MARTIALFORCE.COM

PRESENTS

AN INTERVIEW WITH

SOPHIE SONG

BY RICHARD HACKWORTH

How To Break Into

Action Films:

In martial arts schools around the world there are numerous future "Karate Kids" and the next "Action Star". Almost as elusive as the fountain of youth is the "Hollywood Dream" of becoming the next Bruce Lee.

Sitting here in my studio in Orlando, Florida I have just finished teaching a stunt camp to over 40 young men and women who have that "Dream" of becoming an Action Superstar. Most of them have about four years of Taekwondo or some other sport martial art and think that having won any of the 6,000 world titles handed out each year is going to make them a featured performer in a Hollywood blockbuster.

I decided it was time for someone to point out what makes for a great martial arts TV or Action Film star. So I sat down with a few of my friends in the industry who do stunt work or have acted in major box office releases and ask them what does it really take to become the next "Bruce Lee" to take Hollywood by storm.

This is my first interview in the series. Today's subject is my good friend, Sophie Song. Sophie has been in over 55 Hong Kong action movies so I wanted to ask her what advise she would give to future action movie super stars.

Richard Hackworth - The competition for parts in action martial arts movies is tough. How were you able to get parts in so many films?

Sophie Song - In China and Hong Kong there were already a few well know female action stars. Female fight scenes became so popular that there were even martial arts movies that featured females as the hero. At the time I broke into films I was just 16 years old and got my first job doing stunts for one of the female stars who had an injury that did not allow her to do somethings like jumps and high falls. My parents are weather news reporters on Chinese national television and they met someone at the TV studio talking about making a Kung Fu movie and told him about me being a Kung Fu student for more than 12 years and gave him my photo. The next day he returned to their office and asked them if I could do some stunts that day on a movie that they were filming. That was in 1983.

Richard Hackworth - So you took the part?

Sophie Song - Yes! I was excited. I had no experience but I knew I could do it because I am always believe in myself. If you want to make it big at anything in life the first thing is to believe in yourself. Then use your discipline to train hard and never give up!

Richard Hackworth - Can you tell me more about why you think confidence and a never give up attitude are the two most important character traits for someone who wants to be an action martial arts movie star?

Sophie Song - If you want to beat out your competitors for these parts you need to use a fighting philosophy. When you're fighting and you get hit and knocked down, you must get up or you have been beaten. So you need to show your confidence and never give up attitude so the casting directors and producers remember you. 

Richard Hackworth - Do you have something to say to those young people who want to take your spot in action movies and TV?

Sophie Song - Yes. Actually several things to tell them. My first few times on movies and TV were very difficult because everything was completely new. I went to some stunt training and it helped me get 100 times better at doing fights on camera. Now I help teach stunts to people in Hong Kong for Action Star Media. They have stunt training in the USA and Korea as well. So my first recommendation is that you get some training. Before you spend thousands of dollars you should try some weekend stunt camps first to make sure it is right for you. Then, if you still want to be a super star go for it!

Next, I would model myself after someone successful so that people start to compare me to that movie star. Modeling is a very effective technique to become successful at anything.

Another thing I recommend it to be in "Hollywood Action Star Shape". If you want to stand out from the crowd then you must be in the best physical condition possible. That includes watching your diet. One bag of chips can ruin five weeks of progress in your fitness training. I eat 10 raw veggies and fruits each day and four servings of lean meats a day. For snacks I like to mix nuts and berries into plain yogurt. Absolutely never drink colas or sugary sports drinks. Look at the amount of sugar and salt in "energy" drinks. They just make you fat! I practice power Ki breathing for 15 minutes each morning. Then I drink about 20 ounces of cold water before doing an hour of stretching and forms for my cardio workout. If you want to see an ideal body for men in action martial arts movies take a look at Bruce Lee in "Enter the Dragon" or for ladies look at my friend Michiko Nishiwaki in the movie "My Lucky Stars" with Jackie Chan.

Since we are talking about martial arts action movies specifically you must have clean technique and amazing flexibility. Nobody care how many fights you have won in the film business. They only care about how good your are going to look on camera. Practicing in front of a mirror is a great way to see your technique and make improvements while you train privately. Plus all of the extra stretching can help prevent injuries on the set.

Richard Hackworth - Wow, that is a lot of info. What other pointers can you give to aspiring martial arts movie stars?

Sophie Song - The hard part is to learn how to take rejection with grace and dignity. Thank the casting director for their time and tell them that you look forward to working with them on future projects. I got several call backs to take a part that I didn't read for just because they liked my attitude.

Producers can be very fickle. After being rejected more than 10 times by one producer he smiled and said "Welcome back Sophie" when I came in the room for next audition. Then he said "We finally have a part that is right for YOU, take this card and go see our director. You start filming in the morning." The jerk who rejected me more than 10 times in a row was now happy to see me and give me the part without having me read for it! That is how the martial arts movie industry is. Attitude and effort mean a lot.

Richard Hackworth - As you know this interview is for a martial arts magazine. Is there anything else you can say that might help out your fellow martial artists who will be reading this?

Sophie Song - Yes. First point, You need to be where the action is to be discovered. That is why the stunt camps are so important. I have producers and agents visit our camps who drop by to ask me is there anyone there that weekend that they should see? They come to me because they want to know who the "Next Big Star" is going to be before the other agents can get them. Action Star Media stunt camp is the fastest and most affordable way to get recognized fast. Also, take advantage of any audition contests. When I got started everything is done the hard way and getting rejected in person is no fun. Now you can just mail in a dvd and photo for consideration when you enter contests.

Now the second point, You must know the right people. Again, you can only make it if you get a chance, and you are only going to meet the right people who can really help your career here if you go to where the action is. The last point is that your timing must be perfect, and chance has a lot to do with it. You must be in the right place at the right time. Most stunt camps end with auditions. NEVER waste you time and money on a camp that is not auditioning people for a project. Those kinds of camps are usually run by people who were never successful in the action industry any way.

Richard Hackworth - Those are rough words.

Sophie Song - I know but it is true. Why waste your time and money with people who are not successful. If they don't have a movie or TV show already in production then they just don't have the connections to help you. Maybe they did in the past, but not anymore.

Richard Hackworth - Do you have any other advice?

Sophie Song - Not really. That is it. The more pieces of the process you understand the better your chances. That is why I learned fight choreography and stunts, filmmaking, acting. Even if you can just get invited to the set where they are filming. Help out with lighting, cameras, anything that they will teach you how to do.

Richard Hackworth - Thanks for sharing so much information today. Do you have any closing comments or thoughts to share?

Sophie Song - I just want people to know that I was just another martial arts student like many of the people reading this when I started out. I was not a champion. I was just a martial artists who worked hard and never gave up.

I have a favor to ask of everyone. There is a disturbing trend in the industry now to use special effects to make pampered Hollywood stars look like action heros. If we want real martial arts to grow then we must not support those kinds of films. You need to take every chance to support movies made with real martial artists. That way real martial artists will always have a chance to make it. It is my hope that one of the people reading this article becomes the next action martial arts movie star! Don't forget to watch my friends on the World Martial Arts TV Show!

Richard Hackworth - What is next for you in the martial arts industry?

Sophie Song - Teaching! I have my small studio and students in Hong Kong now. Plus teaching the stunt camps. I want to help discover the next big martial arts star! I am also trying to do some writing. I would like to publish a motivational book for martial artists.

Richard Hackworth - Thanks very much for your time today and for this very informative and inspirational interview.

Sophie Song - Thank you. I just wanted to let everyone know the truth about our industry and what it really takes to break into action martial arts movies.

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