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Post by uptowndragon on Jan 16, 2011 8:59:24 GMT 7
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Post by uptowndragon on Jan 17, 2011 14:42:06 GMT 7
Scenes From KK Auditions - Production Crew Arrival (14/1/11)Its not easy producing a reality show, especially away from home base. It takes weeks of planning and preparation to set up all the logistics required for the crew to be able to organise and to document everything that transpires at an audition followed by the capturing of the qualifying crew profiles, there after. Even a simple audition requires tremendous amounts of energy and manpower to ensure that everything runs smoothly away from home. There are no second chances and everything has to be near perfect when the crew role into town. Plus the crew have to think and adapt on the fly in order to capture the essence of the show from ground zero and make the excursion a worthwhile expedition, that translates well on TV. Once again, Rentak Sejuta, is fortunate enough to travel with the crew to Kota Kinabalu, in order to share with fans of Showdown, not only the auditions there, but also all the effort put in by the capable team from Primeworks in ensuring another awesome season again this year. I was up at 4.45am, and left home at 5.45am. After a hearty breakfast (2 roti tampals & a Nescafe tarik) at the mamak shop downstairs from my condo, I took a taxi to KL Sentral, and managed to catch the Aerobus LCCT shuttle at 6.30am. Since there were not many passengers on board, the bus hung around until 6.45am before leaving Sentral for LCCT, arriving at my destination close to 8am. Most of the crew were already there by then and were busy feeding the tonne of equipment they had to bring along through the X-Ray machines at the departure hall. The 8TV crew led by Showdown 2011 senior producer Zebedee Costa had a call time of 6am at their office in Sri Pentas, so imagine what time they must have been up at. Many of them never actually slept the night before as they were busy preparing for the trip, and it showed on their faces. Also accompanying us to KK on our 9.30am Air Asia flight, were two journalist, Pijo & Kamil, from popular Malay language youth magazine Utopia, and B-Boy Shamil & B-Boy Zero (from Gila Battle Crew). Before long we were up in the air, and arrived in the Land Beneath The Winds by lunchtime. However it took us a good one hour plus before we cleared immigration, collected our luggage and managed to pile it all unto the two rented Nissan Urvans, along with the nineteen of us, before heading to the Tune Hotel in One Borneo, way across the other side of the Kota Kinabalu city. 
Meet the wondergirls - Shazz, Joyce, Mimi & Vanesa.
B-Boys Shamil & Zero killing time while waiting for pickup.
The hardcore dudes from Utopia don't mind a little chilling on the sidewalk.
The 8TV crew cherishing the little down time they have while they wait for the vans.
Senior producer Zeb always on the ball.
Must be some spectacular B-boy vid on the iPhone; they are still rooted there.
These are not P.Ramlee and Saloma 2.0.
A whole lot of stuff that need to be shifted to the venue.
The van rentals are finally sorted out.
Even Cher ...er, we mean Vanessa here is looking bright eyed again.
Tianne from PR must be wondering how Kumar here got through the metal detector.
Here we are at last at our sponsored hotel in One Borneo KK.
Our work is far from over, we still need to unload and check in.
Off we go trundling along with all the gear.
Zero & Khairul can't wait to hit the sheets.
Shazz & Anusha sorting out the living arrangements.
Producer Anusha sorting through the room assignments like clockwork.
We think Zaher here may have gone through the airport X-Ray machine by accident.
The Boys from Utopia vs Kota Kinabalu?More pics and stories coming up.
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Post by uptowndragon on Jan 18, 2011 2:54:44 GMT 7
Scenes From KK Auditions - Setting UpThe crew had only 10 minutes to settle into their hotel rooms, before they had to meet back downstairs for a quick lunch, which was taken at a local cafe inside One Borneo Mall. After a quick "chap fun", we were back at Tune to gather all the equipment that needed to be transfered to the audition venue at Novotel Hotel which was just a few doors away within the massive One Borneo Complex. The whole afternoon saw the industrious crew setting up for the next day. The KK audition was to be held at the Le Louvre rooms on the second floor of the hotel, and everything from the reception area, waiting rooms, props, lighting, and video cameras, had to be set up before the day was over. A proper parquet dance floor had already been set up in Le Louvre 1 before we arrived. Only the backdrop, constructed by a local contractor, was not there yet, and only arrived later at night. This late delivery had the crew working until close to 8pm before they could call it a day. Of course, some had to return back to make final preparations later at night. 
The Showdown crew rolls into the Novotel Hotel in One Borneo.
The cool dance floor was quickly tested by the unofficial dancers.
Of course some of us had a lot less to do than the rest (yours truly included).
Zaher, Josh & Kumar decided to play musical chairs - guess who lost?
Shamil & Zero warming up the judges seat.
B-Boy Zero from GBC giving the Showdown floor a once over.
"What time is dinner?" ponder the boys from Utopia.
The crew going through their treasure chest.
Producer Kiedd, has an enormous task of setting up the most important component of any shoot - LIGHTING!!!
The bunting brigade at work.
Its not as easy as it looks. Sometimes we wonder who designs these awkward stands.
The room is almost ready.
If you still do not know what's going on, here's the clue.
They got skills too.
It will be an easy path for the contestants to the auditions...
...until they run into Krshna.
"Show me what you got?"
The production crew making sure the dance floor is up to standard.
A late addition to the competition - The Crew Crew.
The reception & waiting room is ready...
...and so is the practice & workshop room.
It took a while but they finally managed to locate the ON button on the camera. 
"What do you mean by that comment?" (Dish! Dish!)
