XXI

Straightforward | In pursuit of excellence | Aspiring filmmaker

[farshyn]

The Mind Museum at Taguig

We finally got to visit The Mind Museum! We’ve been planning to go here since 2014 but never had the chance to push through it until July 21, 2018. It was kind of a spontaneous plan, given that there’s a typhoon in the country. Neil and I both wanted to create content so we thought of going here. 

Being the frugal me, I looked for discounts and promos online. Both MetroDeal and Klook offers PHP 475/head for the All Day Pass ticket, from the regular price of PHP 750/head. Now, I thought of using the credits we accumulated from our SoKor activities we booked from Klook. And I got to lower the price we’ll have to pay down to PHP 315/head. We paid less than the regular price of one for two people. Great, right? 

Operations Schedule: Tuesdays - Sundays Closed on Mondays 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 

Address: JY Campos Park, 3rd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Philippines 1634

Aedi is the first thing you’ll see when you enter, she welcomes everyone with a message.The robot’s name is actually “Idea” spelled backwards.

Universe Gallery: The Beginning and Majesty of the Cosmos

Dream come true! I’ve always wanted to visit a place like this. For the record, we spent a great deal of time in this gallery. If only I could take the ceiling home and install it in our house.

Always a moon lover. 

My sun sign.

Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity tells us that objects with mass bend the fabric of space-time, in proportion to their mass. This explains why planets appear to be more attracted to the more massive stars, such as our own Sun, and orbit around them.

Life of a star.

We managed to fit in together in a space suit. lol.

Earth Gallery: Nature Across the Breadth of Time

Stan the T-rex. It’s a well known specimen, being one of the most complete with 199 bones. This one is a replica of the original fossil found in 1987 by Stan Sacrison. It’s age is estimated between 67 and 65.5 million years. Take a closer look of the specimen below.

It’s kinda creepy how they look so realistic.

I forgot the name of this one but I would run for my life if ever I saw one.

Surrounding myself with good vibrations. I wish they were real crystals though.

Life Gallery: The Exuberant Varieties of Life

Fairy lights as nerves! In love with this detail.

This devices allows you to take a closer look on microscopic details of different things.

Atom Gallery: The Strange World of the Very Small

This is the most interactive gallery because you can play around and learn a lot by figuring things out.

Technology Gallery: The Showcase of Human Ingenuity

The second floor is dedicated to the creations of man, the things we use and see everyday. There’s also a mini-arcade by the escalator.

I used to see a lot of displays like this back then in college at the gallery in our building.

Ending this post with a cute little penguin.  I love going to places like this so I really had fun during our visit. Also, don’t forget to check out Neil’s video! https://www.facebook.com/njlee20/videos/2021344174566232/

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#celestial #in the mind #exploretocreate #science

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You fall in you fall back out, then you fall in again but this time the void is deeper and then it’s harder to get out.

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MIND MUSEUM 2018 We've been planning to go here since 2014 but always failed to do so but finally went yesterday and got our tickets for PHP 315/pax. Thanks to the credits we got from our South Korea trip via Klook.com. It was our first time visiting the place and it was really amazing. We hope you guys enjoy our mini-tour of Mind Museum. ======================================================== Gears used: Sony A7S MK II, DJI Ronin S and Canon 24-70mm V2 mounted on Metabones MKIV

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DJI RONIN S (Test shoot) in UST After a really busy week Ferlyn and I decided to take the new Ronin S for a test shoot in UST. We just went around and filmed stuff that looked nice. It was a gloomy day but the sun started to show after lunch.  Overall it was really nice visiting my Alma Mater. It's a shame there were only a few students during that time but I'll definitely be back to film some more. The Ronin S is really impressive but compared with the Ronin M, it's easier to get the shot done because of its dual handle. The weight however is very good. It's light and fit inside my Lowepro Hatchback 250 AW II bag (top compartment) and the Sony A7S II (bottom).

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The First Music Video I Directed. When I was still in college and was so engrossed with looking for great music to feed my soul; I was slowly appreciating video production and how they made music videos. Being an art student opened my eyes to the process of making such art. From preproduction to post production. It’s not easy at all. The concept for the music video had to somehow match with the message OR make you feel somehow. 

I wanted to make those kind of stuff but the kind of work I got in the past few years were weddings, behind the scenes, corporate work and a few events. It was not until I got a stable job that I thought maybe I can pursue making a video on a few bands although it’s going to be difficult to find one to let me shoot a music video for them. Nowadays, there are plenty of people who are well equipped and more experienced than me so I sort of gave up on that idea and thought maybe I could do a band profile video instead. I thought to myself, “It’s easy! All I have to do is shoot, compile, interview and edit!” but I was wrong. 

The First Move

I reached out to my favorite band, Tonight We Sleep, and asked if I could help promote them with their upcoming EP. It was a long shot. I didn’t have anything to show except for my demo reel and the promise that I can make a video out of the “shoots”. I had no concrete plan on how it was going to look like. It will depend entirely on what I have. Then I got a reply! I think my offer wasn’t accepted immediately. I gave pegs first on what I wanted to achieve and eventually after a series of exchange, they allowed me to come and check out their recording. It was surreal. I felt so small. Haha ‘cause they were those adults you see in movies. I wasn’t sure if I could really keep up with the language, the knowledge and everything.

