Wu-Jing.org - Choreography

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

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:11:00 -0400

-- 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.

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Yuen Wo Ping and His Team Choreograph Forbidden Kingdom On the Spot

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:14:55 -0400

Background on Forbidden Kingdom

Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the two most revered martial arts superstar actors in the world today, have come together for the very first time in filmmaking history to pit their skills in The Forbidden Kingdom as Lu Yan and the Silent Monk respectively.

In this one-of-a-kind project, producer Casey Silver has not only succeeded in bringing together an exceptional group of people, including some of the best talent in Asian and Western cinema, for the first truly international Asian blockbuster movie. He has also pulled off a great feat in making the entire film in China.

This epic production is written by veteran screenwriter John Fusco, whose past works include the Academy Award®-nominated Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, and directed by Rob Minkoff of The Lion King fame, who brings his unique blend of character, comedy, drama and storytelling to the enthralling and innovative time-traveling story structure...

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Ching Siu Tung and Donnie Yen on An Empress and The Warriors

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 11:20:23 -0500

An Empress and The Warriors Sina Chat

Sina, Feb 20, 2008

New Dragon Inn

Host: The Empress and the Warriors will be released in March. In our memories, this isn't Ching Siu Tung and Donnie Yen's first collaboration. They first collaborated on New Dragon Inn in 1992.

Donnie Yen: Yes.

Host: My most memorable scene is the finale in the desert with Donnie Yen fighting against Maggie Cheung et al. Do the two of you still remember it?

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Interview with Bruce Law: The Accidental Stuntman

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:19:00 -0500

-- Bruce Law: The Accidental Stuntman --

Hong Kong's veteran stuntman and special effects expert Bruce Law had been busy coordinating car stunts and pyrotechnic effects on the Shanghai set of the new Hollywood production "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" which wrapped up production last month. Law recently took a break to discuss his career, from his first Hong Kong action movies to his latest work shooting in China. Hong Kong stuntman Bruce Law has performed in some 200 films over his past 21 years in the movie industry.

CNN: You started out as a professional Thai boxer, and you were even part of Hong Kong's Auxiliary Police Force. What finally brought you to the film industry?
BL: I actually got into the industry by accident. When the opportunity came up to work within the industry, I jumped at it. Meanwhile, my previous experiences had laid a somewhat diverse, but very useful, foundation for me. CNN >>More<<

Wu Jing in Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

-- The Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor --

Wu Jing plays an assassin from state of Chu, who, along with two other assassins, attempts to get rid of the despotic Dragon Emperor. The duel between Jet Li and Wu Jing, an indoor scene, is very exciting. As with Jet Li, Wu Jing has deep foundation in martial arts, his reflex is very swift and he's a fast learner. He is able to memorise the moves taught by the martial arts director within a short time and his moves are very crisp. Jet Li is equally comfortable sparring against Wu Jing. Both of them move very fast, they are equally matched, and need not worry about the other lagging behind. They coordinate with each other very well, resulting in very beautiful action from both.

Wu Jing is no less skilled in wires. The wire team is from Yuen Wo Ping's team, actually, the martial arts director is none other than Dee Dee (aka 谷轩昭 Ku Huen Chui), who's been working with Yuen Wo Ping all along. Safety aspects are well taken care of, the only requirement is for the actor and the wire team to coordinate with each other and trust each other. Many actors might fight well, but it's a big headache when it comes to wires. Either they use too much or two little strength when jumping or their timing are off. However, Wu Jing handles wires quite well. When watching the film, the audience would be hard-pressed to distinguish which moves were wire-assisted. Liu Xiao's Blog

Videos of news reports offering glimpses of Michelle Yeoh vs Jet Li swordfight: A, B Michelle Yeoh Web Theatre

Jet Li fights Michelle Yeoh in Mummy 3: Tomb of Dragon Emperor

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 02:09:00 -0500

-- The Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor --

The fight scene between Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh is no less exhilarating than it is graceful. Both show excellent skills. They perform everything personally and the scene is captured from different angles. Their exciting performance often wins applauses from everyone on the set. The fight between Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh is meant to be kept as realistic as possible without much CGIs.

On the previous day, both Michelle Yeoh and Jet Li arrived at different times. Michelle Yeoh showed up at 10am and only did one take, after which she retired. Jet Li appeared in the afternoon and did three takes. Other shots were completed by doubles. Sometimes, one may not understand why doubles are used. Doubles are necessary part of a filming process, sometimes, they are needed so that the actors would not wear themselves out or they could be needed for shooting elsewhere at the same time.

Working as stunt doubles is a very demanding, stressful and risky job. They have to get up very early at around 3am and set off at 4am. On reaching the set, they have to set up the cranes and the wires, rehearse the moves. Sometimes they don't even get to have a meal until afternoon. Given the high demands of an action director, they'd have to do jumps and falls from some high places, and when doing weapon fights, wounds are unavoidable. When the director likes what they did, they may be required to fight longer. And it's easier for one stuntman to fight another since they would not be as stressed as facing a distinguished star. Depending on circumstances, sometimes, they would change their moves to suit the opponents, requiring them to be flexible, to take care of their opponents. Their contributions to the industry should not be overlooked.

