Ending my job early, I managed to catch "Truth Be Told" screening two days ago thinking it was the last after its 21 days running in the theatre.  It is a feat to be able to screen a Singapore independent film that long with limited publicity.  Looking at its website, I just realized its official last screening was next Wednesday 31^st and not this past Wednesday.  To think I missed its opening due to the chaotic rush, despite I had already seen the film in the Premiere previously.

As I watched it again "refreshed" from an audience point of view instead of being its editor, I was able to relax and let it unfolded more gradually this time.  Because for a start, I was too painfully aware of every cuts I made. My cousin asked me previously what was the story about, I told him "A TV presenter has to face her past which she ran away years ago...and learn about parents' unconditional love where she least expected."  I felt it was the film core message overall. 

Official Website:

http://www.truthbetoldmovie.com/" title="http://www.truthbetoldmovie.com/" target="_blank"http://www.truthbetoldmovie.c...

Behind The Scene Blog:

http://pilgrimpictures.blogspot.com/" title="http://pilgrimpictures.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"http://pilgrimpictures.blogsp...

I admire the filmmakers' (who are also my ex-course seniors) spirit behind in making the film.  It was a Singapore independent film shot on HDV and also their first feature baby that was made possible through their passion, perseverance, time & love. 

I remembered both of them tried hard not to look at any of my edit during the initial stage of Post Production until our in house very 1^st Cut screening.  It was a memorable one, cos' we all didn't feel the time.  I'm glad to be able to be part of the team. 

In order for our industry to grow, we have to keep making films - be it having positive / negative reviews, so that we could continue to learn and progress.

Of all the things said & done, I say the thoughts behind the film are priceless.

(The above film posters are Pilgrim Pictures copyrighted)

I felt so blessed.  I got another tub of jellies today!!!  And it was ‘King' size!  My colleague told me he brought some more jellies for me today and reminded me to bring it home end of the day.  Near end of the day, I embarrassingly popped the question, "May I get my treasure now?"  It was strange how anyone could get used to my weird expression without a "huh?" and he was, "Of course.  It was in the fridge drawer."  I was kind of embarrassed to ask further details, thinking I should be able to tell which was the one, cos' it was a shared fridge.  I walked out of the door and down the corridor to where the small pantry was with full of anticipation like a kid.  I couldn't help it.  I LOVE JELLIES!!!  I was still kind of sad last night, where my dad finished the last two jellies I kindly offered cos' no one had the heart to finish them off with me in mind.  I knew this sounded drama, common' this is family!!! 

Opening the drawer at the bottom of the fridge, I stumbled upon a big heavy tub in a white plastic bag.  I couldn't believe my eyes. It was bigger and heavier than the first one I received.  I took it out and examined it.  No mistake, it was my jellies!  I rushed back to the office & double confirmed that the whole tub was for me?!!  And he was, "Yup."  There were more jelly rabbits in beautiful light blue and green filled with the coconut cubes (couldn't remember what they were called.)

My sister shook her head a lot after looking at me, but she still ate them in enjoyment...silently.

As I was reaching the Old Parliament House, otherwise known as the Art House now, two girls ‘fly' out.  Recognizing them, I greeted them my "Hello!" And the first rusher-Candy, was calling out, "Alicia, you got Nylon thread?" 

To tell you the truth, I couldn't remember how Nylon thread looked like, but since I didn't carry any thread with me, it didn't take me long to reply a, "No."

They ran past me as though the house was on fire.  The first thought flashed through my mind was, "The curtain?"  Something must have fallen apart.  Or maybe some wardrobe needed help.  It was 10 minutes before the scheduled 7pm "NightSound In Motion" gig at the Art House Play Den last night.  There were people crowding around waiting to be admitted.  I was greeted by a smiling lady by the table near the door where stacks of the program for the night with the 5 band members printed on the cover lied and their newly released "Circus In Motion" CD albums neatly lying on their backs from one another comfortably on the table.  One of the audiences was telling his friend, "Not ready 730pm..."

(Http://www.nightalive.com)

I met the artist, May, again who was holding her Art exhibition next door and she was wrapping up for the day.  She recognized me as I walked in and remembering I was here for the gig to support my friends.  She told me, the band produced very good work.  She heard them rehearsing and she told me she was like peeking.

I was praying hard that the sound system would do them justice.  Honestly, with a ticket charging at $25 for a local act was a bit steep for a start.  I was truly glad to see, the turn up was great!  I was an audience for a change, and not as a crew.  The back door behind the audience seats leading to the control room upstairs was in total pitch darkness.  The only things that were lighted were the monitors with the consoles display.  Kenny, who was directing the show, was on a walkie-talkie.  I returned to my seat, anticipating like others for the gig to start.  The music instruments lied purposefully on the floor, the cables carefully lay connected and the microphones staying put on their stands.  The stage was set.  Lights dimmed.  NightSound played their hearts out like never before.  It was as though that night was their one and only...

Beside performing their newly released tracks like, "Hold My Hands", "Roam", "People", "Polar", "Sunrise", "Goodbyes", "Remember Me", "Weak", "Roses", "You & I", "Heart", "Circus In Motion"... Memorable tracks from their previous albums like "Jessie Don't Cry", "12:17" were added special bonus to the night.

Photo installation of innocent children taken by Aaron Lim, and cute photos of the band members rolling out and ‘growing up' till their present state ahem...as they sung added a heartwarming & personal touch on the white projector screen behind.  I didn't recognize the first baby photo was Req's, which was a pity it wasn't replayed.  Not to forget that rarely seen fantasy music video of "Jessie Don't Cry", and a special edited "12:17" music video version that included behind the scenes footages that were worth a special mention. 

The audiences were also captivated by footages from Kenny's short film, "Our Last Days" to Req (vocal)'s mischievous jealousy as NightSound performed its soundtrack that they had written.  It was a night of pleasant surprises with music collaboration with excellent performing artists - Edmund Wuu on saxophone, Luke Chen on percussions, Fritz Quartet who were on the violins and cello, and Taisuke Yamamoto who kicked the house high with his fast rap.  Eugene who was playing bass in NightSound, sung to our delightful surprise.  And the song was inspired by his love for a girl! 

"What ever happened to staying up at 4 o'clock?  Forget all that's all behind, to think about the times we sit and cried..." as Req poured out the lyrics of the song "Heart" with all the photos montage playing on the screen, it's hard to ignore all the emotions and feelings in the journey that had intercrossed by many.  The people who stayed and the people who had left.  The nostalgia that arose summed up a night of a heartfelt performance that had happened because of a man's persistence of a dream that had dreamt by many, but one who didn't give up even when the goings get tough...

"Neil, I'm so proud of you.  You guys rock!!!"    

What do you expect from an ordinary working day hung with sudden outburst of frustration in some work happenings and when with a turn of a back, you found a big tub of cold jellies wrapped in a red plastic bag nicely tied up and taped around, sitting quietly on the table waiting to be discovered? 

I say, "Sweetness."

The little tail Of Mr Jelly Rabbit...

Delighted to find a couple of jelly ‘rabbits' right in the middle of the tub like finding hidden jewels.  Their softness and size reminded me the feeling of holding a hamster.  For a moment, I was reluctant to eat them.  In the next split seconds, they reminded me of the Autumn Lantern festival stringed with the myth of Chang-er and her lonely rabbit in the full moon...  Aarrgghh..poor rabbit alone in the moon & I don't see Chang-er in the tupperware.  The green jelly rabbits soon became priceless crystal jade... Wow...

Finally I went with its head, and next I was back to reality.  It was sweet.