Filed under: The Malaysian Insider, directing, documentary, film, internet, journalism, new media, writing | Tags: documentary, fat bidin, film, The Malaysian Insider, zan azlee
Fellow peeps! Forgive me if the updates have been irregular. I’ve been so busy with the start of the new semester at the university and also with the tons of work I have making videos and whatnot! Apologies to those who have missed me so much! Hahaha!
Here is my latest column at The Malaysian Insider:
How to market your work online
By Zan Azlee
MARCH 12 — I have two blogs. I have two Facebook pages and one Facebook group. I have a Twitter page. I have a YouTube channel. I have a Flickr account. As you can see, I love the Internet. What do I use if for? The main purpose? It’s to promote the work that I do, and to promote myself. Basically, marketing.
As you probably know, I make films, news videos, write and speak. I don’t work for any particular media company. I’m basically self-employed, running my own little company called Fat Bidin Media. I need to constantly look for clients, and one of the main ways for me to do that is to use the Internet. [click to read the rest of the article]
Filed under: I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, broadcast, directing, documentary, fatbidin.tv, film, journalism, video blog | Tags: allah, christian, documentary, Fat Bidin Presents..., fat bidin tv, fatbidin.tv, father lawrence, film, heading to the border, herald, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, insurgency, islam, malay, malaysia, muslim, pattani, prince songkhla university, solo journalism, terrorism, thailand, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, video journalism, web video, zan azlee
The Chinese New Year celebrations are over! I lost money at the gambling table! Dammit! But there’s still good news! New episode on FATBIDIN.TV!
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS…
THE LIFE & TIMES OF AN ISLAMIC INSURGENCY
Part 12 of 15
I lecture at the Prince Songkhla University in Pattani, Thailand, about Malaysian press freedom. Then I get lectured to about the Thai Malay exodus. Heavy stuff man!
Filed under: The Malaysian Insider, directing, documentary, internet, journalism, writing | Tags: documentary, film, gonzo, islam, malay, malaysia, muslim, The Malaysian Insider, video journalism, zan azlee
Gonzo Journalism!! Woohoo!!
Going Gonzo for ideas
By Zan Azlee
FEB 26 — Being in a field where you always have to come up with new ideas everyday is not something easy. I try to come up with one feature-length documentary film idea every year and that becomes the big project for the next twelve months. But in between, I have all kinds of video, television and writing projects that I have to work on throughout the year too (including this weekly column!).
Filed under: The Malaysian Insider, directing, documentary, film, internet, journalism, writing | Tags: documentary, film, islam, malay, malaysia, muslim, The Malaysian Insider, video journalism, zan azlee
Another week… another column at The Malaysian Insider.
I’m a Muslim filmmaker and I make Islamic films
By Zan Azlee
FEB 19 — I’m a Muslim and I make films. I guess that constitute me as a Muslim filmmaker. It doesn’t even matter if my films are about Islam or not. Well, my films are mainly about myself anyway (and from all the complaints I get from readers, so is this column, apparently!) and indirectly, my films become about Islam too.
[Click to read the rest of the article]
Filed under: The Malaysian Insider, directing, documentary, internet, journalism, writing | Tags: abuya, al arqam, ashaari, documentary, ethics, global ikhwan, interview, media, polygamy, solo journalism, The Malaysian Insider, video journalism, zan azlee
Oooohhh…. polygamy!!!! My latest at The Malaysian Insider.
The time I shot a documentary about polygamy
FEB 12 — Recently, I’ve been busy running around shooting a short documentary about polygamy for a Dutch television station. It came about when I discovered an article about the Ikhwan Polygamy Club, started by the family of Ashaari Muhammad (AKA Abuya), the former leader of the so-called cult Al-Arqam. I found it interesting and since they are based in Malaysia, I immediately pitched it to the Dutch producers and they agreed to commission it.
[Click to read the rest of the article]
Filed under: The Malaysian Insider, directing, documentary, film, internet, journalism, writing | Tags: documentary, ethics, interview, media, solo journalism, The Malaysian Insider, video journalism, zan azlee
Responsible filmmaking
FEB 6 — When you make films that deal with real events and people, there are always sensitivities that are of concern. The responsibility that comes with being a non-fiction filmmaker is tremendous. So tremendous that I almost quit years ago when I was criticised for not being a responsible filmmaker.
I made a documentary film about people who travel in public busses entitled ‘The Black, White & Grey’. It was a documentary centred around the chats I conducted with random people in a bus. One of the passenger I spoke to was a teacher who spoke to me about his private life (ie: sex life). Then he tried to hit on me!
