Tell Me a Question: Alexander Nevsky & The Black Rose

Today we chat with Russian bodybuilder turned actor and filmmaker Alexander Nevsky. Inspired by the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone and Jean-Claude Van Damme, Nevsky became a champion natural bodybuilder and popular author. Seguing to television and film, Nevsky took control of his own destiny and moved to Los Angeles and has now starred, produced, written or directed a dozen films. His latest is Black Rose, a Los Angeles set thriller partnering a Russian police major with a local detective (Terminator 3's Kristanna Loken) as they track down a sadistic serial killer.

You're a champion bodybuilder and accomplished combat artist, what got you into both and what do you think helped contribute to your success? What is your training like now? 

I was a very skinny Moscow kid back in the 80's and started boxing after watching Rocky. I was an amateur boxer for several years but switched into bodybuilding because of Arnold in Conan The Destroyer. Bodybuilding was kind of illegal in USSR (it was called 'athletic gymnastic' and there were no official competitions at all at the time). Everything changed in the 90's and in 1993 Russian TV made a documentary about this new sport. I was chosen as a main star because I was 6'6" and 280 pounds already and I had a good story ('from zero to hero'). About 30 million people watched this documentary and suddenly I became famous overnight at just 21 years old. So you can credit classic Hollywood action movies for inspiring me a lot when I was a kid and Black Rose is my tribute to them. I'm still working out at least 5 times a week. I love bodybuilding and really think that I owe my success partly to this sport. My new book called Bodybuilding and Other Secrets of Success, half of it is autobiography and another half is my system of gaining muscles drug-free. It's my tenth book and it will be published in Russia/CIS this summer. I'm thinking about translating it into English as well.

You've written, produced and now directed films, how was the segue from Russia to America? What has been a key takeaway you perhaps didn't think of when first embarking on your cinematic journey? 

I become household name in Russia in 90s. I had my own TV show, I wrote hundreds of articles and several bestselling books, I was featured in Russian editions of GQ, Playboy, Men's Health, Muscle & Fitness and many others. Everything was great except one thing: movie business in ex-USSR collapsed completely. But I wanted to be in movies. That's why I moved to LA in 1999. I graduated from Moscow State University of Management (this education helped me later when I started to produce) but had to learn English and acting. I joined Lee Strasberg Acting Institute and went to English classes at UCLA Extension. It was tough to study it all at the same time in LA, I should've learn it in Moscow before. I made my brief Hollywood debut in 2001 (Walter Hill's Undisputed) and I did another film in 2002 (Red Serpent, co-starring the legendary Roy Scheider). In 2003 I wrote and produced Moscow Heat (co-starring the great Michael York), this film was a theatrical hit in Russia/CIS and was later sold to 30 countries including North America. Everything was easier after that.

I love that you have so many familiar faces in your films, Michael York, Robert Davi, Adrian Paul, Mattias Hues, a nice mix of acting class and genre faces. How do you go about casting your films? Any titles from the actors mentioned have an impact on your youth? 

You're absolutely right, I'm a fan of them all! I love The Three Musketeers movies with Michael York, Highlander TV series with Adrian Paul, Dark Angel/I Come In Peace and some martial arts classics with Matthias Hues, Die Hard and Predator 2 with Robert Davi. Regarding casting decisions: I always have to think how to market a future film and how to sell it. But just wait for Showdown in Manila - you'll see so many action stars, from Casper Van Dien and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa to Mark Dacascos and Don "The Dragon" Wilson!

With Black Rose and the upcoming Showdown in Manila, we get a welcome 80's throwback vibe with the mismatched partners and men on a mission motifs, what is your approach to old school stories in the modern age? 

I'm a big fan of classic 'old school' Hollywood action films. Black Rose was my directorial debut and I decided to mix some of my favorite genres in one movie (action, suspense, horror and even some comedy moments). It wasn't easy and I should thank my Director of photography Rudy Harbon, all cast and crew for the great job and support! I created the original story for Black Rose but the actual script was written by professional and experienced writers Brent Huff and George Saunders. My approach was to make a film that I want to watch myself. I was heavily involved in preproduction, production, postproduction, sales strategies/decisions, etc. and didn't have free time for months. But don't get me wrong - it was still really enjoyable all the way!

