Ian Lee is Finally Dead

Ian Lee is dead, finally. His death came suddenly, much to the surprise of many, even close friends and colleagues.

Here is a video...




Do you like the video? :)



Ya, the guy is dead! I don't know about him, but I was scared. And that's no Legacy!

We spent the whole weekend at the funeral, giving Ian Lee the best send off we could. However, the plot will continue to unfold. More in the following weeks... 

We are still in the midst of getting Ian Lee "Certified Dead". It will go on every weekend till the end of May 2015. We need your support. If you are feeling generous, please go to our campaign at Indiegogo.com. Don't wait for the DVD, we need your money now. Lol

Click here.

The money contributed will pay for post production, locations, transport and food to feed our cast and crew. As this is an artiste collaboration, none of us are paid upfront, but we hope that there will at least be money to pay for the food for the cast and crew. So please do help us.

Click here.

How was it like playing dead?
It was awkward initially. Talking is cheap, but when it came to actually climbing into the coffin and lying in there, it was creepy.

But, the fear was mostly psychological, and after a few times, it was just like lying in any other box, only more comfortable. Sound quality was great as the sides are all cushioned and there was not many other places the sound could leak to. Surprisingly, that made it easier for me to deliver my lines as I could hear myself so clearly. Well, I think I was hearing myself clearly. No alien voices I think.


It was very hot inside though, as the hall was not air-conditioned and  I had to wear a long sleeve shirt and a blazer.

Lastly, it is a privilege to have such a try-out before the real thing - a live rehearsal (as opposed to a dead rehearsal).

Probably the funniest we-fie I ever had.

Click here 

to help us spread the word around about our crowdfunding campaign. Your contributions will be greatly appreciated.

Is Ian Lee actually a horrible person pretending to be good? Woooah... that can put me in a hairy situation!  Can't tell you yet! We need the funds to continue.

Watch this space. More in the coming weeks. If you don't hear from us, that means we ran out of money!!! Or it gotten so bad, we got our dead man repossesed. Repossesed... posession... spirits... get it? Lol

Certified Dead

For more about the movie, go to http://certifieddead.sg

It is happening. We are now past the halfway mark for the shoots. One thing for sure, making a feature film needs stamina. It goes on and on. Shoots are expected to complete around early May 2015. Then post production will start and go on for 3 to 6 months. Our Indiegogo campaign for crowdfunding is also up. Please help us by contributing, Any amount helps. 

The money contributed will pay for post production, locations, transport and food to feed our cast and crew. As this is an artiste collaboration, none of us are paid upfront, but we hope that there will at least be money to pay for the food for the cast and crew. So please do help us.

Click here.

Certified Dead - Indiegogo from Reel Frenz on Vimeo.

Marrie Lee is the Executive Producer and Director, and also plays a cameo role in the film, This is her first feature film behind the camera, after a hiatus of 30 years in front, from her days in Cleopatra Wong. 

We also have Peter Sihan Chong, the star of "Ring of Fury", Peter  is a Kyokushin karate master and a former Assistant Superintendent of Police in Singapore. "Ring of Fury" is an old Singapore movie made by by Tony Yeow and James Sebastian in 1973, but was banned in Singapore for its portrayal of secret society intimidation.


Unlike many budget feature films, "Certified Dead" has a huge cast and many locations. We have been lucky as there are many people who love to act and also generous landlords who have been very kind to lend us their place for free. Many thanks.

Rain or shine, we soldier on. Most of us work on a regular job during the weekdays and on Certified Dead during the weekends. We normally stay on set for 12 to 14 hours each day - sometimes sleeping overnight on location. Crazy isn't it? :) 

So help us by donating. 

Click here.


Thank you in anticipation!

In Certified Dead, you will once again find me acting alongside Mr Richard Muru, my co-actor in Hentak Kaki. Do you remember Richard? He will be playing the role of 'my' childhood friend and family doctor. There, we will again be arguing, but over something else.

Postscriptum: We belong to a group called "Reel Frenz". We have made 9 short films over the last two years. You can find the films here. For more about Reel Frenz, click here.

Reel Frenz - First Film

Below is a message by Marrie Lee, the founder of Reel Frenz.

It is an inspiring tale about how a group of people from different walks of life, mostly untrained in film making coming together to make films. Most in the group do not know each other prior to Reel Frenz.

To read all the  Reel Frenz articles in this blog, click here.

 
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Dear Reelfrenz,

I would like to extend a personal invitation to each and every member in Reel Frenz to come for this meet up. Why?

I know all of you joined the group with one common intention in mind,  that is to be part of a film, whether in a minor or major role.  I know all of you wanted to make films but frankly don’t know where to start.  That’s the truth or you won’t be in this group, you will be out there making films already by yourself.

I, too, was like you.  When I first formed the group, I know I wanted  to make a film but frankly I don’t know where to start. In the first 2 meetings I called, a lot of people came and we talked and we talked but nothing was done. We were just happy talking.  I told myself, there must be something more than just meeting up and talk. We will never make a film this way.

And a film needs a script and at that time, we didn’t have one.  So I proceeded to attempt to write one, my very first script.  I don’t even know how to use a scriptwriting software so I used Microsoft Word.  I didn’t have a story. My mind was blank. I was running out of time as the next meeting date was fast approaching.  I wanted to write a story that involved more people because many of them came to the meetings. If the whole project only required 2 or 3 actors then the other members will lose interest. Think fast Marrie.

