmay's acting. Adi Putra really shows the emotion without overreacting. The feelings can be felt. Fizo Omar also did well. He could be a great actor in the future. I believe the director, Bade Hj. Azmi did his job well to make sure the actors brings their best out.
The set, wardrobe, locations are well done as well. I was admiring Liyana's and Adi Putra's costumes. The art director really did a good job. I'm not sure who was the person in charge, couldn't find the name not even by Mr.Google. We really need a proper database in Malaysia, or at least update them in IMDB, it's free. My mistake as well, I didn't wait until all the credits finish.
Now, let's see how Isyarat Cinta could have been improved.
Every single filmmaker must always remember that a film or movie is a collabrative art, an amalgamation of audio and visual element. Unfortunately, most of the emphasis were given on the visual and totally forgetting the audio element.
I'll start with the audio as that's one of the place if it was done well, the mood of the movie could have made me to cry non-stop. There were many emotional part were ruined by the music and sound.
First there were this sudden loud crashing thump sound at least 10 times which is not necessary. Some of the audience in the cinema was laughing due to the sound instead of feeling emotional. I felt dumbfounded as to does the music composer/mixer really know what type of mood they need to bring out to make the movie a great movie. Perhaps, the sound mixer tried to create an emotion like a huge boulder crashing on your heart, but it fails. Those type of suspense sound is suitable to be used only once, yes only once. An example of where such sound can be used is when a person is shocked hearing a death news of someone special. But, there were no such scene at all.
Secondly, there were one part somewhere at the first half of the movie, I was getting emotional just by a simple scene and a drop of my tears almost going to drop. The piano music were so beautiful with the scene, and suddenly a rock electric guitar music enters and ruined the mood.
Thirdly, the original soundtrack song which was played in the background at many scene not so suitable with the scenes. Maybe the lyric might be suitable, I can't give comment on the lyric as I'm not really a lyric person. I'm more of a overall music person. Why it's not suitable? Because it's a rock/alternative music. I'm not saying there are rock or alternative music not suitable for love story, I'm just saying for this particular movie. The story is more of elegant beautiful, but the ost used in the movie itself somehow didn't match well, except the ending. Somehow, the song and music brings out the emotion beautifully at the last 5 minutes.
So, the lesson learned, a music score for a movie plays a major role to brings out the emotions and feelings. Must make sure they can bring out the emotion.
Okay, that's all for music/score. In term of sound effect, I only realized one obvious one once when they were closing the car door.
In term of shots, most of them are beautifully done. One of the shot for a sad emotion was taken from a low angle. A higher angle would have enhance the emotion. A low angle shot is better suited to give the person power and confidence not for sad, vulnerable moments.
!!! SPOILER ALERT !!! SPOILER ALERT !!! SPOILER ALERT !!! SPOILER ALERT !!!
!!! DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO WATCH THE MOVIE!!!
The last part I would like to touch is the overall story. Even thou the original idea belongs to Mr. Mazelan Manan, but the screenplay is written by Bade Hj. Azmi, the director himself. In my opinion, the movie would have been done better without using flashback method. The story could have been told from the moment Iskandar met Dhia to build the emotion and sympathy towards Iskandar. It would have enable viewers to know the character and grow with him as the story progress. I believe director/writer, Bade Hj. Azmi wanted to make it a suspense as to why and who is the first guy appears is not mute, but personally it didn't really brings out the powerful emotion which could have flooded the cinema.
There were no scene shown of why Dhia choose to marry Iskandar when her true feeling is towards Ariel. It would have added a greater impact to the story, if it's shown that she feel oblige to Iskandar as he is the one saved her from accident and also for payed her hospital bill to restore her sight.
There was an unnecessary flashback scene of some unknown guy from Dhia's past shown just before she was about the get into accident. It doesn't explain anything at all. Was he her ex-boyfriend? And what's the relevance to the overall story.
Another scene which is not answered is the guitar. There were several scenes. It starts with Dhia touching a guitar when she was blind. Then, she would look at that guitar again after she gain sight and finally says goodbye to the guitar when she's about to get married. Why is the guitar so important to her? Was some important scene were cut out?
