Steven Ho's Blog - Deconstructing Fighting and Stunts for your enjoyment

Had a great race this weekend at the Charity Reggata, sponsored by the Charity Yacht Clubs of Long Beach. The event was to raise money for The Children’s Clinic. Nick (my brother-in-law) and I were a part of David-Bassett Perkin’s Emirage Crew. I was probably more of a handicap than an asset, but we won the competition with 1st and 2nd place finishes in our respective races.

The Children’s Clinic Serves children and their families and depends on the generosity of donors to help build healthy communities in the greater Long Beach and South Bay area. Please join us in helping to provide a healthier today and tomorrow for the children and families that we serve. If you would like to donate to this charity, you may here: The Children’s Clinic

I have been aware of Kinesio Tape since the last Olympics, but just tried it yesterday for the first time. My chiropractors Dr. Michael Close and Dr. Christopher George supported by wobbly knee with this and I have to say that I’m hooked. It offers the support of a brace, but without the “general” all-around compression that isn’t always necessary….or comfortable.

Kinesio Tape was created and developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase in 1973. It is a treatment that is felt to prolong the effects of physiologic work done. After many unsuccessful attempts to use adhesive tapes that were commercially available, Dr. Kase developed Kinesio Tex Tape.

The Kinesio Taping Method is felt to cause physiological effects on several body systems. The systems affected by the body are thought to include the circulatory/lymphatic, neural, muscular, and fascial systems, as well as the joints.

If your looking for a great, boutique Chiropractic Wellness Center in Los Angeles that offers Chiropractic, Massage, Acupuncture, etc.. here’s where I go…

Health & Wellness Center: Dr. Michael Close, Dr. Chirostopher George, Massage Therapist Dora Benhahan. 1042 N. Fairfax Avenue (323) 356-0737

This Motorola Razr2 commercial I coordinated & choreographed for director, Tarsem Singh and Radical Media is still my all-time favorite short form media that I’ve collaborated on. Tarsem and the ad agency wanted a “Mr. & Mrs. Smith vibe” to the fight, so I inserted a classic dance pose at the climax. It was their concept to use the phones as actual weapons and I added Niki’s sexy flipping “come here” motion as an homage to Bruce Lee. Matt Mullins (whom I hadn’t seen since he was a junior on the tournament circuit) made my job ridiculously easy and it’s always a pleasure working with Nikolette Barabas.

Main Website: www.stevenhomartialarts.com

In response to all the texts, voice messages, and tweets I received this weekend asking, “Dude, what did you do to Conan?!” (referring to Conan’s accident on Friday 9-28 where he hit his head and was taken to Cedars Sinai) - I WASN’T THERE. I was at home being domestic trying out a new cucumber salad recipe (which is a rarity in itself that I was trying to cook…albeit just a salad).

To clarify a few things, Yes…there are inherent risks to stunts - that’s why there is a field for professional stuntmen in our business. Yes…Conan has done some very difficult gags for our segments and there is always the risk of him getting hurt while doing these bits. If the safety of a stunt could be 100% guaranteed, then all actors would do it themselves. That being said, I genuinely put Conan on a very short list of actors that have the nuts, coordination, and desire (I think he likes doing it?) to actually do many of their own stunts. Regardless, the recent accident that took place during a comedy sketch with Teri Hatcher did not happen on my watch and I hear that Conan is okay and back on tonight.

Now, back to lunch. Here’s the recipe of the Thai Cucumber salad I found online at Recipe Zaar.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 1 cucumber, sliced and seeded
• 1/2 onion, yellow sweet, sliced thin
• 1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, fresh chopped
• 6 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1. Mix water, vinegar, sugar, and salt.
2. In a serving bowl arrange the cucumber, pepper, cilantro, and onion in layers.
3. Pour the vinegar mixture over the salad.
4. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

This is a serious photo.

This is seriously one of the funniest fight scenes I have ever seen. This Land of the Lost Alien is strong enough to pick up and throw boulders at Captain Kirk, but he punches and moves like he just inhaled a tank of ether. I’m not even convinced that the editor did not accidentally cut in the rehearsal footage instead of the final. Maybe the director was on either, I dunno. I just can’t think of another explanation for this making the airwaves. The voice-over grunts and music adds to the enjoyment.

www.stevenhomartialarts.com

Here’s a phat, custom fairing my brother-in-law, Nick Petronzio, co-designed and sculpted with Ralph Hudson for Ralph’s badass Bonneville racer. I love the “Rocketeer” vibe it has, and I hear that Ralph’s been rippin’ up the tracks and setting personal bests for himself. The fairing was first carved in foam, then cast in fiberglass. Nick works in all mediums, but a bronze fairing would have definitely slowed Ralph’s time.

Check out more of Nick’s sculptures (including Jet’s Li’s warrior armor and the Terracotta Warriors he and his father sculpted for The Mummy 3): See Nick Petronzio’s Blog Here

COOL THINGS IN MY GARAGE CATEGORY. I thought I lost this bad boy, but just found it hiding underneath a stack of curtain rods in the back of our garage. The leather strap is kinda funky in parts, but the actual staff is in great condition. I also found a broken rubber prop prototype staff that I never really used, because it busted too easily.

BACK TO STEVEN’S MAIN BLOG HERE

TWITTER HERE

FACEBOOK HERE

When Nokia China wanted to launch their new Nokia N96 Bruce Lee Edition, they released a series of these sick “vintage” clips featuring Bruce Lee playing ping pong, using his nunchakus as paddles. The viral commercials are obviously CGI masterpieces, but this hasn’t stopped vast internet rumours of this being authentic newly-found footage. The phone has Bruce Lee’s face and signature on the back case, and it’s packed with rare photos of the legendary actor. The phone f urther comes bundled with several accessories and a Bruce Lee doll.

Here’s a sick shot from the NBC Universal Photobank of Conan in a John Woo moment from our September 14th, 2009 segment. Yes, that is Conan O’Brien jumping out of a window with live flames chasing him - NOT A STUNT DOUBLE. And as you can see, he’s not letting go of that baby!

You can watch the entire segment here (season 1, episode #65. 13:27)…

www.stevenhomartialarts.com