Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Continuous Learning - By ERCI Lecturer Habib Kassim

Continuous learning is a popular buzz phrase. Learning is a continuous process as most of us know that learning is “Life Long”. Each day we learn something from somewhere or someone. Learning is acquiring new knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, preferences or understanding and may involve synthesizing different types of information. We learn from experience, education, sharing and much of the process involve a conversation with others or ourselves.

What's in it for us? Learn everything or we’re not in the right place. Most of us believe that people perform best when we’re in the right job. Trying to teach someone to do a job they don’t enjoy doesn't work. It makes for an unhappy employee and a poorly done job.
We take control of our happiness. It’s ours, after all. Figure out which job is right for us, and then go about learning how to do it. The more we learn at work, the more valuable we are to our employer and the more likely we are to be promoted.
However the value of leaning is applied what we have learned. Application of information or new knowledge involves experimenting not unlike the developmental process of children. Children play, experiment with the world, learn the rules, or how to break them, and learn to interact.
Experimenting with what we learn and applying new knowledge to gain more experience involves failing. Failing in itself can be a great teacher if we learn from failing. We can learn from others failure and we can help others learn from our own failures.
We have to be curious about what do we wonder about? Do we wish we knew how a certain process works or what might happen if we changed the process? Be curious. Look around and wonder, about anything, and then go find out. Curiosity is one of the foundation blocks of learning, no matter how old we are.

If our supervisor doesn’t recognise the great potential just waiting to leap out of us, draw a picture for him or her. I mean this respectfully, of course. Create our own development plan and discuss it with our supervisor.
Our development plan should include, our specific goals; make them SMART goals, the knowledge and skills to be developed, required activities, resources needed, obstacles to overcome, benefits to the company and expected completion date.
We sometimes forget how much we know. We know it so well that we do it automatically. If we look around, there are probably people coming up behind us for whom it’s not so automatic. Give them a hand. Teach them what we know. It might just be one of the most fulfilling things we ever do.
To survive in society, inventory of knowledge can be our cutting edge. Learn to avoid mistake and to learn from mistakes. To make things efficient and effective, we should adapt to new changes, new environment. Learning creates values and reward. Face reality.

The Ten Must by ERCI Lecturer Ivan Muhov

The Ten Must-See Films of 2010


By

Count Dracula


Well, another prolific year for the film industry is coming to an end. Traditionally, the universally recognized Capital of Cinema Hollywood was responsible for nearly 70% of the film turnout, so I believe that it should come as no surprise that the films included in this list are all made there, more or less. Certainly, to the regular film-goers these titles will be quite familiar, but to those who are waiting to be advised, or guided, as to what films are worth watching, and eventually buying, here are the features which will make you feel that cinema still has something to offer to its fans:


1. Alice in Wonderland Director: Tim Burton

Tim Burton, one of Hollywood’s most beloved filmmakers, abandons the musical formula which he explored far and wide with his last two films (“Charlie and the Chocolate factory”, “Sweeney Todd”), to the viewer’s delight (or disappointment, depending on the taste), to give us this 19th screen adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s children’s classic. By also adding elements from this book’s sequel, “Through the Looking Glass”, Burton creates a visually dazzling, highly entertaining, tour de force which may stand as the finest entry into the “Alice…” film catalogue. Traditionally (remember “Sleepy Hollow” and “Sweeney Todd”), he doesn’t follow the plot of the literary material very faithfully, which leaves him plenty of room to display his dark surreal genius and a weird sense of humour. Ably supported by his constant “companion” Johnny Depp, who gives an outstanding performance as the Mad Hatter: the most eccentric and non-conventional character in the book, and the two up-and-coming actresses Helen Bonham Carter (as the Red Queen) and Anne Hathaway (as the White Queen), Burton has no choice but present us with the most visually striking and most compelling film of this year. So it’s high time for Hollywood to give him all the credit he richly deserves, and shower “Alice…” with loads of Oscars at the annual ceremony in 3 months.

2. “Shutter Island” Director: Martin Scorsese

After sweeping the Oscars with his last feature “The Departed”, Martin Scorsese spent some time directing documentaries, but here he is back with full force with this tight psychological thriller with shades of horror. One may be cautious when approaching the film, having in mind that Scorsese’s last “flirtation” with this particular genre, “Cape Fear” (1991) starring Robert De Niro and Nick Nolte, was not very convincing, but in this case he can safely bet on him since the man presents us with one of the finest, of recent years, explorations on madness and paranoia put on screen.

Leonardo Di Caprio (“Titanic”, “Gangs of New York”) plays a police detective who is sent to Shutter Island, an isolated place where an asylum for the criminally insane is located, to investigate the disappearance of a woman who had murdered her three children. However, if you expect the next-in-line “cat and mouse” chase here, you will be in for quite a surprise since Scorsese involves quite a few characters (weird and genuinely disturbing mental patients, members of the hospital staff, other policemen, etc.) as well making the plot well more twisted than just an ordinary police/mystery thriller. Di Caprio also has to handle another big psychological/mental anxiety: the person, who had killed his wife not long ago, is also kept in this place.

There are moments which the viewer may consider a bit stretching, and not very coherent: the investigation sessions with the patients last for too long without bringing too many solutions; Di Caprio is often visited by memories of his wife, and his participation in World War II where he had witnessed all kinds of atrocities, all these presented as flashbacks which come too often breaking the plot flow at times. Still, the constant suspense throughout the film and the shattering climax will guarantee no disappointments in the long run.

3. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Director: Terry Gilliam

One of the true auteurs of world cinema, Terry Gilliam gives an interesting surreal avantgarde read on the mythical Goethe’s Faust legend in which a mysterious personality, Dr. Parnassus (played by the British veteran Christopher Plummer), tries to save his 16-year old daughter from the Devil to whom he had promised her in exchange for everlasting life (remember “Faust”) long ago. Having outdone the Devil once already, Dr. Parnassus desperately tries to do it again, not without the help of another mysterious figure, simply called Tony, played by Heath Ledger (R.I.P.). After the latter’s untimely passing, which put the film on hold due to the sponsors’ refusal to invest more money, Gilliam created a twist in the plot by introducing three different versions of Tony, all played by Hollywood heavyweights (Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell) which get created when the character steps through a paranormal mirror.


