Street Fighter Legacy
A couple of days ago news was released about actor/director/stuntman-turned-Fighting Game enthusiast heartthrob Joey Ansah’s new project “Street Fighter Legacy”. Two teaser trailers were released showing a very believable Ryu and Ken in the moments leading up to a little sparring session. Needless to say, live action and Street Fighter have never worked well together, and low budget independent shorts would be the last place that I thought the awesomeness of Street Fighter could ever be sufficiently captured. Today, Joey released the 3 minute short on his Youtube page and I have to admit I am pretty impressed. It was good enough to leave me wanting more, and that is a damn good start.
Joey, together with his partner Christian Howard (who also played Ken “Flow Chart” Masters) directed, wrote, and choreographed the short. In an interview with Joey found on his site, he talked a little bit about what he and Christian and co-producer Owen Trevor were thinking when creating the fan-made short.
“As an actor, film maker and a fan, I have been repeatedly disappointed by the many diluted, un faithful and outright butchered movie adaptations of fighting video games. It was clear to me, that given the way the movie industry worked, we would never see a super faithful, darker toned and more adult themed (or just plain good!) incarnation of Street fighter unless a die-hard fan director or film-making team with the game canon knowledge, film making know how and connections stepped up to the plate to helm such a project.
So almost a year ago, I began writing treatments and a production design brief and partnered with Streetlight films before proposing my concept and vision to Capcom. I’m pleased to say they gave their blessing and permission for the project to move forward.
My team subsequently attracted a great ensemble to support and execute the project including Owen Trevor (Top gear director) who co-directed the film with me, Jacqueline Quella my Producer, Anthony Waye as my exec producer who has senior production credits on over 90 movies including the last eleven ‘James Bond’ films (Line-producer of the entire Bond movie franchise), and the renowned post production/VFX house, Prime Focus, to name but a few.
My Team and I have strived to make a beautiful lil’ film that hopefully non fans will really appreciate, but ultimately this is a love letter to the Fans and the brilliance of the game. As a result I’ve gone to every length to be as faithful as possible down to the smallest details of the costume, the choreography, the narrative, the original music themes and of course the special moves!
After almost a year, of blood, sweat, lots of favours, enthusiasm and love we are ready to announce and shortly thereafter, release, ‘StreetFighter: Legacy’ to the people who deserve it most…….the fans.”
Joey and the fellas at StreetLight Films seem to really have their heads on straight, as the short was really entertaining and a much closer to what I personally would want from a Street Fighter movie. Check out the short and the various making of vignettes and tell me what you think. Maybe Capcom ought to talk to Joey and Co about taking care of the next SF movie, otherwise, we will keep getting BS like Taboo as Vega.
For anyone who missed the Chris Cowen/Thousand Pounds Fight Team Street Fighter short, check it out here. It was quite good (yet poorly timed?) as well. It is quite a bit more DIY as it was filmed/edited/choreographed (very competently might I add) for about $400. So in that way, it’s way more indie then you will ever be. It goes to show what you can do with a decent camera, editing software, some time, and a fully versed martial arts choreography team. Oh and check out that ST Ken Kick Grab into Throw shinanigans… S-C-R-U-B… Anyway, Chris and crew all do some pretty good fight choreography and you would be doing yourself a favor to see some of their stuff. From their Youtube page, it seems all their work is filmed on a Canon 7D, Edited in Final Cut Pro and effects are done in Adobe Aftereffects, that’s dedication homes.