Part of the plot: The Dragon Emperor's (Jet Li) martial arts skills are unrivalled, and having conquered all lands, he should be happy and contented, yet there's something that sticks out like a sore thumb - his love for the sorceress Zi Yuan (Michelle Yeoh) is unrequited for she is in love with General Guo Ming (Russel Wong). Guo Ming is valiant general who has contributed greatly on the battlefields and is respected by his troops, and enjoys the company of Zi Yuan. Green with envy, the Dragon Emperor always mistreats him. Guo Ming and Zi Yuan decide to leave the kingdom. The Dragon Emperor begins a hunt and find them at a town. He has the whole town massacred before apprehending Guo Ming, bringing him back to be dismembered by eight horses... Liu Xiao's Blog, Lin-An News

Fighting Like a Girl

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 14:28:00 -0400

-- Philip Ng on Wing Chun TV Series --

There has always been the misconception that Wing Chun kung fu was developed by a girl for a girl, but in reality, Wing Chun is a method of combat that has been developed for human beings, regardless of gender, race, or even choice of eating habits. Wing Chun's success as one of the premier combat arts is due primarily to it simplicity, efficiency, and directness in both its techniques and concepts. Philip Ng Blog >>More<<

Yuen Wo Ping Designs Different Martial Arts Styles for Forbidden Kingdom

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 07:45:00 -0400

-- Forbidden Kingdom --

Jackie Chan will be using his signature move Drunken Fist for his character Lu Yan. Yuen Wo Ping hopes to present Drunken Fist as something gentle on the inside, forceful on the outside. Silent Monk (Jet Li), who was transformed from a strand of hair on Monkey God that escaped when the latter was imprisoned, uses Monkey Fist; Yuen Wo Ping designs for Jet Li the ancient form that dazzles the opponent with fast and ever-changing moves before delivering the fatal blow. White Hair Demoness (Li Bing Bing) uses Phoenix Dancing in Ninth Heaven, and specialises in whip and twin swords. Golden Swallow, (Liu Yi Fei), whose forte is lightness kungfu, employs Pipa Skill; when strumming the pipa, secret weapons will shoot forth.

Liu Yifei's mother has agreed to play Queen Mother who appears briefly in the movie. Unfortunately, Li Xue, Li Bing Bing's sister agent, turned down the cameo role of moon fairy Chang-er, who dances at the Peaches Meet. White Hair Demoness was originally a male character Whitebrows. But on Peter Pau's suggestion, they changed it to a female character whose hair turned white overnight when she was betrayed by her lover. Forbidden Kingdom will wrap up in August and be released in around April 2008. Nanfang Daily, Sina

Interview: Donnie Yen on Flash Point's Revolutionary Choreography

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 06:56:00 -0400

Donnie Yen Defines the Art of Practical Combat Onscreen

Watching Movie, 13/7/2007
Zhu Qin

I heard that the concept of mixed martial arts is implemented in the upcoming summer movie Flash Point.
Donnie Yen: Mixed martial arts, a combat sport that has become popular in the West in the recent years, is an effective fighting system that employs a vast array of different martial arts techniques. Each contestant possesses a variety of martial arts techniques such as Jujitsu, boxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, etc. I believe this is the most authentic type of combat. I have been researching, studying and learning it. I introduced some of it in SPL - Brazilian Ju-jitsu.

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Benny Chan Talks About Invisible Target

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 09:07:00 -0400

-- Benny Chan on Invisible Target --

Post-production of Invisible Target is being carried out in Beijing and Benny Chan, together with Wu Jing, grants an audience with the press. According to Benny Chan's introduction, Invisible Target is about three police officers' attempt to nab criminal Wu Jing. However, the three are driven by their own motives, rather than out of a sense of justice. In the process, they neglect that they are police, see on Wu Jing a shadow of themselves, and see on each other their own shortcomings, and end up having a heavy price to pay. Benny Chan also reveals that Wu Jing is the strongest fighter in the movie, "Even when Nicholas Tse, Shawn Yue and Jaycee Chan combine forces, they still cannot beat Wu Jing."