After the last two not very impressive entries into the fantasy genre (“Tideland” and “Brother Grimm”) , Gilliam returns with flying colours finally managing to capture the magic of his early films. By letting his imagination run wild into all directions, Gilliam populates the screen with all possible kinds of eccentric bizarre characters which will keep the viewer entertained the whole time, and will make him forget about the few story lapses. So, those of you who think that the fantasy genre reached its peak with the Harry Potter films and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, will have to give it a second thought after watching this highly entertaining film.


4. Inception Director: Christopher Nolan

Having emerged as a potent force on the film-making field in recent years with a truly original vision and flair, Christopher Nolan (“Dark Knight”, “Memento”) directs this tense psychological sci-fi thriller which comes as a less action-packed blend of “The Matrix” and Steven Spielberg’s “Minority Report”. Leonardo Di Caprio again (the man keeps himself pretty busy this year) plays a kind of a hacker, who doesn’t break into people’s computers, but goes straight into their subconscious while they sleep, and steal ideas which he later sells to those who have hired him. However, complications stand along the way: a powerful enemy confronts him and his assistants, and Di Caprio and Co. have to outdo themselves in order to come triumphant in the end.


The themes of alternate reality and the world of dreams have been explored more or less successfully through the years: “The Matrix” is a very good example of the better attempts on the subject, as well as the forgotten 1984 cult classic “Dreamscape” (highly recommended to those who enjoy fantasy mixed with science-fiction with loads of special effects); and Nolan’s effort can be placed among the more capable ones. The problem is that one has to fully concentrate on what is going since the plot stretches into several storylines which in their turn introduce additional characters complicating things even further. All not comes very carefully explained in the end, which may be another drawback to some, but this film offers an open end and a chance for the viewer to sit down and ponder on the topics discussed (mental/psychological espionage, dreams’ interpretation, etc.). This will not be a carefree watch while having breakfast in the morning, or playing around with your children: this is more of a philosophical, thought-provoking, rendition of those subjects rather than a mere vehicle done for entertainment’s sake.


5. A Serious Man Director: Ethan and Joel Coen

The Coen brothers are in full swing in this amusing, but also quite disturbing at times, black comedy. Professor Larry Gopnik is quite happy after his personal doctor assures him that he is in perfect health. However, things get a sudden unpleasant twist following in a quick succession: his wife is leaving him; his mentally retarded brother moves in to live with him; a secret enemy at the university tries to destroy his reputation; students try to bribe him and threaten him in various ways. One can not possibly imagine the apocalyptic circumstances which build up really fast in the beginning of the film, and in the hands of less experienced and less creative filmmakers, this would have turned into an ultimately depressing nightmarish picture. However, we have the Coen brothers at work here, and their purpose is to make you laugh quite a bit along the way, and enjoy the ride. Well, it won’t be the most entertaining one in the world, having in mind the serious themes discussed, but this is where the Brothers’ genius lies: to make you both sympathetic to the characters’ misfortunes, and to make you laugh your heart out at the appropriate time. To reveal more of the plot would be a betrayal to the prospective viewer. By using not very known actors, the Brothers further emphasize on the realistic nature of the events described, which comes along with a not very optimistic general view of the world, with just a few sparkles of hope.


6. Shrek Forever After Director: Mike Mitchell

The old characters from the previous three installments are brought back for the fourth time to give another enjoyable animation roller-coaster in which the amiable green monster (or ogre) Shrek is a bit unhappy with his uneventful family life, and the fact that people are not afraid of him anymore. The villain Rumpelstiltskin uses this setback to offer him to become a fearful ogre for one day in exchange of reliving one whole day from his childhood. Of course, Rumpelstiltskin has other plans, and soon Shrek finds out that he has been badly deceived: he has been transferred to another world where his friends are not what they seem to be, and Shrek does not even exist. So till the end of the film he has to find a way to return to his reality, recapture his kingdom as well as all his friends, so that everyone would continue living “happily ever after”. Needless to say, he manages to achieve this in the best possible way keeping the viewer amused all the way through.


7. Knight and Day Director: James Mangold

Those of you who were disappointed with the delays which put “Mission Impossible 4” on hold to be released this year, will rejoice seeing their favourite star Tom Cruise starring in this action-packed thiller/comedy/action alongside Cameron Diaz. The man plays a criminal, or a spy, or a CIA agent: the problem is that the viewer will not be very clear about Cruise’s occupation until very late in the film, who kills everybody on board of a plane in which Cameron Diaz happens to be, too. She has no choice but to team up with him, and experience numerous life-threatening situations: fights, skirmishes, dangerous flights, narrow escapes, car/motorbike chases, and more. To the film’s big advantage are the beautiful exotic locations which will bring us from the sun-drenched tropics to the more restrained beauty of the good old Europe (France, Spain, Austria) in no time. The script does not give the stars a chance to give a more sensible performance keeping the focus on the shootouts and the chases. Still, fans of the James Bond and the “Mission Impossible” films, as well as anyone who favours fast-moving, visually arresting, “style over content”, pictures will find their “best film for 2010” here.


8. RED Director: Robert Schwentke

One can do no wrong betting on a good old-fashioned mix of action and comedy, especially when it is so filled with stars, as this one. Any film which can bring Bruce Willis, Helen Miren, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Richard Dreyfuss, and Ernest Borgnine together is “doomed” to success. And success it is: Bruce Willis is a retired CIA agent who used to be a highly-trained assassin during his days with the agency, along with three other associates (played by Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, and John Malkovich, the latter delivering a first-class performance as a psychotic paranoid killer). Things take an unpleasant turn when their former employers decide that those four know too much, and must be silenced forever. So our four heroes have to run for their lives, and see no choice but to team up together again in order to survive. The plot gets complicated when they suddenly discover a big conspiracy in the makings threatening to take down the whole government of the USA. However, the clever direction, the fast-paced action, and last but not least, the top-notch acting elevate this picture above the numerous “conspiracy theory” ventures.


9. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief Director: Chris Columbus

The success of the Harry Potter series inspired a whole string of similarly-styled films, most of them just pale imitations. “Percy Jackson…” sticks out of the “crowd” being a more interesting and more inventive entry into the fantasy genre. And one should not be surprised as Chris Columbus (also “Home Alone”) was the man behind the first two Harry Potter films, which arguably remained the best of the lot. So who is Percy Jackson? He is a teenager who accidentally discovers that he is a demigod, and not only that, but he also appears to be the son of Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology. His help is needed when Zeus, the chief god in Greek mythology, has his lightning stolen. This may result in a fierce war between the gods, so Percy has to do his best to prevent this from happening.
Based on another book series: the Percy Jackson books by Rick Riordan, the film delivers with its energetic pace and brisk sense of humour. The cast is also worth mentioning comprising of Pierce Brosnan, who plays the role of a centaur, and it would be interesting for the viewers to see how James Bond can turn into a half-horse; and Uma Thurman, who is brilliant as the terrifying Medusa. The young actors do their best to be on par with their older counterparts, despite the naïve dialogue between them, and the slightly clumsy development of the action scenes at times.


10. Karate Kid Director: Harald Zwart

Included here largely due to nostalgic reasons (the 1984 original was an instant classic), this remake has its charms, although it still remains way inferior to the first film. This version follows the storyline pretty closely, the main difference coming from the setting, and one would be pleased to find that China is presented as a normal fully-functional society the film-makers combining the daily routine with exotic locales to a very positive effect. Jaden Smith, Will Smith’s son, tries hard, but it’s clear that his acting skills are far from the ones of his father at this stage. Still, he has the experience of Jackie Chan right beside him, and the veteran steals the show reveling in numerous action scenes which are a vehicle for his great comic talents as well. For action lovers, though, the original may be the better option since here they have to wait a long time between the fight scenes, especially for the final showdown, which “apologizes” at the end for the relative lack of kung-fu pyrotechnics previously. Still, as a family fun the film will be a fairly safe choice, although its lasting appeal may not be able to outgrow the one of the original.

Well, that seems to be all. There’s nothing left to add here, apart from: “Have fun at the movies!”

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

ERCI 2nd D&D.....and this time.......

Last Year, ERCI had its very first D&D at Fullerton Hotel.
It was a bashing night, even the directors felt that it was unforgettable.

This year, ERCI's 2nd D&D, we are having it at Park Hyatt Saigon at Ho Ching Min City.
Yes its Ho Ching Min City in Vietnam.

ERCI is going to fly all of their staff via SQ to Vietnam to PARTY!

Besides celebrating the end of the year and of course welcoming the new year, it is the time of the year to recognise efforts of ERCI Staff.

Of course, boozing, dancing, laughing is all part of the process.

ERCI...... ARE YOU READY??!?!?!?!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Christmas Receipe By Klaus Meyer (ERCI Full Time Lecturer)

Dear All,


Soon we will have our Christmas break. Everybody likes eating tasty food. Some also enjoy cooking themselves.

Here are five simple potato recipes, which could make a difference on your private menu. Why not try potatoes once in a while ?

Boiled Potato Recipes
1. Dumplings from boiled potatoes

For four people you need about 500 g of potatoes, 150 g wheat flour ( all purpose flour ), two eggs, 50g Meadow Lea or butter, some salt, a little ground nutmeg.

You boil the potatoes with the peel a day before.

Before cooking you peel them and shred them into a large bowl add the flower the eggs, some salt and a pinch of nutmeg and knead a dough, which will be a little sticky. Then you melt the butter or margarine, give it to the dough and knead again. Now the dough should be alright. You keep the bowl covered in your kitchen and let the dough rest for half an hour and knead a last time. If it is still sticky, you must add a little more flour; or if it is too dry some more margarine.

Then you form “tennis balls” and boil them slowly in a big pot of water, in which you had given a pinch of salt before, for about 20 minutes. The dumplings will come up and swim on the surface.

You serve them with meat instead of rice or noodles.

When there some dumplings left, you slice and fry them golden brown on both sides and serve them with a salad.

2. Fried potatoes ( very easy to prepare)

You boil the poatoes the day before, three per person.

You peel and slice them and fry them with a chopped onion in little oil or margarine,season with black pepper and careaway. Add some salt but not at the beginning.

You can also fry them with a small sliced apple, and here you season with marjoram and salt.

3. Potato omelette

You just fry potatoes ( #2 ) with some ham, bacon or sausage, beat two or three eggs with a little milk, which you pour over and cover the pan with a lid. After a couple of minutes you just turn the omelette and fry the other side. Serve with a salad.

4. Potato salad

You boil potatoes, peel and slice them. You add a chopped onion, some salt, black pepper, sugar, white vinegar and sunflower oil. Instead of oil you can also use mayonnaise or fried bacon. You can also make it more colourful by using sliced tomatoes, chives, or sliced hard-boiled eggs. Use your fantasy because there is no classical recipe.

5. Potato pancakes

Shred for peeled raw and two boiled potatoes into a bowl. Season with salt, and add two eggs. Stir carefully and fry golden-brown pancakes,both sides and not too large.

You can eat them with fruit or sugar.

But you can also add chopped onion and some careaway seeds to the dough.

Bon Appetit and Merry Christmas


Klaus

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Whats Your Program for the Year end Count down?

“We are at the 49th week of the 52 weeks.....




With a blink of an eye, we are looking at welcoming the new calendar year.
Whats your plan for this year's NY?
Drinking? Squeezing in clubs? KTV?
Why not join Sentosa in their Countdown to 2011 at Siloso Beach Party.

Special Student Rates for ERCI students! Flash your student pass at Sentosa Ticketing Counters to purchase Siloso Beach Party tickets at $29* instead of $49!!

Play the Siloso Beach Match on www.silosobeachparty.com and stand a chance to win free tickets.

