Showing posts with label series: sentinel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label series: sentinel. Show all posts
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Saturday, February 11, 2012
sentinel fanmade video
source: Uploaded by CrystinCao @utube
Steven himself has also uploaded the video onto his weibo
MV created by @浚家清清
song title: 缘份 - (Fate) by 陈松伶
Especially love the scene of disillusioned Dor Bo walking out of the room as he wearily takes off his coat segueing into the scene of another exhausted Dor Bo this this time with a mad glint in his eyes as he sardonically smirks at his captive, though so exhausted he can hardly raise his head. The weariness, the exhaustion starting @1.11 are just brilliantly acted! One walking off exhausted couldn't care less anymore, nothing matters anymore, nothing. This Dor Bo is a shell of what he was before when life was full of promises, now he is empty out of emotions as he walks away, world weary. While in the next scene in the mv, the Dor Bo though has the sh*t beaten out of him is still very much of the world is still full of life and filled with rage and stubborn defiance. Both are in pain and exhausted but of different kind.
And of course Dor Bo's cries of despair at his parents' double suicides.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Sentinel to broadcast on Taiwan TVBS.
Wow! The life and times of sentinel is first broadcasted in Korea, now it is scheduled to broadcast in TVBS channel Taiwan. What about 7 Days? Any day soon?
Friday, December 23, 2011
Sentinel presently broadcasting in Korea
source: tvbkorean @ youtube
마준위(馬浚偉)
Broadcasting on tvb korean tv channel every Monday thru Friday @ 13:30; 19:10.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
TV Series Weekly 261 - The Times and Life of a Sentinel
steven-ma.org
not Steven related article.
Exclusive Interview of Leung Choi Yuen: Continue to harvest; Continue to grow
Just like his name: a ‘choi’ (talent, material) and a ‘yuen’(far, long distance), as producer, Leung Choi Yuen’s handling of the creative aspect of a series possesses a strong keenness as well as a sense of responsibility. First of all, towards the use of “original material” in a series, from the onset he adheres firmly to the principle of creativity and innovation. He does not like to produce sequels or to replicate his work, but continues to challenge new boundary. Also, in another aspect, besides fulfilling tv’s entertainment requisite, he hopes that in each and every one of his series to examine certain aspects of life, thereby leaving a deeper effect on its audience.
Creativity
As a producer, the use of subject matter must be innovative. I feel that audience needs a constant injection of freshness and originality, so customarily I don’t like to shoot sequels. Like how it is with a martial arts move, if you repetitively only use one move, if continues, other people will detect your series path. Therefore, I like to continually experience new things, moreover, it will also be a learning process for me. This year, for the whole year, I have two series broadcasted. One is “7 Days in Life”; the other, “The Times and Life of a Sentinel”. Between modern drama series and ancient drama series, I prefer modern, its subject matter is broader because most of the stuff happen around us; more real life. As for ancient drama, we need to gather more information. Unlike the ancient drama productions in Mainland where history experts or specialists are invited to participate, we can only depend on ourselves to do our best for the series. 7DIL involves more modern elements. Its inspiration came from 2003 SARS incident. At the time, I thought if use this event to shoot a comedic series, to have a story about all the people quarantined inside a hotel, this series will be very different and interesting.
Difficulty
I feel that Qing Forbidden City is filled with materials suitable for dramas. There is a plethora of subject matters that can ignite the imaginations, and lots to write about. But producing this kind of series is extremely difficult because Hong Kong itself is extremely restrictive to filming, not like filming in Mainland where there are many choices of scene sites to choose from. Also Hong Kong has a more city feel to it which will affect the actual shooting. Furthermore, our scene sites are limited to only some woods and rivers etc, of course, TVB has its own ancient drama scene sites, hence for post production we incorporated some special effects into the series. Undoubtedly, it is definitely more difficult to shoot an ancient drama series than a modern one. Also another reason is that in this series, many of the actresses are originally from overseas, so their education and culture backgrounds are different, hence, making it more difficulty for them to absorb their lines. So before the production commenced, they were given some special training. Also, the HK audience’s knowledge on Chinese history is comparatively limited, as they did not have a comprehensive education (on it) so what they know of it may be superficial. Scripting this kind of more indepth Qing Dynasty story may not appeal to the general audience. So to film this kind of historical drama series, we have to consider many things beforehand, will the audience accept it or not? Are the thespians up to it? How much work can the behind-the-scenes colleague handle? Thus, comparatively, the whole shooting process can be extremely arduous. Nevertheless, though exceptionally arduous I still want to experience so as to find a balance in my produced series repertoire. Furthermore, there is a bigger market for ancient drama series in Mainland China.
