Singapore Minstrel
S$5,535
of $4,000 targetyrs ago
Successful on 23rd Jun 2015 at 1:22AM.
I met Roy four years ago and was touched by his faith in his work and his magical imagination. Through Roy, a whole other world unraveled- I got to know the ins and outs of busking, heard countless busking stories and met many buskers, learnt about the history of busking in Singapore, and became friends with an eccentric breed.
In 2012, Roy was disallowed by various institutions from busking on Orchard Road (Singapore’s world-class shopping belt), where he started off, and where busking first took heart in Singapore. Many of the original Orchard Road buskers are also no longer allowed there, and now ply their trade elsewhere. This event felt unfair, another frustrating instance of controlled decision-making without robust dialogue- or any real belief in the cultural significance of busking.
I was soon struck with the realisation that busking history and buskers are little-known, fascinating parts of culture and everyday life in Singapore, that deserve documentation– and more! In a hardheaded nation, busking is often undermined, and policies could be improved to better support busking. Roy represents a belief in art and expression that speaks of a larger cultural – and universal – struggle.
To see more photos of Roy’s work, visit his site here.
What the film is about
Singapore Minstrel is a feature film about Roy Payamal, the wildest busker of a country ranked the world’s most emotionless society. It portrays busking, his undermined line of work, as a serious art- but is Roy's faith blind idealism or an admirable conviction?
Roy is an old-time pioneer of the local scene, sometimes dubbed the ‘Silver Man’, who creates spectacular installations for a mind-boggling act. His street colleagues are a gang of offbeat, seasoned male buskers– from a 70-year-old man who dances Gangnam Style with vitality, to a lovable guitarist trying to pass the busking auditions.
Through intimate interviews and fantasy sequences, the film portrays Roy’s unique, trying universe as art and life dialogue with one another. It unravels both his and the nation’s busking journeys, calling attention to a troupe of eccentric underdogs and examines what culture means in a hard-fisted country like Singapore. The film also features original solo songs by Roy and performance artist Lee Wen.
singaporeminstrel.com
facebook.com/singaporeminstrel
Roy is an old-time pioneer of the local scene, sometimes dubbed the ‘Silver Man’, who creates spectacular installations for a mind-boggling act. His street colleagues are a gang of offbeat, seasoned male buskers– from a 70-year-old man who dances Gangnam Style with vitality, to a lovable guitarist trying to pass the busking auditions.
Through intimate interviews and fantasy sequences, the film portrays Roy’s unique, trying universe as art and life dialogue with one another. It unravels both his and the nation’s busking journeys, calling attention to a troupe of eccentric underdogs and examines what culture means in a hard-fisted country like Singapore. The film also features original solo songs by Roy and performance artist Lee Wen.
singaporeminstrel.com
facebook.com/singaporeminstrel
Rewards
More information on the following-
TIE DYE:
Measurements are ACROSS.
MAGICAL DINNER PICNIC:
Over the years, Esmonde (assistant director/producer) has gained a little reputation for his marvelous creations - always with a big serving of warmth and magic! Known for tirelessly organising cosy gatherings, spending days (and nights) cooking and creating elaborate installations that take you to a place where everything is warmer and twinklier. Here, he whips up his *PARTY FAVOURITES* as examples of the Magical Dinner Picnic reward. Indian, mediterranean and other flavours of the world! The actual menu will be based on your preferences.
Join our little picnic!
Dip platter- hummus, babaganoush, muhammara. Utterly addictive!
Couscous with balsamic grilled veggies. Includes mushrooms, eggplants, sweet potatoes and apple slices. Warming and cosy.
Esmonde grills snapper over a charcoal flame.
Snapper satay with spicy pineapple sauce. The playful tangy flavour comes from pineapple, ginger and chilli. What's really lovely is that the fish has been spiked onto basil plant branches.
Esmonde once got into the papers for his Indian ice cream. This is pista kulfi- pistachio flavoured ice cream, in adorable cubes you can suck on. What's inside? Ground pistachio, cardamom and saffron strands * * *
Pista kulfi also comes in a popsicle.
TIE DYE:
Measurements are ACROSS.
MAGICAL DINNER PICNIC:
Over the years, Esmonde (assistant director/producer) has gained a little reputation for his marvelous creations - always with a big serving of warmth and magic! Known for tirelessly organising cosy gatherings, spending days (and nights) cooking and creating elaborate installations that take you to a place where everything is warmer and twinklier. Here, he whips up his *PARTY FAVOURITES* as examples of the Magical Dinner Picnic reward. Indian, mediterranean and other flavours of the world! The actual menu will be based on your preferences.
Join our little picnic!
Dip platter- hummus, babaganoush, muhammara. Utterly addictive!
Couscous with balsamic grilled veggies. Includes mushrooms, eggplants, sweet potatoes and apple slices. Warming and cosy.
Esmonde grills snapper over a charcoal flame.
Snapper satay with spicy pineapple sauce. The playful tangy flavour comes from pineapple, ginger and chilli. What's really lovely is that the fish has been spiked onto basil plant branches.
