OPM- Injured Eye

Clear Newspaper
One Pen Ma column
May 31 2012
By Steven Ma

Action Scenes Rely on Mutual Trust
動作戲講互信

Many years ago when shooting "A Change of Destiny" my right eye was injured by a horse, and quite seriously, too.  And this time while shooting an action scene in "Yuan Yang Pei" (鴛鴦佩), my left eye got hurt.  Haha, one left one right, now finally a match.  Luckily this time it was not too serious, just a little bit swollen and a small cut that is now scabbed over, most probably will not leave a scar.  This is considered lucky already.

Actually, having been in this industry for many years now, getting injured while filming action scenes is inevitable.  Especially when filming ancient wuxia dramas, the injury rate is even higher.  Guns, knives, swords, staffs, face to face combat, or wire suspension etc.; even if the martial arts supervisor had beforehand implemented all the safety precautionary measures, and had also meticulously and carefully scrutinized the choreography of each and every action and movement, and had the action rehearsed numerous times prior to filming, but accident being accident will still happen; it maybe that the other party made a small mistake or that I myself miscalculate, either way one or both parties will inadvertently get hurt at any given time.

Anyway,  a collaboration with martial arts brothers has this one particular characteristic, which is, the majority of them are straight-shooters, and under the premise of mutual trust, regardless of who accidentally injured who, they will all without hesitation utter "No problem" (沒事); this kind of mindset, I truly appreciate.

related material yahoo blog Tribute to Stuntmen

News: Steven Ma's Left Eye Injured.

wenweipo 2012-05-31

Despite Left Eye Injury Steven Ma Persisted Filming, Director Praises His Professionalism.
马浚伟拍戏左眼受伤 坚持拍摄被导演赞敬业
On May 20, Steven Ma while shooting a fighting scene for a mainland tv series, Yuan Yang Pei (鴛鴦佩) , in Hengdian got injured in the eye.  In the scene, he was singlehandedly fighting several martial artists when he unexpectedly got hit on the left eye with a prop hoe, the injury so painful his eye instantly teared up and shifted awry his contact lens inside his eye.  However, the on-site crew were unaware of the mishap. Meanwhile, not wanting to hinder the shooting progress, Steven, after hastily cleaning his hand with a wet wipe, dripped some eye drops into his eye to flush his contact lens, which he then removed from the eye, rinsed it with some eye solution and then put it right back on into his eye.  After a 10 minute or so break, he returned to position before the camera and was soon immersed in the scene. Later on, Director Wong Ka Fai posted a an entry on his weibo commending Steven's professionalism.

Steven expresses: "At the time, we were shooting a fighting scene. I singlehandedly had to fight with several martial artists.  In the brief chaos, one of the martial artists' prop hoe hit my left eye.  My contact lens instantly shifted awry causing the eye to tear up incessantly.  I understand it was just an accident. No one's to be blamed. Especially when shooting a fighting scene, injury is hard to avoid."

Steven Ma: I yearn for a home

馬浚偉：我想有個家@澳门日报 

Below is old news dated 2009/7/10

Didn't translate it before because it reads like a news rehash, which it is.

Decided to translate it now because I would like to share the 1st two paragraphs here.

**************************************************************

Macao Daily News by 俞如
2009/7/10　Friday
His eagerness to learn benefits him.
I have watched Steven filmed a series numerous times already. He is always very considerate of the crew members and they in turn like to be around him. Before Steven gets into position, he will always discuss every minute details of his makeover with the responsible crew members. He learns a lot from their discussions, and now knows how to braid a Qing queue that is considered well done. Costume wise, he understands the appropriate ‘culture crane and martial tiger’ designs designated for various official robes. Also, applying basic make-up on himself does not faze him, even the more intricate drawing of the eyebrows, he can do it with much aplomb.

These days, with the help of the pros, Steven’s realistic makeovers now surpass those of the past. “As an actor, one has to have a realistic makeover for the screen character. I have acted in many ancient costume series, so now I'm very familiar on how to wear the different costumes properly. ” From not knowing how to fight initially to now doing a good job of it, Steven is very grateful to TVB martial arts instructors for their tutorage.

In Fighting Scenes, Stoic in Injuries

Through the years, he has acted in many period dramas, each drama requiring more fighting than the next. This slight-frame fellow - no one expected he could endure such arduousness. No matter which part of his body was injured, or which part was abraded, without a word Steven would just look for the antiseptic spray bottle and sprayed it on his wound, after which, he would then stand up, brush the dust off his clothes and said: “Mai Wai!” (Ready to roll!) The martial arts brotherhood, from initially disbelieving Steven would do the fighting himself to later believing he truly did not want a stuntman for his scenes, began to respect Steven's resilience and tenacity, and they have even become good friends now.

Tough Chew Chao man when sees the good will obstinately hold fast to it. The refined looking Steven, albeit a tough Chew Chao man with quite a temper, when sees the good will obstinately hold fast to it.

"My personality resembles my father’s. He doesn't talk much but he is very respectful to others and very responsible. If he made a promise to do something, he will get it done, no matter what.”

Steven learns from his father to take his work seriously, and to be respectful of other people. He respects his father even more for his faithfulness to his mother. (Steven's)

“Mother has passed over for 10 years now. His focus is now completely on us. Seeing his faithfulness to mother makes me believe in love. I believe that my parents loved each other very much. As a man, I naturally like being adored by a woman. I like having a lover who loves me only, and with whom I can share everything, even my work, I would like to discuss it with her."

Traditional Man yearns for a home.

During the past 6 years, Steven had a person accompanying him on his love journey. However, recently this love relationship is temporarily halted. But in Steven’s heart, this ex-girlfriend remains a good woman.

“My work right now is very hectic.  I can’t deal with these conflicted feelings just yet. Who knows, maybe one day, we might get back together again.”

Career oriented Steven, even though he has had plans to get married once past 30 something but year after year and now at 37, he is still single. “I, too, yearn for a home of my own, to have kids, best having a girl first, then a son. I believe an older sister will love her little brother…”

He smiles as his mind wanders off. Looks like if the time comes, he might even do a flash wedding.

source: steven-ma.org

re: make-up
related post-eyebrows
related news-SM helped with Fala's makeover
related news-Hard-knocks Wai


Related yahoo blog: 2006-09-12 "Tribute to Stunt Men" in his Yahoo blog .  In this entry. Steven gave tribute to his behind the scenes colleagues. With special thanks to the martial arts instructors. Guess LOW production must have inspired this entry.