Radio days and kung fu fighting

It was a couple of days ago that I realised that we had been focussing on so much of the drama, gunplay and car stunts of 'Blood Bond', we were in danger of neglecting the martial arts action aspect. As you all know, 'kung fu' is my middle name. (Actually, its 'Maurice', but, if my parents would have planned better, it would have been 'kung fu').

I raised this with our director, Michael Biehn, and he agreed that, on relevant days, we should split into two units, with my team handling Phoenix Chou's martial arts fights and him focussing on, well, everything else!

Naturally, I would only suggest this in the certain knowledge that I had the services of action directors Louis Fan and Ken Yip at my disposal.

I've always believed that you can only make an impact with something new, or else something that we haven't seen in a while. My challenge to them was to find a way to make Tai Chi techniques works in a contemporary setting.

To this end, I had the great Chen Tai Chi stylist Ocean Hou training our original Deva actress. When we finally made the difficult decision to replace her, Phoenix was put into Tai Chi boot camp, but came out with a killer set of moves she couldn't wait to show off on screen.

So this morning began with Michael rising early to shoot a scene with stars Simon Yam and Emma Pei . The scene was located at what is (in the script) a remote radio station. Fortunately, we found a suitable antenna with an alley beneath it (and countryside beyond) that served our purposes.

It was only available between dawn and 8.30am, so the crew had to work fast and furiously to get set up in time for the shoot.

Fortunately, working with Simon Yam, you have a performer who brings it all, and all of the time, whatever the hour, and we've all fallen in love with our lethal lady rebel Emma Pei.

These two have such a great chemistry, they warm the alleyway even before the sun has risen.

Working at his usual rapid clip, Michael had the scene wrapped well before the appointed hour.

Meanwhile, I was back in the studio, supervising the preparation for Phoe's first major fight in the film, a scene set in a hotel suite where she defeats an assassin sent to slay her master. We had shot the first part of the sequence earlier, while we had Ye Xiao-gang, who plays the Bagwun, with us.

There's a dialogue sequence between master and student, and then a shot where Deva awakes, aware that something is amiss. That's where we left it, and that's where we'll pick it up now...

When it was finally show time, Phoenix proved to us that all her training had paid off, and she performed to the exacting level demanded by Louis, Ken and myself. For all of you would-be martial arts stars out there, let me tell you, its not the techniques alone that wear you out, its the sheer repetition!

Phoe performed take after take without complaint, and made it evident that we had absolutely made the right choice in casting our Deva.

That evening, actor Lin Dong-fu, who plays Captain Trayng in the film, arrived at the studio. Lin is a well-known TV actor, and has a wonderful speaking voice (and perfect English!). He was formerly the Mandarin voice for such actors as Lee Marvin, Gregory Peck and, in 'Star Wars', James Earl Jones!

Given that this was the first time Phoenix was really being called on to show her stuff, she had our full court press in terms of support. Besides Ken, Louis and myself, her Tai Chi teacher Ocean Hou was on set, as well as our invaluable co-producer Seth Scher.

Our poor DP, Ross Clarkson, and gaffer Eric Boland ended up working an 18 hour day, with not a word of complaint. My respects to both these worthy gentlemen for their energy and support.

A great day: the launch of a new action queen and a new style of movie martial arts...

Next : More radio days, and the captain's log...

Simon Yam : Rebel Hero

I guess the French New Wave catches up with all directors eventually. It certainly seemed to for our revered helmer Michael Biehn today, who turned up in a grey sweater and white scarf. Very Truffaut. (The reality is that the morning air was cold and this was all he could finagle from the costume department!)

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, I first worked with Simon Yam around 28 years ago ("before I was born!", as mode-turned-actress Emma Pei likes to remind me). We've been friends ever since, so its a particular pleasure to have him in the cast of 'Blood Bond'.

Simon spoils you for other actors. He is so congenial, patient, professional... Yam's unique charisma brightens the whole set, or the whole studio, depending on where he is at the time!

Though he's been in Nanhai for a couple of days, he shot for the first time today. Its a great establishing shot for his character: his aide Guang Di (Emma Pei) drives up to his rebel camp in a jeep, and, in a sweeping crane shot, we follow her through the assembled revolutionary soldiers until she finds Lompoc.

Fortunately for us, Emma can drive, something no-one had ever thought to ask! Ms Pei is full of surprises. She's model skinny, but can kick ass with the best of them. She also has this vry affecting intensity, especially in close-ups, that belies her elfin features. I think she can really make a go of this acting thing if she puts her mind to it...

There was an instant rapport between Emma and Simon, which completely suits their characters in the film. He teases and impersonates her constantly, but she seems to love it.

The camp itself is situated just across from where we shot Ding's hangout. We refer to this area as 'the reservoir' (given the expanse of water it faces). The art department had gone to great lengths to capture the grungy grandeur of the camp, allowing DP Ross Clarkson to shoot it from all sides.

When we first scheduled this, it basically consisted of two scenes, and I felt sure we'd wrap early. As it turned out, the logistics involved meant that it was easily a full day. Another note to novice producers: everything takes longer than you thought it would!

