Thursday, November 28, 2013

[Mint.Music.Journey] Watch A Funny Singing Audition - The Voice Of Chuiness (Terrible Audition Episode 1)

JOY
is when you get to do something you like with a group of like-minded friends!

3 weeks ago, 
Daniel called me up and told me that he, together with some of our classmates, intends to do up a funny clip about terrible singing auditions.

To my surprise, he invited me to join in the fun!
*THRILLED!!!*

So after one day of major shouting, laughing, playing and plenty of perspiring, 
this video was made:
(HAVE A GOOD LAUGH!)



During the entire process of editing, I kept laughing non-stop.
I really mean NON - STOP.
*laugh until I cry until I laugh*

The vicious cycle continues.

We made it damn chui, didn't we?
LOL

Maybe I'm bias towards my classmates but I truly think that they are funny in the video!
It totally brings out the fun and spontaneous side of my classmates; so fun-loving and open-minded.

So blessed to have them contribute to such brilliant ideas which totally made my day. 
My ideas were tooooooooo lame to even be funny. 
It's. just. lame.

P/S: The storyboard which Daniel had prepared was totally different from the final product. The only similarities are perhaps the terrible singing audition idea and the 'problems' of the auditionees.

Anyways, I thought you guys would be curious enough to want to know how Yu Ting (played by Jona) has sang in the clip that made the 'Sibei Lan' Judges stunned like that. 

Here's Yu Ting's rendition of Pu Tong Peng You, the normal speed version:


She did this rendition deliberately for the effect of 'terrible audition'.
Do you still remember we took part in The Ultimate Voice 2013 held by Safra and Jia883 together?

I ought to do her justice here.
JONA CAN SING:




Daniel's First Version of Jing Wu Men is too cute but we couldn't use it because our laughter were recorded. One more thing, he was supposed to pretend that his mic got cut off but he forgot about that scene:



In actual fact, Daniel is actually one of the best male singers I've ever known.
He plays the guitar well too:

Saranghae your voice, Daniel!





Meanwhile, Julius was busy helping me took care of Bubble Leong in the living room. 
Meet make-shift Nanny Julius:

Terrible audition

Julius frequently take up roles in Mediacorp dramas.
I manage to catch his recent act in a the TV drama, Jie Mi ( 揭秘), on Channel 8:

Jie Mi

Here's another show on Channel 5, Crime Watch 2013.
Julius re-enacts one of the Ah Bengs at Pioneer Mall in Crimewatch 2013, episode 3:


The chinese version of Crimewatch 2013, episode 3: http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/crimewatch-2013-episode-3/2egmanl08

Our whatsapp group icon done by Derrick Tham is loved.
The fonts of 'the audition' totally reflects how 'scary' this audition would be if it were REAL:

LOVE YOU, Classmates!
Thank you for bringing so much joy to my life.

Terrible audition


In the video, Derrick named himself 自滑 (Zi Hua) which means 'self slippery' in the clip.
He is one of the initiators of our funny audition video.

His actual name is 谭志华 (Tham Zhi Hua), a popular songwriter who has wrote and composed many mandarin songs for veteran artistes like Sam Lee, Fish Leong, Hu Xia and more.

Derrick's most popular song which is a must-sing KTV hit for the longest period of time. It remains a popular choice for contestants of singing contests. Here's Zui Jin by Sam Lee.

Melody and Lyrics: Derrick Tham Zhi Hua


Hui Guo Qu De by Fish Leong
Melody: Derrick Tham Zhi Hua


Xue Zhe Zou by Hu Xia
Melody: Derrick Tham Zhi Hua


I wonder if you've noticed by now that the shirt tag of my top has fallen out.
It's so loose!

XBL productions Terrible audition


Is that good news which means I manage to slim down?
HURRAY!!!


The colours of this sleeveless top reminds me of Christmas…
Oh yah, it's 2 days till December 2013, the Xmas Season!

Year 2013 seriously zoomed pass like nobody's business.

XBL productions Terrible audition

Have you started your Xmas shopping yet?
No time to go shopping?

