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A Few Words With: JORDAN PRAINITO | FAERYVILLE (2015)

Monday, September 22, 2014 at 2:19 AM | 1 comments

It Ain't Easy Being Mean

Being the "bad guy" is not exactly fun. You have to endure the contempt and judgement of everyone on set, be extra nice off-camera, and go back to being a professional jerk when the camera rolls. Kind of taxing.

Nevertheless, Austrailian actor, Jordan Prainito, who was 18 then, took the role of a Bully in Tzang Merwyn Tong's FAERYVILLE like a champ, holding the torch of villainy aloft without an ounce of self-pity. Far from his "Jock" persona in his first feature film, Jordan is a hard working young talent who gives a lot to the roles he plays.

This young actor has worked with HBO, Shooting Gallery Asia, Infinite Studios, ABC, INRI Studio, Canningvale Australia and through these experiences, rubbed shoulders with numerous directors and master teachers such as Tony Knight, Nikki Snelson and Peter Andrikis. Read on to find out what his experience on Faeryville is like.Article by Jeevan K.

You play a Jock in Faeryville. How close is that to you in real life?

To be honest, at that time, it was probably a little too close to me than I would have liked! But I was going through a big “re-assessment” stage at the time and this role came at a perfect time for me.

Do you have difficulty playing a character that is so much of a cliche. The Jock/ Bully.

Now you are making me recall a lot! Well, I always like to over prepare with my roles and so I created a world for him (I had to dig this out of my diary). He was given every educational opportunity but he had a worsening, mutually destructive relationship with his father which, rocked his personal stability (as you will see, in the film he explodes at times). This enabled him to have an emotional disconnection with the world around him. I found that he could be curious about his fellow students and the outcomes of his own actions, but only in a detached and clinical way. Although when we see a close friend of his perish, we see there is still hope for him yet.

You seem like an athletic person yourself. What's your fitness regime like?

Nowadays due to the pressures in the industry to keep in shape I work out 5 times a week. Weights on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Cardio (Sprints, etc.) on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
On top of that I currently do kick boxing and rock climbing classes. I’ve been brought up in a household where my brother and I were taught to be well equipped for most situations, at the time I was focusing on Krav Maga. Which is essentially about disabling multiple opponents in as quick as time possible, heaps of fun by the way!

Disabling... Heaps of fun? Hmmmm. What do you think the role of 'the bully' is in society?

I hate to think in stereotypes or ‘roles’ in society as I believe that it limits myself as an actor. A bully does not think he is a bully, just like a murderer doesn't think he has done anything wrong, he believes that his actions were justified.

But if we had to put it in a box per se, I would sum it up that the bully’s main function in society is to bring the true leaders out in people. Essentially, who has the balls to stand up and take them head on.

You were only 18 when you were casted for Faeryville meaning, you were playing the actual age of the bullies in the film. How did that feel?

Yes, I was 18! I feel old now! Well, if anything it made my job slightly easier as, I could recall past instances in high-school quite vividly.

Were you still in school then?

Yes, I was. Graduated earlier this year from Lasalle College of the Arts: Musical Theatre with first class honours... Thank God!

Let's talk about girls. What kind of girls do you like?

I’ve never really liked a ‘kind’ of girl. The most important attribute for me in a girl is her ability to make me listen and laugh with her.

Are you also a player in real life?

At the time (of the filming), unfortunately I was! But we all mature and learn eventually.

Describe your ideal date.

Currently I am in Melbourne about to shoot a mini-series for ABC with a bunch of Australian stars and I am actually (as a surprise) taking a girl on set with me so she can see what it is like. I hope she doesn’t freak out…

What are the most provocative film / films you've watched?

Off the top of my head: ’A Clockwork Orange’ (1971), ‘I Spit On Your Grave’ (1978), ‘Requiem for a Dream’ (2000), ‘Irreversible’ (2002, French) and ‘The Dreamers’ (2003).

I love to be pushed out of my comfort zone which, is essentially why I am an actor! All of these films will do that to you in different ways.

How do you think people will react to a film like Faeryville?

I think it is going to be an absolute treasure of Singaporean Film one day. Why? Because it breaks the rules. Having lived in Singapore for 3 years, this film holds a stark mirror up to the community and asks us all; what would you fight for?

What does 'Be Afraid of what you fight for' mean to you?

Fear keeps us alive, and always do what you are afraid to do.

What will you stand for / fight for in real life?

For my family, my country and my friends. For true equality and freedom.

Jordan Prainito will play Anthony, a Jock in the Calvary Fraternity, in upcoming feature film, FAERYVILLE, a dystopian teen movie by Tzang Merwyn Tong. He is currently represented by Gary Jones of Smith and Jones Management based in Sydney.

FAERYVILLE will make its World Premiere in Los Angeles in January 2015.

Follow Jordan on Facebook: @ jordan.prainito
or Instagram @jordanprainito

Follow FAERYVILLE on Facebook: www.facebook.com/faeryville
Twitter @faeryville / Instagram @faeryville

Posted by INRI STUDIO Labels: Actor, bully, dystopian, jock, jordan prainito

LYON SIM | FAERYVILLE (2015) - A Talent for Mischief

Thursday, August 21, 2014 at 10:30 PM | 0 comments

He's a rising star in the independent film scene, soon to play his first major role in a Feature Film, as a Nobody. Meet indie film actor, LYON SIM, the Boy Wonder contributing to Singapore Independent Cinema with a good number of notable films under his belt. Rumour has it that Lyon is also working on a project, for which he'll write and direct.

Until that happens, let's take a look at some of the young actor's work, over the last few years.

"Don't Hang Up, My Love" 2014
In this film by indie director Dag Kaszlikowski, Lyon plays Jack, a die-hard player who's strictly in the game, in constant search of purely physical connections with the opposite sex.

"Tadpoles" 2013

Lyon Sim stars alongside Charis Vera Ng in this film by indie director Ivan Tan, about a newly wed couple trapped in a flood within their roof.

Tadpoles made it to the Official Selection of Festival del film Locarno.

Lyon (as Donkey) with Tzang Merwyn Tong on the set of V1K1

"V1K1 - A Techno Fairytale" 2011
Blinded behind the mask of Donkey, Lyon works with cult director Tzang Merwyn Tong, scaling walls and falling off structures, with his curiosity for human behaviour infecting the rest of the techno-fairy family.

Winner of the Gold Remi Award (Fantasy / Sci Fi category) at 2011 Houston WorldFest.

"Cubik" 2010

Directed by Jason Brenizer, Lyon plays a scientist who gets migraines alongside information acquired with his telescopic eye.

Stargazers (2009)

"Stargazers" 2009

With the advice of Twinkle the mysterious star, Mike (Lyon Sim) must join a band competition, win, and get the girl of his dreams. Problem is he doesn't have a band, nor a song; not even a guitar.

Band of Mischief (2011)

"Band of Mischief" 2011
Together with the other victims of school bullying, Arthur (Lyon Sim) embarks on a mission to seek revenge. Going berserk with masks and all.

Class M (2014)

Lyon Sim has been placed as a category, during an exhibition at The Substation in 2013, archiving his works of over 10 years.

Redline (2010)

Elephant in the Room (2014)

Redline (2010)

_________________________________________________________

Lyon will play POE, leader of a misfit group called The Nobodies, in upcoming feature film, FAERYVILLE, a dystopian teen movie 8-years-in-the-making by Tzang Merwyn Tong.

FAERYVILLE (starring Lyon Sim, Aaron Samuel Yong, Farid Assalam and Jae Leung) is currently in the final stages of Post Production. An international release is expected within the year.

Follow Lyon on Twitter: @charmelyonsim

Follow Faeryville on Facebook: www.facebook.com/faeryville

Twitter @faeryville / Instagram @faeryville

Posted by INRI STUDIO Labels: Actor, Cast, Faeryville, Faeryville Stars, Lyon Sim, The Nobodies

A Few Words With: AARON SAMUEL YONG | FAERYVILLE (2015)

Monday, January 27, 2014 at 12:07 AM | 0 comments

The Boy Who Plays Laer

You may not know him yet, so this is perfect. Every breakout youth movie requires a new face (from Ewan McGregor in Trainspotting to Leonardo DiCaprio in Basketball Diaries) to kick doors open and challenge the game. Established names do not work.

Meet the boy who plays LAER.

A Chinese Latino with a combination of killer charisma and stone cold gravitas. An art lover who loves acting as much as he loves aircrafts. The young actor who beat 100 other auditionees for the part of 'boy with a past/ a ticking time bomb/ befriends a group of losers, and together - they rise up.'

We catch up with Faeryville actor, Aaron Samuel Yong (who is currently studying in the UK) for A FEW WORDS about dystopian movies, his debut independent feature film and his unusual love for aircraft. You might want to know him, before the world does later.

What is your ethnicity and how old are you?

I’m 25, Chinese-Hispanic: my Dad is Chinese and my Mum is from Panama in Latin America. Both my parents are Singaporean and that’s where I was born and raised.

Tell us about the 'Laer' character you play in Faeryville?

Laer Mathias is a quiet teenager with a dark past, an anti-hero - a loner by choice; he draws his strength from himself and no-one else; the new kid on the block who quickly becomes the centre of film when he joins a misfit group called The Nobodies.

That's an interesting description. What do you feel about playing a character that doesn't talk much?

I think being a man of few words adds to his depth. The character of Laer has been crafted such that a lot of what he thinks and feels are conveyed in silence, and for me this is what made him so challenging yet interesting to play.

How do you think people will feel about him and what he does?

I don’t think Laer was written to be liked by anyone, not even the audience. His cold, foreboding personality is accompanied by dangerous decisions he made more than once... but I think as the film progresses and his layers are peeled back. Audiences will find it hard not to sympathise with his background and his cause.

Faeryville is a coming-of-age film. So, what were you like as a teenager - growing up?

Nowhere near a rebel like Laer, that’s for sure! I’ve always had an insatiable curiosity for the way things work and I spent most of my childhood as a quiet kid, observing the world around me. That’s how I developed my passion for product design and transport design.

The performing arts was never second fiddle though. I’ve been involved in acting and drama since I was about seven, and carried it with me in one form or another through my late teens and into adulthood.

What are you doing right now?

Right now I'm in the UK working on my degree in Transport Design, which encompasses automotive, aircraft interior and yacht design. On the side, I try to keep one toe dipped in the media industry doing freelance voice-over work.

Freelance voice-over work in England? Wow. Okay, what can't you leave home without?

A full stomach.

What do you do for fun?

Exercise! Some of my favourite moments in life are simple ones spent on my bike or in a kayak with not a care in the world.

You seem to have an obsession with aircraft and flight machinery. Tell us more about it.

Oh, airliners are just part of the story. I’ve had a passion for vehicles for as long as I can remember. As a kid I would devour car magazines and any book on ships, trains or planes I could get my hands on, and I’ve been sketching original car designs since I was five. It's why I'm doing my degree in Transport Design now; it was quite literally my childhood dream.

What are your thoughts about Faeryville (script/story or characters?) so far.

I developed a lot of respect for the story over time as it began to take shape. The underlying premise of 'Fighting for a Cause with no Promise of Victory' is hard not to get drawn into, particularly given the complex relationships between the protagonists themselves.

How do you think people will relate to Faeryville, based on what you've seen.

I think it depends on where different people are coming from. Delving into The Nobodies’ individual characters and the dystopian world of Faeryville that they're thrust into uncovers a lot of sentiments that may be echoed by many people in real life, and I think that struggle lends a lot of realism to the drama of a world that has been developed from the outset to be detached from reality.

Do you have a favourite dystopian movie?

Gattaca (1997)

Gattaca. The film was interesting to me right away because of how instant and indisputable validation of a person was possible. I loved how the film unfolded so intimately and with so much desperation, all while being a powerful reminder of the foolishness of singularly-minded prejudgment prevalent in many elements of society today.

What would you say to Faeryville's current early facebook supporters. They are the brave early adopters.

First of all a huge thank you for supporting the film, especially if you haven't seen any part of it yet. Being an independent production means that a following is everything, so don’t keep it to yourselves! Voice out and tell your friends about it.

Faeryville is currently in the final stages of Post Production. An international release is expected within the year.

Follow Aaron on Twitter/ Instagram: @aaronsamuelyong

Follow Faeryville on Facebook: www.facebook.com/faeryville

Posted by INRI STUDIO Labels: Aaron Yong, Actor, Anti-hero, Cast Interviews, Faeryville, Star, The Nobodies