Next : Radio days and kung fu fighting

Rumble in the jungle (part two)

Michael and the team were back in the woods at daybreak, to continue the scene where our lead character, John Tremayne, gets to show his stuff as a former Special Forces operative. MB and the team were whistling through the shots and there was a great energy on the set.

I was on and off the location, heading back to the studio to do 'producer stuff' to prep for the days ahead.

I've probably said his before, but: note to all you would-be producers, its not what you're shooting now but what you're going to be shooting tomorrow that kills you!

Michael spent the early part of the day directing the PLM rebel gunmen as they move stealthily through the terrain. I can't say enough about our stunt team. They bring total concentration to their acting performance, as well as the physical demands of their roles. Even though none of them are fluent in English, they worked so hard to deliver the lines that Michael had for them.

Though we'd already shot him out, the great Kong Sifu remained on the set throughout, as he so loved being back on an action movie. (By the way, I forgot to mention that his English name is 'Rambo' Kong, so he must feel quite at home in this locale!)

For the next part of the sequence, we see Deva (Phoenix Chou) acting as a decoy to draw the soldiers away from Tremayne.

Phoe was gung ho as ever about rooting around in the untamed forest (in a tank top) getting her arms (and nose!) scratched in the process. I keep imagining how our earlier casting choices for Deva would have fared. I can't believe we'd have found anyone with more grit than Phoenix.

At the end of this sequence, Deva is forced to shoot one of the PLM men herself, the first time her character has killed anyone, and MB crafted a suitably dramatic denouement as Deva runs into Tremayne's arms. Phoe was able to get into the 'moment' wonderfully. I know we won't be able to match Hollywood in terms of spectacle, but I hope we can in emotional content.

Finally, Michael came around to shoot more of his own action scenes. And this is after directing everyone else all day!

Michael managed to wrap the action while there was stil daylight, so Ross got some nice sweeping shots to show the sheer scale of the forest.

Back at the studio canteen afterwards, someone had come up with a six gun with which MB could show off his Johnny Ringo movies. Phoenix (a die-hard 'Tombstone' fan) was visibly excited (and I still think she looks waaay better holding a gun that he does...)

Next : Simon Yam : rebel hero!

Rumble in the jungle (part one)

As regular readers of the 'Blood Bond' blog will know (have you nothing better to do?), we were prevented, by bureauracy, from beginning our 'Rambo'-esque jungle action sequence on the appointed day. Undeterred, we badgered the relevant division of the Nanhai forestry division, and were finally given permission to shoot on our preferred stretch of woodland.

The local park rangers imposed very strict restrictions: no smoking anyway around the set, only ten crew members at a time in the woods, limitations on the pyrotechnics we could use...

Regardless, our director, Michael Biehn, mapped out and executed a terrific sequence where his character, Tremayne, must engage in some jungle action alongside Deva (Phoenix Chou) and Ding (Kong Kwok-keung).

A veteran of the Hong Kong martial arts movie scene, Kong Sifu hadn't appeared in a film for several years, and his enthusiasm at getting back into the fray was infectious. He stayed on the forest set every minut of the day, even when he wasn't needed. MB suggested that we shoot 'Ding : The Movie' as our next project, to fully exploit the potential of the character.

Though the land itself was untamed, it had paths running through it that allowed us to set up a command centre, including a video monitor so we could check playback.

The only building in the region was an electricity sub-station that we had to hide with camouflage sheets and netting.

This sequence marked the first time we really let our leading lady loose with a cannon. Hmmm. There's just something about girls and guns!

She totally took to the 'gun fu' as she has to the gung fu, though her character has to be coaxed into action by Tremayne.

In this scene, four of our 'bad guys', a quarter PLM rebels, are hunting down our heroes, when Tremayne manages to out manoeuvre them.

Three of them were played by our stuntmen, and the fourth by Francis Kao, a wonderful actor we had cast out of Hong Kong. Francis was called on to perform more of an 'acting' scene, besides the gunplay action, and acquitted himself really well. I look forward to working with him again.

Between takes, Kong Sifu, concerned about lingering effects of Michael's fall down a hole (see earlier blog!) applied some chi gung treatments to our overworked helmer and leading man. Michael gamely went with the flow, but he's by no means a true believer in the chi!

I had anticipated that this first day in the woods would be extremely challenging, but, working in sync, Michael and DP Ross Clarkson got off shots at a rapid clip. It was a huge plus that the weather had cooled, meaning less bugs and humidity for the cast and crew to contend with.

Next : Rumble in the jungle (part two)

The Blood Bond Casting Call

For all you AnD members, friends and fans who have been following these manic missives, now you can actually be on camera in 'The Blood Bond'!

Between the 11th and 14th of November, we are shooting a party scene here at Ace Studios, and we need a few larger than life personalities. (Simon Yin, this means you...) Big guys, biker types, gangster style, smoking hot ladies...

You would need to come by train from Hung Hom station to Guangzhou, all transport, accomodation and food costs borne by us. You get a screen credit, and a chance to work with major stars

(though, in this case, Major Stars is a retired army man who does our catering...)

If you're interested and available between these dates, please send us your headshot and contacts to:

Christine Ip, at ip.christine@gmail.com

or

Pete Wong at petekwong@gmail.com