Rumble Pictures did the action for the Martial Arts Comedy.
Basically the first film I've ever collaborated with that so happened to be a Martial Art film. Kung Fu Shuffle was intended to be Tropfest entry to make it to the top. Requiring to take a significant role in this film, I spent 2 weeks training about 15 actors and the extras and actors before a sweeping two weeks shooting in a Chinatown.
Huge budget cutbacks forced some innovation which i look back in awe. I brought along the Project Vengeance team here ( Wayne Pham & Johnny Nguyen ) to help out with the action.
Also this is the project where we met up with future Rumble filmmaker Rudge Hollis *AWwwww*
Not the toppest film in the world but i had to say the highlight for me in the project was choreographing the fight scenes with the sexy leading ladies. It was awesome to get them to kickass.
Completing one of the major Sword fight sequences, things have slowed down heaps since then as Brian has been working at his week day job on his weekends as well. Unable to pound out fight choreo with him, I've been working it out in my head and let me tell it's darn difficult. What you find with fight sequences is that it's very much the same with working out dance sequences. The difference with fight choreo is that you're just working towards beating someone rather than moving in to the music.
I guess another thing to think about fight scenes is that you have to be aware of camera angles than just the movement itself.
Which is quite an interesting thought, my good friend May Wa introduced me to a group of dancers who just won 'America's Best Dance Group' show. Calling themselves the 'Jabbawokkees', these guys are the best dancers I've ever seen- Period! Watching all their stuff, i realized these guys aren't just technically the best dancers but they're just simply creative geniuses. They are able to utilize all forms of their inspirations to develop a showcase which is inspired, entertaining and always original--- always Jabbawokkeez. From Breaking to Pop-locking to Krumping these guys pull together the right stuff at the right time without having to rely on dazzling the audience with the really technically challenging moves that people expect.
Checkout the Jabbawokkeez rendition of Michael Jackson's PYT. Awesome !
Watching these guys just motivated me and opened my eyes as to what's possible with movement. Hell we only have 2 arms and legs yet we can express ourselves in thousands of ways. Think about it! Hmmm...hopefully all this understanding helps me out here on the fights. But i tell you one thing, I'm definitely dancing around the house a lot more. Michael Jackson-inspired fight scene? Now that's thinking laterally!!
13-04-08 - Considered one of the biggest youth festivals in Western Sydney. Youths deluged Fairfield City show ground to watch bands, dances, car shows and all the youth related festivities. In hindsight, youth events are an awesome way for a guy over 20 to feel there age. You most definitely don't feel "with it".
Jane and Ryan vox pop some teens whilst Maria and Rudge pose dramatically in background to encourage a serious atmosphere. No messing around here!
Rumble Pictures was brought along to the event by Community First Step to shoot a consultation video to find about the issues that young people face. We asked questions like what they thought about institutions, their personal aspirations and what they would like to change in the local area.
Relieved to wrap up shoot for the day. We go for some much needed Toyota action.
