3. Joey - Christmas 2017 Project
Merry Christmas Charlie (2017)
script link -
https://tinyurl.com/y8wzv59x
Merry Christmas Angela (1998/2000)
14 Aug 2017 mon
jt
my rough idea is that we have a youngster (Charlie) come home from studying overseas to celebrate his 21st and take a break from uni there. this is main plot.
perhaps had invited a foreign friend to join him - or maybe not 😜
with his time overseas, his perspective of the world had changed a lot and that could cause conflict among friends and family.
also to use yi chong as subplot - he's a teacher with a group of students who go to him for help.
that's the setup. story wise is to be developed. i think songs to incorporate into story will be no problem.
joey
I like your idea...my proposal is based on what happened to my church for the past yrs, my wife Margaret got cancer, pastor's wife got cancer... And rev Lau's liver cancer, can't believe it within a yr or 2, more than 4 and 5 ppl from church got it.. Thk it will strike the chord... As u know, a writer usually would like to write something he is familiar... If you can incorporate into your idea that will be perfect... We can brainstorm more this wed.. As for Sunday's meeting , I can come to your home or church to fetch u..
Pick up the "cancer" story, all Those ppl I know suffered from cancers are good Christians, topics we can talk about is why God allows this terrible thing happened to good ppl while the villains seems living a beautiful life !!
jt
i'm going to use more videos to tell the story so less demanding on actors, performers
tbh i don't really want to use cancer in this story directly. will end up too preachy. prefer how we treated angela's suicide... not preachy but as character driven action.
or plot driven story. make it happen and little discussion about it. not to minimise cancer and how it affects ppl but just to leave some things unsaid. for reflection, just like angela's suicide
joey
You are right, it is more engaging n interesting to watch!!
--------------------------------------
On 12 Jul 2017, at 7:09 pm, jeannette teo wrote:
hi Joey,
i've got bad food poisoning since yesterday and am still unwell. i'll let you know if i can make it on fri tom. nex is ok, 9-9.30am is fine if my stomach doesn't give any more problems.
read thru your ideas for Merry Xmas Angela part2. i think this idea is not bad and there is nice potential in this story direction. unfortunately i have no interest in doing part 2 and i don't want to be involved in this storyline.
but here is a suggestion to consider if you'd like to do part2:
- focus on a young person as main character, celebrating his/her big 21st birthday rather than feature Yi Chong's 50th birthday. sure Yi Chong and gang can attend this birthday celebrations and mention about Angela but the story should have a fresh and current feel to it.
i was looking through your feedback and agree that millenials are not really in the limelight in the setups. i've yet to better understand the millenials - there's a lot i don't know and understand about them. i'm sure many people also have bad impressions of the millenials. i think we should try to understand them, help, support and encourage them instead of tagging them with negative thoughts.
ok that's all for now. my stomach has been painful since yesterday so i tire easily and need rest.
hope to see you on fri for breakfast.
jeannette
-----------------------------------------------------
From: Joey Cheung
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2017 11:29 AM
To: jeannette teo
Subject: RE: christmas project 2017
Dear Jeannette,
I hv been thinking of your proposals, they are all very good but I hv to think of the “practical” side, knowing my church well ( attend the church for almost 3 decades…)
Since you are the creator of “Merry Christmas Angela”, why not we continue the story, in a way to ride on the success of the previous show, it is quite common for TV or movies to have the sequel ( kind of spin off)…
The existing characters are very rich and interesting ( it is tough to create believable characters in a play)
Here is the idea:
1. Yi chong celebrating his big 50th birthday, all the old friends come for the party or
To remember Angela passed away for 20th years, they all gather and pay respect to their beloved friends..( to create the occasion for them to meet…)
Friends arrives one by one, and every time the friend come, will tell their own lives story ( covered all the issues!)
2. It ends with a big cliff hanger, then the pastor enters and sermon to wrap up…
As for the characters:
1. The married couple migrating to Australia but their son comes back and serves the NS ( in our church, we hv 2 such cases that parents migrating to oversea and their son comes back to serve the nation, topics can be: migrating and identities etc)
2. The son of the married couple and Yi Chong ( served in Army) can talk about NS ( we have quite a numbers of NS boys in the youth)
3. The rest of the conti characters have gone through life a lot, through their conversation, reveal their life experience…)
Definitely I hv to playback some of the old clips to connect the past and the present…
The title: Merry Christmas Angela, 20 years on ( working title)
Fyi, Eric will help to do the set…
That is all for now…
Cheers,
j
hi Joey,
i've got bad food poisoning since yesterday and am still unwell. i'll let you know if i can make it on fri tom. nex is ok, 9-9.30am is fine if my stomach doesn't give any more problems.
read thru your ideas for Merry Xmas Angela part2. i think this idea is not bad and there is nice potential in this story direction. unfortunately i have no interest in doing part 2 and i don't want to be involved in this storyline.
but here is a suggestion to consider if you'd like to do part2:
- focus on a young person as main character, celebrating his/her big 21st birthday rather than feature Yi Chong's 50th birthday. sure Yi Chong and gang can attend this birthday celebrations and mention about Angela but the story should have a fresh and current feel to it.
i was looking through your feedback and agree that millenials are not really in the limelight in the setups. i've yet to better understand the millenials - there's a lot i don't know and understand about them. i'm sure many people also have bad impressions of the millenials. i think we should try to understand them, help, support and encourage them instead of tagging them with negative thoughts.
ok that's all for now. my stomach has been painful since yesterday so i tire easily and need rest.
hope to see you on fri for breakfast.
jeannette
-----------------------------------------------------
From: Joey Cheung
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2017 11:29 AM
To: jeannette teo
Subject: RE: christmas project 2017
Dear Jeannette,
I hv been thinking of your proposals, they are all very good but I hv to think of the “practical” side, knowing my church well ( attend the church for almost 3 decades…)
Since you are the creator of “Merry Christmas Angela”, why not we continue the story, in a way to ride on the success of the previous show, it is quite common for TV or movies to have the sequel ( kind of spin off)…
The existing characters are very rich and interesting ( it is tough to create believable characters in a play)
Here is the idea:
1. Yi chong celebrating his big 50th birthday, all the old friends come for the party or
To remember Angela passed away for 20th years, they all gather and pay respect to their beloved friends..( to create the occasion for them to meet…)
Friends arrives one by one, and every time the friend come, will tell their own lives story ( covered all the issues!)
2. It ends with a big cliff hanger, then the pastor enters and sermon to wrap up…
As for the characters:
1. The married couple migrating to Australia but their son comes back and serves the NS ( in our church, we hv 2 such cases that parents migrating to oversea and their son comes back to serve the nation, topics can be: migrating and identities etc)
2. The son of the married couple and Yi Chong ( served in Army) can talk about NS ( we have quite a numbers of NS boys in the youth)
3. The rest of the conti characters have gone through life a lot, through their conversation, reveal their life experience…)
Definitely I hv to playback some of the old clips to connect the past and the present…
The title: Merry Christmas Angela, 20 years on ( working title)
Fyi, Eric will help to do the set…
That is all for now…
Cheers,
j
-----------------------------------------
today is 11 jul 2017, Tues
here are 3 Story Ideas/Concept: we can choose 1 or do all 3 haha!!
1. The Reason for Everything
(and Mahjong)
some say there is a reason for everything - why we are here, who we are, why certain things happen to us and to people. is there a reason for everything? is there One simple Reason for everything?
Short Stories told at Mahjong table - Slice of Life style
Mahjong table on one side of stage, centre stage for re-enactment of story (and gossip) with narration/dialogue from mahjong kakis who meet every weekend at the Lim's family home.
Regular Mahjong Kakis:
1. Mrs Lim, 65 - organises weekend Mahjong with husband, Mr Lim for friends/neighbours
2. Mdm Wee, 80 -widow, lives alone, children working overseas
3. Mdm Yong, 75 -lives with widowed elder sister, 78, and her family
4. Mrs Tan, 70 - neighnour and in good terms with the Lim family
Not too regular:
1. Mr Lim, 70 - married to Mrs Lim
2. Phoebe Tan - 37 - Mrs Tan's elder daughter, single
3. Chloe Tan - 35 0 Mrs Tan's younger daughter
2. Reflection of Our Lives
Me Me Me and Now Now Now
instant gratification, instant meals, instant photos, selfies, likes, instant social media, and everything revolving around ME. is that what the world is like today? why? or why not?
One Location: Restaurant
At a Restaurant, customers come in to share a meal with their families, friends, loved ones, dates... share stories, experiences and thoughts. An honest and stereotype look at the kind of lives people are leading in public, giving us certain kinds of outward impressions of who they are and what their lives are like (that may not be a true reflection of their real lives) ...
REFLECTION OF OUR LIVES
Performance highlights open-ended slice of life stories, experiences, thoughts and behaviours of various customers at the Restaurant. Through their table conversations/behaviours at the restaurant, we get the audience involved by asking them a set of questions to reflect on, after listening to a conversation at one of the tables at the restaurant. maybe each person in the audience gets a notebook and pencil to write their thoughts into the book.
at the end of the performance, the Pastor could use some of these little stories in his sermon, about 20-30min.
example of stories and what people can talk about at a table:
- what is success? money, condo's, cars, travel, spending power, promotions, etc
- children's school results and school life
- bringing up children
- life is harder than before, not easy to live in Singapore - high costs, long work hours, unhealthy, etc
- what is the meaning of life? discuss life and death
- growing old
- comparing good old days with today's stressful life
- personal struggles
- relationships and their issues
3. Days of Our Lives
Family Holiday
"like sand through the hourglass, so are our days of our lives" - TV Series "Days of our lives"
FAMILY HOLIDAY - The Best and Worst Days of Our Lives
A family goes on a well-deserved holiday, staying in a huge bungalow chalet at an island (or go on a cruise?). They run into some old friends/relatives and some overwhelming problems which they try to resolve before the holiday is over.
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Email Discussions:
From: jeannette teo
Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2017 12:12 PM
To: Joey Cheung
Subject: Re: christmas project 2017
Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2017 12:12 PM
To: Joey Cheung
Subject: Re: christmas project 2017
hi Joey,
honestly, i'm not keen or committed to doing this christmas project. i can hardly focus even tho i have some time.
nex on fri is ok. but i am at Nex at abt 7.20am daily because i drive Christen to school. is that too early?
confirm fri at nex, 7.30am? suggest ya kun or mac's at nex. many shops not open at that time.
yes Rev Lau's story is controversial. the other side of the issue is - that a Pastor, one dedicated Christian, could be so selfish to take his son's liver and many people's hard-earned money (donations) when the risks are too high and he is 70+ yrs, and even tho his son and church members may have insisted on giving. to a non-Christian, this is not a desireable "Christian attitude", and might cause them and some Christians to be disillusioned. i think this side of the story is high risk for a Christmas performance, unless there is a rebuttal or an answer for this? need to ask your team about taking this direction. one way i can think of is to use the idea of "choice" as a theme to respond to this grey area. another is, "if you died today, would you die at peace (with God)?"
i'll try to write up some ideas.
talk more soon.
jeannette
From: Joey Cheung
Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2017 9:44 AM
To: jeannette teo
Subject: RE: christmas project 2017
Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2017 9:44 AM
To: jeannette teo
Subject: RE: christmas project 2017
Dear Jeannette,
Hope you are better now…
I can meet up with you for breakfast this fri ( 14 july) to discuss the concept at Nex…
Hear from you soon..
Cheers,
j
From: Joey Cheung
Sent: Saturday, July 8, 2017 2:55 PM
To: jeannette teo
Subject: RE: christmas project 2017
Sent: Saturday, July 8, 2017 2:55 PM
To: jeannette teo
Subject: RE: christmas project 2017
Dear Jeannette,
Why I suggest to use Rev Lau’s story ( maybe just one item or segment) as it is relatable to audience; as I mention earlier in my previous email, it cannot be used as full length play, it can be video or something??
I learnt from the talk recently, the trainer shared: to use Stat, so it makes the presentation credible and use Anecdote, to make it relatable and use drama (story), more memorable…
At this point of “brainstorming”, we should try to include everything first, then later, we can filter and discard…
As you mention if you were Rev Lau, you would choose not to do the transplant, I guess that is a bit controversial, I think it maybe his family wishes….coming back to our topic, it can be controversial or revealing or intriguing….
Interesting to know you served in the youth ministry and played piano ( I know you are very talented in music ….so don’t waste your talent…)
“We are the reason” the song I am familiar with, in fact, we used it at least once in one of the Christmas concerts years ago, and we used the mine to accompany the singing ( it was well received!!)
By all means to use it as the theme ( I am not worried either whether the theme or songs been used before, as a matter of fact, nothing new under the sun, as far as it fits deemed to our needs)
I am thinking to meet up with the team by 16 July to present the idea…
Hope you can come up with something next wk, I am fine to meet up next wk ( somewhere in between like Serangoon Garden??)
Have a great wkend..
Cheers,
j
From: jeannette teo
Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2017 10:26 PM
To: Joey Cheung
Subject: Re: christmas project 2017
Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2017 10:26 PM
To: Joey Cheung
Subject: Re: christmas project 2017
hi Joey,
tbh, i would not recommend using Rev Lau's current situation for the christmas play.
reading what you had shared, it left me thinking... that if i were in Rev Lau's shoes, i would have preferred to welcome death rather than decide to go through the operation. i understand that the situation is very painful for the family and church but i am not sure if we should instead accept and look forward to the inevitable, ie death - and embrace death, rather than escape it.
of course, when faced with death and uncertainty in life, our reactions can be totally unpredictable and unstable. it takes great courage and soul searching to pray for and do what is best for us and our family, and feel at peace with God at the same time amidst the turmoil.
the question i often ask myself is... am i ready to die today or right now, and tell myself that i had "lived my life"? or would i cry to God, hoping that he will grant me another 15 more years to live? perhaps that could be an underlying theme - to ask the question... "what is YOUR meaning of life?". haha that reminds me of the famous Christmas song "We are the reason" (link: https://youtu.be/u7ifcgMygr8) - another song that i had performed in the 1980s. Lol yes, i was a pianist in our youth band and our youth group (7 of us) put together some songs for Christmas and Easter.
the themes suggested earlier sound like a repeat and very serious but i think the meaning behind those themes are very important and wonderful reminders. so i'm not concerned over repeating a theme that's done before.
"we are the reason" sounds like a good theme to work on Lol.
jeannette
tbh, i would not recommend using Rev Lau's current situation for the christmas play.
reading what you had shared, it left me thinking... that if i were in Rev Lau's shoes, i would have preferred to welcome death rather than decide to go through the operation. i understand that the situation is very painful for the family and church but i am not sure if we should instead accept and look forward to the inevitable, ie death - and embrace death, rather than escape it.
of course, when faced with death and uncertainty in life, our reactions can be totally unpredictable and unstable. it takes great courage and soul searching to pray for and do what is best for us and our family, and feel at peace with God at the same time amidst the turmoil.
the question i often ask myself is... am i ready to die today or right now, and tell myself that i had "lived my life"? or would i cry to God, hoping that he will grant me another 15 more years to live? perhaps that could be an underlying theme - to ask the question... "what is YOUR meaning of life?". haha that reminds me of the famous Christmas song "We are the reason" (link: https://youtu.be/u7ifcgMygr8) - another song that i had performed in the 1980s. Lol yes, i was a pianist in our youth band and our youth group (7 of us) put together some songs for Christmas and Easter.
the themes suggested earlier sound like a repeat and very serious but i think the meaning behind those themes are very important and wonderful reminders. so i'm not concerned over repeating a theme that's done before.
"we are the reason" sounds like a good theme to work on Lol.
jeannette
 |
youtu.be
Avalon - We are the reason, Album: Joy, Year: 2000 [Avalon Lyrics] As little children we would dream of Christmas morn Of all the gifts and toys we knew we'd...
|
From: Joey Cheung
Sent: Thursday, July 6, 2017 4:52 PM
To: jeannette teo
Subject: RE: christmas project 2017
Sent: Thursday, July 6, 2017 4:52 PM
To: jeannette teo
Subject: RE: christmas project 2017
Dear Jeannette,
Thanks for sharing your insight!!
the song “ Jesus never fails” is a great song…you performed?
Just to update u..
Dr Eugene is supposed to be back this week but decided to stay another week to help Rev Lau…
Rev Lau just completed his 2nd phase of recovery which is very critical to the success of the transplant, namely the acceptance of the new liver and response to the anti- rejection drugs
Basically Drs who did the transplant have suggested using immune modification medicine to reduce the risk of liver cancer recurrence.
Rev Lau may need to stay longer than expected 3 months in Taiwan for further observation and healthcare..
As it is still on-going case, we may not able to use the entire story for Christmas…
Just a thought, a short clip or live sharing from Pastor Eugene or Rev Lau’s family ( he got a wife and one son, Tim and one daughter….)
Out of three:
God’s gift ( we did before many yrs ago)
God loves us ( have been used as them for yrs already)
“God never fails “ can be at the moment my pick ( of course, we can change or amend the theme in the creative process…)
Planning to meet Eugene and the team by 16 July….
Hear from you..
Cheers,
j
Thanks for sharing your insight!!
the song “ Jesus never fails” is a great song…you performed?
Just to update u..
Dr Eugene is supposed to be back this week but decided to stay another week to help Rev Lau…
Rev Lau just completed his 2nd phase of recovery which is very critical to the success of the transplant, namely the acceptance of the new liver and response to the anti- rejection drugs
Basically Drs who did the transplant have suggested using immune modification medicine to reduce the risk of liver cancer recurrence.
Rev Lau may need to stay longer than expected 3 months in Taiwan for further observation and healthcare..
As it is still on-going case, we may not able to use the entire story for Christmas…
Just a thought, a short clip or live sharing from Pastor Eugene or Rev Lau’s family ( he got a wife and one son, Tim and one daughter….)
Out of three:
God’s gift ( we did before many yrs ago)
God loves us ( have been used as them for yrs already)
“God never fails “ can be at the moment my pick ( of course, we can change or amend the theme in the creative process…)
Planning to meet Eugene and the team by 16 July….
Hear from you..
Cheers,
j
From: jeannette teo
Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2017 4:11 PM
To: Joey Cheung
Subject: Re: christmas project 2017
Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2017 4:11 PM
To: Joey Cheung
Subject: Re: christmas project 2017
hi Joey,
this is a very touching story, thank you for sharing!
my thoughts run differently tho, and it's probably because i do not personally know Paster Rev. Lau.
it also reminds me of a bible story that i came across when i was searching for answers. in the bible, a man was told that he will die. hearing this, he cried to God. God felt so moved that he granted him another 15 years...
Hezekiah Will Live Fifteen More Years
(reminds me of a song, "Jesus never fails" which i had performed many many years ago, Link: https://youtu.be/RUnVOA-qbm8)
i hope this might spark off some other ideas 😊
jeannette
this is a very touching story, thank you for sharing!
my thoughts run differently tho, and it's probably because i do not personally know Paster Rev. Lau.
it also reminds me of a bible story that i came across when i was searching for answers. in the bible, a man was told that he will die. hearing this, he cried to God. God felt so moved that he granted him another 15 years...
Isaiah 38New Life Version (NLV)
Hezekiah Will Live Fifteen More Years
38 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was near death. Isaiah the man of God, the son of Amoz, came to him and said, “The Lord says, ‘Make those of your house ready, for you will die and not live.’” 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the Lord, 3 and said, “O Lord, I ask you from my heart to remember now how I have walked with You in truth and with a whole heart. I have done what is good in Your eyes.” And Hezekiah cried with a bitter cry. 4 Then the Word of the Lord came to Isaiah, saying, 5 “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘The Lord, the God of your father David, says, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. See, I will add fifteen years to your life."
from your story and the above bible story, i feel that these themes are strong:
- God loves us
- God's promises never fails
- God's gift = "life" (how do you define "life"?)
(reminds me of a song, "Jesus never fails" which i had performed many many years ago, Link: https://youtu.be/RUnVOA-qbm8)
and these themes relate to the reason for Christmas.
i hope this might spark off some other ideas 😊
jeannette
 |
youtu.be
Gospel - Jesus Never Fails - Imperials
|
From: Joey Cheung
Sent: Sunday, July 2, 2017 4:22 PM
To: jeannette teo
Subject: RE: christmas project 2017
Sent: Sunday, July 2, 2017 4:22 PM
To: jeannette teo
Subject: RE: christmas project 2017
Dear Jeannette,
Just hv this idea, as it’s happened to my church and not to any members, but to my own senior pastor, I guess members are more interested and concerned..
so I immediately write this down and share with you before I forget..
Our Senior Pastor, 70+ (Rev Lau) got a liver cancer last year, he went through treatments since then, but it got worse early this yr.. as it is the last stage of the cancer, it is not advisable to do liver transplant and according to MOH, it is a law that is not allowed to do any transplant at the last stage( or rather the chance of success is slim…)even the family members are willing to donate the organ…
However, in Taiwan, medical team can carry out the liver transplant even though the chance of the operation maybe slim..
Rev Lau and family have decided to go to Taiwan for operation, the wife and the son will company them as either one of them will be the donor ( provided either one of them is the right matches with Rev Lau….)
The cost for the whole operation is S$250K, church and charitable organization managed to raise funds of S$220K within a month…
They left to Taiwan on 16 June…
I was at the airport to send them off….when I saw Rev Lau, I can’t help but cry….
He looked frail, lost lots of weight and because of “water retention in his internal organs, his stomach bloated….quite a number of family members and friends as well as church members went to airport to send their well wishes to Rev Lau and family….
The operation did on 23 June…
The update news is : both Rev Lau and his son ( donor) recuperating well….
Understand Rev Lau has to stay in Taiwan for 3 months for observation….
Tim, the son is discharged…
Dr Pastor Eugene from my church company them to Taiwan and he sends update to us as and when.. Dr Eugene will be back sometime next week..
I am thinking you can use Dr Eugene as the person to narrate the whole story…
Maybe the way I write is too flat, but it is the true story
At the moment, any idea comes to me will share it with you..
If you find it can develop as a play or something, I will run this idea with church….
If you want for more 1st hand info and facts, I can arrange you and Dr Eugene to meet up…
In my previous email, I am covering about theme for the evening, maybe we can think of “ hope or giving…”
Jesus Christ came to this world and because of him, we hv hope…
That is all for now..
And hear from you soon..
Cheers,
J
Just hv this idea, as it’s happened to my church and not to any members, but to my own senior pastor, I guess members are more interested and concerned..
so I immediately write this down and share with you before I forget..
Our Senior Pastor, 70+ (Rev Lau) got a liver cancer last year, he went through treatments since then, but it got worse early this yr.. as it is the last stage of the cancer, it is not advisable to do liver transplant and according to MOH, it is a law that is not allowed to do any transplant at the last stage( or rather the chance of success is slim…)even the family members are willing to donate the organ…
However, in Taiwan, medical team can carry out the liver transplant even though the chance of the operation maybe slim..
