Behind The Screen - Cast of Laskar Pelangi Movies
Julian Aditya's Note
Team Leader Belitung Imaji
(Imagine) Tour
Assistant Coordinator of Local Talent (Belitung), Laskar Pelangi Movies
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| Children of the Laskar Pelangi, who I picture when shooting breaks. |
Before I tell this experience, first of all I have to say many thanks to colleagues from "Miles Film" and "Mizan Cinema" for accepting me to join and work together in the film Laskar Pelangi, as one of Assistent Talent Coordinator. It was a very proud, considering the film is one of the phenomenal work in Indonesia, and should be regarded as one of the best-selling movies.
Laskar Pelangi movie, produced by Mira Lesmana, directed by Riri Riza, and based on a novel by Andrea Hirata. Things that really make a lot of excitement in Indonesia. One of the strengths of the film is the players, which combines the veteran actor, along with the cast of children Laskar Pelangi who never entered the world of cinema altogether. The children are still green, but has managed to enchant millions of moviegoers Indonesia. Some may ask, if looking for local talent, it is easy? The answer is hell no! Here, I describe a bit of experience since the beginning of March 2008.
Laskar Pelangi movie, produced by Mira Lesmana, directed by Riri Riza, and based on a novel by Andrea Hirata. Things that really make a lot of excitement in Indonesia. One of the strengths of the film is the players, which combines the veteran actor, along with the cast of children Laskar Pelangi who never entered the world of cinema altogether. The children are still green, but has managed to enchant millions of moviegoers Indonesia. Some may ask, if looking for local talent, it is easy? The answer is hell no! Here, I describe a bit of experience since the beginning of March 2008.
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| On the river Samak (Belitung) with one of the participants casting (in the middle). |
OPENING CASING WITH HOW TO TEACH AT ONCE.
This is the first challenge that I get. Laskar Pelangi Film Shooting Location housed in its original location, the island of Belitung once my own hometown. For those who live in Jakarta, Bandung, and surrounding areas would have a lot to know how a casting process is implemented. Moreover, who has entered a talent agency, which is a lot of in the big city. Casting in Belitung, is a very rare thing, at once troublesome. Imagine if there were 100 people who came, the 100 people that we should teach how to see and read the script, description of the role of what he read there, including how and what he should do when faced with the assessors later. If that comes children, sometimes we have to explain how this casting in front of his parents ... it's exhausting ...
There was a funny experience ever obtained from this process. Once that comes to casting, fathers with 40s. He is very eager to appear in the film once at least be supporting role in the film (fortunately there are scripts that are made specifically for the role of the character, although ultimately removed from the director). After a long time I explain, finally he asks ... how to practice reading the script. I replied: "Imagine in front of you, there are other actors involved in dialogue". Then I left it in the waiting room with the hope of "hopefully he understands". Finally, after a few moments passed. I returned to the waiting room, and it turns out to find the empty space where once filled by the participants casting! I panicked because they disappeared, I was afraid of something due to my spiel before. Finally, after I find with haste, fortunately it turned out they did not return back to their homes. They are all there behind the reception area and was busy talking to himself according to the instructions I said to the man before! (In fact, my advice is not to them all). That's the father who took them all, and I saw he was very trying to live the role as much as possible. He talked himself pointing to a thick wall casting waiting room! OMG, everyone who was there also to do the same!
There was a funny experience ever obtained from this process. Once that comes to casting, fathers with 40s. He is very eager to appear in the film once at least be supporting role in the film (fortunately there are scripts that are made specifically for the role of the character, although ultimately removed from the director). After a long time I explain, finally he asks ... how to practice reading the script. I replied: "Imagine in front of you, there are other actors involved in dialogue". Then I left it in the waiting room with the hope of "hopefully he understands". Finally, after a few moments passed. I returned to the waiting room, and it turns out to find the empty space where once filled by the participants casting! I panicked because they disappeared, I was afraid of something due to my spiel before. Finally, after I find with haste, fortunately it turned out they did not return back to their homes. They are all there behind the reception area and was busy talking to himself according to the instructions I said to the man before! (In fact, my advice is not to them all). That's the father who took them all, and I saw he was very trying to live the role as much as possible. He talked himself pointing to a thick wall casting waiting room! OMG, everyone who was there also to do the same!
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| Above truck with the extras of Gantong. |
REALLY HUNTING, because many do not believe.
Indeed, the process of casting Film Laskar Pelangi not published by local media, both print and electronic. This is because the assistant director did not want for fear of dizziness with bid-deposit opportunists. In short, the casting process is done by taking the person who encountered. This is the challenge, Belitung community when it does not understand anything, skeptical. Not infrequently I have to give an explanation "that's right" to people who nag and accuse me as a "handyman issue". As for the process of hunting in schools, to seek candidates Laskar Pelangi movie actor, I always go in the principal's office with a long time to describe the truth of the matter. There is even a teacher who asked my origins, who the parents, where my house, previously worked as what, wow ... I grow tired again!
Genesis wildest of hunting talent, occurred in 44 elementary schools, village Perawas (Belitung). At that moment I saw the prospective cast A-Kiong (Suhendri, red). At that time I got there, it's almost half past 12 am. I came late, because time is running out of school hours. I can not come back tomorrow, because too many schools to be visited. Finally I decided, for hunting while looking at those who come home from school. "Treeeeet !!!! Treeeet! Treeeeet!" Bell sound arose, 44 elementary school children out.
