DEFEATED: Jackie Chan flies out to US to meet Obama

Location: Beijing, China

Yes, I do feel like I'm chasing a dragon's tail. So many near encounters and yet, at this point in time, so far. But nevertheless, so many meetings with close JC personnels is quite an experience. I think at this point, communicating my project can be a little hard.

Quest for Jackie Chan has morphed into something quite hard to to describe. How do I explain "transmedia" in Chinese? What does global multiple levels of storytelling mean? Anyhow, my "quest" so far has added another dimension to my visions in the film realm. Of course it means I have to work harder, never sitting back to relax, just always keeping my momentum on high.

At this point in the project I have also learnt more about why JC has become more exclusive these days. After years of fans stalking, threats to staff, bizzare incidents, I think he's had enough and in his best interest to protect his staff, being exclusive is the way to go.

I was reading his official blog today as well. He is kind of like I would be like if I met him - Jackie Chan. In his blog he recollects dropping everything and heading over to Washington for a dinner with 4 presidents in one room, how he contemplated on bringing his panda icons into the White House and how excited he was. Exactly what I would be going through too if I met Jackie. I would bring Jackiebear along with me though.

So I guess this point in time, the "Quest" is wrapping up - without the meeting of Jackie Chan.

NEW PLACES: Guangzhou, China

I slept at 4am last night (like most nights in Hong Kong) and a woke with a warm phone call from Chris and talks of my our final day together before we go on.

I haven't told you the story of Chris Gill yet. He's a 30 year-old soul from the regions of East

London. He too, wanted to escape the mundane and explore himself as a singer/songerwriter musician.

After a morning of running around and trying to prepare for my trip to Guangzhou, an idea hit me. Previously, one of my newfound friends (whom I haven't yet met) Kevin Transent me a verying encouraging email with some pointers on how I should approach people about my project.

Kevin Tran is Melbourne-based but moved to Hong Kong a year ago. He based himself here for 1-2 years as an emerging actor who scored a string of uber cool TVC commercials, short films as well as movies. One name through his connections is Patrick fromwww.alivenotdead.com

LEADS: Shaun Chang

Shaun Chang, my Canberrian-based buddy just called through moments ago with some further news about Jackie Chan leads.

He and Anney Zoey Trinh are my associate producers for the project and are both the main contributors of Quest for Jackie Chan! Fundbreak. It's a funny thing with Shaun. When I met him a few years ago he was this straight line optometry student set on his path in life but still curious about the things i do like films, art and culture.

Not too long later, Shaun got into the business of making a creating, having done his first short film as well, taking up film classes and creating synergies with people in Australia and abroad. So with only 8 days to go, there could be some things bubbling to make the "Quest" a success.

By the way, check out his short film below.

PEOPLE: Professor Salem Assli and Bruce Lee

Maria Tran, Elizabeth Yang, Bey Logan, Salem Assli & partner

Date| 9th of Jan, 2011 Time| 7.30pm Place| Kiyotaki Japanese Resturant, 13 Gough Street, Central.

Thanks to Bey Logan and his lovely partner Elizabeth Yang for taking me out to dinner with Salem Assli and his partner. Mr Logan is also so connected in the industry and one of his greatness is that he will connect at all levels, from eager beaver newbies like me to actors, filmmakers, martial arts etc...I think if Bey ever starred in a movie it should be called "The Connector" and he's so good at pitching people moreso then themselves.

Anyhow, back to the dinner with Salem Assli.

So a little bit about Sifu Salem Assli. Now, if you know much about Bruce Lee, his legacy was left down to 3 certified Bruce Lee instructors: Taky Kimura, James Yimm Lee and Dan Inosanto.

Salem is a student of Dan Inosanto, and he was in Hong Kong this time round to do a seminar on Bruce Lee's martial art of Jeet Kune Do (styled by straight forward and direct movements) in Hong Kong.

Again, like most of my trip, I was fascinated to be sitting with someone connected to the great Bruce Lee, whom is iconic to martial arts cinema.

Bey and Salem discussed all sort of things from Bruce Lee's 70th Anniversary Birthday that was commemorated all over the world, Bruce, Be My Brother (2010) and The Bruce Lee Estate as amongst the few.

Again, I always keep my eyes and ears open during these types of meets, because as a youngie like me, you learn so much and I guess when you get closer to any inspirational source (like Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan), innately you become more aware of your sense of directions and that you want to become your own agent of change.

PEOPLE: The Dauz Stunt Brothers

I've finally meet Andrew Dasz and his twin brother Steven for a quickie interview on the streets of Tsim Sha Tsiu the other day. These two have such a happy-go-lucky vibe. They both came from Shanghai to Hong Kong to be interviewed by me (with a shonky camera and no interview set).

I met Andrew online while googling action stunts and hong kong. Andrew would repeatedly cropped up, despite not being any Donnie Yen or Jackie Chan, Andrew knew a thing or two about online marketability and getting yourself out there (or my attention).

Andrew's career is emerging ever since he landed in Hong Kong (8 months ago). These two boys did the hard yards of going for endless castings and auditions and their eager attitudes really got their foot in the door and in front of the cameras.

What I love about these two is that do job is too big or small, everything was greeted with enthusiasm and charisma. Despite not being well versed in the language of English, these two b

oys impressed me with their upbeat recollections of working with a range of projects from TVCs to action flicks.

Steven Dasz had an impressive profile of doing a fight scene with Hong Kong well known actor/ mar

tial artist Gordon Liu (adopted brother by the Shaw Brothers, main actor in 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Pai Mei in Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004), and as Johnny Mo

in Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003).

Andrew Dasz, on the other hand, also had good range of projects that he has been involved in under his belt, such as Contagion (2011) and he steers the Kung Fu Action Fight Choreography Group in Hong Kong and also Spain.

In Andrew's interview, he points out Jackie Chan's perseverance in the industry and how his attitudes and traits should be applied to castings and auditions for those serious in the business.

I've been very much inspired by these two to settle in Hong Kong in the near future. Its seems like there is so much happening, so much buzzing and Hong Kong is the place to make it happen. Australia, seems so slow in comparison to HK. Less opportunities, less funding, less synergies between people and production companies happening. I can only identify a handful of groups and initiatives (Clearvision Studios, You Cake! Productions, Perth Film Group and others) that are really pushing it to the forefront.

RANTS: Random....

Feel so much uncertainty today, I woke up late, however I praise the higher above for making sure I get to the meeting with online HK based blogger - Phil, otherwise known asorientalsweetlips.

Okies I'll finish with that later. I'm at the gym at the moment lying inactively on the ab equipment contemplating about whether I'll see Jackie or not. It seems like everyone who has gone before me like Bey Logan and others, meeting Jackie was easy. But in my case I want to meet him at his possibly most unpopular periods in Contenporary HK.

I just finished up the ab machine and now grabbed a coffee. I needed that hit. Chris G who is an emerging singer/ song writer just SMS ensuring another fun night in town again. Gosh! He is a very cute "Gweilo" and semi psychic (understand my wavelengths).

5.26pm - Sailor Moon is on the gyms tv. I need to go sauna as 6pm is just around the corner.

WORKSHOP: From Ideas to Realities

This is perhaps 7th workshop on the Quest for Jackie Chan! Ideas to Realities Workshop/ Session. After Quest for Jackie Chan! Urban Action Film Forum in Sydney, workshop in partnership with BEMAC, in partnership with DCA, Perth Film Network, CANSA, Footscray Community Arts Centre, Salamanca Community Arts Centre, it has finally hit Hong Kong, rolling out at the University of Hong Kong, as granted by the Comparative Literature department.

Come join in the discussions of how simple ideas become a reality and how any project begins with a "Quest" from within.

PEOPLE: Drunken Master producer - Ng See-Yuen

Another day, another spur of the moment adventure with Bey Logan and his meeting with one of Hong Kong’s finest filmmakers - Ng See-Yuen.

About Ng See-Yuen (be blown away by his IMDB)

If you are a Jackie Chan fan you will certainly be familiar with Drunken Master (1978), Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow (1978) & Twin Dragons (1992). These are films that Ng See-Yuen produced/ co-wrote.

Ng is one of Hong Kong’s treasured filmmakers, having made over 40 Chinese films,

including (Drunken Master (1978), Andy Lau in God of Gamblers (1991), Once Upon Time in China, I, II, III, Game of Death IIand Stephen Chow in “The Saint of Gamblers”.

His film “No Retreat, No Surrender” (1986), which he wrote and produced was a cult classic that marked the beginnings of martial art films in Hollywood.

This man was responsible for discovering talents of Jackie Chan, Jean Claude Van Damme, Woo Ping, Billy Blanks, Tsui Hark, and Corey Yuen.

Bey then retold his comical early years of chasing down Mr Ng for an interview, after being so persistent, leaping onto Mr Ng’s boat (at the same time, almost missing it), and finally achieving the task that he set out.

“Epic fail, Maria!,” my internal voice kicked in. How did I not know this?

I sighed with relief that there was no action film entry test to get into Hong Kong; because if I'd failed I could imagine border security would of unleashed their band of Kung Fu fighters and beaten me to a pulp.

And here I am, sitting wedged between Bey and Ng, while my insides were jello that I had a hard time eating the scrumptious Yum Cha at Ecky’s (Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui).

I must say, I’m quite impressed with Bey’s Cantonese, prior to that, he even impressed an older lady in the elevator – who was shocked that I knew nothing and a “Gweilo” was so conversationally versed in it.

Anyhow, back to the table. The conversations between Bey, Ng and the committee was engaging. Even though, I didn’t speak Cantonese, I can pick up bits of what the conversation was going. It was about, films galore – the past, the present and the future, in Hong Kong, China and the world.

I got to hear what’s going on in terms of the market, the who’s who of what and future directions for the next generations. Then this hit me, if it wasn't for the 'Quest' I would of been at home speculating like most people. I would of still moaned and groaned about the industry and its lack of support. Of course the industry doesn't support moany or poor-me attitudes but perseverance and hard work.

The people who are at the top like Ng have worked bloody hard. I believe they develop extra sensory mechanisms to detect the energy levels of their stakeholders, colleagues and audience. I mean, if they don't, then there is such a high chance of "missing it", whether through the cast, crew, investors or audience.

Intriguing isn't? High Emotional Intelligence (EI) and low EGO (Energy that Goes Over-the-top). [I made that up...].

It interesting though, being amongst people who are constantly churning stuff out, good, bad or weird, doesn't matter, but the level of energy to surpass a "one hit wonders" but "many wonders" consistently is amazing.

And in the magic of HK cinema is, its seems once your are in, you are family. Everyone knows each other, and while sometimes sibling rivalry may occur between companies or people, there are still tender moments where team spirit plays out.

The conversations then lead to Cynthia Rothrock, Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen, Maggie Q, Tony Jaa etc…Imagine…these are some of the hottest properties in Asian action pictures, and I’m here listening to it (My ears! I ain’t washing them).

Bey even mentioned “Maximum Choppage” to Ng (Timothy Ly, that’s one to you, and if you got a copy to spare , send it over so he can check it out).

12.33am....comfortably alone...amongst the greats of knowledge...and kick ass DVDs

Just had dinner and now doing some transcript work for the documentary for “The Blood Bond”. This is perhaps B&E Productions film release of their film and will be hitting cinemas across Hong Kong from the 27^th of January, 2010. Check out the trailer here. The book is a good read and you can check it out at Dymocks or HMV in Hong Kong.

Me? How am I feeling? Its been almost 6 months of my travel time (across the states of Australia, country New South Wales and now Hong Kong). I’m missing home, and feeling very rugged. I have literally been leaving out of my suitcase and my wardrobe attire has been less than pleasing. I wash my panties Jackie Chan style (in the bathroom and air dried). My sleep patterns are unpredictable when there are strange things that I share a space with go bump in the night.

By the way, I haven’t heard much from Dad or Mum, they must of replaced me with that cactus I bought them a year ago. Well...at least it won't fight back.

Only 3 weeks to go and then home time. Then I got to plan to for “Quest for Jackie Chan!” production shoots, post production, marketing and promotions and epic launch at Information & Cultural Exchange (ICE) state of the art exhibition centre by December, 2011. Then, of course, the nation-wide screenings that I have to secure and the to wrap up the project and move on to bigger and better things.

Yea..you must be wondering, what the hell is “Quest for Jackie Chan!” all about? A doco? A movie? What’s its feel? Where’s the script? Lol! All I can promise you is, I will deliver. Whatever the outcome is, there will be a story told. I'm crazy, visionary, and pedantic and I never settle for failure. I think that is a trait that became more so evident during this project. Every moment is precious....

So stay tuned and stop asking so many questions!

Signing out,

Maria Tran

Bey Logan, Maria Tran & Ng See Yuen

MEDIA WATCH: Asian Australian Newsfeed (AAusN) on Facebook

Shout out the the Asian Australian Newsfeed (AAusN) and their repostings of the "Quest" showcase trailer!

In response to the comment about Chris Pang and his movie stunt....we actually got a body double (jks).

And the truth with Mr Tom Lo is, he is...a good fan...and a savvy digitally aware entrepreneur that knows a thing or two about ebay [3.05mins in the clip].

Signing out,

Maria Tran.

P.S - For those who don't know what clip I'm referring to, clip on the link to watch it and find out.

Quest for Jackie Chan! Trailer

MEDIA: Movie man Bey Logan is back in action!

Guess who's featured in Timeout! Hong Kong. Yep that's right. Its my Hong Kong mentor Bey Logan. Check it out!

Infamous Asian film impresario Bey Logan tells Patrick Brzeski how Hong Kong cinema can live again on the page.

Owing largely to his bad-ass, action movie-ready name, Bey Logan’s biography could easily be the setup to a pulpy kung fu flick. Born to working class parents in the humdrum English city of Peterborough, Logan became obsessed with martial arts movies as a young boy. While his friends let their Bruce Lee worship wane in their teens, Logan dug in deeper, devouring mail-ordered martial arts mags, watching every kung fu film he could get his hands on, and finally fixing his fantasies on the source of the action movie culture he had come to adore: Hong Kong. “I had no qualifications, no film degree; my dad was an accountant, my mum was a nurse,” Logan explains at his new offices in Sheung Wan. “Imagine their excitement when they asked what I wanted to do for a career and I said, ‘I’m going to move across the world to work on movies with this guy named Jackie Chan.’” Despite his mother’s protestations, shortly after his 19th birthday in 1980, Logan set out to do just that, embarking on his first solo trip to Hong Kong. Cue montage: Fresh off the boat, a bright-faced teenage Bey Logan approaches the big studios of the Hong Kong movie industry and gets politely rebuffed at every door. Undeterred, he hits the cinemas, watching Hong Kong action movie after Hong Kong action movie, literally taking notes in his theatre seat, sedulously studying his genre, preparing the outlines for a new project. Cut to Logan sitting down with various Hong Kong directors and stars, interviewing them for his popular new martial arts magazine – Impact. Next see Logan charming PR people and coyly slipping scripts to directors at the end of interviews. Now he’s on set. Now he’s practicing Hung Kuen on the Hong Kong docks with old-school Canto martial arts choreographers. Suddenly he’s at lunch with Jackie Chan discussing future co-productions. Then he’s making action movies with his own company, Shankara Productions, cofounded with Maggie Q. Next he’s getting hired by Harvey Weinstein as a Vice President and Asian Rep for the Weinstein Company. Ramping up to the present day, Logan approaches an active middle age, rolling out yet another new venture of his own, B&E Productions, which will release three films this winter and spring – the Michael Biehn action vehicle The Blood Bond, the 3D animationLittle Gobie, and Beach Spike, a kung fu volleyball romp starring Chrissie Chau. As the montage music runs down – most surprisingly of all – observe Logan launching an all-new book publishing operation. “I’ve always felt that if I found the time and patience, I could write fiction and it might in some ways be more satisfying than writing scripts,” he says of the new publishing wing of B&E Productions. “Because so often scripts don’t get made, or if they do, they end up getting made entirely differently than how you imagined them.” As The Blood Bondwas in production, Logan found himself generally agreeing with director Michael Biehn’s departures from his script, but he lamented that his original vision of the story would never reach an audience. Experimenting at his desk at night, he decided to see how his script would work as a novel. “Hong Kong cinema has this very unique energy that can be interpreted in different ways. What I’ve tried to do is say, if you were to tell the story of a Hong Kong action film as a novel, how would that play?” Action film ethos indeed runs deep through The Blood Bond the book. As the story begins, a revered religious leader by the name of Karmapata is vitally wounded in a failed assassination attempt and requires an emergency blood transfusion within 12 hours to survive. The leader’s enemies learn that he has a remarkably rare blood type and immediately execute all of the potential donor matches in Asia but one – John Tremayne, an alcoholic former Special Forces operative living a life of dissipation in northern Thailand. Karmapata’s loyal bodyguard, a female martial arts warrior named Deva, must retrieve Tremayne before her master’s time runs out. Battles, hijinks, and an unexpected bond between this odd couple ensue. Like every great Hong Kong action movie, the plot is shaggy, and the style scrappy, but Logan’s Blood Bond is also instantly addictive. After all his years working within the confines of the movie business, Logan says the freedom of novel writing came as a revelation to him. “Basically, if you’re a script writer and producer, everything you write is structured towards making it real in the three-dimensional world; you’re thinking: who’s going to play that part, how are we going to shoot it, what’s your location, what’s our budget, and so on. But when you’re writing a novel, the only place it plays is in the theatre of the mind, so it’s like working on the ultimate movie set – you’re totally free. That was a really fun thing for me to discover.” Logan is now at work on companion versions of a sequel to The Blood Bond, one for the screen, one for print. He’s also spending an hour or so each morning writing a semi-autobiographical book entitled, My Life in 36 Chambers. “I’ve chosen 36 of my favourite films and I’m describing my personal experiences with them, along with analyses and discussions of the role they played in the history of Hong Kong action cinema.” On top of his film work, Logan has always maintained a parallel career as an expert in Hong Kong cinema, consulting on various projects and lending commentary to over 100 action movie DVD releases. “I’m hoping that the world of Hong Kong film buffs that I’ve been a part of for so long will be curious to see what I can do with these books. I know I am.”