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. :)

CALL OUT: Quest for Jackie Chan! "Man With a Deadly Stool" Shoot

Old School; Yuen Biao vs Jackie Chan

I'm looking forward to another awesome and fun shoot this coming 18th & 19th June, 2011 (9am-4pm) around Cabramatta/ Fairfield shoot for movie-in-the-making "Quest for Jackie Chan!". This shoot will feature renown "Fruit Ninja" actor/ martial artist Andy Minh Trieu as "Brown Ninja/ Yuen Biao".

I'm kind of feeling slightly nervous as I'll be getting even more ballsy with directing the action and production of this scene, hopping from location to location and collaborating with some new faces in the martial arts action scene. It will be a tight shoot, only two days to deliver a top notch scene with 3 mini fight battles in between as I physically versus Andy Minh Trieu in this early film showdown.

So if you are interested in coming on board as a PRODUCTION ASSISTANT, drop me a line at maria.tran@questforjackiechan.com.

Check out the last shoot here

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!

EVENT: Short Film "Hot Bread Shop" screening at 2011 Colourfest Film Festival, 4 Jun, 6pm

Here's some excitement. My Vietnamese-first mockumentary is being screen at the 2011 Colourfest Film Festival this Saturday, alongside with Vinh Nguyen's "The Tech Effect" and Marie Setiawan's "Fairytale". I'm definitely dragging my "Film Club Mob" out to this event after we finish our first shoot of movie "Quest For Jackie Chan!".

Colourfest is Australia’s first and only national film festival dedicated to the works of culturally diverse Australian film makers. Screening in three cities, four venues with a total of eight sessions, Colourfest is the upcoming festival worth checking out!

Each venue is screening two sessions, both featuring the best of culturally diverse Australian screen content. We would love for you to join us in celebrating the best of film, culture and expression, representing the realities and dreams of all Australians.

The Sydney session details are below:

3rd of June – Red Rattler Theatre, Marrickville (Sydney). Session 1: 6pm to 8pm, session 2: 8pm to 10pm For Tickets: Session 1 and Session 2.

4th of June – Riverside Theatre, Parramatta (Sydney). Session 1:3-5pm, session 2: 6-8pm. (This is my session!)

 Click here for Tickets

For information on films click here.

CREW CALL: Looking for a volunteer Hair and Make Up Artist for "Quest for Jackie Chan!" movie

"Secret Palace Test Shoot Production"

Action comedy transmedia movie, Quest for Jackie Chan! is in its final stages of film production. We are looking for hair and make-up artists to be a part of the production team. 

Funding Body Scene -  This is one of the main comedic, slapstick and over-the-topness on film funding bodies going all Hong Kong style when the genre chosen isn’t stereotypically “Australian”. 

You'll be apply make up to 7 people, all who are wearing power suits and need to have a very bland look.

Date of the shoot is 9am-2pm, Thursday, 9th June, 2011. 

Please email your CV, mobile number to maria.tran@questforjackiechan.com

Location: Parramatta Diocese, 10 Victoria Rd, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.

Note: Must have own equipment

FILM FAMILY: My Dad is So Cheap....

My Dad and his handy skills 

With only 7 days till I start filming my first ever feature film, my whole family have been super supportive as always. Mum is doing her bit spread good word-of-mouth to her customers about my film, my sister is sending me random e-marketing tips, and Dad...making me a no-budget film dolly out of the neighbours junk that he's picked up and dragged back to home garage.

I rocked over to Dad's place to enquire about how to make a dolly and he quickly scurried to the garage and pulled out a whole heap of junk, spanners, measuring tapes and an array of wheels to make me the ultimate film dolly for the epic no-budget venture. You can imagine that professional film dollies are expensive as and with the time I had left, I couldn't afford a couple of grand to splurge on some fancy pants equipment. But I really really want to get these particular shots. There were some scenes that in the movie that I wanted to achieve a particular feel through these cinematic movements. But after seeing Vanna Seang (another film colleague of mine, getting all innovative) I thought, why not call on handy man dad to see if he can do the job.

