When audiences look at an action actor like myself, sometimes we are very easily stereotyped or characterized as one type. They forget that we are actors, too. Donnie Yen More Quotes by Donnie Yen More Quotes From Donnie Yen Better to be called something positive and inspirational than something negative. Donnie Yen negative Martial art is a form of expression, an expression from your inner self to your hands and legs. Donnie Yen self motivational art I did a couple comedies to balance myself as an actor and balance how audiences see Donnie Yen as an actor, and I would even say as a celebrity or icon, to some fans. I want to show that I'm not Terminator. Donnie Yen icons balance couple For me, the challenge of a period film is that, unlike a contemporary film where the character can be very free-form when it comes to the acting, there's a burden to acting in a period film because you have to stay within the character's historical background and the gestures of certain periods. Donnie Yen historical challenges character The main reason I like UFC is not just the martial arts aspect, but it's about one person against the other person. It's about being able to test yourself with the truth. Donnie Yen ufc tests art I've always been in a rebel. Donnie Yen rebel uprising I always tell younger filmmakers, it's not just about the acting or the art itself. It's about how big of an audience watches your film. Donnie Yen acting watches art I like to stay within the context of the character's background. If he's a cop, I have to make sure the audience is convinced that this person, a cop, can do only so much without a gun. Donnie Yen cop gun character My mum lives in Boston; she's famous for teaching wushu and t'ai chi. So from when I was young, my mum and aunt were like: 'You're training; you're not playing baseball or football.' Training every day was normal. Later, when I was almost a teenager, Bruce Lee became my idol. Donnie Yen teenager baseball football I'm a very emotional guy. Donnie Yen emotional guy There are two types of Chinese growing up in America. One is the kind that does really well in school, with thick, thick glasses. And the other is involved with the gangs. Donnie Yen growing-up two school Bruce is the man. He was definitely ahead of his time. Donnie Yen time motivational men Look at every action movie in Hollywood. Every leading man from Spider-Man to Batman to James Bond, 'Bourne Identity', every one of them possesses martial arts skills. Donnie Yen skills men art When you watch my films, you're feeling my heart. Donnie Yen feelings heart watches If you're playing a cop in a modern film, you don't have to walk with your spine straight up and bow before a fight. There's a lot of free form of expressing yourself as an actor. Donnie Yen bows actors fighting From my experience as an actor, choreographer, action director, and producer, I understand the elements and the dynamics of being a film maker. Donnie Yen dynamics elements actors My action follows my characters. If a character is a cop, you cannot be posing all the time, you cannot fly off the roof because it doesn't make any sense - it's not practical. Donnie Yen cop action character I guess I'm pretty lucky because in childhood I studied so many martial arts styles and I never stopped researching them, my body is very adjustable and I can turn into different expressions with my body. Donnie Yen childhood expression art For years, I looked to Bruce Lee as a mentor as being a Chinese and Asian man living in this country. Donnie Yen men country years 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 talking character moving
