24-11-09 : The Blood Bond Saga (Part 47)

Blood on the bar floor and a clean getaway

We started the day in countryside, with more shots of Deva and Tremayne traversing the trackless wastes of Purma (actually rural Nanhai).

Just when I thought we'd achieved an injury free action film... We filmed a pick up shot of the Jesse's bar brawl, with a stuntman crashing backwards through a glass window. Originally, the glass had come out as one sheet when he smashed into it. Director Michael Biehn decreed that this was insufficiently spectacular, and that the fall guy should actually shatter the glass.

We had to order special safety glass from Guangzhou, and get the stuntman concerned back for another day's work. Unfortunately, when he went through the glass, he cut his wrist, and had to go to hospital afterwards for stitches. A (relatively) minor injury, and I hope its our last.

I have to say that the stunt team have been just amazing throughout. MB was very sceptical when he first came over. His idea of a Hong Kong action unit was that we'd have people flying on wires etc. Instead, after working alongside the ever affable Ken Yip, Michael finally had to concede that, regarding the martial arts action, "(Ken) does that &^%* better than me!" 

This evening also saw us wrap the lovely Jennifer Blanc, who brought so much charisma to her role as Jesse. Jennifer has appeared in dozens of films and TV series, and was definitely doing us a great favour by accepting a supporting role in 'Blood Bond'.

We have her drive our heroes away from her bar. Given our current logistical and budget limitations, we ended up using 'poor man's process'.

The car is stationary, but we move lights beside it to simulate movement. It sounds weird, but you really can't tell. (I mean, I hope you can't!)

Next : Rumble at the teahouse!