27-10-09 : The Blood Bond Saga (part 22)

Thunder Road Continued (plus Emma Pei Meets Kong!)

We were back in the quarry today, continuing our car chase. Phoenix had got dust in her eye the day before, and had to go to hospital to get  it rinsed. Fortunately, we had finished most of the shots of her driving, and could shoot around her until our last scheduled car chase day, which is tomorrow.

Apart from that, and the fact that the vehicle being chased kept breaking down, everything went well!

The quarry has a small hill in the middle of it, and this gave us a great vantage point from which to view the automotive action.

Our biggest challenge was breathing in the clouds of brown dust the cars kicked up as they span around the natural 'track' of the quarry.

Michael as as 'hands on' as ever, moving cars, digging track, checking playback...

We soon realised how invaluable Ken Yip and his stunt team were to the scene. Michael and I have both been involved in various chase sequences throughout our careers, but have never put one together until now.

Together, they prepared a stunt for Michael to perform himself, where he climbs out of his speeding pickup truck and into the bed, from which he opens fire at the pursuing rebel soldiers.

We got the shot from various angles, and even managed to leave MB in one piece.

Our intrepid DP Ross Clarkson was game as ever, strapping himself onto a hood to roll with the action.

With cars and their drivers all heading in the right direction, I decided to head back to the studio to check on actors and sets we'd need in the days ahead. (Note to would be producers: Its not what you're doing now that kills you; its what you're going to be doing and have no prepared everything for!)

I'm indebted to my friend and co-producer Seth Scher for taking the con in my absence, and bringing his fresh energy and enthusiasm to the set.

The mighty Kong Sifu arrived to play the role of gunrunner Ding. A veteran of the Shaw Brothers era of kung fu film-making, I first met Kong through my friend Daniel Whyte, and trained under him in his unique Circle Propeller Tai Chi style. Those Kowloon Park sessions were great fun, as much because of Kong's character as the art itself. His jovial demeanour belies his reputation as a tough fighter.

We originally considered him for the role of our religious leader, the Bagwun, but Michael felt he was too 'loud' for that part. Kong stayed in his mind, though, and it was MB who suggested that we cast him as the larger-than-life arms dealer Ding.

Kong arrived in Nanhai with two of his students, both from Germany.

He held court in the canteen here, and soon entered into a lengthy dialogue with our resident Tai Chi master, Ocean Hou, on the intricacies of the art.

When Kong Sifu began practicing his dialogue with 3rd Assistant Director Pete Wong, the whole studio seemed to shake. It must be his chi power.

Emma Pei had spent the day training with the stunt team, so we had her pose for some funny photos with Kong.  (I have to say that it came as a happy surprise to find a Vogue model who is such a good sport!)

Next : The end of Thunder Road!