Shadow Warriors

Going head over heels for action?

I call them Shadow Warriors.  Not because they have mastered the black arts and strike from darkness.  Not that you never see them, oh no, they are there in centre screen.  Rarely do they speak at length in the films in which they are featured.   These Warriors fight in the shadow of the Stars but in truth they are the showcase and foil for the Stars.  You see them but in most cases you know not who they are.  Unrecognized and underpaid, they dedicate themselves to their training like true Warriors to fight and die a glorious artistic death on screen.

They are fast, fit and flexible a result of hours of training on not only individual moves and form but as a team to choreograph the total fight sequence.

The chance of Stardom is there for the best.  And Hong Kong style action films continue to be a growing genre with the inclusion of China’s productions so grows the need for individuals and teams of cinematic action actors.  

Ok, so what the hell am I doing there?  

Three months ago I enrolled at the Hit Hut Cinematic Action School at the basic level.  I know I have been warned about the dangers of being typecast as a Monk/Master/Sifu and Triad Boss,  roles that seems very natural to me....but if this is my path, then strive I must to be one of the best at it.  

Unfortunately, there is no instant success formula to grant me the youth, flexibility, speed of hand and foot I so covet that I may mix it up with these young masters.  Nonetheless, at the Hit Hut they are teaching me the skills I need for those roles with close attention to form, reaction, choreography and safety.  I am hoping to continue training to include wire work and Wu Shu.  Ambitious? Yes.  But compared to many of my fellow artists here, I am decades behind.  

Not surprisingly training three nights a week has made me fitter, more flexible and nurtures the hope that “when the Master is ready the roles shall appear".