Sheldon Lettich Executive Produced Black Rose so you've clearly done your homework, which other filmmakers and actors would you like to work with in the future? 

Sheldon Lettich is a great guy and he's very good director, I love his classic films with JCVD (Double Impact especially) and hope we'll make another movie together. I'll be happy to work with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren and Wesley Snipes. I also would like to make a film with my friend and bodybuilding idol Ralf Moeller (he was great in Gladiator and Conan TV series). By the way, my beautiful Black Rose co-star Kristanna Loken was amazing and very supportive. Me and her should definitely work together again, don't you think?

And there you have it, a classic example of the Dammaged Goods ideal, pushing yourself and taking action! Thanks again to Mr. Nevsky for taking the time to talk with Dammaged Goods.

Keep up with all things Nevsky on his Twitter: @NevskyAlexandr and Instagram: @realalexnevsky

Tell Me a Question: Julian Kabab & Flashgap

Covering The PEACE Fund Celebrity Poker Tournament provided a unique opportunity, the chance to throw some questions at Julian Kabab, the French, 24 year old CEO of Flashgap. Like a reverse Snapchat, photos and videos appear for 3 seconds then are available again the next day at noon so you can relive the event. Inspired by The Hangover, when the friends find a digital camera that houses evidence of their debauchery filled night, Flashgap looks to bring the fun back from a night out. Their motto: Together. For better or for worse.

You're young and driven but how long were you debating creating Flashgap? Did anything push you to just go for it?

The decision to create Flashgap was the fastest in the entire process. But I spent a lot of time searching for the right persons with whom I wanted to build it. I've always known I wanted to launch my company and build a product people would really enjoy using.

Flashgap started with you and your friends wearing GoPros all night and evolved into quick videos and snaps. How did you whittle down the essence of what the application currently is?

The important thing about the insight isn't the GoPros strapped to our foreheads for our nights out but the mornings during which we woke up in the same apartment and discovered all together what happened last night. Laughter and jokes are stronger after the event then when you are actually living it.

The app started in France but is now available in America. Were there any major differences between users or their settings?

We haven't really noticed. People use the app in many different ways. My favorite user case scenario is the one of using it at a distance. When our users party in London and have friends based in L.A., they can create a Flashgap together to discover what both groups did.

You were inspired by The Hangover, any other movies sparking a future creation?

Minority Report ;)

Thanks to Julian Kabab for chatting, check out Flashgap HERE and get ready for yesterday.

Tell Me a Question: Sheldon Lettich & The Summer of Max Cannon

Dammaged Goods recently caught up with Sheldon Lettich, the writer, director and military veteran who has contributed to such cinematic classics Bloodsport, Lionheart, Rambo III and Double Impact. It was a busy summer for our friend and first event guest with Warner Brothers' dog of war flick MAX hitting theaters in June while Cannon Films documentary Electric Boogaloo premiered across the country and is now available on DVD. In October, Mr. Lettich heads to San Diego for the G.I. Film Festival for a special screening of MAX being held at the Midway Museum.

MAX did solid box office, beating out titles with more hype and higher watt casts like Entourage, Aloha, Hot Pursuit and Paper Towns. Any expectations going into opening weekend?

We were getting industry projections that it would make between $8-10 million for the opening weekend.  Instead we made $12.2 million.  The folks at MGM said they would be happy if the film grossed $40 million in the US.  To date we've grossed nearly $43 million.  So overall we're all pretty happy with the results.  Had our PG-rated movie not been book-ended by two PG-rated behemoths -- Inside Out and Minions -- I think we might have done even better.  Even so, MGM is in the process of developing a sequel with Boaz Yakin and myself, a sure sign that they're happy with the results.

There's real heart in the film with the family and military dynamics. When was the first time you saw it with an audience?

