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

TEST SHOOT: "Who Am I" Scene #2

Carpark standoff - Adrian Castro & Maria Tran

Take this block...man....

Dammit! Where am I?

I can see you, with my left eye....

Maria Tran, Adrian Castro & Alan LA

Date: Saturday, 5th of November, 2011
Time: 8.30-12pm
Venue: Lidcombe

Today, myself, Adrian Castro and our first time on the Quest for Jackie Chan! Alan La all got together to do Test Shoot #2 - Who Am I. Last week we tested it out indoors with Thuy Ng as the cameraperson and the edits came together pretty well. The time round we had the chance to tweak things up, work in a real environment to get the shots.

I think we most of become a little strokish and I had a hard time remembering bits of the choreography we came up last week. A few injuries here (got punched in the boob and Adrian almost K.O Alan) and there and some external factors that we didn't have control (uneven surfaces that meant the dolly couldn't do a good job.

We decked up a bit. I was in semi "Jackie Chan" gear with a over-the-top wig (that had dramas of it's own) and Adrian Castro was filling in for Christopher Pang.

Check out the vlogs/ behind the scenes for this week and I'm sorry I can upload you the testers, all a secret until the movie comes out. :)

FILM SHOOT: Quest for Jackie Chan! ~ Funding Bodies

Date: Thursday, 9^th June, 2011

Time:   8.30-2pm

Location: Parramatta Diocese

Another great experience for my first time newbie attempt at making feature film “Quest for Jackie Chan!”. It was great (but stressing day) with lots of challenges thrown at my crew, cast and I as we truck it forwarded to complete this scene in the film – “Funding bodies”.

Picking on poor Maria Tran

Now originally, the whole movie concept was not going to include something of this sort, but after so many knockbacks for support on this project from what I call the mainstream filmmaking mafias, I’ve decided to take destiny into my own hands and amplify what it feels to tackle to Australian Film Industry. And why not have a cameo of it?

Quan Tran and Saber Baluch

It was a good feeling to have my brother from a different mother, Quan Tran and his gear on board;  Adrian Castro (guerrilla VFX guy and 1^st AD for the shoot), Saber Baluch (Cinematography/ DOP) and once intern but now gungho film maker Thuy Ng (Production Manager). These guys were my eyes and ears for the production and had extrasensory abilities that made my job easier.

Now, I would also like to extend my welcoming to new crew (whom I just met on the day): Rushan (Sound guy) who was probably the only guy that had enough stamina to keep that boom stick up for that long (well done!), Kleo & Sophea (Production assistant), who were such an asset to the film shoot, they were on the ball, quick thinking and generally fun (with the vlogs) to have around (Keep it up girls!).

Also, Ms Thao Le (Glamour World Beauty Hair & Make Up) made such a difference to how the actors look like on screen. Big ups to her!

Thao Le of Glamour World Beauty

After lots of searching high and low for the “funding bodies” cast, I finally found the right kinds of people who made the scene a bellyful of laughs.

Introducing, Bruno Starrs (“Main director”), Danielle Antaki (“Female Director”), Christian Tancred (“Jock Director #1), Scott Cantrill (“Jock Director #2) and Felino Dolloso (“Asian Director”) who were all brilliant, patience and professional to work with.

Overall, I was very happy with this shoot. There is still lots to learn after but I’m proud to say this shoot is pivotal to many more great shoots (the key is bringing out the best in people, in return they will make a great shoot). There was a sense of team spirit and constant learning. Post shoot, Adrian Castro called to remind me of what I’m doing – my first, movie! No budget, unconventional, gungho, Jackie Chan style (director, producer, actor) and with such great energies to make “something from nothing” (as Saber Baluch would say).

What I learnt: Directing/ producing/ writing/ acting is some darn crazy mother of a multitasking head spin. I had to juggle a shoot in the conservative boardroom church, get away with bring in mock AK47s and other weaponry, remind the crew not to use the “F” word too loudly (because we are in the house of God – the Catholic one), and remind composed and focus on getting the actor’s performance (including mine).

What I will continue: Using the making of this movie as my way of getting schooled in the filmmaking progress.

What is next: Long weekend is up and I’ve postponed the shoot with Farid Farid, Ali Kadhim and the parkour crew till end of July. There’s so much potential for that shoot to develop and honestly, I don’t have to rush into things. There’s no actual deadline for the project to finish (only for it to premiere in Feb 2012). This weekend, I’ll be working on costume design and the major fight sequence shoot with Andy Minh Trieu (renown onscreen “Ninja”), which will see some new collaborations with VSS Studios (Vanna Seang) and David Nguyen (Filmmaker and Dong Tam Association). Bring on the collaborations and let more learnings begin!!!!

