Category Archives: Interviews

We Talk Fast & Furious 6, The Lone Ranger, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and More With Stunt Driver Robert Nagle

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Recently I spoke with Robert Nagle, who is a veteran stunt driver. His work includes Fast Five, Drive, The Dark Knight Rises, Jack Reacher, and A Good Day to Die Hard. He is also set to appear in the highly anticipated Fast & Furious 6 and The Lone Ranger.  Robert was kind enough to speak with us about his work and what we can expect from Fast & Furious 6 and hinted about what is to come in the Captain America Sequel

How did you get your start in the business and what was your first big break?

 

I met a very good friend of mine, Steve Kelso, a road racer who was already very well-established in the stunt world. We traded paint often and became good friends.  He offered me one of my first jobs. Around the same time I met Michael Mann and developed a close relationship with him as well.  I don’t think I had a “big break” per se, but rather a steady growth of performing on camera well and building relationships.

What type of prep do you do for each film and how much advance work goes into each stunt?

It really depends on the project and stunt. We often show up on set, go through what’s needed on the day of the stunt, and break down the details. Once everything’s sorted out, we shoot. A more complex stunt might require a complete rehearsal and test days or weeks ahead of time to sort out all the elements involved.

How has the digital age affected your work?

I think, if anything, it has made me more creative in developing ideas to deliver an action piece that is not CGI. I strongly believe your eye can tell the difference between live action and CGI—this can really take you out of the story. I do think CGI can be used very well to enhance certain elements, or in the case of “Total Recall,” build the world around us but keep the action real. Len Wiseman was very adamant about shooting the hover car chase with real cars and then adding the world around them—I applaud him for doing so.

How do you decide what is digital and what is a real stunt?

Ha! I wish I had a say in that decision. I’m very much in favor of combining both real and CGI elements.

With car chases being such a standard in films, how have you managed to keep the action in the Fast films fresh and original?

That accolade goes to Justin Lin, the director, and Spiro Razatos, the Second Unit Director (Action Director).  Both of them have asked us to raise the bar.

What are the most dangerous stunts you have done and how many times have you been injured?

The most dangerous stunt I’ve done, besides battle LA traffic, was in Fast & Furious 6. We shot a scene on the Canary Islands along a mountain road that is basically closed to the public because of how precarious it is. On one side, the edge of the road drops off almost 1000 feet into the ocean. On the other, there’s a mountain with randomly falling rocks. They have these small stone blocks along the edge of the road that would probably only slow the car down enough for you to get a great view of the rocks and ocean below.

I had to chase Mark Higgins, a World Rally car Champion, and Ben Collins, the former STIG from Top Gear, several times over. Mark and Ben had been driving that road for a couple of days already. I was in a purpose-built high speed chase car with cameras mounted on the front. I had never driven the road or the car. Needless to say, I had to very much bring my “A” to run these guys down and make it look exciting on camera. We got that piece in one take.

I’ve been fortunate in that I have only broken my thumb in a stunt.

What were your biggest challenges for the film and the greatest triumphs?

I think the biggest challenge was understanding exactly what the director wanted to see and offering options or ideas that were meant to enhance what he was looking for. Walking away at the end of the day with a great piece of action on film is quite rewarding.

 Did working on location present any new challenges?

We work on location 90% of the time these days. It can be hard on family life.

Since the Fast films have  involved cars, guns, fights, and jumps Which type of stunts do you prefer and which are you least favorite?

I’m a complete car nut and I’m very handy with firearms as well. 95% of what I do is car related.

 What do you have coming up that viewers can look forward to?

I just finished filming “Prisoners” with Jake Gyllenhaal. Denis Villeneuve was the director.  Now we are in the early stages of preparing for “Captain America 2.”

 If you had no restraints what is the one stunt you would love to do?

Actually we are in development of something that has never been done, it’s still pretty early but I will reach out to you once it’s a go – it will be really amazing!

 

We Talk Call of Duty, Playstation 4, and Motion Capture With Marla Rausch, CEO of Animation Vertigo

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Motion capture technology has changed how movies, games, and television shows are created and we got to speak with Marla Rausch, CEO of Animation Vertigo. The company has worked on Call of Duty games as well as Heavy Rain and Much more. We talk about the industry as well as what the pending Playstation 4 may allow.


How did you get into the industry?

Getting into motion capture was quite by accident I was pregnant and waiting for my husband to get done with work at his studio. I watched as he worked on some motion capture data and got curious and asked about it, I got hooked. I learned how to track and clean up motion capture data and when Spectrum Studios and Sony needed trackers, they would hire me as a freelancer.

How has it changed from when you first started out until now?

When I first started, having more than three actors on stage, with finger data and facial data would have been a tough if not impossible thing to do because at that time, the hardware (cameras) weren’t that robust to handle all that marker information. These days, due to the popularity of Avatar and other motion capture movies, full performance capture is possible – facial and body data of more than six actors is possible and the data is pretty stable. This also means however that the workstations need to be stronger though with bigger memory and RAM sizes.

What have been some of your biggest challenges and success stories in your career?

I suppose like every person in business, the start is always a tough time. I think this is more so when dealing with an outsource management company – trying to determine a vendor’s business practices, level of trustworthiness and professionalism is tough when the country you are going to work with is so far away. The biggest challenge I faced was early on in my business, working with a company that supposedly could handle the managing of manpower – the HR, taxes, government requirements, etc. You expect the level of competency and professionalism to be something like you would encounter here at home. But it was a wake-up call that I shouldn’t really assume things like that – contracts could be ignored and completely disregarded, going to court is very different from here, and dealing with conflict is made more difficult being so far away. Unfortunately, I had to fire the entire company in the middle of working on a couple of my clients’ projects and had to cover all that work with a smaller, new group.

Being able to survive the big changes, continue to deliver on time and within the quality standards and re-train people with the pipelines was definitely my success story. We remained strong in the marketplace, our clients’ confidence in us was never affected and our reputation and integrity remained intact. I credit the relationships I’ve built throughout the years with our clients – just being open and honest with them and the hard work and effort the team brought to meet the expectations.

How much time does it usually take to record and capture an actor for a game?

Depending on whether the actor is the main character or not, the shoot usually begins with a breakdown of the motions that will be needed in the game; it could be in-game motions which include navigational motions, or cinematic where the actors act for the game play. Shoot days are booked and depending on the schedules of the actors (especially if the actor was hired specifically for the game), it can be completed in two weeks to staggered shoot days within three to six months, all of which depends on stellar pre-production work. Some pick-up shots might still be needed after the initial shoot days, in case the game team realizes they needed more or wanted to change/add things to their game.

Can you explain the process of how you work with game companies to obtain the footage and what happens to the footage after you record it?

Once the shoot is done, the developers or production houses send us the data from the motion capture stages. We work with Vicon’s motion capture software, Blade, to track and clean up optical data and deliver it either ready for integration into the character or ready for animation.

What are the benefits of motion capture vs animation and is there a big difference in cost?

I think this question can be misleading because truthfully, motion capture animation and keyframe animation works best together. They both help develop realistic and artistic elements in animation. It was an old discussion where these two processes are made to compete against each other, but it is now better understood as working on the strengths of each process that amazing results can be produced.

Motion capture is fast and most especially in bipedal animation, capable of producing realistic motions.

Keyframe animation adds the emotion and artistry in the animation. An example of this is a walk cycle, it would usually take keyframe animators a day to a week depending on the type of walk you are doing; whereas in motion capture, a walk cycle is captured on stage, reconstructed and ready within hours. By capturing the walk cycle through motion capture and applying animation on top of motion capture data, the process can be streamlined and be able to produce great animation.

The cost can been seen in different ways, there are cost savings in terms of hardware purchasing when dealing with keyframe animation as a motion capture stage can run up to several thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars especially if performance capture is required. On the other hand, software and manpower cost gets to be high when talking about traditional keyframe animation. Finding a workable middle ground between both will enable a company to produce great work.


What innovations did you bring to the company and how did you get your work noticed in the early days?

The needs of our clients are simple, speedy work and quality data. We were able to meet these expectations by working 24/6, without sacrificing the home life of our team. I brought trainers to the Philippines who were involved in Hollywood level production and they were able to train the team to identify and recognize the level of quality that is expected as well as the timeframes, which can be challenging, that are demanded. By being able to produce the work our client needs quickly and in the same level of quality as it would have been if it had been done in-house, clients recognized us early and appreciated our services.

Does the studio always provide motion capture actors or do you?

We are actually a post-production motion capture service provider, we don’t have our own motion capture stage, so we don’t provide motion capture actors.

What are some of the games that you have worked on and what do you have upcoming?

We’ve worked on Call of Duty Black Ops 1 & 2, Call of Duty Modern Warfare, Heavy Rain, and a few more titles. Guardians of Middle-Earth is a project that was released lately and we were happy to be a part of this cool game. Unfortunately, we can’t mention what we are currently working on, except to say that they’re all pretty exciting and we’re pretty proud to be working on them!

Is it harder or easier to capture for a game compared to a show or movie?

I think both have their own challenges and can be very similar as well. Some games can use well known celebrities and film is the same – even more so because it’s more actors and their schedules. Depending on the type of motions, both games and film may need to prepare elaborate sets and wire rigs for the shoots. Although I think in terms of time, games have a shorter timeframe to produce and when changes happen mid-project, the pressure is on to still meet the deadline set by the producer or developer. On the other hand, while film has a longer timeframe to produce, the pressure is still pretty intense as there are several factors involved in the development of the film and any changes mid-shoot would probably cost much more than the cost of a game. Bottom-line is, it is really a matter of complexity of the whole project – directors, actors, schedules, sets, stories, etc. that impact how a shoot can go.

What are the biggest challenges in the industry you see going forward?

I think trying to match expectations that people have on games and meeting those while also keeping costs down and budgets reasonable is a big challenge. With the release of Playstation 4 and other consoles which promise better graphic capabilities and other amazing features, it is up to the developers to produce games that will take advantage of these features and provide for the market a game that is beyond what they see today. Trying to do that and stay within budget is a challenge and trying to produce a game that people would be interested in is definitely a bigger challenge.

Lance Broadway Talks About Going From Baseball To “Olympus Has Fallen”

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As part of our March Magazine which you can get at the link below, we have posted a selection of our interview with Lance Broadway.

March Magazine
LANCE BROADWAY, first known as the all-American Major League pitcher for the Chicago White Sox, will be making his big-screen debut in one of 2013’s most-anticipated action thrillers “Olympus Has Fallen.” Directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day).

In this Die Hard meets the White House style drama, a former Secret Service agent works to save the President after he is captured in a terrorist attack. Broadway stars as a secret service agent working directly with Gerard Butler’s character as they scramble to retake the capitol.

What can you tell us about your character in Olympus and what attracted you to the part as well as the casting process?

Agent O’Neil is a young secret service agent who looks up to those ahead of him and is determined to protect the President anyway that he can.

