Filed under: The Malaysian Insider, internet, journalism, new media, writing | Tags: malaysia, zan azlee, fat bidin, The Malaysian Insider, 1malaysia, malay, media, namewee, namron, gadoh
Wishing my country a happy birthday through my column at The Malaysian Insider.
Happy birthday, Malaysia!
By Zan Azlee
SEPT 3 — Merdeka Day has come and gone. Malaysia has been independent for 53 years now. I think it’s a very proud milestone. We’ve survived all this while! Next up is Malaysia Day on September 16. Another milestone, marking the year when Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore joined to form Malaysia. I’m fiercely patriotic. If you don’t believe me, sit with me as I drive on the AKLEH highway and witness the tears roll down my cheeks every time I see the KL skyline. [Click to read the rest of the article]
Filed under: Kampung Baru Alaf Baru (AKA: New Age New Village), The Malaysian Insider, broadcast, directing, documentary, film, journalism, writing | Tags: malaysia, zan azlee, fat bidin, documentary, 1malaysia, film, ntv7, malay, video journalism, journalism, kuala lumpur, kampung baru
In spite of all the work that I’ve been swamped with this whole year… I managed to make another feature film! Damn I’m good! It’s called KAMPUNG BARU ALAF BARU (English Title: NEW AGE NEW VILLAGE)! It’s DA BOM!! Watch it on ntv7 this National Day (31st August 2010, 10:30am)!
Kampung Baru Alaf Baru
By Zan Azlee
AUG 27 — Kampung Baru has always interested me. For the unacquainted, it’s a Malay village situated in the heart of the city of Kuala Lumpur. So there are traditional wooden Malay houses with chickens running around, and in the background are concrete and steel skyscrapers. I like the juxtaposition of urban modern and rural traditional that Kampung Baru has. And so what do I decide to do? Yes, folks, I decide to grab my video camera, drive down to Kampung Baru and shoot myself a documentary film solo-journalism style! [Click to read the rest of the article]
Filed under: The Malaysian Insider, internet, journalism, new media, writing | Tags: zan azlee, fat bidin, The Malaysian Insider, video, media, journalism, literacy
Imagine a world where the video literacy rate surpasses reading and writing. I can make money giving tuition to school kids! Hahaha!
A video literate world
By Zan Azlee
AUG 20 — When television started, it was a very exclusive industry. Only those who had the resources (i.e. money) could be involved. This was the case for all media. The Internet comes around and turns the whole business model upside down. Basically, barriers of entry like cost and technology disappeared. Twenty-four hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute. Mega news organisations like CNN and BBC use user-generated content and call it citizen journalism. There’s nothing wrong with user-generated content. In fact, most people know that I am a big advocate of it. However, only a minority is of good quality while a majority of it is crap. [Click to read the rest of the article]
Filed under: The Malaysian Insider, internet, journalism, new media, writing | Tags: malaysia, zan azlee, fat bidin, The Malaysian Insider, islam, malay, journalism, chinese
Poor Zain! He’s so confused. Read all about it at The Malaysian Insider.
Zain, the confused kid
By Zan Azlee
AUG 6 — Six-year-old Zain Azri was going to school for the first time. He was like any normal and chatty kid, making friends easily and loved running around for no reason. Now, Zain comes from a pretty liberal Muslim family and is of mixed parentage. His father is Malay and his mother, Chinese. If you grow up as a Muslim in Malaysia and go to public school, then most definitely you would have had to take Islamic studies. Zain had to. On the first day of class in Standard One, at a certain time period, Zain was led by an Ustazah, along with other Muslim students to a different class. [Click here to read the rest of the article]
Filed under: The Malaysian Insider, internet, journalism, lecture, new media, writing | Tags: malaysia, zan azlee, fat bidin, The Malaysian Insider, media, journalism
Ahhh… objectivity is so passe! Read my column this week at The Malaysian Insider.
Objective journalism is so yesterday!
By Zan Azlee
JULY 30 — We always complain in Malaysia that journalism is never objective. Apparently, the government keeps a tight rein on the information that goes out to the public. So all the news outlets (or shall I say the mainstream news outlets?) have a slant towards the ruling party, especially when it comes to political news. I, for one, used to complain all the time. I felt that, as a profession, journalism wasn’t going to develop, and neither would Malaysia as a nation because of it. Even in the lectures that I give, I would constantly harp on about the importance of being objective as journalists. Give both sides of the story and let the people decide. I felt that there was no place for personal opinions and bias when it came to reporting the news. Leave that to the public relations practitioners! But I think I’ve slowly come around… [Click to read the rest of the article]
Filed under: The Malaysian Insider, internet, journalism, new media, writing | Tags: malaysia, zan azlee, fat bidin, The Malaysian Insider, kuala lumpur, one utama, cinema
Okay… when I pay for a movie ticket… I expect it to get it’s price worth! Or else!!!!
