Entries for October, 2005
October 2, 2005sins of a father... posted at 02:22 AM Over the last weekend, I was involved in yet another short film by local film students. This one's called "Sins of a Father" and is about an embittered boy whose traumatised childhood involved his abusive father who had killed his sister in a drunken state and whose mother lost her sanity after losing her daughter... I played the role of Ryan, the terrible father character that must have sounded so familiar to many people out there. Those people who grew up with a perpertually drunk or gambling father who sometimes get abusive, please raise your hands... I can certainly draw inspiration from my own experience with my now-departed Dad, who drunk beer like water and breathed nicotine smoke instead of air. We were always in a state of poverty due to his gambling ways. And not surprisingly, there were fights, and somehow my poor dear Mum would always be the one bearing the injuries... Anyway, now I get a taste of the irony of fate by playing this particular role. I specially chose to wear my Dad's own clothes during the filming, as a strange form of "tribute"... Here's how I styled myself for this role...
The photo on the left shows Ryan in his 20s while the one on the right, in his 40s. I did my own make-up and styling for these two pics at home, prior to the film shoot, just to get a taste of how convincing I could be to play a middle-aged man just out of prison... And here are the photos I took during the actual filming... (Read More) comments
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October 2, 2005
photo friday - darkness... posted at 03:38 AM under snapshots of merman... This week's PhotoFriday.com Weekly Challenge theme is... Darkness
"Darkness" ~ Edric Hsu Picture size: 480 x 640 pixels Digital Camera: Fujifilm Finepix F-420 Image hosted by: Photobucket.com It seems ironic to portray "Darkness" (entry #463) with a lit candle, for wasn't there a saying that a single lit candle is enough to take away the darkness in a room? Truth is, this simple shot of a lit candle was taken on 29th September, 2004, during an actual black-out when I was with my Dad and my brother Eric in Fuzhou... I was at the rooftop of our village house urging my Mainland Chinese cousin and his wife to pen down their inherited recipe for making my favourite hometown dish, 红糟鸡, or Red Wine Chicken, when all the lights in the village suddenly went off... Except for the almost full moon, everything was in literal darkness... However, it seemed like a common occurence to my relatives as they were unflustered and cool about it. Soon, someone brought up a long red candle on a truly antique candlestick and lit it up. We continued with our recipe writing under these conditions...
And the trigger-happy me simply couldn't resist taking a shot of the flame of the candle, and here I have found it an appropriate representation of the black-out that occured, and suitable for the theme of "Darkness" indeed... Footnote: As usual, I hope those who liked my earlier entry, "Burn" (#116), to cast me a Noteworthy vote on PhotoFriday.com, by CLICKING HERE... |
October 2, 2005
illo friday - float... posted at 07:27 PM under snapshots of merman... This is my second entry for IllustrationFriday.com and this week's theme is... Float
"Float" ~ Edric Hsu 400 x 600 pixels Whiteboard Markers & Adobe ImageReady 7.0 Image hosted by: Photobucket.com
Wanting to think out of the box, I came up with the above idea after some thought and doodling... In the above image, I have portrayed a once-active community entirely submerged underwater, while a totally new surviving and thriving tribe has taken over on the surface... With simple basic survival tools and instincts, and some hardwork and effort, it is possible to stay a-float amidst difficult times... Once again, I have used the same tools as last week's entry to create this picture... Feel free to comment... |
October 5, 2005
strings won a golden crowbar... posted at 11:37 PM Good news, good news!!! The short film that I acted in last year, "Strings (Hong Xian)", has some really good things going for it lately! I just received the following email from the director, Jon Lim (after minor editing)...
Isn't this just way cool??! And if I couldn't be in all these wonderful cities personally, I
guess the next best thing would be for my work to be seen there!!! [ Feeling... * excited * ] |
We have loads of photos taken hahaha.
