Below are all real birds acted in the film.  Just thought of sharing how a Pi Pi looks like.  Some look different.

My personal favorite and I really called it Pi Pi.  Managed to keep it till the end of the production and set it free near the grassland.

It got really curious with my camera.  Birds have very soft body and look how it tilted its head to look at me.  Very cute darling!

Sleeping time.  Birds are normally timid and have very good hearing.  Covering cloth outside the cage helps to calm the birds from unneccessary stress. 

Another Pi Pi in different color.  Caught my eyes when I first saw it.  Very pretty and outstanding.  This was the only different one we had. 

And finally very good timing, caught one on the slate after we set it free as required in the scene.

"Excuse me, did any of your birds accidentally die today?" 

Yes that was the question I actually asked many Pet Shop owners very politely over the phone from the phone directory.  You can guess what kind of reaction I got from asking such question.  It was one of the most unforgettable experiences I got in Production.  It was my first time working as a Props Master in a feature film.  A scene required for the shoot was a dead bird lying on the floor fallen from a nest at the staircase.  Of course we wouldn't kill a living thing for a shoot.  When the Art department knew about the scene, we thought of preserving any dead birds found on the street until that shoot.  However the director wanted a sparrow.  Eventually while preparing for the other scenes, that matter was unresolved until the day before the shoot.  My Art Director told me to try calling the Pet shops to ask whether there were any accidental death.  There was a species that look a bit like sparrow called Pi Pi.  Having pet birds before, I knew birds don't actually die easily in cages.  So I had my doubts but still tried anyway.  I got different reaction, basically negative and I kind of asked for it.  One thought I was a prank caller, two were very mad with me, another went blurred and replied no.  I knew this wouldn't work and stopped after my fifth call.  I called my Art Director that I will try to make one instead.  But she had her doubts and told me it wouldn't work.  However the situation didn't allow me to think what if doesn't work.  The shoot was the next day, and I had to produce a 'dead bird' no matter what happened. 

I went straight to a craft shop to look for you know those fake birds display ornament which you could hook up to fake flowers.  It was a funny episode.  It wouldn't be a good teaching reference for small kids.  The birds were painted wrongly, with different colored wings and bodies.  You knew they only existed in the name of Art.  But I was really lucky to find a bird with a body shape like a sparrow made of Styrofoam.  It had two wings with sparrow feathers but a blue body.  Hence I bought some more birds with sparrow like feathers enough to cover this bird body till its head and brown paint.  Then I headed straight to the office to do the 'operation' with more references found on the web to ensure the success rate of the layout of a sparrow's feather pattern.  That whole night, I trashed my fear and 'what if doesn't work' out completely.  I only had 'dead bird making' in my head.  One final touch up I did to the 'bird' was flattened its tummy a bit, so it could lie on the floor as required in the scene.  I was pretty shocked to see the final outcome.  Because I didn't know I really can do this.

I learnt a very important lesson.  Leave no room behind you.  That's when you can do your best and perform things called miracles.

What you are about to watch is a highly, extremely uncomforta ble & cruel act.  This is probably the most drastic live footages ever recorded that carried a very important message - Anti-Fur cause.  This video clip is about 16mins long.  Pls be mentally prepared.  I was very affected by what I had seen & couldn't bring myself to finish watching it.

Just click on the link :

(If you've prob viewing it, try to copy the first line till fur.wmv & paste it in a new window.  It should prompt you to download the file.

This is how fur is being obtained:

http://my.so-net.net.tw/sirwang/fur.wmv" title="http://my.so-net.net.tw/sirwang/fur.wmv" target="_blank"http://my.so-net.net.tw/sirwa...

DON"T LET THEM BE THE VICTIM B'Cos Of FASHION!

This morning the flower buds couldn't bloom in time.  The caterpillar couldn't be found.  The flower basket finally gave way to death...

