SOULJACKER

A SPECTER OF A SOULJACKER

2006-01-19T15:57:00.000+08:00

Some of the work that got me going in '05 and away from the blog band.

BeautiControl AVP. This took us two months to finish. We had one of the cute Bora girls as model :)

New Port City AVP. Another two months. Tough to do 'coz the place doesn't exist yet.

Global Stride AVP. This took us about a month and a half only. Had to make this during call center hours. We wrapped up at 6 in the morning.

Mach 3 Turbo 3D Animated Unveil. Two months to make. Athough the bulk of the work was done by our talented animator, I was still around for moral support.

Gillette Sales Conference. Theme: WWII. Our first attempt at compositing. One month to finish. Eat your heart out Spielberg.

A total of eight and a half months. The time souljacker has been away from the blog.

It looks as if this '06 I will dissappear once more.

But this time I hope the cute girls will find out where I'm hiding.

BACK THE FORCE IS?

2005-05-18T14:22:00.000+08:00

What’s this I hear? Star Wars III screened at the Cannes film festival to two standing ovations? Hmm is the force strong with this last installment? Well it's our only hope, to at least bring back the faith to us loyal fans of the first trilogy. (Eh Georgie boy?)

One director from Mali, Souleymane Cisse who watched the Cannes screening said, “It’s a great film. A great commercial film.” Billy Zane said, “It’s like an opera.”

Come May 19 I do wish the force returns on the silver screen. Just like it was back in '77. (Well that’s what ya get Georgie boy for not directing a film in more than 20 years)

Georgie boy plans to come up with a new trilogy of Indiana Jones. Spielberg is once more tasked to helm the production. Let’s hope ol’ Georgie boy learns from his mistakes from the last Star Wars trilogy and not ruin an already swashbuckling classic.

GREEN LIGHT

2005-05-10T14:26:00.000+08:00

Our first attempt at motorsports television for cable just made its way towards the first turn and hopefully will cross first at the finish line and make its mark at the top of the podium.

The first two episodes of the Asian Formula 3 Super Prix is almost done and will be aired soon over Star Sports. (Schedule of airing will be posted soon)

It was somewhat of an effort to emulate the production styles of Star Sports idols Richard and KC Tan, the people behind the Asian Festival of Speed or AFOS, a TV show that covers top racing events all over Asia including the Asian Formula 3.

It was fun. It was fun interviewing the racers. It was fun composing the shots. It was fun to piece together the TV show. All fun. Addicting.

Despite our limitations in TV technology, I feel we still managed to come out with a solid show. You can hand it to the Pinoys when it comes to finding ways to overcome odds.

There is much to learn from our Asian neighbors. Watching Richard and KC work shows the high standards of TV production in Singapore and the poor state of television in the Philippines.

I HEAR VOICES OVER THERE

2005-05-10T14:18:00.000+08:00

For 200 dollars, that’s about 10,000 Philippine pesos, we were able to locate a voice talent for one our 3D animated product unveils.

The guy is British.

Guess where we found him.

Over the internet.

A treasure trove of voice talents can found over the internet. Just send ‘em an email of the copy or script and some instructions and the next day he or she’ll give you a sample cut. If you like what you hear, you can wire the money immediately and have a full recording on mp3 the following day which you can download at his/her webpage.

Cool.

I recommend that local talents do the same.

To expand your horizons.

Also showcase differing styles. These guys just don’t have one way executing their voices. These guys are artists and have varying methods to voice over your script to match your concept. You’ll be surprised how they can change their voices.

Awesome.

THE DAY TO FLY IN THE SKY AND SWIM IN THE SEA

2005-02-23T10:06:00.000+08:00

There are a few people I consider special. Two of them are celebrating their birthday today. So to make them happy I got them gifts. Happy birthday:)

Gryphons are for him. Lumbalumbas are for her.

BRAIN DAMAGE

2005-02-21T15:13:00.000+08:00

In desperate need of a brain detox to eliminate lethal toxins caused by killer workloads - - tons of work that crammed most of 2004 and is now seeping through 2005. My mind is burning out or ready to combust. A syringe of bucolic thoughts must be injected soon into my cerebrum to keep me sane. Rejuvenation is in order. A vacation is needed soon.

