Behind-the-scenes/ Vlog - Q4JC - "Who Am I" Scene | Maria Tran vs Chris Pang

Chris Pang vs Maria Tran. "Like" the Quest for Jackie Chan! on Facebook! 

Time: 7.00am-1pm
Date: Sunday, 13th of November, 2011
Location: Melbourne

I must have had the dragon on my side because it didn't rain during my shoot! After choreographing some of the fight movements in Sydney and practicing it on fellow filmmaker, Adrian Castro, Thuy Ng and Alan La, finally we took it down to Melbourne.

It was a tightly scheduled day but we just had to get the shots (and we did). I would like to extend my special thanks to Somchay Phakonkham (DOP/ Camera - Reinvent Productions), Rob Hammad (Powderman and production assistant), Andy Minh Trieu (Assistant fight choreography), Jack Ngu (Camera Assistant), Quan Tran (Stills Photography) &; Christopher Pang (a.k.a "Tomorrow When The War Began" & "Citizen Jia Li") + Desmond.

Currently, it has been edited and now handed over to Adrian Castro for the sound design. Looking forward to seeing this one in the movie. Please 'like' our page!

Jack, Desmond, Somchay, Maria, Chris, Andy, Rob (red clipboard) & Peter

Mini blog account by Melbourne-based graphic designer - Peter Dang: 

Hi Guys,

Just taking this opportunity to say thanks for having me onboard the 4JC (Melb shoot) It was a very different & fun experience for me personally. I never realise how much effort and love is involved in such a small yet large project.

You guys each have unique qualities which sums up an awesome team. I am more than happy to part take or help out whenever I can, so let's not be strangers ey 

I love the closeness and down to earth personalities you guys posess! I reckon you guys will succeed in whatever you put your mind to. So, In summary I'll like to give you guys my overview on how I see each person I met on the day.

Maria: There is no surprise with you, strong, extroverted and very confident, you've got a lot of balls for a chick! Kick ass personality.. nice seeing you speak @ panel, very lively and engaging with the audience! good stuff!

Somchay: Small world, I've seen your work before but never knew the master mind behind it (because of you vid - youcake)

Flipped out when I saw you spin the camera on one of the fighting scenes, awesome technique and cool personality.

From all the panel speakers on Sunday, I like your style the most.. Keeping it real and say it how it is.

Quan: if I could describe you in one word "Deep" you speak from the heart, I respect this quality about you.

Pang: lol, comedian ...it's good to be working with comedians, it's always nice to have fun in everything we do. Haven't seen your TWTWE yet, but will definitely let you know my thoughts when I do get around to it.

Jack: Jack, a 'strange' character, you make me laugh man.. you also make me question about your sexuality? (do you get this often? lol)

Rob: The secret philosopher, Love @ first site with you.. I throughly enjoyed our conversations and do look forward to seeing your Anchovies movie once it's all ready to go. PS: Sorry, but I filmed your ass crack (BTS) just had to! lol lol lol

And Finally Andy, Hmmm.. pretty boy  love the martial arts; pretty boy perhaps just the coverup, when you were doing the cherography, You were really zoned into your character. Gl with the kids 

Well; Once again thank you Maria for the opportunity, and it was nice meeting you all. Looking forward to more future fun with you guys. All the best ^^

Peter

Short Film: Youcake with their 3rd film “Interpretations”

I can’t get enough of these guys and working with them on their next installment called “Interpretations”, written and directed by my Melbourne-based film buddy Somchay Phakonkham. Its always great times developing my acting skills with these guys, as they are fun loving and know a think or two about keeping it real.

This time round I get to act alongside a newcomber, Sang Nguyen who delighted us with his enthusiasm and patience as myself and Somchay mould his skills accordingly to the script.

I love Melbourne but hate its dreary cold weather, but persevered nevertheless.

This time round, we got the chance to experiment with a series of different sets, from outdoors to indoors and wrapped our last scene at 11pm at a Thai restaurant all the way in Dandenong.

Shout out to Mr Somchay Phakonkham for all his hard work in pulling a dedicated team together for a full day Sunday shoot. I’m impressed the amount of focus he still maintained, even after a bad Friday night Usher concert.

Interpretations – coming soon to You Tube in May, 2011.

EXTENDED FILM FAMILY: You Cake Productions

Rob Hammad, Minh Bo, Michael D'Silva, Terra Nullius Bayatleigh, Legend Dinh, Michael D Sainsbery, Knock Quang Pham,Anthony Tran, Aaron Farrugia.

