Quest for Jackie Chan! Urban Action Film forum was a massive success with a crowd of more than 100 people packed into the Fairfield School of Arts to watch filmmakers showcase their projects and discussion of the action film genre that is emerging in Australia, featuring Hong Kong action film director, Antony Szeto.Joining him was a show-stopping speaker line up including names like Craig Anderson (ABC TV series “Double the Fist”), Peter Castaldi (managing director of PackScreen distributors), Warren Coulton (Clear Vision Stunt Studios), Igor Breakenback (creator “Good Luck with That”) and award-winning multimedia parkour artist, Ali Kadhim who discussed issues such as funding, independent filmmaking, collaboration, audience development and the potential of online distribution and marketing.
Additional special guests include Joy Hopwood (former “Play School” presenter), Chris Pang (lead cast for “Tomorrow When the War Began”), Wang Fei (martial arts actress in “Wushu”) and Renee Lim (TV series “East West 101”).
Finally, Maria Tran updated the audience with the “Quest for JackieChan!” project and her September travels through Brisbane, Darwin, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Melbourne & Canberra in the search of Australia’s Chan fans and action film fanatics who will send their personal video messages to this Kung Fu larrikin. By mid-November she intends to hit Jackie Chan’s Hong Kong office in the bid to score a one-on-one meet.
Quest for Jackie Chan! is a project that offers people from all walks of life from Australia’s major capital cities of Australia to showcase their self-initiated projects and groups and how that relates to Jackie Chan.
Guest Speaker - Craig Anderson
Craig showed comedic snippets of his TV series ‘Double the Fist” and spoke about the comedy genre in Australia (e.g. – the new wave of mockometries ) and also some of the theoretics of what makes something funny. His preference is “subversive comedy” which means “turn the situation upside down” and finding the humour in the most unlikely of situations. The debate that occurred was “Is Australian humour funny to the rest of the world?” or it is purely for Australian audiences? Craig also touch-based on what the mainstream networks are looking for and its about understanding what funding bodies want in terms of content.
Ali revealed his tightly edited 9Lives showreel that received tremendous roars as the audience were held captivated by his dynamic cinematography skills and the fact that he is a local and with no-budget, Ali and his team are still able to create high production value action content for the world of you tube to see.
Warren introduced the audience to his Clear Vision community stunt studio based in Canberra where it is equipped with features such as an oversized green screen, stunts/ martial arts/ weaponary training facilities. Here, he spoke about the lack of support from mainstream funding bodies for action genre films. Hence, he and his community of independent filmmakers have been tailoring film projects to be self-fund and/or pool funded to tell those stories that they feel appeal to them. Don’t burn bridges, commit to what you say.
Igor comes from a stunts background as well and talked about his similar experiences with the hardships of getting funding bodies to turn their heads to invest in action. Igor has also developed and shared his passions with his core Breakenback followers based in the surrounds of Bondi.
Peter’s 30 years experience in marketing, exhibition and as a distributor revealed the number crunching realities of the business side of filmmaking and how producers and content creators need to truly define their captive audience before seeking the backing. A lot of investors want to see a well thought out strategy of how to get their returns for every dollar invested into a serious film production. Peter’s emphasis is the “online” mode of distribution is a popular and rising trend which may avoid the issue of the filmmaker surrendering all rights to the film, and to still maintain control of where it goes.
Antony screened his recent movie trailer “Wushu” and spoke about his own journey into the world of filmmaking. Antony revealed being Sydney born and bred, he eventually came to a realisation that Australia itself, was too small and that more opportunities exist internationally. He emphasised that Hong Kong alone, makes far more films than the whole nation of Australia. Also there is more to play around when it comes to film budgets. Having travelled and worked internationally, Antony expressed his concern to why Australia seems to be falling behind, and while “action” is still an ever popular genre overseas, Australia just still hasn’t quite caught on.
Antony also gave strong words of advice to any emerging artist that if they are serious about the craft, then they should get the training and treat themselves seriously in the business. Also to think internationally and not just locally.
Overall, I’m so glad to have all the people who’s words and wisdom inspire me in one room. Everyone one of these guest speakers have helped throughout the years by giving me the time and day and giving me their truthful experiences in the industry. I’ve seriously learnt valuable lessons from these people and hope that whatever I do, I can give back to them and pay-it-forward to other people who may need my help along the way.
Hence, from my experience, mentorship has been my growth and that filmmaking is a collaborative artform that requires great emotional intelligence and opportunity spotting.
Profiling the other artists
Shaun Cheng, Action star Weng Fei, Kim Do & Bradley Graves
The hardwork crew: Ok Chop, Maria Tran & Thuy Nguyen
Videographer: Jack Ngu
The Urban Action Fim Foum
Antony Szeto, Joy Hopwood, Wang Fei, Maria Tran, Warren Coulton, Igor Breakenback & Chris Pang
Our favorite Fairfield City Council Mayor Nick Lalich and his jovial welcoming
Maria Tran introduces the format of the night
9Lives boys (including Ali Kadhim) and Wang Fei
Managing director or Clear Vision Studios - Warren Coulton & Maria Tran
Antony Szeto, Jackie Chan bear, Maria Tran & her mum
Lead cast of "Tomorrow When the War Began" Chris Pang and Ok Chop
Dorothy Lily Nguyen, Trammy Pham & Friend
"Good Luck With That" director/ writer Igor Breakenback & Maria Tran
Maria Tran, Mayor Nick Lalick, Del Bennett and Antony Szeto
Special thanks to the following people![Guest Speakers] Craig Anderson, Ali Kadhim, Warren Coulton, Igor Breakenback, Peter Castaldi & Antony Szeto, [Sound technician] Andy Ko,[Event Coordinator] Thuy Nguyen,
Quest for Jackie Chan! Urban Action Film Forum was proudly supported by Fairfield City Council, Information & Cultural Exchange (ICE), Powerhouse Youth Theatre, Community First Step and Packscreen.
Also, I'm still looking for support for my "Quest". Please donate at q4j.fundbreak.com.au. Any amount is appreciated.
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