For regular updates on the party, ‘Like’ them on Facebook, www.facebook.com/SBPofficial

Click hyperlink here to http://www.silosobeachparty.com/ for Party Details.

*Terms & conditions apply.”
Start getting warm up with all the songs in their facebook now!

Meet The Fockers: Little Fockers

Have you been a lover of "Meet The Parents, 2000" and "Meet The Fockers, 2004"?

Familiar with the sentences like, "We will "Fockerise" you" or "I'm watching you"?

The long wait is about to end, Universal Pictures is launching the Part III of Meet The Parents on 23rd December 2010, and this time, its called "Meet The Fockers - Little Fockers".

A sequel to "Meet The Parents" and its sequel "Meet The Fockers", "Little Fockers" will revolve around Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) and Pam Byrnes (Teri Polo) trying to cope with raising their five-year old twins. Robert De Niro and Owen Wilson will reprise their roles in this comedy movie wherein De Niro and Jane Rosenthal are serving as producers.


Cast

Actors: Jessica Alba, Owen Wilson, Teri Polo, Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller

Director: Paul Wietz

Dont miss out the "fockering" session!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Tron: Legacy (Releasing on 16th Dec 2010, Thursday)


WALT DISNEY PICTURES


Website: Disney.com/TRON

Become a fan on Facebook: facebook.com/Tron

Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/DisneyPictures
Genre: Sci-Fi Adventure

Release Date: December 16, 2010
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia

Wilde, Bruce Boxleitner,James Frain,

Beau Garrett and Michael Sheen

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Producers: Sean Bailey, Jeffrey Silver, Steven Lisberger

Executive Producer: Donald Kushner

Written by: Eddy Kitsis & Adam Horowitz (credit not final)


Based on characters created by: Steven Lisberger and Bonnie MacBird


TRON: LEGACY is a 3D high-tech adventure set in a digital world that’s unlike anything ever captured on the big screen. Sam Flynn (GARRETT HEDLUND), a rebellious 27-year-old, is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his father Kevin Flynn (Oscar®- and Golden Globe®-winner JEFF BRIDGES), a man once known as the world’s leading video-game developer. When Sam investigates a strange signal sent from the old Flynn’s Arcade—a signal that could only come from his father—he finds himself pulled into a digital world where Kevin has been trapped for 20 years. With the help of the fearless warrior Quorra (OLIVIA WILDE), father and son embark on a life-or-death journey across a visually-stunning cyber universe—a universe created by Kevin himself that has become far more advanced with never-before-imagined vehicles, weapons, landscapes and a ruthless villain who will stop at nothing to prevent their escape. Presented in Disney Digital 3D™ and scored by Grammy Award®-winning electronic music duo Daft Punk, TRON: LEGACY hits U.S. theaters on Dec. 17, 2010.

My Soul To Take: Coming Soon in 2nd December


Overview
In the sleepy town of Riverton, legend tells of a serial killer who swore he would return to murder the seven children born the night he died. Now, 16 years later, people are disappearing again. Has the psychopath been reincarnated as one of the seven teens, or did he survive the night he was left for dead? Only one of the kids knows the answer. Adam "Bug" Heller (Max Thieriot) was supposed to die on the bloody night his father went insane. Unaware of his dad's terrifying crimes, he has been plagued by nightmares since he was a baby. But if Bug hopes to save his friends from the monster that's returned, he must face an evil that won't rest until it finishes the job it began the day he was born.

Cast
Actors: Zena Grey, Max Thieriot, John Magaro, Nick Lashaway, Denzel Whitaker


Director: Wes Craven

Monday, November 22, 2010

ERC Snaps Prime Centre for S$103 million

ERC Holdings has just bought over freehold "Prime Centre" from Hong Leong Group for S$103 million or S$1,415 psf based on existing net lettable area of about 72,800 sq ft.

The 16 storey building is currently half vacant but ERC Holdings will be making plans to renovate the property fo r anm educational huib and hotel use.

This is the next mega deal after ERC Holdings bought over the 999-year lease hold, "North Bridge Commercial Complex" from City Developments at S$46 million. With 60 units, or 38,534 sq ft, ERC now owns 91.3% of the strata-titled development.





*Information taken from The Business Times, 8th November 2010, "ERC Snaps Up Prime Centre for S$103m"

Thursday, November 11, 2010

New Movie: RAPUNZEL by Disney Pictures



Genre: Animation
Release Date: 25 Nov 2010 (3D Only)

02 Dec 2010 (All Formats)



Voice Cast: Mandy Moore,

Zachary Levi

Directors: Byron Howard,

Nathan Greno

Producer: Roy Conli

Composer: Alan Menken

Walt Disney Pictures presents RAPUNZEL, an action-packed, swashbuckling, animated musical comedy about the girl behind 70 feet of magical, golden hair. A princess stolen from her parents’ castle as a baby, Rapunzel (voice of MANDY MOORE) is locked in a hidden tower longing for adventure. Now an imaginative and determined teenager, she takes off on a hilarious, hair-raising escapade with the help of a dashing bandit (voice of ZACHARY LEVI).

With the secret of her royal heritage hanging in the balance and her captor in pursuit, Rapunzel and her cohort find adventure, heart, humor, and hair… lots of hair. With music by Alan Menken, this comedic re-imagining of the classic Brothers Grimm fairytale comes to theaters in Disney Digital 3D™ during the 2010 holiday season.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Sunday, October 24, 2010

MegaMind Coming to town this 4th Nov!


When super villain Megamind (Ferrell) defeats his archrival Metro Man (Pitt), the world should be his oyster. But instead, Megamind falls into total despair. It turns out that life without a rival is life without a point for him. So, he creates a new superhero rival, Titan (Hill). Unfortunately, the new hero wants to be a super villain, too. Caught in the middle, star reporter Roxanne Ritchi (Fey) asks the tough questions: Who can we turn to? Who has what it takes to stand up to this menace? Who will defend the innocent? Megamind! That's who.


