Takdirgraphy: The Journey

Takdirgraphy

“Masa bukan la penentu,

Hanya takdir saja yang tahu…”

Prologue: A New Frontier

Somewhere in April, I gave myself a new challenge; to make films in language other than English. Having said that, I wrote and directed my first ever Malay short film. This is the journey of Takdirgraphy, a short film about fate. And this is my story.

Scene 1: A Fateful Idea

My initial concept was actually very different than what was decided. I thought of making a short film which deals with the loss of love, inspired by the song Izinkan. After a few frustrated ideas, I changed the entire storyline after watching Serendipity, a romantic comedy starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. It was a very charming film, and the idea of two people who test whether they are really meant to be by seperating themselves and letting fate do the work intrigues me.

I came up with a few concepts before finalizing on the current one. I wanted it to be short and simple, nothing to fancy but at the same time captivating.

Thus, I wrote the story of two very different people, one a photographer and the other a musician, who meets one afternoon and spent it together. The guy believes that fate has brought them together but the girl does not agree. So the girl decides to play a game with the guy, a game solely on fate. They will have to seperate for an hour, and if they can find each other before the hour is up, then the girl will go out with the guy again.

Scene 2: The Plan

The plan was simple – shoot it all in one day.

Seasoned filmmaker will know that it is difficult – but not impossible – to shoot a film within one day.

But I had my limitations; the leading actor, Ameer Hassaan aka Shan from BEAT 2, is still in Basic Training and is only free on Saturdays’. Plus, the film is also complicated. Coupled with the facts that the cast can only make it on certain timings and every single problem you can imagine.

But I pushed on. Friends know me as someone who is driven, fighting for what he wants even if it’s near impossible. And in the end, everything I wished for was granted. I solved every single problem, get all the cast and crew, shoot it all in one day, and still end up with some mind blowing footage!

And cast – let me talk a bit about that. While the leading actor is perhaps familiar to my frequent readers, the leading actress is someone new. Nur Faezah Abdullah, a year one Audio-Visual Tech student from Ngee Ann Polytechnic was the leading actress of Takdirgraphy. Chris Grosse from Sweet Times introduced me to her, and after a thorough screen test, I gave her the coveted role.

As for crew – let’s just put it that this time round, I got headaches finding crew members instead of cast. Initially, my usual crew got other commitments. Although this was a festival-intended short film, I cut them some slack and decided to just call on other friends who had been involved in my previous productions. The crew line-up keep changing and on the very last day before the shoot, I was getting tensed up.

Fortunately, Arvind told me he can make it after an initial no. Aslam, who had a family chalet on that day, told me he could make it only for a while. And Mayor, the only odd one out, was the only confirmed crew since the start. And being the visionary person, I asked my cousin to ask some of his friends along too.

There – everything ready! So now, let me relieve everyone (with pictures) on what happen on that fateful day.

Scene 3: Roll Camera and Action!

20th June 2009.

12 P.M.

UOB Promenade.

Screw that.

That was supposed to be the meeting time and place for the cast and crew. However, knowing human beings, we were late. The crew was supposed to arrive at 11 but due to unforseen circumstances – which I blindly close one eye to – we ended up arriving at 12.

While Arvind and Aslam, plus me, were waiting for the train at Jurong East, Mayor called me to tell me that he will be late. I actually wanted to wait for him, but he told me he will only arrive at Jurong 20 minutes later.  God, 20 minutes! Arvind told me to just go ahead, stating what if the cast arrive early. I agreed and told Mayor to meet us straight there.

We arrived just a few minutes before noon, and after telling Aslam to set up the equipments, Faezah called me to tell me she already reached there. Luckily! Introduced her to the rest and then Mayor called me to say he reached. Funny thing, he didn’t know his way round there. I had to ask Arvind to fetch him from the MRT station.

A while later, my cousin and his two bodyguards arrived. His two bodyguards, Haq and Pilot (not real name), will later become part of the crew members.

Aslam setting up for the first shot of the day

Mayor, boom operator and my personal hitman

Ameer Hassaan as Shan Redzuan

We did the first 2 scene there, and by that time, it was already 2.30. By golly, I’m behind schedule! By now, I’m probably used to it. I’m something like Micheal Scofield – flexible and can adapt to any situations. That’s why my production never ever crumble no matter what hits us – be it rain, storm, H1N1, or anything.

Scene 2, CC 1, Take 1!

Nur Faezah Abdullah as Lydia Natasha

We headed down to Shah Alam Restaurant at Boat Quay for the next scene. Initially, I wanted to shoot at Lau Pa Sat but changed my mind after recce-ing the place. The owner was very kind to let us shoot at that place. Arvind, if you’re reading this, you’ll know what I want to say but no, let’s be grateful.

It was a relaxing take – drinks and food were all on me so imagine those hungry pack of wolves ordering them so free flow-ly. Aslam had to leave us for his family chalet then and that guy accidently left with all the snacks as we put it inside his bag. Arvind sarcastically sent him an sms to enjoy the cakes.

Arvind in his cameo role as Bhaiya, the shop attendant

After that, we headed down to Clarke Quay.

I got to know Haq and Pilot better during the journey there. They are my cousin’s bunkmates and friends. They first learnt about me when one of them youtube-ed my cousin’s name. They saw BEAT 2, and since then, my cousin, has been worshipped in camp. They didn’t know he was a film star in the outside world. They became my lighting people, and truly they were good. I remember while at Shah Alam, Haq was holding the diffuser to block out extra sunlight. He had to fully extend his arm as the rays were coming from top to bottom. Usually after I shout “Cut!”, the person doing that will put down his arms but Huq continued all the way! And later, they impressed me some more with their feat of stamina and agility.