The ending was cut short. It was actually a very emotional scene as Iskandar sacrifices his love for the sake of his brother. The expression shown by Iskandar where his loves for his brother more than anything is priceless. I was feeling, 'wow' he's such a great man and 'poof', the story ended. If they could have played with the emotion as how most Indian movies will do, it would have been one of the most unforgetable end scene I would ever had.
Another scene is the rain scene. Another review sites were calling it as old style, but I find it still suitable. The only problem is, it was used twice. The 1st time when Dhia was heart broken, it was beautifully done. But, when it was used again for Ariel's scene, somehow it didn't seem to work well, even thou the rain was heavier.
So, that's my overall analysis of the movie. Isyarat Cinta had a lot of opportunity to become a great international movie. It is a good effort and let's hope a great Malaysian movie would be made one day.
*** This review is done from an aspiring filmmaker's point of view. It won't be a normal review. So, it won't be suitable for you to read if you still haven't watch it as normal moviegoers won't even realize what I'm about to write here. I'll be focusing on how the movie could have been improved to make it a world class film.***
Isyarat Cinta is a love story of a mute guy, Iskandar falling in love with a beautiful blind lady, Dhia. A beautiful concept. Due to his condition and unable to communicate with her, he asked his brother, Ariel to be represent himself.
I'll start with the what works in the movie. Mr. Mazelan Manan's original idea of a love story between a mute man and a blind lady is beautiful. The actors did their work really well. In fact, I personally liked Adi Putra's and Liyana Jasmay's acting. Adi Putra really shows the emotion without overreacting. The feelings can be felt. Fizo Omar also did well. He could be a great actor in the future. I believe the director, Bade Hj. Azmi did his job well to make sure the actors brings their best out.
The set, wardrobe, locations are well done as well. I was admiring Liyana's and Adi Putra's costumes. The art director really did a good job. I'm not sure who was the person in charge, couldn't find the name not even by Mr.Google. We really need a proper database in Malaysia, or at least update them in IMDB, it's free. My mistake as well, I didn't wait until all the credits finish.
Now, let's see how Isyarat Cinta could have been improved.
Every single filmmaker must always remember that a film or movie is a collabrative art, an amalgamation of audio and visual element. Unfortunately, most of the emphasis were given on the visual and totally forgetting the audio element.
I'll start with the audio as that's one of the place if it was done well, the mood of the movie could have made me to cry non-stop. There were many emotional part were ruined by the music and sound.
First there were this sudden loud crashing thump sound at least 10 times which is not necessary. Some of the audience in the cinema was laughing due to the sound instead of feeling emotional. I felt dumbfounded as to does the music composer/mixer really know what type of mood they need to bring out to make the movie a great movie. Perhaps, the sound mixer tried to create an emotion like a huge boulder crashing on your heart, but it fails. Those type of suspense sound is suitable to be used only once, yes only once. An example of where such sound can be used is when a person is shocked hearing a death news of someone special. But, there were no such scene at all.
Secondly, there were one part somewhere at the first half of the movie, I was getting emotional just by a simple scene and a drop of my tears almost going to drop. The piano music were so beautiful with the scene, and suddenly a rock electric guitar music enters and ruined the mood.
Thirdly, the original soundtrack song which was played in the background at many scene not so suitable with the scenes. Maybe the lyric might be suitable, I can't give comment on the lyric as I'm not really a lyric person. I'm more of a overall music person. Why it's not suitable? Because it's a rock/alternative music. I'm not saying there are rock or alternative music not suitable for love story, I'm just saying for this particular movie. The story is more of elegant beautiful, but the ost used in the movie itself somehow didn't match well, except the ending. Somehow, the song and music brings out the emotion beautifully at the last 5 minutes.
So, the lesson learned, a music score for a movie plays a major role to brings out the emotions and feelings. Must make sure they can bring out the emotion.
Okay, that's all for music/score. In term of sound effect, I only realized one obvious one once when they were closing the car door.
In term of shots, most of them are beautifully done. One of the shot for a sad emotion was taken from a low angle. A higher angle would have enhance the emotion. A low angle shot is better suited to give the person power and confidence not for sad, vulnerable moments.
