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Ming Pao articles on Burning Flame III

July 3, 2009

生死關頭 救人自救

感受火海震撼

有情有義有收視

Airing July 6, 2009!

The following is from Ming Pao. I did the translations in a hurry. It’s not easy to translate since so much meaning can be and is lost in the end. This is not a direct translation!

Credit and link back if re-post.

July 3, 2009

生死關頭 救人自救
【明報專訊】《烈火雄心3》翡翠台及高清翡翠台

7月6日起逢周一至五晚上9時30分播映

《烈火雄心》系列是監製王心慰的心血之作，有過上兩輯的經驗，到第3輯更加得心應手。今次她炮製連場驚險刺激的拯救場面外，還覑重人性刻劃，帶出人物之間 各種「情」的糾紛，以及傳達「救人自救」的信息。劇中兩大男主角王喜、鄭嘉穎不論在公、在私都迸發激烈衝突，就連戲外都盛傳不和火花四濺，王心慰對此作出全面解構！

「救人自救」是整套《烈火3》的精神，透過劇中人物及個案，傳達此正面信息。王心慰說﹕「當人面對困難時，不應放棄，只要自己肯嘗試，自然有解決方法。第 3輯《烈火雄心》，同我以往的風格一樣，但人物、故事跟之前兩輯完全沒有關係，相比之下今輯更有難度及壓力，要發掘未拍過的事。開始籌備時，首先研究王喜 在第2輯已死，是否再參演？最後決定再起用他；接著是設定他的角色要跟前兩輯的分別。」

王喜嘉穎戲內鬥到戲外

王心慰續道﹕「前兩輯主要展示前線消防員的面貌及工具，今輯著重人性刻劃，王喜的角色性格是好固執、事事要做到120分，全因童年時受到父親影響。 他父親是耕田的，一直認為知識可以致富，寄望兒子能幫助全家脫貧；所以在無形壓力下，王喜幾經艱苦終於考到做消防員；但正因為他的執著，可能會影響到其他 人，變 成是性格上的缺點！於是我寫一個與他相反的角色，就是鄭嘉穎，他天生靚仔，在溫馨家庭成長，有父親承擔一切，直至父親去世後，他才醒覺要改變，要照顧母 親、妹妹，前往投考消防員。他雖然未必真的能承擔，但勝在好運，靚仔有著數，令條路好順，與王喜形成強烈對比。兩人由最初好朋友，到之後在工作及感情上的 衝突，及成長過程中如何學懂『救人自救』，都會令觀眾看得入味！」

王喜與嘉穎戲中衝突連場，戲外亦被傳擦出不和火花。王心慰解釋﹕「去年6、7月開始拍火場戲，天氣最悶熱，容易令人發忟憎、心情不好，演員又要穿上抗火 衣，在熱辣辣、又危險兼難度極高的環境下拍攝，有一定壓力，兩個大男人有少許摩擦好正常，到拍完就無事，又非深仇大恨！拍攝時兩人都好專業，只是少少事被 煲到好大。那時嘉穎又多緋聞，受到好多困擾，不能要求他每天笑著開工，但完全對拍攝沒影響。」

胡杏兒糾纏三角戀

由於王喜與鄭嘉穎的角色太硬淨，王心慰加插黃宗澤在中間緩和。她說﹕「宗澤的角色好樂天、熱血，好適合他演。王喜與嘉穎都先後是他的師父，所以當兩人水溝油後，宗澤夾在中間手掌又肉、手背又肉，他會如何處理？是講3個的兄弟情。」

女角方面，胡杏兒與王喜、嘉穎有一段三角關係。「杏兒以往的戲都好激情，今次我要求她嘗試新的演繹方式，是不用刻意去演，就算演了別人都不覺那種。她的角 色內心好堅強，但外表弱質纖纖，備受保護。她因家庭環境影響處處為人著想，埋沒自己，到處於感情交叉點時，她分不清是喜歡王喜還是驚傷害對方，引發與嘉 穎、王喜感情上衝擊。另一女角陳茵媺在孤兒院長大，開朗、率真，因想服務社會而加入警隊，還愛冒險，與宗澤發展的紀律部隊情緣，是開心的一對。」