We had a test screening in November of 2014.  The movie scored 100% in the Very Good to Excellent categories, which is an extremely rare occurrence for test screenings.  It was a great experience for me to sit there with that audience (the first time I had actually seen the entire movie without interruptions) and to see and hear them reacting to the movie exactly as we had hoped they would, laughing at the gags and the funny lines, wiping away tears during the funeral scene.  There was applause a number of times during the screening, and especially big applause at the end.

You're getting ready to attend the G.I. Film Festival in San Diego with a screening at the Midway Museum no less, what did you take away from the U.S. Marine Corps that helped you in life and in your career?

I took away a lot of stories and experiences which I have recycled back into numerous screenplays -- most of which have never been produced.  I wrote a Vietnam screenplay many years ago titled Firebase, which I got a lot of mileage out of as a writing sample.  That's the screenplay that got me introduced to Sylvester Stallone and resulted in an overall deal with his company.  It got me the co-writing gig on Rambo III.

Aside from story ideas and familiarity with military terminology, hardware, structure, mindset, slang, tactics, etc., as an NCO (non-commissioned officer) I learned some valuable lessons about leadership which came in very handy when I began directing movies.

You also popped up in Electric Boogaloo: The Wild Untold Story of Cannon Films and attended the star and crew studded Los Angeles premiere. Do you recall how you got involved with Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus?

As I recall, I was first introduced to them by Leon Isaac Kennedy, who was involved with them on Penitentiary 2 and Body & Soul.  I had written a screenplay with Leon which was originally intended to be a sequel to Lone Wolf McQuade, the Chuck Norris film Leon had co-starred in. When he failed to get Chuck interested, Leon and I changed the title to Stryker's Force, and then tried to get the movie made at Cannon with Leon and Jean-Claude Van Damme co-starring.  Menahem liked the script and approved me as the director, but he did not want Van Damme to be the co-star.  This was before Bloodsport had been released, and at the time Menahem had little faith in the film doing well and even less faith in Van Damme ever making it as a movie star.  He wanted to make the movie, but with Michael Dudikoff starring instead (with Leon playing the co-lead).  I met with Michael, who had read the script but wasn't crazy about it.  The project sort of fell by the wayside after that. 

Then, after Bloodsport opened and did spectacularly well, Menahem did a complete 180 regarding his opinion about Van Damme.  Now he felt that Leon wasn't a big enough star to be the co-lead alongside Van Damme! 

I talked a lot about Menahem and Van Damme and Bloodsport when Mark Hartley interviewed me on-camera for the documentary.  In fact, I told that same story about Menahem and Leon and Van Damme.  Mark told me he had put together an entire segment about Bloodsport for the documentary, but at the last minute there was some kind of a legal snafu involving the rights to Bloodsport, and the lawyers at Warner Brothers told Mark he had to yank the entire segment.  Really a shame.  Bloodsport was one of Cannon's biggest surprise hits, but there's nothing at all about it in the documentary, except one very quick shot of Van Damme throwing a kick at Bolo Yeung.  Who knows, maybe Mark will manage to sneak it in as a special feature on some future Blu-ray?

You co-wrote Bloodsport and met Jean-Claude Van Damme, beginning a long and successful collaboration. What was it like in those early days? Did you feel like the film would be something special? 

Jean-Claude and myself and many of the people who were involved with the film felt we had something very special on our hands, but unfortunately the folks at Cannon Films did not feel the same.  Despite their misgivings, the film did spectacularly well when it was released.  I had actually tried to bet Menahem that the movie would do better than his pet project at the time, Braddock: Missing In Action 3.  His response to me was "You're dreaming, my friend!"  Well, history had proven that my prediction -- my "dream" -- was correct.  MIA3 grossed $6.2 million at the US box office, while Bloodsport grossed $12 million, almost double.  Since then it has never stopped making money.  I'm still getting residuals to this very day.

Many thanks to Mr. Lettich for taking the time to chat, he's a great storyteller and be on the look out for more Dammaged Goods presents events soon. Until then, Sheldon will be appearing at the USS Midway Museum for MAX on Friday, 10.16 at 7:00 PM. The G.I. Film Festival runs Tuesday, 10.13 through Sunday, 10.18 and showcases documentaries, narrative features and films from local artists.

