Wu Long shooting finishes before scheduled

Sina.com reports that the film will begin the final stage of production "probably next week". Producer Zhang Weiping was quoted as saying that since filming has gone smoothly so far, the film should be on screens [in China] mid-December. He also said that the dramatic team should start the final stage of photography next week in Beijing (Fangshan District). The sequences to be filmed there are outdoor war scenes. Post-production is scheduled to begin late July

The production team packed up this weekend and vacated the Wulong location. The set area is being cleaned up and restored as per an environmental protection agreement with the local officials. It is being reported by a Chongqing paper that some props were left behind, and the set area that was especially built will eventually be open to tourists. The reporter was told by a member of the production that the Wulong footage should be a twenty minute segment of the film. Sina.com reports that the "Wulong photography time was fully reduced by a week."

One of the extras spoke about her experiences on the Wulong set. She said the day began at 8am, and filming lasted all day. When asked about the plot, she replied that the production team stressed many times that those involved should not disclose details of the filming. Her biggest regret was not being able to see Zhou Runfa (Chow Yun-Fat), Gong Li, and Zhou Jielun (Jay Chow). She had a very favorable impression of Zhang Yimou, saying that she discovered that he is very kind.

From sina.com as shown on Admiring Gong Li forum

Chinese Nation Hotel to house the cast

Stunt people play the assassins

UPDATED 06/23/06 During the shooting at "The Heavenly Pit" near Chongqing City, six cave explorers and volunteer rescuers from the local "Outdoor Club" were hired to double for the imperial assassins. The cape explores took a few pictures of them at work and distributed them to Chongqing Morning Post and Sina.com. Their costumes consists of four layers of clothing and body armors made of ox hide, which makes them look overweight. Their weapons are oversized sickles, quick and effective for making kills, supposedly. They spent two full days repeatedly lowering themselves from the cliff for shots which would only last for a few seconds Monkey Peaches

06/22/06 Climbing around on the walls of this cliff the stunt people portray assassins trying to kill the emperor. The apparatus going up the wall is an elevator. ent.sina.com

"Curse" of the weather for filming

(above picture of Li Man) The weather continues to be a factor for filming in Wulong as it was at the Hengdian Studios. This report appeared in the Admiring Gong Li forum:

A reporter for Sina.com indicates that a sequence between Chen Jin and Ni Dahong was filmed this weekend, described as a "flying battle". Unfortunately, one of the extras was reportedly injured when he fell from a roof, damaging cervical vertebrae. Apparently, bad weather has been affecting filming of some of the outdoor sequences. The large-scale Wulong outpost attack sequence is scheduled for tomorrow, and an aerial acrobatics troop has arrived from Beijing. The pilotless plane ("flying camera"), used during the Hengdian shoot, will also be used at Wulong.

Still preparing to shoot at the "Heavenly Pit"

From Monkey Peaches - Shooting of Zhang Yimou's The Curse of Golden Flower, previously known as The City of Golden Armor, has restarted at Wulong County's "Heavenly Pit" for four days. A post is built at the bottom of a naturally formed funnel. According to local newspaper Chongqing Economic Daily, the plot is that the emperor (Chow Yun-Fat) sends dozens of assassins to kill his second oldest son (Jay Chou), who has risen against his father. At the center of the courtyard, there is a platform built atop of a steel pole and dozens wire connect the pole with nearby cliffs. In the first shot, about two dozen assassins slid down to the center of the post while fighting with someone, assumedly a stunt double for Jay Chou. Painting in blue, the platform and the pole will be digitally removed during the post-production. In the second shot, six assassins stood on the side of a cliff, getting ready for their attack. In another scene, the empress (Gong Li) arrives at the post along with her maid (Li Man) and a minister (Ni Dahong). NOTE: When asked if Gong Li will act in this scene or use a double Zhang Yimou would only say it wasn't decided yet.

Special apparatus to be used in scene

UPDATED 06/15/06 Three new pictures from Admiring Gong Li Forum with this report: Members of the production team arrived in Chongqing Monday evening. Eighty vehicles were required to transport equipment and personnel to the shooting location where two hundred extras will be needed. Filming began yesterday morning on the Wulong set and the involved the stunt team on wires in fight sequences. One reporter claims that a member of the production team told him that Li, Liu Ye and Jay Chow will arrive in Wulong in the next couple of days.

NOTE: It doesn't mention CYF and another article said he would be there on the 25th. Sooo???