I just like enjoying movies the right way
By Zan Azlee
JULY 23 — Whenever it comes to watching movies, I like to make sure that my experience is the best possible one I can get at the time. So when I go to the cinema, I always make sure I get a nice seat, a good hair band to make sure my hair isn’t in my face and a pretty girl by my side (these days, I just bring my wife). I believe that the surroundings and experience of watching a movie can actually determine whether you will enjoy it or not. [Click to read the rest of the article]
Filed under: The Malaysian Insider, internet, journalism, new media, writing | Tags: fat bidin, fidel castro, journalism, julia gillard, kevin rudd, kim jong-il, kuala lumpur, lee kuan yew, malaysia, The Malaysian Insider, zan azlee
Hmm… you think my column this week at The Malaysian Insider could break the Malaysian Book of Records for most number of political leaders mentioned in one article?
Immortality by Video
By Zan Azlee
JULY 16 — Fidel Castro is an old man and unwell so he had to finally step down as Cuba’s president and let his brother Raul (who’s also quite old!) take over. Then he disappeared from the public’s eye. That is, up until earlier this week when he decided to make an appearance on television. When the video of him appeared on Cuban television, many critics said that it was probably shot sometime ago. Adding to the suspicion was the fact that he failed to discuss the country’s current affairs, such as the release of 52 political prisoners by his brother. [Click to read the rest of the article]
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, fatbidin.tv, internet, journalism, new media, video blog | Tags: malaysia, zan azlee, fat bidin, documentary, liew seng tat, fat bidin tv, we the people, kuala lumpur, mark teh, june tan, kl pac, dahuang, five arts, angkat rumah
Bloody Seng Tat does it again! How do I make fun of something that’s actually quite cool?? Hahahaha!! Check out the latest episode of WE THE PEOPLE… on FATBIDIN.TV to see what I’m talking about.
WE THE PEOPLE… Angkat rumah!!! (Part 1 of 3)
Planning to move house? Get Liew Seng Tat & Geng to do it for you! Kompang, funeral marching band and lion dance are complimentary!
WE THE PEOPLE is a video show where we hear from the common man (and woman!). Click here to see all the episodes.
Filed under: The Malaysian Insider, internet, journalism, new media, writing | Tags: business, entrepreneur, fat bidin, journalism, MBA, media, news, solo journalism, The Malaysian Insider, zan azlee
I bought an iPad and now I’m out of money. I need a job!
The survival of journalism
By Zan Azlee
JULY 9 — I do not remember my house ever not having a newspaper the entire time I was growing up. Every morning, the day’s edition would be at the doorstep. My brothers and I would read the comics; my parents, the news; and my grandmother the stock report (ruthless old granny could give George Soros a run for his money!). I have since moved out to live on my own, and my father’s newspaper subscription continued. Right up till a few months ago. [Click here to read the rest of the article]
Filed under: The Malaysian Insider, internet, journalism, new media, writing | Tags: zan azlee, The Malaysian Insider, new media, journalism, ipad, apple, mac
They’re taking the power away from us! We must not let it happen! But I’m still buying the iPad! Damnit!
To App or not to App?
By Zan Azlee
JULY 2 — The Internet excited lots of people because it broke down the barrier between the content providers and the audience. It no longer takes a big organisation with humongous resources to be able to provide content for the masses. Now, gadgets like the iPad are exciting people. Even I got excited (hence, I will be receiving my top-of-the-line 3G, 64G model next week!). But I was thinking just the other day (it’s only every other day I do that). The iPad might actually be detrimental to how democratic the media is today. [Click to read the rest of the article]
Filed under: The Malaysian Insider, internet, journalism, new media, writing | Tags: zan azlee, The Malaysian Insider, liew seng tat, projek angkat rumah
According to Liew Seng Tat, if I’m a Malay and have never heard of the Malay tradition of ‘Angkat Rumah’, then I need to reattach my foreskin!
A little gotong royong is what we need
By Zan Azlee
JUNE 26 — It’s been a while since I was a part of a gotong royong. Even then, gotong royong to me means picking up litter with my other classmates in the primary school compound. After my school years, the word gotong royong just ceased to exist in my vocabulary. Everything I did was mainly for the benefit of myself alone. So when my friend Liew Seng Tat, the multi-gazillion times award-winning film-maker, told me about his latest project, I immediately knew I had to be involved. [Click to read the rest of the article]
Filed under: directing, documentary, fatbidin.tv, internet, journalism, new media, video blog | Tags: PKR, Keadilan, malaysia, zan azlee, fat bidin, fat bidin tv, we the people, kuala lumpur, protest, demonstration, pudu jail, prison, demolition, roboh, tian chua, hishamuddin rais
And there they said FATBIDIN.TV is going to be shortlived! What the??? A new episode of WE THE PEOPLE…?? My god! That Zan is unstoppable!
WE THE PEOPLE… The demolition of Pudu Jail.
The government decides to demolish the 115 year old Pudu Jail, a historical landmark in Kuala Lumpur. (Oh… and is that Tian Chua dude still an MP?)
