The Future of Drama

The approval issue started a few months ago. As some of you know, I
shot video of the Memorial Retreat. During the family night, there
were some performances that some deemed "unsuitable". The logical
next step would be to want approval for all videos.

The issue finally came to a head after my trip to Kyrgyzstan. One of
the big issues was that Mercy Foundation wanted to approve the videos.
One of their big worries, was that someone would take the video that
was posted online and re-edit it so that it put Kyrgyzstan in poor
light. My guess, is that the church's decision to want to approve
everything (even photos/videos taken by anyone) was influenced by
Mercy Foundation's response.

I am reluctant to give the church final approval over our videos
because of the following reasons.

1) The church takes forever to approve even the smallest request.
This would essentially kill the ministry.
2) Even if they were timely about approving stuff, they would
eventually want to start cutting scenes and then shaping our material
to be less controversial or challenging. This would eventually stifle
the art.
3) I've been doing drama for the past 6 years. During that time, I
have never done anything that criticized the church, put the church in
a poor light, or even mentioned the church. Additionally, everything
we've done would be rated PG or PG-13 at best. This sudden lack of
trust hurts me.
4) They never even bothered to talk to me about this before making a
decision. There was no opportunity for discussion or compromise.

But there is some hope.

I talked to Ray (one of the English deacons) on Saturday night.
He doesn't want to see me or Drama go anywhere. They met this past
Sunday to discuss the issue, so there may be a chance that Drama may
still happen at CCCNJ. In the meantime, I'm still going to look for a
new home for Drama. So, most likely, you won't be seeing me around.

I want everyone to know that I'm not angry with the church, just
extremely sad. It's a hard decision to leave because I truly see
everyone of you as part of my family. So I forgive the church and I
encourage you guys to forgive the church too. And once I find a new
home for Drama, I'll let you all know where that is and you guys will
be welcome to join. But no matter what happens, you'll always be a
part of the Drama family.

Next Meeting: Sunday Sep 7

Our first meeting for the new year will be:

Sunday September 7 @ 2:30, in the lower grange

We're looking for writers, actors, directors, editors, cinematographers, and anyone interested in making movies. Invite your friends!

Rule #009 (a satire)

NinjaVsPenguin.com

A video satirizing rules and how they can sometimes be taken too far.

Directed and Edited by: Wey Wang
Director of Photography: Wey Wang

CAST
Sean Pham
Bo Wang
Vivian Lin
Betsy Chao
Abraham Pan
Stephen Ding
Victor Wang
Jon Shen
Abel Zhu

Production Assistants: Joanne Horng, Jesse Zhu, Bo Wang, Sean Pham

Color Correction: Wey Wang

"The Choice is Yours" by Black Sheep

Shot on Canon HV20
Edited with Adobe Premiere CS3
Titles and rendering with Adobe After Effects CS3

RST Schedule

Red String Theory is a go!

Schedule
==
6/15 - Scenes with other characters, blocking, rehearsal
6/28 - All lines memorized
7/1-2 - Principle photography

Producer: Wey Wang
Director: Jesse Zhu
Director of Photography: Wey Wang

The calendar has been updated

Hairface

NinjaVsPenguin.com

This has happened to everyone. Sometimes they just look better from behind.

CAST
Wey Wang
Abel Zhu
Vivian Lin
Joy Jorng

Camera: Nancy Chan
Editing: Wey Wang
Production Assitants: Jesse Zhu, Joanne Horng

Shot on Canon HV20
Edited on Adobe Premiere CS3
Titles and rendering on Adobe After Effects CS3

Interview with an INS Agent [short film]

Interview with an INS Agent [short film] from NinjaVsPenguin.

NinjaVsPenguin.com

A true story about a guy pursuing the one he loves. But then the government tries to keep them apart.

Written & Directed by: Wey Wang

Director of Photography: Nancy Chan

CAST
Gene: Bo Wang
Rosita: Vivian Lin
INS Agent: Abel Zhu
vending machine: Sean Pham
girlfriend 1: Betsy Chao
girlfriend 2: Joanne Horng
guy friend 1: Sean Pham
guy friend 2: Ray Wong
guy friend 3: Wey Wang
priest: Jimmy Lu

Editing: Jimmy Lu and Wey Wang
Additional camera: Wey Wang

Music:
"Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley
"Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey
"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper
"Against All Odds" Phil Collins
"Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins
"Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor
"Our Song" by Taylor Swift

Production Assistants: Jesse Zhu, Preston Chang, Joanne Horng, Betsy Chao

Storyboards: Stephanie Jou

Sound effects: Joanne Horng

Props: Betsy Chao, Abel Zhu, Joanne Horng, Sean Pham

Color correction: Wey Wang

Thanks to: Quentin Chan, Nancy Chan, Emily Wong
Special Thanks to: God

Shot on Canon HV20
Edited on Adobe Premiere CS3
Titles and rendering on Adobe After Effects CS3

Premiered at Boba Nite.

Howie Day - Collide [Music Video]

Howie Day - Collide [Original Music Video] from NinjaVsPenguin.

