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Hong Kong actor Andrew Clifford Pong King-fung showcases his martial arts skills through his impressive leaps and stunts on screen. But beyond his performances, he is also dedicated to nurturing the next generation of martial artists and stunt professionals.
Through his studio, he aims to honour the rich heritage of the city’s action and kung fu films while imparting essential skills to aspiring talent.
Founded in 2022, the New Era Martial Club in Quarry Bay provides a safe environment for the public to try out seemingly dangerous movie stunts. The club also allows Pong, the founder, to share his expertise with aspiring action performers.
“Our primary mission is to promote and cultivate a new generation of Hong Kong martial artists and to make them become more aware of Hong Kong’s cultural diversity, especially in Hong Kong action cinema and kung fu in general,” said the 34-year-old founder of the club, adding the group welcomed individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
Taking the legacy forward
Hong Kong cinema is famous for its martial arts films, ranging from wuxia legends to kung fu epics, featuring stars like Bruce Lee, Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen.
The films of John Woo and the wire work techniques used by figures like Yuen Woo-ping during the 1980s and early 1990s influenced Hollywood, establishing Hong Kong’s legacy as a leader in action filmmaking.
Pong’s love for action cinema was sparked in his childhood, primarily by watching the films of his parents, Chin Siu-ho and Sharon Kwok Sau-wan, and his uncle, Chin Ka-lok.
Both of the Chins are well-known martial arts actors and action choreographers in the city.
“They were just superheroes that saved the day, and that resonated a lot with me as a kid,” Pong recalled. “I wanted to become a superhero. That’s what I thought. And then I became more passionate about researching Hong Kong cinema. So it turned me to watching Jackie Chan films and old Yuen Woo-ping films, and then it turned me into a Bruce Lee fan in the end.”
Pong has accumulated nearly 30 credits in action movies and dramas since he began his career in 2007. Most of these productions are from Hong Kong and mainland China and feature wire work - using wires to create the illusion of flying - as well as various forms of weaponry. Additionally, his portfolio includes the US science-fiction action film Agent Recon.
Empowering the next generation
His studio introduces younger children to foundational skills in gymnastics, lion dance, and martial arts. It also offers specialised training in illusions and action techniques for teenagers and young adults.
In addition to action acting classes, the studio features a diverse range of 13 specialised courses, including wire work, gymnastics, taekwondo, kung fu, weaponry, extreme martial arts and hapkido, which emphasises safe falls and reactions.
For older students, there are also courses in Filipino arnis, involving stick and knife fighting, as well as simulated firearms handling.
He emphasised the importance of giving students real-world experience by bridging the gap between training and professional work, offering opportunities to engage in film and television productions.
“A good way for them to start is to probably become a stunt actor or follow our team to go on-site. They could actually experience firsthand how a movie is filmed or what the logistics of TV sets are. This is a really valuable experience for students because it doesn’t happen everywhere,” he said.
“If they have a particular set of skills that they’re really good at or if they know how to perform, then I would invite them to go on screen with me or on screen with other projects.”
Pong emphasised that considerable acting, action, and post-production work is still needed for action movies, and he encouraged aspiring performers to take the initiative to learn various skills.
“If you want to become an action actor, learn the entire industry and don’t just learn one particular thing. It’s not just kung fu itself. You can learn wire work, weaponry and horse riding. The list goes on and on,” Pong said. “Don’t stick to the past but learn how to work proactively for the future.”
