Can you tell us about how you got started in martial arts?
Gary Daniels: I started practicing martial arts at the age of 8 at a local school. kung Fu, where they taught a system called “Mongolian kung fu.” This hybrid system consisted mainly of applied techniques, and I regarded it as a systematic form of street fighting. At about 12 years old I went to a club taekwondo, where three years later he received a black belt, studying at three London schools. At the age of 16/17 I started studying kickboxing and fighting in the Professional Karate Association under the direction of Mickey Byrney, a former British Army physical training instructor and champion boxer. After moving to the states, I studied Muay Thai in the center “Jet” Benny Urquidez and Yuki Horiyuchi in his kickboxing training room. Around this time I met Sifu Winston Omega and began studying his Sillum Wong Ka Kune style for the next 18 years. For the last 5 years I have been coming to Thailand and practicing Muay Thai in several training camps.
How did you manage to get into the film industry?
Gary Daniels: I studied acting in Florida and did a few small comedies there, but when I moved to the Philippines in '86/87, I signed two contracts with a local film company called Solar Films. So I starred in several films there. Then he returned to the states, moved to Los Angeles, where things began to improve.
In your films you demonstrate excellent physical shape. Can you tell us about your training (daily?) regimen?
Gary Daniels: There is nothing unusual about my training regimen, but I have always been and remain very consistent. For the last 30 years I have been training 5-6 days a week. They consist of 3-4 runs per week, jumping rope, exercise bike, strength exercises, martial arts classes, and, of course, diet, which is very important for maintaining a sculpted appearance. It is very important to eat right and abstain from cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. All these things can destroy your body.
You have worked with many famous movie stars: Jackie Chan, Stallone, Sugar Ray Leonard, Wesley Snipes, Seagal. What was it like working with these people?
Gary Daniels: They were all different to work with, each had their own unique personality traits and each had their own approach to filmmaking. I personally have had to adapt to these different traits and learn from each of them. Of course, some people are easier to work with than others, but I try to treat everyone with respect.
This year you have two big-budget films coming out - “Tekken” and “The Expendables”. What can you tell readers about these films and the roles you played in them?
Gary Daniels: B "Tekken" I'm playing Brian Fury, a fighter whose strength is enhanced by cybergenetics. He's a little crazy! It was fun to play his role. It is always very difficult to recreate a video game or cartoon character on the screen because we humans have a limit of possibilities that game/animated characters do not have. I tried to revive the spirit of the character, but it’s hard to surprise fans of the original. I haven't seen Tekken yet, but I was glad to work with so many talented fighters and actors, and with such an experienced director as Dwight Little.
В "The Expendables" I also have the role of a villain. He is a mercenary who works with Steve Austin for Eric Roberts' character. At the end of the film I fight against Jet Li и Jason Statham, two against one. It was an invaluable experience for me to work with such great people, including Chad Stahelski, stunt coordinator/fight director and Sylvester Stallone, whose energy and directing style served as an incentive for the cast and the entire film crew. I haven’t seen the final result yet, but I’m sure it will live up to expectations.
I'm a big fan of Hawk's Revenge, Blood Moon and The White Tiger. These films approach fight choreography differently. Did you choreograph these fights yourself? What moments are you most proud of?
Gary Daniels: In the films I've starred in, I choreographed many of the fights myself, but I also enjoy working with other experienced fight choreographers. Whenever I get the chance, I use my sifu and the guys from the stunt team for some projects. "Alpha stunt". It is very important to be able to adapt to other choreographers, otherwise your fights may lose their novelty with each film and become boring for the audience. Not long ago I worked with Steve Austin again on the film “Hungt to Kill”. I was asked to come up with fights for our fight scene. This is the first time I've choreographed a fight where I lose!! I must admit that many of the fights that I came up with turned out to be not what I imagined them to be. This is because I didn't have access to a camera or editing, which are a very important part of the process.
Jean-Claude Van Damme recently announced that he will fight in the ring under K-1 rules. Have you ever wanted to go back and compete in martial arts?
Gary Daniels: Two years ago I fought in Thailand and lost on points in a 5 round fight. I still enjoy competitive fighting and am happy with my technique and fitness. But during this fight, I realized that my pressure was no longer the same, and without it it is difficult to reach the limit of my capabilities. It's time to leave this activity for younger guys.
You have worked with some of the best directors in the DTV film market. What do you remember most, bad or good?
Gary Daniels: Again, I've worked with a lot of directors and they each have their own style and I've learned a lot from them, so how can you say who's worse and who's better? The most correct answer to this question should be the finished product. A lot of talented directors will never have an acceptable budget to work with that they can truly realize their desires. A few years ago I worked on a short film with the very talented Thai writer/director Chaya Supannarat. She is trying to get funding for her first feature film. This is sad and shows that in such a situation it is very difficult for some truly talented people to break into the film industry.
Have you ever walked onto set and said to yourself, “What have I gotten myself into?”
Gary Daniels: Indeed, this has happened a few times, but from the moment you agree to film, you have to behave professionally, give your best, no matter the situation, and try to raise the level of the film you're working on. And then - pray. [laughs loudly]
The level of your acting has increased significantly when comparing your first and recent projects. Does this reflect 22 years of experience working in front of the camera or did you work with a tutor?