!!! SPOILER ALERT !!! SPOILER ALERT !!! SPOILER ALERT !!! SPOILER ALERT !!!
!!! DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO WATCH THE MOVIE!!!
The last part I would like to touch is the overall story. Even thou the original idea belongs to Mr. Mazelan Manan, but the screenplay is written by Bade Hj. Azmi, the director himself. In my opinion, the movie would have been done better without using flashback method. The story could have been told from the moment Iskandar met Dhia to build the emotion and sympathy towards Iskandar. It would have enable viewers to know the character and grow with him as the story progress. I believe director/writer, Bade Hj. Azmi wanted to make it a suspense as to why and who is the first guy appears is not mute, but personally it didn't really brings out the powerful emotion which could have flooded the cinema.
There were no scene shown of why Dhia choose to marry Iskandar when her true feeling is towards Ariel. It would have added a greater impact to the story, if it's shown that she feel oblige to Iskandar as he is the one saved her from accident and also for payed her hospital bill to restore her sight.
There was an unnecessary flashback scene of some unknown guy from Dhia's past shown just before she was about the get into accident. It doesn't explain anything at all. Was he her ex-boyfriend? And what's the relevance to the overall story.
Another scene which is not answered is the guitar. There were several scenes. It starts with Dhia touching a guitar when she was blind. Then, she would look at that guitar again after she gain sight and finally says goodbye to the guitar when she's about to get married. Why is the guitar so important to her? Was some important scene were cut out?
The ending was cut short. It was actually a very emotional scene as Iskandar sacrifices his love for the sake of his brother. The expression shown by Iskandar where his loves for his brother more than anything is priceless. I was feeling, 'wow' he's such a great man and 'poof', the story ended. If they could have played with the emotion as how most Indian movies will do, it would have been one of the most unforgetable end scene I would ever had.
Another scene is the rain scene. Another review sites were calling it as old style, but I find it still suitable. The only problem is, it was used twice. The 1st time when Dhia was heart broken, it was beautifully done. But, when it was used again for Ariel's scene, somehow it didn't seem to work well, even thou the rain was heavier.
So, that's my overall analysis of the movie. Isyarat Cinta had a lot of opportunity to become a great international movie. It is a good effort and let's hope a great Malaysian movie would be made one day.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Welcome to The 3rd Act Review! Selamat datang!
Welcome to The 3rd Act Review!
This is a film review blog, on both international and local Malaysian movies emphasizing on the on the overall film making in term of story structures, direction, art, music, sound, etc and why the movie fails and how the movie could have been saved.
The reviews would be more suitable for script/screenplay writer and soon to be directors or filmmakers.
I will be touching both new and some old movies.
I'll try to make this blog a bilingual in both Malay and English language, whenever it's possible.
Selamat datang ke The 3rd Act Review!
Ini adalah sebuah blog rebiu filem antarabangsa dan tempatan Malaysia menitik beratkan struktur penceritaan, pengarahan, penyuntingan, bunyi, musik dan sebagainya dan mengapa sesebuah filem boleh gagal dan bagaimana boleh diselamatkan.
Rebiu ini lebih sesuai bagi mereka yang ingin menceburi bidang penulisan lakonlayar atau skrip dan pengarahan.
This is a film review blog, on both international and local Malaysian movies emphasizing on the on the overall film making in term of story structures, direction, art, music, sound, etc and why the movie fails and how the movie could have been saved.
The reviews would be more suitable for script/screenplay writer and soon to be directors or filmmakers.
I will be touching both new and some old movies.
I'll try to make this blog a bilingual in both Malay and English language, whenever it's possible.
Selamat datang ke The 3rd Act Review!
Ini adalah sebuah blog rebiu filem antarabangsa dan tempatan Malaysia menitik beratkan struktur penceritaan, pengarahan, penyuntingan, bunyi, musik dan sebagainya dan mengapa sesebuah filem boleh gagal dan bagaimana boleh diselamatkan.
Rebiu ini lebih sesuai bagi mereka yang ingin menceburi bidang penulisan lakonlayar atau skrip dan pengarahan.
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