I have great faith in Dad for building me something cutting-edge (even though it will probably look cheap ass junk) I'm sure it won't undersell in performance (and will be burglar proof, they'll probably mistaken it for some transformer junk kit).

Well, if I got "no-budget" to work with, might as well make the most of it. To date, ICE has agreed to support the movie through their camera gear and lighting loan (EX3 and light panels), Dragon Vision Production (Canon 5D, 7D and sound kit), VSS Studios (Dolly tracks and jibs) and lots of talented cast and crew to ensure that project will be something innovative.

So "no-budget"? Yes! But lots of love!

Signing out,

Maria Tran

Actors 40 - 60 required for feature film – Quest for Jackie Chan!

Action comedy transmedia movie, Quest for Jackie Chan! is in its final stages of film production. We are looking for actors 40-60 y.o to be featured in the film.

This is one of the main comedic, slapstick and over-the-topness on film funding bodies going all Hong Kong style when the genre chosen isn’t stereotypically “Australian”.

Date of the shoot is 9am-2pm, Thursday, 9th June, 2011.

Please send a quick showreel/ clip of your abilities, CV and headshot.

Location: Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.

Payment details: no pay

Note: Must have own suit

Applications to this casting call require:

• A phone number
• A profile photo

Board of Directors

Any gender, aged 40 to 60 from New South Wales, Australia

Min Acting experience:	No previous acting experience
Languages spoken:	English
Accents spoken:	Australian

FILM CLUB - Session #1

I'm very proud of the organic turnout of FILM CLUB #1 - Brainstorming Session. We had a turnout of 16 people of all levels of film, performing arts and graphics design background attend this intimate yet productive planning session.

Half were new to the little space of "The Shed" (some got lost), but the 2.5 hours came across with some serious introductions and a lot of inspiring visions of the development of Western Sydney and storytelling from culturally diverse.

Most was intrigued to have a "Film Club" a weekly place to connect, share projects on both from a hobbyist and also a competitive perspective. A few reported back with their independent year long project such as Adrian Castro's impressive short film "Django", which later was screened during night. Dragon Vision Production head director, Quan Tran spoke about is collaboration with Poohead Productions, Vinh Nguyen, on a recent documentation of a local Buddhist community event.

Stephanie In, a local emerging illustrator and comics designer expressed her visions wanting to develop herself as an artist via collaboration with other peoples projects. Thug Ng, a 2nd year film student, expressed her frustrations and censorship throughout her training of making "mainstream" content, which she feels does not represent her voice. We were later joined by Youtuber Tuan Le Dang (emerging youtuber and CCD worker), David Vo, Sam Gosper and the crew from Team 9Lives.

MY BACKGROUND

With the inception of an initiative of my very own FILM CLUB, I've started to believe in the film spirit once more post Rumble Pictures. For those who didn't know the story of Fairfield and it's film forte, it started bubbling in 2003 with the head crews of Rumble Pictures, Team 9Lives and Trinity Productions. These teams would battle it out year after year at the local shortcuts film festival held at the Fairfield School of Arts, dishing out action and the comedy genre. Ebbs and flows occurred during my years with Rumble, seeing the success and completion of "Maximum Choppage: Round 2" and "Downtown Rumble" and my long employment at Information & Cultural Exhange (ICE) as the Youth Digital Cultures coordinator. Now, I'm wrapping up with ICE soon, and will be making the transition to SBS commissioned program "Once Upon A Time In Cabramatta", a 1.7 mil epic TV production that is due to air in 2012. In the meantime, the "Quest for Jackie Chan!" is still on, the first shoot with Immi Ho Anh Mai is around the corner (4th June) and I'm so proud to have a team of uniquely skilled and dedicated team of multimedia & filmmakers, whom I believe, will be the future creative leaders. 

