Management agencies should familiarize themselves with the differences in film production systems when working with cast members from different countries, an industry professional at Unijapan’s “Asia Casting Forum” said Tuesday.
Based on his experience co-producing a film with Japan, Jonathan H. Kim, who produced the Korea-Japan co-prod Virgin Snow, explained that his Asian partners are often not aware that Korean film actors get paid per film rather than production time.
“Often the production time in Korea can go over a year,” he said. “And since they’re paid for a title, they try to charge as much as possible, whereas Japanese or Chinese actors get paid by production time and can shoot two or three films a year.”
Director-producer Solon So said the film industry in China is booming with global castings at the moment, particularly Korean TV celebrities — much in the way Hong Kong kung fu movies in the ‘80s utilized Japanese artists.
Based on his experience co-producing a film with Japan, Jonathan H. Kim, who produced the Korea-Japan co-prod Virgin Snow, explained that his Asian partners are often not aware that Korean film actors get paid per film rather than production time.
“Often the production time in Korea can go over a year,” he said. “And since they’re paid for a title, they try to charge as much as possible, whereas Japanese or Chinese actors get paid by production time and can shoot two or three films a year.”
Director-producer Solon So said the film industry in China is booming with global castings at the moment, particularly Korean TV celebrities — much in the way Hong Kong kung fu movies in the ‘80s utilized Japanese artists.
- 10/26/2010
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jackie Chan's controversial comments about freedom in China that he made at a conference last Saturday were taken out of context, a spokesman for the actor said. "I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not," Chan said about China. "I'm gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled. If we're not being controlled, we'll just do what we want." Solon So, the chief executive of Chan's Jc Group, said the Rush Hour star was speaking about freedom in the entertainment industry and not Chinese (more)...
- 4/22/2009
- by By Chris Homer
- Digital Spy
Jackie Chan has moved to quash the controversy following his recent comments about democracy in China - insisting his remarks were taken out of context.
The action star, a Hong Kong native and one of the Communist nation's leading stars, reportedly spoke about the dangers of China adopting a democratic stance at a business forum in the country's Hainan province on Saturday.
He reportedly told the forum, "I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not. I'm gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled. If we're not being controlled, we'll just do what we want."
The comments have been heavily criticised by pro-democracy groups both in China and worldwide.
But a representative for the actor is adamant Chan was referring to freedom in the entertainment industry and not Chinese society at large.
Solon So, chief executive of Chan's company Jc Group, says, ""Some people with ulterior motives deliberately misinterpreted what he was saying."...
The action star, a Hong Kong native and one of the Communist nation's leading stars, reportedly spoke about the dangers of China adopting a democratic stance at a business forum in the country's Hainan province on Saturday.
He reportedly told the forum, "I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not. I'm gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled. If we're not being controlled, we'll just do what we want."
The comments have been heavily criticised by pro-democracy groups both in China and worldwide.
But a representative for the actor is adamant Chan was referring to freedom in the entertainment industry and not Chinese society at large.
Solon So, chief executive of Chan's company Jc Group, says, ""Some people with ulterior motives deliberately misinterpreted what he was saying."...
- 4/21/2009
- WENN
Jackie Chan is taking his martial-arts high jinks to the neighbors, signing on to star in "The Spy Next Door," an action comedy to be financed by Relativity Media and directed by veteran studio helmer Brian Levant.
Robert Simonds, a longtime comedy producer on such movies as "The Pink Panther" and the Adam Sandler films "The Wedding Singer" and "Big Daddy," will produce. Solon So will executive produce. Relativity's Ryan Kavanaugh will produce, and Tucker Tooley will exec produce.
Jonathan Bernstein and Jim Greer are penning the screenplay for "Spy," which centers on a man (Chan) who is called to baby-sit his neighbor's children and winds up having to fight off secret agents after one of the kids inadvertently downloads a secret code.