Once at the water fountain, a friend asked me which part of the water fountain do I preferred.  She told me she like the water being shoot up in the air.  I told her I like it coming down and hard with a big splash.  She commented I was violent.  I thought over it and wondered did she think so from the way I said it or was it the part that I added that I like it coming down hard with a big splash.  But that was how the water fountain behaved when we were there.  There was a pattern to it like a dance display and it ended with a loud thud before it begun again the whole display.  When the water was being shot up, it was like one way journey heading for the sky.  But it was only when the water came down, you feel the impact when it touched the floor.  The impact was the sound, the water droplets that flew up and touched anyone who was near, and the floor that was cleansed beside it.  In fact, each has its own beauty. 

Perhaps it has become too conditioned for people to associate going 'down' as something bad.  It's like who will actually like coming down to something.  People want to be in a high position and being special.  Meanings became different when I said, "Going down the underground to take the train to see my mum."  "Squatting down to listen what a kid is crying about."  "Lying down on the grass to watch the clouds passing by."  These are normal you said.  Ok then let me put it as extreme and imaginative as possible.  "I like being the candles being blown off, so the birthday girl can cut the cake."  "I like to be on the ground, so I can see the amazing planes flying in the sky."  No more 'down' words yeah but similar scenarios?  No matter what position you are standing now, don't envy anyone standing higher than you are nor look down at anyone who is standing lower than you are.  It's just a different perspective with no absolute good or bad. 

Sometimes I wish I were the clouds in the sky.  Explore the world wherever the wind carried me.  And fell to the earth as rain to be life.  Then the sun will receive me in the sky again and start it all over again.  Perhaps that's just how reincarnation works.

It was like having examination these few days.  It is a problem when you switch between 2 different editing software for work.  I felt like a handicap suddenly, cos' I was so used to the shortcuts of another, and was kind of rusty for the other giant.  First day, I was 'tested' to do paper dolls effects from the freeze frames.  Second day, I was 'tested' to nest in edit in the existing effects.  Some questions I predicted came up but without practical, it can still be a problem.  Hope I survived another day with pleasant dreams tonight.

Forgotten water made flowers dying in the little basket

bought by my sister for Mother's Day.

Spotted a small caterpillar roaming in this man-made garden.

I cleared away the dried leaves revealing the dried up sponge.

And fed the flowers with water bit by bit.

Some buds still remained shut.

Will they bloom in time?

The caterpillar still looked so young.

Will it be able to change to a butterfly?

It fell asleep lying across the little flowers.

It turned around with its little eyes when I said good night.

Feeling extremely vexed and unfocused.  I feel really sorry for being a sting ray today.  Those who were near me were being strung for no reason.  Like a 'live' volcano & couldn't keep the lava in.  It was a highly interrrupted vexed blue day. Gosh gone case...

Ok ok I know I have posted enough of this little bunny.  Before I gave it away to a friend, I just want to remember it. It may not be a fantastic job compared to a professional, but I've done it with something precious.  Hope my friend will treasure it.  Now I have to go and work on another babe in great details that will need more hands to be seen. Cheers

  Bye bye

Introducing ... Princess Anusha!  Yes I'm finally satisfied now with its look. From Arabic style to Indian style.  I think I'm crazy enough to dress a bunny up.

What do you guys think?  Let me know your opinion.  Cheers!

"Vertigo and unsteadiness are not diseases. Rather, they are symptoms of a problem in the balance system. The human balance system is made up of three distinct sensory systems: vision, proprioception (gravity and stretch sensors found in muscles and joints), and the vestibular system (organs in the inner ear that detect position changes). Difficulties in any one of these systems, or with the brain's integration of the inputs from the three, can cause one to feel dizzy, disoriented or unsteady."

The center is a state-of-the-art facility for the assessment of patients having dizziness and/or balance and gait disorders.  After finding that out, at least the whole picture is more completed.

