Happy Chinese New Year!

My friends, it’s Chinese New Year, the Year of the Dragon. In Chinese history, Dragon represents power. But today, Dragon is a symbol of success. I’m here to wish all of you have a prosperous and healthy Chinese New Year, all wishes come true and good luck. Kung Hei Fat Choi!

恭喜發財!萬事如意!心想事成!

My 2011 Year In Review – 5 Best Things & 5 Worst Things

It’s almost the time to say goodbye to 2011, and it’s also the time for me to write my own year in review here. Looking back, I can say 2011 was my unforgettable year. A lot of things happened on me this year, some were really exciting, but there were several things happened this year made me feel dejected. Now, I’m sharing with you my five best things and five worst things of the year. Let’s start with good things first:

Victor’s Five Best Things Of 2011:

1. My media production skills have improved a lot throughout the year, and I’ve become more comfortable when I work in the TV production environment. Not just in the studio, this year I have got more opportunity to work in a field production environment. Although my skills in field production are not really fantastic at this point, I know everything is keep getting better.
2. Besides my skills in video production, I think my skills in video editing also had a big leap forward. Throughout the year, I have worked on a number video projects. Every time when I watch what I did, I can see my work is getting better and better, so this is very encouraging to me.
3. For the first time ever, I produced a short video series, which is called “Best Of SF”. I said it was my first time ever because I didn’t work on anything like that before. “Best Of SF” was originally a collaboration of my idea and another producer’s idea, (she has been back to Central America last June) and it consist studio presentations and field interviews or reports. We were a small team, therefore we often worked in multiple roles. Not only to research and write, but also working behind the cameras, set up the mics, lighting, CGs, switchers and post production, etc. Working on “Best Of SF” really gave me an idea on different roles in TV production, so I think this was a great benefit.
4. Also for the first time ever, I, along with an awesome team of people, worked on a 90-minute special TV program. My main role for that program was editing, although I was also involved in other aspects of the entire production. This was also my biggest project that I have done so far. There were a lot of stress when working on that project, but when everything was finished and then the program went on air, it’s a lot of rewarding.
5. I think the person who influenced me the most this year was… No, not my parents… Well, her name is Stefannie Tjong. She is currently working in a local TV station in Indonesia, she is also a singer and TV host. She has petite body shape, and always has smile on her face. She looks sweet like a candy, and she has a little pear vortex when she was smiling. That’s really fantastic, guess what? She is my apple in my eye and I have named her as a “Dwelling Male Goddess”. (literary in Chinese: “宅男女神”) She was living in San Francisco for several years until last June, and I met her last February when we were working on a TV show. Then we worked together for couple months. You might ask what she influenced me this year, I can tell you that her active and outgoing personality, as well as her optimistic attitude influenced my life. Because of her, I try to be more social active and work hard to get rid of my introverted image. I know there’s long way to go to have a personality like her, but she really gave me the encouragement, and she is the best girl who I have met so far.

Victor’s Five Worst Things Of 2011:

1. The first thing that made me feel sad about this year was my 25th birthday celebration. What happened? Well, back in July, it was my cousin’s 18th birthday, he held a big party at a local restaurant in Macau with a large group of his friends, and then he uploaded the pictures of his celebration on his Facebook. I was envy, I wished I could have a similar birthday party like his on my 25th birthday, on the other hand, I wished I could invite some of my friends to the party and try to get rid of my introverted image like I mentioned before. I sent out the invitations but unfortunately almost no one responded. Later, some said they might come, some said they were not not sure, some never responded. On the day of my birthday, no one was attending my birthday party, so it was my saddest birthday so far.
2. Again, I work hard everyday and try to get rid of my introverted image by meeting people, being friendly to them. But I’m too introverted in their eyes, so whatever I do, they just ignore. Sad!
3. Working in media production, I wish I could grow a big personal network, which I could explore more opportunities. However, I failed to do it. Look at my Facebook page and you’ll understand.
4. I always keep asking myself this question throughout the year: “Why can’t I be everyone’s friend?” I know some people are able to make friends very easily, but why is it so difficult to me? Is it my problem? I still don’t have the answer.
5. Finally, my introverted image has cost me a lot: lack of opportunities, lack of people skills, and even lack of money! I can tell you that I’m facing a big financial crisis. My introverted personality makes my life miserable, don’t you think it is?

This wraps up my “2011 Year In Review”. I wish everything will become better to me in 2012. All the bad things would be swept out, all my wishes would come true in the coming year.

I wish everyone’s career would reach a new height in 2012, students would get all “A”s at schools, everyone could find their loves. Happy New Year everyone!

Merry Christmas Everyone! Here Comes My Little Christmas Gift

Today is Christmas Day, I’m here to wish everyone a warm, sweet and merry Christmas. Well, on this most wonderful day of the year, I have a little gift for everyone of you. What is that? It’s my another finished video project – “Free Muni Service In San Francisco On New Year’s Eve”. This is a series of motion graphics PSA that I created and designed, the message is very simple and clear – to inform everyone in San Francisco that there will be free transportation on this New Year’s Eve night, also to encourage them to take public transportation instead of driving.

What makes so special to me is that this is my first time working on a PSA like this, on the other hand, this is also my very first time (trust me, it’s really my first time) to make a video for a specific group of community. As you can see, besides the English version of the PSAs, I made a Chinese version, too. You know, the Chinese community is a large ethnicity group in San Francisco, even our current Mayor is also a Chinese American. Today, many instructions, documentation, announcements, etc., are now available in Chinese here in San Francisco. You can now hear people speaking Chinese on the bus, the announcement on the bus is also available in Chinese, so Chinese language has almost become an unofficial language of San Francisco.

Making a PSA or video in Chinese language means a lot to me. First, I’m a Chinese American, so I feel proud to serve my group of community. Second, it’s a good way to proof that I still have the proficiency on my mother tongue, even I have not studied Chinese for many years.

Again, merry Christmas everyone, and enjoy the PSAs.

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