I don’t remember the number of shooting days but there were plenty. I also went to their gigs and I was really thankful they put me and Ferlyn in the guest list. Surreal. I never thought I’d get that kind of pass. I had plenty of struggles trying to finish the band profile video and yeah it was difficult but worth it. They were really happy with the final product and for me, I thought it was the end. I was OK with it because, I already did something I wanted with the band I wanted to create art with. 

The Gears in Motion

But after a few weeks I got a message that Argee and I would discuss the preproduction of his solo project I Belong to the Zoo. He said we’d make a music video for a new song he was going to release around May/April. I was excited and at the same time nervous because it felt like a big responsibility that I wasn’t ready for. 

We discussed the concept around May and polished it after a few days. Then we looked for talents. I pitched a few but Argee found a pair he really thought would fit in the video. After that, we discussed with the talents what they should wear and also the locations of the shoot. It was a run-and-gun type of shoot by the way. No permits. Hahaha I’m not proud of it though but we had to work with what we had. Before the day of the shoot, I had to go to my former bosses’ house to rent a Zhiyun Crane 2. It was already 11PM and when I got back to my apartment, it was already 12MN. I had to learn to balance the gimbal for the first time. LOL

The Actual Shooting Day! 

Ferlyn and I went to the first location early so that I could practice using the gimbal. Hahaha I know right. So, it was only when Steffi (Lead Girl) arrived that I started to get nervous because I wasn’t sure how to talk to her and since I feel a little tired from last night’s errand. Argee arrived a few minutes later. Before 11 AM everyone was there and we already started with the shoot. One of the memorable things that happened was when we discussed how the actors would act in certain scenes, the continuity and the blocking. When the first scene was done we moved on to find a decent street to shoot the scene where Steffi opens the gift. It was a bit difficult to shoot that one because of the inconsistent sunlight but we managed.

We then moved on to the scene where they had to go bowling. We almost weren’t able to shoot the bowling scene because they thought we had a big setup and had to call the manager in. Good thing Argee knew how to talk to them and make them feel at ease. He said “Trip lang namin na magtropa etc” something of that context. We were assigned the last lane because all lanes were occupied. The employees said to not include other guests playing in the video but I guess it’s ok if they are blurred. :D

The next thing was Satchmi. The coffee shop was kind to let us film without any permits and all. We just asked through their Facebook page and said just go shoot. When we arrived it was so cool there and we just acted casual while we were shooting. Parang magbarkada lang na may taga picture. So far it was the most difficult for me because I think my lack of sleep was kicking in. Ferlyn stepped in to help me direct and shoot. While she shot the scenes I had my shot of coffee and that made me even more talkative which helped us push through with the remaining scenes.

The most challenging scene for me was the one at B-Hotel, we had only limited sources of light and we had to work fast to get all the shots within the day. The rest of the remaining shots after the “room scene” was Steffi walking around at night and Steffi and Carl in the backseat. After that we were done.

It was around 1AM when we finished and everyone went home with a smile on their face. It was the most memorable shoot this 2018. I remember everyone laughing every hour and having fun discussions about the shoot and other related stuff. It was the best. Simply the best first MV experience.

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Our 8D7N Winter Trip in South Korea. I never imagined that we'll be able to go on a trip like this. Trying new food, getting lost in the city, communicating with locals, and experiencing the culture taught me a lot, not only about the place but about myself as well. It was also the first time some of us experienced snow.

Even though wala ako sa video masyado,  okay lang since it's from my perspective.

Hope you guys enjoy watching our little adventure! P.S It’s been a long time since I’ve posted here and it feels a little nostalgic how I was struggling so much before and letting out some of my thoughts here.

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pwede na to omo

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Untitled

I’m staring into nothing The ceiling turns transparent Your face, on the other side Smiling and unaware that I am calling out to you Before I close my eyes The room becomes clouded and my eyes blur The distance that I am burdened with, I cannot bear The longing to be in your arms, even for just a moment At the thought of you, my silence breaks And the ache in my voice makes every word crack Pictures of you are in my thoughts every day And in all the stories I write But the day comes we are face to face I stutter to say the things I need to say Your arms wrap around me and I’m healed all over Of all the brokenness of my being

by N

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ART HUB MNL

This is "ART HUB MNL" by NFL+ on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

Ferlyn and I made this. Hope you guys could go to Portrait 102. Details are on their Facebook Page (ART HUB MNL). Easy to search.

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My girlfriend and I are also hoping to make our little production group work out. We’re based in Manila and we make little projects. Hope we could work with great people soon. :)

https://vimeo.com/nflplus

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PADALA (2017)

The film is about a stranger and his way with words; and how he created a flow of conversation that would lead him into achieving his objective.

PADALA (2017)

The film is about a stranger and his way with words; and how he created a flow of conversation that would lead him into achieving his objective.

Anyway, it’s my first film. We’ll make something better.

