SKIN TRADE (Ekachai Uekrongtham, 2014)

[shooby]

with such a team I dare say Dolph is doing his own Expendable

[Moltisanti]

Tony Jaa put up a still from the first day of filming on his FB page:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1446366995579364

[Jox]

Director Ekachai and Tony

http://filmcombatsyndicate.blogspot.fr/ ... n-new.html

[bomaz]

Ok, starting now I allow myself to be enthusiastic as uck.
It's gonna be awesome !

[Jox]

EXCLUSIVE: New SKIN TRADE Set Pics + A Talk With Producer Mike Selby
(Ed.: Mike Selby is Tony Jaa's manager)



Action hero Tony Jaa took to Facebook on Friday to share brand new photo from the set of his upcoming international action thriller, Skin Trade, featuring the martial arts star next to a Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4. Producer Mike Selby also shared a second, and exclusive photo of the actor with the aforementioned car with Film Combat Syndicate, which you can check out below. According to Selby, who confirmed that Jaa will be driving the car for a small portion of the film, Jaa enjoyed being with the car so much that he had to "pry" the away from it.



Our discussion continued thereafter, where you will learn a little more about the film, and what fans can expect as the year moves forward.

During filming, at least two action scenes have been filmed recently on location Siam Kempinski Hotel in Bangkok, with Friday's sets now moved into several Bangkok studios, and back to exterior shots starting next week. In addition, morale continues to remain upbeat on the set of the film, according to Selby who tells Film Combat Syndicate, "...What is really nice is the enthusiasm of the cast and crew. Everyone is having a blast and working very well together.".

In continuing further coverage of filming for Skin Trade, Film Combat Syndicate also learned that considering the star power being included in the film, the main hope is that the film will go mainstream. "...This movie is different for many reasons." says Selby. "It is the first Thai production of a film for the international market, the budget is considerable, and the film has quite a few strong action scenes. But frankly, unlike many action films, the storyline is extremely strong and tight." Producer Selby also mentions that one of the major qualities that will sustain the film in its uniqueness lies in the cast who he describes, including Jaa and fellow starring actor, writer and producer Dolph Lundgren as "serious actors", as well as to the "dramatic chops" attributed in their choice for director in filmmaker Ekachai Uekrongtham (Beautiful Boxer - 2004, Pleasure Factory - 2007 and The Coffin - 2008). "The intention is to have a film that appeals to a broad audience." Selby adds. "The story itself has a powerful message that the cast and screen writers took very seriously. The audience won't be disappointed by the action scenes involving Jaa, Dolph and Michael Jai White. We think they will be pleasantly surprised at the quality of the acting performances and continuity of the story itself.".

As my discussion with the producer continued, he was very eager to give credit the Thai film crew while acknowledging some of its foreign members, namely mentioning editor Victor Du Buois (The Last Samurai - 2003, Spartacus - [TV] 2004 and Never Back Down - 2008), and the film's Director of Photography, Ben Nott, whose most recent credit can be seen in Jackie Chan's latest U.S. limited theatrical release, Chinese Zodiac. "Ben Nott is a serious A level DP with a great selection of credits and real talent." says producer Selby. "You can't make a good film if it isn't shot right.".

With further acknowledgement to the subject of foreigners on Thai film sets, Selby also addressed the financial and creative aspects of the Thai film industry when it comes to foreign performers, and how Skin Trade aims to augment the film's potential on both fronts, and more. "There is a tendency in films shot in Asia to have local foreigners cast in smaller parts." he says. "This saves money but impacts on the quality and realism of the film. You will see in due course that quite a few additional character actors have been brought in from North America for the smaller parts, and the result of this will show on screen." Selby then added, "It is often the attention to detail at all levels that makes the difference between a good film and a really good film. This extends to the FX people as well, and we have some really good ones that were brought in.".

Skin Trade stars Jaa, Lundgren and White along with Ron Pearlman, Celina Jade, Peter Weller and Cary Tagawa, with fight choreography by David Ismalone. Craig Baumgarten also produced the film with line producer Ying Julaluck Ismalone, with further writing credits to Gabriel Dorwick, Steve Elder and John Hyams.

Filming is expected to wrap in March, followed by post-production through as soon as June and July, with a targeted slate of theatrical releases beginning in the Spring of 2015.

Stay tuned for more info!
Posted by Lee Golden at 8:55 PM

http://filmcombatsyndicate.blogspot.fr/ ... -talk.html

[bomaz]

I was wondering how the two other writers happened to work with dolph on the script ? Their resumes are rather different than other writers.

[Jox]

Steven Elder, who first co-wrote the script with Dolph on the first drafts, is a friend of his (and also an actor, they may know each other from of an acting class or something). Gabriel Dowrick, a young Australian writer/editor, was brought in through DP Marc Windon.

[thegoon4eto]

Great photos!!

[thegoon4eto]

[Nathan]

Loving the photos. Can't wait for this one.

[shooby]

Actually with all these years of change, what is the final synopsis, the role distribution [...] I didn't remenber I saw that

[Jox]

The script was only adapted to move from Moscow to Bangkok.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1641841/plotsummary

Although in the Moscow version I think Dolph would have played the equivalent of the cop that Jaa is playing. I'm not sure though.

Jaa's manager even goes to claim:

What the movie Unforgiven did for Clint Eastwood, I think Skin Trade will do for Dolph. TJ

Although it's his baby, Dolph doesn't direct this one himself though. But in many ways we can considerate it a follow up to his previous directorial work.

When you see Dolph's performance, I have don't have enough good words to describe it. It is his best ever. TJ

[Nathan]

I'm trying not to get this one too hyped up in my mind, in fact I'm going to assume it will be very average - that way, I won't get disappointed. That said, I do believe Dolph has better performances in him than his usual scripts allow, which is why I admire him for going his own way and doing his own thing, you don't see many DTV actors (Snipes, Cuba, Seagal) taking matters totally into their own hands to get the best out of their careers.

[Jox]

Well that's partly because he's never had it as easy those guys in his/their prime so he still has everything to gain, and because he's intellectually curious and challenge-seeking/driven. Others who's seen him work in his movie debuts ROCKY IV and MOTU could also say he was already every interested in understanding the filmmaking craft and very much influenced on his first film by seeing writer/director/actor Sly Stallone doing it all.

I believe being mostly surrounded by action or DTV producers has not always been for the best and sometimes he'd be better off being with some more indie/artsy people who are not as business or sales driven. Proof is had SKIN TRADE been produced by Nu Image as was supposed to (in 2009-2010), I don't think he could have done it in the way and conditions he's doing it now and he knows it, which is why I think he's trying to distance himself from them a little bit apart from THE EXPENDABLES or other potential big theatrical movies.

I'm trying not to get this one too hyped up in my mind,

Good for you, you guys should all do that!

[Jox]

Photo from Ekachai Uekrongtham: