{"id":126,"date":"2011-12-10T11:58:55","date_gmt":"2011-12-10T11:58:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mylast365days.com\/?p=126"},"modified":"2014-01-11T03:45:53","modified_gmt":"2014-01-11T03:45:53","slug":"believe-until-the-end-how-i-became-an-action-coordinator-on-a-feature-film-1-day-before-my-28th-birthday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alfredrocks.com\/blog\/believe-until-the-end-how-i-became-an-action-coordinator-on-a-feature-film-1-day-before-my-28th-birthday\/","title":{"rendered":"Believe Until the End: How I Became an Action Coordinator on a Feature Film 1 Day Before My 28th Birthday"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Wing<\/a>
Wing Chun to Eyes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It\u2019s amazing how the universe works. Just as another example of \u201cask and you shall receive\u201d \u2013 this year I had been asking the universe to give me a fight scene in a feature film in Asia before my birthday in November. I kept pursuing my goal and working but it seemed like chances were slim. Suddenly in mid-November I get a call from the director of this film and he asks if I am available to help with fight choreography. After we worked out details \u2014 the exact day I officially arrived at the studio was Nov 22nd \u2014 1 day before my birthday. Pretty interesting how everything worked out. =)<\/p>\n

\"Explaining<\/a>
Explaining Wing Chun Hand to Eyes Concept<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Without giving away too much of the story, it\u2019s essentially about a kid who learns wing chun to help him overcome obstacles. The movie\u2019s storyline is definitely not like Ip Man and is meant for a younger audience\u2026 though I think all ages could still check it out.<\/p>\n

This particular movie situation was quite interesting. When Antony (the director of \u201cWushu \u2013 The Young Generation\u201d) and I got involved with the project the movie had actually already been partially filmed. In fact a good amount had been shot, but towards the final cut the executive producer realized the action was severely lacking\u2026 and since it was a martial arts movie it was supposed to have super action. This is where we came in.<\/p>\n

\"On<\/a>
On Set in Guangzhou<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Before I continue any further I must highly thank and appreciate Antony for having faith in me as a first time action director for a feature film. Antony has worked as a stuntman in Australia and has directed a movie with Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan as producer so it was a truly a great honor to be working with a professional at his caliber who also gave me a lot of respect and freedom with my ideas. Speaking of Sammo and Jackie.. I also want to mention another of the Seven Little Fortunes \u2013 Yuen Wah (the landlord in Stephen Chow\u2019s Kung Fu Hustle \/ villain in Dragon\u2019s Forever) is one of the actors in this film.<\/p>\n

\"Wing<\/a>
Wing Chun Wooden Dummy Techniques<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Since we were re-shooting all the action plus a decent portion of the drama we had a lot to do. On top of that we had a smaller budget than the original crew, less resources, and no time. I didn\u2019t even know this until I arrived in Guangzhou, but apparently I had to design roughly 10 fights to be filmed in about 10 days\u2026 because in total we had 14 days to film and 7 days to do pre-production work (including new casting, location scouting, set design, fight choreo, etc). Also we had almost no stunt guys originally and the lead was a 12 year old.<\/p>\n

But first\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Cheng<\/a>
Cheng Sifu, Wing Chun Master<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2026we had to learn a little wing chun. So fortunately I actually studied a little wing chun here and there, but of course not on the level of 7th generation wing chun master. We had a wing chun master on set as consultant and sifu of the wing chun movie. He was a bodyguard for a prince and also at one point taught in London where Bruce Lee visited when he was in London. The sifu was 67 years old but his arms were as strong as an oak tree.<\/p>\n

Now that we had the wing chun training in order we had to bring in the rest of the artillery.<\/p>\n

\"Heavy<\/a>
Heavy Artillery On Wing Chun Set<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Enter Alberto and Kyle.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Both of my friends had been working on feature films in China and I knew they were perfect to help out on this expendables style intense mission which required 10 fights in about 10 days. These guys had so many different fights to do in such a short time that I\u2019m definitely glad they were able to come out.. without them it would have been a totally different experience.<\/p>\n

I mean after all we wouldn\u2019t have been able to add in some dope JCVD moves like this!<\/p>\n

\"JCVD<\/a>
JCVD Lineup<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

..or rehearse 10 different fights each day starting first thing in the morning like in the video below.<\/p>\n