Jonathan Cheong is a Singaporean Actor, Film Director, Producer and Action Choreographer who wants to put his country on the map for action movies. He stopped by to chat with us about his movies and what he has coming up in the future.
Hi Jonathan; thanks for taking the time to chat with us. Can you tell us about your career and what made you want to get into the action movie industry?
Hi to all readers of “The Action Elite”, I am Jonathan Cheong; a Singaporean Actor, Film Director, Producer and Action Choreographer. I have been acting, producing my own actioners and choreographing fight/action sequences for 8+ years in the business now. First set foot in the industry in 2016 when I was 18 by starting my own productions company, Raging Fire Productions. Starred and produced my first actioner, ‘Rogue Cop” back then with a second project following close after in 2016 and another in 2017. Eventually the films totalled up and I have produced up to 10 action films to date of which one is set to release in August. Besides starring in my own produced actioners, I am also an actor active in the local Singapore media industry. Starring in more than a dozen local TV dramas, web series, feature film, commercials, student films and more. Since 2021, I have also partaken as an action choreographer and stunt coordinator for local TV dramas totalling up to about a dozen of them to date. Additionally, besides Singapore, I have also worked on projects in Malaysia and the UK of which the latter is set to release later this year as well.
One of the major reasons as to what got me into the action industry is definitely a burning love for the action genre. Growing up, watching martial arts and action movies has always been something I am excited about. I have always dreamt of becoming an action hero since I was a kid through my childhood years. Since then, performing and being an actor was a dream I wanted to achieve. Subsequently, what made me decide to professionalize in the action genre is due to the severe lack of it in the local Singapore film industry. Amongst all genres in Singapore films, action is the least touched, explored and ventured into genre amongst others. Bizarre to say that to date, Singapore has not yet had an authentic action movie in our cinemas. My goal and mission is to change that fact and to become Singapore’s action representative in my own way. Additionally, the other main reason that made me pursue the action film business is because of my idol, hero and role model, Donnie Yen. Donnie Yen has done what he could and has worked hard for the Hong Kong action industry in his own ways. Like him, I aspire to be that equivalent figure for Singapore. Much like how Tony Jaa is to Thailand, Iko Uwais is to Indonesia, Tak Sakaguchi is to Japan and so many more talented action stars that have each triumphed in their own ways representing their countries. Therefore, with this belief, I have always done my best to represent Singapore to her best image in my own films by reflecting my country’s cultural lingos. Even when attending overseas film festivals, I have always been proud to proclaim this advocation I have in becoming Singapore’s action go to. The ultimate goal is also to hope through my own films that I am able to bring Singapore on the world map worthy enough to compete against regional action films around. All of this keeps me motivated me over the years in this ever seemingly impossible circle.
What are some of your upcoming projects?
As mentioned above, I will be releasing my latest and 10th actioner, titled “Rogue Cop” next month that have been screened in over 5 film festivals around the world. The film marks my first directorial debut film and what makes this one even more special is that it is actually the remake of the first film I produced back in 2016 when I first entered the industry. Stay tuned to my productions channel on Youtube, “Raging Fire Productions” and would sincerely appreciate the support. Next, also as mentioned above. An upcoming UK action comedy I am casted in have been making its rounds in more than half a dozen film festivals internationally is targeted to release end of this year. (more details to come soon).
Besides so, I am actually currently filming in Malaysia now for an action movie here as I am doing this interview. A gangster martial arts film set to release next year in cinemas and possibly Netflix. I am the only Singaporean & Chinese fighter in the film so do stay tuned for that and do support it when it is out. After returning back to Singapore when I am done with this, I am also preparing several other projects with a few filmmakers which unfortunately I cannot really reveal them to you now.
Are there any filmmakers you consider to be major influences?
Donnie Yen! A quick answer without having to even guess for once haha! As mentioned above, he has not only influenced me artistically but played a very very significant role in my life as a person. For whatever beliefs he has about movies and his work over the decade span of years, it has directly impacted the way I made mine own. Of course, there are also many other action stars I enjoy very much watching including actors as well known for their performances. Hence generally, for my career and films, I do not seek to copy or duplicate Donnie Yen nor his films. As what Bruce Lee said, never seek and copy a personality you see out there. For my films including my acting performance, I take many references from around. Korean cinema and acting methods are something I appreciate very much due to their exaggerated expressions. But in overall, no one was as impressionable, impactful and powerful like how Donnie Yen is to my life as a whole. Sincerely hope to work with him one day or be part of his stunt team.
Following on from that, how do you think your inspirations and influences set you apart from other directors?
