BEAT 2: The Journey

Chapter 1: A Humble Beginning

They say; everything that happens, has a beginning. So does BEAT 2.

Okay, BEAT 2 was not conceived today. Actually, it was started was back from June. It started with a simple chat at MSN.

It was night time. The clock shows the time to be at 1 am. I was chatting away with my friend Kelvin over at MSN. We were chatting about themafiaboss game when suddenly Kelvin and I reminiscence about our experience in BEAT. We laughed and smiled, remembering back the days where we ran under the hot sun, and fought each other, albeit in a choreograph manner. Suddenly, I said, “Yeah, let’s do it again. I think I will be making BEAT 2. Nope, I am. You heard me first man. I am making BEAT 2!”

So, that was how BEAT 2 was born. Actually, Kelvin and Bruno (to know them, just check on my BEAT: The Making post) had been pestering me since January to make a new short film. I guess it’s not only the filming experience, but also the strong comradeship between cast and crew. We surely had an enjoyable time shooting, thanks to the great people. No arguments, no bitching, no diva attitude. Everybody listened to me, and we all know what to be done.

So the next day, I called Arvind and told him about it. Arvind is the MAN! He is my most trusted crew member and brother. He was also keen on the idea and that made me more pumped up! I already have a vague idea of what the storyline will be all about. I was largely inspired by Oldboy, a korean movie I watched during my storytelling class. By that I do not mean the storyline, but the style of the film. Gritty, brutal and intense. That is how I want BEAT 2 to look like.

In researching about the perfect storyline, I went to youtube. I knew I wanted it to be something of a Korean style. I searched for sad korean MVs and wow, did i get lots of it. After watching a few, I had a rough idea of the look and story. I began to mess it around my head. Using what I learnt in my film school, I had a good idea of the storyline. I rushed to my sis, who was at the kitchen preparing dinner. Dinner was spent discussing about BEAT 2. I told her the storyline and she helped me fine-tune it. Asking very good questions like why and how. It is good to have a critical observer as they can give you their unbiased comments.

The next few days, I discussed with Arvind about the storyline. There were 2 versions but we finally selected the one we believe is the best one. With full of enthusiasm, I began writing the treatment and script.

Thus, that was how BEAT 2 was born. A very humble beginning.

Chapter 2: The General, Cast & Crew

Film is not a solo work. You need people.

Now, these people fall into two categories, Cast or Crew. There are hybrids like Carew, a mix of cast and crew. In BEAT 2, my job is made simpler since it is a sequel and I will be using most of the cast from the first movie. Or so I thought.

Before I go and do my casting, I need a crew. A bunch of loyal and cooperative people who would sacrifice their time to help me make a film. It is hard for a first-timer to gather a crew. Not everyone is interested in making films. Not everyone share your passion dude. However, I got none of it obviously. The crew in BEAT 2  is almost the same as in BEAT, with a few changes.

Without further ado, I present to you the crew of BEAT 2.

Ali Akbar (that’s me!). Director, Producer & Writer.

D Arvind, Associate Producer & Casting Director. Known this good bro of mine way back since primary 5. Been in every single one of my films, as both crew and cast. Funny and witty, his comments and advises are paramount to my decision making.

Nurul Ain, Assistant Director and in-charge of Props, Wardrobe and Location. This girl here, I know just recently. She is my classmate in school. She took over from my long time AD, Brinthen as he is in JC and I don’t want to disturb him. I admit, it is rare for a female to be part of my crew, but she is very hardworking and meticulous in her work. Ironically, she was my director and I was her AD in studio production. Looks like the roles are reverse now! Haha.

Bruno Hue, Director of Photography. If he looks familiar, you might have seen him as an extra in BEAT. He started out as a cameraman in BEAT and was promoted to DOP in BEAT 2 as Brenden, the DOP in BEAT is also studying in JC. He has tons of experience in video making, considering he was part of the Media team in secondary school, covering official school events as a videographer.

Aslam, Cameraman, Sound and Assistant Editor. He was also from BEAT, doing the same job. A good bro of mine since sec 3, he offered to help out in BEAT and since then, been part of my crew.

Daris Tan, Cameraman and Lighting. I know this guy since sec 3 too. He first helped me out in making a video that won me my first award. He was soon inducted in my crew as a cameraman, and was DOP for 2 of my short film. He wasn’t part of BEAT as he was away on holiday during the production. Although more experience than Bruno, I felt Bruno should be the DOP as he was there with me in BEAT and understand the film better. Nevertheless, a good and reliable crew member and friend.

Jeremy Liu, Assistant Action Director and Fight Choreographer. This guy here has been my friend since sec 1. He is an avid photographer and has helped me a lot in life. Why fight choreographer you ask? He is the only one among my friends learning a certified martial arts, Karate.

