12-11-09 : The Blood Bond Saga (part 37)

Barroom brawl

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the studio... we moved to our second biggest interior set, Jesse's Bar, and, again, it took forever to light. Our gaffer, Eric Boland, absolutely knows what he's doing. The delay seems to be caused by manpower shortages or insufficient lights or whatever. I seem to be spending the whole day on these issues... and we still can't start shooting until almost midnight!

Luckily, Team AnD: Patrick Lee, Simon Yin and The Man Called Bob are on hand to raise my spirits, as they shoot a bunch of photos and video interviews.

(Our director and star, Michael Biehn, is a huge fan of Patrick's earlier site, Rotten Tomatoes, and greets the team warmly, granting them full access, promising not to have any Christian Bale moments...)

The first scene shot in the bar (and the only one we manage to get tonight) has Lompoc (Simon Yam) walk in and demand to know the whereabouts of Jesse (Jennifer Blanc). The brave barman, Ken (Thomas Ho), refuses to tell him, and gets beaten to death by the rebel leader.

Michael has been feeling a little under the weather, so, by the time he comes on the set, I'm ready to run through the action with (stunt coordinator) Ken Yip, Thomas, Simon and the rest of the team.

I am constantly grateful and in awe of the experience and professionalism of Simon Yam. He worked through the scene patiently and well. Before one take, he noticed, out of the corner of his eye, an extra in the wrong position, and corrected it. When the cameras roll, he effortlessly knows how to move and where to stand, and he knows where everyone else should be. Simon knows everyone's job on a set, and sometimes even better than they do.

So many young actors only care about what they get to do, how they look in a scene. Simon celebrates the art in himself more than himself in the art...

While waiting for the shot to be set up, Simon chats with co-star Jennifer Blanc or playing pool (with MB) on the bar's table.

Thomas Ho was also a lucky 'find' for us. He has worked primarily in the UK, but came back to Hong Kong to pursue the opportunities there. As soon as he came to read, we knew we wanted him in the film. We knew Thomas was a fine actor, but we were especially impressed with what a great physical performer he was.

He completely put himself in the hands of the stunt coordinator and myself, slamming his head into a beer pump, getting a (fake) glass broken over his head... This is something I've come to appreciate: to be an actor, you have to brave, both physically and emotionally. I've been disappointed, throughout the casting process of this film, by the fact that so many younger performers pay lip service to the craft, without the  courage to make the commitment necessary.

Given that the scene is set in a club, we recruited some colourful friends and foes from around the region to add character to the place. Among them are Thai TV celebrity Fern Waranya, Hong Kong super model Cara G and Korean actress Banyah (Scandal). MB gives them some nice bits of business at the top of the scene.

I've always joked with people that this is the most expensive home movie ever made, and it certainly feels like an extended family gathering tonight!

Next : Butt kicking babe hits the bar