Day 01

Meet a local artist who had painted pictures of all the jetties before – a good addition to the film for he has given a copy of 10 postcard copy of his paintings to be used.

The lady who agreed to run a puppet show for the film has postponed her availability to a month’s time (which we don’t have). Now discussing for other options.

We now have Han Chiang, a mass comm student to play a role in the final scene for our film – (the scene showing people sleeping on the jetty looking at the moon). Unfortunately, our crane (loaned from Johnnie and operated by Joseph) accidentally hit Han Chiang on her head. However, she didn’t suffer any injuries.

Forced into purchasing a costly priced fish for the shoot. It is about 2.5 ft long, weighs 4kg and was bought from the fish market at RM88.00. Initially wanted to buy from the last fisherman to return but he had contracted to sell his entire fish to fish monger at the market. We had no other choice left because the fish market was about to close. The fish was filmed when it was brought up to the jetty and also after it was barbecued. Jonathan and some film club members were there to set up the barbeque pit. Chew Jetty residents were very helpful in provision of our filming needs eg. allowing us to use the temple’s electricity;

After the shooting for the first day completed, we adjourned to Northam Cafe for dinner and rest.

Day 2

The filming process attempts to adopt an `open’ process where we go at length to incorporate ideas from the crew members – in contrast to the conventional ones which the director had decided upon. We have yet to fully achieve what we intended (should add more briefings before and after shooting, better management etc) but feel that the attempt was rather fruitful. Shooting continues as per schedule.

Although everyone was experiencing total exhaustion by the end of the shooting, we actually still had some energy left to watch 2 films supplied by Jasdev at midnight.

Day 3

I am circulating a crew list for reference and contacts. We should have done this earlier but some hitches in between had caused for it to be gone missing.

Further actions: we will be ready for editing soon and we received good news from Kris that some folks on the 3rd floor of D’ Space are willing to compose original music for the film. We look forward to the presentation of the rough cut. However we are looking for a narrator and translator (from Hokkien to English) for the film.

Temubual ketiga di Ipoh dengan Pak Majid Salleh. Pak Majid merupakan seorang pemimpin buruh yang terkemuka selepas zaman Jepun sebagai Ketua Buruh JSFTU (Johor State Federation of Trade Unions). Beliau juga aktif dalam PKMM dengan membuka cawangan PKMM di Johor awal tahun 1946. Ebrahim kendali kamera, Kecik penata bunyi dan aku menemubual. Pak Majid sempat menyanyikan untuk kami sebuah lagu perjuangan bertajuk ‘Darah Rakyat’…

Darah rakyat masih berjalan
Menderita sakit dan miskin
Bila datangnya pembalasan
Rakyat menjadi hakim

Rakyat yang menjadi hakim
Ayoh! Ayoh! Bergerak sekarang
Kemerdekaan pasti datang
Pasti datang

Third interview in Ipoh with Pak Majid Salleh. Pak Majid is a well-known labourer leader after the Japanese occupation, the Ketua Buruh JSFTU (Johor State Federation of Trade Unions). He was also active in the PKMM by opening a branch in Johor in early 1946. Ebrahim handles camera, Kecik on sound and I run interview. Pak Majid even crooned us a war anthem entitled ‘Darah Rakyat’.

Isnin, 16/7/2007

Temubual kedua dengan Pak Yahya Nassim di Kajang, Selangor. Pak Yahya dulu pernah memegang jawatan Timbalan Bendahari PKMM. Antara cerita Pak Yahya, kesedaran politik lahir dalam dirinya waktu bersekolah di Sekolah Arab Gunung Semanggol, dimana penuntut dilatih membentuk ‘Student Government’ lengkap dengan sistem kabinet dan jawatan-jawatan Menteri untuk para pelajar! Imri kendali kamera, Taj Addin penata bunyi, Mark pengurus produksi dengan Kecik & Ebrahim Harris sebagai pembantu produksi.

Second interview with Pak Yahya Nassim in Kajang, Selangor. Pak Yahya once held the position of PKMM Vice-Treasurer. Imri in charge of camera, Taj Addin on sound, Mark as production manager and Kecik and Ebrahim Haris as production assistants.

Crew Call was at 12.30pm

Kamil called and told us it was raining and therefore he could not come then, but will be late. Postponed crew call to 1.30pm. Heavy rain persisted, so, we decided to fetch Kamil. Fetched him and reached Sungai Rasah Toll at 3.30pm, headed to a food shop nearby with Mien and Effa. Had a quick lunch, then crew headed to 2nd Destination at Kapar, Klang (Suganya’s house). Started to roll the camera at 4.30pm after setting up and everything else was in sequence.

9.00pm

Crew takes a break for dinner.

11.30pm

Wrapped shooting.

Scenes

3 – Driving out of Klang
1 – Bathroom
11 – Partial scenes – nightmare

12.15am

Sent crew back to their homes.