Tell Me a Question: Paul Mormando & Double Fist

Welcome back to Tell Me a Question, where we chat with fascinating individuals living lives in the movie, martial arts and comic book worlds. Today we're joined by New York based martial artist and actor Paul Mormando. Born in Brooklyn, Mormando took up combat sports at a young age, eventually becoming a grandmaster and earning the nickname "Mr. Karate". Mormando is the creator of the Real Life Defense course, has performed in over 150 martial arts demonstrations and featured in over 200 magazines and newspapers. After bit parts on television and in film, Mormando was preparing for his leading man vehicle Double Fist with a young Mark Wahlberg lined up to co-star. Unfortunately Mormando was struck by a drunk driver and suffered terrible injuries. Like the best comeback and underdog stories; Mormando never lost hope, persevered and after much rehabilitation, is back on the road to action movie nirvana. We caught up over e-mail:

How did you get into martial arts? What lead you to creating your own style?

When I was young I was extremely small in stature, a perfect target for bullies...then it happened, I was 7 and I watched this little Chinese man beat up people twice his size. Bruce Lee provided hope for me and I begged my parents into letting me take lessons to protect myself. Eventually I enrolled in my first art, Tae Kwon Do. After getting into a street fight I realized TKD's limitations. What I had practiced in the dojo wasn't going to work on the street. So I experimented with many arts and used Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do philosophy fused with different styles. Lee was an inspiration but his style of teaching seemed too abstract for the average person. I experimented with different arts and ranges but wanted a more systematic approach. That's how I came up with the Cha Ki Do system.

You've been active your whole life, what's your approach to staying fit today?

At the moment I'm getting back into shape for some film projects. I lift weights and love Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Boxing constitutes much of my current regimen.

After countless demonstrations, being featured on television and appearing in numerous publications, what lead you to acting?

I never even thought about it, as a matter of fact, I never even did a school play....so acting was far from my mind. One day I was doing a martial arts demo and I decided to do a dive roll over a bunch of swords as the finale. That got the attention of the local newspaper editor who put me on the front page. The legendary entertainment agent Ruben Malaret contacted me and wanted to make me the next Chuck Norris. Once I got a taste of the acting bug, I became passionate. Ironically enough I ended up guest starring on Broadway in Tony n' Tina's Wedding. That was a thrill, being the first martial artist on such a big stage.

Who are some of your favorite actors? Favorite films? 

Of course I love Bruce Lee, he is my idol. Jean-Claude Van Damme really inspired and motivated me. His kicking ability is unsurpassed. Jason Statham is really good, great screen presence. My favorite films are Enter the Dragon, the Rocky Franchise and No Retreat, No Surrender.

You were involved in a terrible car accident, how did you stay positive and keep moving forward?

That was at the beginning of my film career, I had just performed a demo at Shea stadium in front of nearly 20,000 people. And a few nights later it all got taken away from me. I was hit by a drunk driver. As hurt as I was, there were people around me even worse off. That kept me positive. The martial arts taught me discipline and gave me an indomitable spirit that helped me bounce back. During rehab I was inspired by those less fortunate; people who couldn't walk because their legs were amputated. If they can stay positive, I wasn't going to let a few injured disks set me back.

What's the key to staying hungry? What's next on your list? 

I continue to set goals and higher standards for myself. My last goal is to become the next action star. My 7 year old daughter motivates and inspires me. I'm making it happen. Twenty years ago after the accident I thought my career was over. Now I'm booked through 2016. I'll be in Ohio shooting a film with director William Lee, sharing the screen with Mel Novak (Enter the Dragon) and Joe Estevez. I'll play the villain in Andre Joseph's Vendetta Games and then there's sci-fi web series Sons of God with my friend Leonard Sanderson.

Many thanks to Mr. Mormando for taking the time to chat with Dammaged Goods. Keep up with Double Fist on Facebook.

Tell Me A Question: Vladimir Kulich & The 30 Day Challenge

After meeting actor Vladimir Kulich at the Pound of Flesh premiere, I had the chance to sit down with the imposing blonde figure from The 13th Warrior, Vikings, Ironclad, Smokin' Aces, The X-Files, Angel and much more. Unlike his cinematic image of stoic vikings and menacing assassins, Kulich in person is warm, affable, intelligent, candid and funny. We talked about a multitude of topics so I'm going to break it down into two parts. In this first chapter we'll focus on how Kulich got his start in the business and his journey through the Hollywood maze.