Talks of a Bohol trip last Saturday certainly pacified the poisons eager to murder my happy thoughts. I must fly to pristine waters and crystal sands soon. There are no monsters on this trip. Fresh feeling is also on board and a wonder cure for my damaged brain.

Switching to a different nerve, my cerebrum’s right hemisphere can’t recall if this occurred mid-December or during the last week before 2005. Blog material at the time but it never made the printing press at all. Blame again pointed at the killer workload.

Now oiled and infused with new ink, the machines are running again with gusto. Just in time to appease the gods dismayed at this meager half-mortal Souljacker. The dismayed gods: the god who watches the dusk, the god who incessantly asks if it’s safe, and the Norse god of thunder who nowadays enjoys singing are looking for offerings. Well, the motors are running smoothly so l bloggeth once more.

PISS STOP

The boss called at about 10 that morning wondering where the hell I was and to remind me of a 10:30am appointment. Panic-stricken I jumped out of bed, told the boss I was on my way. After a quick shower, a not-too-good shave, and wearing not-too-well-ironed clothes, I ran off to catch a taxi ride.

But the snagging of the taxi was difficult. Four times I hitched for a cab and four times I got busted. The driver would ask “saan kayo?” I would reply “Katipunan lang ho.” Then the driver would yell “ay ayoko dun trapik!” and leave me alone and deserted on the sidewalk. I decided to do the next best thing. I hauled the incoming FX that said “Cubao Tuazon”. Now the drop off from the FX would make me walk a few blocks to the office and lose precious seconds off the clock, but it was a lot better than a sweltering hot jeepney with lesser stop points and less contamination from carbon dioxide.

Now seated smug at the front passengers side of the FX, I was ready and raring to go. The bells rang, the gates opened and the race was on. I was furious at every pedestrian crossing, every vehicle blocking the way, and every traffic light turning red. The clock on my cell phone read 10:31am and I was late. But I was nearing the corner of Aurora Blvd. and Katipunan Ave. which meant I was almost there. Then, all of a sudden, the friggin driver turns right to pit stop at the corner Caltex station. Not to gas up but to piss! It wasn’t an empty gas tank but a friggin filled up urinary bladder!

Nonchalantly, the driver got off from his FX and headed towards the men’s wash room for his needed piss. All the cussing I could think of in English and Filipino were whispered that day.

After what seemed an eternity the driver returned to the steering wheel. At this point the cell phone started ringing again. It was the boss. And I wasn't able to muster enough courage to answer him. I was almost there anyways.

As we turned left around the Bayani-designated U turn slot, right before us in front of the Katipunan station of the MRT 3, lo and behold! It was a 5 vehicular collision involving five jeepneys. All banged up from front to rear. The smoke was still fresh and the passengers were still in their seats all in a state of shock.

If you ask me how the fuck this happened, well…I still can’t fathom to this day. Freaky as they say. Now this was not an accident with innards, brains and blood all splattered on the road. But it was enough to smash the thick fronts of the jeepneys halfway - - and you know how metal thick those old jeepneys are - - and leave sore bruises to the poor unsuspecting passengers.

There I was imagining what could’ve happened if we we’re a few seconds or minutes earlier? Might've been worse.

It was at this point that I turned to the driver and said, “Pre buti na lang umihi ka.”

The driver, eyes widening slightly with hairs raising from both his hands and forearms replied, “Oo nga no?!”

LOVE MATERIAL

2005-02-09T18:21:00.000+08:00

Bitten by the Wong Kar Wai bug and seemingly affected by the loom and doom of Valentine’s Day, the paper in hand was victim to some screenplay indulgence. Screenplay scribbles that I may find useful for a maybe future foray into romantic flicks. And since Valentine’s Day is almost here why not share it? The following was inspired by a true story.

INT. TAXI. NIGHT

SOULJACKER:

I was thinking about what you said last night - - coz I tend to dwell on certain episodes that transpired all throughout the day before I close my eyes and fall asleep, well…like most people - - and as you were speaking I somehow saw an image of you trying, no…struggling to free yourself from this cocoon of hang-ups and frustrations. Although the wings haven’t spread, as it should, it was obvious that this pretty creature - - yeah you - - would soon fly to who-knows-how-much-of-immeasurable-possibilities-that-is-out-there. This to me is why I think your special and why I hold you dear.

