BA(HONS) FILM GRADUATION SHOWCASE
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword
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FICTION FILMS Somewhere Only We Know Blind Alley Block 427 Bangla Ave Maria
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DOCUMENTARIES Tulacy Searching for Wives Hide Murtad
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Student Profiles Class of 2016 Academic Staff 2016 Acknowledgements
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FOREWORD Class of 2016, today, we celebrate the end of
ideas, and critical thinking to class, and refine
series of choices. Sometimes, you have made an
your learning journey at The Puttnam School of
them through copious exchanges of questions and
unsuccessful choice, that more often than not,
Film, LASALLE College of the Arts. You are now
debates with us and amongst yourselves. We have
has brought you to the epiphany and euphoria of a
graduating as filmmakers, acute observers of life,
strived to guide you towards independence and
successful one. It takes courage to negotiate the
and expert storytellers who weave insightful and
authority of your own critical thinking and creative
nature of creative work, as there is no one way of
inspirational narratives that reflect on the human
process. It’s a privileged position to be in, sharing
doing things. All that courage and all the choices
existence and experience. However, all good
with others what one loves, and now it is your turn
you have made have now been channeled into
things must come to an end. But, is this the end?
to share with others what you have learned, both
your graduation films - and you can be proud of
in life and through the making of your films. Film
the successful outcome.
A narrative, according to the Dutch cultural
has always served us well as keeper of memories
theorist Mieke Bal, is a container of events that
that allows us a gateway to look deeper into
Like the academic Brian Boyd suggests, in his
transit from one state to the other by agents
ourselves. In other words, Film informs us of who
work On the Origin of Stories, I believe that story-
of change. Your graduation is one such agent
we are, and gives us the space to observe, learn
telling is essential to the survival of our species.
of change; therefore, it can be looked upon as
and think. That is why Film is such a powerful
Story is the pillar of the human existence, and
the beginning of another event in your life. On
container for narratives. Film nurtures our senses
the human experience. Great stories have no
behalf of all staff and lecturers of The Puttnam
and enriches our search of identity. We gaze at
end - only new beginnings. Now, Class of 2016,
School of Film, I’d like you to know that we are
films that are framed by an engaging narrative,
make the most out of your experience, go forth
tremendously proud of your achievements, and
as if we might want to confirm our humanity,
courageously, and contribute your great story to
confident that you will find success, and more
existence, and our ability to be compassionate,
the survival of our species.
positive agents of change, as you prepare to join
and empathetic.
GISLI SNAER
a thriving industry that has never before been exposed to so many different platforms of
Every story carries a series of choices for its
delivery and distribution.
characters that take place between events, or turning points, which then result in a physical
Creating a liberal and generative learning
or verbal action. You have been presented on
environment is a pivotal element in our teaching.
numerous occasions during the production
We have encouraged you to bring your differences,
of your films with the challenge of making a
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Head of The Puttnam School of Film
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noah yap
hanrey low
sean hong
SOMEWHERE ONLY WE KNOW FEATURED FILM Tommy reflects on his secondary school days with his two friends Ah Wei and Qiang. Bored and directionless, the three create trouble and are sent out of class. After seeing the state of shoes Ah Wei wears, Tommy initiates the idea of stealing new ones for him. They are then caught and are chased out when a domestic worker falls to her death. The three boys react differently to this which leaves a mark on Tommy as he questions the unpredictability of life.
Somewhere On ly We Know
LASALLE COLLEGE OF THE ARTS PUTTNAM SCHOOL OF FILM SOMEWHERE ONLY WE KNOW STARRING SEAN HONG NOAH YAP HANREY LOW SOUND w LEONG SHUIAN WEN RECORDIST ABRAHAM YUEN g IVAN YAU e JULIOUS OOI a ZUKI JUNO TOBGYE JASON LAU v AFIQ JAFAAR j JASON LAU INEZ HO i ARON B. CASTRO k JASON LAU PRESENTS A
PRODUCTION
PRODUCER
CINEMATOGRAPHER
Inez Ho
Ivan Yau
CO-PRODUCER
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Aron B. Castro
Timothy Yu Cun Cheng
DIRECTOR
EDITOR
Jason Lau
Julious Ooi
WRITER
SOUND RECORDIST
Zuko Juno Tobgye
Abraham Yuen
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BLIND ALLEY FEATURED FILM When a school girl is sexually assaulted, a cleaner with a low IQ is on trial for the deed. As their respective lawyers build a case against each other, crucial glimpses into the past reveal the events leading up to the attempted rape. Ultimately, the court’s verdict will lie in a prejudiced and corrupt society.
PRODUCER
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Benjamin Gerard Jose Byrne
Luqman Mohamad
DIRECTOR
EDITOR
Li Yushan
Abraham Yuen
WRITER
SOUND RECORDIST
Peter Lim
Faisal Jumani
CINEMATOGRAPHER Sing Valerie
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N o t h i n g
i s
W h a t
I t
S e e m s .