王心慰滿意演員表現

對於演員表現，王心慰說本身要求好高，但她感到滿意。「初期演員未必完全知道我的要求，要慢慢調較，到後期有數場戲都比我想像中好。最容易演是宗 澤，因對他來說不是新的演繹。相比王喜的角色有難度，與他本身火爆、不平則鳴性格截然不同，是一個好踏實的鄉下仔，我要慢慢捕捉他每場戲，有時會說他演得 太過活潑！這個人物好受同情，往後還有不同變化的階段，他演得好像真！我要求嘉穎灑脫靚仔無難度，但安排好多難度動作給他，又要苦練冰上曲棍球。杏兒就好醒，清 楚知道我的要求。」

對於收視壓力，王心慰說完全沒有。「我是平常心，每個劇種有不同觀眾接受，我是將作品製作給大家看，最重要觀眾看得開心就足夠。」

The Burning Flame series is Producer Amy Wong Sum Wai’s representative work. Having experience from the first two instalments, the third one was easier to approach and she could show what she wanted to. This time she’s made continuous dangerous and intense rescue scenes in the series with a heavier focus on the human mind and personality, bringing different kinds of  “love” like family, friendship, etc. The messages of rescue are also brought out. In the series the two main leads Wong Hei and Kevin Cheng have conflicts together in the workplace and in their personal lives, even in real life the two are rumoured to be in bad terms; Producer Wong explains….

“Save others and yourself” is the spirit of Burning Flame III brought out from the characters and the cases in the series. Producer Wong says, “When you encounter challenges, you should not give up; just let yourself try, a solution will arrive. Burning Flame III is similar to my previous style of series, but the characters and storyline are not related to the first two. In comparison, this latest instalment was harder and there was more pressure to find cases that have not been filmed before. Wong Hei died in the second instalment, should be participate in the third? That was a question during the early planning stages at first. Finally, it was decided to use him again and then to design a character that is different from his characters in the first and second series.”

Producer Amy Wong continues, “The first two series expressed the front line firefighters images and their equipment. This series focuses on the human personality. Wong Hei’s character is strong and stubborn, always wanting to complete 120%. This is influenced from his childhood; his father is a farmer who felt that knowledge could lead to wealth. Under pressure, Wong Hei went through the hardships and finally became a firefighter. But it is because of him being so strong and thus stubbornness, that became his weakness. So, I also wrote a character that was different from Wong Hei, he is Kevin’s character. He was born handsome, grew up in a warm family and had a father in charge of everything. Until the father died did Kevin realize he had to change, that he had to take care of his mother and sister. He then entered the fire department. He may not neccessarily be able to support the family, but he wins with luck and his good looks help him, making his path smooth and easy. Thus, there is intense competition between Wong Hei and him. The two being good friends at first, to when there are conflicts between them in and out of work, to growing up and learning the saying “rescuing others and also yourself”, makes the audience engaged and able to connect with the characters.

Wong Hei and Kevin have continous fights in the series, along with rumours that the two don’t get along in real life. Producer Amy Wong explains, “Filming the fire scenes started in June-July last year, the weather was most hot, easy to cause people to be in bad moods. The actors also had to wear the thick firefighter uniforms. Under burning temperatures and dangerous and highly challenging situtuations, the actors had to film. There is without doubt pressure and stress. The two actors having minor conflicts is normal during filming, and there were no grudges outside of filming. The two were very professional. Small incidents were blown and exaggerated by the media. During that time Kevin had a lot of rumours circulating as well, feeling troubled. Can’t expect him to be smiling everyday during filming. He did not affect the filming process at all.”

Because Wong Hei and Kevin’s characters are rather “solid” strong characters, Producer Amy Wong added Bosco Wong’s character in the middle to balance the drama. She said, “Bosco’s character is cheerful and warm, very suitable for him. Wong Hei and Kevin are his Si Fu respectively so when the two fight, Bosco is stuck in the middle. What can he do? It is about the friendship of the three.”

As for female lead, Myolie Wu is in a love triangle with Wong Hei and Kevin. “Myolie’s previous series have been rather intense and emotional [I think acting and expression wise]. This time I’ve requested her to try a new acting style, without a need to particularly stress emotions, even to the point where the audience doesn’t even feel it. Her character’s inner feelings are very strong but her appearance makes her look like she needs protection. Because of her family circumstances, she thinks more for others and forgetting herself. She is also unable to decide whether she loves Wong Hei or is afraid of hurting him more, causing the Wong Hei and Kevin’s conflicts. Another female role is Aimee Chan’s role. She grew up in an orphanage, optimistic, genuine, entered the police force to contribute to society, and likes to take risks. She and Bosco are a happy pair.”

As for the performance of the actors, Producer Amy Wong said she had very high expectations and felt satisfied with the actors’ performance. “At first the actors may not have completely understood my requests and commands, and had to gradually adjust. Towards the end, there were several scenes that came out better than I expected. The easiest role to portray was Bosco’s because to him, the acting style was not new. In contrast, Wong Hei’s role is a challenge as the personalities are different. I had to guide him through his scenes, even sometimes say he’s being too enthusiastic and that it didn’t fit the role. This character is easy to sympathize with, with different changes happening to him towards the end. Wong Hei’s acting is very real! I wanted Kevin to be the good looking guy and it wasn’t hard at all, but I arranged difficult actions scenes for him, and he also has to play hockey in the series. Myolie is very smart, clearly understands what I want.”

As for the pressure of ratings, Producer Amy wong said there wasn’t any at all. “I am neutral. Every genre has different audience groups. I am producing series for everyone [I guess those who watch]; the most important is that viewers are happy watching and that is enough.”

Credit and link back if re-post.

Rough translation by cx839 – http://virtuesofharmony.net/tvbmemories/

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Yep. Hope people will give Burning Flame III a chance. This supposedly a “grander” or bigger production but isn’t being promoted much by TVB. It’s seems TVB would rather save sponsors and funds to promote the two Anniversary series Born Rich and Beyond the Realm of Conscience instead.

Schedule for the promo functions if you’re in Hong Kong:

《烈火雄心III》宣傳
日期 DATE : 2009-07-05 (Sunday)
時間 TIME: 12:00
地點 LOCATION : 荃灣廣場

《烈火雄心III》宣傳
日期 DATE: 2009-07-17 (Friday)
時間 TIME: 13:00
地點 LOCATION: 大網仔路沙下村９號海灣會

Yeah, promoting it the day before it airs. *question mark* Oh well. At least I think TV promo ads are airing. If I’ve not mistaken, they have two general action promos, one for relationships, one each for the main leads Wong Hei, Kevin and Bosco’s characters.

I’m also looking forward to see Myolie’s performance. She’s been playing very similar type characters using a similar acting style in recent years, all thanks to the ridiculous Producer Kwan giving her ridiculous scripts and roles like To Grow With Love and the crappy dog loving cat series. She’s been bashed enough by HK Netizens. So now with Myolie working with Producer Amy Wong, I’m sure we’ll see some difference. Go Myolie!

I find it amusing how some people can go on forums for hours bashing a series that isn’t out yet. They must have so much time on their hands. *sigh* If only I had so much free time. Haha.

When there are likes, there are dislikes. Everyone has different opinions. Simple as that. And I’ll leave it at that.

Reasons to give Burning Flame III a chance…

It’s still the same producer Amy Wong. She has years and years of experience; her first series was in 1984 at ATV. She produced the classic 1998 series Burning Flame and the 2002 Burning Flame II. Who better to ask to produce another firefighter-themed series than her?

Yeah, she’s one of my favourite producers. I like her styles and themes for series; from the light-hearted family, friendship and love in Under the Canopy of Love, to  the dark good-evil themes as seen in Last One Standing. Emotional, touching and death scenes are always done well in her series.

Her productions aren’t always star-studded. She gives the newer generation actors a chance; like Natalie Tong leading in The Seventh Day, Aimee Chan and Leanne Li having bigger roles in Burning Flame III, etc.

The script editors are 吳肇銅 and 黃育德. These are the two who worked together for Anniversary series The Ultimate Crime Fighter of 2007. 黃育德 was editor for the four instalments of  Armed Reaction and recent series include The Gem of Life.

And… the cast and film crew risked their lives filming this series.

It seems TVB has decided to use 《烈火雄心3》 as the official Chinese title as opposed to 《烈火雄心III》 like predecessor 《烈火雄心II》. As for English, the title remains to be Roman numerals.

The first promo clip has released:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFaPuGRaToY

Woah! Yes, another Last One Standing post. I had the idea for this last year when the series came out; I just didn’t do the screen caps until today.

Wigs! Wigs! Wigs! Did you notice?