(What is the most difficult scene to shoot?) The most difficult scene to shoot is the usurpation court scene, also my longest ever shooting of a scene, in all, the shooting took 7 days and 7 nights to complete. The cast members were all totally immersed in their characters; felt a kind of anguish of being unable to extricate themselves.
TBC
not Steven related article.
Exclusive Interview of Leung Choi Yuen: Continue to harvest; Continue to grow
Just like his name: a ‘choi’ (talent, material) and a ‘yuen’(far, long distance), as producer, Leung Choi Yuen’s handling of the creative aspect of a series possesses a strong keenness as well as a sense of responsibility. First of all, towards the use of “original material” in a series, from the onset he adheres firmly to the principle of creativity and innovation. He does not like to produce sequels or to replicate his work, but continues to challenge new boundary. Also, in another aspect, besides fulfilling tv’s entertainment requisite, he hopes that in each and every one of his series to examine certain aspects of life, thereby leaving a deeper effect on its audience.
Creativity
As a producer, the use of subject matter must be innovative. I feel that audience needs a constant injection of freshness and originality, so customarily I don’t like to shoot sequels. Like how it is with a martial arts move, if you repetitively only use one move, if continues, other people will detect your series path. Therefore, I like to continually experience new things, moreover, it will also be a learning process for me. This year, for the whole year, I have two series broadcasted. One is “7 Days in Life”; the other, “The Times and Life of a Sentinel”. Between modern drama series and ancient drama series, I prefer modern, its subject matter is broader because most of the stuff happen around us; more real life. As for ancient drama, we need to gather more information. Unlike the ancient drama productions in Mainland where history experts or specialists are invited to participate, we can only depend on ourselves to do our best for the series. 7DIL involves more modern elements. Its inspiration came from 2003 SARS incident. At the time, I thought if use this event to shoot a comedic series, to have a story about all the people quarantined inside a hotel, this series will be very different and interesting.
Difficulty
I feel that Qing Forbidden City is filled with materials suitable for dramas. There is a plethora of subject matters that can ignite the imaginations, and lots to write about. But producing this kind of series is extremely difficult because Hong Kong itself is extremely restrictive to filming, not like filming in Mainland where there are many choices of scene sites to choose from. Also Hong Kong has a more city feel to it which will affect the actual shooting. Furthermore, our scene sites are limited to only some woods and rivers etc, of course, TVB has its own ancient drama scene sites, hence for post production we incorporated some special effects into the series. Undoubtedly, it is definitely more difficult to shoot an ancient drama series than a modern one. Also another reason is that in this series, many of the actresses are originally from overseas, so their education and culture backgrounds are different, hence, making it more difficulty for them to absorb their lines. So before the production commenced, they were given some special training. Also, the HK audience’s knowledge on Chinese history is comparatively limited, as they did not have a comprehensive education (on it) so what they know of it may be superficial. Scripting this kind of more indepth Qing Dynasty story may not appeal to the general audience. So to film this kind of historical drama series, we have to consider many things beforehand, will the audience accept it or not? Are the thespians up to it? How much work can the behind-the-scenes colleague handle? Thus, comparatively, the whole shooting process can be extremely arduous. Nevertheless, though exceptionally arduous I still want to experience so as to find a balance in my produced series repertoire. Furthermore, there is a bigger market for ancient drama series in Mainland China.
(What is the most difficult scene to shoot?) The most difficult scene to shoot is the usurpation court scene, also my longest ever shooting of a scene, in all, the shooting took 7 days and 7 nights to complete. The cast members were all totally immersed in their characters; felt a kind of anguish of being unable to extricate themselves.
