A RaRe Visit

Well, who hasn't heard of 881.. even Koreans went wild in Busan with the 881 cast.

anyway, my prof had so excitedly invited Royston Tan - the acclaimed young successful director of 881 came down to class last night.

not exactly his fan, but I do admire his courage & passion in film making.

It was a nice evening with him in class, sharing insights of his experience from 881 to with the government and other local directors.

Just some interesting stuff from the hour long Q&A session: -

@ The initial proposed title for 881 was "The Papaya Sisters", he wanted something obiang sounding. But because Royston misheard his cast saying "881", instead of papaya, he decided to use the former as he thought it sounded cool

@ 881 almost didn't make it to through the board of censors as the law states that there should not be more than 30% of dialect in a local movie. The movie has approx. 80% of Hokkien. But after going through tonnes of Ministers, they decided to give it a go-ahead explaining Hokkien is Singapore's cultural heritage.. *ok, let's start to to be true breed Singapore cultured people NOW :P*

@ One scene was filmed in a warehouse where ventilation was absent and two cameo maidens fainted while LingLing claimed her underpants were soaked throughout. *yikes*

@ In the scene where QiYiWu was supposed to pluck the rooster's feathers, he had to pluck 22 times to get the take right. *Poor cock*

@ Before its release, a famous local director claimed that 881 will never get past S$1 million in local box office, he called in to apologise after 881 went past the S$2 million mark. Now it's at S$3.6 million mark. *bite your feet you Mr. Balding Jackfruit* @_@ did I just mention his name?!?

@ The same local director was highly suspicious of being the one who contacted Shin Ming Daily to notify them that the newspaper was misused in 881, as well as the egg assault on the 881 cast that happened at PS. Many more stuff he said.. *sigh Mr Director, haven't you heard? Ape don't kill Ape?"

@ Despite 881's success, 4:30 gave Royston the greatest sense of satisfaction after production due to the low budget given, and the film was done with mostly 2 takes max for each scene.

@ Working with the young lead actor, Xiao Li Yuan, made Royston realised he was more than ready to become a father because he has to stay in the same room as Li Yuan, he took extra effort to 'father' him.
E.g. Hiding in the toilet to smoke so as not to let the boy become a passive smoker, stay awake to listen to Liyuan's singing at night (a quirky habit of his to fall asleep)

@ During the shoot of the last scene for 4:30, a usually 1 take Li Yuan still did not get the scene right at the 6th take. Exasperated at the amount of money they were losing for getting each take wrong, Royston chided LiYuan. In response, LiYuan said "I know if I get this scene right the first time, it will also be the last time I am seeing you" *Awww..* ...

* Sidenote: I realised Xiao Li Yuan looked like somebody I know. My lil' bro, GCH! You know who you are. HAHAHA... :P

@ 15, the first film Royston made, went through 27 cuts from the censorship board. This definitely came as the biggest slam on his ego.. Angered, he marched into the office and screwed the people there with his beautiful language. That got his name mentioned first time ever in the Parliament as the most terrible Singapore director. Boy, was his whole family proud of him.

@ After 15 was made, Royston was criticised and thought to be a communist, terrorist, anti-govt, crazy, gang-leader cum director. It was also his inspiration for Cut - his short film, which got him into greater trouble with the govt and he disappeared to Japan for 2 years because he was constantly under the scrunity of BIG BROTHER.

Anyhow, last night was nice. Royston's extremely sweet and candid. Very personal and inspiring.

He told all aspiring film makers that to survive in the industry, you have to be hardworking, perservering and lastly, able to take into consideration that you will not be rich.

Well.. I guess this is it.

*sidenote: Anyone who has the full length film for 4:30 and 15... PLEASE... lend me k. :P Cheerios.