I auditioned for the role out of Dallas before I really knew anything about O’Neil. I only had the sides to go on. At this point in my career, I do not have the luxury to become attracted. It was, “here is your audition, go”.

How did you get into acting from baseball and can you compare and contrast the two?

I fell into acting by accident really. It was the end of the 2010 season and I wanted to learn improv but the class I enrolled in did not start for a few months so I was advised to enter an acting class in hopes that I could gain some confidence performing in front of others. It was a month into that that my teacher told me to get head shots and think about doing this during the off season. I fell in love with it over the next few months and decided I was done with baseball. Plus, my numbers from the previous season were leading me down a future path of unemployment so I thought now is as good a time as any to hang them up. Baseball and acting both require an extreme amount of dedication and hard work. There is too much talent in both careers salivating for the opportunity to bypass any who are not prepared to give it everything they have. In contrast, the one thing that I do miss about baseball is the camaraderie you have with your co-workers. Once on a team, you spend most of your waking hours with guys who you end up developing wonderful relationships with. In acting, you get to develop friendly relations with people but it is only for a short time and once filming wraps everyone sort of goes their own way.

What sort of research did you do for the role and how did it compare and contrast with past roles?

I watched “In the Line of Fire” starring Clint Eastwood. I originally only had a few lines in Olympus but once on set I was blessed with more opportunities with my character. I then made sure to pick the brain of a former secret service agent who was on set to make sure I was following proper protocol. He was invaluable.

What do you look for from a director to help you give your best performance?

What were some of the more memorable moments on set and how was working with the cast?

I loved every minute working on this set. I was blown away with how warm and comforting everyone was. That goes all the way from the crew to the actors. The first day stands out to me most. The first day of shooting was in a small cafe and it was extremely hot and humid. Everyone was sweating profusely and due to weather delays it ended up taking two days to complete the scene. What I remember most was the lack of complaining. Everyone remained positive and determined to finish the scene no matter what the situation was. It was a wonderful learning experience to see veteran actors go about their business in such a professional matter. No surprise they are all so successful.

Final question, what is the one thing about acting that most people are shocked when you tell them?

Quite simply the fact that I am an actor now is what shocks people the most. Most people have known me as a baseball player so to hear that I quit baseball in order to pursue an acting career comes as quite a shock to many of them.

Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 Interview With Rami Malek and Andrea Gabriel

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By Tracey Barrientos

With the Blu-ray release of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II”, Tracey got to speak with Rami Malek and Andrea Gabriel about making the film.


How does it feel to be a part of the saga and what did you do when you found out you had a role in the film?
Andrea: Well I had scene the movies before and I really didn’t know a lot about the last book and so once I got it everyone was like “oh my God, your a part of that coven and oh it’s a huge thing” and people were telling me basically what I was going to be doing in the movie before I even picked up the book. It was really exciting and I was just imagining going to go off to vampire camp for the next couple months of my life and meet a bunch of people I didn’t know before and it was just this chapter I look back on and it was awesome.

Rami: I remember getting the audition and wondering if it was something I really wanted to do and being kind of worried about it because you never know what’s going to happen when your part of a Twilight film. I still don’t know what’s going to happen, but in the end I remember being really excited when I got the phone call that I got the job and that I was going to be a part of film history. Good or bad.

What sort of things did you do to research your characters?
Andrea: I actually didn’t do a lot about it until I got there, the part of the book about the Egyptian coven doesn’t tell you a lot. Once we were on set Stephanie was actually there like every day and I was really intimidated at first but everybody said she was cool and that I should go up to her. Me and Omar who plays my mate came up with a little back story. Once we were on set I went to Stephanie and asked her about it and it turns out they were actually pretty similar. My history was a little more violent then hers though.

Rami: Stephanie was pretty invaluable and so was Bill Condon. We had to do a very early camera test where you come in and they put you in costume and they put you in makeup and they parade you in front of a camera and I got to talk to Bill during that about the character and Stephanie gave us a lot about what she thought was their story and her door was always open. She told me that he would have been a street performer back in the day and I remember in New Orleans I saw this little kid on the street doing magic tricks. I remember thinking that’s what I need, that kind of energy that kind of mischievous thing going on inside. I remember that I just kept giving him money so he would keep showing me tricks. I remember having Renesme’s hand in a scene and I was doing something and it was one of the things I learned from him. I ended up giving him like a hundred dollars and asking him “if you were to create this whirlwind in someones hand, how would you do it” and he showed me.

Did anything get trimmed out of the movie that involved your characters that we didn’t see?

Andrea: As a matter of fact yes. Me and Amun don’t fight as you know we take off and we actually filmed this entire sequence where Amun goes up to Aro and says “we didn’t come to fight we came to witness” and a whole sequence of me deciding if I was going to leave with him or go with the coven. It was a little moment that was wonderful to film. It would have pulled focus though because when you look at it, there is already so much going on.

Is the transition from television to film difficult?

Andrea: I actually enjoy it because even though I wasn’t playing a huge role in this film you just get to focus so much more time on the characters and the story. When you have an episode or two episodes or even a finale your going to be working on that for maybe two to three weeks and you just don’t get the time and you also don’t know what’s coming. With a film you get the entire script and you really feel more like a part of a story with a beginning a middle and an end. In a TV series they don’t even know what’s going to happen or how long it will go for or if it will get canceled and it leaves things open ended which can be a little frustrating for an actor because you don’t know what direction your headed and what your character is anticipating.

Rami: I don’t differentiate you know; acting is acting weather it be on stage, television or in a film I just like it all. Some things may require more subtlety than others and you could do crazy things in a sitcom that you may not be able to do in film but then again it depends on the character.

Out of all the locations in the Twilight films where would you most likely want to visit and why?

Rami: I have to say Rio right off the bat. I would want to go for the beaches and the food and the beautiful people.

Andrea: I’d want to go to Egypt, Italy and France. They had a french coven with two vampires that was not part of the book and was supposed to be in the movie but sadly it was cut.

What has been your strangest reaction with a Twilight fan?

Rami: There has been some blood curdling screams that we get sometimes at huge events like at Comic Con. I also have had to sign a pregnant woman’s belly once and it was kind of odd.

Andrea: For me nothing crazy Twilight related, at the premiere I was with my sister and we were going to the party and I guess because I didn’t have an escort the guy didn’t know I was part of the movie. I told my sister you know don’t worry nobody ever recognizes me but all of a sudden this guy comes up with a bunch of my pictures and then all of these people came up to me with my pictures and it was kind of weird but flattering.

Actor Philip Martin Talks To Us About Working With Al Pacino On Thier New Film Phil Spector

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Rising talent Philiop Martin was kind enough to speak to us about his new film, “Phil Spector”. The movie will debut on HBO and stars starring Al Pacino, Helen Mirren and Jeffrey Tambor.


Photo credit: Richard Wright

What can you tell us about your character and what attracted you to the part as well as the casting process?

I play James Lee, who is a young lawyer on Phil Spector’s defense team. He also Bruce Cutler’s (Jeffery Tambor) protege. What attracted me to this part was undertaking , researching, getting to the meat of what drives a person to chose and dedicated themselves to becoming a Lawyer. I found it fascinating to seeing the exact parallels of becoming a trained actor and the language and the use of it to create perceptive or a strong point of view/ case.

How did you get into acting and what was your big break

I got into acting when I was 16. I was a bit of troublemaker, confused overweight kid looking for some purpose in this world. When I stumbled on to acting the bigger picture of life started to make sense. Most of all, it made hard work, determination and passion have purpose for me. First big break was getting in NYU Tisch School of the Arts. The school give me an understanding, tools and opportunity to learn how to be the best professionally trained actor I can be. Second Big Break (industry wise), HBO’s Phil Spector. I’m very grateful to say that because of my work at NYU and getting the opportunity to show my work to David Mamet I am not able to show my work to the world thanks to “Phil Spector.” A dream come true which I will be forever grateful to David for.

What sort of research did you do for the role and how did it compare and contrast with past roles?

I decided I wanted to really research what drives a human being to defend other human beings. So, I did a few days of shadowing my friends who are lawyers in LA. I took the time to understand the long process of discovery, how 99% of the work is paperwork, and that being specific in aspect of the case is essential to the outcome for your client. The way lawyers speak to one another in a rapid spitfire pace, while having three other arguments loading in their brain ready for launch and the readiness to counter every point the other team present, all while projecting an air of calm, cool and collected persona was something I learned that helped me take on the character of a lawyer as well.

What do you look for from a director to help you give your best performance?

Well, first off the director is the Captain of the ship and as an actor I’m just the sailor who is doing my best to be of service to the Director/writer’s vision. So I ask my self, ” How can I bring my best performance to the director, so he can shape, tweak and adjust my character to fit his vision of the story”. It’s about being of service to others. That’s my goal.

What were some of the more memorable moments on set and how was working with the cast?

Having the opportunity to work such high caliber cast is a dream come true for my first job. As a newcomer, I really learned a lot from Al , Helen and Jeffery. They taught me, through their actions, how to be a professional, support your cast mates and how to dig deep to bring the truth to the screen. I also learned that I had something to very special to offer to the mix.

My most memorable moment was doing my first professional close up with the lovely, gracious and amazing Oscar winner Helen Mirren. It was like I was daydreaming back in school expect I could have never of predicted this. Then, of course I dropped into character and I was dealing with Linda Kinney Baden who came to my territory and is trying to make a fool out of James Lee. Not on my watch. LOL. That’s what’s great about film-making.

If given carte blanche, who would be your ultimate cast and director to work with and in why type of project?

I would love to work with Paul Thomas Anderson and Joaquin Phoenix . PT is one of the best directors out there and should have an Oscar for his work on Boogie Nights, Magnolia, There Will Be Blood or The Master. Joaquin’s work in The Master and Walk The Line inspired me to keep moving forward and I think it would be fun to act with him on screen. Lastly, Robert Downey Jr and Terrance Malick. RDJ has always been someone I look up too and learned from. Malick, he just understands actors, life and the power of cinema.

Do you have a preference to comedy, drama, or action and why?

Drama and Dark Comedy. I love real life and bringing that to screen has always been my motivation. Why? I think the power of cinema to engage an audience and teach a lesson through characters and conflict is important. It is essential to gain a new cultural perceptive that we are connected to and have to ability to have peace within ourselves and the world around.

What can you tell us about your upcoming projects?

Right now, I’m working hard for the next opportunity. I have strong desire to return to stage in New York. Off broadway, Broadway. Also to work with HBO again would be pleasure. I grew up on HBO and their TV shows. To be on Broadwalk Empire, The Newsroom , Girls or Game of Thrones is a goal of mine. Also Film is why I am an actor, the opportunity to work with a great directors again like David Mamet or David O’Russell or the next upcoming Sundance star director would be a dream. Really finding those artists you flow with and love to create with is what make this tough journey of story telling worth it.