That wraps up the CREW section. Now, let’s see our cast.

In casting, Arvind will first select someone who he thinks fit the role. After that, he will tell me, and once I give him the thumbs up, he will ask the person whether or not they want to act. Sometimes, I give him full authority to just ask who he thinks fit the role, as I might be busy with other stuff. I trust Arvind’s judgment and he rarely disappoints.

In BEAT 2, Arvind has the task of casting a few major roles. Although it was a sequel, only one cast will remain. That is the lead male, or the hero of BEAT. There are 4 other major character that needs to be cast. I won’t give much of the plot away but they are the lead heroine, and the villains. Finally, extras will complete the whole picture.

So, here are the major characters in BEAT 2!

This charming guy here is Ameer Hassaan, the lead actor in BEAT & BEAT 2. He will be reprising his role as Shan, and this time, the film will focus on him. He is also my cousin. Haha. Last year during Hari Raya, he was at my house and found out I was a filmmaker. He told me if I am making any film, he would like to act in it. Never forgetting offers, I wrote BEAT with him in mind as the hero. He has definitely done a terrific job in BEAT. Let’s see how good he can be in BEAT 2.

This is Serene Yap, and she will be playing the lead heroine in BEAT 2. I know her at the beginning of the year through DPA. She is a Mass Comm student and we are in the same school in Ngee Ann. There is a reason why I chose her but I cannot disclose it and you have to watch for the film to find out why. She is also very friendly, another important factor. I had seen her act in skits before and I felt that the character needed someone of her liveliness and addictive cheerfulness.

Now, this Indian guy here is my best bro Lohes and he will be playing a villain’s role n BEAT 2. I know this guy since sec 1. We had a lot of up and lows together. But we were always there for one another. Lohes had no experience in film but I casted him a film I made in sec 3. I coached him and he became a very good and natural actor. Those that watched the film praised him for bringing the character to life. I guess watching a lot of Hindi movies does help eh. Haha. He was also a producer for one of my film and now, he has return as a villain of sorts in BEAT 2. I am sure he will be able to make the character to life as he had been one before.

Okay, the person on the left is me. No, I am not playing a major character. Look to the guy on the right, Ziqe. He will be playing a villain in BEAT 2. I do not have a photo of Ziqe alone and do not want to steal from his library. Haha. This guy here, is an ex-FSV. He was in FSV during DPA, but transferred to BS. Long story but this guy here was the first friend I made in FSV during DPA. He has a flair in acting and poetry and was chosen as he understood the role better than anyone else. He got that look the character requires and also the attitude.

This dude here is a familiar face from BEAT. He is Kelvin and will be playing a major role in BEAT 2 as a villain. I know him for the same period I know Arvind. I know him since pri 5. Haha. We sort of lost contact for a while but TMB brought us back! He was in BEAT as an extra but became a major cast in BEAT 2.

Okay, that wraps up the entire CREW & CAST. There are extras but I have not yet confirm all. I will post them up in due time.

Selecting the right cast and crew is vital to your film. Casting is 90% directing. And crew are the one that decide whether it’s going to be easy, or hard time during production. I am sure I have the right cast and crew for BEAT 2.

They say making a film is like going to war, and if BEAT 2 is a war, I am the General. And I am going to need reliable, loyal, cooperative, efficient and capable soldiers under me to win it. We are going to brave through rain and storm (literally) to complete this. Let’s go TEAM!

Chapter 3: How I Stop Worrying and Learn to Love the Music

Before going into production, or shooting as laymen calls it, there is pre-production.

Now I love pre-production. It is the time where you let your imagination runs free, with only your vision and creativity to guide you. It is also the time you settle every single thing before production. I know people who jump or cut-short pre-production so that they can directly go to production. Wrong move mate! If you are making a film, I fully advice you to make the pre-production a long and worthy time.

For my pre-production in BEAT 2, there were a lot of stuff to do. We got the script and casting done. That alone is like only a quarter done. Script is a major stuff. It will never be complete and will always contain things you wish you should have changed during production or post.

I will discuss about script in my FILMMAKING 101 page. I don’t want to grill your minds with that right now.

In BEAT 2, I tasked Ameer Hassaan, the lead actor and my cousin, to compose the music. He is talented in music composition and had written a few songs.

So on the 21st of August 2008, we had our first music meeting. It was also the official opening to the activities that will take place in the following week and the next.

The time was 10 in the morning. I walked briskly towards the MRT station. There, I found myself being the first. Oh well, I am the director, I thought. AD Nurul came second. We waited while sms-ing the two cast, Ameer and Serene. AP Arvind and Cam Aslam came next. Serene also arrived at that time. Last was Ameer, well no surprise for me. Haha.

