9-11-09: The Blood Bond Saga (part 34)

Into the hospital

AKA the hospital from hell... This set, our biggest interior, took forever to prepare, and we only managed to shoot a couple of scenes today.

Note to would-be producers: everything takes longer to light than you think it will.

Second note: when you do finally get enough lights up to illuminate your set, it will then be too hot to actually shoot on.

Third note: everything can be darkened down in post, but its almost impossible to lighten something up.

I was very grateful to the wonderful Chinese character actor Lin Dong-fu, cast as Captain Trayng, for his patience as the set was prepared and lighting put in place. It seemed to take forever, and he never once complained.

Our 3rd AD, Pete Wong, who is actually by choice an actor!, was drafted in to play Lieutenant Wuchi when an actor originally selected priced himself out of the game.

Not to would-be actors: when you're a complete unknown, you need the gig more than you need the money!

Pete aquitted himself well, especially going up against a veteran like Lin. What a voice this guy has! He's the Richard Burton of Shanghai...

Michael and Lin have established a great rapport, to the extent that Lin actually said, to MB's surprise, "I'm learning so much from you!"

Lin came to be cast after Michael screened some scenes he performed in for a Mainland Chinese TV series. Even though MB doesn't understand Mandarin, he knew a good actor when he saw one and said "we want that guy". Given that ours is a low budget production, it took some cajoling to get Lin's manager to agree to his participation (managers have waaaay too much control over their clients in both Hong Kong and China).

Anyway, we're proud to have Lin Dong-fu in the cast!

The other good thing about today was all the girls in nurses outfits running around the studio. These included my long suffering assistant producer, Christine Ip.

I should say a few words about her: Christine has an unfailingly sunny disposition, a wry sense of humour, great work ethic... She gives me great faith in the next generation. I really want to commend her for the contribution to the project. (Does this mean I don't have to pay her for this month?)

Oh, did I mention we had cute girls in nurses outfits on the set?

We're back in there tomorrow. I may need a hospital by the time this scene is over...

Next: Carry on,  doctor...