Don't excuse, online shopping is soooo convenient now and they have all that you need!

GO SHOP ONLINE AT ZALORA
this Christmas season!
HOHOHO

Zalora

What did Santa Say?
Ding Ding Ding Dongggggggggggg

XBL productions Terrible audition

No wait.
Santa don't ring door bells la~

Sunday, November 24, 2013

[Mint.Music.Lifestyle] 5 Reasons Why I Am So Impress By SYNCH For Doing The FIRST Typography Animation On N.E.mation! 8

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Photo courtesy of N.E.mation! 8

Everyone plays a part in this including you, read on.
Also, if you haven't read about 'Haunted' Teddy, check out FRIDAY'S blog post NOW.

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ABOUT N.E.mation!

N.E.mation! is a digital animation competition organised by Nexus for youths to express their thoughts on Total Defence.

Running its 8th edition this year, more than 9,900 students participated since its inception in 2007. With training and guidance, students with no prior experience in animation have been able to produce clips of broadcast quality to screen on free-to-air television. Some of these clips were even selected for international animation festivals and won several awards.

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Photo courtesy of N.E.mation! 8

N.E.mation! 8 is back with the theme "Because You Played A Part".
Notice that I stood in a position just enough to cover the word 'You'.
I'm trying to imply 'Because 'Mint Leong' Plays A Part'.

Let's call this competition NE8 (short form easier to type...)

From DIY worm-making during N.E.mation! 5 to becoming one of the NE8 Ambassadors, I've been constantly keeping up with the latest updates of this competition. The stories, the animation styles and the production from these finalists get increasingly exciting every year! From the way how these animation clips were professionally done up, you'd never believe some of these contestants are as young as 14 years old!

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Once again, A BIG BIG BIG Congratulations to the Top 10 Teams!

The NE8 Ambassadors

There are FIVE and I'm one of them. The rest of the N.E.mation!8 Ambassadors are Colin, Karen, Yingzi and Sarah. For the next 3 weeks, we'll be making visits to the home of the NE8 Top 10 Teams and sharing our experience via our blogs.

Working closely with the teams to find out more about their life stories is such a meaningful event, thank you for giving me this chance, N.E.mation!

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As for me, I've been assigned to these TWO wonderful teams:
Team 09, UnicornsAndRainbows;) 
and
Team 07, Synch
(Please support them HERE if you haven't. Look for BOTH team names and click 'LIKE'.)

It only takes 5seconds of your time but yet this kind gesture means so much to them.
Helping them 'LIKE' their group photo is a form of recognition and encouragement to these students to work even harder and produce better work, don't you think so?

SUPPORT THE TEAMS:
https://www.facebook.com/nemation/app_173234789528248

Click on the link for these youths,
Thank You Million Times on behalf of the students!

The team names to LIKE are:
  • UnicornsAndRainbows;)  from Orchid Park Secondary School (Last picture on the left)
  • Synch from Kent Ridge Secondary School (2nd last picture on the left)
You want to 'LIKE' all 10 teams also can la… that's even better!
I just did that *winks*

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The brave warriors of Synch are a group of risk-takers.

Everyone, meet Sze Yong, Jaren, Elyse and Jason:
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Initially reserved, the team members become sincere and willing to share once you get to know them.


Their actions speaks louder than words.
You'll know what I mean in the coming week.
I was genuinely touched by some things which they've done for me even though we've just met.

They are Secondary 3 students from Kent Ridge Secondary school.
All of them are from the school's Media Club (it's a CCA).
Photography, Videography, maintaining the school's PA system…
In Media Club, they are involved in these segments.

Jaren is so funny!
When he told me that he actually mis-spelt the team's name 'Sync' as 'Synch', I can't help but burst out in laughter! 是的,我的笑点就是酱低,是怎样?
It's a blessing in disguise for now your team name's become even more special!


Upon research (done by Synch themselves), the team proposed to do a video most extraordinary. They are using a animation technique no other teams in the past 7 years have done before - Typography Animation also known as Kinetic Typography.