What do you like to do in your free time and which movies are on your to watch list?

I love to surf, cross fit, play basketball and help others. Spiritual work always keeps me grounded. On my watch list right now, two films this month are Spring Breakers and a Place beyond the Pines. Harmony Korine is one of the most engaging voices in current modern cinema and his films always seem to have the pulse of my generation. Ryan Gosling, is one of the best actors of this current generation and to watch his raw, organic and truthful performance inspires actors like myself to dig deep. Combined with director Derek Cianfrance’s unique vision and direction makes The Place beyond the Pines is a must for any artist.

Final question, what is the one thing about acting that most people are shocked when you tell them?

It takes 10 years of hard work , persistence, passion and faith…. atleast, that is my experience.


Photo credit: Richard Wright

We Talk Thor: The Dark World and More With Adwale Akinuoye

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By Christopher Daniels

***Special note from the interviewer: The audio didn’t turn out as well as we had hoped, and some statements were omitted due to lack of proper recorded sound volume to hear what Adwale was saying. Rather than guess, some sentences were just left out. Our apologies to our fans, and also to Adwale, as he was a great person to talk to, and we hope that we, as accurately as possible, captured the essence of his feelings on these films! As a result, we have also included links to the original audio files.

SKNR: I’m here with Adwale who has major parts in three upcoming films, Thor: The Dark World, Bullet to the Head (which I’m really excited about), and The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete. So lets start with Bullet to the Head. Adwale, please tell us about your character, and also how you got involved with that particular film.

Adwale : It was a process like any other, I read for it, the director responded, and thats how I got the part. The character I play is slightly different than what people have seen me play, in that he is less physically involved in the action, and uses more brain. But never-the-less he is extremely ruthless. He is a character that originated from Africa, moved to the states, to exploit the post-Katrina situation. He is extremely sophisticated and has this very polished veneer. He is a very political and ruthless man who deploys his henchmen to execute his orders. He is a cripple, but he does not let that, in any way, shape or form, impair him, In fact he uses that to prove that he is more able than a normal individual. So he is a slick guy, but he is definitely ruthless.

SKNR: It sure sounds that way! Let me ask you a more on the point question. Often times, actors go through great pains to no only prepare for the role, but also in the actual filming. Can you tell me about one particular instance where during the filming, where it was challenging, in a good way, that made you say “this is a good hard-day’s work today”.

Adwale: Yea I mean we were shooting in New Orleans, and the challenges first of all is that the character has an accent, and he is crippled, walking around with a cane on top of that. Then we were shooting in a hundred degrees, and after every scene, and sometimes every take, I’d have to change my shirt, And so all of those three layers made for a real challenge to actually perform, but ya know I used them to perform, and thats when you knew what you were gettin paid for. It was a hard day’s work, and you wanted to get on with it. But I think the heat was the biggest challenge; it was just no joke. I was sweatin so bad that after every take I either had to change the shirt, or go off and blow dry it, and but it back on. It was a real challenge, and ya know, walking around with a cane. But ya know its just part of the job.

SKNR: What are you most excited about, as it relates to bullet to the head?

Adwale: I think ya know, just being the audience reaction. Because, I think [the movie is] a very interesting animal, in that its a throw back, but its contemporary, and I think the combination of the subject and Walter Hill, who is legendary in his own right. I think that what we have here is a vehicle that pays homage to the old school genre, but is also has the hard-hitting reaction. And I think what your getting is, picture the character, which quite hard to pull off in that genre, so I’m really looking forward to the audience reaction, but I think they’re going to enjoy it. Bullet to the head is stylish, but also makes fun of itself.

SKNR: Lets move on to The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete. Tell me about your character and also what you really liked about the script that drew you in.

Adwale: I mean you know its really about a relationship. Its a gritty coming-of-age story. What I love about the story is that it focuses on two children trying to survive in New York with out family, during a hot New York summer, and what they have to go through, and how they bond, and learn to support each other. And the characters they come across in their journey is where I come in. I play a law enforcement officer, Officer Pike. He is really bent on taking stray kids off the street and putting them in homes for their own good. Now he is extremely ruthless in the pursuit of his job, but he feels that the means are justified in a well-intentioned end. So without giving away the plot, ya know, hes just on the job, and he wants the kids off the street. I think this film is going to be really nostalgic for some americans and the people of New York. Its going to pull on the heart-strings. When you see these kids, you can not help but feel for them.

SKNR: In my mind, any time we are going to have a film that draws that kind of attention, it can, in addition to entertain, it can also educate that this kind of stuff is actually going on, and I’d imagine that is what you are saying is the message of the film.

Adwale: Yea, I mean it happens, and its real. The great thing about this project is that I’ve covered the spectrum, from him impact action Marvel to real low-budget-coming-of-age. It goes from the surreal world of Asgard, from Marvel, to the ghetto, and I just love that. Not only the main characters, but also the message. People will be able to relate to [this film] because its home, and its the truth of whats happening today, but most of all I think, that what you’ll get out of it is the friendship, and how thats the main main message of the movie.

SKNR: One last question – I was looking at your filmography history, and 2013 marks 20 years, 2 decades, of film making. As you look back on two decades of entertainment and story telling, What do you reflect on? What are you happy and/or disappointed about?

Adwale: Well, first of all, its that I’ve made it this far, and I’m still going strong. And its clear now that my career is blossoming into something that justifies my talent. I mean in two decades I’ve seen a range of difficulties, and different characters. But I’m really happy, like I said, because it can be a huge pit fall to be in only independent films. So that, upon reflection, I’m really happy about. That my career is getting stronger. I’m happy for looking back, at the huge fortune to have stepped on the path of certain shows that are so iconic. I’ve had the opportunity to be apart of some real iconic shows that have survived, and even some movies that have real identity. Ya know, in a career like this, your lucky to get one, but to then have a handful of projects that people revere, and will remember for a long time. Its trippy, and its an honor to be apart of those. And I just think that, looking back, the choice I made to come away form my old profession into acting {laughs} is the right direction I’m headed for writing and developing material, and pushing things forward with the acting. I’m kinda happy with the new direction that I’m headed. Regrets? No I think I don’t have any real regrets. I may have made some difficult decisions, but I think I played it…. I think I played it good, man.

SKNR: Thank you for your time, and I wish you the best for 2013!


Link to Part 1 of the Audio Interview


Link to Part 2 of the Audio Interview

The Marine 3 Interview and Contest With The Miz & Ashley Bell

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Liz and Antonio were at the Wizard world Convention in Portland last weekned and got to speak with WWE Superstar Mike “The Miz” Mizanin and actress Ashley Bell. In our two part interview, Liz and Antonio cover the upcoming movie “The Marine 3″ and so much more. As a Bonus offer, we have a Blu-ray copy of the movie up for grabs. How do you enter? Simply send us an e-mailwith the answer to the question in the press release below….


Marine3_BD_Spine

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and WWE Studios unveil a brand new chapter in one of the most action-packed film franchises of all time with The Marine 3: Homefront. The third installment starring WWE Superstar, Mike 'The Miz' Mizanin and rising star Ashley Bell (The Last Exorcism Part II), throws down on Blu-ray and DVD on March 5.

WWE superstar Mike 'The Miz' Mizanin delivers a knock-out performance in the most explosive, action-packed Marine adventure yet. After returning to his hometown on leave, Sgt. Jake Carter learns that his sister has been abducted by a band of violent extremists. To save her, Carter launches a daring one-man assault on their base of operations only to discover the group's ruthless leader is plotting a deadly terrorist strike. With time running out, Carter realizes he's the only man who can stop the impending massacre − but this American hero may have to make the ultimate sacrifice to save thousands of innocent lives.

A must-have for fans of war films, action movies and the WWE, The Marine 3: Homefront is a thrilling drama of explosive proportions.

The Marine 3: Homefront special features include:

• Shipwrecked: Breaking Down the Boat
• The Miz Rocks the Boat
• The Miz Declassified
• Casting Call: Ready to Enlist
• Miz Journal

Follow Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on Twitter @FoxHomeEnt

In order to win your very own copy of The Marine 3: Homefront on Blu-ray, simply answer the following question:

Which wrestler is the male lead in The Marine 3: Homefront?

• The Rock
• The Miz
• The Great Khali
• The Undertaker
• Jack Swagger


The Interviews are below, click the links and they will take you to the player so you can listen and enjoy.

Interview Part 1


Interview Part 2

Actress Ashley Bell Talks To Us About The Last Exorcism: Part II

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During The wizard world Comicon In Portland Liz Putney spoke with Actress Ashley Bell abouot her upcoming movie “The Last Exorcism Part II”. The movie opens this Friday and you can read what the talented actress has to say below.

Liz: Can you tell us about your character, for those who have not seen the first film?

Ashley Bell: Part 2 can be a standalone film, which is one of the things I think is really awesome about it. I play Nell Sweetzer, who is a very sheltered character. She comes from a strict religious background (no music, no makeup) and she hasn’t really left the home where she grew up- and she is possessed by a true devil. Part 2 begins where Part 1 left off. We’re seeing Nell raw; she’s shell-shocked and doesn’t remember what happened to her. She’s thrown into New Orleans and Mardi Gras, where there’s temptation everywhere. And she has to choose between good and evil.

Liz: What kind of research did you do for your role?

Ashley Bell: Physically, I did take a lot of ballet to prep for it. If you take a dance class to prepare for doing your own stunts, you are less likely to get hurt. Unless you just break in two (in the panel she discussed how she fractured her lower back during a backbend stunt in the movie). The ballet also helped with that levitating backbend I did. Nell’s been through a traumatic event- she’s anxiety riddled so I also did a lot of ballet because I wanted that very gaunt look that she had.
I love doing research because it allows me to tie into another character. I read every single book on exorcism that I could find. I watched exorcism videos. I listened to a lot of audio, because some of those rooms were too dangerous to bring in a video camera or the footage would get messed up or the equipment wouldn’t record. I talked with a lot of people about the religious part of it. They would begin to talk about an exorcism and then stop because they were so scared it would come back or whatever room they saw someone become possessed in they wouldn’t return there. That religious fear is so real and that was what Nell was raised in so I need to be true to that.

Liz: What is different about working on a horror set versus other genres?

Ashley Bell: The amount of blood! (laughs)

Liz: What was the most memorable part of the film for you?

Ashley Bell: Definitely that levitating backbend. That alone a full day. I taught myself how to levitate (laughs). In doing that backbend there was a whole stunt team on set. They said I could do it 8 times and I think I did it about 20 times. Each time something more and more got added to it and Ed (the director) was kind of conducting it like a swell of a musical piece. It was incredible and at the end of the day I got to say “I flew! That’s what I did for my job today.”

Liz: What kind of direction does the director give you for scenes like that? What sort of things does he say?

