Thursday, September 20, 2007
The New Paper, 18 Sep 2007
Get set to wait and wait
By Sylvia Toh Paik Choo
FANN Wong is like the proverbial bus. You wait and wait and wait, and never come.
Get set to wait and wait
Clad in a bathrobe, Fann Wong met fans and the media during the shoot of Dance Of The Dragon at a local hotel.
And then again, you know you've arrived when you don't have to appear.
If this is all slightly merry-go-round, imagine how we felt. 'After this scene', 'Twenty minutes', 'About 20 minutes', 'After this last scene'.
INTERNATIONAL
It was the weekend shoot of the grand finale scene for Dance Of The Dragon, a local film with international actors shot entirely in Singapore.
The movie is produced by Robin Leong of Easternlight Films, the Asian production arm of Los Angeles-based Arclight Films, and stars America's Jason Scott Lee, Korea's Jang Hyuk and Singapore's Fann Wong.
They are directed by Australia's Max Mannix.
We were waiting for Miss Wong.
Because she is the lead female character, there was no call for her to show up on the set until camera and lights were ready for her.
Leads have stand-ins during rehearsals, remember this, stage mum, as they are paid by the hour.
All about the ballroom in the InterContinental Hotel, uncles and aunties and young people who were old enough to be their children, were marshalled to their places.
Daily rates for extras vary from $80 to $200, costumes and makan provided, but it could be a long haul, from 7am to 7pm.
A lady and gentleman said it was a part-time thing as they couldn't possibly do it full-time, the sitting around and waiting.
Some 1,500 extras are involved, and twice as many chicken wings, soya bean milk, apples, oranges, buns, cakes, bottled water.
If you'd woken up in the ballroom last weekend, you'd have thought you were caught between the taping of two local TV shows - the Inter-schools Debate and The Dance Floor.
The 'audience' looked like they were there to support a team, the 'dancers' (actually from Shawn and Gladys Tay's dance studio) like they were in it for a trophy.
It was the setting for Fann's climactic scene and yes, she can dance!
We have it on good word from all who've worked with her on this picture.
Gladys said: 'It's her attitude, she wanted to learn and was not afraid, and she gave three months' intensive training to it.'
A sneak of the rushes proved the gushing to be true. The cinematography is comparable to any international film, as is the acting.
A spokesman said: 'Fann has more than risen to the job.'
At which point, Fann herself suddenly materialised at 5pm, in white bathrobe and flip-flops and was quickly bundled away.
The Straits Times, 19 Sep 2007
Sep 19, 2007
$80,000 gown up for sale
The diamond-studded dress worn by Fann Wong in her latest film will be auctioned on eBay for charity 
PHOTO: EASTERNLIGHT FILM PRODUCTIONS
'Absolutely not. Actually I was hoping they would - the dance floor would be sparkling with diamonds and that would be so romantic' - Fann Wong, when asked if she was worried that the 97 diamonds and 8,000 crystals on the silk dress she wore in the movie Dance Of The Dragon would fall off
MOST women would feel nervous wearing an $80,000 diamond and crystal-studded gown, but not Fann Wong.
The MediaCorp actress dons the Francis Cheong-designed outfit while performing a dance with Korean actor Jyang Hyuk in the movie Dance Of The Dragon, a production by Easternlight Films.
The movie is being shot and produced here.
The silk dress is encrusted with 97 diamonds totalling 12.8 carats sponsored by Soo Kee Jewellery, and 8,000 crystals in different shades of red.
Each jewel was glued on by hand, and it took nearly 400 hours to complete the job.
Fann, 36, said she felt 'glamorous' wearing it.
Asked if she was afraid that the gems would fall off while she was dancing, she said: 'Absolutely not. Actually I was hoping they would - the dance floor would be sparkling with diamonds and that would be so romantic.'
Those who fancy wearing the dress can buy it as it will be auctioned on eBay on Nov 1.
Easternlight Films, Soo Kee Jewellery and Francis Cheong have decided to donate the proceeds - excluding the labour cost of the dress which is estimated at $15,000 - to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, which helps needy students.
Of the inspiration for his gown, Cheong said: 'Being an old friend of Fann's and having designed several outfits for her before, I know what she is and isn't comfortable with.'
The dress will be on display at Francis Cheong - The Atelier at 01-09 Orchard Hotel Shopping Arcade and selected Soo Kee Jewellery stores before the auction begins on Nov 1.
Dance Of The Dragon, which also stars Hollywood actor Jason Scott Lee, is about a love triangle which starts when aspiring ballroom dancer Kwan (Jyang Hyuk) comes between couple Emi (Fann) and Cheng (Lee). It is slated for release early next year.
Tiffany Fumiko Tay
Fann has just completed filming for "Dance of the Dragon"! She will be promoting 聊斋奇女子之连城" at Nanjing this weekend! "