Shooting Red Dawn Rising#3

 

Still inside the kung fu temple of doom...

In this esoteric temple setting, the battle between Deva (Phoenix Valen) and the warrior monks continues. The rain thunders down; I'm glad we're inside the soundstage. A brazier burns at one end of the set: its like a James Taylor song, fire and rain...

My thanks to the extraordinary talents of Carey Goldman, who put the set together and decorated it in record time to allow us to film here in the time allotted. Carey is an ex-patriate US production designer working at Ace, and always comes armed with a dozen good ideas.

I want to mention the great Ocean Hou, my good friend and Tai Chi teacher. I actually met Ocean through AnD, and he was invaluable on 'Blood Bond 1', coaching Phoenix in the applications of the Chen style and also playing a good dramatic role. My only regret was that I couldn't find a chance to let him fight in the film. Happily, he returned to coach Phoenix for 'Red Dawn Rising', and to play a combative role in the new film.

Our DP, Morgan Celine, stays fast on his feet, adjusting lights and quick to voice an opinion on how something might be made to look better. He also has a cheerful disposition, which you need from a DP when you're shooting these kinds of hours.

Ken and his team keep track of the action. Antony, Phoenix and I focus on the story and character. Phoe and I know Deva better than anyone, but its great to get Szeto's fresh perspective on who she is, and where we can take her. Right now, we're planning this as a trilogy: The Blood Bond Saga.

Part one is the film we already shot, the young Deva coming to terms with being a 'Protector' of the holy, part two sees her take on a young protege to protect another religious leader, part three will see her find true love. (All candidates for this role in the third film, please appy to AnD in writing...)

I keep learning great lessons from Antony . Here's a good one for all you would-be action film-makers: as a producer, I always want to get the most value of every day, pushing to shoot past midnight if necessary. Antony taught me it a false saving: you work the cast and crew harder and later at night, they start off slower and more tired the next day. Wrap a little earlier and have everyone bright the following morning. Lesson learned!

Once again, German Cheung proves to be an MVP, coaching Phoe...

...demonstrating moves...

...and doubling a monk for one aerial technique.

Given that this is their second film, there's a great rapport between action director Ken Ip and Phoenix. He pushes her to be as perfect as possible; she teases him at every turn. They'll also be working together on the upcoming 'Beach Spike!'.

We're graced by a visit from Sharon Yeung Pang Pang, who is Ken's manager and German's 'kai ma' (adoptive mother). I remember watching her kung fu fighting in her prime; its such a blast that I get to use her team on our films. She runs the Hit Hut in Hong Kong (where all you prospective action stars should be training) , and she's a terrific producer in her own right. (And she bought us all sodas...!)

Constantly I'm amazed at the grit shown by our lovely leading lady. Phoenix wasn't born to the martial world the way the stunt team were, but she's shown as has as much sand as any of them.

Fierce in movement...

Gentle in repose

And goofy as hell the rest of the time...!

'