TBC
Monday, September 5, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
Sentinel Review By llsmusings
Review by llwy12 @ llsmusings.blogspot
llwy12's comments on Sentinel:
Steven did brilliantly here, my favorite scenes are many: 1) his adoptive parents’ suicide, 2) his torture scenes with his demonic stare of defiance, bravado smirks, his hoarse voice ominously uttering his threats, and his fatigue and pain from torture. 3) ending, when he wearily walks out of palace hall slowly unbuttoning his imperial robe and letting it drop onto the floor. That exhaustion of mind and body was so well performed. 4) taking center stage in the ending 5) all his scenes with is his parents, monk, and father and most with Kenneth including the flag dance. And much more.
llwy12's comments on Sentinel:
Steven did brilliantly here, my favorite scenes are many: 1) his adoptive parents’ suicide, 2) his torture scenes with his demonic stare of defiance, bravado smirks, his hoarse voice ominously uttering his threats, and his fatigue and pain from torture. 3) ending, when he wearily walks out of palace hall slowly unbuttoning his imperial robe and letting it drop onto the floor. That exhaustion of mind and body was so well performed. 4) taking center stage in the ending 5) all his scenes with is his parents, monk, and father and most with Kenneth including the flag dance. And much more.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Sentinel:
Are our lives predestined, like how Dor Bo's is? He had wanted to run away with his 'birth' father but his father was killed. He had wanted to run away with his adoptive parents but they committed suicide for him. He had wanted to run away with Ji Yin, but again fate plays a joke on him, turn out Ji Yin is his half sister. How cruel is that? Are the gods above having fun with their mortal puppets? But Dor Bo escapes their manipulations when he let go his hatred and vendetta against Dowager Empress.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
The Life and Times of a Sentinel complaint of being too bloody.” SPOILER
singpao 2011/8/30
Yesterday, TVB published its last week ratings; starring Steven Ma, Sentinel's finale week garnered an average rating of 31 points, peaked at 38. And last Friday's two and a half hours finale garnered an average of 33 points and nearing the end for 1 minute at around 10:53 pm the rating peaked at 40 points,
Yesterday, TVB published its last week ratings; starring Steven Ma, Sentinel's finale week garnered an average rating of 31 points, peaked at 38. And last Friday's two and a half hours finale garnered an average of 33 points and nearing the end for 1 minute at around 10:53 pm the rating peaked at 40 points,
Sunday, August 28, 2011
sentinel finale memorable video clips
Another emotional charged scene that had me riveted to my seat. Though I find some of Fuk Chuen's expressions quite cartoonish/caricature and ott but still overall turned in an excellent performance in the finale. Kenneth portrayed a man going insane brilliantly, for who would doubt Fuk Chuen has indeed become mad. In fact, Fuk Chuen has a never-grew-up mentality. It's like the young boy that he was when his father died remains trapped inside a grown man's body all this time festering in anger and sence of impotence. His rightful throne was cheated off him, the woman he loved was taken from him, and now Dor Bo the only person he ever has had affinity with and could call him his friend has turned against him. His mental, already flawed and frail to start with, starts fracturing bit by bit until this moment in time when it completely shatters into piecse, and insanity takes over.
sentinel finale memorable video clips
This series has so many emotional charged scenes that made me all choked up if not teary-eyed, this is just one of them, performed brilliantly by Steven and Ching Hor Wai.
Notice the change in Dor Bo's emotions from aggressiveness to suppressed emotion to releasing emotions and anger, all done superbly, and brilliantly played against Hao Chong's shock, incredulity, sadness, acceptance and rage against 2nd prince. And I felt their emotions through my computer screen.
Notice the change in Dor Bo's facial expression from fierce to hard to defiant to teary eyed as the emotional dam inside him broke.
How many identities must he discard before he finds his real self, what's real, what's sham? Most important, who is he? It is in time of adversity that the true mettle of man is tested. And obviously, Dor Bo rises above the adversity but at what cost? But for now in this moment in time scene, whatever emotional burdens struggling in side him, Dor Bo is now letting them all out.
But some ineffable emotional baggage just can't be put down or expressed in words, they can only be absorbed inside either to be buried forever or to be digested slowly in the future. Because too much unrestrained outpouring of emotions all at once can make Dor Bo insane like they did Fuk Chuen.
Notice the change in his voice from loud and harsh to a quiet, low accusative tone.
Notice the change in his eye expression from hard glare, defiant, teary and accusative.
Steven's brilliant performance was well matched by Ching Hor Wai's volleying performance. And the background music did brilliantly to intensify their scene.
