Participants in two training camps for action movie performers, organized by Chinese action megastar Wu Jing's "Yingwutang" initiative, staged a graduation show in Beijing on Dec. 9.

Actress-director Liu Tianchi (front left) and actor-director Wu Jing (front right) beat a drum to announce trainees' graduation from their action performance camps in Beijing, Dec. 9, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Da'an Pictures]

"Yingwutang," which literally means "Movie Martial Arts School," was founded by Wu to cultivate the next crop of action film performers. The two groups of trainees took part in training for actors in military action performance and horseback and equestrian skills.

During the military action performance training camp, military instructors, action teachers and performance coaches instructed 14 trainees over 70 days in modern military drills, movie action training, close-quarters combat, military action performance and character development.

Meanwhile, at the action performance on horseback and equestrian training camp, a team of seven riding instructors put the trainees through their paces, challenging them to learn a variety of equestrian skills over a two-month period.

Founded in 2021, Yingwutang, in collaboration with performance workshop TCHUG organized by Liu Tianchi, has created a systematic combat training camp for action and performance. Its goal is to provide a more professional and comprehensive training experience for those with a passion for action movies, enhancing their acting and action skills.

With a focus on the film industry and by integrating resources from various sectors, the camps combine action and performance to promote the pool of Chinese action talent. Their aim is to cultivate and nurture young talent for the future development of the film industry, injecting new vitality into Chinese action movies and once again making their mark on the world stage.

At the graduation ceremony, Wu Jing said that the new generation of action actors emerging from Yingwutang are capable of independently completing action scenes with believable acting, real fighting and genuine falls. He hopes that through this camp project, "they can bring a fresh and impressive look to Chinese action movies — this is also something that Yingwutang will always take pride in and continue to uphold."

Liu Tianchi is a renowned actress, director and teacher at the Central Academy of Drama. She recalled the trainees' progress over the past two months and expressed her hope that those in the industry would provide them with opportunities and guidance in the future. 

Yingwutang trainees perform during their graduation show in Beijing, Dec. 9, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Da'an Pictures]

Renowned directors Chen Kaige, Lu Yang and Guo Shubo, producer Gong Ge'er, as well as director and legendary kung fu choreographer Yuen Woo-ping, attended the event along with officials from the Beijing municipal government and Hao Rong, the president of the Central Academy of Drama. Several cooperation deals were also made, such as director Guo Shubo inviting several trainees to take part in his upcoming TV series on China's special police force. 

In addition, the Beijing International Film Festival will collaborate with Yingwutang to produce a series of Chinese action short films in 2024. Meanwhile, Hao Rong also announced that the Central Academy of Drama will partner with the initiative to create a class on action performance at the academy.

Zhao Weidong, executive deputy director general of the Publicity Department of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), added that Wu Jing has not only created milestones in the Chinese action film genre but also leads by example. 

"He has always regarded filmmaking as an indispensable part of his life and is committed to nurturing young action movie actors," Zhao said. "From Wu's Yingwutang project, it's clear that Chinese action movies have a promising future."

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