Whoa what the fuck

NASA’s logo reimagined with Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night, by Eisen Bernardo.

Post a photoshoot, photos from a meetup, a photostory, what’s on your workstation, a faceup or modification in progress, something you’re sewing or making, even just doll selfies. Don’t forget to tag so everyone can see!

@manikamanila let’s do this

The stage is set. The curtain rises. We are ready to begin…

Heneral Luna: Comic, Substantial, Provoking

In a country driven largely by commercialization, mainstream media, and, at times, colonial mentality, it is ‘momentous’ to be able to witness a local film of remarkable value and impressive quality. Such was the case when I watched the film Heneral Luna last Thursday, September 17. The said film has been making quite a substantial buzz these days, already garnering positive critiques on its first week of showing. It has stirred an even bigger hype when the news of its possible early pull-out from cinemas (to give way to international films) spread like wildfire on various social media sites, igniting a more fervent desire among Filipinos to see it in the soonest possible time. Hence, in the fear of not being able to watch it soon enough, I asked my mother at once if she wanted to come see it with me after my Thursday classes; and exaggeration aside, I think it was indeed worthy of all its public praise. 

1. It was technically accomplished.

Perhaps like a lot of moviegoers who have seen this film, the first thing I’ve noticed about Heneral Luna was its cinematography. I was basically fangirling about it during the first few minutes of viewing because I thought it was so well-crafted, especially in comparison to that of the more commercial films being produced here in the Philippines. The score as well was one to be commended; it fitted perfectly with the scenes as they incorporated pleasing musical background to less intense scenes, while putting a more rousing sound design during the film’s higher points. Sure, a lot of international films out there are perhaps more technically accomplished, and it’s not that we’re easily glorifying what others may not regard as highly, but to witness a local film so well-done was so satisfying, I can’t help but think, “Kaya naman pala natin.”

2. It was comically substantial.  

I didn’t expect the film Heneral Luna to be as funny.

Heneral Luna’s character was pretty ‘loveable’, ironically because of his severely strict and aggressive nature as a leader, as well as his constant usage of Filipino curse words… I laughed every time. I appreciated how they made the characters (specifically, the soldiers) more “human” making this supposedly heavy film considerably more light-hearted. Archie Alemania’s character was also one of my favourites as it portrayed the Filipino’s ability to be –I don’t know how else to describe it– “loko-loko” in a positive way, amidst all adversities. (Because of these comical twists, the cinema every so often erupted in a unison of laughter and it honestly made the viewing experience even more entertaining.) Overall, the script was very witty – hilarious yet enlightening, sometimes foul but still powerful in every sense. I love it, I love it, I love it.

3. It was relevant and provoking.

Ultimately, what made me appreciate this film above all its other accomplishments was its ability to stir emotions, and, for some, re-spark an “outrage” that has long since slumbered. Some of us may view Heneral Luna merely as a historical film re-telling a story in a more interesting perspective – but then again, a story which we already know the ending of.

However, it’s more than storytelling, it’s more than sharing a new perspective; it’s a cry for change. If we think we’re already freed from the chains of our colonial mentalities and from our tendency to lean more towards the Americans, we may be gravely mistaken. (Exhibit A: Philippine cinemas pulling-out this rarely exceptional and highly-significant film after just one week in order to give way to upcoming Hollywood blockbuster films.)

According to the film Heneral Luna, we have an enemy much greater than our foreign colonizers, and this enemy is our very own self. The film challenges us to reflect on our own intentions, on our being Filipino, and ask ourselves which weigh more: “Negosyo o kalayaan? Bayan o sarili?” It challenges us to question the gravity of our love of country, and at the same time, encourages us to heighten our sensitivity to the condition of our countrymen. Belonging in a country labeled as Third World, the most practical thing to do might be to survive for oneself or to find wealth elsewhere, disregarding the cry of help of our very motherland. Our shitty government is one to blame for the country’s ailing condition, that’s for sure; but the pitiful state of our nation also probably reflects our pitiful sense of nationalism and desire for change. Since I was a child, I have always recurringly imagined myself working abroad. This… this kind of mentality probably is the reason why Filipinos are finding it hard to prosper. Despite our abundant natural resources, why are we seemingly endlessly struggling? Let’s re-evaluate our own actions, then ask ourselves that.

