http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/2038/080904.txt
PAINTED SKIN'S COPYRIGHT DISPUTE
The soon to be released film PAINTED SKIN had a copyright dispute,
as screenwriter Chin Wing Kin accused the film company of copyright
violation.
The film company earlier held a press conference and expressed
that the matter would not affect PAINTED SKIN's release.
Applying for an injunction against the film's release was
possible but extremely costly. The applicant must prove the ability to
compensate the loss that the injunction would bring to be able to do so.
Even if copyright violation behavior was suspected, injunction
might not be necessary unless the applicant felt that the film release
would cause him even greater damage.
The copyright violation that screenwriters refer usually to the
film company not completely fulfilling the screenwriting contract like
delaying the screenplay fee or omitting the screenwriter name on the film
and the poster. Without another dueling film release that would affect
the other related film release's revenue without an injunction, the order
should not be applied for.
In the future if copyright violation has been proven and the film
after release would be a hit be, the compensation amount may be even
greater. Who would not be glad to do so?
PAINTED SKIN is a TEMPTATION OF A MONK story, proving copyright
violation would be harder than an 100% originally created story.
Hong Kong and Mainland screenplay contracts often are not very
complete. Some payment conditions are blurry. In addition most screen
writers do not document their rights to avoid more unnecessary dispute in
the future.
Hollywood has a screen writer's guild that not only has a
complete contract but also would fight for reasonable rights for the
entire screenwriting industry.
Hong Kong's professional film groups are not unions. They do not
have a set of rules to protect their colleagues' benefits. Industry
insiders have to fight for the best benefits while signing contracts.
Most local screenwriting contracts are service contracts. After
completing the screenwriting job and paying the salary no right exists.
Actually they can fight for some rights like other rights outside of film,
remake rights, profit sharing, as well as adding the screen writer names
in the film opening credit and any promotional items. - KWOK
(9/4/2008) The film PAINTED SKIN (WAT PEI) is about to be released but
suddenly Chin Wing Kin claims ownership to the film and accused the film
company of violating his rights and illegal production. Yesterday a
press conference was held to issue a statement that the film will be
released in Mainland on September 26 as scheduled and reserve the right to
take action against Chin Wing Kin.
At the press conference, the State Administration of Radio, Film
and Television issued inspection approval was read in a show of their
production being completely legal. Hung Cho Sing pointed out that Hong
Kong box office now relied on co-production revenue and hoped that Hong
Kong people would unite and not to start any trouble that would affect the
co-production. If the collaboration channel was affected for no reason
Mainland investors would be kept at bay. He also said that when all films
for global sales had to receive that the Motion Picture Industry
Association issued publishing right certificate. The Association next
week will issue the document to the film company and even consider the
film for participation in the Asia Pacific Film Festival and the Oscars.
The film company representative did not know Chin Wing Kin so it
would ignore his action. Reportedly only one brother received the money,
the company expressed that all expense has been paid. She also was not
afraid of any further legal action to hinder the film's release. "Our
film cost US$10 million. If he wants to ban the film he would need
sevenal tens of millions in guarantee. If he loses would he have the
money for compensation? He can't just ban the film because he wants to."
Instead the company would take legal action. The company expressed that
PAINTED SKIN was based on TEMPTATION OF A MONK, but the production method
and artistic senses were different.
(9/10/2008) The Gordon Chan Ka Seung directed PAINTED SKIN (WAT PEI)
cast three top Mainland actresses Zhou Xun, Vicki Zhao Wei and Betty Sun
Li as the leads. Because he approached Zhou Xun first, when he finally
approached Zhao Wei she confirmed that Zhou Xun was the "first female
lead" and wanted to turn him down right away. After hearing the story,
for some reason she took the role. Chan Ka Seung said, "All three say
they are the female lead. They know that more screen time does not mean
good role. The focus of the role is more important."
As all three are top actresses they naturally do not want to pale
in comparison. Thus the "acting competition" was very fierece. Zhao
Wei's character failed at everything. In one scene Zhou Xun forced her to
give up Chen Kun, she did not have a single line; only a speechless
expression. Chan Ka Seung said, "Zhao Wei was the same on and off
camera, she was already very fortunate that she did not suffer any
emotional breakdown. Later during voice work, she was very happy to see
her own performance." In the film Chen Kun had bed scenes with both Zhao
Wei and Zhou Xun. Chen Kun was a classmate of Zhao Wei and they were
like siblings. Zhao Wei has never worked on a bed scene. Finally Zhou
Xun had to encourage her to give her all. Chan Ka Seung said, "This
scene was very hard to grasp because I didn't want to end up with a sex
scene. Yet I want to capture the couple's relationship. Luckily
cinematographer (Arthur) Wong Ngok Tai gave Zhao Wei some advice so she
could show a girl's sexy side."
Chan Ka Seung also praised Zhou Xun as an actress who is hard
working, full of natural talent and often gives him pleasant surprises.
He said, "Zhou Xun is smart and sharp. She is terrifyingly convincing. I
would never forget her final scene with Chen Kun. She cried shot after
shot and did not relax at all on and off camera. They just kept shedding
tears like that. In my recent years of filmmaking I rarely saw actors who
were so convincing. Hong Kong actors truly need to learn more from them."
Although the film's focus was on three actresses, Chan Ka Seung expressed
that without actors Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Chen Kun and Chik Yuk Mo, the
actresses' acting would not be brought out so they were just as important.
He also praised the six actors' performance. Although Chik Yuk Mo's
experience was lighter, in his scenes with Zhou Xun he held his own.
Not that anyone watches these things for 
Poor Norman, though.