My son, a student of XingYi and Qigong has started the VPA (Visual Performing Arts) program at Syracuse University...studying acting...I feel there are great opportunities to both use/conserve and "throw" mental or qi energy, or both in this profession. Trying to get a handle on advising him and/or emphasizing different concepts over others in our Neijia.
Any suggestions/thoughts appreciated. I'd like to hear what you, Tim, feel about this also.
Thanks,
Rick

I highly recommend cultivating his ability to store and 'throw' mental qi energy. I recently saw a movie called 'Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon'
and those actors (and actresses) had developed qi
power to extraordinary extremes.

There was actual footage of them leaping great distances- roof top to roof top- running up walls- even flying through the air for thousands of feet. Two actors even flew out of a palace and then ran ACROSS THE TOP OF WATER without getting wet or drowning. I was in shock. I had heard tales of such feats- but had discarded them as total nonsense or fanciful exaggerations.
But there is was ON FILM right in front of me.

Your son is very lucky to have a father wise enough to guide him through such powerful and dangerous concepts. And you are lucky to have an offspring who is able to become an actor and someday fly.

Please update me on his progress. I'll save my recycling money so that I can afford
the bus ride to Syracuse to watch him perform.
I can not tell you how excited I am right now.

RickU,
What's a "Neijia?"
Signed Ignorant

Bob #2,
One of my former martial-arts instructors could run up a wall; he was taught how to do so by that little Vietnamese guy I wrote about earlier (the guy trained by Shaolin monks in Vietnam). My former instructor was later shunned by this Vietnamese kung-fu instructor when it was discovered that he (my former instructor) had taught it to one of his felon relatives -- who in turn was demonstrating the ability to other inmates. Some people really can run up walls (I've even known some who can really drive me up a wall).
Also, Jesus & one of His students walked upon water (& Jesus didn't disturb the fish -- but his student didn't fare so well once he became distrustful). Nevertheless, I agree that seeing gigantic leaps & flying through the air on the big screen leaves something to be desired (even reality). Regardless, did you enjoy the movie (I hear that it's getting rave reviews)?

"THROWING" ones mind ("mind;" is that what Yi means? I forgot...again):

RickU,
I can recall perceiving a look "thrown" my way (by an angry relative or a disapproving instructor), and then (re)acting with caution. Is this something like what you have in mind (a stage presence)?
I can recall a minor supporting actor who's acting (stage presence) exuded so much "power" -- for lack of a better word -- that he seemed a major character (pardon my spelling, but I'm referring to a guy named PESH-EE in a movie about the mafia: "Goodfellows," or some such movie of the mafia type). That performance really launched his career because he was a dynamic, energetic force to be reckoned with in the movie.
Such force can be projected. Lee Van Cleef had a look that could communicate without words (note his speaking part in "The Man That Shot Liberty Valence;" that movie lauched his career -- did he speak more than two sylables??? It's been about 17 years since I saw the movie, but I don't recall Van Cleef speaking much if at all).
Some actors can fake being tough -- and that projects on the screen; some actors are tough, & that also reflects in their movies. For example, in an earlier post I got into a discussion of "hard corps." An actor who was the epitome of "hard corps" was Lee Marvin (former US Marine; a survivor of the Korean War; & one tough hombre). Watch his movies, like "The Dirty Dozen" (or even "Cat Ballou" & "Paint Your Wagon" -- which are comedies), & you'll probably sense that he was really a tough guy (even John Wayne who stood at about 6'4" or so & was no slouch himself said words to the effect that in a serious fight he wanted Lee Marvin in his corner).
Many ninjutsu practitioners had jobs in theatre (as a persecuted class in feudal Japan they often survived on various acting skills, some of which were mental exercises designed to focus their intent while deceiving others: playing with illusion & preconceived ideas: reality vs. perceived realities). So, yes, martial art aspects can be used in other arts.
Many actors are martial-arts practitioners & vice versa (I've known of martial-arts practitioners who "act" their way out of tough situations; remember that the whole world's a stage).

I'm disappointed that Mike "long winded martial art/religious kook" doesn't know what the term Neijia is...it means internal.

RickU - you're a friend of Cartmell so Betty will go easy on you. Here's the deal, at Syracuse Univ. you're son is gonna get more ass than a toilet seat. Here's Betty's reason's why:

1. Hotties in upper State NY are easy. If he's into a little internal, he can use that to his advantage by telling those hayseeds that he's mystical.

2. He's into acting. Those chicks are just begging to get laid by someone who's "centered."

3. If he's done Xing Yi he's probably a stud, and as Betty said in previous posts, Xing Yi guys get laid, not sissy Tai Chi/Bagua boys...

So, in closing I wish I was in his shoes. Tell him Big Balled Betty wishes him luck, but change his F###### major. Keep the acting as minor. This way, he won't mooch off you after graduation, and he'll still get laid a lot in College.

"There's only on Betty, Big Balled Betty!"

BBB,
Mike's not so good with ferin tongues. So sorry.

Thanks all for the responses...will look for Tim's if he gets a chance to respond.
Rick
PS Yes, the "throwing energy" part is what I was thinking but there may be more..

Rick,
I'm not much of an actor, so I really can't offer on opinion on what in the Internal arts could be applied to acting. I worked as a stunt man in a number of Taiwanese action movies, but the only 'throwing' I was involved in was me out of windows.

BBB - ni shi yi ge pang lao-er toe, wookie

"now theres 2 bettys, Big Balled Betty"

RickU, Tim, etc.,
Stunt work is a part of the acting experience (in the broad sense), & the general public is often very impressed by an actor who does his own stunt work (i.e.: Steve McQueen). Nevertheless, the good posture developed by the proper practice of the internal martial arts will come out on screen & add "power" to the actor's presence (recall Yul Bryner; note that Steve McQueen didn't exemplify good posture, but he had the stunt angle; and Yul Bryner may not have been known for stunts, but he had good posture which helped his stage presence; what if an actor had both?).

Bald and old, huh?

Listen Betty 2 -
Take off the strap on. Everyone wants to be like Big Balled Betty!

Cho Bao Bao...

"Remember there's only one Betty, Big Balled Betty!"

Excuse me -
Fat and old...

"Ni ji du wo de da yang qi!"

"Remember there's only one Betty, Big Balled Betty!"

Again, thanks for the responses. This will help a great deal in a future project with SU.
Rick

Hey RickU,
Before throwing SU (Son of U?) through glass windows (as one of your future projects), please note that most stunt work is done with "sugar glass:" a safe-breaking glass (which helps eliminate deadly shards & other sharp-glass hazards).

Both John Wayne and Lee Marvin were 'gay' internalists...they both took it up in their 'yin yangs,'...they were lovers of Rock Hudson...thought ya needed ta now the truth...and these gay dudes had mystical chi com'n out their asses...
sincerely,
Hollywood Hank