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Mastering action: Interview with Tony Leung Siu Hung

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Fri, 24 Nov 2006 10:24:00 -0500

-- Interview with Tony Leung Siu Hung --

Less famous internationally than his peer Yuen Woo Ping or Samo Hung, the hard working choreographer Tony Leung Siu Hung is no less talented than those big names. His filmography speaks for itself: Coolie Killer, Long Arm of the Law 3, My Heart is That Eternal Rose, Angel, Tragic Hero, The Master Strikes. An impressive number of great action scenes bear his style. His talent and positive energy even lead him to the position of vice chairman of the Hong Kong Stuntmen Association. A great career this lengthy interview attempts to pay a tribute to. HK Cinemagic >>More<<

Fatal Contact Wraps; Wu Jing vs Xing Yu

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Thu, 25 May 2006 05:29:00 -0400

-- Underground Fist Wraps Up --

Production of Underground Fist has just been completed and a celebration was held on May 24. Underground Fist is about Wu Jing entering into illegal matches to support the extravagant lifestyle of his girlfriend and features full-contact fights aplenty, such as a climatic battle between Wu Jing and Shi Xing Yu, the Shaolin disciple who played the coolie in Kung Fu Hustle.

As both Shi Xingyu and Wu Jing are martial artists, shooting progressed smoothly in their scenes. In one scene, Wu Jing did a back flip, followed by a scissors kick to lock Shi Xing Yu, and finished off by strangling his neck with his arm. They only required two rehearsals before proceeding to actual filming, which was done in two takes.

Through this taxing and physically demanding production, Wu Jing shed 10 pounds in the process, not to mention the risk of injuries. He sweated so much that he had to change up to 18 t-shirts a day. The production also took extra precaution when filming action scenes involving Ronald Cheng as he had not recovered from previous injury in the waist.

Wu Jing, who had to deal with different opponents each day, and had to use different techniques against them, worked very closely with the martial arts director, who was rumoured to be Nicky Li Chung Chi, discussing and exploring various moves with him They would try out different moves before demonstrating to the rest of the cast. Wu Jing had a great time working on this production, and was grateful for the care they gave him. Sina, Eastweek

Videos: QQ, Sina | Photos: Sina

Yuen Wo Ping Racks His Brains for Fearless

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 07:44:00 -0500

-- Fearless --

Photo: Sina

Fearless is soon to open in theatres across in most Asian countries on either Jan 25 or 26. In the movie in which Jet Li nearly exhausted all the Eighteen Arms of Martial Arts, most of Jet Li's martial arts exchanges take place in the arena. The movie, with an initial cut amounting to around 3 hrs, was edited down to 1 hr 40 mins for theatrical release, thanks to Jet Li's insistence on tightening up the pace.

In particular, a scene that was removed (or drastically reduced) that might be a killjoy is Jet Li's exciting duel with a Thai fighter. [Another reports says that it was the director Ronny Yu's decision to axe some scenes and reduce the movie length, including the removal of the cameo appearance by Michelle Yeoh as an Olympic committee member who narrates the story of Huo Yuan Jia.] Apart from providing his lifetime worth of insights on wushu and spurring today's youths not to give up life (after seeing reports of high suicide rate in China), Fearless is a reflection on the path that Jet Li had walked on - from the aspiring youngster who aims at becoming number one, through the various ups and downs in life, to his final realisation of the purpose of wushu.

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A Look at Yuen Clan

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Tue, 10 Jan 2006 08:08:00 -0500

-- Yuen Clan : Father and Sons --

The Yuen Clan consists of the five sons of Yuen Siu Tien (Yuan Xiao Tian). Their names are (as they are normally written, with pinyin between brackets) Woo Ping (He Ping), Cheung Yan (Xiang Ren), Shun Yi (Xin Yi), Chun Yeung (Zhen Yang) and Yat Chor (Ri Chu). On one occasion the clan is credited as 'The Peace Group' or to say it better, as the 'Woo-Ping group' as 'Woo Ping' actually means 'peace' in cantonese. His production company is called 'Peace' or 'Woo-Ping Film Production Company'. The activities of the brothers varied from extra and stunt double to scriptwriter, director and producer, though it's difficult soemtimes to say who was responsible for what, when the collective tag "Yuen Clan" is used. HK Cinemagic >>More<<

Donnie Yen on Employing Real-life Martial Arts in SPL

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Sun, 20 Nov 2005 05:34:00 -0500

Donnie Yen Talks about SPL

Watching Movies, November 2005
Xiao Fei

The exchanges between Sammo Hung, Wu Jing and you are billed as "freestyle", according to the handout. How were those filmed?
Donnie Yen: Actually, I only have two main fights with them, and these are the most essential fights in the film.

So, how close to real fights are the freestyle sparring?
Donnie Yen: Actually, it wasn't completely freestyle sparring, it's not quite possible to actually implement it. What I meant was that, since the outset, I hoped to put the most realistic elements of fighting in the action scenes. I felt that the movies we, the Chinese, produced, used to influence the whole world - but it was all a thing of the past. Except for a few major period productions which have gained worldwide recognitions, there are no contemporary movies in the past 10 years that we can be proud of compared to many action movies from Japan, Korea, US, and most recently Thailand's Ong Bak, that are worthy enough to stand up against them. So, I hope that through SPL, we could show the world that we are still capable of being the forerunners in kungfu movies, in the art of combat.

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