So, we made our way to Burger King and sat there. I made the introductions and everyone was quite nervous. Luckily, Arvind was there to joke around with me. He eased the ice and everyone sort of mingles around. Ain was quiet. She just sat there and listen. And so was Aslam. Hmm, I wonder. Haha.

We did a bit of line reading first. Practicing their dialogue. It was the first time, so the feeling of shyness was obvious between Ameer and Serene. But they were quite unnatural and line read too much. I coached them for a bit and they did improved slightly. Up next, we moved to the main event, Music rehearsal.

Serene brought her guitar which is very good and expensive. She played a song, as all of us requested iher to play. Next, Ameer played some songs to warm up. Songs. Haha. I remembered him playing Secondhand Serenades’. Ameer then let us hear the music for BEAT 2.

I and Arvind agreed, that was the best music we ever heard for all the movies that we made. He composed two songs; Serenity which will be played by Serene (It’s true!) and Because I Love You which will be the main song for BEAT 2.

It was raining at that time and both of their vocals really help to make the ambient feels sooth and calm. So, here are some pictures, courtesy of AD Ain.

Ameer and me doing the line reading. Man, do I appear like I am sleep talking!

AP Arvind and Cam Aslam watching Ameer performing I think. Aslam got a horny look, I gotta say.

AD Ain reading the script.

Serene looking blur. Haha. I took her when she was not paying attention!

Ameer Hassaan playing the guitar. I think he was playing Serenity. He really whack the guitar damn well! I gotta admit, it runs in the family la. HAHA!

So, that was for Music Rehearsal. We had a fun time and the cast had fun meeting each other for the first time. We actually slack there till 3 because we had nothing to do! Haha.

Chapter 4: Location, Location & Location

Unlike studio, we need a location to shoot a film.

For BEAT 2, my idea was to shoot at quite prominent places in Singapore. This include places like Haji Lane, Esplanade, Raffles Places and so on. We set aside a day where the crew can go to the various locations and see how it looks like. This is also serve other purposes like planning the setting of the camera, character movements and so on.

For our location scouting, these are the following people that went for it; Director Ali (me!), AP Arvind, AD Ain, DOP Bruno and Cam Aslam.

The location scouting was held on the 22nd, a day after the Music Rehearsal. We all met at Bukit Batok MRT and no one was really late. We first went to Upper Bukit Timah. I had plan to shoot at Al-Ameen but we deemed it quite unsuitable and walked along the lane full of eateries in the hope of finding a better one. We finally stumbled on Liquids Cafe.

We were hogging around there, and a waiter came out. I asked him whether we could shoot a movie there and he called his manager. That was the first time we met Mr Sunil Rai. HAHA. Arvind keep saying his name every minute after we met him! Anyway, I asked him whether we can shoot there and gave him details. Mr Sunil was a great person and he allowed us to shoot there, of course we have to buy some food from there. The prices were totally crazy but the place was really apt.

After that, we walked around there to search for a lane to shoot a fight scene. We found none, and I made the decision to scrap that scene. It was raining and we made our way to City Hall. We took 174 from there. The bus was packed, as school students were returning back during that time. I was discussing with Bruno about the storyboard. The rest were sitting down. It was a long journey and by the time we reached town, it was raining heavily. A lot of people were in the bus too, but I had my fair share ogling at pretty babes. Haha.

We get down in front of St Andrew Cathedral and made our way to Esplande through City Link Mall. It was a long walk, and when we arrived there, we found out that we cannot access the rooftop, the intended location. I was frustrated but I could not do anything to turn the situation. I asked the AD to grab some pictures of the rooftop through the 3rd storey window.

Next, we made our way to Skate Park at Somerset. We went back the way we came in but the door to City Link Mall was closed due to some cleaning stuff. I was already angry and wanted to break the door down but Arvind was there to hold me back. We took a detour through Marina Shopping Mall and found the other entrance to City Link Mall. Longer walking this time but we made our way to the skate park.

There, I had them to take pictures and we went to Long John Silver after that to wait for nightfall. I need to have photos of skate park at night too. We discussed about the schedule in Long John. I realized that it will be a pack week next week. A really pack week. So, we went to skate park and took some pictures.

We made our way to our last destination, Haji Lane. Took the train and walked from Bugis. Haji Lane was quite active at night. Rows of sheesha shops were open. It was what Arvind called a shady place. We took pictures of what we wanted and headed out to Zamzam restaurant to eat dinner.

That was the end to our long and tiring location scouting. It was definitely an enriching time as we knew how the place is going to be like during the time we’ll come down for production.

So here are the pictures; courtesy of me and Ain.

(L-R) Bruno, Aslam, Arvind & Ain at an alley near Al-Ameen. They were either looking at the chef inside, or staring hard at the tables.