Genre: CG Animation


Director: Tom McGrath

Cast: Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, Brad Pitt, David Cross, Aramis Knight

RunTime: 1 hr 30 mins

Released By: UIP

Official Website: http://www.megamindmovie.com/

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Jackass 3D - Hitting the Big Screens on 28th Oct 2010!



And here's the official key art and character biography....check them out!!! 

JACKASS 3-D BIOS

JEFF TREMAINE

The story of Jeff Tremaine is sort of similar to that of Cinderella, that haggard little wench come celebrated toast of the town, but not really.



Born a poor white military brat, Jeff was hustled from state to state until finally settling in the area of Rockville, Maryland. There he defied his parents on a regular basis and got into all sorts of ne’er-do-well activities such as skateboarding, BMX, reggae music, and art. Perhaps most key to this fairy tale is that in high school Tremaine made the acquaintance of Adam Spiegel, a hyperactive little pipsqueak that puberty had somehow kipped over and left with an extremely high voice for an extremely long time. In 1985, Jeff was booted from the parental nest and landed in St. Louis. There he attended Washington University and committed the most egregious act of his life—joining a fraternity—although he still contends it was a “cool fraternity,” whatever the fuck that means. Anyway, he did the fine art thing and graduated in 1989 with a penchant for funk-metal music and cross-eyed fashion, the combination of which may or may not have provided the inspiration for Funk Pelts, his garage op T-shirt line.



Diploma in hand, Tremaine headed out west to join back up with his childhood friend Adam, now more popularly known as Spike, who was working as a photographer for the BMX magazine Freestylin’ along with art director Andy Jenkins and editor Mark Lewman. Soon after Jenkins quit in ’89, Tremaine slid into the layout jockey position on Go, the soon to be dead end result of a collision between Freestylin’ and BMX Action.



When the BMX industry took a shit akin to something that might’ve fallen out of King Kong’s ass, Tremaine briefly waffled over to a snowboard magazine in 1992 before hired on as the art/editorial director for Big Brother, a fledgling skateboard rag that had gotten off on the altogether wrong foot with its first issue. In time, however, his leadership took Big Brother to new and exciting levels of distribution, notoriety, and an all-encompassing sense of stupidity not normally tolerated in any industry (excepting Hollywood now).



It’s no big secret what happened past this point in the life of Jeffrey James Tremaine. In addition to helming the Jackass franchise, Tremaine has served as Executive Producer and Co-Creator of Wildboyz; Executive Producer and Co-Creator on Rob and Big; and director on music videos for Turbonegro, Andrew WK, and The Sahara Hot Nights.

Recently, Tremaine served as Executive Producer on two new show’s for MTV that aired in Spring ‘09: Nitro Circus, following professional motocross racer Travis Pastrana and his buddies, and Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory, featuring Rob Dyrdek as he runs his business empire in a fantasy factory filled with surprises.

In addition, Tremaine also produced the critically acclaimed documentary The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia and directed Birth of Big Air about famed BMX biker Matt Hoffman.



JOHNNY KNOXVILLE

Johnny Knoxville, who rapidly gained fame as the creator and star of the controversial MTV reality series “Jackass,” is one of Hollywood’s most sought-after talents.

Johnny starred in and produced both box-office hits, Jackass and Jackass Two. He has also been seen in The Ringer for the Farrelly Brothers opposite Catherine Heigel, and starred as Luke Duke in Warner Bros hit Dukes of Hazaard with Seann William Scott. Before that he was seen in The Lords of Dogtown directed by Catherine Hardwicke and co-starring Heath Ledger and Emile Hirsch. Prior to Lords of Dogtown, Knoxville starred in a wide variety of films including the John Waters ensemble comedy, A Dirty Shame with Tracey Ullman, Chris Isaak and Selma Blair. He was also seen in MGM’s box-office hit Walking Tall, starring opposite the Rock, as well as Barry Sonnenfeld’s sequel Men In Black 2.

Johnny and his Dickhouse Production partners, Jeff Tremaine and Spike Jonze have produced shows for MTV including Nitro Circus, Rob and Big, and The Dudesons. He also produced the critically acclaimed documentaries The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia and Birth of Big Air about famed BMX biker Matt Hoffman. Coming up next, Knoxville will star in the upcoming third installment of the Jackass franchise, Jackass 3-D, which will be released on October 15, 2010.

Currently, Knoxville and his cousin Roger Alan Wade host a Sirius Radio Show on Channel 65 called “Me and Rog”. Knoxville’s show airs Saturdays at 8pm ET.

Born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, Johnny became interested in acting at an early age. At the age of 18, he moved to California to pursue his acting career and supported himself through appearing in commercials, and occasionally writing for magazines such as Blunt, Bikini, and Big Brother. In 1997, Knoxville pitched his idea for “Jackass” to Jeff Tremaine of Big Brother Magazine, and thus began his acting career.
Koxville currently lives in Los Angeles.



STEVE-O

Steve-O (a.k.a. Stephen Glover) has become a household name and it all started when he snatched a video camera from his father’s closet when he was fifteen years old. From there he started producing homemade skateboarding videos featuring dangerous stunts mixed with comical behavior.



He was born in London and by the age of twelve, had lived in five countries and communicated fluently in three different languages. He holds citizenship in three countries - the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.



After finishing high school in London, and completing a year at the University of Miami, Steve-O realized that college wasn’t for him. He enrolled in Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Clown College to help further his goal of becoming a professional stuntman. After graduating Clown College, and determined to make it in Hollywood, he began to pitch his home videos to producers.



Eventually, Steve-O’s videos made it into the hands of Jeff Tremaine (Jackass Creator/Director/Producer) who was working with Johnny Knoxville to create a stunt based reality show. The rest is history. MTV aired the first season of JACKASS in 2000. In 2001, Steve-O launched his own “Steve-O Don’t Try This At Home Tour”, establishing himself as an accomplished stage performer, at venues throughout the U.S. and in a dozen countries.