BLOCK 427 FEATURED FILM Kenneth, a down on luck blogger has to endure his father’s constant nagging for his inability to find a job and be successful. But things change when Kenneth discovers the mysteriously murdered body of one of his neighbours Mr Tan. He takes it upon himself to solve the mystery behind the murder so he can write about it in his blog to gain fame and recognition. But Kenneth could never be prepared for the strange truth he finds hidden in the lives of people he know living in Block 427.
PRODUCER
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Vigneswari Nagaraj
Ericson Reginald Moe Myint
DIRECTOR
EDITOR
Julious Ooi
Lim Yen
WRITER
SOUND RECORDIST
Luis A. Tejero
Michael Smith
CINEMATOGRAPHER
LASALLE COLLEGE OF THE ARTS A PUTTNAM SCHOOL OF FILM PRODUCTION “BLOCK 427” STARRING HANREY LOW production director of edited by LIM YEN designer ERICSON REGINALD MOE MYINT photography TIMOTHY SEOW THERON produced story written directed by VIGNESWARI NAGARAJ by LUIS A TEJERO by LUIS A TEJERO by JULIOUS OOI
Timothy Seow Theron
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BANGLA FEATURED FILM Faiyaz, a 28 year old Bangladeshi worker living in Singapore, plans to visit his infant son who is critically ill back home. However, complications arise when his boss dubiously deducts his pay for ‘good behaviour’. Faced with no other options, he and his fellow colleague Jamal, decide to take on a risky moonlighting job that might not only cost him his job but get him on the wrong side of the law.
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CO-PRODUCER
CINEMATOGRAPHER
Marisa Goh
Justin Faith Ng
CO-PRODUCER
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Benjamin Gerard Jose Byrne
Lim Xiu Yan
DIRECTOR
EDITOR
Jasmine Lee
Edwin Choy
WRITER
SOUND RECORDIST
Muhamad Afiq Bin Jaafar
Faisal Jumani
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AVE MARIA FEATURED FILM Emilio, a Filipino school teacher arrives in the industrial city of Singapore with one objective: to bring his domestic worker wife, Maria home. A typhoon has devastated his secluded village and despite numerous attempts at trying to contact Maria, Emilio has no choice but to meet her in person to tell her of the tragedy. Upon arrival however, Maria is nowhere to be found.
PRODUCER
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Inez Ho
Lim Yen
DIRECTOR
EDITOR
Aron B. Castro
Peter Lim
WRITER
SOUND RECORDIST
Kenneth Lee
Edwin Choy
CINEMATOGRAPHER starring
LASALLE COLLEGE OF THE ARTS presents a PUTTNAM SCHOOL OF FILM production “AVE MARIA” JACK MACAPAGAL DALIN SARMIENTO and IVAN SAYSON original music by ZEEKOS PERAKOS edited by PETER LIM production designer LIM YEN director of photography EUGENE LEE CHOON SHENG produced by INEZ HO written by KENNETH LEE directed by ARON B. CASTRO
Eugene Lee Choon Sheng
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TULACY FEATURED FILM
Tulacy is an observational documentary capturing the life of Tulacy, a seventy eight year old male to female (MtF) transgendered woman. It was in 2014 that Tulacy walked into an old shophouse which was then turned into a shelter for the transgendered homeless.
PRODUCER
CINEMATOGRAPHER
Inez Ho
Justin Faith Ng
CO-PRODUCER
EDITOR
Marisa Goh
Jasmine Lee
DIRECTOR Marisa Goh
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A DOCU M EN TA RY FI L M
SEARCHING FOR WIVES FEATURED FILM Through the use of a single photograph, Partha, a foreign worker from South India embarks on a mission to find a wife before his 32nd birthday. With the help from a photo studio and his parents, Searching for Wives documents the proceedings of an arranged marriage that many men and women are accustomed to like Partha, and finds the romance that lies within.
PRODUCER Vigneswari Nagara DIRECTOR Zuki Juno Tobgye CINEMATOGRAPHER
SAJEEV
PHOTO STUDIO
Jason Lau EDITOR Peter Lim
LASALLE COLLEGE OF THE ARTS PRESENTS A PUTTNAM SCHOOL OF FILM PRODUCTION SEARCHING FOR WIVES SHANMUGAVEL PATHAKARNAN EDITED BY PETER LIM DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY JASON LAU PRODUCED BY VIGNESWARI NAGARAJ DIRECTED BY ZUKI JUNO TOBGYE
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HIDE Chan See Ting, a insecure young woman faces her biggest challenge in the form of a disease called Alopecia; a condition that causes her to lose all her hair. This leads her to seeking support from an unlikely source; the internet. In the months following, her life would surely change.
PRODUCER Aron B. Castro DIRECTOR Brian Low
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MURTAD It is a daunting task when an individual who was born into a Muslim family wishes to leave Islam. The fear of the discrimination and prejudice they might face when the truth comes out can be very painful. So they suffer alone, psychologically and mentally.
