Thirsty - a student film shot earlier this year

So, after trawling across Youtube I finally found that student film I acted in earlier this year with my friend Nazim Khan for his friend who was producing the short film while she was studying at NCBT/FTI, they titled it 'Thirsty', it turned out pretty good, amazing what difference a Dolly makes, it looks better than any of my films anyway so well done to them ;)

It was fun to work on and hats off to the team behind the camera, Just thought I'd share this with you guys while I'm hunting other projects :)

End of September Status

So, here we are at the end of September, and I am still standing on the shore, waiting for the boat that will take me across the ocean to the promised land. So much has been going wrong, money problems, car problems, creative blocks, fitness problems, relationship challenges...It just seems like when it rains it pours, but I am a positive guy, and I try to implement Dale Carnegies dealing with worrying method (pretty much imaging the worst outcome and working backwards) which generally works for me, but it doesn't keep the banks/partners/and self disappointment at bay....but God helps those who helps themselves so I have the calls out ;)

There has been some filmwork offered from the agency to its members but I haven't been tall/big/available enough for any roles I've submitted for. I've also looked at student stuff and industry opportunities but sadly in Auckland alot of the work is unpaid or requires heaps of experience which doesn't suit me as I need money to fund the vehicle to get to these places and the film course I did is practically worthless as a qualification, the thing I got from SAE is some time to plan and practice films. 

Anyway, Job hunting for a real wage job has been fun (sic) I was about to do an interview last week at the airport when of all the days it could have happened, that was the day my car broke down. It's blown the head gasket and needs several changes and replacements. Overheating, it looks like how I feel. Crippled again by my lack of cheap reliable transport I figure now is a good time to make the most of the free time, But the 6th rewrite of Chase keeps stalling and I can't train as I don't have a car to get the gym in town (half a city away) without my club it's a little hard to self motivate, I try to go to the gym here but just end up punching the heavy bag, and doing some basic weights, skipping rope and chin ups which doesn't really help my sanda chances. Fighting empty shadows, its like dry land swimming as Bruce lee said..I need real training partners, The car is supposed to be fixed this week, so I'm on the mark, waiting for the gunfire. Plus sifu has mats now so I'm super excited to practice wrestling!

It's amazing that throughout the day you can come up with a million ideas but when faced with a blank page and a deadline, the ballpark is empty. The reason I have rewrote Chase again and again is because I need stakes. Like every good movie ,believe it or not, the success of your enjoying the film comes down to the character, his/her journey, the obstacles, the resolution and the whole execution of it all (casting, shot types, coherency etc). 

My character Chase, is a middle aged guy who moved to Auckland several years ago to become an action star, he holds down a part time security guard job to pay the bills and isn't sure where he stands with his ex-girlfriend. When a rival actor takes a role that was supposed to be his, Chase decides it's now or never and takes drastic measures to get the role. So, basically I have te first act completed. I have the ending climax location and 20 minute group fight scene in mind, it's just filling in the blanks and making sure all characters grow good or bad throughout the film, and that you, as an audience, care about Chase.  Anyway, in brighter news I saw myself on TV again, remember that day I said we shot in the Italian restaurant for Shortland St? Well It finally aired. Basically Unseenable but at least it wasn't cut :) I'm in the blue shirt eating imaginary food (actually I had a cake and lettuce on my plate which made no sense but so far away from camera it wasn't important lol)

Oh well, thats it from me for this post, I don't want to come across as depressed cos I'm not, but if my life were a movie I'm counting on the next couple weeks being the time where all things start to go right for the hero :) Thanks for reading and I'll see you soon :) And for inspiration check out Arnold below saying what the goal for any of us should be :) And what I came to Auckland to do....I came to Conquer!!!

Emperor Clip, still hunting and new adventures

Emperor made it's film debut at Toronto (TIFF) over the weekend and congrats to the director and his team as they had good reviews and have distribution for spring next year (american time) so our autumn I think ( if it bows on our screens the same time). One of the things I like about this piece of news is they released a clip which i have shared above. It's of 2 days I was on set for so I was stoked to see how it turned out, It does look like the inside of a plane and the airport looks terrific. Plus I can clearly see myself in the same frame as Matthew Fox and Tommy Lee Jones :) Consider me pretty happy :) I screenshot it since I probably won't find other 1 second cameos from myself til the DVD comes out near the end of next year. here are the 3 from 13 seconds on ;)

I'm in the middle right as TLJ passes me then below as they cut angle, I am middle Left looking up at TLJ. I wonder if diff version in movie or night, we as soldiers were all holding something, like I was holding a bible and rosaries. And when he said swagger in person it rolled out more like thunder, but hey, movies are larger than life :) Great to see all the extras and co-actors get their shine on in this clip lol, looking good as a group there :)

In other unrelated news I watched Expendables 2 with the wife this weekend, was as awesome as expected :) Jet Li's fight scene at the start was epic and choreographed excitingly and Statham did get to fight with Adkins after all, I hope that the two make another film together as I would have enjoyed a much longer fight but I guess they were pressed for time. Simon West did a good job directing, better than the Mechanic anyways...

The action in this film was pretty good and the story held together. This movie is EXACTLY the type of movie you want to see on the big screen and not just on tv, to appreciate the enormity of the Explosions and Gunfire as they engulf you in surround sound. I was so happy they had alot of funny one liners and JCVD shined as the villain, Schwarzenegger is charismatic as ever and since seeing (finally) I saw the Devil a couple nights ago (came in the mail after what seemed like forever) I am practically frothing to see Schwarzenegger in a Kim je woon film, The Last stand. Arnies first film as the lead since Collateral Damage and the California Governator :)

Speaking of I saw the Devil, I have been a fan of Lee's since I first saw a Bittersweet Life years ago and instantly wanted to be like him lol, Its great to see him still kicking ass and not caring about the names, He's scored recent Hollywood coups in GI JOE 1 and 2 and now he's been confirmed for RED 2, so I'm happy the rest of the world are learning of his talent. Watching this film reminded me of the tone I was going for in 'Inevitable', the project I plan to film after Chase. Serious, some black humor and some great set pieces, but story is king. Sorry, I'm just excited to finally start shooting something. Anyway watch I saw the devil if you get a chance, very gory and exciting thriller.

In the last of the news I have for you in my efforts of becoming a actor/director in this city, is that a) the job hunt continues, I actually landed a couple but had to decline because the hours wouldn't leave it free for me to do my martial arts at night, or spend time with the wife, something will come up, I'm trying an online venture so maybe I will make some luck. 

and b) I have entered into my first professional fight for Sanda for the Wushu champs this October (less then a month away now, nervous but I'm sure I will do Ok for the first fight I hope) I want a medal. I'm not leaving without one, so I definitely need to train harder on my conditioning since KO's are allowed and head kicks (which suits me fine). You win or lose before you even get in the ring so Bam! Lets get out there! in the words of one of the greats, I'll be back! :)