5-11-09 : The Blood Bond Saga (part 30)

Radio days and kung fu fighting

It was a couple of days ago that I realised that we had been focussing on so much of the drama, gunplay and car stunts of 'Blood Bond', we were in danger of neglecting the martial arts action aspect. As you all know, 'kung fu' is my middle name. (Actually, its 'Maurice', but, if my parents would have planned better, it would have been 'kung fu').

I raised this with our director, Michael Biehn, and he agreed that, on relevant days, we should split into two units, with my team handling Phoenix Chou's martial arts fights and him focussing on, well, everything else!

Naturally, I would only suggest this in the certain knowledge that I had the services of action directors Louis Fan and Ken Yip at my disposal.

I've always believed that you can only make an impact with something new, or else something that we haven't seen in a while. My challenge to them was to find a way to make Tai Chi techniques works in a contemporary setting.

To this end, I had the great Chen Tai Chi stylist Ocean Hou training our original Deva actress. When we finally made the difficult decision to replace her, Phoenix was put into Tai Chi boot camp, but came out with a killer set of moves she couldn't wait to show off on screen.

So this morning began with Michael rising early to shoot a scene with stars Simon Yam and Emma Pei . The scene was located at what is (in the script) a remote radio station. Fortunately, we found a suitable antenna with an alley beneath it (and countryside beyond) that served our purposes.

It was only available between dawn and 8.30am, so the crew had to work fast and furiously to get set up in time for the shoot.

Fortunately, working with Simon Yam, you have a performer who brings it all, and all of the time, whatever the hour, and we've all fallen in love with our lethal lady rebel Emma Pei.

These two have such a great chemistry, they warm the alleyway even before the sun has risen.

Working at his usual rapid clip, Michael had the scene wrapped well before the appointed hour.

Meanwhile, I was back in the studio, supervising the preparation for Phoe's first major fight in the film, a scene set in a hotel suite where she defeats an assassin sent to slay her master. We had shot the first part of the sequence earlier, while we had Ye Xiao-gang, who plays the Bagwun, with us.

There's a dialogue sequence between master and student, and then a shot where Deva awakes, aware that something is amiss. That's where we left it, and that's where we'll pick it up now...

When it was finally show time, Phoenix proved to us that all her training had paid off, and she performed to the exacting level demanded by Louis, Ken and myself. For all of you would-be martial arts stars out there, let me tell you, its not the techniques alone that wear you out, its the sheer repetition!

Phoe performed take after take without complaint, and made it evident that we had absolutely made the right choice in casting our Deva.

That evening, actor Lin Dong-fu, who plays Captain Trayng in the film, arrived at the studio. Lin is a well-known TV actor, and has a wonderful speaking voice (and perfect English!). He was formerly the Mandarin voice for such actors as Lee Marvin, Gregory Peck and, in 'Star Wars', James Earl Jones!

Given that this was the first time Phoenix was really being called on to show her stuff, she had our full court press in terms of support. Besides Ken, Louis and myself, her Tai Chi teacher Ocean Hou was on set, as well as our invaluable co-producer Seth Scher.

Our poor DP, Ross Clarkson, and gaffer Eric Boland ended up working an 18 hour day, with not a word of complaint. My respects to both these worthy gentlemen for their energy and support.

A great day: the launch of a new action queen and a new style of movie martial arts...

Next : More radio days, and the captain's log...