PRODUCER Li Yushan DIRECTOR Luqman Mohamad CINEMATOGRAPHER Ericson Reginald Moe Myint EDITOR Julious Ooi
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ABRAHAM YUEN Post Production / Audio Post Email: abr.yuen@gmail.com Mobile: +65 9839 8432 Abraham Yuen is an aspiring filmmaker from Toa Payoh, Singapore. The motley mix of personalities in his old neighbourhood inspired his early short films on outsiders,
Syndrome (2009), and Nirvana (2010). As a frequent collaborator of low-budget shorts, he has also directed, edited, and crewed on a number of short fictions and documentaries while pursuing his film degree at the Puttnam School of Film. His completed pieces include Hey Lyla (2014), a short film about the perception of homosexuality, as well as
The Clueless Goat (2015), a documentary that examines the use of space in a coffeeshop. Majoring in post-production, Abraham is the editor and sound designer for the thesis film Blind Alley (2016), a fictional short exploring a broken social justice system and how it affects the already biased perception against people with autism. He hopes to continue honing his craft as a storyteller, and that through his work, he will be able to translate the language of the voiceless to the masses.
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ARON B. CASTRO Directing / Producing Email: aronbc.works@gmail.com Mobile: +65 9725 9668 Having been raised and educated in the Philippines, Japan, and Singapore, Aron’s work has focused largely on the understanding of identity; believing in cinema shaping and reflecting individuals as much as it does broader cultures. His work examine individuals thrust into confronting the idea of their place and purpose in their respective dichotomies. In Cain, which was the 25th European Union Film Festival’s opening short film, Aron examines the place of morality in our identities, embodied in a character faced with making immoral decisions in a post-apocalyptic world. In Di Sana, nominated for several categories including Best Picture at the 2015 National Youth Film Awards, a young boy who was raised overseas retraces his heritage through a visit with his grandmother. Finally in Ave Maria, Aron examines the origin of our identities’ innate human capacity for resilience and hope in the story of a Filipino man looking for his mysteriously uncontactable domestic worker wife in Singapore. Aron believes that it’s through the screen that we can question and understand the complexities of our inherited and ever-changing world and identities.
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BENJAMIN GERARD JOSE BYRNE Producing / Screenwriting Email: byrnebenjamin@hotmail.com Mobile: +65 9116 9454 Benjamin Byrne believes there is a lighter side to everything in life. Equipped with his wide smile and funky afro, he strives to create entertaining yet thought-provoking stories that make people smile a little more. Film producing is his weapon of choice in his journey to make the world a more light-hearted place. Benjamin believes in visual storytelling to express views and themes with deep lessons, which can be seen in his Level 1 student film about his personal struggles with his weight, and also his Level 2 documentary film about a mute Bangladeshi worker who makes full use of his other working senses. These film qualities can also be found in the two fiction films he produced, Blind Alley and Bangla, which speak about social injustice and the marginalised being taken advantage of. Benjamin strives to bring his storytelling skills to the global stage, as he plans to obtain his Master’s Degree in Film Producing at Goldsmiths University.
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BRIAN LOW Documentary / Audio Post Email: thatbrianlouis@gmail.com Mobile: +65 9010 9417 Brian is constantly intrigued by the unique experiences that life has to offer, often involving himself in unorthodox activities, some of which include competitive yo-yoing and stints in the professional gaming scene. As someone who believes that fact is stranger than fiction, Brian enrolled in the Puttnam School of Film to further develop his knowledge on the documentary film with the purpose of translating his experiences onto the screen. He has a strong inclination towards themes that revolve around unique individuals that challenge the norms and common beliefs. This is something that is very evident in his second year portfolio films as well as his thesis documentary Hide. Brian feels that there are plenty of untouched stories waiting to be told and hopes to delve deeper into similar themes in his future projects.
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EDWIN CHOY Post Production / Screenwriting Email: choy.edwin@gmail.com Mobile: +65 9672 7287 Winner of the Best Sound Mixer Award in the 2015 National Youth Film Awards for the film Di Sana and a recipient of the prestigious LASALLE Scholarship, Edwin Choy, in the hopes to locate his filmic voice, has experimented with various film genres as well as creative roles. His films include comedies such as Pull-up, The Break In and Mop, dramas such as Old
Habits Die Hard, Leap of Faith and Ring, and a documentary titled Lim Chu Kang Road. It is also through taking on creative roles in producing, directing, writing, and editing that Edwin has gained a keener understanding of the creative workings behind crafting a compelling film. Having experienced all these in his time at the Puttnam School of Film, Edwin is now confident that he wishes to explore crafting narratives around the marginalised and under-privileged. This journey begins, then, with the editing of fiction film Bangla.
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ERICSON REGINALD MOE MYINT Production Design / Cinematography Email: eric.moe.myint.13@gmail.com Mobile: +65 9691 3695 Ericson Reginald Moe Myint has always been fascinated with films. Ericson has tackled the different disciplines of film as a means to understanding and appreciating its art. His decision to major in production design and minor in cinematography was based on his belief that these two disciplines must have a clear understanding and strong relationship with one another in creating unique and believable worlds. Ericson has taken the role of production designer in Spirit, Desolation, thesis film Block 427, and finally Cain, which was screened at the 25th European Film Festival. In the thesis film Block 427, Ericson worked very closely with the director and the cinematographer to bring to life the director’s vision of the film’s world. His passion for filmmaking goes beyond the walls of the school, having joined multiple local film competitions and taking home two awards during the 2014 48 Hour Film Project. Ericson looks towards the future and aims to bring his Singaporean influence to the Myanmar media industry.
