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.

4 Aces Trailer (Pilot)

(Please seek permission to reproduce)

Click here for the trailer.

Finally I’ve finished the edits for fun Melbourne shoot out that happened during late 2009.

I recall it being a fully hectic day of running up and down the heart of Melbourne to get cut aways and scenarios to piece together this snippet action clip. It was such an awesome experience working with this guys once again. They were fun, laid back and know how to have a good time. Major shout out has to go to Mr Michael Le Tran – a photographer, restaurant business owner and innovative and forward thinker.

Signing off,

Maria Tran

Cast: Leeann Lay, Michael LeTran, Keego Nguyen, Joseph Hieu Dinh, Philip Nguyen, Vinh Luu, Somchay Phakonkham, Minh Bo

, Anthony Nguyen, Elizabeth Ho, David Epic Le.

Executive Producer: Michael Matthew Tran

Camera Operator: YouCake Productions

Edited by: Maria Tran