Standard Chartered Bank

Standard Chartered Bank
The One Thing: "A Rewarding Career"

Services Provided:
Scriptwriting, Videography, Video Interviews, Video Editing, Motion Graphics, DVD Authoring

This was an interesting and rewarding project. We were given the challenge of producing a product video that would be viewed by new recruits of Standard Chartered Bank's IT operations arm, IT-365.

Being a regional call centre, IT-365 work tirelessly behind the scenes to uphold IT integrity of account holders, shareholders, businesses... the bank's customers. We don't see them, we only listen to them as they patiently help us over the phone, round the clock.

As expected of a call centre, the furniture is practical and spartan. There are rows upon rows of neatly formed cubibles under bright lighting in a clean, air-conditioned environment. A personal effect is limited to a toy atop a monitor there, photo frames here, a jacket draped over a chair... Photos of past corporate activities and inspirational posters dot the walls of each department.

Seven departments had to be featured in the video. This proved easier said than done as each department lacked factors that made it unique from the other. Our Videography team had to incorporate unique angles when shooting each department.

We also used dynamic camera moves to spice up the activity that the camera was recording. Known as 'tracking' and 'dolly' this technique added value to the video but it was a time consuming process.

Our proposed concept to use a host that would 'visit' each department and narrate the script won the client's approval and we were very fortunate that they had a Head of Department who was rather adept at reading from a cue card and moving amongst his colleagues. We had to direct Colin but he was a fast learner and the shoot progressed smoothly.

Extensive Motion Graphics was used to dramatise various parts of the video, especially the introduction. Have a look at our video and add your comments.

Xandria Ooi: TV Host, Emcee, Writer

Most of us know Xandria; she's a perky, bubbly, TV Host most noted for her debut in the Life Show. In her spare time, Xandria writes articles revolving around daily life and does her rounds as emcee for various high-profile events.

The first time I met Xandria, she struck as a very friendly lady but with a mind of her own. I've seen her emcee events where I happened to be official videographer. The lady tends to go off script... she once got a Managing Director of a prominent international corporation to come onto to stage to dance! It's all in the name of fun.

It became clear to us as we completed more projects that involved dynamic interviews with rising stars that strong family support plays a key role in the rise to fame and glory. Mrs. Ooi can always be spotted in the background, ready to jump in at short notice to give emotional support. She's camera-shy but when push gives way to shove, Susan is always there for Xandria.

After meeting Xandria's acquaintance on numerous occasions, our client, Martell VSOP called on us to produce a video biography of her. Co-incidentally, singer songwriter superstar Reshmonu would be appearing in on of Xandria's show. All the merrier! Here is the video biography that we produced for her.

Movie Review: The Last King of Scotland

My Rating: 7/10

Journalist: I heard you're calling yourself 'The Last King of Scotland'
President Amin: Yes, they heard what I did to the British here and they want me to go over there and help them!

Idi Amin... I mean, Forrest Whitaker deserved every praise awarded him for portraying Uganda's Idi Amin so convincingly. He worked hard at it too- I heard Forrest stayed in character even between takes. His giant frame and pompous gait followed by his baritone, powerful voice and sinister, steely eyes just took my breath away.

It's a shame we couldn't see more of his performances. Instead, we watch the story unfold through Nicholas Gerrigan, a free-spirited, naive and impulsive doctor appointed by the president to be his personal physician.

The jovial and amicable president is at once full of charm and charisma. After a foiled assassination attempt, we are treated to a glimpse of the dictator's wrath. Ultimately his lapse into paranoia and evil is a joy to watch.

Dr. Gerrigan's lack of foresight and his careless attitude towards repercussions are the cause to at least two ruined lives. I found myself cheering when he finally had to face the music. Between the two, I was rooting for the antagonist.