Also, check out Adrian Castro's blog!

Check out the full photo album!

UPDATES: "Quest"

Loads of work whirring at lightning speed and its been quite a funky challenge. I spent the last 10 days renovating my new little Quest for Jackie Chan! office (back of mum's bakery) with loads of painting, cleaning, moving and building things to accommodate the ever growing film project paper work, props, and large wardrobe and collection of wigs.

The next few days I'll be decking it our with white boards, pin ups, signage and of course, doing the final cast call outs for one major acrobatic fight display that I've written into the film.

There's definitely growing interest amongst the film community and once I've locked down who's who, then I can start pairing them up working in different scenes of the movie project.

To add to the transmedia experience, those who are in on the bandwagon are encouraged to develop their own voice through blogging, photologging, vlogging and other social media components. Just simply being an actor or a camera operator is not enough. For those who think I need them and my call out for talent is exploitation, well, I guess they are not visionary enough to see the bigger picture; and so I won't be able to accommodate them.

My priority isn't meeting Jackie Chan (even though he is one of the most awesome person in the world), but to test my own will, push the boundaries and most importantly, seeking likeminded individuals and groups, that I will want to work with in future. So far, in my journeys, its been full of friggin' rocks, but I believe without them, I would of still been in my little snail shell, twiddling my thumbs and just doing whatever.

But at this moment in my life, juggling 3 jobs at once, waking up 8am and finishing at 3am (I feel like I'm going to die sometimes), I feel the drive, I feel the inner venture, I crave to watch, to be inspired by every little thing in life and bit by bit, discover other hidden talents that will join me on my journey of making as EPIC a no-budget production can ever be.

I must admit, I have been very short fused though. Less waffly, but yet less tolerant of waffly people. I've had a string of people who articulate on wanting to be an actor and/or filmmaker who keep saying they don't have the time. Or the classic, "I just want to make it" scenario. That is simply way too vague and does not amount to anything. Hence, I've been spending heaps of alone time and of course, there's work at ICE.

In the last two months, I've been so privileged to have worked with Yassin Alsalman (Aka "The Narcicyst") and multimedia visual arts extraordinare Sundus Abd Hadi. These two are such such great people with a powerful influence in what they think, say and do. There's this element of clarity and universality in the way they see the world and the transmedia ways their activist works have inspired others to see change in their very own life.

No its not a cult, I'm just describing these two. Its hard to explain when you meet people who have an extraordinary energy in them. Yassin's mindset is solid as concrete, and he embraces his own changes, whilst Sundus has a geniune lovely vibe about her; even to the point that I get a bit of worried that I can't reciprocate.

They are both leaving tomorrow. I'm sure going to miss them both. Which takes me to the end of my contract at ICE as an Urban Cultures Program Coordinator, into an Mobile Expressions Workshop Trainer, and then the week after, into my new role on board SBS's 1.7 mil TV series as a full-time associate producer attachment. Everything come in oddly good timing. I was beginning to wish to gain more experience on understanding how big legit budgets and funding works and wanted to set myself right straight after the "Quest" film project. At the end of the day, I can't live off no-budget productions and eventually want to get to a level that I can co-direct and act in my own TV series or feature film.

So when I do start my contract, weekdays will be working at the office on TV series while weekends will be scheduled for the "Quest" shoots. There's still much more to do. Initially I was going to cut up the feature with the footage that I've got, which would have worked out anyways. After an injection of ambition and boundary pushing, the "Quest" will be a wacko of a movie. If I'm haunted every night on it, it means something.

In the meantime, I'm still looking for people to join in to help the "Quest" out. My first shoot is the 4th of June, 2011 and shoots will be scheduled every weekend till August. I'm looking for 10 male martial arts/parkour/ acrobatics for a blast to the past 80s HK fight scene 16th/ 17th July, 2011 (TBC), shooting in Fairfield.

Signing out,

Maria Tran

PHASE: The Epic Writer's Block

I seriously hate the mocking blankness of the writer's block. Its like the mind is drawn towards a vacuum of nothingness and what is left is a dazed out stare at a black piece of paper or computer screen, with the tools (pen or keyboard) left untouched.

I've recently delved into writing for the sake of my long term project "Quest for Jackie!". I've been squirming away from it for a long time but my recent meet up of first film mentor, Fadia Abboud, who was outwardly shocked that I haven't even scripted it was evident.

Yes. I'm kind of backwards with this project and now have to pull my act together and set the record straight.

I must write!

But that was easily said than done. After 2 hours of desk cleaning, three large coffees, throwing pegs at the balcony pigeons and googling images of Takeshi Kaneshiro, my screen remains blank.