October 8, 2005
dinner & dance at ritz carlton millenia singapore... posted at 01:45 AM The past week was mostly spent on getting a show together for tonight's "YCH Group Golden Jubilee Gala Dinner" at Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore Hotel... To celebrate the 50 years that saw how this local company had grown and evolved, Peggy Ferroa had come up with a musical with the cast of seven playing actual characters like the founder, Mr Yap Chwee Hock (played by Tony Quek), his son and current boss Mr Robert Yap (played by Hawk Liu), as well as their client Mr Kensaku Konichi (again played by Tony Quek)... I played the role of the over-enthusiastic "Executive", and for my part, I had to portray and explain the business aspects of the company and how well they serve their clients. The motif of this musical was based on "just a handshake"... It was pretty fun, and the songs written by Bang Wenfu were catchy and nice too. The dance moves were choreographed by Cathy Kee, who also acted as one of the company's staff together with Jacqueline Pereira, Bibiana and Desmond Chen... Attendees of the event were luminaries like President S R Nathan and other local ministers. The host was none other than the lovely and svette-as-ever Lisa Ang...
(From L-R: Me, Hawk, Tony, Jackie, Desmond, Bibiana and Cathy. Taking our picture was Peggy) I
love this type of performances where rehearsals are kept to the minimum
but the actual show full of high energy. Did I mention the pay was VERY
GOOD? Hope to do more such corporate shows in future! [ Feeling... * exhausted * ] [ Reading... * Doreen Virtue-The Lightworker's Way * ] |
October 9, 2005
illo friday - lost... posted at 10:53 PM under snapshots of merman... This week's theme for IllustrationFriday.com pretty much sums up what my heart is feeling right now... Lost
"Lost" ~ Edric Hsu 375 x 500 pixels Whiteboard Markers & Adobe ImageReady 7.0 Image hosted by: Photobucket.com
I have lost my parents... I have lost my loved ones... I have lost my drive... I have got nothing else to lose anymore... Perhaps that is a good thing, after all? [ Feeling... * lost * ] |
October 10, 2005
mind over matter, ten bros update... posted at 10:30 PM Sorry for the recent upset, guys... After a day of rest and keeping my mind off certain matters, the emotions have finally cooled off and I am feeling much better today... And the intensive rehearsals for "Ten Brothers" did help shift my focus away from the other drama moments in my life... *feeble smile* It will be another classic case of Mind Over Matter, and I am sure I will be back to my normal cheerful self soon... For those who cared and left your support and comments: MANY HUGS!!! Speaking of "Ten Brothers", I am pretty happy to be involved in this new Toy Factory production. Besides working again with old friends and meeting new ones, it is giving me yet another chance to be something completely different again...
I will be playing the 6th brother, "Metal Head Six" aka "I-ronn Six", and like the other characters in the show, will get to be super-OTT while re-telling the classic folktale about Unity, Teamwork and also Filial Piety... Even though I have missed a few rehearsals at the beginning due to my involvement in the YCH Show (see previous post), it wasn't difficult fitting in with the rest. And in just about a week's intensive work, we've covered more than a third of the entire show... Here's an update on the cast in "Ten Brothers": Benjamin Ng (Father),Koh Chieng Mun (Mother), Amy Cheng (Banana Tree Spirit), Peter Sau (Village Head/Demon), Teh Kai Xin (Playwright), Caroline Cheong (Hawkeye One), Jeremy Lee (Decibel Two), Chen Yi Chuan (Might Three), Liu Liang (Elastik Four), Jacqueline Chow (Wingfoot Five), Edric Hsu (I-ronn Six), Eugene Ho (Tower Seven), Teo Wei Bin (Drillfast Eight), Dwayne Lau (Motor-Mouth Nine), and Lee Hui Jie (Weeper Ten)... There are several others in the cast including some
talented and highly energetic children ensemble and backing dancers... Chieng Mun and Benjamin make such kooky "parents" and Amy is literally mesmerising as the vain "Banana Tree Spirit"... From Wednesday onwards, we'll have more or less a full cast, and can get the show rolling at full steam ahead... Looking forward to it already, and thinking about it IS making me feel much better... [ Feeling... * tired * ] |
October 13, 2005
