3-D family fun from T-films and Tsui Wah...

Anyone with three kids will have seen more than his fair share of animated fun. With 'Little Gobie', I'm happy to finally make a film that my kids can see. (Actually, I'm happy that I can make any film that anyone can see). Thanks to my 'Blood Bond' producing partner, Charlie Wong, I was happy to come on-board this wonderful family fable that I'm sure will become a festive favourite.

The companies involved with the production include Charlie's T-Films and, to my happy surpise, the legendary 24-hour Hong Kong fast food emporium Tsui Wah.

I've put so much cash in Tsui Wah's tills at various early assignations over the years, it seemed appropriate that they backed my first co-venture into cartoon film. 

The relevant parties staged a launch event to put Little Gobie on the map, complete with a line-up of lovelies. Given that the main character is a reindeer, it made sense that our photogenic femmes came complete with cute little antlers. Hey, those bunny ears worked for Hefner... (And, if you think we're hitting the wrong demographic, let me tell you that Little Gobie provides trippy fun for children of all ages...)

I'm delighted to be working with Charlie, Tony and the rest of the team on a variety of further features, both live-action and cartoon, and you couldn't ask for a more animated bunch, on-screen and off!

Meanwhile, watch out for the world's cutest little reindeer, on a mission to find Santa, coming soon to a 3-D screen near you...

Hanging with Gordon Liu

I've known Gordon Liu Chia-hui, AKA Lau Kar-fai, for over 15 years now. He's my Hung Gar elder brother in arms, a real idol of mine since the days of '36th Chamber of Shaolin', we worked together when he acted in 'Dragon Squad', on which I was a producer... We live on the same street, but we're both so busy, we don't get to see enough of each other!

It took a happy and sad happenstance to bring us together today. I never got to know the late Linn Haynes as well as I would have liked, though I always had the utmost respect for him as a die hard devotee of Asian action cinema, and Shaw Bros in particular. His untimely passing robbed the genre of one of its most dedicated pundits. His commentaries on the Media Blasters Shaw Bros DVDs, had he lived to record more of them, would definitely have given me a run for my money! Everyone who speaks of Linn remembers him as a kind, gentle man, and we mourned his loss from afar.

When his widow, Monica, came to Hong Kong with several other kung fu film fans, it was my pleasure to meet them. They even came down to Pier 7 to sample some real deal Hung Gar with Mak Sifu and myself! Monica had really wanted to meet Gordon Liu, but unfortunately their schedules clashed: he was coming back from China just as Monica and her party were leaving for the US.

Undeterred, I arranged to meet Gordon to give him some gifts from her and her new partner, Terry, and to get a copy of the Dragon Dynasty '36th Chamber of Shaolin' DVD signed for Monica.

Elizabeth, my son Calvin and I met Gordon on Caine Road. I really appreciate him coming out, as he was suffering from flu at the time. We told him Linn's story, and he was more than happy to sign the DVD and pass on his warm wishes to our just departed guests.

He also has a great idea for a period kung fu movie, something we want to produce for him at B&E. Its really cool to finally be able to partner up and work with some of my idols, and Gordon is definitely one of those.

After exchanging presents, we had a long discussion about the proposed story line and other logistics, and I'll be posting more information on the project soon.

Finally, Gordon's cell phone (which has, of course!, a 'Kill Bill' ringtone) summoned him away. What a great guy; a terrific example of how you can be a hero on-screen and off.

Tapping Ocean's wisdom.

I first met Chen Tai Chi master Ocean Hou through Alive not Dead, and was so impressed by his skills that I asked him to train our leading lady for my film 'The Blood Bond'. Ocean did a fantastic job coaching Phoenix Chou, working with the stunt team and playing four different roles in the film! I'm really happy AnD brought me into contact with a great kung fu master, who has become such a good family friend.

