Thai Master Movie in the Courtyard

Actors Julie Digiacomo and Jeremy Horn in front of the entry gate

In the great tradition of martial arts film making, comedian, actor and writer Simon Kaufman has created a character of epic proportions in the mythical tale describing the legend of The Thai Master. Its story describes the training and adaptation of one of the most deadly ancient weapon forms. Can power of such magnitude exist?

Director R.C. Muraoka (left) working with his assistant director on the script with actors in the background

This Fall, The Thai Master production company and film crew rented Knowing the Spring Courtyard to work a few scenes from this spoof on martial arts – a parody on old style Kung Fu movies fighting with the ridiculous weight loss and exercise contraptions promoted on late night TV (such as Shake Weights, resistance bands, thigh masters, and ab rollers), making fun of the cheesy exercise infomercials promoting these gimmicks.

Thai Master production crew and martial arts actors working a scene 

For two days, a professional director, camera crew, lighting tech, fight choreographer, and many kung fu martial arts students and actors filmed in the Chinese Garden with the Courtyard as its backdrop.

Actors Digiacomo and Horn 

As far back as July of this summer, the Garden was contacted by writer and star Simon Kaufman from New York city about using the courtyard for the filming.  The location is an ideal backdrop and, as has been discovered by local news crews and cultural programming directors, the acoustics are fantastic. After ironing out a few of the details and logistics, the film crew set to work.

"We find ourselves in the dojo as the young Thai Master meditates, learns, trains, and prepares himself to accept the awesome power that will be his covenant for life.  He devotes his full being to learn the secrets and harness the power of the dreaded weapon that will make him the one and only Thai Master."

"As the Thai Master's power grows, Grandmasters from other clans come to challenge him with an array of weapons that would be more than just a workout for a mere mortal.  The Thai Master is up to the tests and defeats all those who dare flex their muscles against him. The Ab Roller, The Shake Weight, The Cross Crunch, The Easy Curve, The Magic Circle, and the Perfect Push Up, are some of the enemies our hero must defend himself against.  Danger lurks around every corner." 

So begins the seven-minute film... I'll keep you posted on its progress.