Seven Swordsmen: Additional Fiming, Dubbing

-- Seven Swords of Mt Tian: Tsui Hark Dubs Reverend Hui Ming's Voice --

Recently, Tsui Hark, who produces Seven Swords of Mt Tian 《七剑下天山》 TV series, was in Beijing to do voice-dubbing for Dhyana Master Hui Ming (aka Master Shadow Glow). Producer Wang Yong explains that they wanted to have Tsui Hark dub Dhyana Master Hui Ming as his speeches form the underlying fundamentals of The Seven Swords, and since Tsui Hark is behind the look and feel of the entire project, of creating something new over the original, has different perceptions and feelings for each of The Seven Swords, he would be the prime choice.

When this reporter visited the studio, they were doing dubbing for the most important two episodes in the TV series in which Reverend Hui Ming bestows the Seven Swords to the seven characters.

Tsui Hark says, "Reverend Hui Ming lives in the snow-peaked Mt Tian, he is an extraordinary master swordmaker. His manner of speech should be emotionless, yet full of depth and subtlety. His lines mainly give an account of the exclusive usage of the Seven Swords, are the heart and soul of the TV series.

"Dubbing is also a technical challenge, the voice actor has to be able to empathise with the character. I have dubbed some noises before, but has never formally dubbed any character before. My voiceprints would only be used if they work out fine. However I feel that I would use the word horrifying to describe my own voice."

Initially, Tsui Hark did have some timing problems, a voice actor smiles, "Tsui Hark's voice has the right emotion, he has a great voice, but couldn't sychronise properly." Eventually, Tsui Hark began to get the hang of it. He was very fastidious and to the horror of scriptwriter Zhang Xin Yue, even changed some words to better fit the lip movements of the actor.

While Tsui Hark was not involved directly in the filming of Seven Swords of Mt Tian TV series, he took care of many aspects of the pre-production, including script, character designs and makeup. "While there are some parts that turn out differently from what I had originally perceived, I give my approval and admiration to the directors, for anything can happen or change on the set, and spark new ideas and inspirations."

Tsui Hark was even more fascinated by the soundtrack. Producer Wang Yong introduces, "The music is mainly selected from Xinjiang's ethnic works, and composed according to each character's temperament and destiny."

As to the filming of Seven Swords of Mt Tian 2: The Second Generation, Tsui Hark says, "Right now, I have my hands full on the movie, I'd only consider other things after post-production is completed, and after returning from film festival. The second half of the TV series has not been finalised yet, and I'd wait until after we are through with the first part." According to Wang Yong, post-production for Seven Swords of Mt Tian expects to be completed by end of June and will be aired on CCTV in October.  Beijing Youth Daily

-- Seven Swords of Mt Tian Trailer --

1:36 min trailer to the TV series: NetandTV

-- Seven Swords of Mt Tian: Exquisite Exchange Between Two Masters --

"A pity you were a day late. I have never witnessed such an exciting and intricate swordplay in all my years of filmmaking," director Clarence Fok told the reporters who were visiting the set as additional shoot was being carried out in Daxing. "Yesterday, we did a major battle between Fu Qing Zhu and Manchu officer Niu Gu Lu. Both two actors Yu Cheng Hui and Sun Jian Kui are masters of sword, the two fought from 8pm yesterday to 3 am, breaking 15 prop swords in between."

Yuen Bun elaborated, "The two of them do not have the slightest inklings of what martial arts direction is, for their swordplay is spontaneous and ever-changing, you can never tell what their next move is. Merely capturing whatever they do accordingly is earth-shattering enough."

Never-Enquiring Sword is the symbol of wisdom while its bearer Fu Ching Zhu is the spiritual leader of The Seven Swords. Yu Cheng Hui, who plays Fu Ching Zhu, is an exponent of double-handed sword. He explained, "Sword is the best thing to express Zen, the person who uses a sword must not merely strike outwardly poses, they must be able to feel it, to put their heart into wielding it. A truly genuine sword produces a forbidding atmosphere on being drawn, yet when you examine it, you'd feel a sense of tranquility."

Yuen Bun said that he would be editing the martial arts sequences. He indicated that he had already considered all minute details of post-production like when to cut in a shot, to bring a certain move into focus, when to add sound effects, etc. He believes that only by personally supervising the editing will the best effect be achieved.

According to Miss Zhang, Wang Xue Bin and Li Xiao Ran have already finished dubbing their own characters. Now, the production is left with blending in the additional shoot with the finished cut and get relevant actors for voice dubbing.  Fazhi Evening Post

-- Seven Swords of Mt Tian: Zhao Wen Zhuo Dubbing --

After wrapping up Mysterious Snow City 《雪域迷城》 on May 23, Zhao Wen Zhuo went to Beijing a few days later to do dubbing for Seven Swords of Mt Tian TV series《七剑下天山》. It took Zhao Wen Zhuo, who did voice work for the first time, sometime to get in tune with the mentality and mood swings of his character Chu Zhao Nan.

While Zhao Wen Zhuo has been named for the leading role for the upcoming Bone of Chivalry, Heart of Loyalty TV series 《侠骨丹心》, and in September, a cameo role in Twin Swallows TV series 《双燕传奇》, his management is thinking giving him a break after he completes the dubbing work, considering how hectic filming had been for him in the past months. They have not decided what his next work would be, nor when it would begin production.  Sina | Photos: Sina