KATA PRACTICE
Dir. Siu Ta

Narrative, Canada, 2004,16mm Reversal on video, black/white, 4:45 min

SYNOPSIS
David, a six year old, junior green belt practices for his final “fight” … Sometimes not even the best of moves can block life’s challenges.

CAST
Nolan Gray, Ryan Gray, David Eng, Susan Gray

CREW
Writer/Director: Siu Ta; Producer: Siu Ta; Director of Photography: John Minh Tran: 1st Assistant Camera: Pierre Branconnier: 2nd Assistant Camera: Danny Santa Anna, Jr.; 1st Assistant Director: Graham Purdy; Location Coordinator: Dave Ferris; Gaffer/Grip: Scott Burton; Swing: Ryan Coxworthy; Sound: Sanjay Mehta; Stills Photographer: Heather McKinnon; Storyboard Artist: Richmain Yu; Craft Services: Vunessa Ma; Editor: Tim Dashwood; Composer: Tim Dashwood; Post Sound: Kevin Tokar

BIOS
SIU TA – Director/Writer/Producer www.siuta.com
Siu Ta is an actor and filmmaker living in Toronto. She recently finished acting in season two of the critically acclaimed drama series “This is Wonderland” (CBC). Other acting work include “Harold & Kumar go to Whitecastle” (Senator Int’l), “the Art of Woo” (CFC Feature Film Project), “Leap Years” (Showtime) and “Jishin” (Toronto Fringe Festsival). Upcoming - on stage in “Soap Opera” (Toronto Fringe) and on tv in season three of “This is Wonderland” (CBC).

In 2000 Siu ventured into filmmaking debuting with “Urge” (10min., 16mm) which she wrote/directed/produced & played the lead in. “Urge” has screened in
twenty-five film festivals worldwide. “Kata Practice” is her second short film as writer/director & producer.

JOHN MINH TRAN (Cinematographer)
John Minh Tran is a Toronto-based cinematographer who has worked in virtually every motion picture medium, and on every type of show, feature and video there is.  With an extensive background in still photography, John brings a true film aesthetic to all the work he does.

Select feature documentaries include: Kevin McMahon's The Stolen Spirits of Haida Gwaii (Primitive), An Idea of Canada (Rhombus/CBC) and McLuhan’s Wake (Primitive/NFB); French director Bruno Monsaingeon’s The Mutant (Rhombus); Elizabeth St. Philip’s one hour doc Breakin’ In – The Making of a Hip Hop Dancer (NFB) and documentary series include Opening Soon (Red Apple) and most recently Doug Williams’ Mayday (Cineflix). Currently he’s shooting the doc series Shrines (Markham St.) with director/producer Michael McNamara. John is also well-versed in drama, lensing Trisha Fish's feature, Dragonwheel (IMX), the Gemini award winning puppet series Nanalan’ (CBC) and award winning short films A Man’s Life and The Best Girl.

TIM DASHWOOD – Editor/Composer www.timdashwood.com
Timothy Dashwood was best known in Toronto as a commercial editor before switching gears to Cinematography & Directing.

His editing credits include national commercials for Ford, Leon’s, Canadian Tire, Labatt, Macy's, Max Factor, Dodge, Toyota, Pantene and Microsoft, as well as three independent feature films, the HGTV documentary "Homestead Holdouts" and two Gemini Winning Seasons for the CBC series “Undercurrents”. Currently, Timothy is editing "Rocked!" a feature length documentary about war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, with Warchild Canada and SUM41.

As a Director of Photography, Timothy has lensed many independent feature films, short films and music videos. Recent projects include the award winning "Urban Nites", "Tan Lines" & "Grace".

NOLAN GRAY – “David”
Nolan is only 6 years old and has been taking karate for just over a year. He has a green belt and has won two first place trophies for his age group. He has appeared in many flyers for the Bay, Sears and Canadian Tire to name a few and a US national commercial for the May company. A budding action star he hopes to one day be like his favorite action hero Keanu Reeves in the Matrix but in the meantime he enjoys spending time with his mom, dad and baby brother Ryan.   

FILMOGRAPHY

“Kata Practice” Director/ Writer/Producer 2004
“Waltz” Producer/Actor 2003
“Urge” Director/ Writer/Producer/Actor 2000