Macy Chan wore a wig for her role as the accountant “Kelly”.  It sorta doesn’t look like it but it’s definitely a wig. In the last episode, three years later in the story, “Kelly” showed her real hair; “Kelly” sure looked like “Formula” from Forensic Heroes II. Haha. I think only Macy can pull off this look nicely with the wig. I can’t picture anyone else with this wig. It’s not the “horrendous wig” exactly, a variant of it.

Yvonne Ho’s wig was simply ugly. Why did they make her wear it? I think her bangs are real but the parts behind is fake hair. The wig looked slightly different for every episode. The hair, along with Yvonne’s exaggerated acting for this particular role, made me literally “LOL” almost every time she came on screen. It was hilarious! I don’t want to see this look again though; no thanks, TVB.

Elaine Yiu had short hair during the costume fitting. Did you notice she wore hair extensions for her role as “Mun”? Her real hair was reddish brown while the extensions were a much darker colour. I like this long hair look.

The producer, Amy Wong, sure likes making her actresses wear wigs. Some look good while some sure don’t. She made Myolie Wu wear a long hair wig in Burning Flame III which is set to release on the sixth of next month. Also, Fala Chen had to wear the real “horrendous wig” for The Stew of Life, starring Louise Lee and Christine Ng, which finished filming earlier this year. All from Producer Wong.

Another Last One Standing post. Here’s something I meant to post last year. Well, here it is.

(星島日報報道)無綫繼《東方之珠》以兩大「視后」打響頭炮後，下月中即將開拍以郭晉安及鄭嘉穎兩位「視帝」合演的新劇。雖然安仔「阿旺」的形象深入民心，但今次將一反常態飾演大反派，殺人放火無惡不作。據知女主角原定由蒙嘉慧及鍾嘉欣這對《溏心》爭仔二人組演出，不過鍾卻因正在夥拍鄭則士拍攝《金石良緣》而臨陣退演。

The above is an excerpt from an old Sing Tao newspaper article published before the costume fitting of Last. Originally, TVB wanted Yoyo Mung and Linda Chung (from the success of Heart of Greed and the Linda-Raymond-Yoyo love triangle combination) to be in Last.

However, Linda at the time was filming A Journey Called Life and thus backed out last minute.

Just wondering, was Linda also filming The Gem of Life during that period?

It would have been interesting to see Yoyo and Linda work together again after Heart and the Forensic Heroes series. As for what happened to Linda’s role in Last? We don’t know. Hmmmm. I’m guessing….

Guess #1: The role was written off completely.

Since it would have been Yoyo and Linda leading, Linda’s role must have had some “meat”.

The end product Last that came out had only Yoyo’s “Carmen” as the one and only female lead.

OR Guess #2: Macy Chan’s role? Would Linda have played the accountant “Kelly”?

But, somehow I don’t think so.

I don’t think we’ll ever have the answer. Oh well. It sure would have been interesting.

Producer Amy Wong hasn’t ruled out the possibility of making Last One Standing II. If she and TVB decide to go ahead with the sequel, would Linda return for her original role — assuming it was written off?

*sits and waits* I’d watch the sequel if they do make one.

Remember the old post called  “blog award for e.u.“?  TVB Memories has a whole new system for awards and the Hall of Fame. Changes, as in the Winner Series, are “possible” and hence, there’s the date on the certificate.

Version 7: Just Linda
June 2009

I was busy studying for final exams last week so I put TVB Memories on a full hiatus mode — thus, zero blog hits. I’m back now and TVB Memories is back. Hopefully the blog will be active again and remain active. You see, I don’t like putting it on hiatus; I shall work on improving my time management and priorities. I’m done with the E.U. themed “His Princess” layout. And after a “Just Niki” theme in December last year, I’ve made a “Just Linda”. Hope you like it. Thanks for the support!

Refresh the page if you’re still seeing the old layout.

The upcoming 32 episode series Burning Flame III, with Wong He, Kevin Cheng, Bosco Wong, and Myolie Wu, is set to air July 6, 2009. Other cast members include Aimee Chan, Elaine Yiu, Eddie Li, Sam Chan, Matthew Ko, etc. The producer is Amy Wong and the script editors are the same two who did The Ultimate Crime Fighter (2007). The story has no connection with Burning Flame (1998) or Burning Flame II (2002).

Indeed the cast for III seems a bit weak compared to the first two, but I’m still looking forward to it. I think I’ll be less busy in the summer and thus finally have time to watch series. I’m putting this first on my “to watch” list for summer and then comes Rosy Business if I can fit it in.