When the JACKASS TV series ended in 2002, the team moved on to JACKASS: THE MOVIE, released by Paramount in October of that year. Shortly thereafter, Steve-O and fellow JACKASS alum, Chris Pontius, were given a spin-off show entitled WILDBOYZ, which aired on MTV and MTV2 and lasted four seasons. In 2006, Paramount released JACKASS: NUMBER 2 in theatres and Steve-O continued to thrill audiences with his outrageous stunts.



In 2009 he competed on ABC’s hit show, DANCING WITH THE STARS, and lasted six weeks, despite an injury and having virtually no dancing ability whatsoever.



Next up, Steve-O can be seen in Paramount’s release of JACKASS: 3D, which hits theatres on October 15, 2010. Thus far (and still counting), his career as a performer has brought him to a total of 38 countries.



Most importantly, however, Steve-O has been clean and sober since March of 2008 and lives a healthy, vegan lifestyle in the Los Angeles area...but he still has no problem stapling his balls to his leg.


JASON “WEE MAN” ACUNA

Anyone who has ever been around this pint-size borracho will gladly attest to Jason "Wee Man" Acuna's popular one time slogan, "Little Man Big Mouth."


An unlikely European product...conceived in Germany and born in Italy...WeeMan was exported to the USA when he was just three-months out of the birthcanal. On American soil, he soon evolved into a trouble making little bastard and took to pushing a skateboard around the South Bay of Los Angeles. Wee Man first came to public light in 1993, when he was prominently featured in a Big Brother article spotlighting “wee” skateboarders (well, just two really, the other being Pancho Moler).



Soon thereafter he was sponsored by Bitch Skateboards, a fast and furious nightmare from which certain video tapes remain missing to this day, but his real big break came in 1995 when he was painted blue and told to go run around the streets of Hollywood for Shit, the first Big Brother skateboard video(the box cover of which he was subsequently featured).



Wee Man became a staple ingredient of the Big Brother world and routinely popped in and out of the magazine over the next several years (as a “french benefit” of his involvement with the staff, he is one of the few people on the faceof the earth who can honestly say they have gone to Disneyland with the band Slayer and lived in the same house with Rick Kosick).



After years of being badgered by the mag’s former art director Jeff Tremaine, Wee Man finally submitted to skating around in a Oompa Loompa costume

for the jackass pilot in early 2000, an act that ultimately sealed his celebrity fate and added a trademark to his name.



A little person for all ridiculous occasions, Wee Man has the luxury of ideas being specifically written for him that are tailored to his unique size and talents. This can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, he doesn’t have to do shit other than just show up and shoot; on the other, this can mean hopping out of a van and immediately being shoved into a bullring with a pint-sized matador outfit.



In addition to his appearances on jackass, Wee Man collaborated on a home video project entitled American Misfits, survived several tours of duty with Steve-O on the stage show circuit, briefly hosted 54321 on Fox, and appeared alongside Snoop Dogg in a T-Mobile commercial campaign, which is almost as good as going to Disneyland with Slayer but not quite. He also hitched a few rides with the Wildboyz, where he drank cow blood in Kenya and went deep behind-the-transgender-scenes in Thailand.



Wee Man’s other credits include TV: The Movie, The Grind, Death to the Supermodels, and the storybook narration for The Man Who Souled the World, a documentary on Steve Rocco and his formerly evil skateboard empire, WorldIndustries. Also "The Same" a silent film. http://www.iamweeman.com/

BAM MARGERA


Bam first broke onto the national scene as a 13-year-old pro-skater known for his creative street style and wild antics. As a teenager, he created the CKY video series, which featured skating, pranks and stunts -- all filmed in his hometown of West Chester, Pa. The combination of Bam’s unique on-screen personality and the tremendous grassroots success of the CKY video series became the platform for MTV’s Jackass and the highly successful theatrical releases Jackass: The Movie and Jackass Number Two. Bam then went on to star in MTV’s Viva La Bam and Bam’s Unholy Union which he also produced and directed.


In addition to Bam’s television and film projects, he continues to be heavily involved in the music industry through his work directing music videos, his show “Radio Bam” on Sirius Satellite Radio and his “Viva La Bands” CD/DVD series and tour. A tribute to his athlete superstardom, Bam’s merchandise is one of the best selling signature series in action sports. In late 2009, Bam also released a book entitled “Serious as Dog Dirt”.

Upcoming projects for Bam include the release of Jackass 3-D in October, 2010. On television, Bam’s new half-hour television special Bam’s World Domination premieres on Spike TV on Wednesday, October 13th. The special showcases Bam and his friends Ryan Dunn and Tim O’Connor’s attempt to compete in the infamous “Tough Guy Challenge” outside of London, England.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Paranormal Activity 2

Did you watch the Paranormal Activity that was in big hit in 2009?

This low budget film became a mega hit internationally in 2009 and has won several awards.

and now, the sequel is out.....

Paranormal Activity 2 is an upcoming psychological horror film directed by Tod Williams and written by Michael R. Perry. It is a sequel to the 2009 original film, Paranormal Activity. It is set to be released in theaters on October 22, 2010 in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.



The Production

Paramount and DreamWorks hired screenwriter Michael R. Perry to create the follow-up. Oren Peli, the director of the first film, will serve as a producer for the sequel.[2] Kevin Greutert, director of Saw VI, was initially hired to direct the sequel. However Lions Gate Entertainment exercised a clause in Greutert's contract to have him direct the next film in the Saw franchise.[3]


Both of the main actors, Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat, will return to act together again in the sequel. Katie can be seen in several viral clips and trailers, but it still remains unclear how Micah will return.[4]

Tod Williams directed Paranormal Activity 2, which started production in May 2010.

Catch this in the movies on 21st Oct 2010, Thursday!
Get ready your guts!

Sales Enquiry Office @ Bugis~

Since July 2010, ERC Institute opened another Sales Enquiry Office @ Bugis, located just opposite the Taxi Stand of Bugis Junction.

The New Enquiry Office is within the building of North Bridge Commercial Complex which ERC Holdings Pte Ltd, Parent company of ERC Institute,  has just acquired.

It will be re-vamped in 2012 into ERCI Complex.
Hence, ERCI students, please look forward!!!!