I think firstly, all directors are unique with their artistic style in their own special ways. Be it who they got their influences from. For me, my first major difference as a director I believe I have is that I love to find a balance between what I would want for the actor to perform in certain ways for the role along with their opinions. I believe the role is dead but it is the responsibility of the actor to make it come alive. Therefore, I always love to discuss with actors on what their thoughts are of the character but not before sharing my vision. Hence, as a director. I see my vision as a catalyst for the bench mark, but the spectrum can and will be adjusted accordingly after diving into a more in-depth discussion with the actors. These days, I do see many directors be it from my work as an actor on set or a director I am working directly with hand in hand for my films. I realise and understand that directors are the ones setting the vision at the get go but many tend to stick to that very much without much room for flexibility. I do not see it that way however. I see it that the actors involved in the film are responsible for making the vision come alive. Hence, it isn’t about who is right or wrong or who is the director. But rather what can make a common coordinated artistic expression that everyone can balance on. Another thing that sets me apart from other directors is that I only work with people I know. I see attitude and character beyond any talent or accreditations. I believe that the actor’s personal character and attributes contributes & indirectly to the project more than anyone have thought of. If you cannot connect artistically or even as a person with, it will impact the way things can work on set which I heavily emphasize on that.
What’s your process for putting a script together?
Generally, for my own films for all 10 of them, it depends on the situation. Usually, I will have a general synopsis in my mind and will write them down. Subsequently, I will then pitch that to whichever directors/filmmakers or producers I am working with and we will develop the script further according to the artistic alignment and the resources available. Such as if we have any sponsors or partners and who would be involved. Therefore, there is 10001 changes due to different circumstances of the situation itself but generally this is how a script is put together with regards to the process. But there are also situations where directors and writers will pitch their ideas to me and I will then sound out what I like about it. Once all parties agree on it, we will proceed. For instance, “Legend of Hope: A Star Wars Fan Film (2020)” and “RUSH (2023)” both written and directed by the same director approached to work with me with his written ideas of both projects. We discussed and then proceed to develop further.
How has your cultural background influenced your filmmaking?
Growing up in a competitive and bustling city like Singapore, most if not all parents in our families are the typical Asian parents that will constantly express their desires for us to be doctors, engineers, pilots or lawyers. Most teenagers growing up are forced to “follow instructions” and that has pretty much been the situation here in Singapore. The culture here is sadly constrain by a lot of creativity that is unable to proceed due to many restrictions and censorship. Therefore, growing up in Singapore here and in such environment. I have always been someone that does not believe in following the rule blindly. Which perhaps explains why I am a rebel since I was a child. Always questioning, asking why and sometimes even arguing back to elders. Especially on things I find do not make sense. Which can clearly be evidently seen in my films on the roles I always play. An assassin that does not want to kill, a cop that cannot control his emotions, an undercover that acts without formal orders. I tend to find myself leaning a lot towards writing “anti-hero” scripts and playing them. These societal cultures and norms impacted the way I make my films. And even the way I shoot them as well. As I am someone that do not come from film school nor was, I trained in any media course, I find myself always liking to break some rules of the teachings. Of course, not every single one of them but I believe in expressing yourself artistically than rather following a textbook way of making an art piece. My belief as a director is that this piece, this film. Represents my artistic expression. As it’s not a fact nor a documentary.
How do you keep your ideas fresh and original?
As a film lover and movie goer, I find myself watching all kinds of movies of genre. I do not just purely watch action related films. Though within the same spectrum, I enjoy war, crime and history films as well. Besides so, I absolutely love comedy films as well. Especially those of slapstick and humor. Therefore, with me watching many movies of all types over the years. It has definitely impacted the way I wrote and directed my own films. Its then inevitable that whatever ideas I have will always be fresh and new for me to get excited to explore on. As I may also tend to combine elements from various source of things I have watched and get inspired from. With regards to it being original, I have to be honest to say that I cannot say every idea I had worked on is original, as it is a mixed of different influences from different movies across. But to be honest, these days we rarely get to see much films or series that is truly original as well. Films influence other films and it is not a bad thing at all. I do enjoy watching films knowing it can be cliché nor predictable or I may have seen similar storyline elsewhere. It is okay because for me I believe that no matter how similar one can be, two films can never be the same (unless it is a re-adaptation) no matter how hard the filmmakers make it to be. My point is, films will always be “original” as it reflects that director’s artistic vision and expressions.
What are your plans to develop as a filmmaker over the coming years?
I see myself as both a filmmaker and actor at the same time. So, my plans are firstly to be working with more international filmmakers around the world. I enjoy working with people outside of Singapore as it can give me a new perspective on the way I see films. Hence, that would be one aspect I would be venturing heavily more. Pertaining to myself purely as a filmmaker. As I have been only producing shorts, I am looking to make my first feature someday soon. If not then I would continue to be still making shorts that will explore the many themes I have yet to touch on. Or even just exploring other styles of martial arts I intend to venture into contrary to the ones I have been generally onto now which is more towards the MMA related discipline like boxing, kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Then overall just continuing on this action genre, keeping on to make films and improve my craft as I go. Because as they say, the best way to learn is to just pull the trigger, fail your way forward and then learn from there itself.
Thanks very much and all the best with your upcoming projects.