Notice the change in Dor Bo's emotions from aggressiveness to suppressed emotion to releasing emotions and anger, all done superbly, and brilliantly played against Hao Chong's shock, incredulity, sadness, acceptance and rage against 2nd prince. And I felt their emotions through my computer screen.
Notice the change in Dor Bo's facial expression from fierce to hard to defiant to teary eyed as the emotional dam inside him broke.
How many identities must he discard before he finds his real self, what's real, what's sham? Most important, who is he? It is in time of adversity that the true mettle of man is tested. And obviously, Dor Bo rises above the adversity but at what cost? But for now in this moment in time scene, whatever emotional burdens struggling in side him, Dor Bo is now letting them all out.
But some ineffable emotional baggage just can't be put down or expressed in words, they can only be absorbed inside either to be buried forever or to be digested slowly in the future. Because too much unrestrained outpouring of emotions all at once can make Dor Bo insane like they did Fuk Chuen.
Notice the change in his voice from loud and harsh to a quiet, low accusative tone.
Notice the change in his eye expression from hard glare, defiant, teary and accusative.
Steven's brilliant performance was well matched by Ching Hor Wai's volleying performance. And the background music did brilliantly to intensify their scene.
hits on tvb.com mytv
As of 8/28 10:52 pm Sentinel still has the most hits at 2,133,387
Truly the word of mouth is amazing effective publicity tool.
27 Aug 11, 05:33 PM
lizzy: hey tamaya, I checked older news, in TVB history, there isn't any series in the past that ever reached 4 million hits in 24 hours on MyTV!! It broke all records!This year only Yes Sir, Sorry Sir reached 3 million, while record holder was last year's No Regrets with 3.7 million... hmm, although Sentinel didn't have high TV ratings, but MyTV views shows us that the finale did have a great impact!Truly the word of mouth is amazing effective publicity tool.
27 Aug 11, 05:33 PM
Tamaya: Wow! I did not even know that those hits were from tvb.com mytv. I thought Steven and fans got them from a mainland website. Since I'm overseas I can't watch the mytv videos, that's why I don't visit that page. Thanks, lizzy, for the news. Sweet!
I like Steven-Selena pairing but I wish they had more screen time as a couple.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
weibo sentinel hits
At 14:18 over 2 millions hits
8/27 18:24 Saw the hits on this website, not unmoved but even more so, very grateful! Good, at least I can depart with mission accomplished, thank you everybody for your support!
**************************************************
Revised: Image below. At 18:19
Around 11 pm, this new hits count of over 4 millions was posted on Steven-ma.org. Not sure of its actual scan time.
Friday, August 26, 2011
sentinel finale
lots of finale screencaps on baidu
I love this last shot. Steven slightly resembles Chen Dao Ming in this garb.
To me, Dor Bo is a most pitiful character.
He once lived a pampered life thoroughly by parents and friends
He lost that life because he insisted on being a sentinel, and he will carry that cross forever.
He will be forever guilt ridden by:
His parents' death.
His 'birth' father's death
His best friends' death
Fred losing his arm.
He lost his love and his sister at the same time.
What man can stand such misfortune and still retain his mind and not go crazy with grief?
He lost his identity, who is he? Dor Bo? or 4th prince?
Where can he go to get away from his past? To escape his memories, to erase the guilt from inside?
Can he find peace ever again.
Will he ever be happy again?
Dor Bo is on pitiful character.
Be a monk seeking the spiritual meaning of life seems to be the only way for him to find a modicum of inner peace.
enlarged pix link
I find Dor Bo and Hao Chong's scene very touching. HC is regretful while DB is filled with inexpressible emotions facing his imperial grandmother. She is his grandmother yet she is also the most hated person to him. How to reconcile these conflicting feelings? Twisting and whirling in turmoil is the fact that had he listened to Weird Monk's advice he would/might have prevented the deaths of his parents and friends? All it takes is just one false step to topple down a set of dominoes of events..
Or are all these happening predestined from above? Are we all puppets of Destiny? Are we like Job of the bible?
I love this last shot. Steven slightly resembles Chen Dao Ming in this garb.
To me, Dor Bo is a most pitiful character.
He once lived a pampered life thoroughly by parents and friends
He lost that life because he insisted on being a sentinel, and he will carry that cross forever.
He will be forever guilt ridden by:
His parents' death.
His 'birth' father's death
His best friends' death
Fred losing his arm.
He lost his love and his sister at the same time.