Chan is one of the biggest-grossing comedy action stars of all time, with his "Rush Hour" films earning more than $500 million in the U.S. alone. "The Forbidden Kingdom," a which showcased his trademark brand of action chops and comic timing, earned $51 million in North America for Lionsgate in the spring.
Chan recently has turned to action drama, starring in and producing "The Shinjuku Incident," about a Chinese immigrant who moves to Japan to pursue his former girlfriend.
Levant is the helmer behind such studio comedies as "Are We There Yet?" the Ice Cube film that earned $82 million for Sony in 2005.
Chan and Levant are repped by Wma, as are the writers and producers on "Spy."
The project continues a torrid pace for Relativity, which has been snapping up projects at a rapid clip since the WGA strike ended. Kavanaugh's outfit also is behind the Judd Apatow creation "Pineapple Express," which opens Friday, and the upcoming Paul W.S. Anderson action film "Death Race."
Steven Zeitchik reported from New York; Borys Kit reported from Los Angeles.
Robert Simonds, a longtime comedy producer on such movies as "The Pink Panther" and the Adam Sandler films "The Wedding Singer" and "Big Daddy," will produce. Solon So will executive produce. Relativity's Ryan Kavanaugh will produce, and Tucker Tooley will exec produce.
Jonathan Bernstein and Jim Greer are penning the screenplay for "Spy," which centers on a man (Chan) who is called to baby-sit his neighbor's children and winds up having to fight off secret agents after one of the kids inadvertently downloads a secret code.
Chan is one of the biggest-grossing comedy action stars of all time, with his "Rush Hour" films earning more than $500 million in the U.S. alone. "The Forbidden Kingdom," a which showcased his trademark brand of action chops and comic timing, earned $51 million in North America for Lionsgate in the spring.
Chan recently has turned to action drama, starring in and producing "The Shinjuku Incident," about a Chinese immigrant who moves to Japan to pursue his former girlfriend.
Levant is the helmer behind such studio comedies as "Are We There Yet?" the Ice Cube film that earned $82 million for Sony in 2005.
Chan and Levant are repped by Wma, as are the writers and producers on "Spy."
The project continues a torrid pace for Relativity, which has been snapping up projects at a rapid clip since the WGA strike ended. Kavanaugh's outfit also is behind the Judd Apatow creation "Pineapple Express," which opens Friday, and the upcoming Paul W.S. Anderson action film "Death Race."
Steven Zeitchik reported from New York; Borys Kit reported from Los Angeles.
- 8/5/2008
- by By Steven Zeitchik and Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
What do you get when you mix The Wizard of Oz, The Karate Kid, Rush Hour and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon? You get a hodgepodge titled The Forbidden Kingdom, which will please its core audience but won't enthrall anyone over the age of 16. (Even that might be stretching the point.)
Young males adore martial arts movies with plenty of well-choreographed mayhem. To ensure the involvement of that key demographic, the film provides a teenage American hero, Jason Tripitikas (Michael Angarano), magically transported from his south Boston neighborhood to ancient China, where he gets to study kung fu under the guidance of two masters of Asian cinema, Jackie Chan and Jet Li. The first-ever teaming of Chan and Li is a shrewd commercial ploy, and the movie looks poised for strong opening-weekend business. But the weak script will keep it from enduring for long.
In the opening scene, after visiting an elderly Chinese pawnbroker (Chan), Jason is pummeled by a neighborhood bully and wakes up in China, where he is thrust into the middle of a battle to rescue an old wizard, the Monkey King Li). He finds himself in the possession of a magical staff (much like Dorothy's Ruby Slippers) sought by heroes and villains alike. Friends (including younger incarnations of Chan and Li) materialize to aid him in his journey, but he also is pursued by a wicked white-haired witch (Li Bing Bing) on his way to the Emerald City -- er, the golden fortress, where an evil warlord keeps the Monkey King imprisoned in stone.
