Profile: Joshua Anthony Corea

Joshua Anthony Corea, a professional photographer in the making

This week our student profile is Joshua Anthony Corea. People love to call him Josh. He is student of Digital Film and Television. Josh is one of the active students. One of Josh hobbies is he loves to take pictures. As a photographer we can find him in every event in our campus. Josh shared his story with us in Click & News.

The interviewer starting by asked, “When did you realize that you had the passion for the course which you are pursuing right now?” Josh said, “It all started since five years ago when I watched the movie "V for Vendetta". From then on I knew that I wanted to be a director.”

“So far have you worked on any projects related to your field? If yes, then how was your experience?” interviewer asked. Josh said, “Mostly worked with my friends doing our short films. I enjoy every second of it, especially when you work in a team of people that you feel comfortable with."

Next question the interviewed asked, “Since when you love to take pictures and did you go to any special institution to learn how to be a good photographer?” Josh said, “Since I was eight year old, I love to take pictures of whatever fascinated me. When I bought my first DSLR camera in 2008 and since that time I see the world differently, through the eyes of the lens. I am still an amateur photographer, but make it a point to learn from more seasoned shutterbugs, and also read up a lot on the subject.”

“Do you have any hobby either then take pictures?” Josh said, “Yes, and this is might be seem weird. I would love to wrangle up snakes and it's my childhood dream if I could play around with them. (Laughs).”

“What do you think about how would you be able contribute towards our Malaysian film industry?” Josh said, “For me, I want to work towards bringing up Malaysia's national cinema. We have great talents here but it's just a matter of time until we have a burst of creativity from the now younger generation of filmmakers.”

“As a viewer, in what ways are our films lacking compared to film industry in other countries?” Josh said, “Well as a viewer I think we focus too much on the trendy. I see many films that are bad remakes of Hollywood blockbusters. If we were to use small budgets as an excuse it's not good an excuse. We need individuals that can work in small teams and small spaces to bring push the envelope till it bends.”

Last question was “If you are given a chance to work with someone in the film industry, with who you will work with and why you want to work with this person?” Josh said, “Well I would love to work with a director named Wes Anderson. His films are relatively small budget but have such compelling stories. I love how he focuses on the characters above everything else. Yasmin Ahmad reminds me of him, her style is just like that and her characters are the central role of any story she makes.”

“Thank you so much for your time in this interview, we in Click & News wish you all the best in your studies and your career as well.”

Profile: Rajeshwaran Krishnamookthi

Having fun with the camera

In this week’s student profile, the person that we are going to put in the spot light is Rajeshwaran Krishnamookthi or fondly known as Raajeish by his fellow peers.

 Raajeish is currently in his second year studying Digital Film and Television. As a team of  Click & News ,managed to conduct an interview curious to know about  Raajeish’s experiences in the industry as well as his  university life.

Hello Raajeish, thank you for spending some time with us on top of your busy schedule.

No problem it’s my pleasure that somebody is interested in getting my interview (laughs)

Raajeish tell me t how you got yourself involved in this advertising field?

Well first I did a course in computer science right after SPM. At the age of 19, I started my mini music journey by doing my degree in music. Then at the age of 23, I graduated with my degree and started working as a junior keyboardist with Malaysian based hip hop group, Poetic Ammo. Slowly I started getting exposure towards advertisements through some of my friends who ere already in the field back then. Due to encouragement by them and also in the state to earn and extra income, I joined famous advertisement company Leo Burnett. I did a few advertisement related to festive season such as Hari Raya and Deepavali when I was working with Leo Burnett.

Besides Leo Burnett, are there any other advertisement companies that you have worked with thus far?

Yes I have worked with Naga DBB when doing advertisements for Digi and Hotlink. I have also worked with Grey Worldwide when doing overseas advertisements. The best part is that I also had the chance to act in few movies while doing advertisements.

Since you have said that you do have some acting experiences, how did that opportunity come about?

Well it’s purely accidental whereby there will times that we are short of talents, so the director will sometimes ask me to do the role. The acting experience is really fun, and you would be able to see the money. Dedication to camera and most importantly the camera must like you and remember to do your homework for the character.

You have a degree in music and now you are doing your second degree, do you think there is a big advantage for you in the field right now?

The Business man

As far as movies, we shoot focus on both side as far as audio and visual is concern. Therefore when it involves movie where music is a huge importance, I feel I can do it whole heartedly because of the experience I already have. Where else for the degree in filming which I pursuing right now, it helps me to understand the shots and scene selection better. So I can say that both have thier own advantage.

They say that one has to have a thick skin when approaching the filming line. Is it true? What is your comment on this statement?

Yes, you should get rid of shyness in front of the camera. If you want to be a part of the filming industry you will have to definitely get rid of this attitude as its very essential for you to be balanced with yourself as a film director or even as a talent. I would also like to add on by saying that by being a film director, one should also be genuine in giving enough time and coaching to the talents in order for them to improvise on their mistakes. That’s when spontaneous acting takes place and no overacting occurs.

Famous personalities that Raajeish has worked with thus far:

The late Yasmin Ahmad - Merdeka TV Commercial (2004)

Al Isaac - Commercials like Digi, Petronas, KFC and McDonalds.

Kumar Thangaiah (Director of the movie “Pulau Asmara”) - a few commercials

Nasser- Worked together for a Tamil drama under a Malay production called “Next Awakening”

Raajeish also has this great passion of writing script for short film and his script won the 2nd prize at the Astro Short Film Competition in 2005. The story was titled “Illusion of Love“directed by his close friend, Abu Bakar Siddique.

Since you said that you also work and at the same time study, how do you allocate time for your assignments?

Working vice, definitely career comes first but as far as assignments are concerned, I normally stay awake at night and somehow try to finish it on time.

Since you are already in the industry, tell us more about what is your job scope currently?

In my working career I take care of the production side, payroll, and talents. Before a project starts I should prepare my paperwork three weeks ahead. I should also be prepared for any consequences like shortage of talent and if so then I would have to step in and act myself (laughs). Well that’s how I started acting.

What is your dream when you decided to pursue your second degree in Digital Film and Television?

My dream is to become a film director, and I really wanted to learn on the Panavision and Red camera. To be frank here in Malaysia we do not have this camera’s yet. S o I even taught of taking some short courses in the United States related to these camera techniques. Well this may sound strange but I am really hoping to be a part of the history book, where our nation gets to be in the biggest stage of all when it comes to the movie industry.

Thank you so much again for your time and best wishes from us at Click & News in achieving all of your goals and aspirations.

You are welcome and thank you for your wishes as well.