CALL OUT: Quest for Jackie Chan! Martial Artists/ Acrobatics/ Parkour Artists

With film production just around the corner for the "Quest for Jackie Chan!", the production is casting for Western Sydney-based Male, Asian 20-30 y.o. Martial Artists/ Acrobatics/ Parkour Artists for a Hong Kong 80s style merged with the experimental fight sequence that is scheduled to shoot on the 16th/ 17th of July, 2011 in Fairfield.

The outcome of this will be part of the movie in the making "Quest for Jackie Chan!", to be launched in Feb, 2012.

Please send a quick showreel/ clip of your abilities, CV and headshot to maria.tran@questforjackiechan.com.

Quest for Jackie Chan! is Australia's first transmedia explosion that follows the trials and tribulations of young filmmaker Maria Tran, who after finishing grassroot Kung Fu movie Maximum Choppage: Round 2 and ABC/ TV micro-series Downtown Rumble, her next project is in one of global collaboration and a response to the explosion of young filmmakers and their DIY guerrilla attitude of You Tube and Facebook generation.

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

TREASURE: Quest for Jackie Chan Fan Sketch!

While working on 3 computers in succession (one on each state of mind), the "recreational" computer was trawling online and landed across this ever so cute Quest for Jackie Chan! dedication.

Sophia A. was one of the audience members of the "Maximum Choppage: Round 2" screening I did in Newcastle earlier this year. I recall driving for like 2 and a half hours north out of Sydney to launch and speak at this event, and always in great spirits that other youngies get inspired to take on the arts field, whether, filmmaking or acting.

At the end of the session, I gave away my last two Jackie Chan shirts I had in stock as well as some stick art. A few responded with their own art works that were sketched on the fly and I guess Ms little Sophia missed out - only to be discovered online.

All the best Sophia! and thank you for your kindness and founded digital piece of inspiration, that adds to the growth of the "Quest".

Intended title: For Maria Tran's Quest for Jackie Chan!

last night i went to the loft in town, and had another Inzine meeting about the current upcoming Inzine, and talked about the things i still have to submit for it. Which are a review on the best ninja game in the world (my opinion) "Red Ninja" and a drawing for a pirate and ninja spot the difference.


After the meeting, me and the other members went ahead watched a movie made by Maria Tran, who is currently doing a project to find and meet Jackie Chan. This picture included in this post is dedicated to her quest. It is a chibi of the legendary kung fu comedy actor himself, Jackie Chan!!


GOOD LUCK MARIA TRAN!! I hope you succeed in meeting jackie Chan.

by ~MangaArtist123

Fan Art / Digital Art / Drawings / Movies & TV

©2011 ~MangaArtist123

Inte

PROJECT: Meals on Wheels with Adrian Castro

I get all sorts of emails lately branded with "Quest for Jackie Chan is dead". But wait on a sec, just because I haven't met Jackie Chan doesn't mean the whole quest world has collapsed. Everything I do is purposeful and I don't believe in failure, just obstacles that tests our capabilities.

So the "Quest" has veered its directions to the making of a quality movie of my journeys (as well as many others) on the "Quest". This Sunday, i spenT a solid 3 hours with film buddy Adrian Castro who is committed in recreating the Meals on Wheels Benny The Jet vs Jackie Chan notorious fight scene.

I was lucky enough to meet Benny The Jet last year (through Misha & Warren Coulton) and ever have been inspired to pay homage to the meet up.

So in the month of April, myself and Mr Castro will be dedicating our 10 solid hours a week in full exploration of fight choreography, training, costume design and location scouting all in the lead up to a full 2 day shoot of one of Jackie's best fight scenes of all time. I will be playing "Jackie" (girl version but with the same hairstyle) while Adrian will be donning "Benny". I look forward to working with Adrian because I know his level of pedanticness and "go hard or go home" attitude will surely push this clip (which will be a part of the "Quest") to the best it can possibly be.

