Sunday, March 05, 2006

On Course with Easter

Five weeks to go. That is how much time left for us to practice for Easter. Script is in place. Everyone now knows their part to play in this drama. The choir are rehearsing the songs.

Script

This years plan for Easter is big. Many events are in place to make sure that this project sustains through time and not just a one off event. Plans have been drawn up before, during and after Easter. The budget is big as well. Various activities are in place from Baking classes to invite non Christians to participate to going out into the streets and feeding those in the five foot way. The church is trying to get everyone involve in one way another whether by serving food for after the performance or playing a small role as the crowd in the scene. I sit and watch. It reminds me of my days in uni where such events were being planned out.

Mock stage
What is my role in this year's Easter? I assist Jenny, the director together with Pam. The script is taken from a materials which the church had bought. A monologue. We needed to add scenes to it so as to prevent monotony to the story and at the same time capture the audience attention from the strongs line that would be narrated by the monologers. Thoughts were beginning to form in my head. There was a desire to think about next years Easter. A play that would be self written instead of bought. I have grown to appreciate original screen plays due to influences back in uni days. Being around people who takes up the challenge to sit and think of a message to be projected to the mass have inspired me to write one as well. I love to innovate. To create something new instead of taking what is out there. Drawing influences from various sources and putting them together, adding local flavours to it is my passion. I can only wait and dream.

Director

Things were going on quite smoothly at practice. Monologers were joined by the cast that makes up the scenes. Only the dancers have yet to join in. The actors and actresses are progressing by the minute. While Jenny directs the entire play, it is up to Pam and myself to fill in the gaps. I find at times my presence to be in the background. It seems like Jenny is able to put all of this together. Sometimes, I feel that if I slip away from the back, no one would notice. I find it hard at times to work with her yet tell myself that playing the second fiddle is just as important. There are times where there were communication breakdowns. I had some disagreements. But it seems silence seems like a better option. I can tell myself to work at it and not give up. I see potential in some who participate. There is much can be improve in the drama ministry and would like to lend a hand in it. Other than that, I brought my cam to document the practices. It seems by suggestion to have someone cover the practices seem to fall on deaf ears. I guess many are busy and decided to be proactive and document it. You'll notice that this is the beginning of images on my blog.

Jesus on the cross

Crowd

Celebration of His resurrection


Next week would be a different view altogether, The stage would be up as construction was schedule to begin during the week prior to the weekend. I can't wait to actually begin practicing on the actual stage. Hoping for some interesting results.

Friday, March 03, 2006

"I have 94 per cent recall of all conversation. I tested it myself."

It has been two weeks since we met. Boy, we did find something missing from not meeting up the week before. It was like an old man without his daily cup of kopi o in the morning. We meet almost every week either over a movie or food. Not forgetting the bunch of craps that goes along with it as well. Our weekly meetings really helps break the routine of life and provide us with a booast that brings us through the week, awaiting for our next meeting. Laughter is always the best medicine.

We decided to meet up at Mid Valley, central to all our various workplaces. I booked tickets for "Capote". Huh? Well, thats was the reaction when I told people that I was going to watch this show. I can't blame them as I was clueless myself. All I knew about this movie is that it was an Oscar nominated movie and it was an autobiography.

Before showtime, I decided to take some time to visit MAPEX which happened to be at Mid Valley. For those who are unfamiliar with MAPEX, its a property development exhibition whereby various developers exhibit their newest project around and out of KL, given a glimpse to property hunters on the latest trends and designs for both living and investment. I had always an interest in property, mainly because of my liking for architecture and interior. The displays at the exhibition was interesting as there were many new designs being laid out. For example, town houses in Selayang that is constructed both front and back entrance that provides an individual parking lot for four individuals owner despite being made up of mainly one triple storey house. Other than that, there were also designs that incorporated two master bedrooms, one at the ground and the other on the first. As time was limited, I did not had time to look in more detail or even ask some question on various property but that short visit to MAPEX fulfilled my intentions of attending previous MAPEX fair and also gave me an idea of what property is all about.

Next, it was into the cinema. As expected, less than half the theatre was filled. This was mainly because many were unware of such a show less heard about the actor, Philip Seymour Hoffman who was nominated for Best Actor in this movie. As I sat and watched, I realise that it was relatively slow moving movie. I had been accostume to such a mood previously when watching Syrianna, another slow and serious movie. The first movie I did not make any stupid jokes or parodies on. Even Capote failed to escape my wrath.

The movie revolved around an author called Truman Capote whose decided to write a non fiction autobiography based on a murder case in Kansas whereby two killers slaughter the entire family of four. The case caught Capote interest and he wanted to have a glimpse of what the killer did on the night of the murder. His consistant and persistant visits to the jailhouse where these two killers were proved to be worthwhile in the end as he manage to get them to confess of the killing detailing the event that would help him finish his book. However, Capote was able to obtain this information using various ways of deception, causing the killers to have trust in him that he would find a good lawyer to have them escape execution. In view of action, the ordeal soon got the better of him upon the death of the two killers whereby his book, "In Cold Blood" was the last finish work before he passed away tragicly.

Truman Capote: I couldn't have done anything to save them.
Nelle Harper Lee: Maybe not, Truman. But the truth is, you didn't want to.

Philip's display as the gay author whose feminine touch combine with his suttle deceptive approach in obtaining the story for his book was commendable and louded. We see him behind the scene as a second fiddle but now he comes out and display such professional acting that brought life to the character. I was impress.

I would recommend this movie who are willing to sit through this slow pace movie and take time to enjoy and absorb the action that comes from the acting of such a professional artiste. Not for the faint hearted. If you're a movie fan, I am sure it will be a compelling drama to watch.