The team uses 'moving text' to form images to express their ideas of this year's theme 'Because You Played A Part'. This text is presented over time in a manner to convey or evoke a particular idea or emotion.


I was thoroughly impressed by Synch and here are 5 reasons why.

Reason 01
Like I mentioned earlier, they are the FIRST team to do Typography Animation. The research done, the daring approach to propose and try out something new is a major plus point to Team Synch!


Jaren bringing me through the team's story concept:
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Reason 02
They must be Pros at word games or walking dictionaries!

I've always preferred word games to action games - Scramble, Up-words, Scattergories, Pow-Word, Word Search, Word Puzzles…

But this…

  1. Linking the alphabet 'I' in every essential word throughout their clip,
  2. re-arranging and forming new words out of the words they've chosen, 
  3. most of all, these words are meticulously linked and closely associated to the message which they are trying to being across,
These are just truly FASCINATING.
The thought of a group of 15 year olds coming up with something so unique is totally impressive!

Imagine the amount of effort put into the brainstorming.

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Reason 03

Their story touched my heart.
Look at how the team addressed our social issues and came up with solutions.

Our society needs more giving people like them.

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Reason 04

The time and effort used to make this clip.

I mean, LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE HERE.
After filming the characters and scenes they required, each team member also have to fit random words (but still must be associated to the theme) to form the image of every person, each movement, each setting.

YES.
EVERYTHING in the video has to be made up of WORDS and nothing but WORDS.

First you trace out the character, add in guide lines then filled up each gap with words even to the smallest details.

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Even strands of hair are made up of words from the script:

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Here's a video of how they add words to their character:



Beautiful, isn't this?

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Reason 05

The team's ability to spot and make important words stand out.

In this scene, two boys intends to start a fight and why we all know that fights usually happen due to FRICTION. Sparks and Gaps are formed between them and therefore if you notice, the team has spotted out these keywords and placed them bigger on the characters such that we recognise these issues when we watched it.

Why not minimise friction between people and make it a better place?
In this way, we can reduce gaps and sparks. In return, fights will be reduced as well.

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The messages these youths are trying to convey makes so much sense to the society nowadays.
I'm looking forward to watch the videos of all the teams!

I'm sure everyone's story would be as meaningful as my two teams.

N.E.mation! is an annual contest for the youths to express their thoughts on Total Defence.
As much as many of us have grown up, Total Defence still lived in us.

Find out more about N.E.mation! on http://nemation.sg and congratulations to having 20,000 LIKES on N.E.mation! Facebook Page, wohoooooo~

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Make this world a better place, for us and our future generations to live in.

I'm stalking Team Synch on instagram right now.
They are active and it's great to know because now I know that Jason (2nd guy from the left in the group photo below) was watching Anime while doing work at the same time! Orr-hor~ *bleah*

Follow Team Synch on instagram: www.instagram.com/TeamSynch


Go Go SYNCH!
One week down, TWO more weeks to go.


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From Left: Sze Yong, Jason, Jaren, Elyse, Me

Friday, November 22, 2013

[Mint.Music.Lifestyle] The Home Of N.E.mation! 8 Is Haunted By A Teddy Bear?!

I was KPO-ing around the home of N.E.mation!8 Top 10 Finalists at Nanyang Polytechnic when I had a strange encounter with a teddy bear as I was interviewing one of my teams - TeamUnicornsAndRainbows;) from Orchid Park Secondary School.

But first, lend me 5seconds of your time!
Click on this link and support 2 groups for me in the N.E.mation! Facebook App.

The names to LIKE are:

  • UnicornsAndRainbows;)  from Orchid Park Secondary School (Last picture on the left)
  • Synch from Kent Ridge Secondary School (2nd last picture on the left)

THEY. NEED. YOUR. SUPPORT:
https://www.facebook.com/nemation/app_173234789528248
Thank You Million Times!

Back to my strange encounter, here's how it all begins…

ABOUT N.E.mation!

N.E.mation! is a digital animation competition organised by Nexus for youths to express their thoughts on Total Defence.