AP Arvind giving a pose to the camera. Man, he really loves the light!

MEN AT WORK! Me and Bruno planning the camera angles and movements.

Arvind, Ain and Aslam (Triple A!) in the cafe. She was busy taking pics and the guys were drinking.

Arvind and Aslam acting out so Bruno and I can plan the camera movements.

Arvind checking out the pool table. It is a prop for the scene too!

And yes, the food here will be used as props too. God save our budget.

In search of delilah. Haha. More like Lost. Walking around Upper Bukit Timah to find an alley.

It was raining. Arvind will crack up his, “I am Rain. I use Clear” joke every 5 minutes.

Skate Park. No one there cos it was raining. Which was good for us.

Bruno doing his work of taking pictures.

And Arvind is singing a Bollywood song, inspired by the scenery much to Aslam’s chagrin.

Skate Park at night. Love the lightings.

AP Arvind and DOP Bruno having a good time.

Aslam, Me, Arvind and Bruno having a stylish shot. Haha. Taken at Haji Lane. Love the lighting and ambient.

So, that’s all. Remember, location scouting is very important. And it’s fun too!

Chapter 5: Napkins and Spotlights

On the 27th of August, I held a Script Rehearsal for the cast.

It was like a line reading session with all the cast and crew present. It was tough scheduling a time where everyone can be present. I finally managed to fixed a date although a few couldn’t make it. Alas, the show must still go on.

It was an important event. It was the only time I can coach and rehearse the cast before the actual shoot. From past experience, Script Rehearsal is done for all of my films. Trust me, it saves time and effort during production.

The people that were present were -
CREW: Me, Arvind, Ain, Daris & Aslam
CAST: Hassaan, Serene, Lohes, Ziqe, Phillson & Jeremy

It was a large gathering, but everything went under control. We met at the usual time of 10 a.m at BB MRT. Also from experience, I know people will be late. The rehearsal took place only an hour later.

We did the scenes chronologically; from the first to the last. It was an eye opener I guess for some of them. But overall, they did great. There is room for improvement no doubt but they improved a lot with only a limited training time.

Without a doubt, this was one of the best days that took place. All of them are my friends and jokes are like once per minute! Everybody laughed and had a great time. I could see the bonding among them. I remember a line from Lohes which tells Hassaan that whatever he does to his men, he will do exactly the same to Serene. And I quickly retorted to Hassaan to lick their butts. Haha.

The crew were also doing a good job. I guess it was no problem for Arvind, Daris and Aslam seeing that they are my crew members since years back. Ain was slowly adjusting herself to everyone and to her role. She can now give constructive comments to me.

Okay, words alone are not enough so enjoy the pictures! Courtesy to Ain and Jeremy for the photos.

(L) Daris taking a video. Ain doing script supervision. And me posing! Haha.
(R) Jeremy making a cameo inside!

(L & R) Serene and Hassaan getting to know each other in the film

(L) Directing Serene and Hassaan on how to improve the scene but Serene is looking at the camera instead!
(R) Showing Hassaan how she is supposed to do it

(L) Coaching my cousin personally
(R) Hi Cous! Haha. I took over Serene’s role for a while

(L & R) Having a fun time. Arvind is meditating while Hassaan is admiring his biceps. Haha.

(L) Arvind, Ziqe, Lohes and I rehearsing a scene
(R) Lohes looking tough, being flanked by two loyal bodyguards!

(L) Lohes and his two lieutenants, Ziqe and Phillson!
(R) Phillson looks like Usher and Lohes looks like a Tamil superstar!

(L) Ziqe grabbing Phillson as Phillson sings way off key
(R) Phillson warning Ziqe not to do that again!

(L) Ziqe and Lohes learning their dialogues while Jeremy looks amused
(R) Thank these two people we got photos! The guys behind the scenes! Daris and Aslam!

(L) I am enjoying myself there. Being a director has its perks!
(R) Okay, I am looking at the script, not her butt!

(L) Serene playing one of the songs in BEAT 2!
(R) Hassaan, the song composer too, enjoying his own work!

(L) Dedicated crew member; Daris buying drinks for everyone!
(R) Daris and Ain working hard

(L) Ziqe learning his lines with full concentration
(R) Ziqe asking me for pointers

(L) Random shot 1: Lohes & Arvind
(R) Random shot 2: Serene on Ali. Not what you think, its called piggyback!

and lastly, here are the pictures of the 2 hunks in BEAT 2.

(L & R) Director Ali (me!) and Associate Producer Arvind!

Okay, we come to the end. I would like to thanks everyone that has been supporting me thus far. And thanks to the crew and cast for taking time out to help me make a film! Here’s a big thank you!