bruneye.

A perspective on Brunei's collection of visual works var sc_project=6588774; var sc_invisible=1; var sc_security="a8c0ee36";

[bruneye]

Qeez Idrus - Is This Love? Music Video

Local artists are sure on a roll this time around! Video is shot in Brunei by directors Dhimas/Riyo (who come from Indonesia but work in a local production house). Very artistic, thought there were some nice images in there. Love the colors though I'm not too keen on the sharpness in DSLR videos. More on Qeez next time as I need to jet off to work now!

Camera used: Canon 5D

[bruneye]

D'Hask - Tempat Ku Music Video

I assume this video wasn't locally shot, as it features well known celebrities Marilyn Manson, Jojo and Bai Ling. The location is also a giveaway. D'Hask as you know is a local band and their last big music video also featured a celeb (Pamela Anderson). I won't be the first to say I'm confused as to how they've managed to pull this off. 

Anyway, the music is quite decent for our standards. The video mostly focuses on the main characters. Its style is weirdly similar to 2Pac's California Love video. Looks like it was shot on film.

So, it seems that it is now a trend to have famous celebs feature in local music videos. Not to mention shot overseas. I just wonder where besides YouTube do they show these videos because I'm sure it's expensive to get made. It is at least nice though that our local acts are looking more polished. Looking forward to what's next.

A brief behind-the-scenes footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKLaKCN70y4

[bruneye]

Break - Episode Zero

A very recent web-series produced by Adam Groves, already up to it's third episode (youtube.com/visualdimensions) is well talked about amongst young Bruneians. It features high school students getting caught up with gangsterism, one thing most would be able to relate to (or claim to). For those of you not familiar with Adam Groves, he is one of the most proactive independent filmmakers in the country, owning a production company that mostly does wedding videos. While also in a band called Not Famous (which has a music video on YouTube), he has previously made himself known through his other works, which includes a comedy webseries "Jo & Jul Show" and a music video for Karacoma, a local gothic metal band.

While being an apparent horror movie fan, his new web-series however is more of a fun outlook into being a high school teenager in Brunei. Combining a healthy dose of comedy and seriousness, he also injects in stylistically choreographed fight scenes, which is sure to keep audience wanting more. The acting proves that while some still need polishing, it shows the potential of young talents in Brunei and how the more casual way of speaking here would seem to find a place in future Brunei cinematic works. Most will have their own opinions about this show, but looking over its flaws which, considering his resources, is forgivable and it still serves the purpose of any work and that is to entertain and be something everyone will talk about. Unsurprisingly, the video is quickly raking up views. Just a thought; maybe more females would be nice :P

This video also means one thing; the arrival of DSLR filmmakers in Brunei. Shot on the Canon 7D (though there might be some shots on his Canon 500D), it is amazing to know that he has alone written, directed, shot and edited everything. Though he has guest cinematographers on the more recent episodes, he is showing traits of a more than capable independent filmmaker. In my opinion, if he lets someone else handle the sound and camerawork completely, he will be able to offer a lot more. 

Aside everything else, this episode is important to us as it opens up endless possibilities to the local videographer. This will surely inspire a new breed of content creators and also encourage Brunei as a whole to realize there is much more to be exposed. Keep it up Adam!

Camera used: Canon 7D (maybe also Canon 500D)

www.adam-groves.blogspot.com www.youtube.com/visualdimensions

[bruneye]

TelBru Beduk Ad.

I first saw this on TV during Ramadhan 3 years ago, and thought it was one of the more decent ads to go on local TV in a long while. To my delight, I found out it was also created by BorgKingKong. Using his usual heart-warming editing, he successfully combines simplicity and originality in this ad to wrap up in 16 seconds the spiritual meaning of Ramadhan to Bruneians. Sadly this was the only time I've seen his work on TV. I assume this was also shot on Panasonic DVX100B with the Letus35 adapter.

[bruneye]

Pusat Ehsan Tribute Video.

Also made by BorgKingKong, he uses his editing skills again to produce a very heart-warming video for Pusat Ehsan. The combination of sepia color and slow motion close-ups is what made this such an emotionally strong work. This was made at a time where most of us didn't even know how to make a Ken Burns effect overdosed photo montage using iMovie yet. 

Camera used: Panasonic DVX100B w/ Letus35 adapter

[bruneye]

This is a for-fun homemade ad for Jerudong Park made by BorgKingKong, one of the earliest local independent filmmakers that I became aware of. Very nicely shot and edited, and the way it invokes emotions is still unrivalled to real ads shown on local TV nowadays. This was uploaded on the net about 5 years ago, and the last I heard, he was selling off his equipment to people. Hopefully to make way for newer ones, nevertheless I hope to hear from him again soon. While some of his videos are shot with a Letus35 adapter, I'm not sure if it was used on this one.

Camera used: Panasonic DVX100B 

www.youtube.com/BorgKingKong borgkingkong.blogspot.com 

[bruneye]

Semeikom

So this is it, a space where I will post video-works done by Brunei's own videographers, whether pro or amateur, and maybe even some foreign produced ones made for this little country of ours. While you have to excuse me for jumping on the put-bru-in-your-website-name bandwagon, this will be the place for us to appreciate our homegrown talents despite our non-existent film industry. 

It is true that we haven't had a locally produced movie out since the 1960s (called Gema Dari Menara), and it seems like we're not any closer to a second one. Sure, with our population there isn't much money to be made in this industry, but with the right attitude and mindset, we can at least be sure that talents do exist. This site aims to make people aware of a new movement; one made possible with the technology that enables even the obscurest of filmmakers to be discovered. Any person with a camera phone can produce a film and post it online for the world to see in an instant. 

Before going in too deep, I also hope that this will inspire those with a passion in this field. We all have stories to tell, and Brunei as a whole is filled with many that will strike interest even in those over the seas. 

Bah maritah. Iatah ni.