“Watch your step!” was the most repeated phrase when we first visited the abandoned apartment.
As we scouted the location, it was the owner of the run-down building who tripped over a gaping hole in the floor. Thankfully she escaped with only a minor cut and a few stitches.
Photo: Director Daniel Kooman scouting a location for She Has A Name
Despite the danger, we chose the building as the location to shoot the main hallway leading to the brothel area of the Pearl.
We were told by an anti-trafficking organization that girls who work in brothels call such passageways “the stairway to hell.” Our Art Department made the hallway fit the description perfectly (and safe for us to shoot in).
Photo: Director Matthew Kooman talks over a scene with actress Eugenia Yuan (MAMMA) and members of the cast and crew
We filmed through the night with Eugenia Yuan and captured some of her most dramatic scenes in the film.
In 2016 you’ll get to see her incredible versatility both in the upcoming Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon sequel Sword of Destiny, in which she plays the Blind Enchantress, and then in She Has A Name as the fiercely controlling Mamma.
Photo: Actor Giovanni Mocibob (JASON) does some stunt work for a scene
Besides the dramatic moments captured here we also filmed part of an action sequence that delivers some real thrills. Both Giovanni Mocibob and Thai action staple Tanawich Wongsuwan put incredible energy into their scenes.
Photo: Actor Tanawich Wongsuwan (CHAI) has his makeup touched up between takes
In fact, if you see them, can you please tell Gio and Tanawich that the scene is over? They can come back to set now.
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