I love it when TVB artists endorse wedding advertisements and it’s even better when the shots turn out as lovely as this newest set of Elaine Yiu and Vin Choi. My all-time favorite couple so far, of course is still Niki Chow and Kevin Cheng. No other couple has managed to beat their chemistry yet. (Not counting real life couple Kenix Kwok and Frankie Lam.) For this particular set, Elaine and Vin makes for a refreshing, young and energetic partnership but they only look like lovers in a few shots. Most of the time, they give off the feeling of old-time friends. Nevertheless, I really like the quality and variety in the shots. From background settings to the wardrobes of both bride and groom to special effects, everything mixes in well and gives off a playful, romantic radiance.
As far as expressions, I think Elaine did a better job. Her smiles are very bright and genuine, and she appears extraordinarily happy, as if she’s in a fairytale. Vin is somewhat wooden and his smiles often seem distant to me. It could be that’s a “man” thing–to act reserved in photoshoots and come across cooler. Still, I really like this wedding set and actually hope Elaine and Vin will have a chance in the future to collaborate in a drama as lovers.
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Time passes by so fast that right now, I don’t even know what to do with myself. People on the other side of the globe have already celebrated and went through their countdown for 2010. On my side of the world, I’m eagerly yet nervously waiting for the clock to strike midnight and it definitely feels like being “on the verge of eternity”. I have never felt like this before that I start to wonder what element in 2009 or maybe 2010 is making me this anxious. Am I keen to get away from 2009 and restlessly hoping 2010 would come sooner, hoping 2010 would be a better year in which the world might be a brighter place? Or am I scared to approach the closing of another decade, afraid to become older and get burdened with more responsibilities?
From the very bottom of my heart, I think I sincerely want 2010 to hurry up and begin. Next year marks a very important point in my life because I will finally graduate, but I also foresee my drama experience to be much more impressive than all years past with upcoming shows like Pu Song Ling, Righteous Sea of Heroic Love, and COPS. Nevertheless, before moving on to a new stage in life and promising entertainment, I think it’s important to look back at 2009 and see what it has done, whether for me or you.
For the first time in my TVB history, I watched at least 10 episodes from each of the 21 dramas TVB churned out this year–including the two warehoused series, excluding the sitcoms and ICAC–and completed 18. I’m rather stunned at this discovery. Two years ago, I only managed to complete 2. However, before writing this review, I asked myself to name every title from TVB I’ve seen this year in 5 minutes and without looking at any databases or resources. I could sadly name only 8.
- A Bride for a Ride
- Beyond the Realm of Conscience
- Born Rich
- E.U.
- In the Chamber of Bliss
- Rosy Business
- The Gem of Life
- You’re Hired
There’s no way my memory is that horrible, especially when I know I have a semi-photographic memory. I think the best explanation is the other 13 dramas are simply forgettable and with them in the mix, TVB in 2009 measures a pH of 7 on the litmus paper (I’m a nerd, I know) and that 7 means 2009 was good while it lasted but now that it’s almost over, the end result is neutral. It’s not a year to keep in one’s heart.
Now, for my breakdown and commentary.
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Show Sales Presentation Clip ▼
Capturing attention immediately with fast-paced, gory vengeful action and ending with a bang, the possibility of TVB actually living up to its “Good Show” motto is high in 2010. The overall feeling of the sales presentation is grand. Other than a miss here or there, many shows appear promising. I am excited!
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How many words are there to describe satisfaction? I’m content, pleased, happy, fulfilled (?), and wholeheartedly accept winners from this year’s exciting TVB 42nd Anniversary Awards. That was all I needed to make me smile on my special day. Now, read on to see what happened and who won!
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There is approximately one week until we find out the results to this year’s TVB 42nd Anniversary Awards, which will broadcast on December 4, 2009. With the ever-raging voices of fans supporting almost the same batch of nominees, it will be interesting to see whether TVB decides to listen to the masses or continue with their we-don’t-care favoritism tactic. Of course, the latter has a higher chance of happening, as we all should know by now, but last year’s awards proved that to be somewhat wrong. Perhaps, a miracle will light upon us this December.
Although TVB increased the number of nominee slots and changed the date of their usual anniversary broadcast in order to make way for beloved grand productions Beyond the Realm of Conscience and throw in Born Rich as a side treat, there is still some time before we witness the consequence(s) to this decision. Everything may turn out warm and fuzzy and everyone goes home happy. Everything can get "burned to ashes". We’ll see. But the fact that Beyond finishes airing right before the awards show gives it a much bigger advantage over Born and no, I’m not forgetting Rosy Business. However, do you really think Rosy has a chance? Do you? TVB changed the "rules" for a certain reason, and that reason is certainly obvious.