When another old fiend of the clan, Steve Jones, turned up in Hong Kong, he asked me to introduce a good Tai Chi teacher, so, of course, I set up a training session with Ocean. Steve, Phoenix and myself enjoyed a lively class with Sifu, and then dinner at the Chez Logan afterwards. Steve was formerly the drummer for my sister Kate Ceberano, and is currently a Wing Chun student of my old friend David Peterson.

If anyone else our there is interested in  experiencing the real deal Chen Tai Chi, please contact Ocean as per the contact details below.

To arrange to train in Hong Kong, please contact Christine Ip at ip.christine@gmail.com, and, in Shenzhen, write to Ocean at youshengclub@hotmail.com.

We're looking for a few good men (and women) : B&E needs new blood

The new Hong Kong based production company B&E Productions is currently looking for interns.

Candidates should be focussed and responsible, with a genuine passion for film.  If you have time and energy to commit, we can work with your schedule. You will be expected to provided whatever help is needed towards the development, production and post-production of our current slate of projects.

Interested parties should contact Christine Ip at christine@bxe-productions.com

We're currently in post-production on our debut feature, 'The Blood Bond', and we are proud to note that our internship programme provided some great on-the-job training for the chosen few.

These include:

Christine Ip

Christine started as an intern at the previous Hong Kong office, and is now full-time with B&E at the new production office in Sheung Wan.

During the 'Blood Bond'  shoot, Christine was based at Ace Studios Nanhai, where her many responsibilities included:

Line production work, script supervision, casting and virtually every other job you can do on a movie set! (She also plays a newsreader in the movie!)

By the time we wrapped, Christine had proved herself so invaluable that we took her on staff full-time. She is currently involved in overseeing every aspect of post-production, and, if she ever wants to find work as a film editor, she definitely has the chops by now!

Pete Wong

Though Pete's main aim is to be an actor, he hit the ground running as an able Assistant Director when he joined the 'Blood Bond' shoot.

His responsibilities included English dialogue coaching with some of our Chinese cast and generally providing his energetic and focussed presence on set. Pete also helped coordinate transport and any other clerical missions that came his way.

Pete plays Lieutenant Wuchi in 'The Blood Bond' . Though he didn't get to show his kung fu skills this time, Pete does go out in a blaze of glory.

He's returned to his day job as a drama teacher, but still helps us part-time. I hope we can afford him for our next production

Desiree Ho

Desiree joined us right after 'The Blood Bond' wrapped, and proved invaluable in terms of helping coordinate the triumphant return from Nanhai to Hong Kong.

Her bi-literate skills proved invaluable, as she helped prepare Chinese language materials relevant to our two upcoming productions 'Lady Transporter' (working title) and 'The Silent Flute'.

She's currently at business school in Copenhagen, no doubt applying all she learnt on the B&E shopfloor!

From Paris with glove...

Those of you with some knowledge of the martial arts world will know the name 'Dan Inosanto'. A former student of Bruce Lee, Dan has kept the flame for his teacher these many years, and is himself a living encyclopedia of the world's fighting styles. I first met Dan when he came to give martial arts seminars in the UK in the 80s. I trained under him, albeit briefly, and interviewed him for the various magazines I was writing for at that time.

Though I haven't been in contact with Dan for many years, when I heard that his student Salem Assli was coming to give a seminar in Hong Kong, I was delighted to welcome him as a guest at the chez Logan. We became fast friends, and my eldest son Ryan and I had a great time training with Salem. Like his teacher, this charming Frenchman has vast knowledge of the martial arts. The select few that attended this course benefited greatly from this, and I hope we have even more trainees when Salem returns later this year.

After the seminar, Salem joined the weekly 'open house' Saturday night dinner. The boys peppered him with questions about Bruce Lee and France!

I was impressed with Salem's knowledge of films. He introduced me to the French comedy Le Diner de Cons, just remade as Dinner for Schmucks, starring my old Gen-Y Cops cohort Paul Rudd. He also has some great ideas for martial arts movie fights, and I want to bring him on-board our upcoming B&E movie Lady Transporter (working title).