Being a freelancer, I'm glad that I'm able to spend more time with my family.  It's strange when you get older, you start to appreciate your family even more and they became even more important.  Not that I don't last time, just that my heart seem to be more attached to my family somehow now.

With no call and update, I finally found out today from my Producer there are no more editing session for the documentary filmed in China.  My heart ached when I realized someone else got it picture locked with some revision and had sent it for Online.  With the music still not confirmed for the edit, I couldn't help to be worry about this 'China Baby'.  The music they are adding later is going to affect my edit.  And so this is it, I've to let go now and hope it's well taken care of.

Couldn't sleep well recently until the wee hours into the early morning.  Maybe too brain active at night when everything is so quiet.  Hence I'm able to write and work.  At the moment, I hope I will be able to get my short film done (My 1^st after so many years since I graduated.)  Anyway still have a lot to work on.  I think I'm a joker.  I was trying to look for crews after coming up with a rough story scene breakdown and even thinking of location already.  I haven't even written out the script in great details.  So to be honest, I can be counted officially as one without a decent script yet.  OMG!!!  More sleepless nights!!!  Everyday I wake up, I feel like I'm dreaming.  Will I ever get my short film done?  Am I dreaming about it?  Will I be able to get funding?  Will anyone be interested to help me?  Where to look for location?  Who can be my D.O.P?  Who can do location sound?  Is the story ok?  Did I lose focus?...  Each time I keep telling back to myself, one step at a time.  Don't look too far out when there is nothing to see.  When I see my steps, at least I can see my feet.

My hasty effort on the bus in dressing up this Arabic Rabbit for a friend as a small present.  It's not completed, cos' I think can add more accessories to it.  Got this crazy idea this morning, but with added revision after recalling my friend's hilarious dressing up with scarf one afternoon at our old workplace and doing crazy photo shoot together.  That time both bosses were out, so with nothing much to be busy with, we just went bonkers and started doing each other portrait shooting.  We both had our own digital cameras.  It was a crazy afternoon and we were very high.  If you happened to drop by at that time, you will be so scared of us.  And I really mean it.  My friend suddenly became the Sahara Desert girl with scarf wrapped around her face.  Just earlier tonight I showed my sister this rabbit when I came home and she was like, "Why wrapped until like that?  Like cannot breathe..."

Anyway My Lucky Pick of the day: Tat tat...drum roll

"A wind-up Ninja climbing pole toy" from the toy ‘egg' machine.  I thought it is a monkey but the picture that came with it showed a Ninja.  But I don't understand why a Ninja has a tail?

I learnt a very important lesson in "Jewel In The Palace".  There was a scene where the lead actress - Chang Jin, was asked to go out of the Palace to serve the Empress's old ex-nanny.  This old nanny last wish was to be able to eat this particular rice his brother had fed her when they were young before he passed away due to poverty.  But no one knew what kind of rice was that and was not able to produce it.  Chang Jin managed to find that raw rice, but was advised by a worker that the rice had to be dried under the sun in and out of the house for a few days.  Afraid that the old nanny would pass away any time, she dried the rice using shortcut.  As a result she did not produce the exact taste the old nanny had tasted before.  The older worker proved his sincere method was the correct way and the old nanny who fulfilled her last wish was able to pass away peacefully without regret.

Good films and dramas had such incredible magic and influence.  They are like magical doors where you can escape reality and get lost in someone's imagination or stories.  I have such great admiration and envy for seeing the team spirit behind-the-scene documentaries be it for drama or films.  It's such a delicate and specialized jobs for each different department.  Time and time again I wanted to take a breather from the industry, but time and time again, I couldn't bear to leave even for a moment.  I am still working hard looking for doors for my own magic.  What's the lifespan of my work?  The lifespan seemed to be how long a program is being aired.  If it served its purpose, I am contended.  End of the day, heart remained.  Some times it needs to be squeezed and perform CPR.  Weak but I will keep it alive.  And I want to.  I have a choice.

Hungry hungry...

When dinner is going to be served late, it's a good idea to have an edible table for your guest.

"I have ordered a set meal.  Wanna join me?"

Say Arrr...

Next best thing to do after a delicious meal...ZzZzzZzz

"Oh would you hurry to take the reading?  I can't hold my breath forever!" ;

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Now I will just wait for my dinner patiently.  It's worth the wait. 

One of the most precious activities for me is having family dinner.  I dearly cherished it.  Don't have to go anywhere, just get together and happily have a meal.  To me money cannot buy that.  And it is so rare that I must say if you have that often in your life do count yourself fortunate.  Maybe it's so rare, hence I am able to cherish it so much more.  Today 14^th, my married sister had come home to stay over after her work and my dad had come home surprising early from work.  But I'm so glad to be able to sit my dad down to have dinner with us.  All 5 of us.  And he had bought Otahs (cooked spicy minced fish meat wrapped in coconut leaves) and curry puffs, which were delicious add-ons to the dinner.  Mum teased him for not buying her yummy trotter since it was Mother's Day today.  She had prepared her top favorite specialty dishes- cauliflower cooked in tomatoes sauce with garden pea, tomatoes, Orange and red pepper and broccoli.  (A very colorful dish.  Too bad she no longer add the lean meat I loved - cos' she no longer cook meat except for soup.)  Next dish was her top ‘must have'- healthy steamed fish.  The Otahs were slightly choking spicy but delicious.  As for the curry puffs, I love the egg inside so much that the spicy minced meat portion, I was able to bear.  Gosh lovely yummy!  And little rice.  Dad ate really fast till I had to protest.  Yet even it was less than 10 minutes, I was already contented.  And then watching TV program together after meal and had mangoes that tasted sweet even not fully ripen.  Happy.  Delighted.  Thrilled.  Blessed.  Very blessed.

Been buying a lot of CDs recently.  It felt like a long time since I really explore and listen to Chinese pop music.  I suddenly have this craving and a huge craving.  I mean last time I will just notice & listen to artists that I like, but didn't really explore others.  The ‘window' got even narrower with radio rarely in my life except my childhood.  Normally I would listen a lot to movie or drama soundtrack.

The song lured me when I first heard it for a Japanese Drama - "Pride" for an episode trailer.  It was very appropriate for that episode when the mother came to visit her son after she left him when he was young.  I think it was interesting to use a Queen's song for a Chinese trailer.  Although it was not uncommon to use an English song for a Chinese trailer, it's just a matter how to foot the mood of expression one wants to convey. I enjoy watching trailers. A successful trailer is one that attracts your attention & makes you want to watch it. It's a whole lot different from editing a program.  There are so many ways to play around with it, but end of the day is still dishing out the attractiveness you want to highlight of a ‘product' in the shortest time.  Hence episodic trailers are as important. I used to love using music that is rarely heard of at times. That includes buying a lot of 'unknown' artist albums. It can be quite a satisfaction when I found one.  And it's so hard to find that one.

I was looking through my photo album & stumbled upon some picts I had wanted to post on my blog during the past Chinese New Year but had forgotten completely about it. Still it was worth remembering...

For those who dunno what's the drama about:  "Jewel In The Palace" is based on a true story of the trials & tribulation of a girl (Chang Jin) from being a commoner to an outstanding cook in the Royal Kitchen and finally the first female physician in history to serve the king.  If a drama is to represent a country, I would said that Japan has "Oshin" and Korea has "Jewel In The Palace".

I enjoyed its soundtrack. Someone even came up with a way to learn its Korean ending song in Mandarin. Just check out -

http://flash.cyol.com/product/0512180232441 6.swf" title="http://flash.cyol.com/product/0512180232441 6.swf" target="_blank"http://flash.cyol.com/product...

There is a news flash report first before seeing the hilarious MTV to learn the song. (Subtitles are in Chinese)