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EUGENE LEE CHOON SHENG Cinematography / Post Production Email: choonshenge@gmail.com Mobile: +65 8233 1266 Coming from an accounting background with no knowledge about filmmaking, Eugene took a leap of faith and joined film at LASALLE. He found his calling in cinematography and his learning curve has been exponential ever since. His script
Spirit was screened at the National Library and Library@ Orchard. Eugene has had opportunities to shoot several short films including AWOL, which was nominated for Best Cinematography at the inaugural National Youth Film Awards. His directorial effort Si was also screened at the European Film Festival. Specialising in cinematography, Eugene shot thesis film Ave Maria. Eugene continually searches for opportunities to learn from the industry, crewing on the feature film Standing in
Still Water as a production assistant. Eugene also crewed on the 7 Letters production The Flame by K. Rajagopal as lighting assistant. In his years in Lasalle, Eugene has worked with many industry professionals and crewed on different productions ranging from commercials to music videos. With an unwavering heart and blazing passion for cinematography, Eugene aims to raise the standards in the local film industry in the decades to come.
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INEZ HO Producing / Production Design Email: thisisinez@gmail.com Mobile: +65 9732 6329 Inez’s fascination with filmmaking began when she was 11, upon seeing her sister as the videographer for her cousin’s wedding using a Sony Mini DV camcorder. While pursuing a diploma in Film, Sound & Video (FSV) at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Inez found her passion in producing. With an interest in social realism and representations of the discriminated and the underdog, Inez has produced Di Sana, a second year film about a boy reconnecting with his roots, and the thesis film Ave Maria, which is about a Filipino man who comes to Singapore in search of his domestic helper wife after a calamity hits their village. Inez strongly believes that the key to a good production is to first and foremost provide top-notch welfare to the cast and crew. By taking care of them, they will in turn take care of the film.
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IVAN YAU Cinematography / Directing Email: ivanyaulinfeng@gmail.com Mobile: +65 9336 4386 After graduating from Nanyang Polytechnic with a diploma in Product Design, Ivan chose to return to the field which he had always dreamt to be a part of: film. In The Puttnam School of Film, Ivan found the interest in the camera department, believing that visual storytelling is the key to filmmaking. Ivan has the love for genres like horror and thrillers because he enjoys using the camera to create moods that can enhance the story. His first effort in cinematography was for horror film Spirit. Having a soft spot for stories about youth, Ivan chose to be the cinematographer for the thesis film Somewhere Only We Know. Ivan has affection for directing stories about the ordinary. In
Momo 默默, he explores the idea of the silent sacrifices that our loved ones have made for us. In AWOL, he tells the story of a boy running away from national service in order to take care of his sick mum. AWOL was nominated in the inaugural National Youth Film Awards for ‘Best Directing’, ‘Best Screenplay’ and ‘Best Cinematography’. Other directorial efforts such as The
Boy and His Planes was selected for screening at the 25th European Union Film Festival in Singapore. Ivan believes that the most beautiful stories lie in our daily lives, waiting for the right moment to be told.
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JASMINE LEE Directing / Post Production Email: jasminelpx@gmail.com Mobile: +65 8318 2201 Since young, Jasmine has always been infatuated with the idea of being extraordinary, and eventually found her place in film. Her small stature may often lead others to underestimate her but when it comes to filmmaking, she exudes a strong presence. Jasmine’s works demonstrate her commitment to re-presenting social equality and cultural identities in Singapore. From depicting cultural alienation in her first short film Jiak Kantang to re-presenting the notion of familial love in her documentary She Loves Me Not, her explorations through these narratives show her love for sharing personal stories of ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Her muses include the ‘invisible’ people in society who are often unspoken of. As a recipient of the prestigious Ngee Ann Kongsi scholarship, Jasmine constantly strives to create films that challenge the norms of society as evident in her thesis film Bangla, where she aims to subvert the stereotypical portrayals of migrant workers in Bangla. She hopes to continue making films that will not only empower the voiceless, but also transcend beyond the screen to make an impact on society.
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JASON LAU Directing / Cinematography Email: jasonlau.film@gmail.com Mobile: +65 8218 0478 Since young, Jason Lau has always been drawn to the arts. He has tried everything from painting to writing, and even holds a diploma in architecture. One day, he decided to get himself a camera and that was the day he finally found his calling, and never did he expect to be one of the thesis directors. Jason has close to five years of experience working in the film industry, taking up mostly technical roles such as camera operator and grip. He is highly influenced by European art cinema, like the works of the Dardenne brothers which left a powerful personal imprint. His works are often based on his own experiences, which are marked by a fascination with the human condition and the recurring and irresolvable themes of freedom, grief, and death. Being a highly visual filmmaker, his works are often lacking in dialogue, using images instead to tell the story. His recent short films A Short Stint and The Boy were screened at the prestigious European Union Film Festival. He was nominated for best cinematography at the National Youth Film Awards for the film Insignificant for which he was the director of photography.
