Budiey
Shot in Full-3D Live-Action “THE HUNTER” A Match for “Flying Swords of Dragon Gate”
A film by Asia Entertainment Media and directed by Bjarne Wong, “THE HUNTER” is the first full-3D movie produced in Southeast Asia. Last week, Wong took the whole film crew and cast, comprising Rocky Lou (China), Tavani Hu (Taiwan), 3 times Best Actress award winner of the Malaysian Film Festival Sharifah Amani, the talented Beauty Queen turned Actress Soo Winnci, Cindy Chen, Carmen Soo and Koe Yeet to Sarawak to formally kick-start the filming work.
As the first full-3D movie produced in Southeast Asia, Wong has painstakingly worked to put in place the required hardware, technical facilities and camera techniques to produce the film. Finally, he has decided to shoot it in full-3D live-action, which is much more complicated, especially in the aspect of camera techniques than the making of usual 2D films. Nevertheless, with the support from his 3D production crew, which is formed by members who are previously involved in the making of “Flying Swords of Dragon Gate”, the first 3D Kungfu blockbuster in China directed by internationally acclaimed and award winning Director, TSUI HARK, and starred international action movie star, JET LI, movie lovers can expect “THE HUNTER” to present an exciting visual effect to stimulate the senses.
Conquering the Rajang River and Longhouse on the first day of filming
The camera crew kick-started the first day of work on-location, where the first scene was shot at the longest river in Malaysia, the Rajang River in Kuching. As much as the cast was feeling rather excited about the location, they were also worried about how to be in their best state to act in the scene while faced with the natural forces of the river. The worry arose because, should there be too many NG takes, it would delay the progress of the filming work. However, the whole day’s work had been rather smooth because the cast was able to ease their minds when they realized that the crew had taken all the necessary precaution to ensure everyone’s safety.
Set in the mysterious background of the Borneo rainforests, “THE HUNTER” tells the story of a Documentary film production crew that encountered a series of mysterious events in the rainforests of Sarawak.
Once work was done at the Rajang River, the crew moved on to another location, which was equally fascinating and rich in culture – the Longhouse, to create more suspense and thrills for the movie.
Soo Wincci accomplished the ‘mission impossible’ – a triathlon on water, land and air in one day, but had her double substitute her in a bed scene!
As what were needed to be filmed in the Longhouse were mainly group takes, Soo Wincci was unable to apply for leave from Director Wong to appear in a few charity shows in West Malaysia which she has committed to six months earlier. When Director Wong told Wincci that he would expect her to turn up for the shoot, else he would have someone else to replace her in the movie, Wincci decided to attempt the “mission impossible”.
With the permission from her Manager, Wincci flew back to West Malaysia for the charity shows and took the next flight back to Kuching to continue with her filming. Within the short span of 24 hours, she accomplished the ‘mission impossible’ to travel on water, land and air between the two states to do her job. Upon her arrival at the Kuching airport, she took a car ride followed by a boat ride to rush back to the set. Once she had her makeup done, she immediately joined in the shooting and displayed an amazing willpower.
In the end, she managed to accomplish this ‘mission impossible’ but had to have her double substitute her in a bed scene (where the whole cast had to fall sleep together). Hence, when she rushed back to the set, she had to quickly have her part taken to complete the group take. It was later revealed that Director Wong only wanted to test her professionalism, but never expected her to take it so seriously and actually attempted the feat.
As soon as Soo Wincci rushed back to the set, she quickly had her part taken for a ‘bed scene’ which she has missed out on. Meanwhile, it was also a good time for her to catch up with her beauty sleep.
Having a prominent role to play in the movie meant that Carmen Soo would have to be in her best state whenever she was on the set.
Soo Wincci, Bjarne Wong and Cindy Chen had their scripts rehearsed before a take.
Work is done for this location, time to head to the next destination…
The natives extended a warm welcome to the camera crew upon their arrival at the Longhouse.
Did Soo Wincci forget her lines because she has been too busy?
Filmed in full-3D live-action, “THE HUNTER” promises to deliver an exciting and impactful visual effect to stimulate the senses of the movie lovers.
Rocky Lou really put the saying “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” into action by asking the natives to show him the ropes to master the traditional games.
Director Bjarne Wong double checked on the safety measures taken before rolling the camera on the cast at the Rajang River.
Being on the Rajang River intrigued mixed feelings within everyone.
Rocky Lou was intrigued by the hanging human skulls hence he took a photo for memory’s sake.
What could have been captured by Rocky Lou in his camera that tickled Amani this much?
In between the hectic filming schedule, Cindy Chen managed to steal a nap while having her makeup done.
Director Bjarne Wong shared that it was very important to pay close attention to every single detail while the group scene was taken at the Longhouse.
After every take, Director Bjarne Wong would check to ensure that the 3D effect had been successfully established.