FRESH FEELING:

That is so sweet. You’re such a gentleman and I like that about you, but let’s leave it at that…

VO: I don’t know what made me say it knowing all too well that she is happily in love with another. Maybe it was the moment caught between the just ended Yuletide season and the impending doom of Valentine’s Day, but for whatever reason I sat there somewhat satisfied. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined speaking such feelings to her. Such a feat for me was like an ambitious and delusional trip to outer space. But that night I made it somehow up to the earth’s ionosphere. And as the lights of the city whizzed behind her and the sounds of the cars whirred past by, all I could do was stare at her. I was stupidly in love and happy.

I ask the forgiveness of those who read this for its corny content. It is, after all, almost Valentine’s Day and what love is all about.

The aforementioned was also inspired by a text message that said, “M glad tht we cud spik freely bout ths…” and the reason for this personal indulgence.

Souljacker wrote LOVE MATERIAL with consent from Fresh Feeling.

RELEASED JUST A FEW HOURS AGO

2004-09-03T14:05:00.000+08:00

(THE SEQUEL BLOG TO CAPTURED ON FILM)

If the first blog sounded like an advertorial, well…yeah it was sort of.
PR experience is to blame.
That's coz today in our studio's custody is the Panasonic AG-DVX100A.
Now a piece of the independent moviemaking puzzle is completed.
The next piece is coming soon, the Mac G5-powered Final Cut Pro.
Once all the pieces are in place it looks like our first foray into moviemaking is just around the corner :)

Oh, I’m also adding to the list I gave in the first blog:

Interview with the Assasin (2002)– Directed and written by NEIL BURGER; Photographed by RICHARD RUTKOWSKI.
Homework (2004) – Directed and written by KEVIN ASHER GREEN; Photographed by RICHARD RUTKOWSKI.

And you thought we wouldn’t share the fun?
If you have a shoot coming up and your interested in the camera,
give us a call at 4393259 or email us at d7vision@vasia.com.

And cut!
That’s a wrap!

SOULJACKER WANDERER

2004-08-27T19:23:00.000+08:00

Yeah I tested too.

What classic movie are you?
personality tests by similarminds.com

DUSKWATCHER'S BROTHER

2004-08-27T08:37:00.000+08:00

(An account recalled from memory)

I’m still at awe.
As the light began its ritualistic ascension into heaven,
Seeping gently under the clouds.
Rising steadily,
Once more sharing its gift to the world.

Quietly intruding the sky with a soft bluish gleam,
Until it sheds into a delicious pink glaze.
Then suddenly a great orange flush emerges.
Rising slowly,
Until it finally reveals its true color…
An immense yellow glare that no man can ever behold.

It has been a while since I saw the sun rising.
My work is to blame.

ALTERNATE ROUTES ALONG THE SPACE TIME CONTINUUM

2004-08-20T19:44:00.000+08:00

Inspired by TGB's PARALLEL UNIVERSES and urged by a blogger friend, I too shall journey inside the world of alternate realities...

But before I begin, I realize that there are two dramatic shifts along my life's timeline.

So I shall split my entry into two parallel worlds: Universe That's Stuck On Maple Syrup and Universe That's Slobberin Over Fishballs.

UNIVERSE THAT'S STUCK ON MAPLE SYRUP
(The first detour in the space time continuum)

The date is May 1982. A sudden shift in the continuum determines that I be stuck in the Queen's colony till 2004. So today, in an alternate world after 22 years, I may be...

● In solitude inside a Canadian observatory gazing at the stars, searching for new galaxies (fulfilling my childhood dream of becoming an astronomer)
● Joining some Asian gang and robbing some 7-11 store (coz I dropped out of school failing all math-related subjects - the fundamental prerequisite to fulfilling my childhood dream of becoming an astronomer)
● Speaking French eloquently thanks to the lasting impression and inspiration of my sexy Quebecois grade school teacher, Miss Ambroise
● The first Filipino to make it big in the National Hockey League
● Married to this pretty Canadian woman and I now have a Fil-Can son that I'm proud of and I'm currently training to become a good basketball player (coz I want me, err...him to earn megabucks in the PBA)

UNIVERSE THAT'S SLOBBERIN OVER FISHBALLS
(The second shift in the space time continuum)

The date is May 1982. A sudden shift in my father's brain determines that we stay here never to return to Canada. So today, in an alternate world after 22 years, I may be...

