Above Photo: (C) 2018 David William No (David & Scott Adkins on Set of The Debt Collector
Greetings
valued Dan's Movie report readers, today is a special day! The
musings of David William No in a two part interview! I have decided
he has so much information to share that it will be best to drop this
one now, and the next one in a few months when Mr No has more
information about his current projects! In part 2 David will also
discuss his other endeavors, including physical therapy! David has a
wealth of experience in front of and behind the camera and chats
about his new projects in addition to blasting into the past a bit
about some cool 90s films. Grab a pen, take notes, as we shall leave
it all in the hands of David!
Chat
about working on DTV films in the 90s
In
the late 90's, there were plenty of US productions coming “down
under” to shoot. I had the opportunity to work on a variety of
projects like Hallmark channel’s Moby Dick and Noah's Arc and also
the Mel Gibson/Jet Li produced Invincible. Kanga-rubles (ie Aussie
dollars) were dirt cheap back then and allowed a lot of Aussies the
opportunity to work on bigger international productions.
Moby
Dick was actually the project that committed my path in the film
industry. I was studying physiotherapy and had already done several
film projects by the time I graduated. At my cap'n'gown graduation
ceremony day, I received a phone call from a distinguished hospital
offering me a 12 month contract. "How awesome is that?!" I
thought. Then about 30min later, I received another phone call from
a casting director, not only wanting me to play a role in the Moby
Dick mini-series along side such legends as Patrick Stewart, Gregory
Peck, Henry Thomas, Ted Levine, Hugh Keays-Byurne - but to also train
and work on old sailing ships.
After
Mr. Nice Guy (starring Jackie Chan), Sammo Hung (who was directing)
asked me to go to America for O.U.T.I.C.6 starring Jet Li and play
the main villain. I turned him down, thinking I needed to finish my
studies. Now with Moby Dick, I was put in the same situation:
physiotherapy or the film industry. I obviously chose the film
industry and destiny eventually brought me to the states.
Working
with Kathy Long, she is an amazing kick boxer and action person,
describe the experience, perhaps if you can remember a set story,
know it was awhile ago.
I
worked with Kathy on my first ever feature film, the Richard Norton
actioner Under the Gun. Kathy was super down to earth. She was like
an older sister to me. I remember our fight scene. It was the first
time I had to flat-back onto concrete and the lesson was how
unforgiving it was compared to judo mats! Also the end of that fight
was memorable. I rush in and grab Kathy by the shoulders as Ron
Vrecken goes to punch her. She slips the punch and Ron drills me. I
watched this scene recently – even in slow motion it looks like I
had my face caved in!
The
other thing I remember about that movie is Richard asking me to
double him for a kicking sequence. It was a standing Round, Hook,
Side-Kick combo. He was wearing cowboy boots - I'm a size 10, he is a
size 8 – it was like foot binding! I had another fight with Richard
where he hits me across the room and I fold into a tiny sports
locker. Richard is such a nice guy, and a real trail blazer when it
came to Aussie action guys doing stuff internationally. Great
memories.
Above: David William No and Michelle C. Lee on Altered Carbon!
Present
Day: Altered Carbon, amazing show, one of the best on Netflix, really
loved your fight with Michelle Lee, if you can describe the set up,
and fight choreography and how did they do the suspended thing was it
wires CGI etc?
Six
months before filming started, the stunt coordinator (Larnell
Stovall) sent me to New York to start training the main actor, Joel
Kinnaman (he was there for the world premiere of Suicide Squad).
I ended up training many of the other actors as well, including
Martha Higareda, Waleed Zuaitor, Treu Tran and Dichen Lachman.
In
regard to the Null-G fight. The fight was choreographed by Jeremy
Marinas. Larnell knew that he needed performers that were experienced
in wirework, had good air-awareness, as well, could also act and
fight. He handpicked me and Michelle, however we still had to record
an audition tape and be confirmed. Once we went up to Vancouver we
had 2 weeks of intensive wire rehearsals.
The
original script really showed a loving relationship between the
fighters as they helped each other put on their gloves, however on
the day we were separated and assistants tended to us. I thought that
was a shame as the intimate scene would have made the fight more
shocking. Of course, there always needs to be a balance between story
and action, so there were so many strings of choreography we just
didn’t get to. For instance, there was one gag that the director
ordered where Michelle launches at me, does a half twist and I catch
her upside down and then toss her backwards, we both rotate as we
separate, and Michelle half twists again and clocks Joel in the face!
I
agree, an amazing show with some amazing and ideas. Hopefully they
bring my sleeve back in Season 2!
Above: David William No @ The Debt Collector Screening! (C) 2018 Ben Burton Photography Exclusive to Dan's Movie Report
Chat
about working on The Debt Collector? Jesse V. Johnson is an amazing
guy, gritty film, I know you had a smaller part but describe your day
on the set with Jesse.
When
we were making Blindsided, Luke Lafontaine and Cold Steel helped us
out with the knives. Immediately when we finished Luke needed
fighters for Savage Dog. I felt that since he helped us with our
film, I owed him a favor so I went and fought Scott in a pit fighting
scene. I've known Scott for decades and so it was good to finally
work together. We shot the fight so quickly that we added more
phrases to the fight. Then the next summer we were shooting
Blindsided: The Game. Again, Luke was helping us and actually played
a very memorable role. Then he was coordinating The Debt Collector
and Jesse asked me to play the role in the opening fight. The role
was very dialogue heavy (maybe 4 pages) and it was an extremely hot
and sweaty day.
Jesse
is a real pro - he knows his stuff, and moves quickly. The end of the
fight has me twirling and Scott kicking me mid-air and I fall to my
back on the ground. I damaged my left shoulder that day, but then
rehab'd it back to health. I got it back to 99% when in December I
had another accident that totally wrecked my shoulder. I ended up
getting surgery. You have to deal with these things philosophically,
be patient, and stay positive. My recovery has been great. Look out
2018, here I come!
Above: Poster for Blindsided: The Game (Movie) 2018
For
Blindsided: The Game, really amazing choreography and just mind
blowing action, please describe the time taken for the set up.
There
were so many professional stuntmen and fight choreographers working
on that project. The most important thing was the sense of
collaboration between all the talented minds. That is one of Clay's
strengths - he strongly enjoys a collaborative process. As far as
choreography goes, the “Walter-Ace fight” was the most
challenging. Eric has short legs, but had long weapons (sword and
sheath) whereas I have long legs and had short weapons (knuckle guard
knives) - so the distancing was difficult and blocking swords with
knives dangerous. Eric is such an accomplished performer that we
quickly found our rhythm and shot the fight scene faster than we had
scheduled.
The
other big gag was the high-fall. The cityscape from the roof was so
beautiful, we wanted to shoot that location, then had to problem
solve how the fight was to end… so Ace took one back-step too many!
We setup the idea of a grand battle, but cut it short with this big
gag. It had been a while since I had jumped from any decent height,
so on top of producing, and learning how to be a card-shark, I found
time to go and practice some high-falls. High falls are serious
business. When they go right, they are effortless, but when
they go wrong, someone dies.
I
have been asking Clayton and of course Eric, Blindsided: The Game
needs to be made into a real movie , Clayton seems to see a part
three happening are you up for it?
Yes…
there definitely is some interest in making a third chapter and
rounding out a full feature film. You will have to wait and “see”
I guess.
Above: David William No @ The Debt Collector Screening (C) 2018 Ben Burton Photography A Dan's Movie Report Exclusive!
What
are some of the projects in the pipeline you have for 2018 and 2019
you can discuss now?
I
have a polymath attitude to life and love challenging myself in many
disciplines. It’s like eating, you can get bored eating the same
food everyday – I rather like changing it up regularly. I think
it’s time for me to return to directing, however first there are a
few other projects in the pipe (which unfortunately I cannot
discuss).All I can say is that I'm looking forward to more great
projects this year.
Finally
to end part one of our interview, do you have a philosophy or concept
with action and acting, can you impart words of wisdom for my
audience?
Regarding
action... there are three things that make great action. 1:
Action in the frame - this means great choreography and great
performances. 2: Action of the frame - this means camera position and
movement. 3: Action between the frames - this means good
editing. When making great action, you need to consider these
three things. If you don't have great performers, you may need to
make up for that fact with framing and editing. Even if you have
great performers, the action maybe degraded by camera or editing.