Ashley Bell: I saw the film for the first time a couple of weeks ago and I scared myself! I gave myself nightmares! I was jumping! It’s PG-13 so it very much has that fun scare and I actually saw it with a bunch of girls. We were all jumping onto each other and they were grabbing each other- but loving getting scared. In watching it, what was scary is the sounds and the music. So many of those scenes are me and Ed (the director) is talking off camera, leading me through what’s going to be added in during post. So what kind of noises are going to be happening or what music is going to be playing or if something tips over suddenly. Many times I’ve had to react to tape on the wall. They are like “This wall is going to come at you.” and I’m like “Ok? Cool!” So then to actually see it happen on screen I’m like “Oh my god! That’s horrifying!”
Liz: Reacting to something that’s not really there must be really challenging.

Ashley Bell: That’s why I’m so grateful for my training at NYU and Cambridge and the Groundlings for improv training. Having that in my background is so helpful.

Liz: What was it like working with Eli Roth?

Ashley Bell: Incredible! Eli is a master of horror. He’s a horror magician! I think what’s so impressive about him is that he knows the genre so well and he’s so versed. Like a painter, he knows all the rules and then he can break them- and break them in a cool way. He can completely innovate and find something that hasn’t been seen before and that’s the whole love story with the devil in this film.

Liz: What was the most challenging part of being in this film?

Ashley Bell: I always say that the most challenging part of a film is after they yell “cut” at the end of that last scene. For me working is like a vacation and it’s the time in between that’s challenging as an actor. Being on set is just awesome.

Liz: Do you like watching horror movies?

Ashley Bell: I love horror movies! My summers were spent watching horror movies with my dad. Like Suspiria, Pumpkin Head, Poltergeist, Aliens, and Predator. I love those movies!

Liz: How did working on this film differ from working on the first one?

Ashley Bell: That would be working with the camera. This film was not found footage which was a tremendous shock to people. I think it’s telling for the shocks that the audience will see when they see this one and the turn at the end that’s trademark Eli Roth. For the first one the camera was a character- you could play to the camera to hint at something or intentionally tell a lie, or be quiet too long or share a smile with the camera that wouldn’t be caught by anyone else. That
was fun to break the 4th wall and break the rules we’re taught as actors to forget that there are hundreds of people watching you- to be intimate and personal.

Liz: What is one thing about acting in horror movies that surprises people when you tell them?

Ashley Bell: It’s where the whole horror genre is right now. What was so great about part one was the characters and the great story. That’s what made Nell such a compelling character. When I first read her I was like “I will do whatever I need to do to get this role!”. It’s an experimental genre now and it’s really gone above and beyond because it keeps on surpassing itself. It forces you so far outside of your comfort zone as an actress both mentally and physically. They compete against each other so much to be groundbreaking. When you are that far out of your zone- that’s really where the fun happens for both the audience and the actors.

Liz: What other project do you have going on that we can look forward to?

Ashley Bell: “The Marine 3” which is out March 5th on DVD is a straight action, cars blowing up, Mike (The Miz) is going through windows and I’m going through windows (with no glass so I don’t get hurt). I also have a romantic comedy called “The Bounceback” and a romantic epic called “Chasing Shakespeare” coming out on South by Southwest. My movie “Sparks” based on the graphic comic which will be premiering at the Cinequest Film Festival.

Liz: In your panel, you discussed your chance to be on the other side of the camera when you filmed your documentary. Can you tell us a little bit more about that experience?

Ashley Bell: A very close friend of mine runs the Cambodian Wildlife Sanctuary. They’ve been trying to rescue elephants to bring there for over 10 years. When I finally got the email that they succeeded I said

“This has to be filmed because the story is so exquisite.” I’m working with Change for Balance productions to film it. We were there in January filming and it’s called “Love and Bananas”. There’s a hard fast rule that no bullhooks are used on the sanctuary, but you can guide an elephant with love and bananas.

Liz: Did you get to be around elephants?

Ashley Bell: Yes two! If you check out loveandbananas.com it talks about the issues and our goal for this documentary. Also there’s a trailer there and a bunch of photos of me with the elephants.

Author Isaac Marion Talks Warm Bodies and Confirms Prequel Plans

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Tracey sat down with author Isaac Marion who is the author of Warm Bodies. With the film of his book out and doing well, Tracey took in our questions and Isaac was kind enough to share his thoughts.

By Tracey Barrientos

Within the last six years, Zombies have become a huge pop culture craze. Why do you think that is?

I don’t know honestly, people ask me that a lot and I don’t really have a theory on it. The things that interest me are not the same as what most people respond to because what I find interesting is about the zombies themselves and what they are and kind of how they work and what they would think about. That is what has always interested me while watching zombie movies but that is never what is explored.They are usually used as props for people to shoot at. With that kind of thing I don’t really know what it is that people get so excited about. It might often be that zombies go hand in hand with the Apocalypse and that is sort of another big interest. People want to see society wiped out which is sort of a common fantasy. I know I used to think about it as a kid what it would be like if it was just me and my buddies if the world was wiped out and we could do whatever we want and write our own rules. So that intrigued me about it and that may be part of the public appeal.

What is your take on the fast moving vs slow moving zombie debate

I am not sure why that is as big of a deal as it is to people. I definitely understand why their doing that because it is much harder to make something scary if you can outrun it. The original zombie movies had to go through much more complicated lengths to make sure it was a threat because if something cant run, you would have to get trapped by it and it’s hard to make that work without the characters being really stupid and getting themselves trapped. So it requires much more creativity to pull that off. Creativity is not really in plentiful supply in Hollywood these days so it sort of makes sense that they go towards fast zombies. It is an easy way for thrills which I think is a different approach to the idea.

Do you think the genre is in danger of being over saturated with so many zombie projects out and currently in the making?

Yes most definitely, I think it was over saturated a long time ago. I didn’t write this to be an addition to it. It’s not a spoof but a deconstruction of the whole idea. I wasn’t trying to add the latest zombie thriller to the genre. It was more like a response to how saturated it was already. It was such a pop cultural element I was like, I want to use this to turn it inside out as a vehicle to explore different ideas.

Out of all the new shows, films or games out there, what is your favorite and why?

I don’t really play video games anymore. It’s hard for me to pick a favorite. My interest in the genre is probably between 28 Days Later and Shawn of the Dead They are both from opposite sides of the spectrum. The idea can be really fun and comedic but it can also be genuinely heavy and dark and both of those films do those things. Where I explored it was in the middle where I tried to have it both ways. There is comedy but also moments where it’s intense and dark.

With any book turned movie changes are always made. Are you happy with how close to you think they stuck to the book?

The plot is pretty much the same, however the ending is a little different as far as how it gets there and where is ends up. The storyline is pretty close and the deviations are more in the town of it. It skewes more towards comedy and doesn’t have quite as much heavy going on. Considering in what happens in adaptations how difficult it would have been to actually pull off that duality with the really heavy stuff with the light hearted stuff. It’s hard enough to do it in a novel where you have all the space you want to make those transitions. Given all of that stuff, its is pretty close and is about 80% there.

Are you happy with the cast that was chosen to portray your characters?

Yes! Especially Nicholas Holt. Both of the leads nailed it but Nicholas was just great. His character was the one I was most worried about. It’s such a difficult role to pull off because he doesn’t really speak and he has to deliver these awkward halted lines without sounding like somebody just impersonating a zombie.

Do you have any plans to continue the story with a sequel?

I just finished writing a prequel which is sort of like a novella of about 150 pages that will sort of be an interlude between this and an actual sequel which is what I am working on now and that will be the conclusion of it. Then I plan to move on to some non Zombie things.

Skewed & Reviewed would like to thank Isaac Marion for the participation in this interview.



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Madison Moellers Talks About Showtime’s Shameless and Her Career

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We recently spoke with Madison Moellers who appears on the new Showtime show Shameless. We talk about her career and what is to come from this rising talent.

What can you tell us about your character and what attracted you to the part?

Molly is a very crazy, crazy girl but he doesn’t come off that way first. One word I can use to describe is a “cat. I’ll tell you why. Because when you first meet a cat, they’re extremely shy and distant, but then once they get to know you, they are all out. What attracted me to the part it’s extremely outside of the box, and I love those kind of roles.

What sort of research did you do for the role and did you have any real life inspirations?

Ohhh, I can’t tell you that or I’ll give away the role. But I can tell you that I have some hilarious stories about my research. There is one inspiration but again, I can’t say it. Love to talk to you after it comes out. :)

How would you compare/contrast working on television with movies and which do you prefer and why?

I haven’t worked on any feature film sets YET but with the shorts I’ve been on and one won at Cannes I can say that the difference is with a tv show you get to know everyone a lot better and it’s a longer period of time. With a short film, it’s the opposite of that.

What did they do on set to keep everyone tense and lighten the mood? I bet there were some great jokes played.

Some of the actors on set do isolate themselves before a very intense scene. Not too many funny jokes from that – sorry (evil laugh). We kids played pranks all the time on the set with the others.

Who would be your ultimate cast and director to work with and in why type of project?

Ohhh, I’m staring at my hands – blood, blood. You’re trying to get some blood on my hands. It’s hard to pick favorites but I would love to work again with Patrick Warburton again, and Emmy Rossum.

I would LOVE to work with Kathryn Bigelow. Love, Love. Jodie Foster is my mentor. I would die to work with her. But not literally because then I wouldn’t be able to work with her if I was dead. Sitcom would be awesome although I’d love to do feature film.

What do you like to do in your free time and which movies are on your to watch list?

I recently learned to ski and I love my cats who are at home in Estes Park, Colorado, so here I like to volunteer Star Paws Rescue on Sundays to help homeless dogs get homes. I dance and sing a lot even in the car…… Ugh. Some of the movies I want to see are R but let me give them to you anyway. IDENTIFY THIEF, BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD, FRUITVALE, THE BLING RING, ELECTRICK CHILDREN, ZERO DARK THIRTY. My mom let me watch SILVER LININGS while she edited out a few moments. It’s so sad they’re R when it could have been PG-13 and just said “very strong language”. It did not deserve an R when it was just lots of language.

What type of video games do you like and what are you looking forward to?

MOSHI MONSTERS, JUST DANCE, and MINE CRAFT. I’m looking forward to having my own room and own bathroom.

What do you look for from a director to help you give your best performance and what type of characters do you tend to be drawn to?

The directors normally go through the scene with whoever is in it and give you little pointers. Most directors should do that. I believe a director will tell you what he wants if you’re not giving it to her (or him). Outside of the box characters are my fave.
When you consider a script or a potential TV or film project, what elements tend to draw you in and make you want to work on that film?
The people who are in it, the main plot, what type of project is it (comedy, drama, etc.) and the way it’s written. I’ve noticed it’s easier to remember the lines when they actually know how kids talk.

What can you tell us about your upcoming projects?