[Click here to read the rest of the article]
Filed under: I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, directing, documentary, fatbidin.tv, film, internet, journalism, new media, video blog | Tags: allah, christian, documentary, Fat Bidin Presents..., fat bidin tv, fatbidin.tv, father lawrence, film, heading to the border, herald, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, insurgency, islam, malay, malaysia, muslim, pattani, solo journalism, terrorism, thailand, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, video journalism, web video, zan azlee
Yes! New episodes on FATBIDIN.TV! Also… WE THE PEOPLE… returns with a banging new episode after a long break!
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS…
THE LIFE & TIMES OF AN ISLAMIC INSURGENCY
Part 11 of 15
What are the Malay kids learning in Thai schools?? And what’s this about teachers being shot??
WE THE PEOPLE… … Chats with Father Lawrence Andrew, Editor of the Herald (about that whole ‘Allah’ debacle!)
Filed under: I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, P1 W1MAX, The Malaysian Insider, directing, documentary, fatbidin.tv, internet, journalism, new media, video blog, vj movement, writing | Tags: allah, church burning, documentary, Fat Bidin Presents..., fat bidin tv, fatbidin.tv, feminism, film, herald, hotel, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, insurgency, islam, malay, malaysia, media, muslim, p1 wimax, pattani, terrorism, thailand, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, The Malaysian Insider, vj movement, web video, wiggy, zan azlee
Fellow Fatbidinians! It’s been a hectic week! My eyes are bulging out of their sockets! But good news! I’ve recently been contracted as a video journalist for a Dutch news agency called VJ Movement. What’s cool about this organisation is that they focus on solo-video journalism! My kinda style!
My first video news story for them is about the whole ‘Allah’ debacle and the church burnings happening in Malaysia. Embarrassing I tell you! Click on the picture below to view my video news story.
I also have new episodes on FATBIDIN.TV!
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS…
THE LIFE & TIMES OF AN ISLAMIC INSURGENCY
Part 10 of 15
Madrasahs that train terrorists??
THE P1 NET SHOW
Episode 8 – W1GGY outdoor test
The W1GGY tested outdoors at a ‘random’ location!
Filed under: I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, P1 W1MAX, directing, fatbidin.tv, film, internet, journalism, new media, video blog | Tags: bomb, CS hotel, documentary, Fat Bidin Presents..., fat bidin tv, fatbidin.tv, feminism, film, hotel, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, insurgency, islam, malay, malaysia, media, muslim, pattani, terrorism, thailand, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, web video, zan azlee
I know! The updates on FATBIDIN.TV have been sporadic. You try to be me then if you think its so easy! Anyway… new episodes!
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS…
THE LIFE & TIMES OF AN ISLAMIC INSURGENCY
Part 9 of 15
Hotels that get bombed!
THE P1 NET SHOW
Episode 7 – Christmas Media Night
These Internet guys know how to party!
Filed under: The Malaysian Insider, broadcast, directing, journalism, writing | Tags: the biggest loser asia, The Malaysian Insider, video journalism, zan azlee
I’m wrapped on The Biggest Loser Asia! Phew! Now for some real food after eating crap for 2 months!
I’ve written a new article for my column at The Malaysian Insider. Below is an excerpt.
My camera is bigger than yours!
JAN 4 — He picks up the Sony Z1 video camera and it fits nicely in one hand. He pretends to put in on his shoulders as if it’s a big shoulder mount camera, then laughs.
“This thing is a toy mate!” he says to me chuckling.
He is an experienced Australian director of photography I’ve recently had the opportunity to work with and a very cool guy indeed. Used to having big cameras on big budget shoots, he had to get the small handheld Z1 because it was a fast shoot in another country which we had to fly in and out of within 24 hours, and with a very small crew.
“This is the kind of camera that I normally use for my own productions,” I said, my feelings already hurt.
He chuckles again and starts exploring the camera dials and buttons.
“I’m sure it produces pretty good images,” he smiles (I took it as a smirk!).
Filed under: The Malaysian Insider, broadcast, directing, film, internet, journalism, new media, writing | Tags: the biggest loser asia, The Malaysian Insider, video journalism, zan azlee
Okay… since working on The Biggest Loser Asia… I’ve decided to explore tapeless video recording for my future projects. Hence, the topic for my latest article in The Malaysian Insider.
Shooting videos in tapeless format
DEC 22 — When making documentaries and various videos, I like to believe that I’m always keeping abreast with the latest technology. I started in a time when digital video (DV) was hot on everyone’s lips. It was amazing how cheap camcorders can record amazing quality on RM10 one-hour tapes. It totally democratised media and also the way people made videos. [Click to read the rest of the article]
By the way… The Biggest Loser Asia wraps today!! Damn… it’s like waking up to the same day for the last 2 months in A’Farmosa! Talk about Groundhogs Day! Can’t wait to fly out to Saigon for some Vietnamese beef noodles this weekend with the wifey!