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JULIOUS OOI Directing / Post Production Email: julious_ooi@hotmail.com Mobile: +65 8218 6044 Julious Ooi doesn’t have a way with words but has an uncanny ability to motivate others, being known for his gentle yet determined character in filmmaking. Julious is adventurous and adaptable; able to work under diverse and challenging environments. He welcomes change, facing it with committed courage. In the first year, he directed Spirit which was selected and screened at the 2015 European Union Film Festival. For second year films, he served on Di Sana as the cinematographer, while editing for another short film entitled
AWOL. Both films went on to being nominated in several categories in the 2015 National Youth Film Awards, including Best Picture, Best Directing, and Best Cinematography. While Julious majors in directing, his keen interest in postproduction led him to minor in editing. When the role of editor for Somewhere Only We Know was offered to Julious, he decided to take it up to challenge himself and to propel his skills to further heights. Julious is is also the director of the thesis film Block 427.
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JUSTIN FAITH NG Cinematography / Screenwriting Email: justinfaithng@gmail.com Mobile: +65 8163 9116 Justin Faith Ng entered the film world without an idea of what film was. He has always been an aspiring writer, having written for several films such as Leap of Faith. Justin Faith has also been a production designer (AWOL), a gaffer (Sacrifice, Birds and Bees) and a sound mixer. After exploring these roles, he found his place in the tech crew, majoring in cinematography in the final year of school. As a cinematographer, Justin Faith finds inspiration in extreme poles of the art; from Wes Anderson to the Dardenne Brothers, drawing the most inspiration from them for his thesis film, Bangla. Justin Faith explores the raw base of observational cinematography through Bangla; the handheld camera movement, the use of long takes, and the voyeurism. He carries this over to the other thesis documentary film, Tulacy.
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KENNETH LEE Screenwriting / Post Production Email: monotypic.k@gmail.com Mobile: +65 9222 9331 At The Puttnam School of Film, Kenneth has served as a screenwriter to his peers (AWOL, Ave Maria) and directed one of his own written work, Puberty. AWOL tackles the struggles of a boy who has to break the law by escaping National Service to help his sick mother’s medical needs. In Puberty, Kenneth explores the innocence, hopes, and fears of a pregnant young minor who looks forward to eloping with her wealthy Malaysian boyfriend across the border in hopes of a bright future. Finally, Ave Maria tells the tragic story of a man who travels abroad to inform his wife, who works as a domestic worker in Singapore, of a tragedy that had occurred back home. However, upon arrival, his wife is nowhere to be found. In all films, the characters are entangled in a philosophical conundrum as they are thrown into psychological pit to confront themselves when choices are bare. At every end of Kenneth’s scripts, his protagonists may have confronted their soul and conscience, but the road forward always remains difficult because he believes that realism can never be a complete equation. Kenneth wishes that his studies of people can continue to blossom so that his characters can transcend the ideas of his narrative.
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LI YUSHAN Directing / Producing Email: lys.yushan@gmail.com Mobile: +65 9017 4969 Prior to coming to film school, Li Yushan had no experience in filmmaking. Due to her interest in interacting with people, she believes that film is the most direct medium to connect with others, regardless of distance, time and nationality. She fell in love with the movies at a young age and has been constantly working towards a greater understanding and appreciation for cinema. Originally from Guangzhou, China, Yushan moved to Melbourne, Australia, at the age of thirteen to complete her secondary education and obtained her International Baccalaureate (IB) in Singapore. The experience of staying in different countries at a young age has helped her to develop her understanding of cultures, hoping to translate them into cinematic language. Her short film Insignificant (2014) was screened at the 25th European Union Film Festival, as well as nominated for Best Cinematography at the 2015 National Youth Film Awards. In her three years, it is no small feat that Yushan has eight films to her credit.
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LIM XIU YAN Production Design / Cinematography Email: limxiuyan@gmail.com Mobile: +65 9833 3344 Having taught herself editing and known to be a fast learner since secondary school, Lim Xiu Yan has since been fascinated with storytelling for the screen. Enrolling at The Puttnam School of Film became an instinctive move to better understand the concept of storytelling. Xiu Yan has always been interested in the theme of family and through her portfolio projects, Foreign and The Day She Turns 80, she focuses on family bonds that she feels strongly for. With a major in production design, Lim Xiu Yan seeks to portray one’s conscience and thoughts through the use of visual design and mise en scene. She does this in Bangla, where she provides the audience a peek into the mind of the protagonist. In the near future, she hopes to further explore the theme of family through the documentary genre.
