Greetings
valued readers, thank you for supporting Dan's Movie Report for the
past seven years! Fresh from wrapping production on Jesse V.
Johnson's new feature 'Savage Dog' action actress Juju Chan shares
some behind the scenes thoughts on her involvement with the various
cast members. This is of course a preliminary discussion, closer to
the time of the film's release date, a more in depth chat will occur.
Time to win the fight with Juju, and peer behind the action, with
another exclusive Dan's Movie Report interview.
DMR:
Please tell me about your training prior to the commencing of filming
'Savage Dog'?
JC:
Besides being an actress, I am also an athlete and coach, therefore,
I have been training Taekwondo, Thai boxing, nunchucks, tricking, and
fitness every day before the film to maintain my skills and
figure.
DMR: Chat
about the first time you met 'Savage Dog' director Jesse V. Johnson,
and what made you decide to ultimately work on the film?
JC:
I met Jesse this March in LA introduced by you, Danny! Jesse is a
very friendly, honest, and a talented filmmaker. We were chatting
about films and martial arts/stunts at our first meeting, it was fun!
He also told me he would like to send me the script of 'Savage Dog'
and think I would be great to play the role of Isabelle. After the
meeting, I went home and watched two of Jesse's previous films 'The
Butcher', and 'Charlie Valentine', and love his work. Jesse sent me
his script, and it's fantastic! With great character building and
high intensity, the story of 'Savage Dog' is gripping!
When
I read it for the first time, I immediately liked the Isabelle
character. I certainly understand her optimistic view of people, even
in the face of the evil things that she must have witnessed while
growing up. That's why after I've read Jesse's script I accepted the
role right away.
Above Photo: (C) 2016 Ben Burton
DMR: Cool story, yes Jesse is super talented,
very happy to have made the connection. Shifting gears to the actors
in 'Savage Dog', discuss working
with legendary action star Scott Adkins, can you shed some light on
what he is like off camera, a story perhaps?
JC:
Scott is a great martial artist as well as actor. Working with Scott
is fun and wonderful! It is very easy to get into character and
emotion with him when we are doing our dramatic scenes. I've seen
Scott's work, love his presence and action in the Undisputed movies.
I am looking forward to 'Boyka: Undisputed' to come out soon! I very
much admire his great agility and his dedications in action and
physical training. Because I am also a martial artist and trained in
Taekwondo and Mauy Thai, I had been paying attention on to his kicks,
and I am impressed!
DMR: Chat about working
with Cung Le, saw you guys out and about, talk about meeting with and
working with him? He is very cool, he was at a Strike Force Event
here in Florida, cool guy. Saw that you guys had a dinner, must have
been nice to catch up?
JC:
I've actually met Cung back in 2014 in Macau during one of the UFC
fight events. It was great to see him again and to actually work
together on an action film! Cung is like my big kung-fu brother, it's
always fun hanging out out, training and working with him! Cung has a
great presence on films! He is a great fighter both physically and
mentally, and I've learned a lot just by hanging out and working with
him. Looking forward to collaborate with him in more projects in the
future!
Above Photo: (C) 2016 Ben Burton
DMR: Marko
Zazor is a real up and coming force in Action, chat about how he is
professionally, seems like an amazing talent, love his energy. I
noticed you saw Sultan in the theater, I did as well. I do hope that
more action movies are shot in Bollywood, curious as to your
reaction?
JC:
Marko is a great martial artist and talented action filmmaker! Love
his energy and dedication in martial arts and action films!!! He is
also an amazing cook! He invited us to a home cooked dinner where he
made the best ribs, and vegan pizza!!! I went to saw Sultan in the
theater with Marko, and it was my first Bollywood feature that I have
seen in the cinema, and I LOVE it!!!! It is 3 hours long, but didn't
actually feel that long, because the story is so well written and the
intensity and excitement keep building up throughout the film! Marko
has an awesome, powerful fight in the 'Sultan'!!! Love all his kicks
and tricks! So powerful and amazing! After watching this film, I am
very interested in working on an action Bollywood film!!! Where I can
combine singing, dancing, acting, and martial arts in a film
project!!!
DMR: What
are some of the things you have done in your down time in the U.S
while filming? Of course the epic hike with Amy, perhaps chat about
that?
JC:
I love martial arts, sports and fitness. When I have spare time,
(even if I don't I will try to make some) to go hiking, training on
the spring floor at JAM (Joining all Movement), taking pole dance
classes, eat and watch movies.
L.A. is a great place for hiking!!!
I think I have almost hiked every mountain in L.A. I usually go to
Runyon Canyon, Griffith Park, Burbank, Malibu Creek Canyon, Santa
Monica Steps. It is at times a bit difficult to find a companion to
go do off trail crazy hikes with me, but luckily, I have a good
friend Amy Johnston who will go do these crazy hikes and activities
with me. It's fun and a great way to stay fit!!!
Above Photo: (C) 2016 Ben Burton
DMR: Yes,
Amy is a perfect friend for you, I am ready to see the next Amy-Juju
adventure, hopefully in a film soon! Shifting gears, discuss
some of the differences in general in a U.S. production compared to a
H.K. production. What are some things you feel that the producer side
of you would alter?
JC:
In general, there is a lot more time spent on pre-production in U.S.
films than on Hong Kong productions. This really is just
generalizing, as I have been on well planned Hong Kong films, and on
U.S. films where cast and crew have no idea what's happening.
Certainly, I hope to be able to allow as much planning ahead of time
as possible, although I understand that isn't always possible with
sudden financing adjustments, script changes, losing key people, and
so on.
Above Photo: (C) 2016 Ben Burton
DMR: I look forward to your producing work, your
organizational skills are impressive. Juju, Please discuss your long
term goals for the U.S. film market, acting and producing wise?
JC:
My long term goal has always been to get involved with producing.
That is not to say that I put any less emphases in acting, and I love
it, and hope to constantly improve my ability in it. I'm very aware
of the loss of control, however, one experiences when others are
producing a film that you're involved with, and I do find that
frustrating. I dearly want to bring in all the wonderful people who
I've had the privilege to work with in the past, to collaborate on a
good project. That is my hope.
Above Photo: (C) 2016 Ben Burton
DMR:
Thank you Juju for taking time out of your busy schedule to work on
this interview. For up to date information on Juju's latest
activities, please like her official Facebook page @
https://www.facebook.com/jujuchan/?fref=ts
In addition to her official FB page please follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and check out her IMDB page.
Keep
reading Dan's Movie Report for more Juju exclusives later in 2016!
Also if you have not entered the final Juju Chan autographed photo
contest please go to:
