I’m very thankful for being invited at the Press Preview of 3D animated movie ‘Geng: Pengembaraan Bermula’ last Tuesday, 13th January 2009 at Cathay Cineleisure Damansara. For your info, this is the first time I got this once in a while opportunity to go to a Press Screening. I will try to share my experience based on the chronology of the event. Is it okay with you? Please take note that the time is not 100% accurate:

7.45 pm
After solat Maghrib at The Curve, I straight away went to the Cineleisure. After registered at the booth, they gave me a bag of goodies. There are many things inside the bag such as notebook, badge, pen, car sticker and CD.

‘Geng: Pengembaraan Bermula’ goodies.

Then, there was also dinner served to us. I saw many Les’ Copaque staff, I assume since all of them wearing the same black Geng T-shirt, busy with their task. Some of them also busy interviewing the guest. At the time when I reach the floor, the photographers and reporters were busy interviewing and took pictures of the lead actors of the movie who are Amir Izwan (Badrol’s voice) and Balqis (Ros’s voice). I got a difficult time introducing myself as a blogger when I try to make new friends since my blog is not famous yet. Luckily they know Pergh when I said that I knew about this movie from that forum. I also felt a little bit inferior since most of the guys there carried big-big-big camera, but I only got this tiny digicam to take photos below. Anyway, it’s better than no pic rite?

Lots of people and press attend the screening night. Most of the Les’ Copaque guys wore black Geng T-shirt. Errr..boley bagi free satu untuk saya tak? ngeee..

Photographers took photos of Amir Izwan (voice of Badrol) and Balqis (voice of Ros).

There is also dinner provided. Yum-yummmm…

Mohd Nizam Abd Razak, one of Les’ Copaque directors was interviewed by TV3. If I’m not mistaken, that lady in white is Michelle Melodi TV3.

Mr Vernon Fernandez from MDeC shared something with the lecturers from UniKL (Universiti Kuala Lumpur) and me.

This guy name is vrempire. Nuff said

8.35 pm
Now it is the time to enter the hall. They used Hall 7 for the screening. I sat second row from the back and have ‘Media‘ tag on it. I sat beside the reporters and cameraman from RTM (Radio Televisyen Malaysia). Wowww!!! Now I’m already in entertainment industry hehe One thing that I respect is they start the show with reading of the Doa. Then there was a short welcoming speech by the MC.

Upin & Ipin mascot are also there. My kid might scream if she sees them since they are HUGE!!

9.00 pm
The show started. I will write a special review on this film in the next post. Baaekkkkkk punyeerrr What I can say rite now is most of the time the audiences are laughing and awed with the impressive 3D animation and special effect.

10.30 pm
The show ended and most of the audiences (including me) stand-up and give the standing ovation, applauded, clapped and cheered in excitement. Of course they should. Nobody expect Malaysia can produce something equivalent like Disney and Pixar. Bravo Les’ Copaque!! Just after the show, my RTM friend that sat beside me ask me to be interviewed. I told her I’m okay with it as long as she gave easy questions hehe

vrempire after the show. He tried to control macho as maximum as possible.

10.45 pm
I entered the Press Conference room. I was given a special tag which indicate that I am one of the press. Aisey, many more big-big-big cameras inside the room..Aahh, I just snap with whatever I have rite now.

11.00 pm
The Press Conference started. The key persons that answered most of the questions are Tuan Haji Burhanuddin Md Radzi, the Managing Director of Les’ Copaque and their three Board of Directors who are Mohd Nizam Abd Razak, Mohd Safwan Ab Karim and Muhammad Usamah Zaid Yassin. All three of them are MMU (Multimedia University) graduates. Hey, I’m also from MMU. Nice to meet you guys For your info, Tuan Haji was a Petronas engineer before this and mainly involved in the oil and gas industry. I respect him because he is willing to take the risk to realize the Malaysian dream to have its own 3D CGI animated film. His wife, Puan Hajah Ainon Mohd Ariff is the Creative Content Director of Les’ Copaque. I think the session ended around 11.45 pm.

Press Release of Geng the movie. From left are Muhammad Usamah, Mohd Safwan and Mohd Nizam.The girl in the pink shirt is Nur Fathiah who play Upin & Ipin’s voice.

Lastly, I would like to thanks Mr Mohd Zarin bin Abdul Karim from Les’ Copaque Production for inviting me to this impressive and wonderful event. You guys are really great For all the readers of my blog, don’t forget to go to the cinema and watch it. The film will be released in cinema on 12th February 2009 (Thursday). If you would like to read more about it, you can visit Geng The Movie blog. I already plan to take my wife and kid to watch it in the cinema