Tim Man on preparing to film the fights in “Kill 'em All”:
Tim Man: I had, roughly speaking, one month to prepare. To develop choreography, train actors and stuntmen, prepare stunts, etc. So there was quite a lot done in a short period of time, considering there was so much action. Most of the actors in the cast had no experience in on-screen fighting/martial arts, so I had to keep the fights as simple as possible while also trying to make the actors look like professionals.
I didn't really read the script before agreeing to the project. I had just finished working on an Italian film, the first Italian martial arts comedy film, and after that I went to Thailand.
I was supposed to coordinate fights/stunts in Kill 'em All, but the creators had difficulty finding an actor to play Kid, so in the end I had to take on that too. It’s hard to do three jobs at the same time. But after finishing work on the Italian action film, I was already accustomed to sleepless nights.
How long did it take to shoot the choreography sequences?
Tim Man: It was shot quickly, I think it took about a month. That's why there was some tension, but this often happens when the budget is not too high.
Describe your impressions of working with the legendary Gordon Liu. Did you feel any pressure working with him?
Tim Man: Gordon is a legend, he was in movies before I was born. Gordon is a very experienced actor/filmmaker and is easy to work with. But I didn’t feel any pressure, although I respect him extremely.
Sadly, Joe Lewis passed away not too long ago. Please tell us some related story from the set.
Tim Man: Joe Lewis was the greatest, very funny. Always happy, smiling, joking. With his presence, he lifted the mood of the entire film crew. Joe was almost 70 years old, keep in mind, but, in spite of everything, he could “pull” a number of tough fights; he had no doubles. This is what he is all about. We were shooting with a small Canon 5D camera, and it seemed to me that Joe never once figured out where the damn camera was. He kept asking me where the camera was, even if it was next to his face. Perhaps he wondered where they could hide this hefty camera.
Did actors like Joe and Gordon bring something different to their fight scenes? If yes, then tell us what exactly.
Tim Man: Gordon didn't have any of that, he was happy to do what I showed him. It was enough once, and he remembered everything. Joe offered something of his own, but we didn’t use it. He wanted to show on the screen the technique of a real fight, five strikes with the forehead in a row with the transition to a grip with a break in the arm (laughs). But this was not suitable for the film; the person on whom he showed all this would probably go crazy. Joe was a real fighter, and I would not envy him who decided to rob this old man.
In Kill 'em All, the fighting looked convincing. Were there any episodes that were more difficult to film than others? If you can, describe one of the most difficult ones, the time for preparation, rehearsals, etc.
Tim Man: Filming all the fights was not particularly difficult, just the filming. BUT we had little time, as a result of which there was constant tension, there was no time for breaks. There was only action, take after take, as much as possible to fit into the schedule. This is not the best or safest way to shoot. I prefer not to do this. Due to the heavy workload, all the fighters were a little out of sorts and often lost their temper when something went wrong or someone forgot their moves.
You have worked with actress Zom Ammara and various actors of varying sizes. Describe the challenges of creating a believable fight between a 50-pound woman and a 90-pound man.
Tim Man: Well, first of all, I don't think the fights are believable, it's a movie. The guy was tall, and the editing of this fight left much to be desired. It could have turned out much better if, for example, someone skilled in martial arts had done the editing.
By the way, about Ammara: she is very talented, did she add something of her own to the battles, for example, in the battle with Gordon?
Tim Man: Yes, Zom is great. Before Kill 'em All, she didn't know anything at all. I remember when I first saw her, I thought: “Oh my God, this won’t do!” We need to find her a good understudy.” But she trained very hard, every day for a month. I was very surprised. I'm proud of the way she performed on screen.
After watching the final cut of Kill 'em All, were you satisfied with the on-screen fights? Maybe tell me what you would like to change?