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LIM YEN Post Production / Production Design Email: limyen.works@gmail.com Mobile: +65 9233 2017 In her three years in The Puttnam School of Film, Lim Yen discovered her fondness of being burnt by the sun doing production design and being cocooned in air-conditioned editing rooms. Kinship is a theme very close to Yen’s heart, touching on family and identity in most of her works. Hence the attraction to work on Block 427 (2016) as the film’s editor is palpable from the film’s subtext on family ties and the moral dilemmas of the protagonist. The importance of family and home in Ave Maria (2016), was also something that drew Lim Yen in to work on the film as production designer. One of Lim Yen’s shorts titled Grandma (2014) was selected for screening at the library@Orchard and also at the 25th European Union Film Festival (2015). Another of her shorts titled Home (2013) entered the preliminary round of Tropfest SEA 2013. Lim Yen has freelanced for various production houses as an art assistant and assistant editor. She hopes to continue working in the post-production sector while freelancing in art departments for local features and commercial works.
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LUIS A. TEJERO Screenwriting / Production Design Email: tejemora@icloud.com Mobile: +65 8139 0171 While working in Public Accountancy in Madrid and London, Luis submerged himself in the local culture and arts. Afterwards, he reconnected with his lost dream of writing by attending LASALLE College of the Arts. Luis wrote Sacrifice, a gay drama that tells the story of a father who is confronted by the ghost of his forbidden love. He also wrote
Conversations In the Lift, a semi-autobiographical story about first impressions and the effect this can have on the way we see ourselves. During his second year Luis wrote the script for In
Control, a short film that takes the audience into a world in which our inner voice materializes as an alternate self, and Liminal, a film that follows the aftermath of a tragic event in which souls wandering in limbo find their way back to their loved ones. Luis wrote the script for Block 427, a mystery dark comedy that exposes the subtle layers of deception which exist within society, illustrating how everything is not as it seems to be. Luis also created the campaign Flying Woman to collaborate with HOME (Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics). Luis has contributed to a number of other roles including producer, first assistant director, production assistant, and props master.
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LUQMAN MOHAMAD Documentary / Production Design Email: luqman.mohamad@icloud.com Mobile: +65 9142 5876 Luqman Mohamad is a documentary major at the Puttnam School of Film and has been immersed in the world of film and television ever since he was captivated by the world of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles trilogy. As he grew older, he veered towards documentaries and transgressive fiction as he felt that they were the most honest genres. He is a highly visual filmmaker who strongly believes in mood and tries to connect his works with his inner self. He strongly admires the works of KYO, Northlane, Leonardo Dalessandri, Danny Boyle, and Pier Pasolini. In the near future, he wishes to be a nomad and continue creating films that speak to his inner mood.
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MARISA G OH Documentary / Producing Email: marisa.gohx@gmail.com Mobile: +65 9320 8098 As a major in documentary and minor in producing, the experience of being in film school has expanded Marisa Goh’s perspective of the world. Through her thesis documentary film Tulacy, she unexpectedly found herself forging a bond with her documentary subject, a seventy-nine year Indian (MtF) transgender woman. Marisa also co-produced the thesis film Bangla, a film revolving around the life of a Bangladeshi construction worker named Faiyaz, having handled the casting process of the film. She is interested in what transpires beyond the screen, whether it be through the relationships built on set with the cast and crew or with her actors. Marisa enjoys the creative process from start to finish. Her work explores the notions of the other and often draws inspiration from the marginalised, believing in the importance of telling stories that are seldom heard. It is her hope to continue to make thought provoking films that resonate with people from all walks of life.
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MICHAEL SMITH Audio Post / Post Production Email: michaelsmithfilm@gmail.com Mobile: +65 9729 6611 Michael Smith has always been interested in the use of sound in film; an often overlooked and underappreciated aspect in cinema. Since his first year in The Puttnam School of Film, Michael has worked on sound for portfolio and major year films, ultimately leading to him taking it as a major in his final year, focusing on the thesis film Block 427. Inspired and appreciative of the works of Alfred Hitchcock, he wrote his dissertation on how the “master of suspense� used the different elements of sound design to further enhance the tones of his films. Following graduation, Michael hopes to gain more experience working in the industry with a continued focus on sound, particularly in the post-production stage.
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MUHAMAD AFIQ BIN JAAFAR Screenwriting / Directing Email: afiqjaafar2609@gmail.com Mobile: +65 9757 8607 After a viewing, a powerful film can stay with the audience for years and this is exactly what Afiq wants to do. He realises that it doesn’t take explosions and big budget stunts to achieve this. All that’s required is a simple yet powerful story with compelling characters. By taking cues from films by Shane Meadows and Asghar Farhadi, Afiq pens personal stories concerning the everyday Singaporean. Out of all the works that he has written, a common theme stands out: issues of cultural identity. He hopes his thesis film Bangla will provoke his audience and stay with them, just like how a powerful film stays with him.