WE THE PEOPLE is a video show where we hear from the common man (and woman!). Click here to see all the episodes.
Filed under: The Malaysian Insider, internet, journalism, new media, writing | Tags: malaysia, zan azlee, fat bidin, The Malaysian Insider, media, racism, pi mai pi mai tang tu
Ho hum. Another week goes by and another column written. But a GREAT one nonetheless! So go read it now at The Malaysian Insider… or else I’ll stop writing next week (err… wait a minute..)!! Muahahaha!!
What’s wrong with a little racism?
By Zan Azlee
JUNE 18 — I remember watching television when I was little, around primary school age, at home. There were only three channels on television back then. One of the most popular shows at that time was a Malay sitcom called “Pi Mai Pi Mai Tang Tu”. I’m sure many are familiar with it. It’s sort of an institution in Malaysia these days and there has even been a musical produced which goes by the same title. [Click here to read the rest of the article]
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, fatbidin.tv, internet, journalism, new media, video blog | Tags: bmx, fat bidin tv, fatbidin.tv, flatland, kotaro tanaka, malaysia
As you all know, FAT BIDIN MEDIA runs a cool web TV site called FATBIDIN.TV! Well… FATBIDIN.TV has just launched a new show called BMX MALAYSIA! It’s a show that highlights the BMX freestyle scene in the country. So… go watch it… then go ride!
BMX MALAYSIA
Episode 1 – Malaysian National BMX Championship 2010, Mont Kiara Sk8park, Kuala Lumpur
Veteran flatland pro Kotaro Tanaka comes down from Japan to judge the competition which saw riders from Malaysia, Japan, Singapore and the Philippines battle on head to head.
Filed under: The Malaysian Insider, internet, journalism, new media, writing | Tags: zan azlee, fat bidin, The Malaysian Insider, apple, iphone, steve jobs
What has become of me?? I’m now commenting on Apple launches in my column!! I need to shower!
Apple rules the world!
By Zan Azlee
JUNE 11 — The consumption of media is indeed something that turns the world around. In my eyes, there is nothing more powerful than the media. Many major leaders of the world have managed to get into power, or stay in power, due to their influence on the media (read: Silvio Berlusconi, Thaksin Shinawatra and even Adolf Hitler). And when something new hits the media world, many people sit up to see how it’s going to affect the industry, the audience and, well, everything else.
It goes without saying that when it comes to New Media, what Apple says, will be so. It happened with the Powerbook, the iPod and the first iPhone. I’m sure they know that. And that could not have been more apparent on Monday when a cool Steve Jobs stepped on stage with his latest toy. [Click to read the rest of the article]
Filed under: broadcast, directing, documentary, internet, journalism, new media, video blog | Tags: Keadilan, malaysia, zan azlee, islam, muslim, fat bidin tv, malay, pas, we the people, zionist, nurrul izzah, palestine, flotilla, kuala lumpur, jew, jewish, protest, demonstration
Okay… I’ve got a new episode of WE THE PEOPLE… on FATBIDIN.TV. And if you’re thinking that FATBIDIN.TV is dead… SHUDDUP!!! It’s back! That’s right! I said it! I meant it! And I’m here to represent it!
WE THE PEOPLE… Protesting against the Israeli attack on the Gaza aid flotilla
Filed under: The Malaysian Insider, internet, journalism, new media, writing | Tags: apple, fat bidin, ipad, multimedia journalism, The Malaysian Insider, the times, video journalism, web video, wired, zan azlee
I’m big into multimedia journalism! I’m hoping the iPad is going to do something about it… make it more prominent. So read what I have to say at The Malaysian Insider.
Will iPad revolutionise multimedia journalism?
By Zan Azlee
JUNE 4 — Okay. I want to talk about the iPad. Everyone’s talking about it and I want in. With all the iPepet jokes and all, I might just have some thoughts of my own, too. So many people today are saying that Apple’s iPad is going to spark a whole new revolution in multimedia journalism. What do I think? Yeah, it does have potential. But I think it will be more of a case of how well journalism can revolutionise itself to make use of the potential. [Click to read the rest of the article]
Filed under: I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, broadcast, directing, documentary, fatbidin.tv, film, new media | Tags: deleted file, file recovery
I curse the computer! I curse the hard disk! I lost the the entire Final Cut Pro project file of my film, ‘THE LIFE & TIMES OF AN ISLAMIC INSURGENCY‘! I curse Final Cut Pro! I curse my film! I have no other copies! I curse the copies! Who has a copy of my film? Give one back to me please! A file recovery software is now scanning my hard disk! I curse file recovery softwares! Oh no wait… let’s see if it can do the job first! If not, then I’ll curse it! If you’ve been following FATBIDIN.TV and are still waiting for the next episode… sorry! I curse FATBIDIN.TV! Does this mean I will have to re-edit my entire film? I curse re-editing! I curse the curses that I’m using to curse with!
