John Salvitti shares Life of Action II
Trailblazing fight choreographer John Salvitti (Blade II, Flash Point, Pound of Flesh) shared a picture with his copy of Life of Action II.
In the book, he shares fascinating stories growing up in Boston, character-building experiences and hard knocks in martial arts, plus an early friendship and bond with action star Donnie Yen which which would conceive some of their best known work. We also covered his groundbreaking action design work and philosophies, infusing MMA into traditionally kung fu orientated Hong Kong cinema, his work helping train the US Marines and his best memories working with Yen, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Wesley Snipes and many more. The latest book is available now.
From Life of Action II
Born in Boston in 1965, John Salvitti is a renowned choreographer and stuntman who helped introduce Mixed Martial Arts action into traditional Hong Kong cinema, and inspired countless filmmakers, stars and audiences in the process.
He is perhaps best known as one of Donnie Yen’s close collaborators and a member of his well-established, international fight team. Working together, Salvitti’s best known work includes old time action classics like Tiger Cage 2 and In the Line of Duty 4, through to modern releases such as Flash Point, Special ID, Iceman and Kung Fu Killer. His work in the West includes Blade II, Pound of Flesh and his psychological thriller directorial debut, Ambushed.
Far beyond this, he is a seasoned martial arts veteran with an extensive history teaching, training, competing and still entering major tournaments today. During his free time, he even helps train US Marines and loves unifying his movie-making efforts with real-world tactics and teaching.
From humble beginnings in the Boston suburbs, to breaking into the movie business, battling Donnie Yen on screen and now designing world-class fight choreography, he has come far yet his outlook and street philosophy remains the same. Undoubtedly one of the industry’s friendliest, coolest and genuinely toughest action choreographers, applying reality to his work, Salvitti offers a fresh insight into martial arts and filmmaking.