06/14/06 According to more reports Liu Ye has now arrived at the new venue for filming along with Jay Chou. Since I'm struggling to understand the articles in Chinese it is not clear whether CYF or Gong Li has arrived, but Li Man is definitely there. Work continues on the apparatus that was previously shown as they were building it, to make it perfect for the use it is intended. Pictures from fun.china.com

Actors leave production to take care of other business

Of course, Liu Ye was in the U.S. making Dark Matter with Meryl Streep in Salt Lake City, Utah which is right next to my home town of West Jordan, Utah. Wish I could ask him how he likes working in Curse of the Golden Flower, but no such luck! (pic from Monkey Peaches) CYF went back to Hong Kong before going to Wu Long.

Article: June 13, 2006 Source: http://ent.sina.com.cn/m/c/2006-06-13/07051120345.html

Chow Yun Fat and Gong Li's parts have already finished shooting since May 30 and both of them have left the production team. Jay's parts have finished on June 6 and has left also. For the next portion in 武隆 Wu Long, it would be long shots of battle scenes. Stand ins would be used for Chow and Gong Li's parts since no closeups would be required plus they have other commitments. The scene is about the emperor going out for a drive and suddenly were attacked near some cliffs. As for Jay Chou, he has always done his own scenes and according to a production crew member, it is not sure if Jay would return on June 14 for this scene although a suite has been reserved for him for this purpose. When it comes to action scenes though, they would use stand in's for Jay. According to the crew, Jay looks really good when he is made up and put in a costume. He has many fans waiting for him eveyday but as soon as he is in costume, he would retreat to his rest area and not talk to anyone. During dinners, the crew usually has 3 dishes plus soup. But Chow and his wife has 8 dishes and a soup because of the many bodyguards and assistants they have with them totalling over 10 people. Jay and his assistants totalling 6 persons would have 6 dishes and a soup. Jay's favorite dish is tomatoes with scrambled eggs. He eats like a vegetarian most of the time but he also likes tomatoes fried with beef. The cook said that Jay never touches any seafood no matter what they presented. Two other stars are at the moment busy in the US but will be back on 14th to start filming. Liu Ye would arrive on June 15 and could only stay for 4-5 days and have to return to the US for other filming. Accordingly, Zhang Yimou is very punctual and all the big stars are also very punctual. One day, due to rain, they had to stop filming for 10 hours and the next day, they worked double to catch up. Zhang believes that it is more professional and easier to organize when everyone is on time.

Permission to repost this article is granted only if this article is accompanied with this message, the text is not altered, and credit is given to this site as follows:Credit: http://s2.invisionfree.com/la_creme_d_asie

Chow Yun-Fat with the chefs

It seems that a special "King's feast," or in this case an Emperor's, was prepared for part of the cast of COTGF. Not reading Chinese it was difficult to understand if it was just a special banquet for the cast or part of the plot for the movie, but whatever, the cast did enjoy the spectacular cuisine that was prepared. CYF always enjoys a good meal, and was happy to take a picture with the team of chefs. jhnews

A remote controlled flying camera takes shots of battle

From Monkey Peaches: "Another short TV report by China's CCTV is posted at Sina.com. It shows the shooting of a coup lead by the second oldest prince, played by singer Jay Chou. A remote-controlled "flying camera" leased from the States was used for several aerial shots." A video from Sina about the filming in the chrysanthemum fields of the army and Jay Chou." (The video is very dark and can be seen more clearly if downloaded and shown on the Windows Media Player or some other player that can be adjusted to a brighter picture.)

http://www.wenweipo.com/news.phtml?news_id...70023&cat=011EN

Zhang Yimou has a company called Flying Camera to film parts of the movie by remote aerial device. In the scenes involved was the Jay Chou as general and many soldiers together. This company has received awards this year at Oscars for best cinematography and it is the only company that does this.

Source: La Creme D' Asie Forum

Gong Li tired from working on movie

It seems that the last of the filming at Hengdian Studios before leaving for Wu Long has left Gong Li extremely tired as she made an appearance at a press conference:

The press conference was held to promote a real estate venture in Xiaoshan, and Li is apparently going to be the spokesperson. Li arrived at the press conference a little after 4pm. A reporter was disappointed in her attire (jeans and t-shirt), but noted that when Li sat down and removed her sunglasses, a number of fans who were present remarked at how beautiful she is. The person who introduced Li remarked that she has been filming scenes continuously for two days at the Hengdian World Studios and hasn't slept much. After Li signed the sponsorship contract, she remarked that she is indeed very tired. Regarding the new housing complex, Li said that it conforms to her ideals very much and she wants to become the first resident.

Article from Admiring Gong Li Forum