Although he's played many an Eastern European or Russian, Vladimir Kulich hails from a small border town near Slovakia. During the summers and holidays his parents would ship him off to his grandparents who in turn would send him to his uncle's. Kulich's uncle ran a theater company where he was introduced to acting via holding props and serving pitchers of beer during intermission. During this era all things western were outlawed but Kulich's uncle smuggled in a print of John Sturges' classic men on a mission flick The Magnificent Seven. We bonded over our mutual appreciation of the likes of Steve McQueen, Lee Marvin and Charles Bronson. "Steve McQueen was the guy that we all want to be." Like his favorite line from Hamlet, "this above all to thine own self be true", Kulich felt McQueen had that individual quality which many actors today don't. Kulich and I also share the same favorite movie, the John Sturges directed, McQueen starring The Great Escape which he's seen probably 10,000 times. Later in life, Kulich nearly bought McQueen's final home and rode up on his motorcycle to check out the "funky vibe".

When the Soviets invaded Slovakia, Kulich's family escaped to a small town in Canada outside Montreal where art and theater were not well regarded but hockey was. Being a physical youth, Kulich excelled on the ice and turned professional in 1976. After a short stint for the Rangers, in the minors and the International League, Kulich realized his career would not be a long one. During this period of introspection, he ended up working at a yacht club and was invited to crew at the World Championships being held in Long Beach. While in California on a 3 day break, the crew traveled to the Grand Canyon, hiking down to the bottom and rafting the rapids. Kulich fell in love with river rafting and after finishing the race, headed to British Columbia where many a great rivers resided.

Kulich started and ran a successful white water rafting business for 12 years. In the late 80's the cast and crew of hit TV show 21 Jump Street showed up wanting to rent some rafts for an episode. One of the producers suggested Vladimir come in for an audition and he started booking roles on Vancouver filmed shows like MacGuyver, Highlander, The X-Files and a series of low budget films including Crackerjack with Nastassja Kinski and Christopher Plummer, Red Scorpion 2 with Matt McColm and John Savage, Decoy with Peter Weller and Robert Patrick and Breach of Trust with Michael Biehn and Matt Craven. Reflecting on the time: "There was lots of work in Vancouver in those days, I did the circuit of Stephen Cannell shows, a bunch of cheap movies I don't even know what to say about." Craving juicier roles, Kulich made the decision to move to Los Angeles, his Canadian agent was not supportive, thinking he should be happy with what he was getting and that he would be back.

Moving to Los Angeles, Kulich gave himself 30 days to land an agent. After receiving 20 some query responses and landing one, Kulich gave himself another 30 days to book a part. On the 28th day, Kulich auditioned for a mini-epic TV series, The Big One: The Great Los Angeles Earthquake. The part: a hitman attempting to assassinate Nelson Mandela. Feeling he presented himself well, the phone didn't ring for 2 days and Kulich headed back to Vancouver and picked up his river rafting business. Kulich's agent called saying they'd been trying to find him for a week as he got the part. When asked if playing vikings and assassins worried him professionally, Kulich responded: "I'm in this for the long run. I can play the dad now that I'm older. In my 30's and 40's, you want me to be a killer? I'll be a killer. It's just energy." One thing that did annoy the 6'5", blonde giant was being cast as an Eastern European. His name Vladimir didn't help and Kulich considered changing it but never went through with it. Surprised at his lack of Russian accent, Kulich is often asked to lay it on thick, as he did in 2013's Antoine Fuqua/Denzel Washington hit, The Equalizer where he plays a gangster. "Half my friends didn't know it was me, I had a beard, I was tatted out and was speaking with that thick, thick accent."

