Arts&life EDITORPERRIN GRAUER | Acting kung fu students, Ebert Lie (L) and Rob Godfrey (R) rehearsing fight choreography inside the Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre kitchen while Sifu Matthias Klenk supervises. p&S/REE GARCIA PHOTO Fu students act out 'B Movie’ club and kung fu class join forces = By DESIREE GARCIA he students and teacher of a new kung fu cho- reography class are col- laborating with a group of independent filmmakers to cre- ate a kung fu short film. ‘The class, called Acting Kung Fu, began in January at the Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre in South Vancouver, and is taught by Sifu Matthias Klenk of Immortal Drag- on Vancouver kung fu school. Jimi Stewart, founder of The Vancouver B Movie Factory, ap- proached Klenk with an idea to have his team film Klenk’s last day of class, giving both groups a chance to gain experience and have fun. “I saw it as a great opportunity for his students to actually see their work become a reality in a film [and] I saw a great opportunity for my gang members to have an inspi- ration for a film,” Stewart said. Klenk, who had planned on film- ing his class's project himself be- fore B Movie Factory asked to join forces, said his class gives actors the basic skills needed to perform dra- matic martial arts scenes on film. This is a skill that Klenk believes is underserved in Vancouver. “There are some stunt classes which are super expensive and I also do a little basic stunt stuff, SOURCE: HOLLYWOODREPORTER.COM » 1938-39 The first Hong Kong-style kung fu film - The Adventures of Fong Sai- Yuk - is released in two parts. » 1971 Bruce Lee's first feature - The Big Boss (Fists of Fury) - is released. » 2001 Rush Hour 2 - the all-time top- earning martial arts film, grossing $347.3 million - is released. like how to fall correctly, like basic action-reaction when you punch someone or kick,” Klenk said. “There’s not much variety in the field right now and that’s why I did this class.” Klenk, who is himself a filmmak- et, believes the portrayal of kung fu on the big screen is not only thrill- ing but inspiring. “With kung fu movies, it sounds a little bit silly, but they always have something they want to teach you,” Klenk said. “If you work hard you can get somewhere or can do something. You have to be brave.” Student Rob Godfrey said he’s looking forward to debuting his new skills on filming day. “Anything that will look cool or flashy for the camera,” Godfrey said of the techniques he’s learned, add- ing it was the process that was most meaningful. “It’s been very, very cool, just meeting Matthias and training with him.” THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2018 | THE VOICE 7 Local art studios endangered No affordable space for artists: Ebisu founder m By LISA STEACY new artist-run studio in Marpole is facing an un- certain future as the build- ing’s impending sale is making it difficult to attract enough artists to make ends meet. Ebisu Studios -— opened in No- vember of last “That's what Ebisu founders have made up the shortfall in rent by paying out of their own pockets. Shoemaker Amy Slosky rents space at Ebisu. She was disap- pointed when she began looking into city-owned studio spaces after moving back to Vancouver from Toronto, and found Vancouver only subsidized seven such spaces. “I was like, that's it? That's what Vancouver has to offer their artist community? It's kind of pitiful ac- tually,” she said. ‘The city had 158 applications for those seven studios last year. Mean- — while, nearly 8,000 artists work in Van- year when its Vancouver has to couver, with 65 three founders . . per cent of them - Michelle Stur- offer their artist making less than ley, Linda Kirk- ° ”" $40,000 per ness and Billy community? year, meaning Hebb - signed a lease for the ground floor of 8815 Selkirk St. Sturley said she and her col- leagues will be asked to leave once the building sells, and the owner is only required to give them one month’s notice to vacate. She added that while the uncer- tain terms of the lease made it af- fordable, Ebisu hasn't been able to offer artists long-term security. “It’s scared several people away.” Ebisu has enough space for eight artists, with rental rates between $250 and $550 per month, but has never been at capacity. Some for- mer tenants have left for other cit- ies or spaces on short notice. The —AMY SLOSKY, EBISU TENANT the vast majority of those artists must find space with privately-run studios like Ebisu. Aphrodite Blagojevic is the most recent artist to join Ebisu. She said rent tripled at her last studio when a developer bought the entire block, and called finding suitable space in Vancouver “a disaster.” Sturley and her colleagues are doing their best to remain positive. “It was such a good feeling to come together,” Sturley said. “It’s been touch and go, but we see it as a way to establish a com- munity and maybe have the re- sources to pool to get a proper space next time.” Amy Slosky works on a pair of her boots at Ebisu studios. 1/s4 sTeacy PHOTO Continuing Studies Part-time Journalism Courses Accessing Information Like a Journalist Business Writing Science & Technology Writing Kelly Sinoski Communication Specialist, Metro Vancouver Regional District/Former reporter, Vancouver Sun, Black Press, The Standard (HK) Andy Poon Manager, B.C. 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