Mentioned a few weeks back that I auditioned for a local short film about the Japanese mob (Yakuza). After the audition I was asked to play “Shuzo”, right hand man and enforcer for Yakuza boss “Miyamoto”. My first day of shooting was last Sunday and we filmed on location at The Penthouse, a downtown strip club. After snooping around a bit I found out that there was quite the history a The Penthouse, it was established back in 1947 and used to be a popular athletic club where some of the world’s top boxers and athletes trained and fought. When it became a night club it was frequented by celebrities, pin-ups dolls and debutantes, including Sammy Davis Jr. and Gang.
We were filming a scene where a couple of assassins, disguised as two lovely maidens, seduce two young gangsters and make their way into the presence of boss Miyamoto and Shuzo. Long story short, Miyamoto and Shuzo kill the would-be assassins. Lots of action, an intriguing storyline, talented cast and crew . . . looking forward to attending the big premiere next month. Hopefully, it will be available online sometime in the future so I can share it with everyone.
On the my final night shoot, got to see Nichol and Trillium go to work on actors Ken (Miyamoto) and Sodai (Daisuke), putting on some cool tattoo back pieces. Sodai also had to get “roughed up” by yours truly 
Crew Credits:
- Lisa Whitten - Producer
- Eric Morrison - Director
- Adam Warren - Assistant Director
- Jared Stepp - Director of Photography
- Gharbel Kanaan - Camera Operator
- Hayley Wight - 1st A.C.
- Sumeet Vats - Art Director
- Seth Ligatich - Mixer
- Nichol Xu - Make-up/effects
- Trillium - Make-up/effects
Cast Credits:
- Sodai Shimizu - Daisuke
- Diana Bang - Chieko
- Ken Namatame - Miyamoto
- Conway To - Ryuu
- Angela Liu - Waitress
- Diana Wang - Yuki
- Mitzi Yu - Hisa
- Leo Chiang - Shuzo
Had an absolute blast and was quite sad to have my film wrap on Wednesday morning at 5am, but I had a 6:30am call time on a TV show called “Psych”. Needless to say, I was totally exhausted when I finally got home and slept well into the evening . . . until I had to crawl out of bed for my Crossfit workout. No Rest for the wicked 
I’m sure we’ll see more of the the names listed above in future projects. Great work by everyone involved!
Posted on May 10th, 2007 by Leo
Filed under: Lucid Thoughts, On The Set, Shooting Gallery
Is that the same Diana Bang in Assaulted Fish?? I think The Penthouse is the oldest strip club in Vancouver. I love their spinning pole!!!! It’s fun!!
To tell you the truth I’m not sure.
That’s crazy! I’ve been talking to Trillium about setting up a website for her.
Isn’t The Penthouse also where the only way in is via 1 elevator? I heard the VPD don’t like it because if there is ever a gang incident (which I’ve heard there has been) they only really have one way in…
Trillium did some great work and ended up staying the whole night.
You’re thinking of Brandi’s on Hornby. I used to go there regularly as I dated a few girls from there in the past. The main access is the single elevator but there is also the fire access stairs up from the side. The stairwell is also the designated smoking zone.
Ahh ok that’s the one thanx hehe I need to visit the other bars for my other website I am working on
Cool! Let me know if I can help
What I’ve heard about the Penthouse was it was just that in the beginning, a Penthouse for some wealthy business man who used to entertain friends/business associates etc. There were some crazy after hour parties there too… I really need to remember where I get this stuff from hehe the history behind The Penthouse and old day Vancouver is actually pretty cool.
I believe there was a book written about the history of the Penthouse too.
damn leo looks like you had alot of fun and you look like a real Yakuza with that gun!
I read on the paper a few years back that at some point in time, when the penthouse was at its high times, the owner / manager (?) got gunshot while handling large amount of money upstairs. Then it was closed for a bit.
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That’s so cool! So what are the details of the movie - when can we see it??
What part will you play on Psych?!
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