photo friday - five... posted at 12:20 AM under snapshots of merman... My PC has been acting up again over the last few days, perhaps as a reflection or manifestation of my own upset emotions... But anyway, I have thought of an idea for this week's theme for PhotoFriday.com's weekly challenge, which is... Five
"Five" ~ Edric Hsu Picture size: 640 x 480 pixels Digital Camera: Fujifilm Finepix F-10 Image hosted by: Photobucket.com I got my friend Brandon to pose in several attires for five separate shots and edited them into the single image above using Adobe ImageReady... Feel free to fill in your own captions or story behind picture... |
October 14, 2005
photo friday - conspicuous... posted at 04:49 PM under snapshots of merman... Right after the previous post, "FIVE", it's Friday once again and I was quite looking forward to the new theme for PhotoFriday.com... Conspicuous
"Conspicuous" ~ Edric Hsu Picture size: 640 x 480 pixels Digital Camera: Fujifilm Finepix F-420 Image hosted by: Photobucket.com
I took the above image (entry #116) at one of Corfu's beautiful beaches on 20th July, 2004. Topless sunbathing is a common occurence there, especially on this particularly gravelly beach, and the locals hardly bat an eyelid at this liberating activity... That is, until the tourists arrived... Footnote: Once again, if you enjoyed my PhotoFriday.com entries, and think it is noteworthy, do vote for me! Click here to vote for my previous entry, "Five" (entry #465)... |
October 17, 2005
illo friday - cold... posted at 10:41 AM under snapshots of merman... This week's theme for IllustrationFriday.com is... Cold
"Cold" ~ Edric Hsu 400 x 600 pixels Whiteboard Markers & Adobe ImageReady 7.0 Image hosted by: Photobucket.com
This is a place at which I don't wish to be, There is a place at which I will rather be, |
October 21, 2005
tagging 20 random facts... posted at 01:45 AM under snapshots of merman..., trivia and know-hows...
Oops, Constanthing of IllustrationFriday.com just tagged me and so here're my 20 random facts for whoever cares to know...
I've never been tagged before, so I am just rambling out what comes to mind, and not really sure what next... Since it took me only five minutes (without counting spell checks), I shall tag another five persons (running out of *untagged* folks that I would love to know 20 random facts about though)... Anyway, I tag the following fellow illustrators: Wynlen, Loobylu, Binny, Sketchdump and Shyue Chou... Have fun! [ Feeling... * sleepy * ] |
October 22, 2005
draw a witch... posted at 05:10 AM under snapshots of merman... It's fast approaching Halloween, and although most of us in Singapore do not celebrate this festival for it's true worth, it has always been a fun excuse for horror-themed fancy dress parties... Some creative folks have come up with a "Draw A Witch Halloween 2005" contest where illustrators are encouraged to create their own interpretation of witches and submit it to the website (click on link above)... I decided to have some fun too, and here's my entry... WITCH
"Witch" ~ Edric Hsu 420 x 420 pixels Whiteboard Markers & Adobe ImageReady 7.0 Image hosted by:
Photobucket.com
The Green Witch has always been comfortable looking the way she does, which is how most story books and movies depicted the typical witch anyway... But now that the annual Halloween Ball Fancy Dress Contest is around the corner, she is very excited indeed! For she just had a sudden brainwave... Why don't she dress up as a Human Being this year? This is Entry #78 in the contest... |
October 23, 2005
shows update... posted at 03:12 AM Some latest news and updates... The MCYS TV ad that I was in, also known as the "I Love Children" ad, has been playing on TV for the past week to one of my favourite love tunes... I appear literally in
the flash of a second, as my "kid" took a photo of me and my "wife" and
other "kids" sleeping, which is just as the singer get to the letter