This happened for four days straight and I was becoming desperate. It was such an annoying experience, I knew the story, I knew what I want, but it didn't come out. Each time I'm about to commit to an action, a little gremlin inside would be snarling and hissing and telling me I don't know what I'm talking about.

So what’s with this W.B? How does it come about?

Here’s some of my discoveries. It can come about when you start writing. I guess if you are not intending to ever write, then you won’t get it.

But I’ve made a decision that writing it a very significant skill that I must develop now, and for the future.

It’s conditions does vary, from a trivial matter to one that would take years to get over.

The course may come from within, such as the creative running out of inspiration, or they may feel distracted like they have to do something beforehand.

External factors include those that impact on the creative’s life or career: illness, deaths, relationship breakdowns, financial crisis etc…

Then there’s the perception thing, writers may feel the pressures of writing “perfection” and are just waiting for the right moments to feel confident to begin.

So what are some if the remedies? I can’t pinpoint one as such, but recently, facebook friend Kevin Lai responded to my outward cries of “Writer’s block” with good link for people to check out. http://www.theartistsway.com/pdfs/basictools.pdf

Morning Pages: A daily exercise where you begin the day by writing 3 pages of nothing, something, and anything. It is a stream of consciousness that comes out onto your paper, regardless of how you feel and what you think. This exercise is suppose to be a creativity recovery and breaks down our internal censorship mechanisms so that we can think freely.

Our censorship centre is all that negative whingey, whining garble that makes us literally feel crap and deters us from our basic random fun instincts.

Unfortunately, the world encourages this mode of thinking because imposed fear on people allows them to be more easily controlled and society in one consensus way of thinking makes things run much smoother. Or so we think.

I’ve just recently started using this technique and already feeling the blocks moving and the words slowly flowing through. I taught it to the HSC high school kids today and they see the benefits in it as well.

WORK: Back at Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE)

After my 6 months of travels, I've settled back at my comfy workplace at Information & Cultural Exchange (ICE) as the Urban Cultures Program Coordinator. Until June, I'll be working on one of Australia's exciting projects and hosting two international artists.

If it wasn't for ICE, I don't think I would have sustained pursuing film, arts, and media. I'd probably be stuck in doing

something I didn't want or trying my hardest to make use of my psychology degree. I started out as a participant about 5 years ago in their film introductory workshops called

"Active Flix". This was run by Fatima Mawas and Fadia Abboud. Fatima since have left to pursue further studies in film school and Fadia is regularly contracted to work at this same organisation.

Anyhow, check out the new arts space that ICE lives out of. I simply love it! It so stimulates me to be creative and innovative.

Quest for Jackie Chan? Still working on it. My colleagues at ICE have been very supportive of my project from its inception in early 2010 and still continuing. Especially when I'm surrounded my filmmakers, media artists, marketing people etc... who are seriously always buzzing with innovation and edgy projects themselves.

To them, Quest for Jackie Chan! is more than any little gimmick, it may be another breakthrough project that cuts across the borders. This is particularly relevant, if Australia itself wants to break ground and connect across Asia (whether its films, arts, business, politics etc...). But I have to admit, the more the project and buzz develops, the harder it is to find sleep!

Every night I'm on the phone talking and discussing projects with a host of the connections (Lots from Melbourne and Darwin) that I've developed throughout the "Quest" in Australia. People and groups are wanting to plug into my head to figure out what the whole general direction is.

That's the beauty of this unfinished project. It is creating what I call "critical mass" of energy thinking about one thing "action film genre", hence, I'm able to share information and as well as learn about other people's projects and how to "cross wires".

Random Play at work: So cool! they have chairs made of cardboard!

THOUGHTS: Thinking of Law of Attraction

Before I start this blog, I just wanted to say thanks to all the people (David Lee, Naomi Lynch, Nghi Huynh, Kane Wilson, Martin Landauer, Ridwan Hassim, Quan Tran, Gentle Storm, Gary Phuong, Igor Breakenback & Daniel Whyte) who connected with my status update: Law of Attraction: What's your thoughts on it? Comment now! :) Monday at 2:09pm.

Your comments really got me thinking a bit more about "bigger picture" learning and how one spur of the moment thought can spark a whole different way of thinking.

I've been carrying my copy of "The Secret" around lately (to work, the gym and around the place. I haven't finished it though.) ever since my Melbourne-based film buddy Somchay Phakonkham has sent me a copy (even though he himself hasn't read it).

