Hello everyone, here is my latest showreel for short films I’ve directed (excluding “Triple X”). Hire me!
News
News updates of any kind.
Award win for The Three Sisters
NewsWe’re happy to announce that “The Three Sisters” just won Best Short Film in Indonesia! We couldn’t have done it without the cast and crew who believed in the project! Thank you everyone. 🙂
Best Short Film at Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival
Here’s the jury citation: “This film is one of the strongest in representing Asia in Cinema. Combination of dialog exploration, right casting and powerful acting, together take us witnessing our own aunties doing their everyday activities. Various “Asian” daily elements keep reminding us to always, always make films about things we already familiar with. Without saying that other films are less than this one, we believe that “The Three Sisters” is the one that receives Blencong Award in JAFF 2012.”
The Three Sisters – Completed!
NewsOfficial One Sheet
I’m very excited to announce that “The Three Sisters” is finally completed. Since pre-production began in December 2010, it has been a challenging but rewarding experience. I’m very happy with the film and I’m glad people are responding to it. I’d like to present the official one sheet for the film:
Thank You Speech
We held a small cast, crew, major crowd-funders screening on 10th October. I would like to reiterate my thank-you speech here:
First, to the crowdfunders big and small, I appreciate your contribution and support. We couldn’t do this without you.
Thank you Betty at Coloc Tailors for your fine craftsmanship and support. Thank you Shooting Gallery and Juan Foo for the wonderful lenses.
People who couldn’t be here but provided me with so much: Chris, Jenny, Wei Yong. To the people I’ve worked with and still crazy enough to try again: Wanping, Youjin, Muru. For people I’ve never worked with but took a leap of faith: Meng Chue, Shi Suen, Daisy, Eve, Daniel, Terence, Ashley, Bobbie, Kening, Francis, Cecilia, Raymond, Shawn, Song Yeow.
I wrote this script 4 years ago and I’m very happy that it’s shot and completed. From aligning planets, finding locations, to Glenn cleaning the wrong taxi on the day of shoot, one of the greatest joys I find in making films is to be surrounded by people who become an extended family.
I hope we can do this again sometime.
Thank you.
Crowd-funding “The Three Sisters”
Films, News, Three Sisters
64
$6725
RAISED OF S$5000 GOAL
Ended
THANK YOU EVERYONE
I didn’t manage to get the Singapore Film Commission’s short film grant for this film – but I really want to make this short film. Hence, I’m trying something new called “crowd-funding.” I guess it’s a fancy new word for “asking for donations.” However, here’s the fun part for people who pledge money to fund my new short film: you get perks! Be it a signed DVD, poster, screening tickets or creative input – it’s time you get something back! The numbers will be updated daily.
Synopsis
Over an evening of Chinese Opera at the theatre, the peacemaker of three sisters (in their seniority), Poh Sim, must survive a night with them, coming to terms that she loves her sisters but they also drive her mad.
Perks? What perks?
BASIC – $10 Pledge (4 Backers)
Immense gratitude and appreciation
Credit on the website (here!)
DVD – $25 Pledge (17 Backers)
All of the above + Signed DVD of the film
POSTER – $50 Pledge (21 Backers)
All of the above + Thank you credit on film + Signed one-sheet poster (final poster may differ from above teaser)
+ The opportunity to appear in the film!
PREMIERE – $100 Pledge (12 Backers)
We know the pledge amounts are getting larger. You will have the opportunity to read the script before pledging $100 and above. We want you to know what you’re in for. You will also get all of the above + 2 tickets to the premiere cast and crew screening.
CREATIVE INPUT – $250 Pledge (5 Backers)
All of the above + Be part of the test audience for the first cut of the film. Tell us what worked for you and what didn’t.
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER – $500 Pledge (5 Backers)
All of the above + Invite to visit filming on set + A prop souvenir from the set
By the way, you need not have a PayPal account to pledge! Simply look for the “Don’t have a PayPal account?” link on the left.
Need more information?
Want to find out who are the people involved in the film? The green initiatives the production will practise? Go to the Three Sisters page for detailed information. Want to see who has pledged to make this film? Go to the List of Backers.
“Four Dishes” sold to Movieola
Four Dishes, News, Producer Talk
Something wonderful happened a week ago: I received a royalty cheque from Ouat Media, the sales agent/distributor for “Four Dishes“! Owned by Channel Zero Inc., Ouat Media sold the film to their sister cable company, Movieola. (That is, Ouat Media and Movieola are both owned by Canadian broadcaster Channel Zero). It’s not a fortune, but I’m very glad for it! It shall go into funding my next short film.
There is a good side and a bad side to such a situation. First the good; when a distributor has an exhibition arm (in this case of Movieola, it’s cable, VOD, mobile and web), the exhibition arm will be the first place the distributor will attempt to sell the film(s). Surely, the sale will go through. Chances are your film will get sold, seen, and you’ll get some money.
The bad? The distributor can easily cook the numbers, or sell the film(s) at less than desirable (to you, the filmmaker/producer) prices. They have no reason to earn a higher profit as they are under the same owner umbrella. Just a standard price will do. Think of it like MediaCorp Raintree selling the TV rights of one of their films to MediaCorp Channel 5.
What can a filmmaker/producer do to make sure your sales agent/distributor is doing their job? Often, in a distribution agreement, there will be a clause called “Distributor’s right to package”. This is when the distributor wants to have the right to package a number of films together, thus offering a bulk discount to a exhibitor/broadcaster/cablecaster. In this case, a producer must insist that the distributor license the film for no less than a pre-specified minimum sum. Make sure this amount is in writing. This can also be elaborated according to countries and/or territories.
Swing & Blog – completed
News, SwingAdmittedly a much-delayed announcement, this post declares my latest short film “Swing” completed. After we finished shooting, I didn’t have good feelings about it. However, during editing, it miraculously came together quite nicely. Overall, I am quite happy with it. To my crew and cast, I really appreciate the time and effort you have contributed into this film.
In other news, this spanking new blog is also just completed. There isn’t much here yet but watch this space!
Leon Cheo 