The sponsor crews are setting up in the corridor as I make my getaway from the unamused production crew.
More pics and stories coming up.
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Post by uptowndragon on Jan 18, 2011 3:47:25 GMT 7
Scenes From The KK Audition - Dinner Time At Medan Selera Kg AirAfter a tiring journey and a hard day at work, all of us needed something to pick us up, so we headed into the city to "cari makan" guided by 8TV's very own Shazz, who is a native of Sabah. Our destination was the famous KK seafood paradise at the Medan Selera Kampung Air, right in the heart of the city. It may be a well known tourist destination (it's featured in all KK city maps) but the prices were thankfully not tourist-y. It was certainly paradise for seafood lovers. Just look at the pics below and you will understand immediately. Our publisher Anastasia, who is a big fish hound, would have died and gone to heaven if she had seen this place. Unfortunately I do not share her passion for water creatures, as I am allergic to most of it, especially shell fish and certain types of fishes. So to be on the safe side, I tend to avoid seafood, with certain exceptions. Also fated, not to be able to partake in full at the impending seafood feast, was 8TV's assistant producer Kumar (my namesake), who was on a vegetarian diet for sixteen days, due to a bereavement in his family. Kumar's grandad passed on a week back, at the time Kumar was at the Kuching auditions. Rentak Sejuta extends our deepest condolences to Kumar and his family. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the delicious Lemon Chicken, the divine Deep Fried Salted Egg Sotong and the tasty, fresh & crunchy vegetables. The best part of it all - my share of the bill was just RM27.00. Awesome!!! The funny thing is; I surprisingly did not shoot any pics of all the glorious food that arrived at our table. I guess, I just couldn't wait to start munching away at the yummy spread. Ha! Ha! 
We could only gawk at the choices available.
Lobsters & fishes galore.
B-Boy Shamil was fascinated by the crabs. Maybe he was learning some new dance moves.
The place was huge, and the choices astounding.
Everything was clearly fresh.
Mussels, Clams, Oysters - they practically had everything with a hard shell.
The place was as busy as the ocean.
Krshna & Zeb, looking a little dazed, with the available selection.
Welcome to Acquaria KK!!!
Where you do not have to pay to look.
No, you are not in District 9. These prawns are just big.
I am sure our publisher Anastasia is salivating right now.
These sure look yummy.
I am not quite sure what these mixed selections are.
Fresh lobsters anyone?
They simply couldn't be happier right now.
Medan Selera Kg Air must be so popular than even Anuar Zain's marketing agents have tapped in.
More pics and stories coming up.
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Post by uptowndragon on Jan 20, 2011 8:34:53 GMT 7
Scenes From The KK Auditions - Audition Day (Arrivals & Registration)Day two (audition day) started as early as 6.45am, as call time for all crew members was at 8.00am at the event venue. I made sure I was quiet enough while getting ready so as to not to wake up my room mate Zero (from GBC) who would be conducting the workshop later in the day. I was down by 7.15am and was informed at the lobby by crew member Khairul that some of the producers were at a cafe at some shop lots across the road , so I headed there in search of my morning nourishment as well. Core team members Anusha, Krshna & Vanessa were already there and were digging into their breakfast. I grabbed some noodles that tasted like a ready made maggi goreng, couple of "mata kerbau's" and a couple sausages, plus my compulsory Nescafe tarik. The meal was reasonably tasty and cost around RM6.00. By 8.00am, most of us were already at the venue and the crew got down to the business of making sure everything was in order before the contestants turned up. The first crew to arrive at the Novotel Hotel, was an eager and fresh faced crew made of 6 guys and a girl, aptly named Zoopa Fresh. The young crew made of members from three other dance crews have been together as a team for just one year, and were formed specifically in anticipation of Showdown 2011. Being fans of 2010 heavyweights Floor Fever & HMC Phlow, the multi genre crew hoped to emulate their idols by bringing more variety to the competition. 
Novotel One Borneo plays host to Showdown 2011 in KK.
Still looking for the ON button?
Getting their daily dose of... YouTube & Facebook!!!
The registration counter is open for business.
Zoopa Fresh being guided by Khairul on the registration details.
Akai, Affie, Hanis & Maria from Zoopa Fresh.
Kumar & Mimi on a discovery of Zoopa Fresh.
Akai, Affie & Hanis seem amused by the line of questioning by the crew.
Maria Devonne - the rose among the thorns.
Zoopa Fresh's Zulhazmi Amran @ Akai is originally from Kick Aku Streets.
This Zoppa Fresh cutie pie is 18 year old Hanis Danial Basar.
Team mate Affie Adut is equally as cute.
Fans turn up before more crews arrive.
Who is that sneaking in under cover...
...accompanied by Deja Vu Breakerz.
It's Gaban from Borneo Soul Breakerz & Rasul from Deja Vu Breakerz.
Discovery session with Deja Vu Breakerz.
The spirit of the Bajau warrior glows bright in him.
Isi borang or buat exam?
A scene from Avatar?
Deja Vu Breakerz seem to have gotten extremely comfortable.
Flexi registration!!!
"Just doing my morning stretches."
When you gotta go, you gotta go.
Don't be lying down on the job.
Giving his legs a rest.
Meet the human pretzel.
This is one knotty guy.
Did you get yourself stuck now?
More stories and pics coming up.
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Post by uptowndragon on Jan 20, 2011 15:13:05 GMT 7
Scenes From The KK Auditions - Audition Day (Arrivals & Registration Part 2)                                                 More stories and pics coming up.
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