NinjaVsPenguin.com

Sometimes when we're looking for someone, we never find them. Other times, we find just what we're looking for when we're not looking.

Written and Directed by: Wey Wang

Girl: Vivian Lin
Ex-boyfriend: Preston Chang
Boy: Stephen Ding
Sleeping classmate: Sean Pham
Girl on swings: Jesse Zhu

Director of Photography: Nancy Chan
Additional Camera: Wey Wang
Editor: Jimmy Lu
Additional Editing: Wey Wang
Color correction: Wey Wang

Storyboards: Stephanie Jou and Wey Wang
Production Assitants: Joanne Horng, Jesse Zhu, Stephen Ding, Bo Wang, Jimmy Lu, Victor Wang, Abel Zhu

Music: "Collide" by Howie Day

Thanks to: Charissa Shen
Special Thanks to: God

Shot on Canon HV20
Edited on Adobe Premiere CS3
Rendered on Adobe After Effects CS3

Premiered at Boba Nite.

Gym Class Heroes - Cupid's Chokehold [Music Video]

Cupid's Chokehold [Music Video] from NinjaVsPenguin.

Sometimes we think we've found the one, but it doesn't end up that way. Then we try to build love for ourselves, and it breaks.

Original Music: "Cupid's Chokehold" by Gym Class Heroes

Credits
Written and Directed by Wey Wang

Boy: Abel Zhu
Awesomette: Sean Pham
Girl: Betsy Chao
Bandmate: Bo Wang

Cinematography: Nancy Chan
Additional Camera: Wey Wang
Edited by: Jimmy Lu & Wey Wang

Storyboards by: Stephanie Jou & Wey Wang
Props by: Bo Wang, Abel Zhu, & Emily Wong
Production Assistants: Jesse Zhu, Joanne Horng, Stephen Ding, and Sean Pham

Thanks to: Gene & Rosita Hsu and Nancy Chiang
Very Special Thanks to: God

Shot with Canon HV20
Edited on Premiere Pro CS3 (PC)
Encoded with H.264

Premiered at Boba Nite.

Boba Nite 4: Connections Intro

Boba Nite 4: Connections Intro from NinjaVsPenguin.

For Boba Nite.

Directed by: Wey Wang

Art by: Betsy Chao
Animation by: Wey Wang

Thanks to: Quentin Chan

Animated on Adobe After Effects CS3

Call Sheet for 3/23

cast:
Bo, Vivian
*Bo: 4 changes, 1 set should be nice, 1 should be the same as guitar scene
*Vivian: 2 changes, 1 set should be nice

crew:
Nancy, Wey, Jesse

Lower grange, 2pm

additional cast:
Sean, Abel, Preston, Betsy, Joanne, Jesse
*Preston: 2 changes, 1 set should be nice

Betchao!

Betchao is a mashup of Betsy's first and last names. We were just fooling around and decided to shoot it.

Credits:
Cast: Bo Wang, Abel Zhu, Betsy Chao
Directed, edited, and camera by: Wey Wang

Call Sheet for 3/16

Cast:
Bo, Vivian
*Bo: 5 costume changes; Vivian: 3 costume changes

Crew:
Nancy, Able, Wey
*Able: wear your green shirt from "Cupid's Chokehold"

Lower grange, 2pm

Call Sheet for 3/9

Cast:
Vivian, Bo, Abel
* Dress nice

Crew:
Nancy, Jesse, Wey

Lower grange, 2pm

Production Schedule for G&R

3/2- Rehearsals
3/9- Principle photography
3/16- Principle photography
3/23- Principle photography
3/30- ADR / additional shooting (only if necessary)

Cast for G&R

This is the casting for our next project.

Interviewer: Abel
Gene: Bo
Rosita: Vivian
Airline salesperson: Preston
Friends: Abel, Preston, Sean

Church Closed for 2/22

All activities and meetings at church are canceled tonight.

Call Sheet for 2/24

cast:
vivian, stephen, abel (same outfit as in cupid's chokehold)

crew:
jesse, nancy, sean, wey

2pm in the lower grange

No Meeting this Sunday (2/17)

For those going on the Winter Retreat, really try and meet with God. Everyone else, enjoy the weekend off!

Confessions of a Drama Leader

Hey, Vivian, sorry for calling you Vanessa, I don't even know any Vanessas.
Hey, Abel, sorry for constantly misspelling your name as "Able".

No excuses, just not very bright :)

Call Sheet for 2/10

Cast:
Vivian, Preston, Stephen
** remember to bring or wear the same clothes as last time. Bring the same bookbags too.

Crew:
Jesse, Bo, Able, Sean, Wey

2:00p, lower grange

New Banner

Thanks to Joanne for producing our new banner, it looks great!

Thanks to Emily for converting it vector and adding the colors.

Call Sheet for 2/3

Vivian, Stephen, Preston, Jesse, Nancy, Wey

Lower grange, 2pm.