Tim Man: To be honest, I was very depressed after watching the film. I expected more. In fact, the person who did the editing might try to end my career after reading this interview. But the editing turned out to be worse than ever, it was simply disgusting! All fights consisted of one punch, one kick, one movement. He even cut some of the most powerful moves... WHO THE HELL DOES THIS AND WHAT THE HELL?!? Let the actor perform the move to completion, damn it! He even managed to insert such stupid angles that either the blow was not visible at all, or there was a close-up during the kick. For example, in the fight between me and Joe Lewis, I hit Joe with a split jump and, after a full contact blow, he flies into the wall. It turns out that Joe took the hard blow in vain and crashed into the wall, and he was almost 70 years old. The question is, why the hell did anyone want to insert an angle from behind the shoulder, while hiding the blow and fall itself? All these cuts ruin the rhythm. Of course, if this was an Indian film, with actors who don't know how to fight or fight poorly, then such a cut could help save the situation. But in a film like this, she ruins everything. Initially, it was planned that the film would be edited in Thailand under the supervision of the director, and in this case the film would have turned out much better. But the creators apparently made the wrong choice by entrusting the editing of the episodes to an American.
Regarding the next project - are you ready for Ninja 2? When will pre-production and filming begin?
Tim Man: I'm working on Ninja 2, like you said. I finished the preparatory work and just started training the actors. Filming will begin on January 14th.
Can you share any developments or ideas regarding Ninja 2?
Tim Man: I can't tell you anything other than it's going to be action-packed and it's going to be a great movie (though that means a couple more sleepless nights)! And in the film you will see my ugly face.
What does the future hold for Tim Man? Focus more on acting and choreography?
Tim Man: I hope the future brings more acting and choreography. I like to do both, but if I had to choose, I would probably prefer choreography. It's nice to be on camera, but it's hard work, especially if you're doing martial arts films. Choreography is no less difficult, but it is more difficult mentally than physically. And when you do both acting and choreography at the same time, you spend a lot of energy on it, although at the end of filming you feel great.
Tim, our interview has come to an end (laughs), thanks again for taking the time out of your busy schedule to give this interview.
Tim Man: And thank you, in turn.
Author: Danny Shamon
Source: dansmoviereport.blogspot.ru
Translation: EvilDollaR
Thank you very much for the link Ilya
If we are talking about the main character, then she is Thai. And Lewis’s belly is just that. :)
I watched Teen Man's film - he sucks and the film sucks, except for Lewis and the Chinese woman's belly, the fights are disgustingly choreographed, I think Teen Man can't be trusted with anything.
Above it is written: Loco=JJ Perry
Perry's nickname is Loco. Translated from Spanish - undermined, crazy.
No, I remember JJ Perry from his role as JJ Tucker from the movie Bloodsport 3, but who is Loco?
Probably the people who previously played the 10th roles of tournament participants against the background of such actors as Bernhard and Norton are now stars and rule in the first roles.
Trolling is not good.
Who is Loko?
Let me clarify a little: Loko=JJ Perry
Why shouldn't it? There is no connection: average cinematographer = lousy choreographer. Loco was far from the best movie fighter... and now he is one of the most sought-after people for directing action scenes.
Also about Lewis: I saw the choreography in the Power of Five. Not interested. Joe himself borrowed too much from Bruce; Norton and Urquidez looked pale compared to their future works.
"Ninja 2, and the same Adkins, Ninja 1 is nonsense. Adkins played only undeniably well, he himself is also only suitable for a secondary fighter, such as a security guard for some boss. Example - The Expendables 2, US-4), Tim Man is good as a stuntman, as a secondary fighter, but he should not have the main role, much less be responsible for the choreography, unlike Joe Lewis, for example. I'll watch the film and write an objective review of the film.
If Boyka goes there...khan to great wars =)
If so... we take interest =)
It's clear. Scott was just talking about Rambo and Undisputed. Rambo went to Thailand, and Boyka will go the same way :) All great warriors go to live in Thailand... :-D
Just don’t tell me that they are planning to take our “commonly invented” story about sliced loaves as a basis. :D
Agree
Undisputed 4 is also planned to be filmed in Thailand. Ninja 1 grossed more money than Undisputed 3.
Probably the same multi-colored ones with the inscription Ninja on the head.
It will be cool if Panna also contributes in some way there.
It was necessary to film Undisputed 4 in Thailand, but the fight choreographer should have been different. And in general, I still don’t understand why they gave the move to Ninja 2, and not Undeniable 4...