MEDIA: The big boss says get Chan on the case

Thanks to facebooker Gary Phuong, he's quick media scan has brought to my attention of Jackie Chan news that is much closer to home. Looks like Multicultural community-liaison officer Imanuel Choyce has beaten me to it in meeting Jackie Chan. But I'm pretty proud to see a local Cabramatta-based person connecting to the Chan man himself and the news that "if" Jackie was coming to Australia, he'll be sure to visit Sydney's Asian hotspot. Next week I'm scheduled to have a meet with Mr Choyce and get some advice on what he thinks are ways we can connect and make it even a bigger reason for Jackie to come to the Western burbs. I mean, we got parkour, our own Cabramatta made "Maximum Choppage" Kung Fu movie, and now in development "Quest for Jackie Chan!" to ride this wave.

The big boss says get Chan on the case

MELANIE KEMBREY

15 Mar, 2011 07:42 PM

HE FLIPS. He dives. He demolishes doors and climbs backwards down palm trees.

Brave — nay, foolish — is the acrobat who tries to outflip him.

And then he turns, he stares and he delivers the verbal kick in the stomach.

"Discretion is my middle name, sir," he says with a glint in his eye.

Jackie Chan might be discreet by name, certainly not by nature.

It's why the kung-fu king is the proud new ambassador for crime prevention in Cabramatta.

And get ready to flip out because the international superstar promised to visit next time he is in the country.

Cabramatta police officers approached Mr Chan — no doubt cautiously given his propensity to kick — to ask if he would like to accept the off-screen role.

Multicultural community-liaison officer Imanuel Choyce went to Hong Kong to chat with the star of the recent hit remake of The Karate Kid.

Mr Chan didn't toss and turn over his decision and was quick to accept the new mission.

He was presented with an appreciation certificate signed by local area-commander Superintendent Ray King.

Superintendent King said he hoped this appointment would strengthen the relationships between the local police and the community.

"Many residents are hesitant and fearful of talking to police about crime," he said.

"I think Jackie Chan is the perfect person to have as an ambassador. He's a good role model for people to look up to. We're always looking for new ways to build up relationships with the community."

As the face of crime prevention Mr Chan will be taking up a new kind of fight.

He will encourage Cabramatta residents to report crime and promote a safe and harmonious community.

Superintendent King said that the command would maintain regular correspondence.

Fairfield might have missed out on a visit from Oprah but Mr Chan promised Cabramatta will be on his list when he next heads down under.

Forget The Karate Kid. Now he's the Cabramatta kid.

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.

WEEKEND: 18 months since my last haircut

If anybody knows me, they would know that I'm all "dag" with a bold caplock. But this weekend I ventured 30 mins down south to Campbelltown to finally come face-to-face with those snippers. My buddy and "beauty mentor Sophea Moeln treated me to a good relaxing hair wash and treatment, cut and loosely curled on the house. Sophea can probably vouch for my "tomboyness" but I guess there's some commonalities this this foxy lady as she, herself, admit to being one in her earlier years.

I look up to her, she's down to earth yet daring and she is bloody hard working. From being a bikini model to now a full time business owner of "Design for Pleasure" she's definitely boldly independent, even with two very young kids of her own.

Let's recap the week. Its been hectic. Lots of work demands (juggling two jobs - coordination and school teaching) as well as keeping up with the connections all over Australia and some fantastic

film projects that are in the pipeline.

I had some deep and meaningful moments with some of film colleagues who were upfront, "Maria Tran! Start finishing the Quest for Jackie Chan!". Yes...I've procrastinated, knowing at the back of my head that the clock is ticking and that this project's bold, daring and adventurous nature will make it a hit. But of course, that all depends on me. I've been trying to get over some confidence issues lately.

There are times that I'm just overthinking the whole thing and just don't feel quite there to make it happen. Deep down, I'm afraid of failure and seeing that it will be my first feature film that I direct/write/ produce, it makes

me feel like I just want to crawl into a hole and die.

A good chat with Adrian Castro provided me with that wake up call. We ended Friday night with watching some more old school Jackie Chan snippets on you tube and it made me feel better that what I'm embarking on is actually quite unique. We brainstormed on some of the old school scenes and how the "Quest" can recreate some of it to pay homage to Jackie.

So in the next 7 days, I'm going to nut out the whole movie on paper. I have to do it once and for all. No fear.

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