I’m coming out in SHAMELESS and MISTRESSES along with some voice work on MONSTERS UNIVERSITY, PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS, and I have Sue Naegle whose the President of HBO Entertainment posting on my Influential Women of Hollywood blog this weekend.

Final question, what is the one thing about acting that most people are shocked when you tell them

How rich most of the parents are. Meanwhile, me and my mom are living in an 8 x 10 room together. Seriously, I’m not over-exaggerating. Most people think the best thing about acting is getting to be someone else, but I think that it’s not so much becoming someone else as finding a new part of yourself. Everyone has a little shy, everyone has a little cheerleader and everyone has a little psychopath….but most of the time you shouldn’t show that part (laugh).



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Wildman Interview With Chris Taylor of Gas Powered Games

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Recently I spoke with Chris Taylor of Gas Powered Games about their new game Wildman which is being funded via Kickstarter, Chris was kind enough to speak to us about the game as well as using Kickstarter for funding the game.

What can you tell us about the game’s background and setting?

Chris Taylor – The game covers a huge expanse of time, from the dawn of man, about 200,000 years ago until medieval times. The idea is we follow the technological evolution of mankind, and put a focus on empire building around a single character, your Wildman.

What was behind the decision to use Kickstarter and what are the pros and cons of using it versus conventional development?

CT – We are a PC Game developer at heart, and over time we found it was harder and harder to find publishers will to invest in medium sized PC games. It was a huge gamble to go with Kickstarter to fund the game, but we weighed that against the challenge of finding a traditional publisher, which can take 3-6 months to sign a deal (more time than we had on the clock)..

Can you tell the readers an overview of how a game goes from concept to reality at a company and then how it works on Kickstarter?

CT – With the Kickstarter campaign, you bring the “backers” into the process, sharing the details of the design and production from day 1. It’s a very different approach, and it relies on openness and honesty at every level. The idea that backers get to see the game being made, practically right in front of their eyes, and can not only watch, but participate in the process helping to make important design decisions.

What would you say are the main reasons people chose to support a game via kickstarter and do you see it becoming more of the norm in the future?

CT – The design is manifold, but all things considered the entire package of using crowd funding offered many advantages, from the financing to the development process, and becoming more closely integrated with the customer… and cutting out all the folks in between which can often be distracting and confusing to the creative process.

What can you tell us about the character classes in the game and their abilities?

CT – We wanted the game to follow the model that we like, which I call a “Skill based class system”. This means that the Wildman starts out with no particular skills, and by having the player utilize a particular weapon or spell, becomes more adept in that area. It could be Melee, Ranged, Spirituality or Leadership to name a few of the top ideas that I’m working on right now.

What type of multiplayer will the game offer?

CT – The first release of the game will only feature COOP MP mode, and later, if the game is well received, we hope to add a PvP mode as well… but it’s worth emphasizing that we want to really deliver on the single player game experience first and foremost.


What can you tell us about the gaming engine you are using?

CT – We are using an evolved version of our popular streaming world engine. This engine is very flexible and allows any size and shape of world, and allows us to design an overland experience, which seamlessly transitions into dungeons… all the things that made Dungeon Siege a success like the spiral staircases and multi-floored towers are possible.

Compare and contrast the game to Dungeon Siege please and what new features will it bring to the genre?

CT – I think there will be a familiar feeling to those who enjoyed Dungeon Siege, but the game at its heart is new and different, especially in theme and gameplay. WIldman is focused around the technology evolution of man, and around the idea that once this technology is discovered, the player gets to try using it on the battlefield by equipping an army with the new weapon, armor or other technological advancements. We are really working to elevate Action RPG to the next level by introducing some of the best aspects of RTS gameplay in what we call, the war zone.

What can you tell us about the leveling system in the game and the size of the gaming world?

CT – We are aiming for between 20 and 40 hours of gameplay, and during that time the Wildman (or Wildwoman) will level up according to the player’s choices and play style. We imagine that in a single play through the character will become fairly advanced in a single area, and have captured about 30-40 percent of the available technology in the world, and that upon multiple play-throughs, this will increase and approach 100 percent. What’s cool about Wildman is that we are releasing the development tools so that backers can create mods and release their own worlds as well.

Will the game feature co-op is so how many players?

CT – Yes, COOP MP will allow for up to 5v5 games, and all combinations in between.

What can you tell us about the music and voice work in game?

CT – The incredibly talented Jeremy Soule will be composing the music, and we will use local Seattle voice talent for the in-game characters.

How will weather be incorporated in game and what can you tell us about the A.I. in game?

CT – Weather is supported in the game engine, rain and snow are two of the prominent forms, as well as the potential for day and night cycles. Our goal is to create the most compelling enemy AI every experienced in a game of this kind… making the player feel as if they are playing against a very real and capable opponent.

If funding is reached, when do you expect the game to be completed?

CT – With the already completed set of development tools, our goal is to deliver the game in under a year, targeting March 2014 as a completion date.


Learn more about how you can support Wildman Here



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We Talk G.I. Joe: Retaiation, The Smurfs 2, and Iceman With Special Effects Makeup With The Legendary Todd Tucker

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Even with CGI being all the rage in movies, the skills of a makeup artists are essentioal. Todd Tucker is a legend in the industry and he was kind enough to speak to us about his work.

How did you get your start in the business and what was your first big break?

I was an only child who spent every weekend at the movies. As a teen I started learning how to sculpt, mold, fabricate and paint my own masks, puppets and prosthetic make ups. I put together a portfolio of my best work, then moved to Los Angeles and started working professionally. My first big movie credit was Steven Spielberg’s Hook.

What type of prep do you do for each film and how much advance work goes into each creation?

Every time Illusion Industries starts on a new film I include the two key artists of our creative team, Martin Astles, Joe Colwell, and we always research as much information and visuals as we can find that relates to the project. It gives us a starting point for creating the designs of the creatures or characters that are in the script.

How has the digital age affected your work?

Computer Graphics has defiantly taken over a lot of what use to be practical effects. Because of my involvement on The Passion Of The Christ, I was educated in how to combine practical fx with C.G. enhancement to get an amazing finished result. I now often interact with the digital company on a feature film, to come up with ideas that help bridge the gap for the effects.

When you are first given a script, can you walk us through how the creation process happens?

When we get a script for a project the first thing we do is read it and do a breakdown of what the makeup effects are needed. We then do a budget to present to the production company. Once selected for the project, we have in-depth talks with the director to understand their vision or the final looks so we can create designs in that realm . Once the designs are approved we bring in, or even go to the actors to do head, body and teeth casts as needed. We then sculpt, mold and fabricate the finished make up prosthetics and then, usually with a team, I go on set and apply the make ups for the run of the filming.

How do you manage egos in your line of work as it must be so hard to put so much effort into creating something and have a Director or Producer shoot down your idea?

When it comes to designing a creature or character for a production, we always listen to the director’s and sometimes the producer’ vision so we can present them with different design options, usually ones they hadn’t thought of. Of course you sometimes deal with egos but they soon learn that we are there as part of the team, working with them and production to give them the best possible results. It makes the creative process exciting and inspiring for them as well as us.

How would you compare and contrast working on film to that of television?

The main difference between working on a film as opposed to television is time and money. Television budgets are small and the turn around time is very fast. On a feature film we usually get between 1 to 3 months for the build. With television we usually get between 2 to 10 days for the build. The trick is knowing how to cut the right corners so you don’t lose the quality of the finished product.

Who were you idols growing up and when you started out and whose work do you admire in your industry?

As a special effect make up artist, my idols were my two mentors Matt Rose and Steve Wang. Both are friends of mine who helped train me and got me my started in the industry.
As a film maker my idols were Steven Spielberg, Jim Henson and George Lucas. I really enjoyed movies that took you to another world.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

My inspiration comes from an over active imagination and my obsession for the cinema. I completely amerce myself into the story and journey of a good movie, then to be involved in the creative process of a production and see the finished product is my ultimate rush.

What were your biggest challenges on a film?

One of the biggest challenges on current films is creating make ups that are flawless when they are being shot with the new ultra High Definition digital cameras. The new cameras are like a magnifying glass that sees everything. It is more important than ever that the sculpted appliances, make up application, and coloring is absolutely perfect.

What can you tell us about your work in Iceman, G.I. Joe: Retaliation and The Smurfs and the challenges they presented?

For the film The Iceman, we created period looks for some of the actors along with the trauma and blood gags. I saw the film at the Toronto Film Festival ant it was intense. The performances were great and the over all film was really well made.

On G.I.Joe Retaliation, we did a number of different types of make up effects. I can’t go into any details until the film comes out, but I can tell you that it’s gonna be a fun ride and the action scenes are amazing. The cast and director Jon Chu did a great job and the fans are going to enjoy it.
With the Smurfs 2, we re-visited the Gargamel makeup for on Hank Azaria. We used a combination of prosthetics , hair pieces and dentures to help transform Hank into the hilarious bad guy. Hank, director Raja Gosnell, and the other cast and production team at Sony are a pleasure to work with.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Any free time I get I try to spend with my family. I am often asked to work on location for months at a time, so family time becomes very valuable.

What do you have upcoming that we can look forward to beyond what was mentioned?

My business partner Ron Halvas and I also have an in-house production division here at Illusion Industries and we recently produced and I directed a film called Monster Mutt that just premiered on Direct TV, iTunes and Vudo. The DVD can be purchased at Wal-mart. com, Target.com and Amazon.com. Monster Mutt is a PG family comedy made for kids 5-10. We are currently in pre-production on two new in house projects. One is a PG 13 supernatural creature film and the other is a PG 13 dark fantasy film.
See pictures and video of some of our work at Illusion INdustries

We Tallk The Elder Scrolls Online with Paul Sage

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We recently spoke with ZeniMax Online Studio’s creative director, Paul Sage about the hottly anticipated Elder Scrolls Online. Paul was kind enough to tell us what he could about the game but some of our questions had to remain in secret until a later date.


Check out the latest issue of our new magazine at Barnes and Noble Here for the Nook, Tablets, and Smartphones.
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What is the background and setting for the game please?

The game is set in the Second Era before the rise of the Septim Dynasty almost 1000 years before the events in Skyrim. The old Empire is in disarray, and recently three powerful Alliances of nations have risen up on the continent of Tamriel. As each of these Alliances gathers for war against the others, they are almost oblivious to the fact that a dark pact between a Daedric prince and the rulers of the crumbling Empire threatens the world.

What are some of the player types and their abilities?

Players will have access to many different skills and abilities. What they choose to become an expert in is really up to them. Players can choose to become experts in certain weapons such as two-handed weapons, they can become experts in the art of healing, or they might choose to concentrate more on things which enhance their skill in armor. As they gain new abilities or skills, players will add abilities to their shortcut bar. How they fill this bar, really defines how they want to play right now, or their role.