Running its 8th edition this year, more than 9,900 students participated since its inception in 2007. With training and guidance, students with no prior experience in animation have been able to produce clips of broadcast quality to screen on free-to-air television. Some of these clips were even selected for international animation festivals and won several awards.

NEmation8

N.E.mation! 8 is back with the theme "Because You Played A Part".
Notice that I stood in a position just enough to cover the word 'You'.
I'm trying to imply 'Because 'Mint Leong' Plays A Part'.

Let's call this competition NE8 (short form easier to type...)

From DIY worm-making during N.E.mation! 5 to becoming one of the NE8 Ambassadors, I've been constantly keeping up with the latest updates of this competition. The stories, the animation styles and the production from these finalists get increasingly exciting every year! From the way how these animation clips were professionally done up, you'd never believe some of these contestants are as young as 14 years old!

nemation8


The NE8 Ambassadors

Hey N.E.mation!, I'm exhilarated to be back and even though the tiniest bit, I'd do my very best to play my part as one of the N.E.mation! 8 Ambassadors together with Colin, Karen, Yingzi and Sarah. For the next 3 weeks, we'll be making visits to the home of the NE8 Top 10 Finalists. Each of us are assigned to 2 of the teams to find out more about the students and their works.

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I was chosen as the blogger ambassador for these TWO teams:

Team 09, UnicornsAndRainbows;) 
and
Team 07, Synch
(Remember to vote for them if you haven't HERE)

On a side note: You know what's the lucky thing for me?  The working area of both teams are next to each other and both teams have the SAME instructor, Instructor Jade. Both teams are so sincere and willing to share. Team UnicornsAndRainbows;) and Synch ROCK MY WORLD!!! 

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Getting To Know Team UnicornsAndRainbows;)

So the story goes on, I made my first 'home visit' to Team UnicornsAndRainbows;) on Tuesday to find out about their story for NE8.

This team of 4 girls are from Orchid Park Secondary School.
Any other students of Orchid Park Secondary School reading this now?
Link your friends up to support them okies! They are representing your school in this final race for the winning title!

Oh yah, here's something about their Team name.
You HAVE TO add in the emoticon ;) at the end of UnicornsAndRainbows, HAVE TO.

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From left: Ching Gje, Trish, Xin Pei and Yumi.

Isn't this fated?
I was supposed to draw lots during team selection and when 'UnicornsAndRainbows' came up in my team list, I knew I'd definitely hit off well with them.

I've always love fantasies, fairytales and rainbows.
So much so even my favourite roses are in rainbow colours!

One year anniversary

One year anniversary

Now I'm also in love with UnicornsAndRainbows;) and their story of colour-spreading, heh-heh. The girls are so jovial, you can hear their laughters from the other side of the production room! I'd call their work area 'HAPPY ROOM' from now on because anyone who steps in will be able to immerse in their happy vibes!

The girls LOVE anime~
One of them even pasted her favourite anime poster to keep her motivated, is she Trish?

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The only anime I followed is Naruto.
Am still following the manga.

Alright, I'm getting to the teddy bear part soon!

PART I: Storyboard Sharing

The girls took turns to share with me their story of kindness and love via their storyboard.

The scenes in their video will be shown in black and white until someone does a kind act. This act will trigger colours to spread and eventually paints the scene.

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Xin Pei sharing the scene she's working on about a lost girl who was helped by a passerby to find her family in a shopping mall:

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There's the teddy bear!
The lost girl hugging her teddy bear looks normal for now.

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Wait until you watch the video of how the eyes of the teddy bear moves later.

Ching Gje ( I call her by her chinese name, Qing Ru) showing me her part where a soldier helps another soldier in times of need:

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Their story makes me ponder about our current society.
I was on my way home yesterday night when I pressed and hold the elevator button for a family of three who was coming out of the lift. The mother was in her 30s, followed by her 2 children who looked in their teens.

NO ONE mentioned a word of thanks.
NO ONE smiled except me.

It's such a simple kind gesture yet long forgotten by most of us.

