February 10, 2006

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  Sorry, I never did get back yesterday.

  
  

  Prolific screenwriter and director Steven de Souza ran into a language problem when filming his first film in the 1990′s. He was attempting to turn the popular video game “Street Fighter” into a movie with Jean-Claude Van Damme in Thailand. The film had countless scenes with hundreds of extras, many who were students and international tourists from more than a half-dozen countries. They all spoke different languages, from Dutch to Japanese. De Souza explained how they ultimately sped up the slow translation process while filming: “Finally we decided to direct them with numbered flashcards. One meant you were happy, 2 meant you were sad, and 3 meant get in your boat.”

  
  

  This little piece of information reminds me of the trip to the Mall with all the little boys.  Seems like we had five of them on this trip so to keep things simple, while in the car on the drive to the mall, they were instructed that when we said #1 that meant to be quiet, #2 meant to keep your hands to yourself, #3 meant to get close enough to touch me.  It worked wonderful and the kids had fun with it too!  They did real good, even the littlest ones.  Finally one of the little one’s shouted #1 to Uncle Steve when he was talking about something.  That was really funny! 

  • 10:27 am
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