Tuesday 29 January 2008

APM Corporate Video


This was one of our more interesting projects. It was also unique because we got to visit one of our country's largest automotive parts producing plant.

To describe the condition in the factories as 'hot' would be an understatement. Alloy were being melted into various shapes by giant robots with incredible speed and ease. We got first-hand experience watching how vehicle suspension, radiators and seats were produced.

Given the narrow nature of its walkway, we couldn't get enough equipment into the factory floor, which was just as well because safety was paramount. There were yellow boxes bordering each production process which we must not cross. Completed parts on the factory floor are not to be handled by hand, they are left to cool. Accidentally brushing my shoe on one produced as my sole melted upon contact.

On the other hand we get to witness seats being designed and tested. This was obviously a more delicate process and the rooms were fully air-conditioned. We also watched spray painting machines in sealed-off rooms apply consistent layers of paint onto plastic parts.

We had a fun and educational experience during the video production stage. Motion Graphics was a prevalent element in this video and various layouts were used to inject a high-tech flavor to the video.

Our post production team invested many hours with the 3D Animation and it shows- a reflection of the robots on the factory floor, cleverly piecing together the client's logo amidst sparks and heat waves.

Our clients were very happy with the result and are including our video into their marketing material both local and overseas. A job well done!

Sunday 27 January 2008

Launch of Martell 'Creation Grand Extra'

The anticipated debut of Martell's flagship cognac, the Creation Grand Extra launched with much fanfare at JW Mariott.

Guests were treated to a live orchestra, a fine-dining experience with a live demonstration from award-wining gourmet chef Eric Danger. The night was made more glamorous with violin performances by famed violinist, Genervie Kam and friends.

Looking back, the project seemed daunting; we had guests coming in from all over the region. Martell's Global Brand Ambassador, Mr. Jacques Menier was on the VIP list as well.

It has been almost two years since Martell launched its last flagship cognac, the Martell XO and we were all eager to give it our best shot.

Our greatest challenge would be the Live Video Feed. Michelin Chef Eric Danger would do a live cooking demonstration for the audience. I would be on stage with our video camera, recording the event and the video would be projected onto a large screen for all to see.

As with all Live Video Feed, the distance from the AV console to the demo area pose the greatest difficulty. Once that was overcome, we just had to stay away from obscuring the audience in the front row while projecting video for those at the back. It's a compromise because when we edit the video later, we would not get the best angles.

All things considered, the event went very well and I even got to sample the star of the show, the Creation Grand Extra. A long finish, with a hint of oak and dried nuts. Cheers!

Thursday 24 January 2008

Movie Review: The Matador



My rating: 8/10 points

How do you handle an assassin who's experiencing mid-life crisis? Pierce Brosnan plays a vulnerable antagonist. A departure from the usually imperturbable characters that he plays.

Watch as the assassin Julian suffers a burnout and the only help he could find is a reluctant and gullible Danny, a down on his luck businessman played by Greg Kinnear. Commendable acting, both of them.

Julian and Danny share a plausible camaraderie. Keep an eye out for the step-by-step instruction on how to 'take out' a target.

Good cinematography and directing. Actors deliver their dialog well. Entertaining and tongue in cheek funny.

Wednesday 23 January 2008

Virtual Combat Journal: Major


I was promoted to Major yesterday in Call of Duty 4, after some brutal online firefights. In one particular game I remember my AK-47 running out of bullets. There were no weapons lying around from downed warriors so I had to go at it with my silenced pistol. I managed to down two of the opposition, at a longer range than the USP was comfortable with, before succumbing to my wounds. What a game. I remember it was the map called Pipeline (it's a sniper's paradise).

Only a few days ago I found out that my AK attached with an ACOG (Advanced Combat Optical Guide) could double up as a sniper's rifle. What it lacked in accuracy it made up for in comparatively low recoil and a high rate of fire. Picking the right hide for this kind of technique is tricky.

On a few occasions, I had a nail biting time waiting for my teammates to call in a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) while I was prone on the ground, exposed to enemy fire, poring over the map hoping for the UAV to reveal the enemy so I could call in an air-strike. I was rewarded when the planes screeched by raining death to the opposition and experience points for me!

Upon my promotion, the sniper rifle R700 was unlocked to me. I've never heard of this particular rifle. The COD4 charts say it's a really accurate piece but with a slow rate of fire- bolt action, of course. Time to do some research.

Tuesday 22 January 2008

Movie Review: Lady In The Water

My rating: 9/10 points

All great movies take its time to unfold and this is no exception. A beautiful blend of fairy-tale and fantasy in a contemporary setting.

Look out for the living room pow-wow where the residents work together, all the misfits and the outcasts team up to face a menacing danger lurking just beyond their residence.

The director took considerable effort to develop his characters and plot.
A brilliant story with mystery and suspense that manages to inspire.

Make sure the kids come along for the ride like the director intended.

Monday 21 January 2008

Virtual Combat Journal: Captain



Yesterday, I finally made Captain in Call of Duty 4. The innovative thing about this First Person Shooter game that sets it apart from the rest is its online ranking system.

You start out as a lowly Private and work your way up to General...? How does an enlisted personnel get to become an officer and then climb all the way up to General? Apparently, after First Sergeant, one gets bumped to 1st Lieutenant, bypassing the Sergeant Major ranks.

Well, that's how the game works and that's fine by me. With power comes... great pressure. I'm now expected to perform better than those below me. What's worse, the opposition will be hunting for me on the battlefield!

There's nothing worse than looking at the scoreboard after the game and discovering you fared no better than a Corporal.

Friday 18 January 2008

Movie Review: Seraphim Falls



My rating: 7/10 points

The landscape shifts from snow covered forests to vast arid desolate plains framed by gorgeous skies.

The hues can be drab, almost monotone, then change suddenly to scenes fiercely alive with colours.

Watch how Brosnan's character, Gideon, deals with a 'flesh wound' and never look at a superficial gunshot wound the same way again.

This theme of rage and vengeance is nothing new but the costumes, the props, the actor's performance and the majestic if bleak wild west at least does this film justice.

Wednesday 16 January 2008

Movie Review: The Inside Man



My rating: 7/10 points

If you don't watch it for the actors, go for the tightrope suspense. The director has you on a wild goose chase trying to decipher what's really going on while the characters belt out their lines expertly in cool composure that belie true tension.

Watch it for the beautiful camera moves, the graceful steadicam and dolly motions that take you right up to where the action is.
Be rewarded at the end by the true nature of the bank heist.

Movie Review: The Kingdom



My rating: 8/10 points

Sergeant Haytam: Sun is shining, wind is blowing. How bad can I be doing?

With lines like that in a movie that sports actors like Jamie Foxx and Chris Cooper, I expected this movie to rock and it did.

Very realistic firefights, the director has the innate ability to put you right in the middle of the action.

The team's efforts to create Inter-government co-operation is a charm to watch.

Just don't expect the forensic scenes to look like scenes from CSI, it's clearly too far fetched.

Virtual Combat Journal: Sniper scourge



The most noble act in the virtual battlefield:
To discover and dispatch a sniper who's been harassing your team with his well-placed and generally fatal shots from his bolt-action rifle.

The most humiliating death in a virtual battlefield:
As a sniper deceptively concealed in the undergrowth, to be knifed up-close from behind like the coward you are!