I’m glad I met Bea and Mic through  this. It felt right to meet them. I’m also thankful that through this, Mic asked me to help make his band’s music video. I hope it pushes through. His band is named “Where’s Ramona?” I kinda forgot why.

The point is, when you make something, it really creates a ripple in the universe which in the end, makes you create more. I think life works that way. I wanna live my life making things so that somehow, I’ll be in the little details that each work rippled out. (Whatever that means).

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The title is Padala because it means to send and the other is to be fooled. (I think)

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Untitled

I'm staring into nothing The ceiling turns transparent Your face, on the other side Smiling and unaware that I am calling out to you Before I close my eyes The room becomes clouded and my eyes blur The distance that I am burdened with, I cannot bear The longing to be in your arms, even for just a moment At the thought of you, my silence breaks And the ache in my voice makes every word crack Pictures of you are in my thoughts every day And in all the stories I write But the day comes we are face to face I stutter to say the things I need to say Your arms wrap around me and I'm healed all over Of all the brokenness of my being

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VJE06 - ARTFAIR + PYRO

This is "VJE06 - ARTFAIR + PYRO" by Neil Joseph Lee on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

Wowza. So much Art. I love it. But I hate people,

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VJE05 - Bowling

This is "VJE05 - Bowling" by Neil Joseph Lee on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

With the girls in my life

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VJE04 - College Days to FF Present

This is "VJE04 - College Days to FF Present" by Neil Joseph Lee on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

A few memories I have kept.

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VJE03 - Homebound

This is "VJE03 - Homebound" by Neil Joseph Lee on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

We loved to bake and feel home.

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Hello.

I’m working my way to be a director. Eventually. (not the really big time one though) just the one where I’ll direct a feature film etc. music videos etc...

But it’s not easy. I’ve written plenty of scripts though, it’s just the budget limiting us but I’m not complaining. Just stating the facts. It took me 3 years to figure this out after graduation and I’m glad that somehow, it’s there. I’ve already told myself that I wanted to be one when I was young, probably when I was elementary. The memory is vivid.

But, there are and there will be more challenges and the first one is to keep making even though you make crap. I made a short film already last year and I submitted it to Cinemalaya. I submitted even though I knew I was going to lose. I had to start somewhere and you have to start by losing.

But it was the best feeling ever, because I made a move and it’s okay because you will never know if you win or lose if you don’t make a move.

Life is weird and for some it is meaningless. But, it’s up to us to make the most of this fleeting life and for me,  I want to make stories that make people want to keep living. Horror isn’t really my thing.

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Recap

2013 - During my thesis days, I was so depressed because of the storm and it was just me having suicidal tendencies and my girlfriend, Ferlyn, helped me cope through writing. We had a notebook where we would write anything. I also had a meaningful encounter with Kristian Jeff Agustin. He taught me plenty of things I would never forget. He also loves to write poetry. My interest in writing grew from that point on. I wrote the first parts of my first ever script. 

“51 seconds”.

2014 - Graduated and assisted in a photography studio. Later on was given the chance to edit a web commercial for Canon and United Health Group. From this point, my first boss, liked to direct his models and subjects. I somehow understood how the basic part of directing works from this experience. Slowly shifted to freelance and had jobs for Film Pabrika ( 2 ) and others.

I had to develop my own style of shooting with my limited gear. So I only had to use my hands and be stable enough to hold them. My tripods got washed out during the Super typhoon you see. Freelance life wasn’t really easy.

2015 - I had my internship in Quantum Post and I’m very much glad to have edited the offline footage of Ringgo the Dog Shooter by Rahyan Carlos. Cool movie. I developed a few skills and knowledge I could use. I learned also about the film industry and how things go there. My girlfriend also had her thesis which was about the film industry, so I met a few filmmakers along the way. It was great. I met Dan Villegas, Pong Ignacio and Mackie Galvez. Also Carlo Manatad who trained me in Quantum, it was a great experience. I wish I could do it again.

2016 - I took a freelance job in a wedding company and from there I met Nathaniel. He’s a senior editor and is really good in music. Through him, I learned more about sound design, which was the only thing I believed I lacked. I learned more about sound during 2016. I knew it was important but I always thought music would patch things together. I became critical in listening to the foley and sounds we produce and sync in our footage. It was funny since I worked in a wedding company but we kept talking about making films. Eventually, we made one. We finished one. My first ever film, that I dedicate to my parents and the distance I have to endure to pursue this career.

I reflect on the time I have left with them and I hope to reach it soon. What’s the point of being successful if the people you want to share it with won’t be there? For now, this gives my life meaning. To reach where I need to be so that the people I care for and love can see that their love and support will take me to places; just like how it pushed me to graduate despite my suicidal thoughts and despair.

2017 - It’s too early to tell. The only achievement I could share is that, I gave my girlfriend a ring she deserves. My team submitted in Cinemalaya. Even though we lost, it’s okay. I got a new job and I’m hoping to grow more and help the team be even more successful. I’m also planning to make just one single and make a music video out of it.

because I also write songs.

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VJE02 - Tacloban

Compilation of videos shot during my stay in Tacloban (my home). Filmed using Sony A7S II + Canon 50mm 1.8 + Canon 100mm 2.8

Tacloban, my home.