It's a blessing to be given a variety of roles to what I call an iconic action actor like myself. Donnie Yen More Quotes by Donnie Yen More Quotes From Donnie Yen Action choreographer is like talking. When you talk, you have a rhythm. When you act, you have a rhythm. When you're moving your body, you have a rhythm. So as an actor, as a choreographer, the objective is trying to blend everything in - into - ultimately back into that character. Donnie Yen talkingcharactermoving I think every actor wants to try out different things. Donnie Yen wanttryingthinking I got nominated for my second film as best young director in the Aikido Film Festival in Japan. Donnie Yen aikidofestivalsjapan There is also a strong following among the urbanites on the East Coast when it comes to martial arts films. Donnie Yen easterstrongart I spent a couple of years doing American films. I did a few. Donnie Yen filmcoupleyears Like any other actor, I draw on life experience. Donnie Yen life-experiencedrawsactors A lot of people don't realize, when you are acting in a martial arts film, you're not just performing martial arts. You're not just performing martial arts. You're actually acting as much as any other actor. Donnie Yen actingpeopleart Doing a movie is a stressful thing. You spend months of you life focusing into that one project, and I want to make sure I do something I really like or I'm really passionate about. Donnie Yen passionatemonthswant I love working with older actors because number one, I can learn so much from them because they have so much experience. And it's fun to hear their stories from their era, some of the jokes. Donnie Yen actorsnumbersfun For me, I like to have explosive moments, whether it is a particular movement itself in the whole sequence. I like to have shocking moments; for audiences to feel, like, 'Whoa!' It's always been my forte. Donnie Yen movementmomentsfeels I just like to choose projects that will allow me as an artist to make my art. Donnie Yen projectsartistart Still, as much as I wish Ballistic Kiss could be a better film, the recognition it gained from critics and at festivals speaks for itself. Donnie Yen festivalskissingwish I certainly hope 'Dragon' can leave some legacy behind. Donnie Yen legacybehindsdragons A lot of Chinese martial arts films were based on Chinese martial arts novels. And these novels created a world of putting history, calligraphy, and martial arts into one. Donnie Yen chineseworldart As an action director I always try to bring something fresh and new. Donnie Yen actiontryingdirectors 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. Donnie Yen eyemeanthinking 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. Donnie Yen runningartthinking It takes years of building that experience as a filmmaker, as well as physically. You have to have a high level understanding of martial arts. Donnie Yen understandingyearsart I think film, to me, as a director, is about telling a story. Donnie Yen storiesdirectorsthinking There's a lot of thinking when you choreograph something. You're not just choreographing some bodies, arms, legs flying around to look cool. It's a lot more complicated and sophisticated. You also have to deal with the connection of the whole film, so when I choreograph, I think of the movement itself, the camera angles, the characters. Donnie Yen flyingcharacterthinking