Rev Lau and family have decided to go to Taiwan for operation, the wife and the son will company them as either one of them will be the donor ( provided either one of them is the right matches with Rev Lau….)
The cost for the whole operation is S$250K, church and charitable organization managed to raise funds of S$220K within a month…
They left to Taiwan on 16 June…
I was at the airport to send them off….when I saw Rev Lau, I can’t help but cry….
He looked frail, lost lots of weight and because of “water retention in his internal organs, his stomach bloated….quite a number of family members and friends as well as church members went to airport to send their well wishes to Rev Lau and family….
The operation did on 23 June…
The update news is : both Rev Lau and his son ( donor) recuperating well….
Understand Rev Lau has to stay in Taiwan for 3 months for observation….
Tim, the son is discharged…
Dr Pastor Eugene from my church company them to Taiwan and he sends update to us as and when.. Dr Eugene will be back sometime next week..
I am thinking you can use Dr Eugene as the person to narrate the whole story…
Maybe the way I write is too flat, but it is the true story
At the moment, any idea comes to me will share it with you..
If you find it can develop as a play or something, I will run this idea with church….
If you want for more 1st hand info and facts, I can arrange you and Dr Eugene to meet up…
In my previous email, I am covering about theme for the evening, maybe we can think of “ hope or giving…”
Jesus Christ came to this world and because of him, we hv hope…
That is all for now..
And hear from you soon..
Cheers,
J
From: jeannette teo
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2017 12:35 PM
To: Joey Cheung
Subject: Re: christmas project 2017
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2017 12:35 PM
To: Joey Cheung
Subject: Re: christmas project 2017
most narratives can always include musical elements. but it is the narrative that is the most important part to focus on.
ok, will think of a narrative with suggestions for the musical elements.
but best if you can work out the song and dance parts with your music team.
Sent from my iPhone
On 26 Jun 2017, at 10:01 pm, jeannette teo wrote:
ok, will think of a narrative with suggestions for the musical elements.
but best if you can work out the song and dance parts with your music team.
From: Joey Cheung
Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2017 9:12 AM
To: jeannette teo
Subject: Re: christmas project 2017
Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2017 9:12 AM
To: jeannette teo
Subject: Re: christmas project 2017
Dear Jean,
I thk it is along the line...
Maybe I am obsessed with musical, still prefer to sing live... Guess I can work out with my singing coach...
2 ways of working for this kind of narrative..
Get the storyline and choose the songs to fit
Or the other way around.. As the creator and writer, I will leave it with you whichever you think better....
Hear from u soon...
Cheers,
J
Sent from my iPhone
On 26 Jun 2017, at 10:01 pm, jeannette teo wrote:
hi joey,
yes, i'm also concerned with a typical drama script (with or without music) as performers are not actors and also how demanding is the need for time and energy to rehearse and remember long lines of dialogue.
maybe the story revolves around a group of young adults who volunteer to sing christmas carols at their friends' homes during christmas season? of course, it should have been a fun experience but since it's drama, they could get into trouble and that's where our story can get interesting LOL
think we could do a pre-recorded soundtrack, possibly narration style with voice talents for dialogue, while performers just act it out and sing on stage. ..??
musical you and your team can insert into the story/script btw...
what do you think?
From: Joey Cheung
Sent: Monday, June 26, 2017 10:11 AM
To: jeannette teo
Subject: RE: christmas project 2017
Dear Jeannette,
Thanks for your idea, always enjoy reading your writing…
To do a drama for u and me should be easy but the challenge is to get the cast especially the minority race and elderly, and of course we require the time and commitment from the team etc ( as I reflected 19 yrs ago, I was just wondering how and where I got all the energy, time n strength to do such a demanding production….)
I am not being negative or pessimistic but just share my concern as I know my church and members well enough, since you are in your mid-year crisis, probably I am in the silver age symptom, ha ha!!