Having this accessible location, students can, not only easily source for good food, there are alot of shopping area, ie, Bugis Junction and Raffles City (a 10 mins walk).

Besides that, transportation is very convenient, MRT and bus stops are within minutes of walking distance.

Even the taxi stand is just opposite us!

What are you waiting for?!
Come Visit Us @ 470 North Bridge Road, North Bridge Commercial Complex, TODAY!





TGIF ppl!

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Dinner For Schmucks


Tim Conrad (Paul Rudd) is a mid-level financial executive, who acquires a negotiation over special novelty lamps with wealthy Swiss businessman Martin Mueller (David Walliams). Impressed by Tim's ingenuity, his boss Lance Fender (Bruce Greenwood) invites him to a "dinner for winners" in which he must find and bring an eccentric person with a special talent; the winner earns a trophy and the executive that brought him or her gets glory.

He soon learns it is more of a "dinner for idiots," and the guests will be mocked mercilessly. Meanwhile, Tim's girlfriend Julie lands a curator deal for eccentric artist Kieran Vollard (Jemaine Clement), and Tim unsuccessfully proposes to her, as he has done several times before. After learning of the cruel nature of the dinner, Julie forces him not to attend.
The next day, Tim accidentally hits IRS employee Barry Speck (Steve Carell) with his car when Barry tries to retrieve a dead mouse in the road. Witnessing Barry's bizarre behavior (he taxidermies mice and arranges them into elaborate dioramas), Tim realizes he is the perfect loser for the dinner. That night, Barry shows up at Tim's apartment unannounced and accidentally invites over Darla, who had a one-night stand with Tim years ago and has been stalking him. Barry attempts to send Darla away but mistakes Julie for Tim's stalker, giving Julie the mistaken impression that Tim is cheating on her. Afterward, Barry opens the door to find Darla waiting outside.

While Tim hides in his bedroom, Darla and Barry get into a bar-styled fight, scaring Darla away. While in his bedroom, Tim thinks that Julie might be having sex with Vollard. They break into his apartment to realize that she's leaving for his ranch. Tim and Barry chase her down to Vollard's ranch, where Tim accidentally offends Barry (which further hurts his and Julie's relationship), but he makes amends and they go to the dinner with Mueller, despite an extremely disastrous lunch that afternoon.

Barry is a hit with the group and is a shoo-in for the trophy, but unexpectedly his boss and rival Therman Murch (Zach Galifianakis) (who stole Barry's wife) arrives and displays his "mind control" power over Barry. After that, Tim tells Barry everything and, after some encouragement, gets Barry to win, before causing his boss and fellow executives to reveal the truth.

A guest reacts badly to the news and inadvertently causes chaos in the process, with Mueller losing his finger. A fire breaks out, prompting the fire department to show up. Tim is fired, as is Julie after Barry makes Vollard realize it would be a problem to have her.

In the end, Tim marries Julie; Barry gets in a relationship with Darla, does some artwork with Vollard, and hosts a monthly "breakfast for champions" for all of the losers. Therman writes a new book in the mental hospital; Tim gets a new museum started in Switzerland for Mueller.



Cast


Steve Carell as Barry Speck

Paul Rudd as Tim Conrad

Zach Galifianakis as Therman Murch

Jemaine Clement as Kieran Vollard

Bruce Greenwood as Lance Fender

Ron Livingston as Caldwell

Andrea Savage as Robin

Lucy Punch as Darla

David Walliams as Mueller

Stephanie Szostak as Julie

Rick Overton as The Beard Champion

P. J. Byrne as Davenport

Octavia Spencer as Madame Nora

Alex Parlar as Santiago Pérez

Jeff Dunham as Lewis / Debbie

Chris O'Dowd as Marco (credited as "Christopher O'Dowd")

Kristen Schaal as Susana

Patrick Fischler as Vincenzo

Randall Park as Henderson

Larry Wilmore as Williams
 
Releasing Date: 7th October 2010, Thursday

Monday, September 27, 2010

ERC Executive Search

Do you know that under the ERC Holdings, we have a recruitment arm called ERC Executive Search?

Founded in 2007, ERC Executive Search (ERCES) focuses in the recruitment and placement of management, professional and executive staff.

Since becoming part of ERC Holdings in 2009, a leading Private Educational Provider and entrepreneur network in Singapore, ERCES has developed a strong talent bank of senior executives of diverse industries and background that is supplemented by the strong alumni of ERC Group Network.

Using a unique full-service process involving technology and some personal touch, ERC Executive attract top-quality candidates and client opportunities that result in successful placements.

They have a dedicated team of executive recruiters that are amongst the most experienced. ERCES manage each of our client relationships with the highest degree of professionalism, integrity, confidentiality, tact and urgency.
Currently, ERCES is offering various positions from some big players in the market of its industry.

Log on to ERC Exectuive website, http://www.erci.edu.sg/privilege-partners_ERC_Executive_Search.php to find out more TODAY!

Monday, September 6, 2010

Devil - “One of the passengers is attacked when the lights go out”

Losing ideas of what movies to watch?

Let us introduce the new and upcoming movie brought you by Universal Pictures!

The New Movie, Devil 0 One of The Passengers is attacked when the lights go out"

This new and exciting movie will be releasing in Singapore on 16th September 2010!


Genre: Supernatural thriller
Cast: Chris Messina, Logan Marshall-Green, Geoffrey Arend,

Bojana Novakovic, Jenny O’Hara, Bokeem Woodbine, Jacob Vargas

Directed by: John Erick Dowdle

Screenplay by: Brian Nelson

Story by: M. Night Shyamalan

Produced by: M. Night Shyamalan, Sam Mercer

Executive Producers: Drew Dowdle, Trish Hofmann
Welcome to Universal Pictures’ supernatural thriller with M. Night Shyamalan’s (The Sixth Sense, Signs) signature touch, Devil.