Shan Redzuan serenading Lydia Natasha with an original song, Takdir, which is composed by me!

There was an unforgettable incident at Clarke Quay. A pair of Indian gentleman were arguing rather loudly. As they were arguing in Tamil, Arvind became the translator of the day. Ameer and Haq, being police officers, wanted to approach the two gentleman and advise them to settle it in a more peaceful manner and at another location as they were right smack in the middle of Clarke Quay and lots of tourists were walking there.

Arvind told me they were arguing over a case of money and cheat. However, they soon walk away. It was funny as it was quite tense. A lot of people were looking at them and Mayor is fooling around by pretending to record the event with the camera. But I think Mayor won’t be in any problem if the two gentleman confronted him – he’s my hitman for a reason.

We headed down to the heart of Clarke Quay after that. We did a few takes there for the chasing scene. Had one take at the toilet. People looked funnily at us; seems like we were pervert or something. I won’t disagree. Luckily had Haq and Pilot there to crowd control.

“Maintain the face!” – Ali (me)
Everyone laughed.

There was a number of shots we had to do but time wasn’t on our side. Thus, I made a fast and calculated move to use time effectively.

We had to do a scene at both sides of the street. I told Faezah and Pilot to go to the other side, and Huq and Ameer, on the other side. Mayor, Arvind and I was waiting at the overhead bridge in the middle.

I was like a war commander; commanding each side to do the shots which I wanted. The plan was simple – Pilot will do Faezah’s take then run to the other side to pass the camera to Huq, who will do Ameer’s part, and then both run to me, and I will do Ameer’s other part.

Sounds complicated? Think how we had to do it. Still, everyone communicated well and we all did a fantastic take on it. Pilot and Huq had to run from point to point and it was really energy draining! They later told me that this was like doing physical training in camp.

We still had quite a few intense chasing takes to do and had to rush back to Boat Quay.

A photographic journey with Lydia & Shan at Boat Quay

I had to finish all those shots before night fall and luckily, we managed to do it! By 7, all of us were looking wreary and tired. According to plan, we have to go back to Clarke Quay to do a scene but seeing all of them were dead beat, I had to make a creative decision.

Thus, I changed the location to somewhere nearer. All of them were glad I made that call. And later, I will realize it was a good decision as the next scene is my current favourite scene.

We shot it right next to Parliament House, opposite Boat Quay. It was a picturesque location, and Pilot did an extremely excellent job with the lighting. He gave the place a golden hue and it was really beautiful.

Singapore’s Next Top Model?

My name is Shan Redzuan. If you are listening to this, you are mentally ill.

Notice the two pictures above me.

That was what I meant. The backline was a solid blue sky, and the buildings were blackish due to it being against the light source. Boat Quay has a nice color outline and the river looks stunning. And the cast were illuminated by the reflected light, making them stand out. Good job Pilot and Huq!

And if you’re wondering how they look like – here comes their grand entrance!

Presenting Huq (stripe blue) and Pilot (red)!

While everyone was busy, here is Mayor… serenading away

This was how it was shot. Arvind being clapper, me doing both directing and camera, and Pilot holding the reflector

After that, we walked downwards to where it all started. However, since there were many people hanging around there, we went to the pathway opposite Fullerton Hotel.

Along the way – Mayor, Ameer Hassaan and I were being silly. I suggested to do Idiot Paparazzi, the sketch comedy from the Spike Feresten show where they act as paparazzi and approach random people as though they were Hollywood celebraties. Arvind became our “celebrity”, Shah Rukh Khan. I was holding the video camera, Ameer holding the DSLR and Mayor was with the boom pole. We circled Arvind and Mayor asked him questions about his life and scandals. All the people were looking at us and thought it was real!

We did our final scene, and it took me nearly 2 hours! I had problem with the rack focusing and along the way, some NDP stuff interepted our shooting.

But there was one nice thing which occured. If you want to know, you have to watch the film! Everyone said I was damn lucky.

We ended at 9, and although it was an hour and a half later than what I said, all of us were happy. I was glad that Faezah, Pilot and Huq had a great time. Arvind, Mayor and Ameer had been part of my productions so they were used to everything but for those three it was a whole new experience.

After my last debrief of the day, Faezah went off. The 6 of us all decided to have dinner and walked to Funan IT Mall.

It was a fun journey. Mayor kept asking stupid questions, and I was talking to my cousin about the shoot. We all had dinner at MacD and talked all they way till nearly 11.

Epilogue

I really had a great time doing Takdirgraphy. For me, that one day was so much better than some days I spent in other productions. Arvind agrees with me too. Everyone did a great job!

So my thanks go out to Ameer Hassaan, Nur Faezah Abdullah, Huq, Pilot, D Arvind, Muhd Aslam and Mayor for helping me out. I hope we can win an award or get some recognition with this short film.

My thanks also to Madam Maziyan for the equipments! Wow, this is like the 8th time I asked equipments from her!

This is my 8th short film, and the 9th film out of my entire 9 collections.

Phew, I certainly went a long way in making my first Malay production. As of now, I am currently editing the film and will release the trailer pretty soon.

Look forward to the film!

The great people who made Takdirgraphy possible!

This post is written by Ali Akbar,

Writer, Director, Cinematographer & Editor of Takdirgraphy

And owner of this blog

(C) 2009 Darkstarr & Akbarian Productions

All rights reserved