John Fusco's dialogue is often laughable, encumbered by spiritual mumbo jumbo ("You have come far through the gate of no gate") or incongruous contemporary slang of the "Dude, what's happening?" variety. But few people go to martial arts movies to savor the elegant language, and as an action extravaganza, the film delivers. Cinematographer Peter Pau and choreographer Woo-ping Yuen honed their skills on Crouching Tiger and many other Asian and American movies. Kingdom was filmed in China and benefits from lush costume and set design.
Li as the Zen master and Chan as his more comical sidekick build on their familiar personas and demonstrate the chops that their fans appreciate. Angarano, who recently appeared in the very different Snow Angels, is rapidly establishing himself as one of the most promising young American actors. The rest of the performers meet the demands of their roles, which are not exactly arduous. Under Rob Minkoff's direction, everything unfolds predictably, which is why the film ultimately becomes tedious. The fight scenes (including Jason's climactic battle with the bullies back in south Boston) are fun, but the filler in between is deadlier than one of Li's lethal kicks.
THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM
Lionsgate
The Weinstein Co., Relativity Media, Casey Silver Prods.
Credits:
Director: Rob Minkoff
Screenwriter: John Fusco
Producer: Casey Silver
Executive producers: Ryan Kavanaugh, Woo-ping Yuen, Wang Zhongjun, Jon Feltheimer, Raffaella De Laurentiis
Director of photography: Peter Pau
Production designer: Bill Brzeski
Music: David Buckley
Co-producer: Scott Fischer
Co-executive producers: Willie Chan, Solon So, Steve Chasman, Jason C. Lin, David U. Lee
Costume designer: Shirley Chan
Editor: Eric Strand
Cast:
Old Hop/Lu Yan: Jackie Chan
The Monkey King/The Silent Monk: Jet Li
Jason Tripitikas: Michael Angarano
Golden Sparrow: Liu Yifei
Jade Warlord: Collin Chou
Ni Chang: Li Bing Bing
Jade Emperor: Wang De Shun
Lupo: Morgan Benoit
Running time -- 105 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
Young males adore martial arts movies with plenty of well-choreographed mayhem. To ensure the involvement of that key demographic, the film provides a teenage American hero, Jason Tripitikas (Michael Angarano), magically transported from his south Boston neighborhood to ancient China, where he gets to study kung fu under the guidance of two masters of Asian cinema, Jackie Chan and Jet Li. The first-ever teaming of Chan and Li is a shrewd commercial ploy, and the movie looks poised for strong opening-weekend business. But the weak script will keep it from enduring for long.
In the opening scene, after visiting an elderly Chinese pawnbroker (Chan), Jason is pummeled by a neighborhood bully and wakes up in China, where he is thrust into the middle of a battle to rescue an old wizard, the Monkey King Li). He finds himself in the possession of a magical staff (much like Dorothy's Ruby Slippers) sought by heroes and villains alike. Friends (including younger incarnations of Chan and Li) materialize to aid him in his journey, but he also is pursued by a wicked white-haired witch (Li Bing Bing) on his way to the Emerald City -- er, the golden fortress, where an evil warlord keeps the Monkey King imprisoned in stone.
John Fusco's dialogue is often laughable, encumbered by spiritual mumbo jumbo ("You have come far through the gate of no gate") or incongruous contemporary slang of the "Dude, what's happening?" variety. But few people go to martial arts movies to savor the elegant language, and as an action extravaganza, the film delivers. Cinematographer Peter Pau and choreographer Woo-ping Yuen honed their skills on Crouching Tiger and many other Asian and American movies. Kingdom was filmed in China and benefits from lush costume and set design.
Li as the Zen master and Chan as his more comical sidekick build on their familiar personas and demonstrate the chops that their fans appreciate. Angarano, who recently appeared in the very different Snow Angels, is rapidly establishing himself as one of the most promising young American actors. The rest of the performers meet the demands of their roles, which are not exactly arduous. Under Rob Minkoff's direction, everything unfolds predictably, which is why the film ultimately becomes tedious. The fight scenes (including Jason's climactic battle with the bullies back in south Boston) are fun, but the filler in between is deadlier than one of Li's lethal kicks.
THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM
Lionsgate
The Weinstein Co., Relativity Media, Casey Silver Prods.
Credits:
Director: Rob Minkoff
Screenwriter: John Fusco
Producer: Casey Silver
Executive producers: Ryan Kavanaugh, Woo-ping Yuen, Wang Zhongjun, Jon Feltheimer, Raffaella De Laurentiis
Director of photography: Peter Pau
Production designer: Bill Brzeski
Music: David Buckley
Co-producer: Scott Fischer
Co-executive producers: Willie Chan, Solon So, Steve Chasman, Jason C. Lin, David U. Lee
Costume designer: Shirley Chan
Editor: Eric Strand
Cast:
Old Hop/Lu Yan: Jackie Chan
The Monkey King/The Silent Monk: Jet Li
Jason Tripitikas: Michael Angarano
Golden Sparrow: Liu Yifei
Jade Warlord: Collin Chou
Ni Chang: Li Bing Bing
Jade Emperor: Wang De Shun
Lupo: Morgan Benoit
Running time -- 105 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 4/14/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
HONG KONG -- Jackie Chan's longtime business partners are denying reports of a falling out that could destroy one of the longest partnerships in the Hong Kong film industry.
Hong Kong and Chinese media reported that Willie Chan and Solon So, partners of Jackie Chan at JC Group, have resigned from their respective posts of CEO and senior vp.
But So denied reports about a falling out, stating that the Chinese reports about the split are rumors. "Jackie Chan's business is expanding. Apart from the entertainment side, there are restaurants, cafes and the distribution deal with Segway cars. There will be a further expansion, and the company will be hiring more people," he told The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday. "Besides, Willie and I are producers of Jackie's new film The Shinjuku Incident, now in production," he said.
Rumors are rife after reports in Hong Kong newspapers Oriental Daily and the Sun appeared Tuesday, saying that the kung fu star was splitting with So and Willie Chan, his manager and partner for more than 30 years.
Hong Kong and Chinese media reported that Willie Chan and Solon So, partners of Jackie Chan at JC Group, have resigned from their respective posts of CEO and senior vp.
But So denied reports about a falling out, stating that the Chinese reports about the split are rumors. "Jackie Chan's business is expanding. Apart from the entertainment side, there are restaurants, cafes and the distribution deal with Segway cars. There will be a further expansion, and the company will be hiring more people," he told The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday. "Besides, Willie and I are producers of Jackie's new film The Shinjuku Incident, now in production," he said.
Rumors are rife after reports in Hong Kong newspapers Oriental Daily and the Sun appeared Tuesday, saying that the kung fu star was splitting with So and Willie Chan, his manager and partner for more than 30 years.
- 12/28/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
BEIJING -- The China Film Group Corp. will co-produce Jackie Chan's "The Shinjuku Incident", a drama about Chinese in Japan that will begin shooting in Tokyo in November, Solon So, senior vp of Chan's company, JCE, said Wednesday from Hong Kong.
The film will be co-written and directed by Derek Yee, director of the police drama "Protege", the highest-earning Chinese-language boxoffice hit on the mainland this year.
"Shinjuku" will cost more than $15 million to make, topping the budget for Hong Kong comic and martial arts legend Chan's last co-production with state-run CFG, the action adventure film "The Myth", directed by Stanley Tong in 2005.
Sources close to "Shinjuku" said the script has Chan in a dramatic lead in which his character is involved in gang life.
JCE's So would not comment on the script, saying only, "It's too early to reveal what the whole story is about."
Daniel Wu, who starred in "Protege", is being considered as a co-star for Chan in "Shinjuku", So said, adding that it will be several weeks before the rest of the cast members are confirmed.
