By Melinda McCrady
When filming a martial arts action scene, how do you play to
an actor’s strength—even when they have no athletic background? How do you
make a novice look like an expert? We spoke with some of the best martial arts
stunt coordinators in Hollywood—and in
China—to find
out.
Finding “The
One”
How do you know where to find one of these martial arts
stuntmen? You may start with a general stunt coordinator. Eddie Braun
was the stunt coordinator for the “Rush Hour” movies. Although not a martial
artist himself, the 29-year industry veteran knows where to find them.
“I know as much about martial arts as I do about Hai Karate
cologne,” quipped Braun. “I don’t know a lot, but I know where to get the
best.”
So Braun chose Tai Kwon Do expert Simon Rhee to work directly
with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in both training and choreography for the
“Rush Hour” movies.
Braun cites the importance of having a martial artist who is
comfortable working with celebrities, as they must work closely with them in
training.
“If we don’t have their confidence” said Braun about the
actors, “then we’re not going to get anything out of the performance.”
Understanding Martial
Arts before the Shoot
Having a thorough understanding about martial arts is
paramount to a successful shoot.
Although Ang Lee, director of Academy Award-winning “Crouching Tiger,
Hidden Dragon,” was not a martial artist, his curiosity and exacting nature lead
to extensive research into the subject of wushu, or Chinese martial arts. At
times he would even train with Beijing-based stunt coordinator Ma Zhong Xuan
alongside actors Chow Yun Fat and Zhang Zi Yi.
“Ang Lee did not know wushu,” said Ma about the director.
“But he spent a year looking for wushu experts to teach him the intricacies and
philosophy of wushu.”
Lee found Ma after an extensive search for an expert
swordsman from both the west and east. Ma, a national champion swordsman,
happened to be exactly what the director was looking for. Lee included Ma in
pre-production, training, choreography, stunt doubling for Chow and even acting.
Training a Giant
Time and preparation are paramount to achieving a convincing
martial arts performance from an actor – especially when that actor has physical
limitations. Rhee had to train basketball player Sun Ming Ming, the
second tallest man on earth, for a fight scene with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker
in “Rush Hour 3.”
Although the seven-foot-nine tall Sun is an athlete and was
strong in his strikes and kicks, his character lacked believability as a
formidable fighter. Ironically, his enormous size kept him from looking very
scary. To make matters worse, growing up without access to properly fitting
shoes caused problems with his balance. Rhee helped Sun improve his balance, and
then trained him on punches, blocks and kicks. But with only two weeks to train
him, they were severely limited in what they could accomplish.
Rhee feels that with more time, he could have done better to
prepare him as a fighter and a thespian. “The most difficult part was teaching
him how to act with punches and kicks,” said Rhee. “He did not know how to make
mean faces with his powerful punches and kicks and therefore his techniques did
not look strong enough.”
Demands on the Actors
Sometimes even the actors share the same obsession with
perfection as their instructors, and are willing to endure physical demands,
even to the point of injury.
“I had Eric Roberts as my student and I was teaching him how
to use a staff for the movie, "Best of the Best," said Rhee. “After two hours of
practicing, his hands were bleeding, but he would not give up until he had the
technique mastered.”
When asked about his biggest challenge in martial arts for
production, Rhee expressed his passion for excellence through preparation: “Not
having enough time to prepare the actors and/or having enough time to shoot the
scene properly.”
High Expectations in
the World of Martial Arts
When Ma was approached to do the Chinese series, “The Legend
of Bruce Lee,” he was both excited and hesitant about taking the job.
“Bruce Lee is my hero,” said Ma about the kung fu legend. “I
respect him immensely.” Although daunted by the opportunity to direct the action
of the “Bruce Lee Story,” he couldn’t refuse. Just like his hero, Ma was both
humble and confident about the job.
“I was very excited, at the same time, fear[ful] for my
limitation in doing Bruce Lee justice,” said Ma. “If I didn't take the job, I
was afraid someone less qualified then me would be the choreographer and bring
substandard action to this great name.”
Ma also worked with Jet Li and Yuen Woo-Ping in “Fearless.”
As action coordinator, Ma faced the arduous task of selecting every actor from
over 1000 wushu athletes.
“Their criteria was extremely high,” said Ma. “It was a
challenge for me to find perfect actors and stuntmen for each role.”
Making a Novice Look
Like and Expert
During the planning stages, the martial arts coordinator must
consider the individual needs of each performer. While actors usually keep
themselves fit, most lack a background in martial arts. But by playing up their
strengths, the best martial arts coordinators will find a way to make the actors
look like real fighters.
An actor with an athletic background, for instance, may pick
up the moves more quickly than most. When Rhee trained Treat Williams for the
third and fourth “Substitute” sequels, Rhee had little trouble preparing him for
the fight.
“He used to be a dancer, so it was very easy for me to work
with him,” said Rhee. “I would
train him about two to three hours every few days before his fight scene and he
would pick it up right away.”
Dancing also helped actress Zhang Zi-Yi play her role as Jen
Yu in “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” Director Ang Lee hired Beijing-based
Master Ma Zhongxuan to help
coordinate the many aspects of martial arts for the film, including planning,
choreography and training the actors. Ma took advantage of Zhang’s ability as a
dancer to make up for her lack of training in wushu, or Chinese martial arts.
Chow Yun Fat, who played Master Li Mu Bai in the film, lacked
a strong athletic background, according to Ma. But Ma recognized that Chow’s
strength lies in his acting ability, and used that to bolster his performance.
“Use style, flavor and acting to show his expertise as a
swordsman, rather than skills,” was Ma’s advice for the production. The
resulting performance even impressed Lee, a director well-known for his
particular style.
“Ang Lee was most satisfied with the design of Chow Yun Fat's
stylish poses and movements as a mysterious swordsman,” said Ma.
Stunt doubles and computer effects filled in the gaps and
completed their performances in the action scenes.
Besides training, said Ma, "existing talent, stunt doubles and
post production are what make a complete novice look like an expert.”
