John Salvitti (John Salvitti) - martial artist with more than 35 years of experience, choreographer, director, stuntman, instructor of the American Marines, holder of a large number of ranks and titles, first entered Hong Kong cinema in 1989 thanks to his longtime friend and mentor Donnie Yen, who introduced him to the director Yuen Wu-Ping. John was immediately chosen for the role of the on-screen enemy Donnie and began working as an assistant choreographer on many early projects Woo-Ping и Jena (Tiger Cage 2 / Tiger Cage 2, On Performance 4 / In The Line of Duty 4, Crystal Hungt). Salvitti became one of the first foreigners to work with “By the Yuen Clan”, Ian continued his mentorship John In movie “Fire Cheetah” (Cheetah on Fire) and “A Hero Among Heroes” (Hero Among Heroes). So Salvitti joined the choreography team Donnie Yen.
After its successful debut in Hong Kong during the B-movie era of the early '90s, Salvitti moved to Southern California, where he began working as a choreographer in the hope of introducing the so-called “Hong Kong style” to Hollywood. Nowadays it is used everywhere, but in those days it was very difficult to destroy stereotypes about Chinese films, especially when it came to working with wires - many were afraid of the unknown. Fortunately, the directors decided to take a risk, and the first work Salvitti became a film with a stuntman Steve Railsback “Own War” (Private Wars). Subsequently there was a series "Renegade" (Renegade) with Lorenzo Lamas, and then “Hardest Strike 2” (Shootfighter 2) with Bolo Yeungom. Bolo knew that Salvitti worked with some of the best in the Hong Kong film industry, so he persuaded the director to allow John do choreography and film most of the fights. Meanwhile, another invitation awaited him from Donnie Yen.
Throughout their 20-year collaboration Salvitti managed to work on many famous films, including "Blade 2" (Blade 2) "Hero" (Hero), “The Twin Effect” (Twin's Effect) and "Hot spot" / “Maximum voltage” / "Flash" (Flashpoint). Here's what he says about him Donnie Yen:
John Salvitti and I have been friends for over 20 years, he starred with me in Cage of the Tiger, he studied MMA for over 15 years. Fate brought us together. He is like my second in the corner of the ring.
Exactly Salvitti в “The twin effect” и “Hot spot” for the first time I decided to include elements of mixed martial arts into the choreography. Also John helped Jena с MMA training and the concept of staging fights. Thanks to their collaboration MMA “joined” Hong Kong cinema.
It is also worth noting his work on a musical short film "Double Blade" с Jay Chou starring. Participated in the creation of the video Danny Trejo (Desperado, Machete), operator Andrzej Sekula (Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, American Psycho) and director Alexi Tan (Blood brothers).
“John is a great fight director, always full of unique ideas that fit perfectly into the story and what’s happening on screen,” - I said, Thane о Salvitti.
Short film “Double Blade”
Philomography:
- (2009) The Last Low Tide - 2nd Unit Director
- (2008) US Marine Corps Specialized Training - Director/Producer
- (2007) Flashpoint (USA) - Asst. Fight Choreographer/ Fight Trainer for Donnie Yen/ Stuntmen Team
- (2006) Storm Breaker (USA) - Asst. Fight Choreographer/Donnie Yen Team/Stunt Performer
- (2004) Double Blade (MTV Asia, Action-Music-Short) - Fight Choreographer/Fight Trainer for Jay Chow
- (2003) Twins Effect (Hong Kong) - Asst. Fight Choreographer/Donnie Yen Team
- (2002) Hero - Fight Asst.:Donnie Yen
- (2001) Blade 2 (USA) New Line Cinema - Asst. Fight Choreographer for Donnie Yen Team/Stunt Fighter
- (2000 to 01) Der Puma (TV series, Nostro “Films, RTL releasing Germany) - Asst. Fight Choreographer for Donnie Yen Team
- (2001) Discovery Channel (Film Garden Ent. Inc., USA) “On the Inside, Martial Arts-Kung Fu Fighter” - Featured as Fight Choreography
- (1997 to 1998) Red Thread (USA) - Director/Writer/Producer
- (1995) Shootfighter 2 (USA) - Fight Choreographer/Actor (Tony)
- (1994) Sword of Honor (USA) - Fight Choreographer/ Featured Fighter (Doorman)
- (1994) Midnight Man - Fight Choreographer/ Featured Fighter (Rebel Henchman)
- (1994) TV Renegade Series (USA) - Fight Choreographer
- (1993) Private Wars (USA) - Fight Choreographer/ Featured Fighter (Falco)
- (1993) Code Name Alexa (USA) - Stunt Fighter
- (1993) Hero Among Heroes (Hong Kong) - Fight Asst. Donnie Yen
- (1992) Cheetah on Fire (Hong Kong) - Featured Fighter (Rebel Hanchman)
- (1991) Crystal Hungt - Featured Fighter (Stephen)
- (1990) Tiger Cage 2 (Hong Kong) - Caucasian Henchman
- (1989) In the Line of Duty 4 - Fighter in the alley on motorcycle
Interesting Facts:
- Salvitti is a 5th Dan in Shotokan Karate and also proficient in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Chinese Wushu/Kung Fu, MMA and various weapons.
- John studied wushu with Donnie Yen and his mother Mai Baochan at the Boston Chinese Wushu Research Institute. Later, he himself became an assistant instructor and leader of a team that traveled around New England with demonstration performances. Among the team members were Donnie Yen and his younger sister Chris.
- He was inducted into the martial arts hall of fame along with Randy Couture and Bill Wallace.
- His life credo is the words of his teacher John Woodden: “Don’t give up on your dreams, otherwise your dream will give up on you.”
Source: johnsalvitti.com
Translation: EvilDollaR
Thanks to Alexander Vsevalov for help in finding information
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Tags: B, Cheetah on Fire, Crystal Hungt, Double Blade, Flashpoint, Hero, Hero Among Heroes, In The Line of Duty 4, Renegade, Shootfighter 2, Tiger Cage 2, biography, John Salvitti, Donnie Yen, Yuen Wu-Ping
Tags: B, Cheetah on Fire, Crystal Hungt, Double Blade, Flashpoint, Hero, Hero Among Heroes, In The Line of Duty 4, Renegade, Shootfighter 2, Tiger Cage 2, biography, John Salvitti, Donnie Yen, Yuen Wu-Ping
Can anyone tell me what kind of music is playing in the short film double blade?
Also by the way, Faris was dubbed by this guy (choreographer/stuntman Joe Bernecker):
[img]http://www.filminglouisiana.com/uploads/e89098ba3847777d1adffd2a8c495e37.jpg[/img]
EvilDollar, thanks for John’s filmography. I added “Private wars” to my collection. And "Freerunner", by the way, is the wildest and cheapest trash. Just how I like it! )))
Freerunner OYE! I'm rocking!
Offtop
Freerunner has appeared online with translation.
Very interesting. The team of Yen and Wu Ping were like pioneers in Hong Kong, who, in my opinion, were the only ones who continued mixed styles of MMA after the death of Bruce Lee. Then it was the answer to the accustomed Kung Fu