While Kulich had theater and acting in the family, auditions weren't always so smooth. Going in for an unknown casting call that ended up being Joe Carnahan's 2006 gonzo, assassins on parade romp Smokin' Aces, Kulich had just broken up with a lady and flubbed his lines, telling the casting director: "Look, I just broke up with the love of my life and you're more than gracious for letting me stumble through this. Sorry for wasting your time." With that Kulich took himself out of the running but received a call that he'd been hired. Shocked, Kulich was told that Carnahan simply loved The 13th Warrior. While Kulich's appearance as the mysterious Swede in Aces came as quite the welcome surprise for familiar audiences, the actor wishes the role was expanded to give him more of an arc. In the film you're tricked into thinking The Swede is the king of all hitmen but ends up being a surgeon hired to extract the heart of one Jeremy Piven.

Growing up, Kulich's favorite actors were Klaus Kinski, Christopher Plummer and Max Von Sydow.  On 1994's Crackerjack, Kulich would find himself next to his idol turned co-star Plummer in the make up trailer. Running late one day after hitting the gym, Plummer instilled the following advice: "Darling, if you want to look big, act big." Kulich took it to heart and realized: "At the end of the day, it's here (the eyes and face), an actor can seem ten and a half feet tall but he's only five feet five, that's the power of film". On Sydow's inspiration: "I want to grow up to be an old fart in my 90's still acting like Sydow. He has that great voice." Kulich thought he had an interesting voice, cut a demo and landed an agent leading to the role of Ulfric Stormcloak on 2011's video game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. From his experience, video games is the most secretive business out there so when they showed him an edited clip, he was thrilled and shocked to hear his voice opposite idols Plummer and Von Sydow. Asked about the difference between acting in a booth versus on set: "It's the same. It's all imagination. If I'm physically doing the scene with you, I'm taking what you're giving me plus I'm adding to you even more. I respond. That's what I do in the movies, I do the same thing in front of a microphone. Only difference is I can be in a tee shirt and relax."

Many thanks to Mr. Kulich for taking the time to chat and in a bit of cosmic coincidence, today happens to be his birthday! Hope it's a great one and in our next chapter we'll focus on his most recognizable and iconic role, as viking leader Buliwyf in the John McTiernan and Michael Crichton medieval epic turned cult hit The 13th Warrior. "Lo there do I see..."

Tell Me A Question: Todd Senofonte and Pound of Flesh

Jean-Claude Van Damme's latest action-thriller Pound of Flesh hit select theaters and VOD this past Friday. After speaking with director Ernie Barbarash and producer Kirk Shaw, I attended the Los Angeles premiere where I met a plethora of JCVD's known associates, including long time stunt double Todd Senofonte. An actor, martial artist and military veteran, Senofonte was easy going yet full of energy and looked in great shape. Senofonte has worked with Van Damme on the likes of Sudden Death, The Quest, Maximum Risk, Double Team, Knock Off, Legionnaire, Universal Soldier: The Return, Until Death and PoF. He's also appeared in Kung Phooey!, Super Shark, A Reason To Live and Power Rangers. We caught up over e-mail following the premiere.

Dammaged Goods: You've had a very physical career and are still in fighting shape. What is your background in athletics and martial arts?

"I come from a very athletic family, been playing sports since the age of  5. My dad was my first coach and he is my idol and role model. He is the epitome of what a dad should be. My mom's dad was a professional boxer in the 40's, so I pretty much got the best of both worlds born with that innate ability. I studied the art of Tang Soo Do and was in the military for 6 years. I achieved one of my goals in the military, getting the Physical Fitness patch doing 124 pushups in 2min, 85 situps in 2min and running 2 miles in 12:36. Nowadays I work out on my own using free weights and the Smith Machine."

DG: How did you end up working with Jean-Claude Van Damme on Sudden Death?

"The night before I graduated from basic training from Fort Benning, the drill sergeants brought in a TV and a VCR and played the movie Bloodsport and everyone in the room kept looking at me. Later, I had done some modeling in Scranton, PA. On a certain shoot, the photographer looked at me and said, 'Do you know who you look like?'.....I said jokingly, Eddie Murphy. He said, no you look just like Van Damme. The photographer happened to have Jack Gilardi's (Jean-Claude's agent at the time, what are the odds?) card. He said 'here see what you can do with it'. A couple months went by and one day I was eating my Cocoa Puffs and thought 'what the heck?'. I had my cousin take pics of my doing kicks and splits and FedEx'd them to California. I get a call from Gilardi's office the next day, they received the packet and thought I looked great. Jean-Claude was out of the country but they would make sure he sees it. I thanked them and hung up the phone, thinking Holy $%^$. I called all my buddies and told them what happened. It was pretty cool for them to call me let alone opening an unsolicited envelope."