For example, some players might choose to fill their bar with healing abilities, and they might choose to equip a healing staff. So the role they have chosen is one of healing and support. However, that same player might, on a different day, choose to go for more defensive abilities. The longer you play The Elder Scrolls Online, the broader in scope what your character can do becomes.

How will player customizations be handled?

Players will have a ton of ways to customize their character, some of which I touched on in the question regarding player types. From the very beginning players will choose which alliance they wish to become a part of, which race they are, what they look like, and what skills they wish to start with. As players gain experience in the game, they will choose to add to their health, magicka or stamina, and they will choose which abilities they acquire.

Then there are the other ways they will customize their character: which armor, which weapons and which clothing they will wear. They’ll also make choices in quests and other important situations that will further differentiate their experience from that of other players.

What will the in game economy be like?

What we hope it will be like is players will have to work hard to get the gear they really want, but will feel rewarded every time they do. Obviously having a huge economy, especially in the megaserver environment is going to be a challenge, but we are looking to make sure players never feel poor, but few should ever feel rich. Players should have enough items and in game money to play how they want.

Combat is key to the series so what can you tell us about the combat and casting system in the game?

I really feel players are in for a treat with our combat. You don’t have to hold down a button on your mouse to look around, you just move your mouse. By default, the primary weapon attack is on the left mouse button, and the longer that button is held down, the harder the attack. Right mouse button blocks and abilities are fired off using the 1-6 keys on the keyboard. We kept the controls simple because what is happening in the game world should be more interesting than what is happening in the UI.

Our combat has a visceral feel to it; you’re looking into the world and you’re reacting to what is going on there. Players are going to feel much more in control of their character. Put simply, if someone played Skyrim or Oblivion, they’re going to be able to get right into our game and play.

What game engine are you using for the game and what are some of the features it allows you to include that are new to the genre?

Our engineering team has worked diligently on our toolset. Players are going to see a large variety of quest content in the game. There will be quests that really are different from what people have played before in MMOs. Our design team has been able to put these quests together fairly quickly given the scope of the quests. The toolset has enabled us to do that.

Also, I’ve shown the game to a lot of different people over the last couple of months. I have not had one person who hasn’t said something about the game being beautiful or pretty. That is a credit to both our art team and our tech team. When you consider that you can also get 200 players on the screen at once and it runs on PCs or MACs that are five years old, then I think you understand why the team is pretty happy with our engineers.

There is also our megaserver tech, our highly reactive combat, our customizability, etc.

What have been the biggest challenges in creating the game and the biggest rewards?

I’d say making sure a service is up and running alongside the game is probably the biggest challenge. You have to have a huge IT effort, customer service team effort, as well as just making the game. You also have to make sure those things are seamless for the player. Players just want to play the game, they don’t care about all those other things unless they aren’t working.

One challenge on the game side has to be making three completely different alliances, each with a completely unique experience. Also challenging is taking something that people really love, like Elder Scrolls, and crafting the right amount of familiarity for fans of the series, while making sure it is still fun in a huge online multiplayer setting.

Tell us about the mass combat abilities of the game and how day/night combat will work please as what we saw at E3 last year looked amazing.

You might be referring to what we call ‘synergy’ abilities. Those abilities are special abilities where one player casts it, and another player can augment it. The system is incredibly simple and is not meant to be a timing puzzle. As long as the player is aware of what is going on around him or her, then it is as easy as walking into a specific area and pressing a key. Again, we want to encourage people to cooperate and have fun playing together.

There is a day/night cycle, but we aren’t commenting on how or if that would affect combat at this time.

Will the game have a branching storyline as it appeared at the E3 preview that players could chose quests and side missions that would alter the look of the landscape and gaming universe.

Players will be able to make a lot of choices in the game. A branching storyline would seem to imply there is only one, and so I want to be careful and say that there are lots of different storylines and many have choices that affect the outcome of that storyline as well as the player’s experience throughout the rest of the game.

Director Vlad Yudin Talks Generation Iron and Bringing The Graphic Novel HeadSmash To The Big Screen

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Vlad Yudin is a very busy man. He is currently completing “Generation Iron” which is a remake/update of the classic “Pumping Iron”, and he is also working to being the graphic novel HeadSmash to the big screen. Those are but two of his many projects, and Vlad was kind enough to take some time to speak with us about his work.

What can you tell us about the film and what attracted you to create it?

In ‘Generation Iron’ we explore the world of professional bodybuilding. Most of us don’t know much about it, even though the sport grew tremendously in the late 70’s with the rise of Arnold and of course the Pumping Iron film. It’s hard to explain what bodybuilding is. It’s a combination of sport, art and science… Bodybuilders are very complex characters and I wanted to explore them in detail and understand the movement.

What sort of research did you do for the film and how does it compare and contrast with the original?

I did a lot of research for this film. I read a lot about the sport, its history and had long conversations with the filmmakers of the original Pumping Iron, about their experience of making the film. The common perception was that today’s bodybuilders don’t have the charisma and personalities as the ones from the 70’s, like Arnold and Lou Ferrigno. But after I spent time meeting with the guys from the modern sport and had long and detailed conversations I realized that was not true. They are real characters with complex personalities and captivating stories.

Have you spoken with Arnold or been given any feedback from him about the project?

Sorry, I can’t reveal anything about Arnold yet. But very soon…

Who would be your ultimate cast to work with and in what type of project?

I think that each project is different and requires a unique cast and execution. It all depends on the role and the characters. But it only works if it looks authentic and if the actor is one hundred percent committed. I’ve seen a lot of films where great actors simply didn’t look right in the roles.

What do you like to do in your free time and which movies are on your to watch list?

I love thrillers and sci fi films. I like foreign films as well. Once in a while I like to watch Hitchcock films, like Vertigo, Rope, Rear Window. Those are some of my favorites of his work. I love the suspense, the intensity and the camera work in those films. Classics…

What would you say was your big break and what would you say to people looking to get a start in the industry?

I would say one of my first films called ‘Last Day of Summer.’ It was a film that told a story about a tormented employee of a fast food restaurant, who gets a gun and decides to go on a brutal rampage revenge against his employer and pretty much everyone else at that place. As he’s about to do it, he notices a girl inside the place and that pretty much throws a twist into his plan. That film is important to me. It deals with some pretty important subjects that unfortunately we hear about a lot these days.

As far as what I would say… Only do it if you truly love it and you have passion for it. A lot of people love the film industry for its image etc… But you have to love the actual work and the process, in my opinion.

Compare and contrast making movies in the states and abroad and do you have a preference?

I think it’s great to make films all over the word. There are so many amazing locations outside of US. And I would like to explore that more and find all that the world has to offer. Many times it’s easier logistically to film in US because of the diverse locations.

Where do you find your inspirations as going from Head Smash to a Historical and Body Building film is a diverse lineup?

It’s true, Generation Iron is completely different from Head Smash. Even the genres are completely different. But it’s exciting though. I draw interests from various sources and always focus on the story. I love to be able to work in various genres. That keeps me interested and motivated. But I give 100% effort to each project and get 100% support from my team.

When you consider a script or a potential TV or film project, what elements tend to draw you in and make you want to work on that film?

It has to grab my interest and bring out emotions. I am not too keen on the genre. It has to provoke some type of a feeling. It has to make you think and keep you engaged. The characters have to be dynamic and colorful. It’s very difficult to find a truly unique script. So much has to be done. Execution is always key.

What can you tell us about your upcoming projects?

Well, I am very excited to be working on ‘Generation Iron’, which will be released in the early Fall. And our Graphic Novel titled ‘Head Smash’ will be in stores this summer. We have something special planned for Comic-Con in San Diego this July.

Final question, what is the one thing about directing that most people are shocked when you tell them?

As a director you have to be brave and truly believe in what you are doing. You have to be confident, because if you are not then everything falls apart. That doesn’t mean that you can’t take advice. But you have to believe in the material and know it, because you will be questioned and maybe even challenged at times.

We Talk Hot Tech of CES 2013 and Star Wars News on BJ Shea’s Geek Nation

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The Rev, Brandon, and Vicky B go over some great Star Wars news, (We will be going over this big time at my Rustycon Panel on Sat), and I talk about some of the hottest tech on the 2013 Consumer Electronic Show in Vegas, CES.

Topics cover include The Razer Edge, Nikon D3200, Viewsonic VSD 220, Ultra HD TV, and much more.


Click the link to hear the show and enjoy.


Geek Nation

Company of Heroes 2 Interview With Game Director Quinn Duffy

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As our cover story for the December 2012 issue of our magazine, I got the chance to speak with Quinn Duffy who is the Game Director for the pending Company of Heroes 2. I got a chance to play the game at PAX Prime and loved it. The following are selections from the interview, you can read the full interview in our latest issues which is available at Barnes and Noble. The full interview talks about new units, multiplayer, and much more.


Skewed and Reviewed Magazine at Barnes and Noble


What made you decide to use the Eastern Europe front for this version and how much continuity is there from the last game in the series?

In the original Company of Heroes, we covered four months out of the six years of the war so there were a lot of stories left for us to tell. We actually wanted to do an Eastern Front expansion for the original game, but we just couldn’t do it justice with the technology we had. When it came to do Company of Heroes 2, there were two things on our mind. First, we couldn’t leave the biggest part of the largest conflict in human history alone, and secondly we wanted to support our fans with a new game in a new location where we could use our brand new Essence Engine to provide all kinds of cool new tactical features and environmental gameplay.

In terms of continuity, there is no connection narratively to the original game. The new game is a little darker in tone to help deliver on the brutality and ruthlessness of the war on the Eastern Front. However, we were really conscious of the fact that the gameplay in COH was much-loved, and we wanted to recapture that feeling with the sequel. It has the same intensity and drama of the first game, but feels fresh and looks amazing.

What can you tell us about the technological advances using Essence v3.0 allowed you to include in the game?
Lots of stuff! We started with how the engine should be built to help support the creative vision of the game. Its whole job was to make the game look better, feel better, sound better, and play better. But of course, that meant we needed to deliver on the tone and experience of the Eastern Front. We really wanted to make sure we have the best ice and snow of any game and that it not just look pretty, but be part of the gameplay experience. We wanted cold weather to impact gameplay, we wanted new tactical options with our TrueSight system, we wanted the game to run faster, so we can multithread now and put more effort into our visuals and audio to support the gameplay and deliver a really compelling experience.

Weather has played a part in strategy and battles in the first game and in the expansions. What made you decide to use the Coldtech system to make weather an even larger part of the game experience?
It’s more a case of building Coldtech to make the Eastern Front experience more relatable and to deliver on the tone. The Soviets and Germans both spoke of General Winter and he’s really a neutral third team in the experience. He’ll make both sides suffer if players don’t adapt, but he’s really there to illustrate – very graphically – the consequence of choice and sacrifice. That’s a theme that the franchise, and this game in particular, really explores.

