I'm glad to leave school,

     i'm glad to leave the place where i have stayed stagnant for the 4 years, i wouldnt have done so much things in this short time. if i stay put, it takes another 2-3 years in uni before i step out of the school, and then what? tell my parents fuck my doctor degree and start all over again? but mostly i'll become a doctor and eventually forget about my dreams. 

     A client approached me to make a documentary of a project called Green Seed, with a vision to create nature in the city. a passionate green lover, who puts her word into action regardless of tiny steps she takes, startng from moving her house to the rural area, planting trees around the house, and slowly converting her house to an eco friendly.. i don't know what you call that, it's about reducing the effect of the presence of a concrete house on earth. And now, she's organizing an event for the public to plant trees, spent a year appealing for land order for tree planting purpose. it is even harder nowadays with land developers taking over any single empty land for the so called, land development. Anyway, we had a talk and what inspired me most was that, she asked me about my dream, i said it was to become a director. and she said look deeper, and that i could search for the purpose of my life. i told her at that moment what came to my mind, i said, i feel happy to see people pursuing their dreams, i actually do, they inspire me to go on further, and that i want to be an inspiration to others too, to tell people that life isn't about what the world teaches us, it's about living our lives with our hearts. and media is my tool to tell stories, to share ideas, to inspire others. 

and she said, " aren't you living your dream now?"

boom. 

     mindblown at the spot. yes, greatsam, you're living your dreams now. now get out and make things happen. that's what i told myself. stop being a people pleaser while seeking for approval of those you dont even give a shit about, it's time to just be yourself. 

     what i miss most are the friendships i have back then, the brotherhood of shisha, those artless infatuation and what nots, the cold harsh dynamic climate, the ridiculous schooling system and mindless teachers. God i miss all of them. 

    i wish to see my friends again, in Moscow, would that be possible? i'm trying hard to make that happen.

A year since the day i left for Berlin.

16th of November, exactly a year ago, i boarded the plane leaving Moscow to Berlin, the day i decided to take the path less travelled.

i used to not remember dates, i didn't understand why girls would get mad for forgetting certain dates, but it does mean alot to me now. A new milestone, a given period time to measure the things i've been through. 

When i left for Berlin, i bear the thought of giving my life a chance to explore the possibilities in hopes to not regret those "what ifs". I let life leads me. i chose a job that i'll never hate working one more day for the rest of my life.

And exactly a year later, i was taught by Life again, that all these while the passion i've always have for filmmaking, wasnt at its best yet. so, Life, there's actually levels of passion? no shit it's true. yes i'm passionate about what i do, but not yet the highest passion. 

There's these seven videos i'm assigned to complete on today this date and they are about seven values in life, passion, courage, connection, commitment, empowerment, integrity, and love. and you know what? passion is the first step to all of the rest. i feel so belittled. that i'm only on the first step. That, is also the best part of life, you just never stop learning things. and the future stays unknowingly adventurously exciting. 

so Sam, what have you done?

The same thing i used to say, "it feels like i've done nothing, but at the same time, i've done so much."

Rub a Dub Pup

Another extempore trip to Sematan beach with friends and dogs. An opportunity of roger to meet new friends and have a good time.

one of those days

when you know you have things to do, but still, wishing to do something else.

doors.

to find a way, or an excuse.

Sober September.

so much of jumbling up all the post that i should post before this, but then again, this is a client based job and they pay my bills. I've got semenanjung trip, semban trip, gobald footages, corporate video and most importantly my own shorts, waiting to be processed and shot. prioritize my time for more important things in life, yes, is easier said than done.

Donny&Jess' Wedding from samuel wong on Vimeo.

well, not exactly the first wedding but accepting it as a job for the first time. Possibly the last. Personally, i believe in greater things, but i thank for the opportunity to be a part of someone's momentous hour.

Semban Trip, so much to post about, so much life experience to tell, staying alive just to continue this journey. but so far, there's only this funny ad that i can share for now. It was a silly idea of wondering what would minyak cap kapak in chinese, 驱风油 be like in french, chevfenelle, a make up name. But wait! there's more to come, a semban clip. yes you have to wait for that.

For now, GreatSam has got neverending pre-production to plan, three shootings till the weekend, and a buttload of post prod to clear, and so, i bid you adieu.

