Choreography

 Set against backdrop of the boundless, arid, desolate desert in the western part of China, revolving around the three polar groups: detectives, runaway convicts, and assassins, Tempest of the Westerly Winds explores the hope for survival, the true meaning of love, the final resting place of destiny as the three groups keep each other in check and struggle against each other. Continue reading "Nicky Li Responds to Gao Qun Shu's Call to Give Everyone a Tempestuous Ride on Tempest of the Westerly Winds"

With True Legend's release date drawing nearer, more and more videos and stills from the film are surfacing. The gala premiere will be held in Beijing on January 31, possibly attended by some Hollywood personages. In addition, True Legend, as well as Little Big Soldier, will get a special screening at 60th Berlin International Film Festival in February.

Continue reading "True Legend: More Images, Footages, and Yet More Yuen Wo Ping Pep Talk"

 With his rising popularity and big sellouts of his films, Donnie Yen is fast becoming one of the top earners in the industry, commanding up to 20m yuan per film this year, after Jackie Chan (30m yuan), Jet Li (25m yuan) and Chow Yun Fatt (25m yuan). Hailed as the new King of Kung Fu, he is getting even more offers this year, running the gamut from historical epic  on 《关云长》 General Guan Yun Chang by Felix Chong and Alan Mak, through comic book adaptation 《中华英雄》 A Man Called Hero remake, to mythological feature 《大闹天宫》 Monkey King. Continue reading "Donnie Yen Seeks Quantum Leaps for Each Film He Does"

A 3D montage from True Legend whereby Zhao Wen Zhuo challenges his imagined opponent in order to elevate his martial arts skill was shown for the first time at a press conference in Beijing on December 20, attended by director Yuen Wo Ping, the cast Zhou Xun, Jiang Lu Xia and Will Liu. Post-production took over 10 months in order to create the fight scenes in 3D, done painstakingly layer by layer, frame by frame by Menfond Electronic Art and over 100 digital artists. Yuen Wo Ping says that to shoot the 3D action scenes, two cameras had to be set up, and he tried to devise moves that aren't too fanciful, such that the action could be seen distinctly, for maximum 3D visual impact.

Continue reading "True Legend in 3D - Partially"

While promoting Bodyguards and Assassins in Shanghai on December 9, producers Peter Chan and Yu Dong gave their thanks to Donnie Yen for helping the film wrap up successfully, returning to the set after filming had ended to re-enact a fight scene without taking extra pay. They also presented Donnie Yen with a film print of the parkour fight scene, that Donnie Yen, working with Cung Le and his longstanding team of 17 stuntmen, choreographed.

Continue reading "Donnie Yen Crossing Path with Cung Le in More Ways than One"

 As Ip Man 2 is wrapping up soon, the press was finally granted visit to the set in Songjiang Studio, Shanghai on October 28, when the gripping duel between two of the best martial arts stars Sammo Hung and Donnie Yen was being filmed. Continue reading " Ip Man 2: Sammo Hung Vs Donnie Yen Round 2"

 Press conference for True Legend was held on October 19 afternoon with the trailer being screened and the director Yuen Wo Ping and cast Zhao Wen Zhuo, Andy On and Guo Xiao Dong showing up. Zhou Xun was unable to attend but recorded her speech in advance. Also in the film are Jiang Lu Xia, Michelle Yeoh, Cung Le, Gordon Liu, etc. Continue reading "True Legend Trailer Unveiled at Beijing Press Conference"

When did you start work on Metallic Attraction: Kungfu Cyborg?
Yuen Tak: In August 2008. Had been discussing with the director, he said he wanted to shoot a film on robots, but the martial arts scenes must be oriental. I found it very interesting, to me, it's something somewhat new.

Continue reading "Interview with Yuen Tak: Unravelling the Mystery of Chinese Kung Fu in Metallic Attraction: Kungfu Cyborg"

On November 20, Nicky Li, Wu Jing and Celina Jade were invited for a chat hosted by Sina, sharing the joys and pains on the set of Legendary Assassin.

 

The subjects brought up include the frustrations of waiting passively for chances in Hong Kong, the reasons for opting for a simple story, their approach to action, preconceived notions on action stars' acting, one's respect to the profession, the tricks to crying, the difficulties of working with the giant wrestler, injuries and box office outlook.

 

Legendary Assassin opens in cinemas on December 10.

Continue reading "Legendary Assassin Sina Chat: Wu Jing Explains the Simplicity Behind The Film"

Here's a highly insightful and interesting article The Art of Fighting, as pointed out by Celina Jade:
 
 Perhaps the greatest misconception in the martial arts world today is the more powerful and skilled a fighter becomes the greater are his chances for rivaling Bruce Lee. With all the facts pushed aside, this is not altogether illogical: if a man masters the art of kicking and punching at high speed, and can control with minute precision his own power, why shouldn't he be cut out for the movies? If we ignore minor details--like his inability to act his way out of a sopping wet paper bag--and pay close attention to the more technical aspects of filmmaking, we'll soon see why all his fighting skills are actually a handicap for an acting career.
 
 Fighting on flim requires an entirely new type of martial skill which is completely foreign to both those practicing in the dojo and those pounding each other on the ring. It can be harder to learn this type of skill than to spot an opening in an opponent's tight defense and drive home a shattering blow. For movies you must not only be an expert martial artist, but also dance to a choreographer's tune, and look better than anyone else in the process!  Ray Horan >>More<<

Legendary Assassin, a HK$31m film directed by Nicky Li and Wu Jing, with a cast including Wu Jing, Celina Jade, Kou Zhan Wen, Alex Fong Lik Sun, Aoyama Noriko, Jiang Bao Cheng, Sammy Leung, Lam Suet, Shui Hung Hui, Mark Cheng, Ronald Cheng, etc. was introduced at Golden Rooster & Hundred Flowers Film Festival in Dalian, Liaoning on September 11 afternoon.

Continue reading "Wu Jing Talks About Legendary Assassin at 17th Golden Rooster & Hundred Flowers Film Festival"

-- Forbidden Kingdom --

In this interview, maestro martial arts choreographer Yuen Wo Ping gives a blow by blow account of the choreography behind Forbidden Kingdom.

 

It has always been my practice to choreograph the action based on the script as well as the personality of the character, this is very important. Jackie Chan plays Drunken Immortal in the movie, he's more outgoing and lively, as well as suave, he loves drinking, it's like he's roaming the mundane world casually.

Continue reading "Yuen Wo Ping's Annotations on Forbidden Kingdom's Martial Arts Choreography"