Compared to the last game, what was it like casting the voice actors for this game?
Much more challenging to be honest – it’s a case of finding actors who sound Russian and German, but not too Russian and German. We found a great partner in London, England that we also used on Space Marine and we have some great actors lined up. Speech in the game is super critical from a feedback perspective, and for tone so it’s critical for us to get great writing and great actors together.

In our hands-on session, we found the gameplay intense, challenging and honestly, very stressful. How typical is this of the experience you wanted for the players?
I’d be disappointed if it didn’t cause some of those emotions. I firmly believe that intensity comes from engagement with the game, so that’s really a great sign. If players aren’t engaged, they won’t care about the outcomes, they won’t feel the stress, and they won’t play the game for very long.

Where do you see the franchise heading in the future? How likely do you think it would be to see the franchise take on the Pacific theater?

When we kicked off Company of Heroes 2 we took a long look at the creative vision and tried to determine what it was that made the game feel the way it does. Now we have a Creative Vision for the franchise that we could move into any theater of war or any time period. Company of Heroes is set in World War 2, but it certainly doesn’t have to stay there.


COH2_REAL INFO


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Actress Sara Lindsey Talks Promised Land and Working With Tom Cruise in Jack Reacher

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Recently I got to speak with the lovely and talented Sara Lindsey. Sara appears in two high profile movies that are coming soon, “Jack Reacher” with Tom Cruise and “Promised Land” with Matt Damon. I want to thank her for taking the time to speak with us.

Photos by Sierra Prescott?

What can you tell us about your character in Promised Land and what attracted you to the part?

Well the film is set in the town of McKinley, Pennsylvania and opens with Matt and Frances’ characters who have come to lease land for hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. I play a character named Claire Allen who is a single mom with a 10 year old son. I was immediately attracted to the role after reading the script; Matt and John did such an amazing job of creating complex, interesting characters with very full lives, and the details they invented add to the film tremendously.


What sort of research did you do for the role and how did it compare and contrast with past roles?

Every character or movie requires something different in terms of preparation and research. I tried to really familiarize myself with the process of fracking so I could understand exactly what happens from a technical standpoint. I spent as much time as I could with Max, who plays my son in the film, so that we could have an authentic relationship. He’s a really amazing kid.

What were some of the more memorable moments on set and how was working with Tom on Jack Reacher?

I was on set for one of the bigger group scenes when Hal and Matt’s characters meet and have the first initial debate. The scene was something like twelve pages long with a lot of scientific jargon and facts, and the two of them played the entire scene over and over without ever stopping or dropping a line. It was a complete master class in acting. I had a similar experience working with Tom…He is such a pro and works with this incredible drive and focus that was amazing to see.

Who would be your ultimate cast and director to work with and in why type of project?

I’m a huge fan of Wes Anderson and love the worlds he creates in his films. It’s hard to find complex, interesting and smart roles for women, so I’m always on the look out for those. And I would love to work with Kate Winslet or Marion Cotillard one day – they’re awesome.

What do you like to do in your free time and which movies are on your to watch list?

I love to watch movies in my free time and have a long list that I’m working through. Speaking of Marion, I’m really looking forward to seeing Rust and Bone. When I’m not working, I get to hang out with my dog, practice singing, play music, do yoga, go for runs, and spend time with my friends and family.

What do you look for from a director to help you give your best performance?

When a director has a very clear vision, it’s always easier and more fun for me to help make that happen through my performance. It’s harder when the director doesn’t know exactly what he or she wants. Also the way in which they communicate that vision – the specific words that are used – have a big effect on actors and it’s lovely to work with directors who understand that.

When you consider a script or a potential TV or film project, what elements tend to draw you in and make you want to work on that film?

I always try to identify a particular question or set of questions that a film or show is asking, and if those questions seem interesting and puzzling to me, it’s a good sign. I also think a lot about the particular character and how she fits into the story and the world, and whether or not that world feels authentic.

What can you tell us about your upcoming projects?

I’m collaborating with friends on a few projects in the next year, which is very exciting. I’m also looking forward to Promised Land and Jack Reacher coming out in theaters!

Final question, what is the one thing about acting that most people are shocked when you tell them?

My family is always shocked when I tell them how long everything takes. But I think the most shocking thing about filmmaking is also the simplest thing: it’s all pretend!


Sara Lindsey-Sierra Prescott 1

Christopher Emerson Talks About Resident Evil 6 and How He Brought Piers Nevin to Life

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Recently I got to spak with actor Christopher Emerson who plays Piers Nivans in RESIDENT EVIL 6. Aside from voicing the character, Christopher also provided the motion capture work and speaks to us about his experiences bringing the character to life.

What can you tell us about your character and what attracted you to the part?

Piers Nivans, the young sniper ace of the B.S.A.A., is a naturally gifted soldier, much like his fellow captain Chris Redfield. Due to his extreme sharpness and concentration, he is known as “the man who never misses a target”.

He is also characterized as a person with a strong sense of responsibility and an astute discernment, being able to influence his teammates into the correct course in the battlefield. It’s because of these qualities that makes Piers a trusted and valuable comrade of Chris, who regards him as the figure that will lead the B.S.A.A. one day.

In RE6, he’s determined to find Chris, who was MIA due to his loss of memory, and have him returned as the leader of the BSAA team once again.

The character qualities that attracted me most to the role of Piers Nivans were his sense of honor, integrity and his passion to… well… kick ass and save the f#@%ing world. That’s why he fights so hard to bring Chris back into the fray. He knows that Chris might be the last military hope standing between civilization’s survival and its total destruction. No matter what, Piers is going to make Chris remember and restore him to his rightful place as the ultimate hero he was and needs to be again. Piers is sort of the Sam Gamgee to Chris Redfield’s Frodo Baggins…if…you know… Sam packed a BFG.

What sort of research did you do for the role and how did it compare and contrast with past roles?

Being hired to be Piers Nivans, I as Christopher Emerson was essentially being recruited to be a member of the BSAA, Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance, THE anti-bioterrorism defense organization arm of the UN. And as all fans of these games know, this team is often the last line of defense against… well… a REEEEEALLY bad day. If, of course, by “bad day” you mean the complete devastation of the human race at the hands of such ego-maniacal hair gel addicts such as Albert Wesker in previous games. So…to be true to that? To honor that and respect the realism for unforgivingly discerning fans?
YEAH! You bet your sweet C-virus I prepared for this role!

I actually watched a lot of video file footage of embedded journalists in the gulf wars and Iraq invasion to be able to bring a respectful authenticity to the way a team like this communicates, advances, bounds together, and really takes care of some brutal business in real life. I think gamers and real world soldiers alike deserve such due diligence being paid to these details when portraying the dark hell of war, even if it is zombies and monsters.

Any concerns about being part of such a huge series knowing how fanatical the fans are and how serious they take the game and it’s characters?

For me there were never really any hesitations or concerns. I have the advantage of playing a brand-new lead character being introduced to the franchise for the first time in Resident Evil 6. So with Piers Nivans, not being a legacy character, there’s a little bit of room to breathe without the pressure of living up to previously constructed expectations. That being said you still have to respect the fact that you are walking into the house that Capcom built. There’s a certain reverence and respect you pay walking into such a project for the first time like this. It’s sort of the exact opposite of that dinner scene in Borat.

Contribute without ego. Create selflessly to tell the most affective and authentic story.
Even more so than any producer or director actually in the studio, the fans out there spot bad acting and hotdogging BS faster than Ada Wong can get a drink at a bar. Even if Leon is bartending.

What was a typical day of filming like and how much input did you have during the process?

As typical as fighting invisible zombies in a small padded room lined with infrared cameras while your body and face are covered in motion capture gear can be…

We’d usually go for these 5-hour long recording sessions. The day would start with about 30-45 minutes in a makeup chair getting little silver motion capture tracking dots spirit gummed to your face. Throw on special clothing with larger motion tracking balls on it that’s fitted and makes you look like the ninja version of a scuba diver. And then… it’s time to jump into the recording booth.

Liam O’Brien, rockgod voice director of the game, is such an accomplished voice artist pro himself, that he’d expertly craft this ramp up of vocal strain through the session. Meaning, in hour one, it’s all the whispers needed for that day.

“Pssst, over here.” “Careful.” “Hey, Chris, I think I heard something.” “Was that you?”
Then by hour 5 it’s…
“GET OVER HERE!!!!!” “THERE’S TOO MANYYYYYYY!!!!” “CCCCHHHHHRRRRRIIIIISSSSSS!!!!!!!” “NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!” “I NEED A THROAT LOZENGE!!!!!!” “BLAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!”
Liam was so awesome to work with; every session was a real give-and-take collaboration. Though you find his fantastically maniacal brain spitting out ideas that are almost always a thousand times better than yours, you are more than happy to “take” more than worry about the “give.”

How would you compare/contrast working with motion capture to other acting work you have done and which do you prefer and why?

It’s completely fascinating. It’s a radically new way to tell story. Motion capture is the nascent technology of which we’ve only barely started to scratch the surface. As a voiceover artist it allows you to play roles that you’re fully capable of breathing life into via your voice talents, but may not be physically right for the part had it been an on-camera film role.

The realism and authenticity the technology lends to these game worlds is breathtaking and yields such an immersive and enriching experience unlike anything before it.

With all that said, at the end of the day, the most important part of any good piece, be it a film, TV show, on stage, or in a video game, is telling good story. Effective story. As an actor you are constantly “chasing Amy”, trying to give the perfect performance or tell your character’s tale the best you can. This technology both in films and in video games opens up incredible frontiers for actors to tell stories and portray characters in previously unimagined ways. Just ask Andy Serkis.

Who would be your ultimate cast and director to work with and in what type of project?

In video games, it would awesome to be directed by Liam O’Brien, alongside this really killer cast we had in RE6 again. I mean, Courtenay Taylor, Troy Baker, Matthew Mercer, Roger Craig Smith, Eden Riegel, Laura Bailey, AND Yuri Yowenthal? Too much fun! Throw in some Nolan North, Jennifer Hale, Peter Jessop, and DC Douglas… and we’ll take a flamethrower to the place!
On TV… an Aaron Sorkin show. Anything Sorkin. Doesn’t matter. He writes it, I’ll read it.
For film, which is where my heart and highest ambitions lie, I really want to work with the new-ish director Duncan Jones who did Moon with Sam Rockwell and Source Code with Jake Gyllenhaal

What do you like to do in your free time and which movies are on your to watch list?

I am a licensed helicopter pilot, so when I get the chance, which I hope increases in the future, I would like to spend that free time flying more often. I travel as much as I can. Enjoy learning languages. Lately, I have had a bug up my butt about being able to solve any Rubik’s cube in under a minute. Yep. So that will torture me until it’s done.
As for movies, I like to split my watch list between old classics, independents, and the latest and greatest. So for every Casablanca and High Noon there is a Bottle Shock and salivating for the next Star Trek.

What do you look for from a director to help you give your best performance and what type of characters do you tend to be drawn to?