Translation
(noun) * the rendering of something into another language or into one’s own from another language

Example:

Cantonese: “個胸太大着衫唔靚”

個胸 = the breast

太大 = too big

着衫 = clothes/shirt

唔靚 = not pretty

Bad translation of a news article?

Chinese news >> turns into English >> English fans read >> English fans overreact and the idol gets bashed

Costume fitting for new series sitcom “Office Queen” (direct translation) 《女皇辦公室》 took place May 22, 2009. The new series led by E.U. (2009) producer Wong Wai Sing will be 80 half-hour episodes long and is expected to takeover when current sitcom Off Pedder finishes its run next year. The cast includes Liza Wang, Chapman To, Denise Ho, Ron Ng, Joel Chan, Lau Kong, Angelina Lo, Samuel Kwok Fung, Lee Ka Shing, Chen Shuang, Patrick Dunn, Cheung Kwok Keung, Lam Lei, Sire Ma, Wilson Tsui, King Kong, etc. Good cast for a sitcom with a mix of television and movie actors and singers.

As most of you know, I am a big E.U. fan. A fourth instalment of The Academy has not been confirmed — though Laughing Gor gets his own movie out this summer — and even if they do make Part IV we probably won’t see it until late-2010 or 2011. I will sure miss Lap Man and Pak Kiu and them. But.. “Office Queen” caught my attention. Like in the top photo above, over half of the actors are E.U. people. That’s great. And interesting image change too especially Ron and his hiliarous 電車男 look. I’m happy to see Ron, Joel (”Jor Lun” here is no longer bald!), Lee Ka Shing (who plays “Chuen Suk” in the three instalments), King Kong (no longer a sniper but a security guard), and Lam Lei (I like his “Teen Gor” look more though) which I’m surprised TVB got him to return, along with the veterans like Angelina Lo, Patrick Dunn, Kwok Fung (they were all part of Academy).

Ron and Denise will have some “love” later on. I wonder what role Liza will play. I’d like to see something different from the office lady “Ophelia” in Wars of In-Laws II.

Hmm. I was also keeping an eye out for the new Esther Kwan series with Michelle Yim and Roger Kwok but it turns out their costumes and character images are a bit of a turn off. Of the “new” series that TVB will be offering, “Office Queen” at the moment seems the most interesting. Won’t say too much because I’ve concluded that ‘hope is diappointment’. Anyway, just happy to see so many E.U. actors working together again.

It’s been quite a while since my last update. Sorry! Haha.

———

《女王辦公室》 造型 2009-05-22
汪明荃,杜汶澤,何韻詩,吳卓羲,陳山聰,
劉江,盧宛茵,郭峰,李家聲,陳爽,鄧梓峰,
張國強,林利,馬賽,艾威,金剛

Costume fitting of “Queen of Office” is tomorrow
I see so many E.U. cast members (highlighted above)

Here’s what we know so far from Ming Pao Mag.

* 《五味人生》 (which directly translates to “The Five Tastes of Life”)

* 25 episodes

* Filming starts later this month; and will take two months or so.

* Producer is Cheung Kin Man (D.I.E., Wars of In-Laws II, Dicey Business)

* Cast: Michelle Yim, Esther Kwan, Roger Kwok, Derek Kok, Ng Wai Kwok

TVB has been planning a new series to takeover when Off Pedder finishes airing (maybe next year?). The new production tentatively named 《女皇辦公室》 (translates as “Queen of the Office” ) will begin filming next month or early June.  The cast includes (first two are confirmed so far) TVB “Yat Jie” Liza Wang, Ron Ng, singer Denise Ho, and movie actor Chapman To. Rumours have it that Linda Chung will also participate. This new project is likely led by E.U. producer Wong Wai Sing.

Information gathered from various newspaper sources. As the series is still in its planning stages, info might not be true and/or will change.

Coming April 27, 2009!

Click to view clips on YouTube. There may be more that are not listed here.

TVB 巾幗枭雄 宣傳片 亂世篇(TVB Channel)

“How many ten years are there in a person’s life! I’ve suffered enough!”

TVB 巾幗枭雄 宣傳片 良心篇(TVB Channel)

“We’re not to add one tenth, we’re to subtract one tenth!”

TVB 巾幗枭雄 宣傳片 柴九篇(TVB Channel)

“Doing it only for yourself, you’d truly be happy?”