People |
Home | Archives | About | Media
Links |
| January 2000 The king of comedy Reel life vs. real life By Crystal Tang Article
from the same section: Mr. Lee Lik Chee, a director and a scriptwriter, has directed 15 comedies within 8 years. The latest one was called King of Comedy. He entered show business in 1984 as an ATV production assistant. Two years later, he was promoted to director — this at a time when others normally took 5 years. In 1989, he joined TVB. In 1991, he directed his first movie. Since 1997, he has been a programme host on Ultimate 903 Commercial Radio 2. Tai Lik, his nickname on the radio programme, is also a part-time writer for the Sun Daily and the Economic Daily and a programme host on iTV. Question: Why are you interested in directing? Answer: When I was young, the only entertainment for me was watching TV. At that time, the TV series were from America, Japan and Hong Kong. I loved watching Japanese drama series as their quality was good. Why was the quality of those locally made so poor? At that time, I thought, “If I were a director, I could do better than those Japanese series.” Afterwards, I fell in love with TV programs and movies. Q: How did you join a TV station? A: I wrote to apply as a production assistant at ATV. At first I sent them letters once a month. They didn’t reply to me, so I sent them four letters a month, then once a week and in the end twice a week. The mobility of the job was great so I thought there would be vacancies. After applying for four months, I had a chance for an interview. Two weeks later, I entered ATV. Q: How’s the life in TVB compared with that in ATV? A: In ATV, I was a production assistant but also responsible for preparing clothes, properties, stage — almost everything. In addition, there were not enough editing machines to use. We could just edit tapes from midnight to 6 a.m. We filmed our programme in daytime and edited them at midnight. I remembered during the worst situation, I hadn’t slept for nearly a week. However at TVB, I could have my own site to film. There were sufficient crews members to help me, so I could concentrate on directing. As everything in TVB was systematic, I could know the timetable a month beforehand so that I could contact other members earlier. Q: So what was the turning point from TV to movies? A: I think the turning point was that I met Mr. Stephen Chow Sing Chi, an actor. Our points of view on comedy are so similar. He was invited to perform in comedies and was very successful. Later someone asked me to direct a comedy for him, so I left TVB. Q: Did you change your views on movies after joining the business? A: Sure. In the past I thought movies were just stories. A director introduced a story to an audience and that was it. I think movies are a business now, a business of attracting audiences to come and watch. You need a good administration and promotion plan to fulfil it. In addition, a director cannot produce a movie all by himself, but should cooperate with others. Q: As you said movies seem to be a business more than just stories. Are you disappointed about that? A: No, I’m not. I thought a movie was a story because I hadn’t been involved in one before. I was just like a kid who knows nothing about the world. A movie is a game. To play it, one should follow the rules. Kids have to grow up, so I should keep learning in this business. It doesn’t mean I am disappointed, but I should learn about the rules of this game. Q: What do you get from the movies? A: It lets me understand what “happy” is. Maybe I was upset by someone here, but I forget it all and become happy again when directing. I’m lucky that I’m mad about movies. As a creator, I have a chance to try different things here. Actually I think life is like a role-playing game. If you want to gain more points, you should be brave enough to go ahead. If you choose to stay, you can never be upgraded. You have beaten all monsters up and gained all experience here. You can never improve yourself by staying here. I love exploring so I love movies. It lets me explore happiness and new things. Q: You have directed 15 movies and nearly all of them are comedies, so what do you think about comedy and tragedy? A: Personally, I think an outstanding comedy is a tragedy at the same time. That’s why we say, “use the happiness to tell the misery”. For example in my film Flirtong Scholar, it’s tragic to Tong Pak Fu. A talented scholar couldn’t find his true love and was bullied by his wives. Is it miserable? In the film Fight Back to School, an outstanding leader of the Special Duties Unit was forced to investigate a case in school. It’s really tragic. In another comedy, From Beijing with Love, a spy went to investigate an important case but he didn’t know how to use a pistol. It’s ironic and miserable. Also it’s a trick in my last film, King of Comedy. It’s not a comedy at all and it should be called King of Tragedy. A talented actor couldn’t cast in any film just because he lacks camera face. People will laugh if they see someone is in bad situation. I’ve never directed comedies, but tragedies. Q: You have directed many so-called comedies, so do you love laughing? A: Yes, I love laughing, as I’m an optimist. Of course, I’m not as optimistic as those naive kids are. I think life is beautiful, but you need to think about the worst situation also. Live optimistically but prepare to face the failures. I think we should consider the danger when we’re safe. Q: Why do you want to be a radio programme host? A: I see myself as a creator rather than a filmmaker only. As a creator, I can survive in different fields of the show business. I entered Commercial Radio not due to the downturn of the movie business, but because I want to try something different. My motto is “Try the best if you’ve planned to do it.” I have tried my best on the radio programme. With the keen competition nowadays, the only way to survive is to diversify the job aspects. Q: Do you think you will become more famous after being a host? A: Yes, deservedly. In the past you won’t know who “Lee Lik Chee” was even if you’ve heard his name. After being a host, I have my own character. “Lee Lik Chee” changed from a name pertained by Mr. Stephen Chow Sing Chi into a DJ who loves talking so much. Q: Radio, TV, and movies — which you love most? A: I think I’ll choose movies because I can enjoy the climax from it. Planning a movie is just like being pregnant. When you see a movie evolve from nothing to a finished creation, you are very joyful. On the other hand, radio and TV are like a marathon. You need to do many things to keep up your quality. It takes time. Q: As a famous director and host, how can you balance your job and your family? A: A Sunday in 1997, I met Mr. Tung Chee-hwa in Hong Kong Park. He was out with his grandchildren at that time. As chief executive, he still had time to play with his grandchildren, so why couldn’t I? I have supper at home almost every night now. Moreover, I won’t work on Sundays normally, as it’s my family day. Q: How do you describe yourself? A: I think I’m a bull. I’m a Taurus and my zodiac sign is bull also. In fact, I enjoy being a bull so much. Have you ever heard a bull say, “Oh, it’s a harsh job, farming” or “Oh, it’s so hard I want to die”? Never! Right? I enjoy my business and working hard. I can get fruitful results by doing so. Even I work like a bull, I enjoy it so much! |
|
|
Home | Archives | About | Media Links |