● In the PBA if I didn't chicken out at the high school basketball varsity tryouts
● In far better relationships if I only chose this girl from that girl or that girl from this girl
● Married
● A copywriter in some advertising agency
● Treating patients as a physical therapist (physical therapy was my first college course before shifting to communicatin arts)
● Back in Canada after replying to their country's need for experienced Filipino physical therapists to work and migrate there

Fuck, this parallel shit is making me crazy.

FRESH FEELING

2004-08-13T16:05:00.000+08:00

Early this morning I had a tall glass of orange juice.
Then all of a sudden, violins started playing in my ears.
Soon mixed with the crisp beats of a drum and stirred with the sparkling lyrics of a song...

You don't have a clue,
What it is like
To be next to you.
I'm here to tell you,
That it is good,
That it is true.

Chorus:
Birds singing a song,
Old paint is peeling,
This is that fresh
That fresh feeling.
Words can't be that strong,
My heart is reeling,
This is that fresh,
That fresh feeling.

Try, try to forget,
What's in the past,
Tomorrow is here.

Love orange sky above,
Lighting in your way,
There's nothing to fear.

Chorus:
Some people are good,
babe in the 'hood,
So pure and so free.
I'd make a safe bed,
You're gonna get,
Whatever you need.

Chorus:
That fresh feeling.
This is that fresh feeling.

The song resonates how I feel for this girl.
Problem is that she's taken already.
So I deny myself the feeling.
But there are times I just can't shake it off.

Coz each time I'm near her...I always get that fresh feeling.
Which is a gazillion pulp bits better than drinking orange juice really.
I just don't know why it reminds me of her.
Hmm...I really wonder why.

Oh, the song I heard playing in my ears was Fresh Feeling by the Eels, from the album this blog was named after.

9 TO 5 DRUG

2004-08-11T16:45:00.000+08:00

9 to 5 blood courses through his veins once again.
Thanks to a drug injected by a new ad agency.
Cured him from months of physical and financial atrophy (disease was never mental).

Now he is on his way to full recovery.
Sees life in a different light now, I suppose.
My guess is it's a bit brighter.
TOUGHNESS-TO-FACE-THE-WORLD tablets can do that to you.
Well...that's what my studies show.

I only pray that he never forgets to drink his regular prescribed medication.
Helped him a lot during his 5-month affliction.

Prescription says:
Rx
Patient is to take a minimum dosage of 8 bottles of beer every weekend.
Failing to do so will lead to heart problems, suffered by a friend.

LIQUID SOSA MAN

2004-08-05T13:50:00.000+08:00

I’m annoyed at this schmuck who mocked me in a conversation.
Blocked me each time I tried to butt in.
Necktied fool thought he was cool among his colleagues.
Nope, he was a pain like clogged arteries.

Well, I’ve had enough!

Time to change costume.
I just gotta find me the nearest phone booth first.
There it is.

Tantananan!
I am Liquid Sosa Man!
And I’m here to unclog evil scum like you!

So you think you’re better than I am you pretentious yuppie sucker ha?
You think you can hide your jolog roots by wearing that necktie hmm?
Well, take that you filthy scum!
And take this you filthy scum!
And take that again you filthy scum!
And take this again you filthy scum!

I’ll put an end to you choking humanity once and for all!
Time to unleash my secret weapon!
FEEL THE MIGHTY RUSH OF MY ULTRA MAGNETIC POWER FLUSH! (FLUUUZZZZCH!!!)
Down the drain you go you evil scumbag!

I hope this serves as a lesson to all of you evil disgusting clogs out there.
Never mock Liquid Sosa Man!

Music: tantanan tanan tanan

Thanks to Liquid Sosa Man the world is a much cleaner and safer place to live in once more…

CAPTURED ON FILM

2004-07-31T00:22:00.000+08:00

I recently met up with a film director/client. After discussing a potential project, topic of conversation switched to film and its visual superiority over digital. He said that he would never use digital video as a medium for his movie masterpieces.

Hmmm…

My mind started rewinding six months back, where at the ski resort town of Sundance, Nancy Schreiber was awarded best cinematography (drama) for the psychological thriller November, a movie that was not captured on film but entirely on Mini-DV using Panasonic’s 3 CCD AG-DVX100, a consumer camera.

