Cradle 2 The Grave Jet Li.com Interview Part.5Jet Li
Mark interview
jetli.com
DATE: 2002/01/10
URL: Jetli.com
mark dacascos - part 5
Jetli.com: In your mind what makes Asians in the industry different than other groups in the community such as African American or Hispanic Americans, and what can we learn from them and what advantages and disadvantages do they have over the Asian community in this industry?
Mark Dacascos in C2G Mark D.: I don't know if there is much of a difference. Culturally speaking, of course there is, in terms of customs, language, where their grandparents came from, etc. But as far as relation to the industry I think it's similar. Asian Americans are an ethnic group slowly breaking into Hollywood just like the African Americans and Hispanic Americans. The advantage that the Asian Americans have, or rather one of the advantages, is that they have really cool martial arts. But the disadvantage of that is typecasting. All of a sudden if you're Asian you have to be an expert puncher and kicker, chopper and sweeper
Jetli.com: What can we learn from other cultures?
Mark D.: The strength of the family unit - the core. We're so busy with stuff here. So busy working and trying to get ahead and do this and that, that we tend to not spend as much time with our families or with our friends or think about relationships. You know? It's like, when I'm ready to pass on, although I love my career and I'm so happy with what I'm doing, I'm not going to trace back all the movies I've done. I'm going to think about who is there with me right there and then. My kids ... my wife ... my friends and family. You know what I mean? That's what it's going to be. The sad thing is that most of us don't think about that until our life is threatened or we're really sick.
And I'm still learning that too.
My wife has been another great teacher to me. She has helped me let down my wall and let people in to my heart and get close. And my son is an incredible teacher. Watching him is sometimes like looking in the mirror. Most of the time it's really cool. Sometimes it's a bit scary.
Jetli.com: How old is he?
Mark D.: He's 18 months. So my wife and my son have been wonderful teachers.
Jetli.com: You met your wife on the set of a movie, right?
Mark D.: Crying Freeman. She was the lead girl in Crying Freeman.
Jetli.com: I was told you speak quite a few languages. Just how many do you know and speak?
Mark D.: You know, if my manager had her way I'd speak seventeen. (laughs). English, Fluent German and my French is not bad. I've had Chinese. When I was 17 I lived in Taiwan, but that's been over 2 decades ago. I studied a little bit in the university but I haven't practiced Chinese in a long time. And I know it's bad now because I had a couple lines in the movie and Cory said "Oh ... your mandarin is soooo bad." So, I wish I could say four, but I can really only say two and three quarters maybe. So, English and German, but I'm still taking classes in French. I can have a basic conversation, and as long as you don't get too technical on me I should be fine.
Jetli.com: Do you have any advice for martial artists that would like to increase their flexibility, speed and strength even though they might not be at an age where those things are easy?
Mark D.: Train hard, train consistently. Bottom line. That's pretty much it.
"So that's the balance: Jet, good; water, evil." Jetli.com: We are told you are working with Water and Fire in Cradle 2 the Grave. Has that been challenging?
Mark D.: Yes it has. It's been incredibly challenging. And you know I guess life is yin and yang - the balance -- good and evil. The good of this big finale fight is Jet Li. The evil is the rain. (laughs).
Oh man, because I'm wearing a leather suit and by the time that jacket soaks up all the water it's got to weigh between 10 and 12 pounds, and then maybe 8 pounds on the pants. So I'm trudging around with an extra 20 pounds of just water weight. Plus sometimes the water spray is so strong that Jet and I can barely see. We're like this the whole time (wincing). And then it gets cold. Today it's okay ... it's getting warm ... but a few days last week it was windy and cold. You know, it's not comfortable walking around for 8 or 10 hours a day with wet underwear in a leather suit and wet socks and shoes that go squish squish squish. It's miserable.
So that's the balance: Jet, good; water, evil.
Jetli.com: is there anything you'd like to talk about the Cradle 2 the Grave shoot?
Mark D.: Yeah, I'd like to say that Jet, as he was before I met him and still now, he's been someone that is so talented, and good hearted and successful and he's extremely professional. He's always there on time and ready to put out 110%, and give and share his knowledge. And I respect that, and that will motivate me and carry me on forever. The experience will carry me forever. And the cool thing is all my friends that are visiting, they're so excited. And I didn't know how he felt about it. I asked him if it's okay if they take pictures or just meet with him and he was so open to it. It may be just a simple gesture on his part, but he's touching somebody's life. And you touch one person and they talk, you know? So that's a good example for me. If I ever get 1/10th of the success that he has, I will never forget his example of how to be if you are a very successful entertainer.
In Shaolin Temple, his character, in terms of martial arts was of course excellent, but his personality and his generosity from his heart, just from hanging out with him in the warming tent, it's 10 times as much as Shaolin Temple. Because, as a human being he's a good, kind man ... who can kick butt. It's amazing. It's a wonderful experience. So Jet has been nothing but wonderful for me as a person and as a fellow actor.
I also have to say that being able to fight and work with Cory Yuen, David Lai and their group of stuntmen has been extremely educational. I kinda feel like working with Jet and his team �� it's like I've finally made it to college and they're my professors. I'm really happy to be here. Really happy.
Jetli.com: Any last words?
Mark D.: Thank you for very much to all the Jet Li fans for their support!
The Official Jet Li Website would like to express it's appreciation to Mark Dacascos for taking the time to speak with us during the hectic shooting schedule of 'Cradle 2 the Grave'.