The film will be co-written and directed by Derek Yee, director of the police drama "Protege", the highest-earning Chinese-language boxoffice hit on the mainland this year.
"Shinjuku" will cost more than $15 million to make, topping the budget for Hong Kong comic and martial arts legend Chan's last co-production with state-run CFG, the action adventure film "The Myth", directed by Stanley Tong in 2005.
Sources close to "Shinjuku" said the script has Chan in a dramatic lead in which his character is involved in gang life.
JCE's So would not comment on the script, saying only, "It's too early to reveal what the whole story is about."
Daniel Wu, who starred in "Protege", is being considered as a co-star for Chan in "Shinjuku", So said, adding that it will be several weeks before the rest of the cast members are confirmed.
- 7/26/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Action star Jackie Chan reportedly leaped on stage during a concert in his native Hong Kong while under the influence of alcohol. The actor had been invited to attend the performance by Taiwanese singer/songwriter Jonathan Lee on Sunday by the singer himself, but unexpectedly took to the stage and disrupted the show by hurling insults at the crowd - reports the Ming Pao Daily News. The newspaper claims Chan told the crowd he was drunk and wanted to sing a duet with Lee. The Rush Hour star also attempted to conduct the band, but only managed to start and stop them several times. Chan's spokesman, Solon So, has refused to comment.
- 7/12/2006
- WENN
HONG KONG -- JCE Movies, a company formed last month by Jackie Chan and Emperor Multimedia Group principal Albert Yeung, is embarking on aggressive strategy of nurturing new local talent with two movies to be helmed by first-time feature film directors Stephen Fung and Kenneth Bi. Fung's $2 million Enter the Phoenix is slated to start shooting at the end of the month, while Bi's $1 million comedy Hainan Chicken Rice (working title) is expected to start shooting in Singapore in mid-November. "The vision of JCE is to work on films of different genres and to nurture new actors and directors, and Jackie wanted to achieve that not only locally but around the world as well," said Solon So, senior vp at Chan's JC Group, who oversees JCE with Chan Hong's Kong manager, Willie Chan. "We're looking for projects and talents with potential and not just projects to make money."...
- 10/21/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"2000 AD" is the latest film from Hong Kong mini-major Media Asia, which started with Mandarin-language art house movies but now produces high-quality actioners that can perform well at home and travel internationally. The film, which changed from its original title, "Y2K", to avoid postmillennium letdown, closed the recent Udine Festival of Far East Film.
"2000", a story about counter-espionage and computer viruses, is directed by Gordon Chan, an eminently bankable mainstream helmer who alternates glossy action pictures with more personal movies like 1998's feisty caper "Beast Cops". Scripted by Chan and American Stu Zicherman, "2000"'s complicated plot sees three young friends caught up in a criminal attempt to destabilize the world economy by unleashing a menacing computer virus. The film toplines singing and acting superstar Aaron Kwok, who plays a small-time computer whiz kid.
The boxoffice doldrums of the past five years have forced Hong Kong producers to rethink their strategies. During the early '90s, any sketchy star vehicle was sufficient to draw crowds. But nowadays, local producers have realized that they must increase production values to maintain their slipping share of the domestic -- and regional -- market.
While part of the new Media Asia philosophy, demonstrated in last year's "Gen-X Cops", has been to cultivate a roster of younger, cheaper talent, "2000", a co-
production with Singapore's Raintree Pictures, departs from this idea by featuring Kwok -- recognizable in the West for his role in the martial arts fantasy "Stormriders" -- in the leading role. But this doesn't lead to any skimping on the action scenes.
When his brother, a world-class computer programmer with links to the CIA, is murdered, Peter (Kwok) and friends Benny (Media Asia regular Daniel Wu) and Janet (newcomer Gigi Choi) trail the killer to Singapore. Once in the Lion City, the convoluted tale slims down to make room for the action as Peter and company unravel the plot behind the murder.
An opening aerial combat scene is immaculately shot and sets the standard for the quality of action to come. Along with effective pyrotechnics, "2000" features classy stunt driving, passable martial arts and rip-roaring shootouts that make effective use of slow motion and freeze frames. The Hong Kong action sequences have a noticeable edge on those shot in Singapore, probably attributable to a greater familiarity with the terrain back home.
Sadly, the film is hamstrung by a needlessly complex setup that confuses with its plethora of interconnected characters and activities. "2000" would have benefited from a clearer plot line and fewer characters, which would have made the journey from action scene to action scene a much smoother ride.
2000 AD
Media Asia Films/Raintree Pictures
Director: Gordon Chan
Screenwriters: Gordon Chan, Stu Zicherman
Producers: John Chong, Solon So, David Leong, Thomas Chung, Daniel Yun, Willie Chan
Director of photography: Arthur Wong
Production designer: James Leung
Action coordinator: Yuen Tak
Editor: Chan Ki-hop
Music: Shigeru Umebayashi
Costume designer: Bruce Yu
Color/stereo
Cast:
Peter: Aaron Kwok
Benny: Daniel Wu
Janet: Gigi Choi
Ronald: Francis Ng
Running time -- 98 minutes
No MPAA rating...
"2000", a story about counter-espionage and computer viruses, is directed by Gordon Chan, an eminently bankable mainstream helmer who alternates glossy action pictures with more personal movies like 1998's feisty caper "Beast Cops". Scripted by Chan and American Stu Zicherman, "2000"'s complicated plot sees three young friends caught up in a criminal attempt to destabilize the world economy by unleashing a menacing computer virus. The film toplines singing and acting superstar Aaron Kwok, who plays a small-time computer whiz kid.
The boxoffice doldrums of the past five years have forced Hong Kong producers to rethink their strategies. During the early '90s, any sketchy star vehicle was sufficient to draw crowds. But nowadays, local producers have realized that they must increase production values to maintain their slipping share of the domestic -- and regional -- market.
While part of the new Media Asia philosophy, demonstrated in last year's "Gen-X Cops", has been to cultivate a roster of younger, cheaper talent, "2000", a co-
production with Singapore's Raintree Pictures, departs from this idea by featuring Kwok -- recognizable in the West for his role in the martial arts fantasy "Stormriders" -- in the leading role. But this doesn't lead to any skimping on the action scenes.
When his brother, a world-class computer programmer with links to the CIA, is murdered, Peter (Kwok) and friends Benny (Media Asia regular Daniel Wu) and Janet (newcomer Gigi Choi) trail the killer to Singapore. Once in the Lion City, the convoluted tale slims down to make room for the action as Peter and company unravel the plot behind the murder.
An opening aerial combat scene is immaculately shot and sets the standard for the quality of action to come. Along with effective pyrotechnics, "2000" features classy stunt driving, passable martial arts and rip-roaring shootouts that make effective use of slow motion and freeze frames. The Hong Kong action sequences have a noticeable edge on those shot in Singapore, probably attributable to a greater familiarity with the terrain back home.
Sadly, the film is hamstrung by a needlessly complex setup that confuses with its plethora of interconnected characters and activities. "2000" would have benefited from a clearer plot line and fewer characters, which would have made the journey from action scene to action scene a much smoother ride.
2000 AD
Media Asia Films/Raintree Pictures
Director: Gordon Chan
Screenwriters: Gordon Chan, Stu Zicherman
Producers: John Chong, Solon So, David Leong, Thomas Chung, Daniel Yun, Willie Chan
Director of photography: Arthur Wong
Production designer: James Leung
Action coordinator: Yuen Tak
Editor: Chan Ki-hop
Music: Shigeru Umebayashi
Costume designer: Bruce Yu
Color/stereo
Cast:
Peter: Aaron Kwok
Benny: Daniel Wu
Janet: Gigi Choi
Ronald: Francis Ng
Running time -- 98 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 6/14/2000
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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