I love these guys. Last year I worked with the same guys to make short film "Bullies". They've just wrapped up on another shoot called "Anger Management" as part of their fun film jam experimentations. I can't wait to be heading down to Melbourne on the 1-4 April, 2011 for the next installment of film shoots.

In the meantime, I still need to wrap up "Hot Bread Shop", co-produced with emerging Western Sydney based artist, Quan Tran.

READING: The "Secret" & "Stanislavski - An Actor Prepares"

I'm a strong believer for people to build on their strengths and connect with people beyond the geographic and forge strong ties. With the greatness of the internet, anyone can be found - anyone and if you aspire to be a great person then one wise tip is to find ways to connect with those who have paved the way.

Currently, I've have dabbled in reading two books that have been mailed to me, all the way from Melbourne through film colleague Somchay Phakomkhman. I met Somchay through another Melbourne-base entrenpreneur and creative head - Michael Le Tran who works in the realm of events and Asian beauty pageants. Back then, we did a pilot teaser project - "4 Aces", amongst others.

Anyhow, Somchay continues to lead his film crew "You Cake! Productions" and has tapped into his own desires of becoming, one day, a proud Asian-Australian director. We've been chatting and writing about books, ideas and inspirations the past 6 months and he's definitely instilled a competitive edge within me to get a move on and get skilled up in acting and directing (the latter I haven't yet figured if I want to do, but with acting, I do enjoy the challenge).

So this has lead to his first chess move and hence, sending me my first reading materials - The Secret & Stanislavski. Tomorrow, I'm sending him a pre-loved copy of my favorite book so far (bought in Hong Kong at "The Flow") "The Celestine Prophecy" and love to hear his thoughts on this one.

VIDEO: "Bullies" You Cake Productions

I haven't had the chance to acknowledge it yet, so here goes. Check out You Cake Production's video clip "Bullies" that I did on early November 2010 before continuing the "Quest". I love working with these guys and it was a fun project to quickly pull together in a matter of 24 hours. This was a project that all about having fun, so it didn't struck to my annoyance that people bothered to critique it when this one wasn't really aimed at winning awards (doh!).

It got to me though. Why can't people make films (short or long) for fun? Its not our fault that it displeases particular audiences. I mean, to me, the process is equally as important, and in this case, was what we aimed for - literally having fun, experimenting and learning.

The idea that film is precious and for the privileged is way too old school and hanging onto dear life to this thought would mean, you'll probably wait another 15 years to make that next film. One the plus side, equipment and people power is cheap its a matter of just having the skill of pulling things together and make it happen.

Somchay's long term initiative is all about that. He's not film major student, but with a lot of willpower, he's crafted himself a very fine Asian- Australian, Melbourne-based film crew. I'm definitely looking at film jamming with these guys more throughout this year!

Chao!

MELBOURNE SHORT FILM: “Bullies”

I’ve been waiting for ages now and finally have seized the day and collaborated with You Cake Productions and emerging film director Somchay P. on the recent short film production “Bullies” set in the backdrops of Brunswick, Melbourne.

This was a quick turn around project that emerged within a week of idea brainstorming, script development and production, that tells of a child crush story of “James” (played by Jack Ngu) and “Linda” (played by Maria Tran) that is interrupted by a mob of school yard bullies lead by gang leader “Dennis” (played by Somchay Phakonkham).

The experience on set was in true fashion of grassroots and guerrilla filmmaking, there was lots of innovative moments where we the key creators got the chance to collaborate and tag team problem solved tricky shots as well as the fight against the diminishing sunlight.

Overall, “Bullies” aspires to be non sensivcally random madness weaved into the midst of school yard love. Belly full of laughs filled with lots of “What the?” moment.
Coming soon in 3 weeks....to You Tube!

Credits

Somchay Phakonkham , Francis Pham, Kevin Le Tran, Lan Mai. Daniel Wu, Minh Bo, Johnny Le, Luan Pham, Rob Hammad & Jack Ngu. Special thanks to script advisers Elizabeth Vu & Chris Pang. Extended thanks to the You Cake Productions crew.

James (Jack Ngu) gives Big Boss (Luan Pham) a pow!

Linda (Maria Tran) knocked onto the ground

Gangster boys playing cards

For more behind the scenes photos, click here.
Anyhow, the the meantime, check out You Cake Production's latest works by clicking here.