Focus and specific knowledge of what they want. Couple that with an effectively ability to communicate those desires and you have an outstanding director. I tend to gravitate toward the flawed, broken, and hopeful characters. I am attracted to the dark side of nature, of humanity. It’s there that you find the most incredible testaments to character. So, those director traits become very important, when you are portraying such roles to be able to put your full faith and trust into your director’s hands to get you through.

When you consider a script or a potential TV or film project, what elements tend to draw you in and make you want to work on that film?
I put a lot of trust into the very first read of a script. How a respond, what I think, how the story affects me. And then, if the idea of taking on a certain role scares me, then that’s the one I want. I like the danger of failing. I like taking risks. Life’s too short not to be perpetually stepping out into the unknown.

Which games are you playing now, are on your to play list, and what do you think of the Wii U?

Perfect “next question.” We were getting all deep and introspective, enough of that! LOL Well, don’t you know, Capcom has me under contract to play Resident Evil 6 on a constant never ending loop right now. I have started to just blurt callouts at random things, like in line at the store. The cash register opens and I yell, “Good work!!! NICE!!!”, while give the clerk a fist-pumping thumbs up.
Let’s see… I am finally making a big push to finish LA Noire, which I love. Now that we’re wrapping up the year, I will be starting a bunch. Skyrim, Halo 4, Batman Arkham City, Red Dead Redemption, many others. I’ve got some catching up to do.

What can you tell us about your upcoming projects?

I have been hitting my twitter feed at @PlanetEmerson a bunch with some really cool things on the horizon. I will continue to be a voice of Southwest Airlines TV campaigns, I will be the lead in a very fun, dark and sinister horror film called Antioch, filming early February. Then, late Spring, I will be in Biloxi, MS filming a lead in a psychological thriller with the great Eric Roberts and the fantastic Juliet Landau under the direction of Price Hall. So, exciting 2013 on the way!

Final question, what is the one thing about acting that most people are shocked when you tell them?

It’s so funny that you are asking this question. Because, when I was just in Biloxi, Mississippi on a pre-production trip for the Eric Roberts movie, a woman actually asked me if it’s possible to work in Hollywood WITHOUT selling your soul. She was dead serious too. So I guess, right now I would say, some people are shocked to hear that actually… no… no way…. it’s absolutely not possible.
Kidding, of course.

Wait… will kids read this? Then, yes, of course it’s possible. Live your dreams. Stay in school. And don’t do drugs. And… only you can prevent forest fires. The more you know!

Andrew Lincoln Talks The Walking Dead

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AMC TV Kindly sent us this.

Q: Now that The Walking Dead is in its third season, what aspects of the show still surprise you?

A: The show just surprises me and brutalizes me. I was just taking to Scott Wilson, and we were just riffing on how extraordinary how this show is. The only downer is the fact that we lose people. You make these incredibly brilliant and intense relationships with truly gifted actors and invariably they get bitten, and I have to kill them. And it is kind of the big downer on what is becoming the single greatest job of my career. In the space of three years I’ve done more gymnastics on this show then I have in probably four or five years. It’s been an incredible journey, and I wouldn’t change it for the world, although it would have been nice to have a couple of more seasons with Sarah [Wayne Callies].

Q: Are you starting to feel like your character — a leader among the company of actors?

A: I don’t know. I just try and do my job. If people look to me, that’s great. But acting is not like Enron; it’s not a corporate exercise. People have their own ways of working and I’m very much of the opinion that you create a space that people can feel relaxed and comfortable and able to work in. I don’t feel that fear is a good incentive on a film set. It’s not the way I respond to work; so if anything I just try and make people feel at ease and happy and wanting to come to work and do their best. And as a leader, I try and create an environment where people can risk and dare to look stupid. Then again, if I’m on set with Scott Wilson, who’s worked for fifty years, I bow at the seat of that. I call him Lionheart; the guy is a god!

Q: After Lori dies, Rick goes through a total mental breakdown. What’s it like to lose your mind?

A: If they kill my wife, you know what I mean, it’s the real deal for me. She deserved everything. I came into the writers’ room and said, “What do you think Rick’s breaking point is?” And this is what they came up with. I wanted to drop the gun, I wanted to fall, all of these things, and I wanted you to see this man who has led these people and been so strong, fall to the ground broken. I had an acting teacher who always said that even when you’re ripping your guts out with emotion, it should be catharsis. Not many people get to do that in their lives full-stop.

Q: In Episode 8, Rick finally gets to see Woodbury. What was your take on the town?

A: I hate Woodbury! I actively feel nauseous when I go there. I hate everybody in it, I just can’t stand to look at the place. I love the prison, it’s beautiful.

Q: You’ve spent nearly three years in Georgia filming the show. Are you starting to feel like a bit of a Southerner now?

A: I think I’m a Southern British now. This is the one time that I talk in British. My family has gone home now — honestly man it won’t be long it before I’m completely integrated. I totally love this part of the world. Almost three-quarters of my year is spent in America now. I love this country and I’m very excited to be here now. You know, even in spite of the brutal summer and ridiculous weather we get, this part of the world here around Georgia is really beautiful.

Q: How does that Southern influence permeate the set?

A: People are really cool here. They feel it’s our homegrown show. When people come down to work here we really go off into this bubble. It’s not about the business side of things down here. We just get down and get sweaty and dirty and get on with it.

Interview With Comedian Jo Koy

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From his breakout set on The Tonight Show to his appearances on Chelsea Lately, Jo Koy is a powerhouse in the world of comedy. This very funny artist was kind enough to answer some of my questions about his life, inspirations, and tour ahead of his dates at the Stand Up Live in Phoenix.

What inspired you to go into comedy and what reaction did your family have when you told them?

I wanted to become a stand up comic when I saw Eddie Murphy’s Delirious when I was 10 or 11. That is when I decided that I wanted to be a comic when I grew up. When I first started my mom was not happy and wanted me to go to college.


We’re curious to know what makes a comedian laugh. Any particular show, movie, or other comedians who make you laugh?

My favorite comedic actors are Will Farrell and Chris Farley. Every movie they do crack me up. Physical, slap stick comedy is what I like to watch.

I have heard that stand up is really starting to grow in the P.I. What would you say is the state of comedy there, compared to a few years ago?

The PI has always been a funny culture. When I grew up there I used to watch Dolphy, Tito Vic and joey. Even though I didn’t understand fluent tagalog, they were always physical, and that is the type of comedy I was always into. Now that they are embracing American type comedy, it was always bound to happen.

What does your family think of being in your act and have any not taken kindly to a joke about them?

They love being a part of the act and in fact my mom wants me to write more about her, even though 30% of my act is about her already.

When you are in a writing mode, where do you draw your inspiration from and how long would you say it takes to create enough material for a show?

I am basically writing every single day. I am constantly writing jokes. My son inspires me to write. I usually write a new hour a year. I am constantly writing in new jokes every place I go.

What would you say are the biggest differences between performing now and when you first started out?

Back in the day I used to perform in front of 4 people and now I am in front of theaters and large crowds. It makes it easier and a whole lot more fun. People are actually coming out to see me now.

If you were not in comedy what would you be doing?

I would still be working in the business somehow. Entertainment is in my blood. I would be in the front or behind the scenes. Somehow I would always be in the entertainment business.


What is the hardest thing about being on the road and what do you do in your free time when you travel?

The hardest part about being on the road is constantly being in an airport and going through TSA every week. It kind of gets frustrating, but why am I complaining? I get to travel and tell jokes for a living. God is good.

For your upcoming show at Stand Up Live in Phoenix, what can the audience look forward to and how much new material will be included compared to your past tour?

It’s always going to be new. All i do is is constantly write. If you are expecting the same show, don’t because it is going to be a new act.

The last time we saw you, you had mentioned having some television projects in the works, what is the latest on those and future stuff?

Once again they are still in the works.

Far Cry 3 Interview

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We have a full interview with Mark Thompson, Lead Level Designer for Far Cry 3 in the December issue of our magazine. You can find it at…

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As a preview, we are posting select questions from our interview. Look for the game on December 3rd.

What are some of the weapons players will be able to use?

We have a huge selection of guns, we are a shooter at the core and having that moment-to-moment combat experience feel tight and polished was one of the foundations of the game. Everything you would expect in terms of pistols, SMGs, assault rifles, LMGs, sniper rifles, grenade launchers, etc. We also have a customization system so you can personalize your weapons to suit your play style. If you are more of a stealthy player, you can add a sound suppressor. If you like to be loud and straightforward you can add an extended magazine and a recoil reducing muzzle.

My favorite weapon is the bow. We have a crafting system that allows you to make your own special arrows. This means that the bow can be a great long-range stealth weapon for silent kills. But by using a fire-tip arrow or an explosive-tip arrow you really have a versatile weapon capable of some insane combat moments.

What type of multiplayer will the game offer?

We have a large multiplayer offering, we have a dedicated four-player co-op campaign that can be played online or offline including split-screen play. We have multiple PvP modes that reward and encourage team play as players face off in a blood feud between Vaas’ pirates and Citra’s rebel warriors. On top of that we also have the map editor which allows players to create and share their own islands of insanity in the Far Cry 3 world. We are introducing a brand new single player sandbox mode to the map editor that will allow players to experiment with wildlife, and AI to create their own insane scenarios.

What are some of the biggest obstacles you see in creating the game, and what are your biggest goals for the game?

One of our biggest goals was to create a real, living, breathing open world, a place that players could really become immersed in exploring and discovery. We wanted to make sure that the world was rewarding so we created a number of interconnected systems that would encourage exploration and would also reward discovery on a number of levels. It all comes back to surviving the island. Early on you won’t have the best equipment or weapons. If you want to carry more weapons or get more weapon upgrades you will need to head out into the jungle, down into the temples, or up the mountains to find the components you need to get better equipment. The island is there to support players if they spend the time they will be duly rewarded, just watch out for the tigers.

What can you tell us about the gaming engine and what it will bring to the table?

Far Cry 3 uses the Dunia engine which is built on the technology proven in Far Cry 2. We’ve expanded on the engine to provide a true open world where you can get to any point of the world that you can see without a loading screen or waiting time. The lighting pipeline was reworked so we could explore interior locations which allowed us to create caves and temples and mines, and really allow players to discover a world underneath the jungle to expand the possibilities for exploration and discovery.

What have been the biggest challenges in creating the game and the biggest rewards?

The biggest reward is when you listen to people talk with each other after they play the game. Three people who all play the same section of the game will have completely different stories about what they did, what they saw, and the insanity that happened around them. Sometimes you’ll hear a story about a bear getting loose and attacking pirates, other times you’ll hear about the time the Rakyat showed up at a side quest which distracted the pirates, sometimes you’ll hear about punching a shark in the face to get a relic at the bottom of a shipwreck. It’s always great when you hear people talking about things that you didn’t even know were possible in the game.