what we've been up to

Estranged ‘Baru’ MV

Hey everyone!! It’s been so long since I last wrote!!

After a period of dry spell on the production front, we finally landed ourselves a dream project - a music video with the renowned band Estranged, who were looking to work with a new director on their new song, aptly titled ‘Baru’ (New).  The boys: Rich, Andy, Din and Hanafi were a great pleasure to work with.

The process took almost two months right from the confirmation of the project, right up to the final transfer of digibeta tapes! Like every project, it was a learning process every step of the way.  I worked with a new DP - Chun - who often works with a lecturer of mine from Multimedia University (back in undergrad) Mr Ghaz (of The MediaHustler) and I must say it was a really pleasant experience this time! He had the most efficient and gung-ho camera crew ever - overall my entire crew - my producers Mo and Fathil, AD Adam Sinclair (from Phuturephlow Films), production designer Azzad, intern/production manager Afiq, our talents Hanis and Omar, make up artist Farah and my friend Diyana, and BTS camera Teoh - really did make the entire shoot fun and worthwhile.  When you have a happy, smiley, well-fed crew, the long hours just seem to fly by so fast - which makes the production truly a rewarding and creatively fulfilling experience.

As with all of my videos/short films, I like to slip in a little bit of myself in each one.  In the Estranged MV I shot a small, yet significant scene in front of Foto Pak Tai. Back in MMU I took a year of photography, and some of us would go to this shop (along Petaling Street) to have our films developed - yes, in the conventional way! Hopefully it brings some smiles to all you MMU alumni (pre-DSLR time) =)

Here is the video, and I hope you enjoy it.

http://vimeo.com/34350929

Love + Light,
Nadiah

watch.this.space…

Cure To Catastrophe…

A little something Nadiah shot back in 2008 :)

Astro Hitz - The Music Video Grant

A few months back, upon my return to Malaysia, I was approached by Reza Salleh, a wonderful singer songwriter to direct his first official music video - as part of Astro Hitz (Channel 705) The Music Video Grant.  Each musician + filmmaker pair is awarded a sum of money to produce a music video within a given timeframe, and the video would premiere on the channel on the 28th of each month, for the next 10 months.

Brilliant idea, I must say! :)

We had the most fun working on the project! Dazman Samjis, a friend I got to know in New York came on board as producer, and he brought along the most amazing production crew from Phuturephlow Films (consisting of bunch of guys who went to New York Film Academy!) We shot on both the Canon 5D MK2 and Canon 7D, which produced stunning images (although I still prefer the Red) It was my first experience working with a technical/production crew back here in Malaysia - and what a great first experience that was as everyone was so helpful, fast and efficient in making sure we made our 12 hour day. Oh by the way, our DP for the day was Aaron Chung - brother of the famous filmmaker/actor Linus Chung :)

Catch the show on Astro Hitz (Channel 705) all of this month on these dates: http://www.astro.com.my/epg/programme.php?id=275332

For the Hujan Panas backers out there, please be patient as we sort out the mass printing of the DVD! They will be arriving on your doorsteps in the next month or two, so hang tight! oh and credits to our too awesome AD for that day ATOM for the picture!! :)

:)

Hujan Panas: post-premiere

Hi everyone!

I’m still very excited coming off Hujan Panas’ premiere last week. The success of the event in itself, after the mad-rush getting the film complete, is such a joy.

A lot has happened since then. For one, Uma and Jo gave me my very first radio interview on BFM. It was such an honor - as a big fan of the show, not only I get to meet the guys, but also get interviewed on air. So checkout the stream, or download the podcast :)

Hujan Panas also got its very first review. TontonFilem wrote a detailed analysis of the film on his blog. I’m really pleased he was able to grab the spirit of the story that I really wanted to tell. A very intriguing question was also asked by an anonymous commenter on his blog:

Mungkin juga tanpa disedari disukai kerana lokasinya di metro NY. Apa kata jika cerita dan derita ini berlaku di balakong. [Maybe subconsciously, we liked the film because of its location, New York. What if the film was shot in Balakong (Malaysia)?

Which is an interesting point. My thinking is New York in itself is a major character in Zaki’s story, and plays an important role in setting the tone of the film. But I’d definitely like to hear more thoughts on this.

Oh.. and gua.com.my wrote a very nice piece on the film too. Thank you Nani for that write up.

I can’t wait to read and hear more on people’s thoughts of Hujan Panas. For those who want to watch it, there will be a screening hosted by We Are Malaysian Made (WAMM) this coming Wednesday. Sharifah Amani will also be screening her directorial debut ‘Sangkar’ on the same day, I can’t wait to catch that… and meet her!

For more details, please visit their website here. Hope to see you guys there!!

xo

- Nadiah

Hujan Panas Premiere - Thank You All

Thank you to everyone who turned up on that rainy Tuesday night to the secret screening of ‘Hujan Panas’! Here at wayangworks we are so grateful with the overwhelming response and love from all around.


Firstly, thanks to all family members who were all so amazing, helping us organize the screening. Also Tan Meng Kheng - the rep from GSC who made sure everything went as smooth as possible.


Secondly, we must thank FINAS which, without their continuous support and generous grant - this film would have never happened! So thank you FINAS!

Thanks to Amir Muhammad for turning up and being part of the panel for the Q & A session - but most of all for helping us spread the word on our fundraising efforts via kickstarter.com.  

Beto - thank you for also gracing our film and screening with your presence! 


Not forgetting all the bloggers/film critics who came, despite the heavy traffic and rain - thank you! We hope you had fun and enjoyed the film!


Here’s a shout out to the people who tirelessly worked through nights to make sure our film was complete:

Teoh, who scored the beautiful original music to our film, for which without the film would have been incomplete and echoing with silence. Muhammad Bahir, who mixed the final sound for the film and made it cinema ready! And Adam Kitingan, who sadly could not join us for the screening, but provided the opening title sequence despite a very last minute request! 

Thank you to friends and Kickstarter BACKERS who turned up!


We also want to thank ASTRO Awani, Hip TV (TV9), Melodi (TV3) and gua.com.my for coming to our screening! Also to 8TV Quickie for having us on the show!!  (which you can watch again at tonton.com.my). Naqib and Zher - you guys were totally awesome!

To Uma and Jo of What the Flick? at BFM 89.9 - thanks so much!! We had so much fun and really want to be back (hopefully) to talk about MORE MOVIES!! :)

Thank you!!

Hujan Panas In Post Production

The filming is complete and the edit is shaping up. We are very excited to see this project getting through to this stage, and everything going as planned. The release is scheduled for March 2011. Lookout for the trailer coming this way soon.