Directors Think Tank’s Sling Ng directs new Malaysia Airlines film via Imaginary Friend

In a whirlwind multi-country production adventure featuring India, Japan and Malaysia, the talented team from Directors Think Tank led by Sling Ng, brought to life a film for Malaysia Airlines that – by her own admission – is her homage to Wes Anderson. With a client willing to go the distance creatively, this charming project required careful planning prowess, adaptability, and creative problem-solving skills.

Why tackle this ambitious endeavor alone, when you can do so with a little help from some friends? The DTT team seamlessly collaborated with their friends at Fingerprint Films, Mumbai and partners, AOI Pro, Japan, showing that unforgettable work can best be created with a little know-how and good teamwork.

“We’ve worked with Madhu and his team at Fingerprint Films many many times over the past decade. We’re good friends and they have a strong production team who have never let us down. When they shoot in South-East asia, we reciprocate. It’s a good relationship and we knew we had to work together for this project,” said Sling Ng. “Likewise, our partners at AOI Pro, Japan were on hand to lend us valuable assistance in shooting in Kyoto.”

With a mere two and a half weeks for preparation, the production felt like an episode of Amazing Race. Shu Ying Tan, Producer for Directors Think Tank, Singapore said, “Putting together multi-country productions is never easy, especially with a conservative budget, but we believe that the script deserved settings that were exceptional. Thankfully, with our close friends at Fingerprint Films and AOI Pro, we can still make things happen – working with smaller crews, but really taking advantage of the beauty of the locations.” Working together, researched, coordinated, and hustled to identify locations and handle logistics The result? A rock-solid plan that made the most of the limited time, paving the way for an extraordinary production journey.

Given the constraints, the team allocated one and a half days for shoot in each country, with scenes shot in Jaipur, a set build and studio day in Malaysia and scenes shot in Kyoto, Japan. This condensed timeframe necessitated precision and a team who knew what they were doing, to ensure that Sling’s unique vision were captured. It required careful selection of locations and planning with the folks on the ground.

Four days in Japan and India, scouting locations, and finalizing talent arrangements, against backdrop of thees vibrant cities, Sling knew she had found the perfect backdrop for the film to shine.

In addition to the shot locations, the interiors of the plane and the party scene were set builds that were built in Malaysia, to best expedite the speed and particular aesthetic of the film. Shooting in actual planes can be laborious and time-consuming and this allowed the team to maximise production time efficiently.

“In true Wes Anderson style, we were going with something quirky and charming. Certain textures you can’t replicate. It’s always great when a production comes together and everyone is on the same page – production, agency and client. It makes the process so much smoother and the outcome is always better when everyone is pushing for the same thing,” said Sling.

With a client with a good understanding of multi-country shoots, who gave both flexibility and unwavering support, this film showcases the incredible collaborative efforts that comes from having invaluable support, like-minded goals, marshalled together by a director with a strong and clear vision and purpose. The outcome – A production journey like no other brings to life an enriching charming filmic experience set in a visually captivating world.

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Credits
Agency: Imaginary Friend
Director : Sling Ng
DOP: Nicholas Chin
Producer: Shu Ying
Editor: Boyd See
Post: TANK 3 ASIA
Music: PITCH AUDIO
Audio House: TANK MUSIC ASIA
Production House: Directors Think Tank Singapore
Production Support (MY): Directors Think Tank
Art: Something Reel
Wardrobe: Wardrobe Room
Production Support (JAPAN) : AOI Pro.
Producer: Ryosuke Yabe
Producer: Mak Hao Nan
Producer: Antonius Reinaldo Nugroho
Producer: Takayuki Inase
Make-up Artist:Akane Yamao
Production Support (INDIA) : Fingerprint Films
Executive Producer – Madhukar Kotian
Producer – Dhananjay Kundar