How to make "Kopi-O"

Making a low-budget feature movie with a crew of two.

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He will kill for her.

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It's dreams he's stealing

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It's the dreams he steals

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It's such a sad old feeling The fields are soft and green It's memories that I'm stealing But you're innocent when you dream When you dream You're innocent when you dream Innocent when you dream

-- Tom Waits

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On a sunny Sunday they’re alone yet together. How can it be?

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Images makes his mind spin out of control

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Bus stop

He finds a bus stop near his block of flats. He didn't know it was there. It's an ordinary bus stop like many others scattered around the city yet he can't stop thinking about it. He doesn't know why. Does anyone knows?

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Day 4: first rehearsal and wardrobe acquisition

We read the script in Suhas' apartment and rehearsed Mian Yi - Rango scene where they meet over Kopi-O. It was a good start. Both, Abby and Gab, delivered already good performances but it's just a beginning. Now, we need to build their characters until they acquire a life of their own.

We started at 11 am and finished at 3pm. Next move was a trip to Mustafa in Little India where we got some clothes for Gab. 

The day ended with a short, yet a very interesting meeting with Lyon Sim who was casted as the Vivisectionist.

I lied a little, the day finished with Suhas and me touching up the script until 9:30pm. 

A tiring yet exciting day it was!

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Day 3: Final choice

So it happened. Gab was casted as Ranga, the main protagonist in "Kopi-O". He blew us away with his chameleon like performance. He transformed himself to such an extent that I didn't notice him approaching us until he stretched his hand to greet me. As his character he became like a shadow himself. I'm happy we have him onboard!

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Day 2: Golden Shoe complex hawker centre

Abby and Gab couldn't come so it was only Suhas and me. We were discussing various things in an almost empty hawker centre full of dead, gigantic moths, Suhas' cigarette smoke and noise of numerous ceiling fans.

We decided that we need to seriously consider Gab as the main character. Suhas can look great on camera but he lacks consistency. If we shoot with Suhas it will be difficult like hell. 

We finished with another go at Suhas' acting in front of his house.  We probably need Gab.

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DAY 1

Who's going to play the main character? There are two candidates: Suhas Bhat and Nantha Gabriel. Both are Indians, both have their pros and cons. It's a difficult choice but I'll have to make it; this can make or break the whole movie.

Another issue I'm facing is how to film it. I've few ideas of the visual style but can't decide on either of them. One style I'm leaning towards to is a sort of documentary, i.e., handheld camera that is the eye of an emotionally involved observer who examines and dissects what unfolds in front of him. It would be cool to shoot such a movie but, of course, the risk is that it would be taken as an amateur production. Shit... 

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Small black

Kopi O is a traditional coffee commonly served in Malaysia and Singapore. It is strong black coffee served with sugar. The today coffee beans are roasted with sugar and butter.

This is what Wikipedia says. To really know what it means you gotta drink it yourself.