- How did you get involved with the HK movie business?

My career began during my early travels to study in China in the 1980's. I met Donnie Yen we were room mates and training partners. We hit it off and became friends. When Donnie began his career in Hong Kong he knew of my Wushu Skills and of my dancing and tumbling skills he asked me to be in his upcoming movie- Mismatched Couples.


- Can you relate your martial background and the styles you learnt?

I began in Japanese Judo when I was 9 years old. I then began studying American Kenpo Karate for 8 years. I also began studying Okinawan Shuri Ryu Karate at the time I was 15. I wanted to learn Kung fu, but in my home town here was no legitimate Sifu until Master Augustine Fong came to town. It was then that I was introduced to Wing Chun and Chinese Weaponry. One summer, I went to Los Angeles to study with Sifu Douglas Wong. He opened my eyes to the realm of Kung Fu and taught me many skills, he is a great person and my mentor He introduced me to Anthony Chan from San Francisco and Roger Tung. Both had just returned from studying in China where they were learning the new interpretation of Wushu. I was asked to go with them and a group of other Americans, one being Donnie Yen. From there, I delved into Wushu with a passion. I also studied Boxing, Tae Kwon do, and tumbling.


- In 1985, You've been under the direction of Yuen Woo Ping for the movie Mismatched Couples. How did you have the part? Is it because you were friend with Donnie Yen?

Yes, because they were developing a Wushu/ Breakdance movie Donnie knew I could dance and of course we were friends.



- Who did the choreographies of the "breakdance fight" in the movie and did it take a long time to shoot?

Well Yuen Wo Ping, Brandy Yuen and the others from the Yuen Clan were in charge but they let Me and Donnie and our Buddy Mandy Chan also bring in ideas. They were very open and easy to work with. I think we spent about two weeks on just the dance scenes but they were dispersed throughout the filming schedule.


- In the movie you have this incredible and crazy tennis match where Donnie Yen use a bike to play. Was it difficult to shoot?

Of course, as you can see it was very difficult. Doing those moves took a lot of time and skill as is with every Yuen Woo Ping Movie. Getting the ball to be at the right place and time then go in the right direction was very time consuming, the end result is great.



- What was it like to work with people like Donnie Yen or Yuen Woo Ping?

Donnie Yen was my friend we were both young. We lived in an apartment together and spent most of our time together, we were like brothers. I felt good working with Donnie and we always encouraged each other. We were having fun like two friends would in our position. Donnie is awesome and a good person. His Skills in Wushu were very good back then and he was ever so fast. He was into being fit and healthy which to this day he does religiously. I'm glad to know him.

When I worked for Yuen Woo Ping I was very honored I could feel his aura and I could see he was a great creative artist. Yuen Woo Ping was a perfectionist. He could develop ideas that were always innovative and then he would take it farther tweeking it to the maximum before finally filming something. He surrounded himself with creative people. He would make me feel comfortable in attempting movements. He was personable but he liked to cuss a lot. We would spend much time developing ideas on the spot as we filmed so his ideas were always instantaneous and great.



- Would you share some anecdotes of things that happened during the shooting?

Well one time we were on location in a certain part of town and the local gang wanted money from our company to film in their "territory" we refused to pay them so we were tipped off that they would attempt to come and close down our set. Well our crew was not going to be bullied so we posted a scout outside( it was evening) and when we got the signal we all grabbed any available weapon- poles, sticks, wrenches knives and then we waited. The car pulled up with their lights off and we launched a surprise attack we all jumped out and began our assault. Sticks were flying as we beat their car they refused to get out as we dragged them from their car someone called the police and we had them taken away.
(It was hard to have any firearms in Hong Kong during that time). I remember laughing as I saw us like a real kung fu movie with our general- Yuen Woo Ping leading the charge!


- Did you suffer from discrimination by the local people because of your foreign origin?

I was treated well and felt no discrimination in Hong Kong though I felt that I would always be typecast as a bad guy.


- In 1988 you appeared in the movie Dragon Fight, can you tell us more about it and what did you do on the movie? I heard that you even doubled Jet Li, is it true?

Yes, I knew Jet Li from training in Bei Jing with the Beijing Wushu team under Coach Wu Bin. I was excited to see my brother coming to America to make a movie. He asked me to play a part so I was cast as a gang member who came to take him out. I fought him with a spear. At one point Jet was asked by the director to do a double flying front kick and fall, he was slightly injured so he asked me if I wanted to double for him and of course I did not hesitate. If you look closely at the shot you can see my hair is lighter than Jet's.



- Why didn't you continue your way in HK cinema after that like John Salvitti and Michael Woods?

I was going to be married so I came home to my future wife. I was one of the few foreigners in Hong Kong film industry during this time. Some of those who came after me made great names for themselves. I am proud of People like Brad Allan, Paul Ropavski and others.


- What are your favourite movies and actors?

Where do I start? All Bruce Lee movies, Drunken Monkey, Drunken Master II, Duel to The Death, Hero from the East are classics; I cannot leave out Shaolin Temple, 800 Lohans and Drunken Tai Chi. The newer genre I enjoy- House of the Flying Daggers and Seven Swords and yes Hero. I mostly enjoy time period movies.



- What do you think about Yuen Biao?

Yuen Biao is great; he is one of the THREE. Prodigal Son is awesome as are his other movies. I heard he is coming out in Jackie's new movie!


- In your website I saw a picture where you look just like Gordon Liu in 36th Chamber of Shaolin are you a fan of this movie and Lau Kar Leung's Cinema?

That picture is from a stage production of Puccini's "Turandot" I was cast as the "Executioner."

I am a big fan of the old Kung Fu movies as I grew up with them and was greatly influenced by them hoping maybe one day to go to Hong Kong…



- Can you tell us more about your association DMA: Dynamic Martial Arts?

DMA is the name of my program and school. I continue to teach the best of Wushu and other arts. I teach young and old alike. I give workshops, performances and I am developing a team of performers. I am trying to develop Olympic Wushu and promote the Chinese culture. I still work in productions. I worked with Donnie Yen in a T.V. show called Der Puma filmed in Germany. I am currently helping to develop a character in a new video game but as of yet I cannot reveal any details, check back later for that…

- At last, what would you want to say to our readers?

Kung fu cinema was and is a worldwide phenomenon. It has become mainstream and the talents of these great performers are now being used by other countries. Kung fu is on T.V., in foreign movies and video games. Look at Matrix,I am so glad for Yuen Woo Ping. As for your readers, thank you all for being appreciative. Hong Kong Kung Fu is gold. I know that this is just a chapter in a great era. So get some more popcorn and hold on to your seats, the best is yet to come.


Our warmest thanks go to Kenny Perez for answering our questions.

- Official Website : http://www.dynamicwushu.com/

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