"V" in the jingle... This week, I have also just completed filming for a new series for Mediacorp Production 5 called "Tab TV" in the episode, "Murderer's Mind"... I play the murdered victim's eldest son, "Boon"... I have just watched the first ever screening of the musical film that I was in recently, "Yum Sing!", and I must say it looked pretty good for a low-budget production. Of course, there's always room for improvement... Dinner at Sheng and Desmond Moey's place included a TERRIFIC buffet spread of yummy dishes and desserts. I will post the pics soon... I have also been to some casting calls and looking forward to get more interesting and well-paid jobs... For those keen to support Toy Factory's "Ten Brothers" that I have been rehearsing intensively for, do drop by the following location if you have the time: Ten Brothers Roadshow 23 Oct (Sun) - 3.30 to 4.15pm - Downtown East, 1 Pasir Ris Close, #01-08! And on the 28 Oct (Fri), the playwright Xu Sheng Liang, director Loretta Tan and yours truly will appear on TV's Channel 8 - "Zao An Nin Hao" at 7.30am to promote the show! Also, Number 4 of the "Brothers", Liu Liang, has been replaced by another agile acrobatic performer, Willy, who last appeared in Toy Factory's "Spirit". He can do backflips faster than you can say "backflip"... More updates on the way, when I have the time to sort things out first... [ Feeling... * awake * ] |
October 26, 2005
photo friday - retro... posted at 12:07 AM under snapshots of merman... This week's PhotoFriday.com theme is... RETRO
"Retro" ~ Edric Hsu Picture size: 400 x 540 pixels Digital Camera: Fujifilm Finepix F-420 Image hosted by: Photobucket.com This image of a Viennese street musician, playing an antique-looking musical instrument, (entry #494) evokes a warm kind of old world charm which I think suits the theme of "Retro" pretty well... I took this in Vienna on 25th July, 2004, and thinking back about this wonderful European holiday is just as RETROspective for me... Oh! If you look carefully at the shop window reflection on the
left-hand side of the picture, you could see a "Roman Soldier"! Now
that's RETRO alright! LOL [ Feeling... * retrospective... * ] |
October 28, 2005
photo friday - delicate... posted at 02:25 PM under snapshots of merman... Oh my goodness, time really flies, and I barely have time to write about the loads of interesting stuff in my life. Lately all I've been doing is uploading photos or illustrations for weekly challenges... And here's this week's PhotoFriday.com theme... Delicate
"Delicate" ~
Edric Hsu
Picture size: 480 x 640 pixels Digital Camera: Fujifilm Finepix F-420 Image hosted by: Photobucket.com I love insects of all shapes and sizes (household pests excluded please!) and butterflies and moths fascinate me no end... Perhaps it's the intricately beautiful yet delicate nature of their wings, and of their lives... To me, their appearance often signal to me that someone who loves or cares about me is thinking of me and is with me... This image (entry #74) shows a delicate butterfly against the frosty window in a cavern along the steep slopes of the Jungfrau Swiss Alps. I took this on 30th July, 2004. Upon closer inspection, I discovered with a tinge of sadness that it was dying... Footnote: If you enjoyed the previous entry, "Retro" (entry #494), please cast me a Noteworthy Vote by CLICKING HERE... |
October 28, 2005
illo friday - remote... posted at 09:37 PM under snapshots of merman... After a long busy period of rehearsals and some procrastination, it's almost the deadline for last week's IllustrationFriday.com weekly challenge... When I first saw the theme, I immediately thought of the concept of "The Butterfly Effect". The theme is... Remote
"Remote" ~ Edric Hsu 800 x 400 pixels Whiteboard Markers & Adobe ImageReady 7.0 Image hosted by:
Photobucket.com
As part of the Chaos Theory, "the Butterfly Effect" illustrates how a butterfly flapping its wings in Brazil could cause a tornado in China (loosely quoted)... I could go on and on about this theory, but shall leave it for another relevant occasion... Meanwhile, hope you enjoy the above artwork... Footnote: The images of planet Earth are taken from a Google search which led to some NASA pics... More Footnotes: Oops, I DID miss the deadline for last week's theme after all... |
October 28, 2005
ten brothers on 早安您好... posted at 11:37 PM I woke up extra, extra early this morning to get ready for an
interview for Mediacorp's "早安您好" (Good Morning, Singapore) programme on
TV...
(Clockwise from Left: Me, Liu Ze Ming, Qi Qi, Loretta Tan & Xu Sheng Liang) It's just a week left to the start of this show's run at Jubilee Hall,
Raffles Hotel, and we've been rehearsing intensively and putting all
the pieces of the jigsaw together. The good news is: we have 6 shows
sold out already at the time of writing! |