Stephen Ding

Talking about weird, my life is weird. You will find me spending most of my time/life reading the same books over and over again…and again. I just won’t get bored of the same books…ever…unless I read it two times in a row. I tend to internalize my emotions….most of the time… and I will be happy in a few seconds if I’m mad…almost all the time. Basketball is cool, and so is tennis, except that I stink at both…who cares. I spend my time watching animes during vacation…as long as I have nothing else to do. I’m more of a procrastinator…compared to most of my friends. I play violin and don’t ask me how well I play. But I can tell you that I’m pretty good. I usually give people a hint of my secrets and make them swear (not exactly swear, but close to swear anyway) that they won’t tell a soul unless someone “accidentally” lets it slip. If I ever get bored, I just read the bible and try to study it in depth…provided that I use a special bible and I have to feel like reading the bible.

Welcome Vivian Lin!

CG.Drama wants to officially welcome Vivian Lin to the team as an actor.

Call Sheet for 1/27

cast: abel, sean
crew: nancy, jesse, wey

2pm in the lower grange

Schedules and Deadlines

As we ramp up into production, we're going to have to be more aware of schedules and deadlines.

Schedules are important because they give us expectations and help us plan. We know when our show is. In this case, April 26. So, working backwards, we can see that certain things need to be done by certain dates. Obviously, if we are trying to advertise, a poster that's finished 2 days before the show won't really help.

Sometimes we don't have enough experience, so we can't schedule things. An example would be these music videos. I have no idea how long it's actually going to take to shoot these things. But my gut says that we'll need about 3-4 weeks for each video. As we learn and gain experience we can adjust the schedule accordingly.

Deadlines are there to help you get prepared for the final product. Whether be writing, art, or anything else, a deadline helps everyone else schedule and plan. It's been said that writing is rewriting. Deadlines help reinforce that mentality. It's understood that things take time to develop. Having deadlines puts structure into that development. It also adds discipline.

Dependencies also rely on deadlines. If someone is waiting for your work, missing your deadline might screw them up. Or you may be waiting on someone else and can't move on with your tasks if they haven't finished theirs.

It's understood that things happen so you'll miss deadlines or meetings. For the most part, you guys have been good about letting me know if you can't make a meeting. But try to let me know a week in advance so we can schedule and plan around it. As for deadlines, if the date is coming up, and you feel that you can't make it, just let me, or whomever's in charge, know. I won't get angry. I won't yell at you. It just helps us work around it.

It's been said that you're either early or late. Let's be early.

Expectations on a Shoot

The following are a set of expectations while you are on a shoot.

• Were you on the call sheet? Only those that are called or asked should go on set. Some locations may not have enough space to accomadate everyone. By bringing only the people who are required, we should keep from tripping over each other's shoes.
• Are you in the scene? If you are in the scene, wait for the director to say "action", nod, or give some sort of indication to begin. Then wait a two seconds before starting the scene. When you're think you're finished with the scene, do not stop until the director says "cut" or gives an indication the scene is over. Stay in character!
• Are things the way they were before you got there? Before we leave any location, whether it be church or someone's house, it is imperative that we leave it the way we found it. Moved furniture, items that we brought, garbage that we generated. We want to be courteous and a good witness so we will be welcomed back.

Call for 1/20

Abel Zhu, Sean Pham, Nancy Chan, Wey Wang, Preston Chang

Weekly Calls

After our shoot today, it's apparent that 1.5 hours isn't enough to
shoot everything. In an effort to try and everything done in a
reasonable time frame, we're going to do weekly calls. What that
means, is that I will send out an email with who we will need for the
shoot this coming Sunday. If your name is on the list, be at the drama
room at 2pm. Everyone else will start at the normal time.

Cupid's Chokehold: Day 2

We had our second day of shooting today. We also worked on the robot suit. Originally, I thought it would take 20 minutes. Little did I know that it would take the whole time. But we got some decent footage. Principle photography should take 3-4 weeks.

Thanks to Jimmy for helping out with preproduction stuff. We should be ready to roll into the next project once we're done.

New Project: Cupid's Chokehold

Yesterday, we started shooting our next project. A music video for "Cupid's Chokehold" by Gym Class Heroes.

Welcome Quentin and Nancy Chan

CG.Drama is proud to welcome Quentin and Nancy Chan to the team. Quentin will be working with our resident visual artists to produce a marketing campaign for our next big show. Nancy will be our new Director of Photography.

Welcome to the team guys!

Love Angle

Credits:

writer & director: Wey Wang
editor: Wey Wang
producer: Wey Wang
director of photography: Andrew Chen
Lana: Jeannie Huang
Jay: Dan Lin
Kira: Charissa Shen
Dave: Bo Wang
Ken: Andrew Chen
Danny: Mike Tang
Amanda: Amanda Shen
production assistant: Jack Chiang
production assistant: Mark Chung
production assistant: Wendy Chang
production assistant: Kathy Chang
production assistant: Mike Tang
production assistant: Amanda Shen
very special thanks: Nancy Chan
special thanks: Mr. & Mrs. Shen
special thanks: Katrina Chang Liu
most thanks: God