Kunming, China - September 21, 2002
Good news! I've been hanging out in Kunming for awhile now.. there has been a group of us.. mostly Dutch.. and an Australian.. great guys.. we've been meeting up just about everynight.. and they are also the ones who have been the extras in the film.
Anyhow, yesterday they had finished filming, and I had joined them in the evening. Apparently, they were going to do a church scene later that night. One of the Dutch guys was nominated to play the Priest reluctantly, while the rest would be in the pews as extras. Anyhow, since we've all been pretty good friends.. and were planning to be in the movie together at the beginning.. they wanted me to play the Priest.. and were going to ask the film guy when they came to pick them up. Maybe they felt bad since I missed the first day of filming, and then came back for the second day of filming and I was told I couldn't be in the film that day. (Oh, I forgot that part. The second day of filming, I woke up early and showered, and when they came to get the extras, they told me they only needed 8, and that since I wasn't there the first day, they couldn't use me that day either, so I had missed my opportunity.
Anyhow, this evening when the film guy came back to pick up the extras crew, they asked him if I could join them tonight, and he once again said 'no', we don't need another extra. Anyhow, I asked if I could just come and watch anyhow, and he said 'yes'.
When I went to the movie set.. and the Director and crew saw me.. they immediately wanted me to be the Priest! So for the next few hours, I had a several lines and was in 3 film shots! The most interesting part was that there was no sound for the filming, because all of our voices would be dubbed into Chinese anyhow. I did however remember my lines to make it look like I was saying what I suppose to be saying. There was a funny part though when I first began and messed up the lines really bad but kept going. The groom whose head was turned away from the camera began to laugh, and I was trying to hold a straight face throughout the scene as well! It was pretty funny. But only one take, and they kept it, so I guess it turned out fine.
The second scene they brought the cameras behind me, and I was basically telling them they could exchange the rings, and I blessed the rings, and told them 'you may kiss the bride'.. we did one practice take and I thought it was perfect! We all did.. but it wasn't the shot being filmed.. and on the real shot.. i messed up and asked to repeat.. and on the 2nd real shot.. i don't think it went anywhere near as good as the practice shot.. but they kept it anyhow.. but maybe i was just being critical since i was the one being filmed.
The third shot they brought the camera back around facing me with the bride and groom in front of me.. this was the kissing scene.. very interesting.. because at that moment.. where exactly do i look? do i stare at them kissing? what i did do was look around and nod my head a few times as if i was quite pleased with the ceremony.. it made me think though.. maybe during other movies.. background characters or extras are doing funny things.. but of course everyone is always focused on that kiss.. or on the main action.. next time i will definetley be watching the extras and side characters!!
Anyhow, I did get a role in the film! Thank you to the Dutch guys and Australian guy to encourage me to join them!! I was also really happy since I had missed the first two filming days.. I was quite happy to get a really good role like the Priest.. as opposed to a wedding attendee in the pew, or faraway shots of being extras fighting in the background while the camera is focused on the main character. Also, it was ALOT of fun!! I loved it!!
This movie's translated name is "Moon Stone".. and should be released in Chinese theaters next March.. so look for it!!
Also, interestingly, I married two famous foreign actors. They have done alot of leading roles in China for a number of years. I don't know the main actress' story.. but the actor had grew up in LA.. and lived in NYC as well.. before moving to Beijing and became a famous film star in China. He also spoke fluent Chinese.. both him and the actress. The actor's first name was Jonathan. Very interesting guy!
One last thing about the movie. This scene is a dream sequence. Apparently, Jonathon in the film dies along with all the other British soldiers who were attacking Yunnan provence in China.. but he has this one dream where he marries the woman that he loves.. so this is just a couple minute clip within the movie.
Continued journal entries in China:
September 23, 2001
You can email me at:
Wintermoon2@yahoo.com