(If you haven’t yet, please find time to see the film for yourself. Sulit guyth. Tsaka mukang malaki-laki ang ginastos nila sa film na ‘to huy. Nakakaproud; marapat lamang na tangkilikin.)

Disclaimer: The original photos used here were from the Artikulo Uno Productions website; I just edited and put quotes on some photos.

Sylvia Plath   (via lovequotesrus)

Coming November 15 2015 - Sherlock: The Mind Palace: The Official Colouring Book!

Pre-order from Amazon UK for Worldwide Delivery!

OMG

It’s finally here!

After a year of waiting, the first performance of Hamlet has arrived.

I’m excited to see so many coming from all over the globe to see this production. I look forward to hearing stories about the experience that we’ll all share through this run.

Remember to enjoy every single minute of it and feel free to post here regarding your journey.

Share, Reblog & Enjoy!

Countdown: 15 days. So excited too! Fave actor, fave play, fave city this will be epic!

43 days! I’ll be flying to London from Philippines!!

   By            Jonathan Holmes    

   Wednesday 5 August 2015                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Chances are you will have read a lot about Benedict Cumberbatch’s turn in Hamlet, which opens tonight at the Barbican in London. How fast the tickets have sold out, how many miles fans have travelled, the decision not to sign autographs at the stage door.

Through it all there is a snide assumption about the sort of person who would spend such a lot of money and time to see their idol on opening night. That they are childish, hormonal, obsessive stalkers, the coverage implies. They don’t belong in a theatre, they belong in a padded cell.

The ‘Cumberbitches’ – as the media insists on calling them – are a much storied phenomenon, and as someone who writes about Sherlock for a living, I know they are a potent force. But the idea that they will act like screaming imbeciles is lazy stereotyping, incredibly insulting and misunderstands the nature of fandom.

You will not find a more receptive audience for Hamlet than Cumberfans. For one, their hero is known for playing geniuses, and Hamlet is the sensitive intellectual’s posterboy – Morrissey in a codpiece. This is a smart audience who values intelligence. They are not drooling morons who can’t last through a soliloquy without Tweeting. In fact the fanbase are ready to police themselves, sending out guidelines for how to act in a theatre including (sweetly) ‘spoiler warnings’ about particular aspects of the production.

Shakespeare is not ‘above’ Sherlockians. Cumberfans are a diverse group, and many will already be as obsessed with the Bard as they are with Baker Street. And even if they aren’t familiar with the play, you will not find a more observant audience than the Cumberhorde. This is a group that pores over nine episodes endlessly, reciting and quoting, analysing and extemporising. They are used to close reading.

Of course the applause at the end will be rapturous, but Cumberfans have waited a long time for this, until then why would they ruin it for themselves? There is more likely to be a respectful, awed silence during dialogue than shrieking. David Tennant, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are all stars of both stage and sci-fi conventions. Their fanbases are a benefit, not an annoyance. Yes, rarely you’ll see someone queuing for ice cream at intermission in full Starfleet regalia, but no-one is throwing sonic screwdrivers on stage.

I saw Tennant play Hamlet in 2008 and will always remember a group of young fans huddled in the lobby, removing the batteries from their mobile phones. They carefully put the batteries in one sandwich bag, the phones in another, then zipped them all into one rucksack and entered the theatre.

Later, as Tennant delivered the flesh soliloquy, I spotted a middle-aged man in a blazer sending a text message.

Perhaps this is at the heart of the media’s Cumbersnobbery: we are not mocking them for being obsessed, but for caring at all. For the weary media elite, visiting the theatre is a diversion, a date in the diary, a review to be written. But Cumberfans are wholeheartedly passionate about Benedict Cumberbatch. Seeing him on opening night is a major event, something to anticipate, savour and remember.

Their enthusiasm should be envied, not mocked, and I hope as many of them get to enjoy their hero as possible.

Do the rest of us deserve our tickets? That is the question.

This, this, this, JFC, this. As I just wrote elsewhere, the whole “Oh, they’re only interested because it’s Cumberbatch” thing infuriates me. I’m sorry, but even if that’s true, SO WHAT? Is it actually a PROBLEM that some people are excited to see one of the greatest plays in the English language being performed by one of the best actors of his generation because they think he’s hot? Is it WRONG that people who might not otherwise get into Shakespeare are going to be exposed to it through their fondness for the guy speaking his words?

Thank you, Jonathan Holmes of the Radio Times, for saying a hearty “fuck you” to that.

