1. Visual edit — at the fine cut stage but I’d like to start sound design to get the feel and mood and take that to the account in final cut. I still need a clearance to use Mrs Delloway book cover and find a tourist footage travelling by boat.
2. Music — I was going to compose myself but I found that I’d better get a license. I have been listening to mobygratis and Rafiralfiro over and over then decided to ask Rafiralfiro (I used their music for my previous film) to use Celeste (harp song) but found that it was an original soundtrack of El Plan B. I contacted them anyhow meanwhile I might look for another composer.
3. Sound design — I couldn’t believe that CG15 has been pre-booked ahead. I thought I was quick. This project is pretty much plan for sound design and I’d like to do surround 5.1 to show off at Annual screening. This is something Cofa might have to look at when renovating the campus.
4. DVD — There is a rough idea and a cover sketch in my visual diary but it will come along later.

That’s the post-production juggling. Still.So.Much.To.Do.

10 September 2009

In 1948 Pierre Schaeffer experimented with sounds with magnetic tape loop and created the very first musique concrète, Études aux Chemins de Fer. Then he collaborate with Pierre Henry and produced ‘Symphonie pour un Homme Seul’ in 1950.

1958, Edgard Varèse created a sound scape for multimedia presentation, Poème électronique, for Le Corbusier in Phillip Pavillion in Brussels World Fair. I can only imagine with the sound piece to go with the images here but in multi-channels triggered in many points. That was 50 years ago and the foundation of electronic music today.

I felt offended when someone gave his opinion that Joy Division’s Love Will Tear Us Apart was a crap song. It shaped the rock music in the early 80′s which evolved from the raging Punk Rock. You can still hear its echo in the music today. Although I am a fan of New Order, I hardly know Joy Division apart from their most popular piece of music and the suicide of the lead singer, Ian Curtis. Joy Division Documentary has given me insights about them.

The Director, Grant Gee stylises the film with old clips and photographs creating the right mood for the group. The movie pivots on Ian Curtis, straightforward from forming the band to his death. People involved in the band, in the exception of the band’s families, tell us about their pathway rock stardom. Not so different from other super group, it takes talents, good timing and lucks. The major drawback is Ian’s illness and depression and on one knows how to deal with it.

It seems like Ian is just another troubled artist driven by success to end of his life. However, he is a good example of a mental disorder person is unable to connect to the world. His lyrics shows how has been lost on his own and no matter how deeply his massages strikes the audience, he would not get the sympathy back.

One of the most exciting finds during Thailand visit was the independent music scene. As I went to FAT Festival with the curiosity, the concert blew me away with its energy so the hunt for the Thai Indies began. The sources I could think of are only DJ Siam in Siam Square and Nong Taprachan, by Thammasat University. The first batch of three from DJ Siam is:

• Stylish Nonsense: UseYour Professor!, electronic with witty beats
• Talkless: dot dot dot, beautiful downbeat ambient
• David Futon: Siam Soul, UK producer playing with Thai instruments

Step by Stylish Nonsense is one of my favourite tracks. It is about a boy politely excusing himself to a girl whom steps on his foot. Very Thai.And the more I dig out the connection within the scene, the more it fascinates me. Well done guys.

It has been an intense week for me. I was pushing myself by going to Earthdane festival and having a massive batch of the event photographs while having two major personal commitments coming up: the interview for Australian citizenship on Friday and IELTS test on the next day. However, I’m glad I can relax at some point, for now.

Response to the lovely The Cult of Accountancy. Hail, salariman!