Cameras To Roll In January...

Oh yes, shooting for the movie I co-wrote will finally start in January 2010. Hurrah!

Casting has not been finalised, but we pretty much know who we want for the roles. The hero will be someone famous making his acting debut, while the rest will be somewhat familiar faces with tons of talent.

Meanwhile, I've started writing my second movie screenplay and I'm having a blast. This one will be "Malaysian" in every way and has the Mamak special as the central theme. Not merely the backdrop or main location, but the whole story will be based on this popular Malaysian pop culture icon.

It's been really exciting so far as scenes just keep popping up in my head, although major revision on the dialogue will be needed once I get totally in tune with Mamak jargons and nuances.

More updates coming soon...

Hollywood Calling...

Someone asked me sometime ago, why do I have a picture of the Hollywood sign on my main blog banner up there? Take a look; you see it as well, right?

Well, the honest answer is that it was done more out of convenience. I wanted to have a custom banner sometime back, and I did try out a couple of other images (including one of me in front of Hard Rock Café Bangkok), but somehow I couldn’t get the size right.

Then I tried this image, and it turned out OK.

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But now, I’d like to think that it’s become a clear sign of ambition. Of what, you ask? Well, for me to make it there. Yes, “there” meaning Hollywood.

OK, have your laugh. NOW, can I explain further?

Like I’ve mentioned a couple of times here, screenwriting is a passion I have found this past one year. I’ve been writing other stuff all my life, but only recently did I take the time to fully learn and understand the finer points of the art of screenwriting.

In late 2007, I conceptualized the story of ‘Kerana Karina’, Malaysia’s first-ever online drama on gua.com.my. KK also had 2 other sequels, but all three scripts were written by someone else.

But when an idea of mine was considered good enough to be made into a movie last year, it started the screenwriting ball rolling for me and my partner in crime for this particular project, Izham.

That particular screenplay is already done, and earlier this year, I wrote solo and came up with ‘Mingguan Lelaki’, which can be viewed here.

And currently, I’ve got a couple more projects on the plate that should be completed by the end of the year.

So, back to the Hollywood thingy… Well, that’s what I’m aiming for, to put it simply. Maybe I’ll sell a full screenplay or just a story idea, but the goal is quite straightforward really.

Aiming too high? Maybe. But so far in life I’ve achieved quite a number of things I never thought I would; like being in the Juara Lagu finals (twice), editing a national newspaper and having a book published.

Hollywood might be a tad loftier, but why the hell not? I’ve written lyrics to music by this composer Zuraini, and the girl has actually won a Grammy. A Grammy!

At this point of my life, what good is it to aim local and be contented with that? So folks, do watch this space. It might take a while, but I sure as hell will give it my best shot…

Selamat Hari Raya!

GUA Dah 2 Tahun TVC

Yeah, I'll Wear This...

After some 17 years, I will finally get to wear a Liverpool jersey again! Oh yes, the announcement has been made that the Reds will be getting a new jersey sponsor, Standard Chartered, who will be paying GBP20m for the next four years for the privilage of having its logo on the chests of Gerarrd and co.

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Which is excellent news for fans such as myself who wouldn't wear the Carlsberg-logoed kit all these years. I've bought plenty of team t-shirts, but not the actual jersey. Hey, I've got principles ok?

But all that is gonna change come the 2010/11 with Standard Chartered in the fray. And because I've missed out for so long, I might just buy 11 pieces with different names on the back. Just don't expect to see VORONIN though...