Tallinn. Tallinn? Tallinn!

As some of you know over the summer of 2011, I interned at 3nity Design for about 6 weeks. 

I spent the majority of that six weeks creating 5 short documentary-like "films" for an ongoing project/art show called MAN+GOD. The first stop was Tallinn and depending on how well it did, it might continue traveling to other locations in Europe. In the relation to what was being exhibited and presented at the art show my contributions were minimal. Still to be able to have my work stand side by side with true work of art and to have it travel half way across the world is truly a mind blowing thought! I could not have possibly imagined such an opportunity coming my way. What more at 19. No, I have never been one for modesty but am I proud! I can only dream that this will hopefully be a life I might lead in the future.

Today I  got an email from my boss, Joe saying that the festival went well, and my contributions got a fair bit of attention and that the French Muslim community were touched by it's production. Sure, he may be saying that just to give me an attaboy, but still to hear it went positively is so exciting. Better still, he says that my work will get to go to the UK and encouraged me to make even more short clips documenting prayer. The UK! The UK! Wow! I actually know people there that can, and I hope will actually see my work as part of an art show. I can not describe to you the excitement I am feeling. 

Here are a few images from Tallinn.

This was the space where my films were shown. That's Saifullah Muhammad on screen!

Here's a screenshot of him just so you're sure.

And here are a few more images from the MAN+GOD exhibition in Tallinn.

Prayers.

This is Joe, my boss.

One of many Russian doll exhibits. This I believe was a new addition.

The wonderful team that made it all happen.

Next stop, the United Kingdom! Now are there any practicing Jews that'd like to be part of this amazing project?

n.b. You guys probably will not read this, but I really want to thank everyone who was willing to lend me a hand in making my contributions possible. Especially my brilliant and genuine subjects, Saifullah Muhammad, Augustin Mok, Alison Khong, Shailen, and Karamdeep Singh.

Photocredit: Marek Nolvak

Story Telling

This is Apricot a short film by Ben Briand (watch it on Vimeo here). 

Contrary to what I learn in my theory of cinema class--that image is the most important element of a film followed by sound and everything else is of minimal importance, I want the ability to tell a story like that some day. There are many examples of good story tellers, this is just one of them. I need not tell many of you that Yasmin Ahmad was one of the greatest story tellers Malaysia has ever seen. 

Now what differentiates them, from us.

Being a personal friend of hers, my boss over the summer and the Creative Director of 3nity Design, Joe Foo, tried to account for her brilliance and exceptional ability with a list of ingredients. He said 4 elements were required for successful content creation (a layered approach to art and communication).

1. A colourful life.
2. A certain sharpness when it came to observing life.
3. A different way of thinking.
4. Courage in the presence of fear.

.. he went on to say that skill is easily obtainable, but what is truly invaluable, is experience.

Sure it may not be as simple as that, but I think that's a good place to start. I am going to leave it at that because it's currently 1AM and I want to have some ice-cream. Till tomorrow.