No matter what, show your support, congratulate winners when the time comes, rage as much as you want. But remember, talent is talent. Awards don’t necessarily change that unbendable truth and with that, my picks follow …
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Twitter is the trend lately, whether for keeping updated with your friends, favorite blogs, local and/or global breaking news, entertainment, or even your most beloved actors, actresses, idols, singers, musicians, whatever. Although I still don’t understand why anyone would have a following number over 100, I really do believe Twitter is a fast, convenient, easy to use, and totally awesome form of short, simple, and sweet communication that fits well in this modern generation that’s always racing against time.
Today, after getting home from dealing with everything else in life, I was very bored so of course, I was on Twitter browsing around needlessly. When visiting two Twitter pages of artists I know of, Sammul Chan and Bernice Liu, I decided, "Well, maybe I should check out who they follow." I basically went on a "Find People" hunt and in doing so, found quite a few other artists (I at least know the name of) on Twitter, albeit none that I really care about. The result of my "hardwork" is in the list below, in no particular order.
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Lee Tim Sing (李添勝) entered TVB in 1969 and worked behind the scenes in fine arts and stage props. In 1974, he transferred to become a director. He became a producer in 1976 and made The Hotel.
Producer Lee specializes in producing ancient costume series such as adaptations of wuxia novels by Jin Yong. Nevertheless, he will film a modern series once in a while. Productions he is most satisfied with are The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, The Emissary, and The Hotel. An interesting tidbit is that Producer Lee once had a supporting role in 1989 series Two of a Kind produced by Miu Siu Ching, starring Hacken Lee.
Producer Lee casts a wide variety of actors and actresses in his series. However, he tends to use Wayne Lai a lot, be it for leading or supporting characters. It seems he has taken a liking to Kenneth Ma as well. There were news stating that Producer Lee would be retiring at the end of 2009, which is his 40th year with TVB, making Iron Horse Seeking Bridge his last series with TVB. However, recent news report that he will make another series in early 2010 due to the success of Rosy Business.
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Chik Kei Yee (戚其義) entered TVB in 1976 and became a director in 1981. He left TVB in 1992. However, he returned in 1995 to make The Criminal Investigator, starring Felix Wong, Kenix Kwok, Sunny Chan, Bondy Chiu, etc. The series received relatively high ratings, and such was the success of our producer’s comeback.
Producer Chik once dated actress Maggie Siu but the relationship did not last long. Maggie’s first series was actually produced by him. Producer Chik also helped Nick Cheung into stardom when Nick entered TVB with his role in Secret of the Heart.
Producer Chik likes to use Maggie Siu, Gigi Lai, Ada Choi, Moses Chan, and Bowie Lam.
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Lau Ka Ho (劉家豪) started with TVB in 1987 as a producer but left after completing Down Memory Lane in 1995. However, he came back in 2005 to make The Gentle Crackdown. His wife, Mui Siu Ching, is also working for TVB.
The percentage of modern dramas Producer Lau films is probably more than that of his costume dramas. He has also made a few telemovies including The Bird of Prey and The Final Shot. In recent years, Heart of Greed and its sister series Moonlight Resonance, starring almost exactly the same cast, were his biggest successes. Both achieved very high ratings in Hong Kong and won countless awards during their repsective years.
Based on his past series, Producer Lau was very fond of Alex Man Chi Leung, with about five of the series in the list below featuring Alex as lead actor. Nowadays, Producer Lau does not seem to have a favorite. The leads in his series vary rather nicely.
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| Raymond Lam, Bosco Wong, Linda Chung, Kate Tsui |
Lee See Kei, Susanna Kwan, Michelle Yim, Nancy Sit, Kiki Sheung |
Roger Kwok, Michael Miu, Charmaine Sheh, Sonija Kwok |
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| Joe Ma, Sunny Chan, Myolie Wu |
Shirley Yeung, Lai Lok Yi, Kenneth Ma, Yoyo Mung, Selena Li |
Steven Ma, Patrick Tang, Anna Yau, Kenny Wong, Sharon Chan |
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| Kevin Cheng, Ron Ng, Tavia Yeung, Aimee Chan, Natalie Tong |
Fala Chen, Yoyo Chen, Suki Tsui, Vivien Yeo, Leanne Li, Koni Lui, Nancy Wu, Tracy Ip |
Christine Ng, Adam Cheng, Sheren Tang, Micheal Tse, Mandy Cho |
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| Bernice Liu, Maggie Siu, Gallen Lo, Bobby Au Yeung |
Bowie Lam, Moses Chan, Ada Choi, Gigi Lai |
Liza Wang, Matthew Ko, Stephen Huynh, Benjamin Yuen, Edwin Siu, Jason Chan, Amigo Chui |
From a photographical perspective, I would say either TVB was trying too hard to be creative or too little that everything turned out to be overly simplistic. (Were they trying to save costs on background settings or what?!) Based on more than half of the calendar shots, the primary colors are black, white, and red. The calendar would have looked much more complete, harmonized, and dazzling if the other shots had been done in a similar fashion. But that’s just me and my shutter bugs being too cynical for our own good.
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