Last week, after months of procrastination, I finally tried my hand at film-making.
In this past year, I’ve watched quite a number of breath-taking documentaries and online courses, and I have been quite inspired to make my own videos.
Those who know me would know that I’ve been working on the production of online course videos for some time. However, I’ve not had much experience with narrating or speaking in front of a camera. But most important of all, I’ve not had the experience of writing a script, which I think, is so central to film-making.
I think it would be worthwhile to gain the experience.
I decided to start small, so as to learn from the mistakes and problems that arise along the way.
I must say that the experience of writing a script is very different from writing a blog article. It took me several days to ponder about how I should present the content. The biggest difference is having to imagine what sort of scenes would complement the words of the narrative.
It is challenging, but overall, the experience has been fun!
I’ve named this short film, “The Ocean of Human Existence.”
This film is based on the advice I received from a senior of mine back in my undergraduate days. His advice is, by far, the most beautiful words of wisdom I’ve ever heard. Back then, I was at a low, overwhelmed and stressed out with many issues in life, but upon hearing his advice, I felt enlightened, liberated from all the cares and burdens of this world.
This has been my guiding principle ever since.
Of course, the first time you encounter such a message, it might sound rather depressing. But there is something truly liberating about it if spend time thinking about it.
This film is meant to be serious, yet peppered with a dash of light-hearted fun. A nihilistic attitude, you could say, which is quite fitting for the message.
Without further ado, I present you… My first film!
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Transcript
Is it true that everything we do matters in life?
Is it true that we have to get things right every step of the way?
That one wrong move or failure would totally wreck our lives plans?
Is it really true?
Perhaps we think too highly of ourselves.
Perhaps we give ourselves far too much credit for all the successes in life.
Perhaps we don’t really have the power to change the course of our lives.
Perhaps we don’t have the power to change the world.
Perhaps we don’t even have the power to make things right.
Perhaps.
Life is like pissing into the ocean of human existence.
Nothing we do matters.
No matter how much you pee into the ocean, the ocean will not turn yellow.
It is only when the world pees with you at the same time that the ocean turns yellow.
Our actions are successful only because favourable conditions are present.
There is an ancient Chinese proverb:
When you drink water, remember the source.
We are where we are today not because of our own efforts alone.
No.
We are who we are, and where we are today
because of the fortunate and unfortunate circumstances
that are beyond anyone’s control.
We are who we are, and where we are today
because of the people around us,
who shaped us, who helped us, who guided us, who taught us.
We are who we are, and where we are today
because we have been pissing into the ocean of human existence
both in good times and bad; with people we love and people we hate.
But, the ocean remains clear.
Nothing we do matters.
We continue to live.
And we continue to piss.
Jonathan Y. H. Sim 