Ok here is a compilation of all the software and useful tools I’ve come across whilst writing. Some of them I’ve reviewed on here already, more coming soon. 

Enjoy! I may update the list as I find more, or I’ll make a second list.

       introduced species by len-yan

Soom Soultracker horns, anyone? Must be puuuuuure coincidence… picture was posted June 30th 2014, Soultracker was sold August-September 2014.

Seems even Soom loves to copy things from other artists.

Alright, it seems like there is no way to keep this subject quiet any longer, seeing that the bjd community found out about this on their own, so please let me clarify.

Last year I found out  a bjd company released a doll with horns extremely similar to a work I posted online not long before. I have contacted the company, pointing out this situation and requesting an explanation. I have gotten a reply where I was apologized to, stating that my work seems to have been used as a reference. According to the company, they found a version of my picture without a watermark and didn’t know how to contact me (so they didn’t). I was proposed my name being put on the merch’s page (to my knowledge, that never happened).

Having not been satisfied with such an explanation I have replied stating that I seek compensation. I have gotten no further reply.

I decided to keep things quiet and in the meantime saught legal counsel. I am planning to contact the company once more, asking for further negotiations. If we fail to reach a compromise I will consider pursuing legal action.

I am not comfortable with having my work used commercially. I really hope that my second attempt to contact the company will bring more satisfactory results.

Let’s hope for the best.

Meanwhile, let’s please not turn this into a witch hunt..

Reblogging for artist’s comment

I see so many praises for the ManikaManila community but in reality some members are classist snobs. Not everyone has mommy & daddy handing out free money for dolls. Some of us have to work hard to fund our doll habit.

~Anonymous

I don’t react on truebjdconfessions even with the mentions of ManikaManila. However, this time I want to say something as a part and member of ManikaManila community. (disclaimer: I do not represent ManikaManila and my opinions are all my OWN) 

I do not agree on Classist Snobs... Manikamanila community are very friendly and helpful. I’m sure that we’re just bunch of introvert people who don’t usually starts a conversation... just talk to us.

Lastly the “ mommy & daddy handing out free money for dolls”

WHOA! Where did it come from? Most of the members I know are responsible adults and has a job or knows how to save in order to get one. 

I DO HAVE A JOB AND I SAVE MONEY FOR MY OWN DOLL! I don’t ask my parents to buy me one because guaranteed that there will be a LONG ASS SCOLDING from my parents just to discourage and for saying NO. However,  I won’t deny that my mom bought me a doll, but I will make sure that I repay her.

from: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=659364744193925&set=a.569772516486482.1073741829.100003612163651&type=1&fref=nf I shared/posted this on facebook earlier but feel like it’s even more important to be shared with the tumblr community since it’s here that I’m most active at. 

Mr Dollshe is an amazing man…

And seriously, this just goes to prove why we need to respect the artists behind our wonderful dolls, working day and night to deliver their artistic vision unto us. Making a doll isn’t ‘so easy’, people aren’t just slapping them together with nary ten minutes of work to sell, this profession is nothing sort of a money cow to be milked yet these people work so hard and so long to pursue it to whatever ends they can; it’s inspiring.

As a person, as an artist, as a collector… this hobby has taught me a great many deal of things and for that I am forever thankful; to the artists that made it possible, first of all, and to the community that saw something in my own work that was worthy of looking out for -there is not one thing more motivational than that. It taught me to be patient, to work towards what I want even if it takes forever, even if it means I would have to go without other luxuries for a while (we often jokingly muse that we shouldn’t eat to have money for dolls). 

It taught me to stand up for others that share my trade, to respect and value the work of other artists as well as my own; it showed me what a community can do when it bands as one - from working to find stolen dolls stuck at the house of some faceup artist who disappeared to speaking out against recasts - because we all share this mutual kinship and understanding in our little niche part of the art world.Last but not least, it gave me the opportunity to come in contact with so many like-minded people, make friends I never thought I’d make, meet so many creative, inspiring folks. 

Five years ago if someone had told me I would be involved with a hobby like this and half a thousand people would be following me online for little reason other than that they genuinely like where I’m going with it I would have laughed. I mean, it’s a hard hobby to get into and that’s a whole lot of people… but that’s where we are now.

TL;DR Respect the artists and the work that goes in the amazing dolls they sculpt. Value the lessons this hobby can teach you. Thank you for supporting and following me all this while and giving me the opportunity to learn from it.