#3. Tru(e) Calling, Not A Movie

I love film making. It is my passion to create a film that inspire people. At least when you step outside the cinema, you have a new vision. Something that inspire you with the actors, acting or the story itself. You don't curse the money that you spend for a such stupid film with silly actors. Otherwise, you have something on your mind accompany you on the way to home.

The first film that inspires me to create my own is "Janji Joni" (Joni's Promise) directed by Joko Anwar. I watched that film when i got chicken pox and had nothing to do than just sat in front of TV in new year's eve. It was miserable. But the film has made me feel better. I was inspired by such a unique and different story line presented through this film. The acting, the way they take the angle, script, soundtrack, all are perfect. Nicholas Saputra acts as Joni, the main actor.  I never doubt Nicholas acting.  He is a talented actor, indeed. The story is about Joni who works as film delivery man. His job is to drop the film from one cinema to other cinema. He is the one who decides whether the audience can watch the film or not since he has the film reels. If he can't drop it on time then so sorry you can't watch the film. One day, Joni meets Angelique (Mariana Renata) who watches film with his perfectionist boyfriend, Otto (Surya Saputra). Joni fall in love with this beautiful girl. But, Angelique will tell her real name only if Joni can drop the film reels for the film she is going to see. Joni thinks it would be easy. But that day, seems the world is against him. He faces many challenges from a homeless guy to the magician. Janji Joni was awarded as Best Movie in MTV Indonesia Movie awards, Best Director from Bali International Film Festival and many more. This is the proof that Joko Anwar is a good director as well as script writer.

 Janji Joni (2005)

In 2009, i created a Go Green Film and it was for competition. I wrote the script and asked for my friend help, Iia to find the actor and actress. It was fun during the shooting process. At the end, it went sucks cuz i don't how to edit the film so we gave it to someone else. He edited the film and i still remember he spelled my name wrongly as director at the beginning of credit. Until now, i don't have the copy of film. I have asked some friends but they don't have it as well. I love to see the film though it is below my expectation cuz i want to learn from it. Anyway, i enjoyed the film making process since then. x)

  The Crew of Go Green Film (2009)

The second film was for our Video and Digital Technology Final Assignment titled "The Sketch" in 2010. The genre was science fiction with many effects inside the film. The story is about a guy who has ability to predict the future through his sketch. I did enjoy the process as director and script writer. I satisfied with the story line and acting from the actor and actress. Since we have limited time and human resources to edit the film so it was ruined at the finishing touch. I was panic when two hours before the presentation suddenly the software was hang. Some part of the film were gone and i can't do anything. However, i love that film and i still keep all the scenes in my hard disk. Someday i would like to re-edit the film and make a new one.  

 Detty and Tyas, actress in "The Sketch" (2010)

Third film, is the one that i am currently doing. Since it has not been launched yet, i can't tell you the whole story. Before, i have many obstacles to conduct this film project. The time limit, the actor that suddenly can't join one day before shooting, equipments, location, limited crew, props used in film and right now, (again), the editing. Yes, i was hopeless to make this dream come true. But somehow Allah and universe help me, i have been met by people who come to support this film. From the cameraman, the urgent-substitute actor that becomes the main actor, the (non) accidental supporting actors, and many more. It was 19th of June and we have to submit the film in next two days. The person who supposed to edit the film was busy, a friend of mine. He said we don't have enough time to complete film within limited time. Then the answer from contact person of festival has made me happy and relieved. "You can submit it last on 28th," he said on the phone. I can not say a word than ''Alhamdulillah."  Allah has opened my way to finish this film. Now, even i have no one to help me for editing the film, i know i can do it. Other friends are busy and they can't help me with editing. I still have script to be revised and many tasks to do. But, i won't give up and i'm gonna make this film finished. Somehow i believe that Allah will help me in the process. I would like to be on stage and say thank you for all who supported this film later. And hopefully this film will inspire others who watch it. 

Anyway, before, i have denied this true calling of film making. It is my obsession to be a film director since long time ago. That is why i took Multimedia as major in university. Later i found out it is more  focus to 3D animation than film making so i have decided to forget about it. Moreover, i am currently a PhD student and i have never thought to create a film. But, i think your passion is too worth it to be "dumped". It will find the way and come back to you. Then you realize that you can't resist the true calling. A PhD and the film maker, why not? I need to balance my left and right brain, though. xD  How about you? Have you found your true calling? Hopefully you have. If you haven't, you still have a long way to go. Sure, you will find it, sooner or later. x)

Good night and sleep tight,

Chandini