But again, if all the above factors are required for an engaging script, I will go for it…seems I am more practical as you age ( and not let my heart ruled over my head!! Too realistic sometime…You know what I mean…)
Coming back to business,
I have an idea or a dream to put up a musical something like “Mma Ma Mei” by using songs to come up with a storyline, as this is a Christmas season, we can use all Christmas carols ( incl pop and classical as well as Christian Christmas songs…), literally it is a musical but to use songs to make up a story…the story can be comedy, melodrama, soap drama….)
Also,
My reply in bracket below…
It is a good start as we are heading to the long but rewarding creative journey for His sake!!
Cheers,
J
From: jeannette teo
Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2017 7:25 PM
To: Joey Cheung
Subject: Re: christmas project 2017
hi joey,
Christmas Project 2017 - Story (drama)
- your strength lies in drama. so does mine i think. so let's use this.( thanks for the compliment)
here are my thoughts and my preferences for story ideas...
i'd like to work on stories to reflect our current lives that families in your congregation can relate to. ( always and forever safe formula for any successful play or TV drama!!)
eg. story of a family today (singapore, current day setting, yet a timeless story),
likely a chinese family,
prolly with 3 generations - grandparents, parents and children. ( production nightmare to work with little kids, pls write off all the characters below 12 yrs ago, sorry to impose constraints!!)
if you need a few other races represented, we could set up our stories with...
idea 1:
create a family event where guests can be indian, foreigners from china, philippines, indonesia or anywhere else. ( challenge is to get different race to act as my church are all Singapore Chinese, by the way, talking about strength of my church, it is more on music/ singing than acting..)
idea 2:
we can feature a common place where families meet regularly... like a coffeeship or market or at a neighbourhood park. ( good idea, so no need to worry about changing the set…)
idea 3:OR maybe like the joy luck club, feature 4 ladies from 4 different families meeting every week for mahjong. (fyi, in our church, every Friday morning, the senior will gather to play, like singing karaoke, gardening or simple exercise like walking at the small garden in church after worship, the gathering ends with lunch.)
reflective thoughts for audiences to think about:1. this time i will try not to kill anyone hahaha!!! but then again, i like the idea that a brush with death or facing death can be a very good wake up call for people to reflect on the meaning of life.2. and what is life with and without God... maybe that could be the main theme...3. i'd like to discuss these ideas thru stories
- that living with God is "heaven" even if we and the world aren't perfect ...
- and to question the meaning of "life" vs "living to exist". (maybe because i feel like i have come to understand what "mid life crisis" is all about)
- choose to live today and not to build something for a future that never arrives - because the future will never arrive, and what is achieve-able/live-able is here and now - ie you live in the present and not the past nor the future
4. and what would you do if you had a blank page to represent how you would want to create with your own life? this "blank page" idea was in our initial discussion in whatsapp. i really like this idea
( seems it is a spin off of “Merry Christmas Angela”; as a matter of fact, for the first half of this year, we study the book of Ecclesiastes for sermon series on Sunday service , we just finished the whole book a week ago, the book is all about “ life is meaningless without God…”)
above ideas are all linked but i can't seem to summarise them into 1 sentence yet Lol so i will think about that along the way.
main characters:- young adult, 20-something ("millenials")- parent of young adult (40-something)
ok i better stop here.
what are your thoughts?
perhaps you could run these thoughts with your pastor/group before i start writing a story synopsis?
jeannette
From: Joey Cheung
Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2017 9:56 AM
To: j teo
Subject: christmas project 2017
Dear Jeannette,
Glad to meet you yesterday…
Can’t believe we worked together for the Lord 19 years ago and by His plan, we are going to work again, nothing happens is by chance…
Do take care, when the concept is ready, we can meet again, maybe you can come to Mediacorp new campus for lunch…
Relieved to have you helping the writing of which is the most important area of the project…
Cheers,
J
(attached pls find the script for Christmas musical 2016)
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