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MUHAMMAD FAISAL BIN JUMANI Audio Post / Post Production Email: p3sot87@gmail.com Mobile: +65 8499 0234 Faisal’s interest lies in producing music for film, having directed and edited a music video entitled Ada Aku Kisah for Malay artiste Hamzah Adon, and has also crewed on the set of Jelita by The Sallys, which aired on MTV Asia. Majoring in sound design and minor in post-production, he strives to incorporate the art of filmmaking into the production of music videos. After completing his diploma in Video Art in LASALLE College of the Arts, he pursued a degree in Film at the Puttnam School of Film, developing an interest in sound design. He believes in the use of organic sound and music to amplify emotions in a film. This is displayed in one of his works, Ave Maria. His tendencies in sound design include playing a recurring piece of the music as a motif to create depth for the story behind the film. In addition, he has directed and edited Welcome to The Red
Panther, a poetic documentary about a barber shop. He also won an award for the Best Sound Editing at the National Youth Film Awards for the film, Di Sana. Upon graduation, Faisal hopes to further explore the world of sound in film.
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PETER LIM Post Production / Screenwriting Email: peterlke.works@gmail.com Mobile: +65 9722 0008 Having lived with his elderly grandparents since young, Peter, though reserved, was taught to see the good in each person in an often-segregated society. This sensitivity can be observed in the exploration of the migrant worker in his film
Off Day, where he celebrates the simple joys that the labourer cherishes in his free time. Through editing, Peter embraces the opportunity to construct a canvas where the under-represented can speak through their stories. He aims to work on projects that give a voice to those less heard. As the last person to shape a fiction and a non-fiction film in the cutting room, Peter learnt that the fiction film required him to evoke its core without being tied to the script. A documentary, on the other hand, has taught him to find the ‘script’ by locating common themes that ground diverse characters and situations. Peter is the editor of Ave Maria and Searching for Wives.
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SING VALERIE Cinematography / Post Production Email: valfzy@gmail.com Mobile: +65 9006 3287 When it comes to films, Valerie realises that being sensitive can be more of a strength than a flaw, believing that the imagery she creates is a reflection of her and her beliefs. She is often drawn to writing stories with a female protagonist as she strives to articulate the complexity of life in its different stages. We see this in her films such as Memory Keeper, Daisy, and The
Happiness Of Phyllis. Valerie has had the opportunity to be the cinematographer of several films including Fifth Storey, which was screened in the National Library, Desolation ; Depredation and the thesis film Blind Alley. Valerie has also freelanced as a camera assistant and data wrangler to gather industry experience. In conjunction with the celebration of SG50, she also had the opportunity of being a part of the camera department for two “7 Letters” productions: The
Flame by K. Rajagopal and The Change by Boo Jun Feng. Valerie takes up challenges that comes her way, learning from mistakes as she works towards honing her skills and discovering her voice. She aims to create impactful visuals that are not only beautiful but add layers to the story and the director’s objectives.
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TIMOTHY SEOW THERON Cinematography / Post Production Email: theronseow@gmail.com Mobile: +65 9847 4363 Theron Seow believes that a cinematographer at his most elemental role is to translate an idea - a passionate impulse - into visual form. He is highly motivated and enthusiastic, equipped with not only a proficient knowledge in cinematography, but also semi hyper-realistic portrait paintings. Having been exposed to the media industry for five years, he has worked on several corporate videos, TV commercials, and local drama series such as Firasat and In Cold Blood. His tendency to experiment with unorthodox lighting methods to execute chiaroscuro in contemporary-art based films is evident in his thesis film, Block 427; in which he attempts to incorporate neo-noir elements with the dark humor nature of the narrative. The anticipation of doing projects or collaborations involving dramas of a serious underlying message now encourages Theron to face new challenging deadlines and objectives while under evident pressure.
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TIMOTHY YU CUN CHENG Production Design / Producing Email: euchinghin@gmail.com Mobile: +65 9786 1958 Tim Yu did a year in journalism at Hong Kong Baptist University before pursuing film at The Puttnam School of Film. Growing up in Hong Kong, TVB dramas, Stephen Chow, and Wong Kar-Wai films were Tim’s ‘childhood friends’. Upon experiencing the shock from finding out that the sets were not real, Tim’s interest in film furthered. Tim soon found his interest in production design and continues to be heavily influenced by Wong Kar-Wai’s frequent production design collaborator, William Chang. Hence, Tim chose to major in production design with a minor in producing. Upon graduation in the near future, Tim looks forward to working for international production companies and TV distribution channels as a creative production designer and producer.
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VIGNESWARI NAGARAJ Producing / Directing Email: vickiraj1508@gmail.com Mobile: +65 9880 3345 Bringing stories alive that are compelling, authentic, and provocative is what fuels Vigneswari Nagaraj’s desire to be a filmmaker. She believes that her desire to root for the underdog whether it is in films or in reality is what makes her a compassionate storyteller. Having lived in India for 3 years has given her life experiences, which she has incorporated in her student film projects. This has also allowed her to naturally gravitate towards stories revolving around women and themes of gender equality. Vigneswari believes that it is no coincidence that some of the grandest revelations in her life have come when she’s dared to leap from her comfort zone, whether it be in the films she’s worked on or her own life.
