The journey is coming close to an end. Of course, all journeys will eventually come to an end. But they actually never end, because they play on in our minds. In our minds, we often dream, or rather daydream, about "what if". We ask ourselves: "What if"

Films are the same too. What if a film ends in another way? What if the filmmakers had more money and time? Well, these questions are always asked, but are also always never answered.

YELLOW LIGHT ROAD is at this stage right now. I ask myself: "What if I had shot it this way, or written something different?" "What if I had shot it in a different format?" These questions are answered, however, nothing can be done about it. So why dwell over it?

The completed version is radically different from the written and photographed version. Though a good part of the MRT train sequences stay intact, the narrative method has changed dramatically. This is largely because of the driving force of the superb music by Victor Low and gentlyfall. Their music helped define the picture. I was already at a lost, but their music guided me along and aided me with the morphing of YLR. Their music consolidated the mood, and gave me great inspiration. They serve as the second voice of the story.

Victor Low's "modulations" is a collection of masterfully produced, recorded and written materials. The melodies evoke moods, and that is a mark of good music; music that is both well played, emotionally and technically, and touches the heart and triggers the mind. From the longing of "Ponder", to the suspence of "Affixen", to the revelation of "Satellite", these songs play a big part in YLR. They set the tone and mood for not only the scenes they play in, but also the film as a whole. The presence of the music somehow makes it seem like a character on its own. "Satellite" also stamped Yasmin's presence in the film, even though she is hardly seen with anyone else but herself. It helped me give Yasmin more freedom to speak her mind, more space to explore her emotions and I am extremely glad about it.

I came upon gentlyfall while surfing for local Singapore music (bless the Net). When I got the "neverfigure" CD from member Joel Louie, "Its all good" immediately caught my attention. This infectiously groovy song gave me a big pat on the back, allowing me to play with and structure the early part of the picture, most notably the pub scene between Karen and Derek. Amongst the passionately arranged sexy and seductive tunes, lies the melancholic "Indifferent". This song accompanies the Orchard Road sequence on its journey to loneliness and lost. I have rarely seen Orchard Road from the side as portrayed in YLR, but I would not mind experiencing it. I am sure that right now, somewhere out there in the glitz and glam of Orchard Road, underneath the clusters of neon lights, is someone who is rocking on the same boat as Karen, Derek or Yasmin; ready to jump into the water.

I would like to take this opportunity and thank both Victor Low and gentlyfall for their generosity and talent. Go with your heart and let your music be your guide! Whoever said that there are no rewards if one plays music in Singapore? The reward is knowing that your music does make a difference in one's life, be it reel or real.

Although Singapore is packed with about 3.5 million people, there is still a lot of space for souls to get lost in. It doesn't matter if the buildings go higher in the sky, or if we build more roads, the lost souls will still roam in what's left. Singapore is like a salad; loads of green and everything in between. You get great food, terribly humid weather, gangsters and beautiful women; you get football, one-night stands, poseurs and hardworking shopkeepers; all on the same page. Singapore is the things you find and don't find on the island. The soul of Singapore is all about the lives that inhabit her. So show the world some soul. Singapore Soul. After all, the soul's journey never ends.

Aug 2002