Its a handy little book and I guess essence of "The Secret" is the simple "Law of Attraction". Prior to this, I heard about this Law of Attraction in fleeting conversations about the metaphysical, but in general, its means "like attracts like" , positive thoughts brings positive results and negative thoughts brings negative outcomes.

Take for instance, if you thought out there the statement "I need more time" then you will continue to "need more time". So if you were to change this statement to "I will find more time", as in, you move away from focusing on it as a problem but more as a goal, then things will change.

In David Lee's response of "There is no such thing as true love!" Monday at 2:14pm, then apparently through the Law of Attraction, then this statement will continue to run true.

Nghi Huynh "If there is something you really want then your subconscious will work overtime to find opportunities for you to achieve it. That is why it almost seems like magic that you find just what you are looking for" Monday at 2:19pm.

I think so too with Nghi's comment. I don't know why, but like a year ago, I put it out there in the world that I wanted to meet Jackie Chan and through one thing after another, things all started connecting and opportunities showed around every corner from my Australia travels and even to Hong Kong, Beijing and China. Personally, I think if I really tried harder I could of met Jackie through my last visit to Hong Kong as I met so many people who were connected to him (personal and professional). But, my subconscious did hold back, somehow I felt the timing was off I started to delve into my own personal journey and to why I've come about to making the "Quest for Jackie Chan!".

The book, the concept and the facebook posting comments really changed my perceptions of my "inner and outer adventure", from just trying to prove a point to meet one of the world's recognisable superstar to more of a creative plight and a nation-wide wide platform and showcase of the independent filmmaking, multimedia and arts scene in Australia.

So my directions have changed, I want to make "Quest for Jackie Chan!" an epic movie. My apologies, I will make "Quest for Jackie Chan!" an epic movie.

Naomi D Lynch "Forget the details- dont be too hung up on exactly what, and let go of how and when... But if you can create, by visualisation and imagination, (just pretend!!) the way you will FEEL once you achieve/receive whatever it is you want, then you have a goal your subconscious can work with, and like Nghi says, you will recognise opportunities and take actions that will inexorably lead you towards it. :)" Monday at 2:36pm

Naomi's comment reminded about how I first started with the idea. But I'm sure everyone else have experienced it when you get so bogged by details of the "how is it going to happen" and bringing up an exhaustive list of how an idea won't happen. I mean, our society is geared towards the fear of failure, hence, ideas that are "deemed as far fetched" are often discouraged. But hey, how would have Thomas Edison invented electricity without some "What if" thinking.

Kane Wilson "...Now if humans were magnets we could all just stick together. But we don't! However some people are repelled.This may be a deodorant thing. In conclusion! I really have no bloody idea!" Monday at 6:27pm.

Kane's mention of some people "repelling" rings true to some of my experiences. I have come across people who I just simply cannot gel. Its not that they are a bad person or anything, I came to accept that people are diverse and can have different wavelengths. At times it can be frustrating to get them to see the "picture" of the project, but at the same time they are vital as they highlight unforeseen challenges that I will eventually have to confront.

Martin Landauer "Game theory seems more reliable." Monday at 6:48pm

Martin has a point. Law of Attraction suffers from the scientific perspectives. Its is a concept that is unfalsifiable and untestable and most evidence are all subjective, personal and story-based. I guess, we are living in a world where having control and the ability to replicate things are successful is important to maximise efficiency and productivity. It is a worldview perspective choice though, and I have to side with this comment:

Gary Phuong "....And it's easier when you feel good about yourself." Monday at 11:05pm

I definitely prefer to be seen a an agent of change rather than a bunch of swirling atoms randomly hanging around and waiting to be hit by a bunch of bigger swirling atoms (like a bus) or something.

Here are also some other to add:

Ridwan Hassim "If u believe it and see it and feel it and hear it, with great repetition, it becomes a reality." Monday at 7:17pm

Quan Tran "You can't runaway from it but time will tell how long it will last." Monday at 7:40pm

Gentle Storm "Laws are undeniable truth! Especially this one. ;p" Monday at 8:58pm

To keep things on a light note, this is Igor Breakenback's visual interpretation titled "Law of Attraction At Work".

I also got this awesome link from Melbourne-based actor/ martial artist Daniel Whyte (who's met Jackie Chan before) and he stars in the feature film "Being in Heaven", which is on the concept of Law of Attraction. Check out the trailer.

My final note, I think the Law of Attraction works for me. From thoughts, words to action, even in a simple facebook status, I'm able to map out people's thoughts, experiences and projects that has pretty much been the "Star Wars - Yoda" at this point in my life. Everything I've thought up has gone pretty much how I wanted, and all the people I've connected with are the "gold" in my life.

Thank you for everything!

Signing out,

Maria Tran