Filed under: I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, directing, documentary, fatbidin.tv, film, internet, new media, video blog | Tags: documentary, Fat Bidin Presents..., fat bidin tv, fatbidin.tv, feminism, film, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, insurgency, islam, krue se mosque, malay, malaysia, media, muallafs, muslim, pattani, terrorism, thailand, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, web video, zan azlee
Even more new episodes on FATBIDIN.TV!
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS…
THE LIFE & TIMES OF AN ISLAMIC INSURGENCY
Part 8 of 15
Muallafs in Thailand!
And stupid me forgot to post Part 7 of 15 here!
Part 7 of 15
Good little girl who memorizes all her essential prayers!
Go and watch lah! Please?!?
Filed under: I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, P1 W1MAX, directing, documentary, fatbidin.tv, film, internet, journalism, new media, video blog | Tags: documentary, Fat Bidin Presents..., fat bidin tv, fatbidin.tv, feminism, film, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, insurgency, islam, krue se mosque, malay, malaysia, media, muslim, pattani, terrorism, thailand, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, web video, zan azlee
New episodes on FATBIDIN.TV!
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS…
THE LIFE & TIMES OF AN ISLAMIC INSURGENCY
Part 6 of 15
There’s an abandoned village (many actually!) where all the villagers have left and gone to Malaysia
THE P1 NET SHOW
Episode 6 – Unboxing of the P1 DV230 (Part 1 & 2)
Know what a P1 DV230 is? It’s all explained in the unboxing.
Filed under: I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, P1 W1MAX, directing, documentary, fatbidin.tv, film, internet, journalism, new media, video blog | Tags: documentary, Fat Bidin Presents..., fat bidin tv, fatbidin.tv, feminism, film, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, insurgency, islam, krue se mosque, malay, malaysia, media, muslim, pattani, terrorism, thailand, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, web video, zan azlee
It’s new episodes on FATBIDIN.TV yet again! Nothing is holding us back!
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS…
THE LIFE & TIMES OF AN ISLAMIC INSURGENCY
Part 5 of 15
The Krue Se Mosque is the oldest mosque in Pattani at 500 years old. It’s seen some bloody times.
THE P1 NET SHOW
Episode 5 – Unboxing of the Wiggy
Know what a Wiggy is? It’s all explained in the unboxing.
Filed under: broadcast, directing | Tags: fat bidin, the biggest loser asia, zan azlee
All you Fat Bidin peeps in the house!
I’ve been busy the past month (and will be busy till Christmas 2009) on a particular TV show… THE BIGGEST LOSER ASIA. Yup… I’m one of the (many) producers on the team. I can’t say much about it right now, but I can say this… it’s DA BOOOOMMBB!
First episode will air at 8:30pm on Tuesday (24th November 2009) on the Hallmark Channel (702 on ASTRO). Then just keep on watching every week!
Filed under: I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, P1 W1MAX, broadcast, directing, documentary, fatbidin.tv, film, internet, journalism, new media, video blog | Tags: censorship, documentary, Fat Bidin Presents..., fat bidin tv, fatbidin.tv, feminism, film, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, insurgency, islam, malay, malaysia, media, michael lai, muslim, pattani, terrorism, thailand, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, web video, zan azlee
It’s FATBIDIN.TV update time! If you ain’t sick of it yet… that means I haven’t spammed you enough! Hahaha!
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS…
THE LIFE & TIMES OF AN ISLAMIC INSURGENCY
Part 4 of 15
Zan attends a marriage course in Pattani. Apparently, 31 is too late if you want to get married! And the film is still banned in Malaysia.
WE THE PEOPLE… Chatting with academicians about media censorship
Censorship… we never get tired talking about it.
THE P1 NET SHOW
Episode 4 – QTM… and Michael Lai singing!
QTM is when the P1 team gets together and finds out what is going on with everything. It’s also an excuse for a little rock star fantasy!
Filed under: P1 W1MAX, broadcast, directing, documentary, fatbidin.tv, film, internet, journalism, new media, video blog | Tags: documentary, Fat Bidin Presents..., fat bidin tv, fatbidin.tv, feminism, film, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, insurgency, islam, malay, malaysia, muslim, pattani, terrorism, thailand, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, web video, zan azlee
Dayyummm people!! More brand new episodes on FATBIDIN.TV!!!