The reddish, brown and orange hues of Africa is prevalent in this film. Sweat and dust, the cinematographer never cease to remind you of it. The camera is mostly dynamic, darting here and there, sometimes very subtly, to highlight a hand gesture or a facial expression. Camera angles are at once wide, cutting to medium and finally close-up, only to repeat the cycle again. The director tries to put us into the action and yet wanting us to become spectators as well.

I found myself drawn into Gen. Idi Amin's first public appearance. It was lightning. I felt the cameras framed him just right at the last possible moment as he gestured into the crowd, hands uplifted into the heavens.

Beautiful directing, the hues and lighting sets the right mood and ambiance, brilliant performance by Forrest are the film's saving graces. I fear the story was a let down. This wasn't about Idi amin, Uganda's notorious dictator who murdered 300,000 of his people. This was a story about Dr. Gerrigan and his good friend President Idi Amin!

Movie Review: The Hunting Party

My Rating: 7/10

When defamed journalist Simon Hunt (Richard Gere) goes traipsing all over Bosnia-Herzegovina searching for a war criminal nicknamed 'The Fox', we assume he's out looking for that big scoop that will restore him to his former glory.

War torn Bosnia is now a tranquil paradise vivid in autumn, through the lens of the cinematographer. Gone are the desaturated, sometimes monochromatic look used to depict a country ravaged by war.

Duckie (Terence Howard), cameraman to Simon's war journalist, narrates part of the story. Despite being a great team, wining awards and recognition, we aren't told clearly why exactly Simon suffered a breakdown during a live broadcast. His career takes a downward spiral from thereon.

Simon resurfaces eventually to recruit Duckie in his quest to 'get an interview' with The Fox. Together with the network vice-president's son, we follow them through the Bosnian countryside, encounter red tape from the peace-keeping corps and encounter close calls after close shaves.

In the end, finding the Fox wasn't such a big deal you wonder why governments couldn't get at him after all the years. Great, what we need is another conspiracy theory movie. Just remember they're not a CIA hit squad pretending not to be a CIA hit squad! OR are they... not?

Witty dialogue provide homour and thought provoking questions. This isn't really an action flick if that's what you're after. Each actor carry their own weight, which is only a little above average at best. My advice is to enjoy the Bosnian countryside and the conspiracy theory.

Videographer's Journal: The Body Shop 'Walk of Love'

Media excerpt "To commemorate Hari Wanita 2007, WAO (Women's Aid Organisation) and The Body Shop organised "Walk of Love, Celebrating Women" to generate awareness on violence against women. The event begins with a light walk-a-thon, culminating in a celebration concert at the piazza area where celebrities singers entertained."

WolFang Digital provided extensive coverage of the walkathon, running along with participants. We later set up our video cameras to provide Live Video Feed so participants could enjoy performances by celebrity singers.

Movie Review: 3:10 to Yuma

My rating: 8/10

Another western. After watching Seraphim Falls, I was half expecting this 3:10 to Yuma to be a little depressing but I was pleasantly surprised.

The colours in 3:10 are much more vibrant than Seraphim and the characters are more filled out. Although the story follows the protagonist, I had hoped the screenwriters would give the bad guys (Ben Wade's gang) more screen time. That mexican sniper and especially lightning fast Charlie Prince in particular would give this movie more action oriented entertainment value.

Whereas the concept of Seraphim Falls lie in the hunter and hunted plot, 3:10 to Yuma concerns us with the hunter being caught and being brought to justice. Although lacking a good music score, I took note of the ominous soundtrack that drove the movie.

Russell Crowe as the notorious Ben Wade is charismatic as is expected of him. Christian Bale's Evans as the struggling, down on his luck rancher makes me feel for him but throughout the movie I get the feeling there's more to this man than meets the eye. Perhaps the director intended to reel me into with my preoccupation with Evans.

Although I didn't really get the ending I though it was a unique although very unconventional way to end a story. In the end images of Charlie Prince, that stone-cold sleigh of hand gunfighter kept flashing through my mind.