And then it hit me, the story that is.  And I wrote a script that had a cast of 22, a very ambitious feat.  And in the next meet I was able to present my story. And most seem to like my story. Maybe there was no other to compare then. :) 

Still I didn’t know where to move on from there.  But I know that I had to find my cast and my crew to make it happen. In that meeting I found many of them.  I had a DOP whom I was confident in as I had witnessed his work before.  Also, I met this quiet and unassuming shy guy who asked me softly “Who is doing your editing? Can I be involved in the editing team?  I had this dynamic full time actor who volunteered  to be acting coach.  And lastly, I asked around who would like to direct this film. A fresh faced, cheerful young lady stepped up and said she would like to do it.  I have never met her but somehow I trusted her. I said I would be the  co-director so I can learn from this just out of school, young enough to be my daughter stranger .

And so, with my sister and 2 long time friends, I found my key team.  And  we set out to plan auditions for the roles and drafted out positions for the other key players.

We had members who volunteered for roles whom they have no idea how to fulfill.  But it was a learning process for everyone.  We called for an audition and the big joke was that 18 came to audition for the 22 roles. So we casted all of them and even had to look for more people.

Over the course of more than a month, there was a lot of preparation for the first shooting day, fine tuning to the script, rehearsals, costumes, locations.  We had a lot of trials and tribulations.  Along the way, we weeded out some negative influences, some people who joined us with different expectations. At the same time, our team got stronger, with the addition of other team players, like one spunky lady who took on anything we dished at her. Nothing could stop her, YouTube was her best friend and teacher, whether it is in creating of hairstyles or doing a full bridal make up. 

Locations were a headache, some of the people were really nice, allowing us to shoot for free, others like the Zoo and Scape wanted a rental of $4K and $8K respectively.  Crazy, we are a non funded passion group.  So for some of the locations we could not have, we learn to use chromakey or green screen filming. We were so lucky to have a member and her husband who allowed us to invade her house for 2 weekend days, from 9am to 11pm.

We needed places to rehearse our lines and dance.  Earlier practice in places like Esplanade were not conducive and private. So, we moved to the comfort of function rooms of 2 condos that 2 of our members graciously helped us to book.

There are so many more encouraging experiences. I could go on and on and on.

At last, I had found my dream team, a dream team made up of so many different nationalities with so much color and ideas to give  Everyone was so enthusiastic.  Never had I expected to achieve what we have done over these 5 months. And by the time we wrapped on June 16th, this team had become one big family.

I am writing this down to let you, the newcomer,  know that it had not been a bed of roses but it is definitely do-able and rewarding.  I say with great satisfaction that we have done it.  We were amateurs in making films and we may take a bit more time to get there but nothing is impossible.

So if you want to do a film, you can be a part of our upcoming project or you can form another project within this group and tap on the resources and the many talents that you will find here.

You may have a script that you want to make a reality, do share it and form your team.   Usually I would say the storyteller would make the best director as you would have envisioned  the whole scene in your mind as you write it.  So if you have the confidence, then opt to direct your story. But not everyone knows how to direct, you can invite someone else to direct and be the co director instead, like what I have done and learn along the way.

There are many brilliant technical people within Reel Frenz, I have read many of the profiles.  We can film more than one film concurrently if more of  technical people will come forth -   directors, cameramen, sound, lighting, editing, special effects.

And for those who do not have experience or skills but want  to learn, please volunteer to help too. It won’t happen for you if you are not in the event itself.  No one is too insignificant or useless. Every bit of help is needed and you may be surprised to find how fast you learn along the way.

Please come to this meet. You will be glad you did.

Cheers,

Marrie Lee

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...and a short clip I took to replay to the actors so they know where they can improve themselves on.

Trailer of Reel Frenz's first short film.
For more details, click here.

Reel Frenz

At Hans Cafe, 1 Pickering Street, Singapore on 12 Jan 2013.

Reel Frenz is a Meetup.com group founded by Marrie Lee, the lead actress of "They Call Her Cleopatra Wong" (1978), on the 19th November 2012. It is for people who loves movie making. The Group's page profile says that it is:

"A group with a passion”. It is THE place where actors, directors, scriptwriters, lights, camera, sound, music writers / directors and arts students can call home. A place to discuss, pitch ideas and come together for film and video projects. See your ideas turn into reality. You can be a pro, an amateur, someone with creative passion or a movie goer with ideas. If you have an actor, singer, scriptwriter, producer, director, cinematographer, musician, animator, editor, makeup artist, special effects creator, special skills, critic or film industry specialist hidden somewhere in you, please come and join us. Be a pioneer in this new group!!

Marrie has appointed me as one of the Group's co-organisers and acting coach. This is a voluntary role and something I am giving back to the community, so that people who are passionate about movies can "just do it".

Casting for our short film, "Once Upon a Stormy Night"

To date, there have been an introductory meetup, a script writing exercise, a group script discussion, a casting call for a short film the Group is intending to make and a screening of "They Call Her Cleopatra Wong".

Marrie showing us some of the posters of her films

I am impressed with the enthusiasm of the Group and the various talents it has attracted. Perhaps groups like these herald a new era of film making, where it is more communal and less objectified. All these are made possible with the advent of digital technologies and the affordability of equipment like digital cameras and LED lights; and the connectivity of Internet social groups and smartphones to organise everyone with relative ease.

Here are some video clips of "They Call Her Cleopatra Wong". Enjoy!





 

Join us if you are passionate about film making and have the commitment to do it.

For other posts about Reel Frenz, click here.