Gary Daniels: Thank you for such a flattering comment. In fact, I have worked with several acting teachers, but I believe that such classes can only prepare you well for the job. What helps you truly develop as an actor is the experience of working on different sets with different actors and directors. A teacher once told me that actors are people who use professional experience, so as time goes on and you learn new things, you definitely become a better, more experienced performer.
In some of your early films you wore a ponytail at the back, then in the mid-90s it disappeared... Why did you change your haircut?
Gary Daniels: Actually, when I started, I had short hair. My manager at the time was Roy Horan, and it was Hong Kong, late 80s. He told me that I was too “baby-faced” and advised me to grow my hair. And it worked, I started getting more roles, but mostly playing “bad guys.” When they started offering me leading roles, I had to go back to a more conservative appearance. This may sound a little petty, but things like that worked back then.
Which films of yours are you most proud of? Which ones are you ashamed of?
Gary Daniels: When I look at my career as a whole, I realize that sometimes I made bad decisions, ones that were detrimental to my advancement, but then I made them consciously. Am I proud of any of my films? Well, I will say that I am 100% satisfied with every film I have worked on. Some turned out better than others, and some - the opposite. I like “The Fugitive”, “Vengeance”, “The White Tiger”, “Blood Moon” for various reasons. It's not always about the finished product; some films are remembered more because of the experience while filming, the locations, the people you meet, etc. I hope that I will make my best film yet.
Are you a fan of the action genre in general or martial arts films? What are your influences in terms of acting?
Gary Daniels: To be honest, I grew up being an action movie fan. My inspiration was Bruce Lee. After watching his films, I decided to start training and become the first in the film business. I loved the films that came out in Hong Kong in the 80s and early 90s, the ones that starred Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Wang Zhang Li, Teng Tao Liang и Chow Yun Fat. The choreography and performances in these films were impeccable. I liked action movies Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis и Mel Gibson. I wanted to move like Hong Kong actors, be physically fit like Arnie and Sly, and have the acting skills of Bruce [Willis] and Mel, as they can jump effortlessly from action to comedy to drama. These were my main inspirations. I must admit that I am no longer very aware of what kind of B-movies are coming out in Hong Kong or America, and I am no longer inclined to watch films like the ones I have previously acted in. I feel like it's the same old stories being repeated over and over again, and with the advent of wires and green screens, all the action actors have turned into superheroes. In this way, the characters are stripped of their humanity and inherent vulnerability. Fights these days are more about the amount of gymnastics than the fight choreography, and I don't really like that. I guess I should be considered an “old school” guy.
What can we expect in the future from Gary Daniels?
Gary Daniels: I just recently finished working on a film called “Charlie Wright's Getaway” with Aiden Quinn, Andy Garcia, Melvin Van Peebles, Luke Gross and Gina Gershon. It has a great script (that's why he cast good actors). I want to work with good actors, writers and directors, even if it means a small role. It's funny, but as they say, the grass is always greener next door, so when you accept a small role in a big film, you lose the opportunity to play the leading role (and the leading role means more in the film industry than the supporting one). But when you play the lead in a small film, you want to be in one that many people will see. Who knows what the future holds for us. The entire process of making films is changing, and the way we watch them is changing too. I just hope that I can stay in good shape and continue to climb the ladder in the film world.
Author: Jason Rugaard
Source: moviemavericks.com
Translation: EvilDollaR
Thank you
Thank you.
I've liked Blood Moon ever since.
I want to see Brian in his performance. I wish this damn Tekken would appear soon)
We'll have to wait a couple more months. 8)
Registration ends on July 1st 23:59. Online registration will continue from July 2nd to July 6th, but prices will be higher. In addition, you will not receive confirmation by mail. Register now and save money!
You can register for two training camps:
All Stars Fighting Camp. Once you sign up, you'll train with the very best, including Raymond Daniels and the All-Star team.
Camp Chat. It has everything you need for tricking training.
Winners from 170 adult divisions will receive authentic samurai swords. The winners of the 60 youth divisions will receive 5-inch trophies. Participants who won places from 2nd to 4th will also be awarded cups, and medals - from 6th to 8th. Online pre-registration costs $60 and $30 for each additional entry. On the days from July 2 to July 6, prices will increase to $80 and $40, respectively.
ISJA freestyle jiu jitsu and USBA Breaking competitions will be held again this year. Prices: $60 and $30.
Trix Battle (battle of trickers), with participants of all ages and ranks, will be held on Friday at 9 am. Register for a chance to be on stage at the Night of Champions, which will be shown on ESPN2.
Reserved seats. If you want to sit in the front row and get an up-close look at sports karate, the best fighters, competitors and trickers, reserve the best seats in advance. Seats are selling quickly but are still available with online registration.
For the first time in several years, the 2010 US Open will not be held on the weekend of the 4th of July, but will be held on the 9th and 10th in Colorado Springs, at Walt Disney World.
Good day, dear comrades.
Due to the lack of a forum, sometimes you have to write a little off topic =(
EvilDollaR, please translate general information (where it is held, how much the ticket costs, when it is held, who the founder is) about:
usopen-karate.com
Arnold Chon and Matthew Mullins became famous thanks to this tournament.
As a child, I really loved watching films with this actor, especially Blood Moon. I was always impressed by his jump kick...
Is it just me, or has Gary started to look more powerful with age? :)
It will be interesting to see Brian Fury in Tekken!