Till then, may Life leads you.

Guys at the gate.

as i remember it was a beautiful morning filled with joy of my friend, Joanna, getting ready to be "fetched" by the boys band. Joanna entrusted me a favor, to help her see what's going on outside the gate of the house since she could not see it with her own eyes. so there it is, a same day edit for a friend. This energetic people really enhances those moments. so next time you get married, make sure you have fun people as your best men and bridesmaids.

Sibu

Life is like a box of chocolate, i've never known what i'm gonna get in the next second. Going to sibu was only with an intention to take a break from Kuching. turned out to meet some awesome people in the same profession. and also to find out the Sibu is a beautiful place. managed to capture some essence in the old town in a morning. am loving it and hoping to go back there for more. stay tune.

Go Bald 4.0

It's no more just a fundraising event after being a part of it. I've come to learn that, doing charity is far more tiring than a paid job. And meeting these new people widens my perspective in various matters. Tiring as usual, but worth every single sweat. (not that i sweat alot through the process). 

These are the few women behind the scenes that made everything happened. Proudly present to you, the Hairvengers.

The precious hair the girls sacrificed for the good of cancer kids. it was one touching event that i had the opportunity to be part of. 

 Mummy visited me at my work. :)

The Hairvengers, a production done in less than a week, pretty similar as the time taken for the Kuaci to be done, but a different concept and mood. 

给亲爱妈妈的一封情书，

一直以来，都不懂妈妈对我们的爱，只是觉得妈妈不了解我们，为什么管我们这样严。为什么别人的妈妈对他们的孩子那么好，为什么不给我们自由，很多的问号。一直到我出国念书。

刚刚到外地的时候，好像特别的自由，没有人管我，我为所欲为。但渐渐的，感觉到好像少了些什么的，那就是平常妈妈帮我洗衣，自己要动手，有时衣服塔到很多没洗，结果没衣穿。记得妈妈每次手伤这里伤那里，仍旧每天洗衣。不感激，也不是人了。所以，妈，谢谢你。

以前每次觉得家里煮的不好吃，要出去吃。结果呆在外地这样多年，天天想家饭。冷菜？也好吃阿，只要是妈妈煮的，都好吃。特别是萝卜抄鸡蛋，马尼菜面线汤，红糟猪肉，松肉蛋，等。外面吃，只是方便罢了。妈，你也无需常煮吧。

以前不懂为什么，什么都不可以做，只想要自由，现在有了，反而觉得，怎么没有人理我。但妈妈永远在我旁，不管书没读好，不管孩儿没为家争过气，依然爱我。世上只有妈妈好。

没车也让我用。我说要大点空间做工，回到家我的房间就变了。妈妈自己省钱也甘愿给我用。常常送维他命，果汁，补汤，等，到我正在做工的桌上。平时不买衣服的我，也会特别的去超市买几件我喜欢穿的。所谓，饭来张口，衣来伸手，叫我怎能不爱妈妈。

孩儿也希望能陪着妈妈。去外地闯的意念，虽然是个梦想，但纽约可以等我。身边看过的事物，遇过的人，件件个个都教导我追求梦想，珍惜家人。梦想，在古晋也能做到啊，以后大把机会，但家人只有五指可数。我们无权与生命，只能珍惜。

虽然孩儿不停犯错，妈妈不停的给孩儿机会，仍旧相信我。孩儿感激不尽。从妈妈身上也看到上帝如何透过妈妈述说上帝对世人无条件的爱。

妈，不需要为我操心了，虽然在你眼中永远是小孩，但我大了，懂得自己在做什么，也会学习怎样去爱，看顾你。你就休息吧。偶尔跟朋友去玩玩，散散心。透过母亲节，还没赚到什么钱的我，只能写一封情书给你。

妈，你真伟大。我爱你。

儿,

伟伟

It was ages ago me being a dick, you dont have to return the favor

period.