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ZUKI JUNO TOBGYE Documentary / Screenwriting Email: zukijuno3@gmail.com Mobile: +65 8381 5929 / +975 77111683 Zuki possesses childlike fascination when it comes to films and storytelling - to be able to live through different lifetimes within them. As a Bhutanese who lived in New York in her childhood and later attended an international boarding school in India, Zuki’s curiosity with different cultures and diverse identities grew. Having grown up like this during her pivotal years, Zuki has often felt slightly like a misfit not belonging here nor there. Adventurous to learn about the world we live in and its people, Zuki specialised in documentary filmmaking and fiction script writing to have a taste of both the fiction and non-fiction realms of films. Observing the magic in the everyday and in life itself, Zuki directed her thesis documentary Searching for Wives with the intention to deconstruct stereotypes and preconceived notions of migrant workers and arranged marriages. Having lived in Singapore for 3 years, Zuki challenged herself to write a local film in Somewhere
Only We Know. Both films focus on delving beneath the surface of different cultures and identities. Zuki believes that through film, we are able to find a treasure of truth and understanding of even the most ‘exotic’ individuals, ultimately discovering that we may have a lot more in common than we thought.
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FILMS FICTION Somewhere Only We Know Blind Alley
DOCUMENTARY Hide Searching For Wives
Ave Maria
Murtad
Block 427
Tulacy
Bangla
CLASS OF 2016 Abraham Yuen
Li Yushan
Algernon Kong
Lim Xiu Yan
Aron B. Castro
Lim Yen
Benjamin Gerard Jose Byrne Brian Low Edwin Choy Ericson Reginald Moe Myint Eugene Lee Choon Sheng
Luis A. Tejero Luqman Mohamad Marisa Goh Michael Smith Muhamad Afiq bin Jaafar
Inez Ho
Muhammad Faisal bin Jumani
Ivan Yau
Peter Lim
Jasmine Lee
Sing Valerie
Jason Lau
Timothy Seow Theron
Julious Ooi
Timothy Yu Cun Cheng
Justin Faith Ng Kenneth Lee
Vigneswari Nagaraj Zuki Juno Tobgye
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CLASS OF 2016
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LECTURERS OF 2016
GISLI SNAER Head of School / Directing
CHARLES MAIDEEN Programme Leader / Producing
MARDHIAH OSMAN Contextual Studies
CECILE CHAGNAUD Post-Production
HIDEHO URATA Cinematography
GOH HIRO TOSHI Cinematography
LIZ LANDER Production Design
MAY LIN AU YONG Documentary
NG SWEE SAN Screenwriting
SHAWN KOK Sound Design
MABELYN OW Producing
JUSTIN LOH Location Sound
YUKI ARIANDI Colouring
SELVA KUMAR Technical Officer
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Event Chairman
Head of Technical
Aron B. Castro
Peter Lim
Event Vice Chairman
Head of Logistics
Jasmine Lee
Vigneswari Nagaraj
Head of Design
Portrait Photography
Julious Ooi
Timothy Seow Theron
Vice Head of Design
Live Music
Timothy Seow Theron
LASALLE Faculty of Music presents... “Ffion and the Teleporters”
Booklet Design
Mario on Saxophone
Dean Kum
Oribelle on Keyboard
Lim Jun Hao
DJ Agilus on Drums
Lee Jing Lin Heads of Venue & Exhibit Lim Yen Ericson Reginald Moe Myint Heads of Registration Marisa Goh Li Yushan
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ABOUT THE PUTTNAM SCHOOL OF FILM The eighth art, film, resembles so many other arts. However, it is in itself a unique medium. Film prizes the collaborative process, and The Puttnam School of Film sits in a privileged position of being able to tap into the ecosystem of the various arms of an arts college. Whilst doing so, the primary focus of the school is to nurture its students to find their own voice through the art of cinematic storytelling. This programme answers the call of the local and international film community, which seeks reflective practitioners empowered by the capacity for creativity and authenticity. Through practice-based learning, instilled with critical thinking, you will be inspired to communicate within a cinematic framework and explore various narrative environments, such as short and feature films, documentaries and television commercials, with an emphasis on professional and broadcast standards. While keeping with the current advances in technology, the school also observes that these are mere tools in the overall architecture of content. Although new technologies always have and will continue to have an impact on the realisation of artistic works, the programme will emphasise skills and knowledge that refer to the artistic and conceptual traditions in film, especially in the area of storytelling, in all the film related disciplines, from screenwriting, directing, and producing to cinematography, sound, editing and production design.
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LASALLE SHOW 2016 Over 800 works will be unveiled in The LASALLE Show 2016, an annual exhibition by the graduands from the Diploma, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Master of Arts Programmes. Showcasing the best and brightest in contemporary works from Design, Fine Arts, Film, Media Arts, Fashion, Dance, Music, Theatre, Asian Art Histories, Art Therapy, Arts Management, and Arts Pedagogy and Practice. The LASALLE Show 2016 marks the grand ďŹ nale of an artistic education in creativity and imagination which transforms these young talents to professional artists in the dynamic creative industries. Please visit www.thelasalleshow.com for more information and updates.
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IT’S A WRAP! BA(HONS) FILM GRADUATION SHOWCASE 2016
20 MAY - 1 JUNe
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