And I agree with them (although I haven’t seen Kill Them All YET). He may not be the best choreographer, BUT he can add the flavor typical of Thai fighting games + add to this filming in Thailand and Thai stuntmen to the already existing Isaac and Scott... we may well get a sequel that is much cooler than the original
Don't mention this name in vain...otherwise he'll remember that he's been a NINJA fan since childhood and decide to visit Isaac on the set =)
One does not interfere with the other at all. There are many examples: a good coach does not equal a good athlete (and vice versa), a good fighter in the ring does not equal a good movie fighter (and vice versa), a good movie fight choreographer does not equal a good movie fighter (and vice versa).
Exactly, instead of RZA, at least for a cameo. :)
Where is Tony Jaa? ;) And where is the blow to the Thai stuntman in full force :-D
[img]https://fbcdn-sphotos-ba.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/64931_390672407690114_93057645_n.jpg[/img]
We should have taken Scott to TYAG2.
Scott's dream partially came true
[img]http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/538449_390672924356729_2106209218_n.jpg[/img]
But the producers of “Ninja 2”, and the same Adkins, apparently have a different opinion.
This Tin Man again. I haven’t watched the film yet, but it’s on the root tracker.
A person is only good at being a secondary fighter, so where should he put his fights?
The video with cabbage from the TV series Hotell Gyllene Knorren, where he was a stunt double.
[img]http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/60003_162461753771070_570738_n.jpg[/img]
The garage is the same Italian Una vita da sogno, if I'm not mistaken.
Please tell me at the very beginning, the first video, the moment with cutting the “cabbage”, which movie is this from?
There is also a moment in the garage where he jumps and destroys several opponents. Is this a production for a show reel, what do you think, or working moments of some kind of film?
Offtopic: a great thing for stuntmen
youtube.com/watch?v=zbTkI7iH7F4
A good rehash of the GREAT! With interesting inserts of your own! Talented guys! But I don’t understand - Why?
It would be better if they directed their energy into the same “Kill 'em All”. There would be a lot more benefits. Sure.
Oh, Brahim is present. The one on the far left looks like Kazu, but it doesn’t seem to be him.
Scott Adkins and Tim Man
[img]http://f4.s.qip.ru/nQRL9BZ3.jpg[/img]
[img]http://f2.s.qip.ru/SwgAVlpJ.jpg[/img]
It seems to me that Kill 'em All would be good if there was a normal script and sane dialogues. the editing itself is of course very unimportant, to put it mildly, but worse has happened. the characters are empty, as usual we have puppets waving their legs. Oh, I'm tired of these urban landscapes and dubstep in the soundtrack, here I absolutely agree with Jaidev about the slums. Joe Lewis is colorful, despite some slowness in his actions, he is the only one there who looks like a fighter with practice (have you noticed how he always mechanically lifts up the trouser leg of his leading leg? =) fighting reflex) What happened to Tim Man in the toilet when this brutal woman attacked him ? Suddenly forgot how to fight? Are you having an epileptic attack?) And the scene with the bricks is lol)
Tim Man: "I had to keep the fights as simple as possible while trying to make the actors look like professionals." )) Well, to be honest, it didn’t work out very well. It would be better to come up with a clearer style for each character and work based on it. Then amateurism would not be so obvious. It's not about the fights or the editing or the budget: it's just a passable movie overall.
PS: And I still really lack personality. Not just a skilled fighter or choreographer. And the personalities. A banal example, of course, but like the great Bruce Lee. Whom you can just look at when he stands and is silent. Unfortunately, in our ordinary feature films there are almost no such people...
youtube.com/watch?v=a4DxBaQIMss
In case someone didn't notice ;)
The second video of course)) Nostalgia! Still, Jackie was 100 times better! I love this scene.
Nice interview. And Americans shouldn’t be allowed to film or edit action at all. Jackie has spoken about this hundreds of times.
I watched this movie the other day. I wasn't impressed by anything. If it were not for him, the world would not have lost anything.
Tim is a great fighter and deserves more. My opinion is that the creators of medium and low budget films are obsessed with battles in the slums, special agents and special forces. I don’t understand who needs this garbage???!!!
Yeah. Usually no one says such things (about editing) out loud.
Thank you, it’s rare that you get such pleasure from a translation.
Thanks for the translation.
youtube.com/watch?v=lPmUuUUhCys
youtube.com/watch?v=y3Y9IpVDwa0
I recommend reading, especially the answer to the question about the editing of “Kill 'em All”, although I still had to soften one word. :)