Esmonde once got into the papers for his Indian ice cream. This is pista kulfi- pistachio flavoured ice cream, in adorable cubes you can suck on. What's inside? Ground pistachio, cardamom and saffron strands * * *
Pista kulfi also comes in a popsicle.
In Conclusion
It’s been my honour to work on this film and meet everyone that we’ve encountered along the way. Busking is about belief- in humanity, in an unorthodox way of living, in magic, in life itself. I hope the film will say something about us as a people, about art, freedom, imagination and courage, and question idealism in a society where to be different takes a lot of heart.
Finally, a big thank you to all the friends who have helped us along the way! Thank you very much for believing with us.
I hope you will support this endeavour in some way!
Finally, a big thank you to all the friends who have helped us along the way! Thank you very much for believing with us.
I hope you will support this endeavour in some way!
How The Funds Will Be Used
Singapore Minstrel has been in the making for almost two years.
Originally intended to be a short film, the film became much more and we have been trying to raise more funds to make a feature film out of it. Through encountering over 20 buskers, we have sifted through lots of footage, including over 8 hours of interviews with Roy.
The funds will be used to finish the film, namely for:
Final shoots
Pick-up shots
Sound design
Sound correction
Colour-grading
Transfer costs
Any amount you can contribute will help us in some way!
Originally intended to be a short film, the film became much more and we have been trying to raise more funds to make a feature film out of it. Through encountering over 20 buskers, we have sifted through lots of footage, including over 8 hours of interviews with Roy.
The funds will be used to finish the film, namely for:
Final shoots
Pick-up shots
Sound design
Sound correction
Colour-grading
Transfer costs
Any amount you can contribute will help us in some way!
The Challenges
The main challenges now are finishing up our final shoots, putting together our final edit and getting sound design properly done for the film. With a timeline in place and crowdfunding set to help, we are looking at finishing the project in the next few months.
THANK YOU
Thanks in credits- your small contribution goes some way in the universe !
2 chosen
Est. delivery is Dec 15
DVD
You will receive a well-packaged DVD of the finished film! + Thanks in credits
30 chosen / 170 available
Est. delivery is Dec 15
DVD & POSTER
A soulful Singapore Minstrel film poster + DVD of the finished film + Thanks in credits
4 chosen / 96 available
Est. delivery is Dec 15
HOMEMADE TIE DYE SHIRT!
We are making wondrous tie-dye garments! 100% cotton, in LIMESTONE and MOONBERRY colours. Opt for sleeveless and circus tassels too! HANDMADE WITH SPIRIT- tie-dyed and hand-painted by us. Each piece is unique and kinda cosmic. If you’re not into bright colours, these are subtler and go well with basics. What is the meaning of Singapore Minstrel? It’s an oxymoron you can merrily wear. [ see image below + see size chart in main text body ] + DVD & Thanks in credits
25 chosen / 25 available
Est. delivery is Dec 15
HOME SCREENING
Think your friends and family will enjoy the film? We’ll come over and screen it before the film’s first public screening, plus chat about the film after! This will take an estimated 2 to 2.5 hours. In Singapore only and up to 10 people per screening. + DVD, Shirt or Poster, Thanks in credits
2 chosen / 1 available
Est. delivery is Nov 15
JUGGLING WORKSHOP
A 1.5 hour juggling workshop with Roy for you and 2 friends! Roy started The Substation’s first Juggling Club in the 90s. He’s juggled for decades and taught himself fire eating, balancing and acrobatics. He will teach you to make your own juggling balls (this is cool), with materials provided. For both children and adults. In Singapore only. A maximum of 9 people will attend the workshop. + DVD, Shirt or Poster, Thanks in credits
0 chosen / 3 available
Est. delivery is Dec 15
MAGICAL DINNER PICNIC
Special picnic with 2 of your friends, the filmmakers & Roy (we’re not famous but we’ve got stories!) The highlight: Esmonde (Asst Dir/Prod) has gained a little reputation for his marvelous culinary creations from Mediterranean to Indian- he’s even been featured in the Straits Times for his Indian icecream. We’ll set up a lovely dinner with a surprise menu at your preferred location & enjoy the night! Singapore only. SEE TEXT BODY ON LEFT FOR PHOTOS. + DVD, Shirt or Poster, Thanks in credits
0 chosen / 3 available
Est. delivery is Dec 15
CUSTOM PHOTOSHOOT
If you need something done for yourself or want to gift this to someone special! Here’s a half-day photoshoot by Xi Jie- pre-wedding, pregnancy, baby, band shoots or other ideas. Visit saltythunder.net/other-images.html to see some images. Please contact us before purchasing this reward. In Singapore only. + DVD, Shirt OR Poster, Thanks in credits
0 chosen / 3 available
Est. delivery is Dec 15
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Golly gee whiz! You will receive an Associate Producer credit, DVD, tie-dye shirt, poster, and let us bake you a marvellous dark chocolate cake! (Cake limited to Singapore, but we’ll send you something special if you’re overseas) Thank you! * * *
0 chosen / 2 available
Est. delivery is Dec 15