April vernal journal

pretty lot of things happened recently, Kuching has never fail me in any ways. She has given me emotional roller coaster rides since.. i was a boy. But sometimes, it does bores me a bit, with not much close friends in the same town. Meeting new people and befriending them are one of the few things i do right now, despite that, sometimes i just cant find the same feeling i had before in Moscow where a family bond was built. Can't compare because after all i spent 4 years+ with them. They were like what a family was supposed to be. Weird, (but i rather call it Unique) personalities but we all accepted each other's weaknesses. It's hard to find this in the working world. Life's not that simple anymore. for me at least.

Kuching, a once familiar city where i call hometown, is now a foreign land to me regardless of the accustomed places i've been through and grown up with. One of the main factors leading to my decision to stay in kuching was because of my parents. On the day i leave Moscow for good, my best friend's dad, passed away, i had whole trip time to ponder upon this matter, what if this incident happened on me? I wouldn't forgive myself for being so far away from them. so going back to Berlin became a dilemma for me. But God has always been leading my way. He let me met a guy, which is now my working partner, tho of cos he's much more senior than me. The main thing is that, i could see what i want from this work. i won't be earning a fortune that can afford all my dreams, but it’s good enough to survive, till i get to where i want. so, right now it’s about working hard for that one day.


Sometimes it's unbearable waiting for third parties(mostly the ones that sponsor the production) to give a definite answer, plans are delayed waiting for an official answer, or ever changing decisions. and waiting takes up my time, sometimes it bores me out with nothing to do, and not much friends around that i can share my feelings with. On the other hand, i should be thankful to finally find what i want to do for life, right beside my family. so, thank you God.

Meetin new people also let me realized that i’m rather a nitpicker In chinese we say, picking bones from an egg. Something i don't wanna admit that i am, but i know i am. am trying to change this attitude of mine.

Which reminds me of this 孩子不坏, children not naughty, movie. I was thrilled to hear friends telling me the movie being well done. finally got the time to watch it, sadly it was pretty disappointing for me, This kind of Jack Neo style story plot has always attracted me because it portrays the director's story and idea in a humor and sentimental way yet still, pretty realistic. Even new Malaysian directors, some of them, apply this kind of method in their featured films. What i believe is that, audience pay 10 bucks to have a good laugh and an enjoyable movie time with their friends or loved ones. and the director gets to convey their messages through this media. I do enjoy the message being tried to convey through the movie, for example (spoilers!) every single thing doesn’t have to be defined as good or evil, they always have two sides of stories, it’s a very debatable topic if discussed. By laws and regulations, a lot of incident cannot be settled by a justified manner. this was shared by a friend tho.

Anyway, somehow this story just have some element missing, i feel that being a 2 hour+ movie, they should plan the editing well. the story just doesn't flow. it’s more like telling bits and parts of comedy and sentimental plots by itself. Maybe they jammed too much ideas into a movie which makes it a mumbo jumbo combo, c-c-c--combo breaker! ok lame i know.
i feel like after being in the film production myself allows me to see into a movie more in its production way as well as its story flow. don't know whether it’s a good thing or not. People tell me why not you try to write down the critic yourself. so, giving it a try here. Plus learning to write out my feelings is something i need to do, cause when i need to write a screenplay, it requires ages practicing my expression through words. It’s already hard enough to sit my ass down to just write anything. so, this is a start.

My friends around the world, if you read this,just to let you know i’m missing you guys. Being young is an advantage, so take that opportunity to prepare ourselves for the future. I hope you are fine.

Home Sweet Home.

Finally, i'm back to hometown for good. The place greatsam was born, is the place he's going to shine. Sam in action.

had alot to say, but no more now, not anymore.

long night in the museum.

the mindblowing experience was given by this masterpiece machine projecting the constellation on the dome canvas.

stairways to who-gives-a-damn.

tvception.

1950s Bronx, NY

first Oscars to Emil Jannings of Berlin.

more television sets

what am i?

who am i kidding? i don't deserve you. it's tough for me to find out that i might no longer be needed. but that's what i wished before, wish you to be happy. may your life be filled with happyness. and may the memories be washed off by the dead solitary nights. and may sam, move along. 

-a voice in my head from those dreamy days.

2011

In short. Made 10,000 photographs. Shot 9 films. Fell in love. Dumped. Stopped studies. Came to Berlin. A tougher 2012 year awaits me. Please be strong sam, strong for your heart.

Christmas dinner at Konrad's hometown. enjoy!