These kind angels must've realised and hope to convey the message to the public….
I can't wait to watch their final product in January 2014 and pray it gets aired on TV.

The girls are only 14/15 years old and already so sensible.

PART II: Converting Sketches Into Digital Images

Now that they have an important message to convey, the 2nd part is to convert the sketches into digital images.

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Image courtesy of N.E.mation! 8

Actors are first invited to act out the scenes.
Then frame by frame, the team members will trace out the images of these actors and their actions.

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Trish demonstrating image-tracing on her tablet:
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They have to trace out and draw 24 frames just to make one second, ONE SECOND of video clip.
Doesn't that mean they have to draw 24images X 60sec = 1440 images within 3 weeks?!
Then paint it with colours, effects, make transitions…

Waaaaaa!!!!
Thankfully Instructor Jade is kind enough to suggest and prepare a schedule for them:

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So good, there's even Buffet time for the girls!
Eh no, it's BUFFER time for the girls just in case they need more time to finish their work, not BUFFET time.

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哈哈哈哈, 真是老花~

My first thought was I could really join them if they are going for buffets.
Turns out I wasn't the only one who mis-read the word 'buffer' as 'buffet', Xin Pei too!

Teddy Comes Alive!

Remember the part about the lost girl who was carrying her teddy bear in one of the scenes?

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The first digital image of the girl carrying Teddy looks eerie and true enough, the moving images seemed to be telling the story of a runaway girl whose teddy bear came alive!

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Watch this video and you'll feel that the eyes of Teddy is moving and staring at you…
*Chills down my spine*



Didn't catch that?
Watch it again, up close!



Actually, making this character into some sort of horror anime movie sounds cool too right?
*inserts musical box + Ju-on music*

But let's do that after your competition!

The girls then brought me to see the REAL Teddy and kept scaring me that Teddy has a soul of its own. It'll move around the lounge at night to gobble up their yummy biscuits in the pantry.

How's that for a Teddy story?

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Yeah I know, what's school life without telling horror stories right?
Especially during school camps and school night walks, sometimes sharing these stories bond friends closer together like sleeping close to one another in our sleeping bags~

Yumi decides to be the bravest heroine and hold Teddy:
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Ultimate selfie with Teddy.
It is now staring. at. you.
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Teddy has the same colour as Bubble Leong, my toy poodle!

Purina ONE Bubble Leong

While most students are spending their holidays watching movies, resting, catching up on their favourite TV shows, these students chose to commit their free time to do something more meaningful: From 9am to 6pm daily, they'll be at Nanyang Polytechnic working on expressing their thoughts about Total Defence through a digital animated video.

The animation clips produced by the top 10 finalist teams will be judged by a panel comprising industry professionals such as Melvin Tan (Senior Animator, Blue Sky Studios). In addition, the public can vote for their three favourite clips come January 2014 at www.nemation.sg, Facebook or via SMS.

The winning team will win a coveted trip to visit a renowned animation studio in the USA worth S$15,000!

The rest of the students will be getting prizes worth S$600 - S$4000.
The prizes information can be found HERE.

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That's not all!

Apart from rushing to meet contest deadlines, each team has to juggle between media filming and interviews, updating their team blog, twitter, instagram and their respective personal time.

Young people given HUGE responsibilities, Impressive determination!
I feel that ALL OF US should give them every support we can by voting for them, don't you think?

Ending this post with an instavideo of the happy girls and I to garner support.
You can find out about the Top 10 teams and get the latest updates via:

N.E.mation! Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/nemation
N.E.mation! Website: http://nemation.sg

The girls have their own hashtag too: #NE8C09.
So if you are on Twitter and instagram, look for their #NE8C09 hashtag!




Good Luck, Angels from UnicornsAndRainbows;)
Congratulations for getting into Top 10 and I'd see you next week!

To Yumi, Xin Pei, Qing Ru and Trish: 
Teddy will help me supervise you girls okie. Meanwhile stay kind and look after Synch!
Spread your colours!

Visit my post again tomorrow to enter the world of Synch, the calm and well-reserved team:

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Mint Leong on Facebook, Like Here: