Whether I'm acting or making it, at the end of the day it's telling the story; action, drama. You want the audience to feel it - the story, the action, the scene, or a particular shot. I just keep working on crafting my art, on how to make action movies.
I think a lot of people don't realize that martial arts are just an expression like anything else. It's just that most people are not trained to punch or kick, but you can walk or run or dance, which is also part of expression.
I got nominated for my second film as best young director in the Aikido Film Festival in Japan.
There is also a strong following among the urbanites on the East Coast when it comes to martial arts films.
From my experience as an actor, choreographer, action director, and producer, I understand the elements and the dynamics of being a film maker.
For years, I looked to Bruce Lee as a mentor as being a Chinese and Asian man living in this country.
I'm a very emotional guy.
There are two types of Chinese growing up in America. One is the kind that does really well in school, with thick, thick glasses. And the other is involved with the gangs.
Bruce is the man. He was definitely ahead of his time.
When you direct a movie, you're basically looking at a story, the way you want to look at it. You bring that director's vision, and I'm totally open for that.
It's a blessing to be given a variety of roles to what I call an iconic action actor like myself.
I think action movies bring more excitement than tears, but I always want to take it to another level. I mean, I think if one appreciates anything in life to a certain degree, it could possibly bring tears to your eyes.
A period film, where you, for example, where you have a traditional wardrobes, you are bound to act a certain way. But in a modern film, a lot of body gesture.
If you're playing a cop in a modern film, you don't have to walk with your spine straight up and bow before a fight. There's a lot of free form of expressing yourself as an actor.
I spent a couple of years doing American films. I did a few.
I try to update my arsenal constantly. Learning different martial arts since childhood. To understand what's out there. To really be in tune.
I certainly hope 'Dragon' can leave some legacy behind.
As an action director, I always try to bring something fresh and new.
For me, the challenge of a period film is that, unlike a contemporary film where the character can be very free-form when it comes to the acting, there's a burden to acting in a period film because you have to stay within the character's historical background and the gestures of certain periods.
I like to stay within the context of the character's background. If he's a cop, I have to make sure the audience is convinced that this person, a cop, can do only so much without a gun.