What man can stand such misfortune and still retain his mind and not go crazy with grief?
He lost his identity, who is he? Dor Bo? or 4th prince?
Where can he go to get away from his past? To escape his memories, to erase the guilt from inside?
Can he find peace ever again.
Will he ever be happy again?
Dor Bo is on pitiful character.
Be a monk seeking the spiritual meaning of life seems to be the only way for him to find a modicum of inner peace.
I find Dor Bo and Hao Chong's scene very touching. HC is regretful while DB is filled with inexpressible emotions facing his imperial grandmother. She is his grandmother yet she is also the most hated person to him. How to reconcile these conflicting feelings? Twisting and whirling in turmoil is the fact that had he listened to Weird Monk's advice he would/might have prevented the deaths of his parents and friends? All it takes is just one false step to topple down a set of dominoes of events..
Or are all these happening predestined from above? Are we all puppets of Destiny? Are we like Job of the bible?
weibo 8/26 sentinel finale
8/26 17:30 In this extremely chaotic secular world rampant with evil, is it feasible or possible to uphold one's own belief, and adhere to the right path? This insignificant series, is it a reflection of the entirety of the big world outside? Or is it the big picture miniaturized? Treat it as entertainment or treat it as the reality, doesn't matter. Anyway, I still believe that evil will not triumph over the good! Tonight at 8:30 pm, 2 and 1/2 hours in all, see you all at Sentinel finale. Nip Dor Bo.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
sentinel episode 19
Screecaps parents commit suicide
In epi 19, Dor Bo reverts back to a child at seeing his parents dying. That instant rush of dread, of fright, that wells up from deep within him overwhelms his comprehension; why are his parents spilling from their mouths when just seconds ago they chatted normally with him? His mentality can't cope so collapses, shorted by a child's fear at seeing his parents dying before his eyes. Incomprehensible, horrifying nightmare! His eyes widen in horror as he listens to his parents' explanations. His voice raises several pitch in fear and pain as he loudly berates them for their action. What? What? Don't understand, don't understand. You are so stupid, stupid! Tears rained down his face, blurring his vision as he scrambles like a beheaded fly looking in vain for the antidote. Where's the antidote? Where? He is lost, and has completely lost it.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
sentinel: Cha Siu Yan, palace intrigue resembles tvb's?
In Cha Siu Yan's interview, when Steven was describing the political intrigue in the palace, Cha implied the situation sounds just like tvb, putting Steven in a very awkward position. But of course, Steven smoothly diverted that very sensitive topic. Haha!
loose paraphrasing:
Steven says they all have their own agenda, using him as pawn to achieve their goals....he's just a chess piece, a political pawn
C: any connection to your present. Have you met this kind of personal relationships?
S: Ha? (What? definitely taken aback by this unexpected question)
C: Like this person wants you to do this, and that person wants to use you to do that, any of those?
S: TVB is not that complex (murky)
C: No?
S: Don't think so ba, haha! Qing palace was very scary, could die anytime. Uttered a wrong word, would be executed! Or have you castrated as eunuch
C: That won't happen, after all what century it is now. In real life, really have none? (Cha was so persistent)
S: In real life, I will never be Nip Dor Bo this kind of person because it's exhausting! All the time....
C: But Nip Dor Bo has no choice
S: Then it will have to see if I have such strong hatred. It's because Dor Bo wants to wreck revenge....
C: Very confusing
S: those around him, who are humans?
loose paraphrasing:
Steven says they all have their own agenda, using him as pawn to achieve their goals....he's just a chess piece, a political pawn
C: any connection to your present. Have you met this kind of personal relationships?
S: Ha? (What? definitely taken aback by this unexpected question)
C: Like this person wants you to do this, and that person wants to use you to do that, any of those?
S: TVB is not that complex (murky)
C: No?
S: Don't think so ba, haha! Qing palace was very scary, could die anytime. Uttered a wrong word, would be executed! Or have you castrated as eunuch
C: That won't happen, after all what century it is now. In real life, really have none? (Cha was so persistent)
S: In real life, I will never be Nip Dor Bo this kind of person because it's exhausting! All the time....
C: But Nip Dor Bo has no choice
S: Then it will have to see if I have such strong hatred. It's because Dor Bo wants to wreck revenge....
C: Very confusing
S: those around him, who are humans?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)