FAT BIDIN PRESENTS…
THE LIFE & TIMES OF AN ISLAMIC INSURGENCY
More episodes of the banned-in-Malaysia film! The third sees me going to the Pattani morning market and being bullied by a bunch of women. Go watch it here.
WE THE PEOPLE…
Chatting with the Cyber Chicken Proprietor
Have you heard of ‘Cyber Chicken’? No, it’s not a spin-off of Seth Green’s ‘Robot Chicken’! Curious? Watch it here.
THE P1 NET SHOW
Datacom
The third episode tests the vocal capabilities of P1’s CEO , Michael Lai. That dude is like a Malaysian Robbie Williams! Watch it here.
Join the FATBIDIN.TV Facebook fan page by clicking here.
Filed under: I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, P1 W1MAX, broadcast, directing, documentary, fatbidin.tv, film, internet, journalism, new media, video blog | Tags: documentary, fat bidin, fat bidin tv, fatbidin.tv, film, heading to the border, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, malaysia, muslim, pattani, terrorism, thailand, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, web video, zan azlee
How are my peeps doing? Fatbidin.tv has had a great start and is continuing in it’s second week! The three fledgling shows all have new episodes that are freaking ball-tearers!
1. FAT BIDIN PRESENTS…
THE LIFE & TIMES OF AN ISLAMIC INSURGENCY
What can I say? It’s my banned-in-Malaysia film getting a life online! The second episode sees me finding out the truth in the rumour that the Islamic militants are getting their funding from Tom Yam restaurants in Malaysia. Go watch it here.
2. WE THE PEOPLE…
Chatting with Indonesians in Malaysia (about that whole culture-stealing debacle!)
The show that gives a voice to the people sees some Indonesians living in Malaysia commenting on the recent spat between the two countries about stealing each other’s heritage and culture. Watch and start pointing fingers here.
3. THE P1 NET SHOW
The Social Media Club
The second episode gets a bit nerdy. A bunch of guys (and gals) who socialize online get together for real… at the Social Media Club! Watch it here.
Come on guys! Fatbidin.tv is the place to be!
Filed under: I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, P1 W1MAX, broadcast, directing, documentary, fatbidin.tv, film, internet, journalism, new media, video blog | Tags: documentary, fat bidin, fat bidin tv, fatbidin.tv, film, heading to the border, I'M MUSLIM TOO! Heading to the border, malaysia, muslim, pattani, terrorism, thailand, The Life & Times of an Islamic Insurgency, web video, zan azlee
The Fat Bidin Media team (Believe it or not, we have a team!) has embarked on a new project called FATBIDIN.TV. It’s a free online video channel which will have different types of shows/series. To start off, we have three new shows
1. FAT BIDIN PRESENTS...
A series which will host long form documentaries. The first season will feature a serialised version of my banned-in-Malaysia documentary THE LIFE & TIMES OF AN ISLAMIC INSURGENCY (aka: I’M MUSLIM TOO! HEADING TO THE BORDER). Click here to watch.
2. WE THE PEOPLE
A video show where we hear from the common man (and woman!). The first episode sees us chatting with UMNO ‘delegates’ at the 2009 UMNO General Assembly. Click here to watch.
3. THE P1 NET SHOW
A reality series which looks at the goings-on of P1, Malaysia’s first WIMAX Internet company. Click here to watch.
So peeps… make sure you log on to FATBIDIN.TV and bookmark it for regular visits. And also join the Fat Bidin TV Facebook Fan Page. Thanks for the support guys! I know you all love me! I love me too! Muahaha!
Filed under: P1 W1MAX, directing, internet, new media, video blog | Tags: fat bidin, p1, p1 net show, P1 W1MAX, web video, zan azlee
Someone finally bought into my idea of creating a Web video series! I’ve been trying to launch one off in Malaysia for years but no one has been bold enough (or foolish enough?) to back me up! I finally found a sucker… errr… no… I mean a TOTALLY GREAT AND AWESOME company… that is open and cool enough to try it out! It’s… drum roll please… P1 W1MAX!!!!! Hey… they did recently win the APICTA 2009 Award for Best Start-Up of the Year!
So I present to you the first episode of the P1 Net Show! It’s going to be a weekly series on the Web that shows the goings-on of P1 the company. It will also have a gigantic Fat Bidin/Zan Azlee influence to it. And I don’t know if that is a turn-on or a turn-off for you guys! But I enjoy it for sure! Muahahaha! Now go tell all your friends!
You can view/bookmark/subscribe/tattoo onto your thigh or forearm the P1 Net Show YouTube page here: http://www.youtube.com/p1netshow