I am waiting to see what they look like, while sitting on a motorcycle with a leather jacket, jeans, and cheap cigarettes in the mouth. Each one of them I see in great detail, after 10 minutes, then the child with the specifications I wanted finally appeared! The boy is Suhendri (A-Kiong) he return walk home, do not want him gone ... I went straight off the bike and walk towards it.
Here is the emergence of disaster! Seeing I was a stranger and seemed enthusiastic, Suhendri even shocked. Unfortunately, he thought I was a kidnapper! He was running, I finally chase! Finally, no matter how long, Suhendri forced me to catch. I was pretty spooky face, and laughed triumphantly. Many people who eventually came up to me, then there is a teacher who came with grim faces and the high notes! Wow, I look like a fugitive at the time! I need a long time to convince them and Suhendri into believing what I say. Ah, I was too hasty ... wanted to give a surprise, it turns out that I was shocked! Jiaaah!
Genesis wildest of hunting talent, occurred in 44 elementary schools, village Perawas (Belitung). At that moment I saw the prospective cast A-Kiong (Suhendri, red). At that time I got there, it's almost half past 12 am. I came late, because time is running out of school hours. I can not come back tomorrow, because too many schools to be visited. Finally I decided, for hunting while looking at those who come home from school. "Treeeeet !!!! Treeeet! Treeeeet!" Bell sound arose, 44 elementary school children out.
I am waiting to see what they look like, while sitting on a motorcycle with a leather jacket, jeans, and cheap cigarettes in the mouth. Each one of them I see in great detail, after 10 minutes, then the child with the specifications I wanted finally appeared! The boy is Suhendri (A-Kiong) he return walk home, do not want him gone ... I went straight off the bike and walk towards it.
Here is the emergence of disaster! Seeing I was a stranger and seemed enthusiastic, Suhendri even shocked. Unfortunately, he thought I was a kidnapper! He was running, I finally chase! Finally, no matter how long, Suhendri forced me to catch. I was pretty spooky face, and laughed triumphantly. Many people who eventually came up to me, then there is a teacher who came with grim faces and the high notes! Wow, I look like a fugitive at the time! I need a long time to convince them and Suhendri into believing what I say. Ah, I was too hasty ... wanted to give a surprise, it turns out that I was shocked! Jiaaah!
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| The Extras women, parade's scene in Gantong |
ALREADY DIFFICULT LOOKING FOR main character, cast extras TURN OVER DIFFICULT AGAIN!
After a process that I did for two months already get a decent progress, we've got the right candidate. The next challenge is quite tiring, is how to engage the public in large numbers to be cast extras. Approximately one month Shoot Gantong area (the East Belitung), the amount of extras that should I get is a minimum of 250 people! This amount is small, when shooting in other areas who already know how to process a film. If in Belitung, this is a test.
Why so difficult? Here the reason :
* When I look for the cast of extras with the character of the workers and tin miners, the men there then asked: "How much money do I get? When I come shooting from dawn until late afternoon?". I am responsible for what it is: "50,000 IDR!". Then they laughed and gave this response: "Hahaha, if I am to mine tin (not in the film), half a day can earn money tenfold!".
* If I need a group of adult women to fill this movie, with a serious look, they asked: "Sir, our face ... is it true that later could be seen on tv ??". I explain that this is not a soap opera, but shooting a widescreen, and the position they are not in the leading role that should appear face as often as possible. And this is their answer: "Yaaa, not fun if you do not look at the tv, we do not want to!". Arguably will be entered cinema, Belitung has not had a movie theater. I was dizzy to think about seduction for them.
Why so difficult? Here the reason :
* When I look for the cast of extras with the character of the workers and tin miners, the men there then asked: "How much money do I get? When I come shooting from dawn until late afternoon?". I am responsible for what it is: "50,000 IDR!". Then they laughed and gave this response: "Hahaha, if I am to mine tin (not in the film), half a day can earn money tenfold!".
* If I need a group of adult women to fill this movie, with a serious look, they asked: "Sir, our face ... is it true that later could be seen on tv ??". I explain that this is not a soap opera, but shooting a widescreen, and the position they are not in the leading role that should appear face as often as possible. And this is their answer: "Yaaa, not fun if you do not look at the tv, we do not want to!". Arguably will be entered cinema, Belitung has not had a movie theater. I was dizzy to think about seduction for them.
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| Movies Crew at sunset Tanjung Tinggi |
It was just a few of their responses, the point ... when our took the position as the film crew, guaranteed 80% no one wants! Not only me, the head of the division just confused. Finally I decided to persuade them, by way of utilization of emotional closeness as espionage agents. Consequently, far-away days before the shooting started, I had to move the domicile of Tanjungpandan (Kab. Belitung) to Gantong! Afterwards, I was hanging out as a young boy slang, I joined the recitation in the mosque, I often visited the farm location and transmigration as people who want to learn farming, I spent time sitting in a coffee shop, make friends with tin miners, sleeping at the district office (because want to approach with employees), familiar with the former head of the thugs, the former warriors, essentially no day without socialization. I looked like a heavyweight unemployed who are looking for work here and there!
Hehehe, well ... it was a bit of experience I have gained, and in fact much more ... Fortunately, I believe the term "Where there's a will, there is a way!". Although it is rather difficult, though a bit inconvenient ... casting process is completed smoothly as well as shooting! Thanks 4 all the crew that helped, thanks for talent, and thanks also to friends and guests of Belitung Imaji (Imagine) Tour who have read this article.
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| Laskar Pelangi kids and Cut Mini (as Ms. Muslimah) in Tanjung Tinggi |
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