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Lance Pimentel on his double duty as “Incognito”’s action choreographer and deadly assassin Kenji Lee

Article (news)

Liezel Dela Cruz

<div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751300625907Lance-Pimentel-on-his-double-duty-Incognitos-action-choreographer-and-deadly-assassin-Kenji-Lee.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div>As “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/incognito">Incognito</a>”’s stunt coordinator and action choreographer and the actor who portrayed the deadly assassin Kenji Lee in the “Nihon Saga,” Lance Pimentel has been one of the most important figures in the series.  Originally, Lance was busy working behind the scenes as “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/incognito">Incognito</a>”’s  fight maestro, which he’d been doing for almost half the show, when the series tackled its “Nihon Saga”—that intense chapter set against Japan’s winter, where the Kontraks had to face Kenji Lee—and he was tapped to portray the character. Kenji needed to look like he could take on the world with his fight skills, so Lance, who’s also a martial arts expert, was perfect for the role. No need for extra training, since action is what he’s always done best. But acting was a whole different world for him. Lance knew he had to be ready, especially since Kenji had long dialogues that must be delivered with the same precision as his punches. He even took a quick workshop with acting coach and fellow “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/incognito">Incognito</a>” cast member Malou de Guzman to help him prepare. <div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABba7a_2zVsaCMPF"></script></div>Of course, fight scenes weren&#x27;t the scariest parts for him because that&#x27;s his element, but he was way more nervous about getting the lines right. “I’m not an actor, but I really wanted to do well and perform well,” he shared in an episode of Kapamilya Chat. “Nakakahiya naman sa mga ka-eksena ko, sina Daniel Padilla, Ian Veneracion...&quot;  And while action is definitely his comfort zone, Lance said working as “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/incognito">Incognito</a>”’s choreographer wasn’t exactly a walk in the park, given the grandeur of the scenes and the tight filming schedule. “It’s not like Hollywood na you have one month of rehearsals and then you get to shoot it for a week,” he explained. “Sa teleserye, it’s always on-the-spot choreography. On the spot mong ituturo sa actors, and then you just have to adjust to the environment all the time.” Even with all the challenges, Lance enjoyed every bit of it because it’s what he loves most. “I’ve been a fan of action films all my life since I was a little kid,” he shared, which makes it all the more satisfying for him to turn that passion into his actual work. “Thankfully, I was given the opportunity to do this job. The creative process of doing action is really my passion.” He also admitted to the pressure of constantly coming up with fresh ideas to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. “Sa ‘<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/incognito">Incognito</a>,’ we have almost a hundred fight scenes and you always have to think about different things—how to kick, how to punch in different ways,” he said. And for Lance, the most important part is making sure each scene tells a story. “Ang action scene, hindi lang siya puro bakbakan. You always have to tell a story through the punches and kicks, too.” Making the whole experience even more memorable for him is working with a cast that always gives their hundred percent in executing the moves he planned. “They’re all very professional. Walang angal,” he revealed. Lance recalled how intense it was shooting action scenes in Japan, especially during a snowstorm, “Even the locals doon hindi lumalabas, but to see our actors, walang angal.&quot; The cold in Japan wasn&#x27;t just chilling, but the kind that would sting the skin. Yet they all powered through for the love of their craft, “Puso lang. Just keep on going.” &quot;It&#x27;s been a year. We&#x27;ve been through a lot—El Nido, Japan, Italy. So, talagang &#x27;yung bonding namin is like a family,&quot; he mused. And like a real family, they share plenty of fun bonding moments off-cam. Lance often joins Daniel and Ian on motorbike adventures whenever they have free time. And really, who wouldn’t love a job where you get to travel to beautiful places with your colleagues who feel like family? &quot;I&#x27;m blessed to have the opportunity to travel the world. We were given the opportunity to do what we love in these very nice places,&quot; expressed Lance, genuinely grateful to be part of the series. In fact, what he’ll miss the most when “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/incognito">Incognito</a>” comes to an end is the everyday camaraderie they built on set, saying everyone—from the gaffers to the cameramen and PAs—had grown so close that they truly became one solid unit. <div><iframe width="976" height="549" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JNQlOEEn4W8" title="Team Incognito is being swarmed by the people of Isla Azur | Incognito (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>When asked to pick his top three favorite fight scenes from the entire series, Lance had a hard time because there were just so many. But the first thing he remembered was the intense duel filmed in El Nido, Palawan featuring Daniel Padilla, Richard Gutierrez, Baron Geisler, and Anthony Jennings. Apart from the bravado of that fight, part of the thrill came from the challenge of teaching all the actors their moves simultaneously, right there on set. He felt proud seeing how it all came together, &quot;I think we executed that well and it turned out nice, so that&#x27;s one of my favorites.&quot; Next on his list was his “umbrella fight” scene as Kenji in Japan, which he loved because of its unique concept and how visually stunning it turned out. This was actually his first appearance as Kenji. In the scene, he was walking alone through the snowy streets of the fictional Kaigen when a group of local mafia members attacked. The guys came with their swords, but Kenji managed to knock them down with nothing but an umbrella in hand. Although Lance gave it his all, he didn’t expect the scene to go viral online, with many viewers praising his performance. He was just grateful for the overwhelming positive response from netizens who enjoyed watching the intense, cinematic fight. <div><iframe width="976" height="549" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j33cbmIXLZs" title="Kenji Lee is great at fighting | Incognito (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>And for the third on his list, Lance mentioned about a scene they filmed in Marawi City, which serves as the backdrop for the series’ upcoming final chapter. He couldn’t share too many details yet. But he hinted that the battles in Marawi will carry a different intensity. “Kasi with the set alone, it’s really real,” he said, giving a glimpse of what’s to come. <div><iframe width="1103" height="629" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SmdM5tbULP8" title="INCOGNITO The Final Mission Trailer" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>&quot;Bigger explosion, bigger everything,&quot; he teased about &quot;The Final Mission.&quot;

Lance Pimentel, Incognito’s fight choreographer and the man behind Kenji Lee, shares the thrills, challenges, and unforgettable moments from the hit action-drama series.

Lance Pimentel, Incognito’s fight choreographer and the man behind Kenji Lee, shares the thrills, challenges, and unforgettable moments from the hit action-drama series.