It’s Nancy’s win in the reputable indie-fest Sundance that proved DV’s worth as an artistic medium and I'm glad more and more directors, producers and cinematographers are starting to realize this. With a limited amount of money and the right screenplay, the DV is a perfect medium. Here’s some proof:

Baise Moi (2000) - directed by VIRGINIE DESPENTES and CORALIE TRINH THI; cinematography by BENOIT CHAMAILLARD and JULIAN PAMART
Tadpole (2002) – written and directed by GARY WINICK (2002 Sundance Best Director/Drama); cinematography by GARY WINICK
Personal Velocity (2002) – written and directed by REBECCA MILLER; cinematography by ELLEN KURAS
Kill The Poor (2003) – directed by ALLAN TAYLOR; cinematography by HARLAN BOSMAJIAN
Pieces of April (2003) – written and directed by PETER HEDGES; cinematography by TAMI REIKER

These movies make clear that visual artistry is possible with digital video. What is important is a clear understanding of the technology, its advantages and limitations. The screenplays...well, that’s to blog about in a future blog.

I am not a film-hater. In fact I love film’s visual beauty and the 24fps (frames per second) standard that other DV technologies have emulated, but to believe that your movie artistry can be achieved only through film is nonsense.

“Regardless of any new technologies or what might happen in the future, cinematographers have always found ways to adapt. What’s more important is you get the image you want up there where others can share it. Only the artistry matters.” - William A Fraker (5 Academy Award nominee, ASC Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Camerimage Golden Frog for Lifetime Achievement Award)

CUTE COLLECTION NO. 1 (Japan)

2004-07-23T19:01:00.000+08:00

Disclaimer: These are photos from websites admired by Souljacker.
All photos are property of their respective owners.

MENTAL REJECTION

2004-07-19T14:57:00.000+08:00

I can only sway my head in disbelief.
Some people just lose their sense of common sense.

Monday sucks.

Oh by the way, the book The Da Vinci Code is fiction.

PITT SNIPPET

2004-07-19T13:57:00.000+08:00

Listening to the audio commentary of David Fincher’s Fight Club DVD, particularly during the scene where the camera shot plunges many floors into the car park basement, and straight into the bullet hole of the van’s windshield, finally revealing the explosives supposedly destined to blast the building into smithereens, Brad Pitt asks David, “How did you drop the camera like that?” and “How did it go through the bullet hole?” The director could only reply, “Uhhhhh…” Thanks to Ed Norton the director didn’t have to answer Brad’s questions.

I GUESS I JUST WANNA

2004-07-09T17:17:00.000+08:00

I now enter the world of web logs.
Or what is more known by many as blog.
I first got the idea of what it was while reading a marketing website.
It was defined in 12 ways.

TOP 12 DEFINITIONS OF BLOGGING

1. A form of unedited, authentic self-expression
2. An instant publishing tool
3. An online journal with freshly updated content
4. Amateur journalism
5. Something that will revolutionize the Web
6. An alternative to mainstream advertising
7. A new way to communicate with customers
8. A way to think and write in short paragraphs instead of a long essay
9. A silly word that's fun to say ("Gotta go blog now...")
10. A way of writing with a distinct voice and personality
11. Something to talk about at cocktail parties
12. A URL to add to your resume

It was these definitions that first made me hesitant to become a blogger.
Said to myself, "Oh no, not another fad!"
But a weird occurrence changed all that.

CUT TO: DREAM SEQUENCE

VOICEOVER:
"Just recently a close friend pushed me off the edge."

VISUAL:
Man falling from top of building

VOICEOVER:
"Today I fall face down with hands on my laptop keyboard."

VISUAL:
Man falling from top of building. Hands typing furiously.

Up music:

VISUAL: Words appearing on laptop screen.
I guess I just wanna make my friend happy.
I guess I just wanna type coz it feels good.
I guess I just wanna breathe now. I can't handle all this free falling.
I guess I just wanna write blog and I don't give a damn what others might think of it.

VOICEOVER:
"Wait a min...this is addicting!"
"F@#k! I'm starting to like this!"

VISUAL:
Man falling from top of building. Typing furiously. Happy.

MAN:
Wahoooo!

VOICEOVER:
"Thanks to my friend I am now part of this world."
"MY NAME IS WILLIAM AND I AM FREEEEE!"

SFX:
BLOG!

- Fade music -
- Fade to black -