Directed by John Erick Dowdle (Quarantine, The Poughkeepsie Tapes) from a screenplay by Brian Nelson (Hard Candy, 30 Days of Night) and a story by Shyamalan, Devil stars Chris Messina (Julie & Julia), Logan Marshall-Green (Brooklyn’s Finest), Geoffrey Arend (500 Days of Summer), Bojana Novakovic (Drag Me to Hell), Jenny O’Hara (Mystic River), Bokeem Woodbine (The Last Sentinel) and Jacob Vargas (Death Race).

In the film, a group of five strangers are trapped in the elevator, and one of them is the devil.
Devil is produced by Shyamalan and Sam Mercer (The Sixth Sense) and executive produced by Drew Dowdle (Quarantine) and Trish Hofmann (The Ruins). www.thenightchronicles.com/devil

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Notification: Relocation of ERCI’s Corporate Office to North Bridge Commercial Complex

Dear Students / Valued Partners / Valued Clients,

 
Please be informed that with effect from 4th September 2010, ERC Institute’s Corporate Office will be relocated to larger and newer facilities at 470 North Bridge Road, North Bridge Commercial Complex.


 
Students who would like to make enquiries at the new ERCI premises located conveniently opposite of Bugis Junction (across the road from MOS Burger) may make a trip down to the new ERCI Sales & Enquiry Office at the North Bridge Commercial Complex #01-04.

Students may continue to make enquiries at the ERCI Main Campus located at 343 River Valley Road from Mondays to Fridays from 9am – 6pm.

 
For Student Services enquiries, please contact us at 6349 2727 or email studentservices@erci.edu.sg.

For operations and facilities enquiries, please contact us at 6349 2727 or email servicequality@erci.edu.sg.

For Local Sales & Marketing enquiries, please contact us at 6571 9588 / 9599 or email enquiries@erci.edu.sg.

For International Sales enquiries, please contact us at 6349 2727 or email enquiries@erci.edu.sg.

We thank you for your continued support, and look forward to seeing you at ERCI’s new premises

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

ERCI Photoshoot with Students!

ERCI's photoshoot was held on the 13th August 2010, Friday.
There were 15 chosen students who were selected through votings and reccomendations.

These students were from Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Bachelors and Masters Courses, both Full time and Part Time students were involved.

The students who were involved are:

Diploma Students

Chielie Keneihouzo (Full Time)
Jonathan Low (Full Time, Local)
Xu Jie (Full Time, China)
Advanced Diploma Students

Tey Khang Weei Tony (Part Time, Local)
Fanny Anastasia (Full Time, Indonesia)
Inez Wiyakticintya Wigoeno (Full Time, Indonesia)
Abu Bakar Sidek Bin Mohamed Salleh (Part Time Local Student Representing Premier Vision Resources)
Yasmina Banu d/o Mohaned Hanifa (Part Time Local Student Representing Premier Vision Resources)

Bachelor Students

Fellya Widjaya (Full Time Student, Indonesia)
Fiona Lincoln Ann (Part Time Student, Local)
Oh Boon Pin Victor (Part Time Student, Local)
Ng Wei Liang (Part Time Student, Local)

Masters' Students

Philip Teo (Part Time Student, Local)
Lim Tiong Kwok, David (Part Time Student, Local)
Sunil Motilal (Part Time Student, Local)

Success Story @ ERCI

We have also invited one of our success stories of ERCI, Mr Robin Su who is our Diploma in Enterprise Development graduate, and now, Director of Bathworld, a leading sipplier of luxury sanitary fittings and bathroom products.

Mr Robin Su has also appeared in the Prestige Magazine (May 2010 issue) where they featured him as a young and successful entrepreneur in Singapore.

Staff Representing ERCI

Claire Tng
Thai Ailing
Irene Ang
Sheryl Chen

The agency we hired was Metamorphosis, who are the official photographers of the Automobile magazine, "Hot Stuff" together with their Professional Make Up and Hair stylist, Alex Ho .

The shoot commenced at 5pm, after warming themselves up, the students started to network with each other during the shoot.

It was a fun and warm night with the students and staff networking among themselves, jokes over dinner was a real good time spent together.

ERCI wants to give a big Thank You to all the students who were involved.


All of you played a part to make this session fun!


Here are some candid pictures from the session~

1st Set of Shoot: The Full Time Local and International Student which include, (Clockwise) (Bottom Left), Chielie Keneihouzo, Jonathan Low, Fellya Wijaya, Xu Jie,



2nd Set of Shoot: The Full Time and Part Time Local and International Student which include, (Clockwise) (Bottom Left), Abu Bakar Sidek Bin Mohamed Salleh,Yasmina Banu d/o Mohaned Hanifa, Inez Wiyakticintya Wigoeno, Fanny Anastasia





3rd Set of Photoshoot: Top Students of ERC Institute which include, (clockwise from the left) Inez Wiyakticintya Wigoeno, Jonathan Low, Fanny Anastasia


4th Set of Photoshoot: : Local Part Time Students which include, (clockwise from the left) Ng Wei Liang, Sheryl Chen (ERCI Staff), Tony Tey, Fiona Lincoln Ann, Victor Oh




5th Set of Photoshoot: Local Part Time MBA Students, Top Stories of ERCI and ERCI Staff which include, (clockwise from the left)  Philip Teo (PT MBA Student), Robin Su (Success Story), David Lim (PT MBA Student), Thai Ailing (Staff of ERCI) and Sunil (PT MBA student)




Set 6: The Making of Success Stories which include Robin Su and Philip Teo



Set 7: ERCI Student and Staff (A Kind of Friendship), which include, Sunil (PT MBA Student), Sheryl Chen (ERCI Staff), Philip Teo (PT MBA Student) and Irene Ang (ERCI Staff)


Final Set: ERCI Staff (Always Here To Serve You) which include, (from the Left) Sheryl Chen, Irene Ang, Claire Tng





Last but not least, the ERCI Team who got the whole session through.........

We hoped you have enjoyed the pictures are much as we did.

Do look forward to a brand new facelift from our ERCI Website and Marketing Collaterals with these beautiful pictures!

Do log in to ERCI Facebook for more "Behind the Scene Pictures" NOW!