After 5 days of intensive filming for my new movie, I had to leave for Japan to begin my TESL class & practicum. I was unable to thank each person properly for his or her hard work and creative contributions. So now, I would like to say a big THANK YOU to Alvin, Kelly, Alex, Min, Shanshan, MK, Youmi, Marcia, Yuri, Ling, Anita, Juran, Soomin, and Jaspar. This movie wouldn’t be possible without you.
The night before my flight, I was able to take some still images from our video and put them on a USB. I brought the files with me to Japan, where I have been preparing them to be viewed and shared. I hope you will forgive the wait and enjoy these sneak peeks of the upcoming film!!
These pictures are stills taken from video footage shot by Alvin Pingol in June 2010 for an untitled comedy/adventure film project directed by Andrew Zeller. The story is about a Korean woman (Juyeon Park) who travels to Vancouver to see her younger sister: Sonya Park. But finding Sonya will be a considerable challenge, especially when an amateur detective, a thief, and two dangerous reporters are searching for her too.
My good friend and fellow filmmaker: Alvin Pingol just completed a short film in 3 parts about his travels in the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Macau. “Paglalakbay” is a Filipino word that roughly translates to “travels,” or “journey.” This film chronicles the adventures of Alvin and his family during the first 3 weeks of January 2010. I enjoyed it from start to finish, and only wish there was more!! Thanks for sharing your trip, knowledge, and heritage with us, Alvin!
Here is a short film directed by my friend: Bobo Zhao. I filmed about half of the movie, and I also make a small appearance as one of minor characters. All of the actors speak in Mandarin Chinese even though many of us aren’t Chinese. (Don’t worry, there are also English Subtitles.) I would describe the film as a dramatic love story which playfully makes fun of some stereotypes of Asian TV dramas (soap operas). I really enjoyed being involved in the making of this film and seeing the final result! Hope you enjoy it too!!
Because I live in an apartment complex, whenever I receive a package, the mailman has to buzz my room. If I am not at home, he cannot enter the apartment building, and therefore has to leave a paper notice that he will return later to deliver the package again. Naturally, this is very troublesome for both the driver and myself.
A few days ago, I happened to be across the street from my apartment building, when I noticed the mailman approaching the front door of my apartment. I watched as a he buzzed a room number but I couldn’t see which numbers he pressed. However, I was expecting a package, so I started to run to the crosswalk to try to intercept the package. As I was running, a man sitting on the sidewalk said to me: “Hey man, you got a lighter?”I was in the midst of running and concentrating on catching the mailman, who was returning to his mail truck with the package. So, my brain used its remaining 12% to interpret what this man had said to me, which popped into my head as: “Hey man, you got a letter?” I was surprised that he had recognized my intent to intercept the mailman, but still unsure if the package was for me or not. So I gave an honest reply: “Maybe!” This reply seemed to confuse the man, so I re-processed what he said and heard the correct translation with “lighter.” So I quickly added, “I mean, no, sorry.” I then resumed running.
The mailman was now inside of his truck. I knocked on the door. He opened and I said, “Were you delivering a package for &%&*(the secret number to my apartment)?” He replied: “Why, yes!” I replied: “Is it for &((^&%%**(the secret name of this anonymous writer which has nothing to do with the name of this website)?” As a result, I got my package. The mailman didn’t have to re-deliver it, and I didn’t have to cancel all of my plans and wait around to receive it. What a happy ending, eh?
Filmed in Vancouver & Burnaby, BC, Canada with a cast & crew of international students.
The Love Story:
Believing his “whiteness” to be his sole imperfection, Eddie attempts to win back his girlfriend’s affection by studying to become a “real” Korean, unaware that his Korean teacher has problems of his own in the love arena. To find love, will they be forced to change themselves? Or will it be love which changes them??
Starring:
Bak Seong-Jae (Kevin Bak) as “Jay”
Ma Jinyong (Calvin Ma) as “Derek”
Cai Xiao (Carolyn Cai) as “Claire”
Niu Jia (Tina Jia) as “Lily”
Andrew Zeller as “Eddie”
Wayne Tsaur as “Steve”
Featuring Original Music by Alvin Pingol
Photographed by Suh Hyung Lim & Bobo Zhao
Filmed by Daisy Zhu
Produced by Josephine Yun
Written, Directed, & Edited by Andrew Zeller
Website: www.andrewzeller.com/movies/atr
Thanks to everyone who supports us and this film!!