Mark interview
jetli.com
DATE: 2002/01/10
URL: Jetli.com
mark dacascos - part 5
Jetli.com: In your mind what makes Asians in the industry different than other groups in the community such as African American or Hispanic Americans, and what can we learn from them and what advantages and disadvantages do they have over the Asian community in this industry?
Mark Dacascos in C2G Mark D.: I don't know if there is much of a difference. Culturally speaking, of course there is, in terms of customs, language, where their grandparents came from, etc. But as far as relation to the industry I think it's similar. Asian Americans are an ethnic group slowly breaking into Hollywood just like the African Americans and Hispanic Americans. The advantage that the Asian Americans have, or rather one of the advantages, is that they have really cool martial arts. But the disadvantage of that is typecasting. All of a sudden if you're Asian you have to be an expert puncher and kicker, chopper and sweeper
Jetli.com: What can we learn from other cultures?
Mark D.: The strength of the family unit - the core. We're so busy with stuff here. So busy working and trying to get ahead and do this and that, that we tend to not spend as much time with our families or with our friends or think about relationships. You know? It's like, when I'm ready to pass on, although I love my career and I'm so happy with what I'm doing, I'm not going to trace back all the movies I've done. I'm going to think about who is there with me right there and then. My kids ... my wife ... my friends and family. You know what I mean? That's what it's going to be. The sad thing is that most of us don't think about that until our life is threatened or we're really sick.
And I'm still learning that too.
My wife has been another great teacher to me. She has helped me let down my wall and let people in to my heart and get close. And my son is an incredible teacher. Watching him is sometimes like looking in the mirror. Most of the time it's really cool. Sometimes it's a bit scary.
Jetli.com: How old is he?
Mark D.: He's 18 months. So my wife and my son have been wonderful teachers.
Jetli.com: You met your wife on the set of a movie, right?
Mark D.: Crying Freeman. She was the lead girl in Crying Freeman.
Jetli.com: I was told you speak quite a few languages. Just how many do you know and speak?
Mark D.: You know, if my manager had her way I'd speak seventeen. (laughs). English, Fluent German and my French is not bad. I've had Chinese. When I was 17 I lived in Taiwan, but that's been over 2 decades ago. I studied a little bit in the university but I haven't practiced Chinese in a long time. And I know it's bad now because I had a couple lines in the movie and Cory said "Oh ... your mandarin is soooo bad." So, I wish I could say four, but I can really only say two and three quarters maybe. So, English and German, but I'm still taking classes in French. I can have a basic conversation, and as long as you don't get too technical on me I should be fine.
Jetli.com: Do you have any advice for martial artists that would like to increase their flexibility, speed and strength even though they might not be at an age where those things are easy?
Mark D.: Train hard, train consistently. Bottom line. That's pretty much it.
"So that's the balance: Jet, good; water, evil." Jetli.com: We are told you are working with Water and Fire in Cradle 2 the Grave. Has that been challenging?
Mark D.: Yes it has. It's been incredibly challenging. And you know I guess life is yin and yang - the balance -- good and evil. The good of this big finale fight is Jet Li. The evil is the rain. (laughs).
Oh man, because I'm wearing a leather suit and by the time that jacket soaks up all the water it's got to weigh between 10 and 12 pounds, and then maybe 8 pounds on the pants. So I'm trudging around with an extra 20 pounds of just water weight. Plus sometimes the water spray is so strong that Jet and I can barely see. We're like this the whole time (wincing). And then it gets cold. Today it's okay ... it's getting warm ... but a few days last week it was windy and cold. You know, it's not comfortable walking around for 8 or 10 hours a day with wet underwear in a leather suit and wet socks and shoes that go squish squish squish. It's miserable.
So that's the balance: Jet, good; water, evil.
Jetli.com: is there anything you'd like to talk about the Cradle 2 the Grave shoot?
Mark D.: Yeah, I'd like to say that Jet, as he was before I met him and still now, he's been someone that is so talented, and good hearted and successful and he's extremely professional. He's always there on time and ready to put out 110%, and give and share his knowledge. And I respect that, and that will motivate me and carry me on forever. The experience will carry me forever. And the cool thing is all my friends that are visiting, they're so excited. And I didn't know how he felt about it. I asked him if it's okay if they take pictures or just meet with him and he was so open to it. It may be just a simple gesture on his part, but he's touching somebody's life. And you touch one person and they talk, you know? So that's a good example for me. If I ever get 1/10th of the success that he has, I will never forget his example of how to be if you are a very successful entertainer.
In Shaolin Temple, his character, in terms of martial arts was of course excellent, but his personality and his generosity from his heart, just from hanging out with him in the warming tent, it's 10 times as much as Shaolin Temple. Because, as a human being he's a good, kind man ... who can kick butt. It's amazing. It's a wonderful experience. So Jet has been nothing but wonderful for me as a person and as a fellow actor.
I also have to say that being able to fight and work with Cory Yuen, David Lai and their group of stuntmen has been extremely educational. I kinda feel like working with Jet and his team �� it's like I've finally made it to college and they're my professors. I'm really happy to be here. Really happy.
Jetli.com: Any last words?
Mark D.: Thank you for very much to all the Jet Li fans for their support!
The Official Jet Li Website would like to express it's appreciation to Mark Dacascos for taking the time to speak with us during the hectic shooting schedule of 'Cradle 2 the Grave'.