"I waited a couple weeks, sent more pics. Waited another week and then finally called the office and they said, 'glad you called, Jean-Claude is doing a film in Pittsburgh why don't you show up on set and see what happens'. I drove 5 hours from Dunmore to Pittsburgh. Didn't know where I was going to stay...I didn't care. I will never forget when I walked into the production office and the girl at the desk looked up and said, 'Oh Mr. Van Damme you're here', I look behind me and say 'no my name is Todd and I'm here for the Stand In job'. So I went in for an interview and was asked if I can come back next week...ABSOLUTELY!!!! I came back the next week and was told they could definitely use me in the film. Jean-Claude already had a stunt double but for standing in and photo doubling I could help out. And that is how I got my foot in the door."

DG: You worked on two of Van Damme's craziest films, Double Team and Knock Off. Any close calls, injuries or memories of working with the Hong Kong crew and director Tsui Hark?

"I would say of all the films I worked on, Double Team and Knock Off was where I've had a couple of close calls. The tiger chase in DT was the scariest for me, but it looks so good on screen. On KO driving the speed boat I was supposed to jump up on the seat then jump and grab the towing line. As I was ready to jump, the boat stalled and the ship crashed into the boat. It was a scary time, but the finished product looks great."

"Tsui Hark is one of my favorite directors. He is non-stop and very aware of his surrounding. That's what makes him a great director and a great guy. The Chinese crew are the hardest working in the business, love those guys and girls."

DG: Any memorable co-stars or opponents while working with JCVD?

"Working with Michael Jai White was awesome in Universal Soldier:The Return. He is one of the best martial artists out there and it was an honor just meeting him let alone working with him."

DG:You've traveled around the world making movies, any favorite spots?

"My favorite location has to be Phuket, Thailand. The most beautiful beaches I've ever seen."

DG: You've done a bit of acting as well, how do you prepare for less action oriented roles?

"I do consider myself an actor and probably one of the few stuntmen out there that does not mind reading lines off camera to other actors for Jean-Claude. My first role was in Fist Of Legends 2: Iron Bodyguards. It was my first on screen performance and my first fight scenes as an actor. Kung Phooey! was a comedy I acted in also. A Reason To Live was a dramatic short that I'm very proud of.  I have a few projects in the works, but if I'm needed to double I won't hesitate. Even though acting and stunt work are different, they are the same where you have to be on your A game."

DG: Pound of Flesh has received a warm response, what was the fight/stunt preparation like?  How was shooting in mainland China? 

"Pound Of Flesh is Jean-Claude's toughest film to date...physically and mentally. The shooting schedule was brutal and it took its toll on everyone. The stunt crew on this film was awesome. All the doubles and the stunties really gave it their heart and soul, and it shows."

DG: Thoughts on director Ernie Barbarash?

"Working with Ernie was a privilege. He has so much energy yet he is very calm and soft spoken, but that works for him and I enjoyed being on set and watching and learning from the mastermind."

DG: Any parting thoughts?

"I do have to thank Jean-Claude, because of him he gave me a name in this business. He knows all he has to do is call if he needs me. Not just for work, but to talk about everything and nothing."

Many thanks to Mr. Todd Senofonte for taking the time to chat with Dammaged Goods. Keep up with him on Facebook and Twitter.

Tell Me A Question: Ernie Barbarash and Pound of Flesh

The day after speaking with Pound of Flesh producer Kirk Shaw, I had the chance to chat with director Ernie Barbarash. I had known Barbarash from his previous collaborations with Jean-Claude Van Damme; Assassination Games and 6 Bullets along with genre flicks They Wait and Hardwired with Jamie King, Michael Biehn, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Val Kilmer. Mr. Barbarash was great to talk to; easygoing, educated and experienced. Easing into the conversation, I asked about where he grew up:"I was born in Odessa, Ukraine when it was still part of the Soviet Union and lived there for the first 9 years of my life, then right before my 9th birthday, we moved to Montreal, Canada, where I lived until I was 18 and left for college in the US..." I asked how he got into film and was surprised to find out he never intended to work in movies but was focusing on theatre instead. While living in New York, Barbarash got a job on a play that was then delayed and he ended up working for a random Canadian film company that needed some help, Lionsgate. Spending several years reading scripts and producing in house, Ernie was put into a trial by fire to write and direct 2004's Cube Zero.

Having directed his first play at 14, Barbarash feels it's easy to learn technology but working with people is much more instinctual. When asked further about the transition from theatre to film, Ernie responded: "As a theatre director, I came to film not only with the experience of working with actors, but also an education in storytelling for an audience through an immediate experience. The theatre teaches us how to take the audience on a journey. It teaches us that we’re not making art for ourselves – that it’s really all about how it affects the audience. One of the reasons I love talking to fans of the genre in which I’m working, be it action, thrillers, sci fi, horror, etc. is because I really miss that immediate response from the audience in the theatre. It’s also why I love going to see movies on the first night they open as often as I can…"

After speaking with Shaw and hearing about some of the bottom line economics and logistical challenges of working in the modest budget action world; Barbarash made it even clearer as he discussed not being able to stop in a sense as one movie wouldn't pay the bills for a year. He's got kids, a wife and a life to take care of so it was interesting to hear about the people who work for a living when thoughts of Hollywood are always dreamed about with glamor and riches. While Barbarash has worked mainly in the science fiction and action genres, he's also wrote Hallmark TV movies, dramas and been able to delve into different worlds. As a kid he loved action movies so his collaborations with Jean-Claude Van Damme is a bit of coming full circle. Producer Brad Krevoy asked if Barabarash would be interested in directing a Van Damme movie resulting in the Lionheart and Timecop fan's immediate agreement. Their first project, Weapon, eventually became Assassination Games, co-starring the high kicking Scott Adkins about a pair of trained assassin/mercenary types who team up to take down a common foe with crossbows, guns, kicks and a beheading by samurai sword. 

When it comes to directing a feature in the face of limited time and resources yet managing to keep a positive attitude, Barbarash answered: "people hire me because I put the work in, not because I'm pretty" and that making a movie is in a sense like going to war as you're on the clock, the director is the leader and his actions will reflect on the whole crew. So to keep people pushing for those 17 hour days, it's better to show off a positive attitude and keep things going rather than fall apart in negativity. For Pound of Flesh, his third go-round with JCVD, Barbarash believes it's their best project yet. Now that the level of trust is there, it's easier to give up on certain ideas while fighting for others to tap into what matters and what will bring the best ideas to life. Like Shaw, Barbarash thought that Joshua James' script was excellent with a great story and action that was tweaked for JCVD and the location. While the shoot came in at 36 days, Barbarash explained that it wasn't really 36 days as things moved slowly due to the language barrier and not being familiar with the area. But the crews put in hard work, going 17 hours a day 7 days a week. Barbarash enjoyed the challenges of shooting in China and is eager to return. He'd also love to shoot in Thailand as it's a beautiful place filled with nice people. That's one of the joys of his job, traveling and exploring, even if he can't always celebrate as there's shot lists and homework to do. 

On working with Jean-Claude Van Damme again, Ernie is proud that JCVD gets to display a wide range of acting in Pound of Flesh. It was emotional work and they went to tough places with the character versus simply brooding. The story is character driven with a hint of Van Damme's personal philosophy thrown in. Barbarash was determined to balance the drama with the action as if people only wanted action, they should watch a video on YouTube, not a movie. Van Damme wanted to do something new fighting wise, so choreographer and real life combat expert John Salvitti worked to build on the audience expectations of karate and high kicks and go further. Barbarash had mentioned staying ahead of the audience as they get more and more savvy everyday as he shared his own personal philosophy: "I keep striving to learn more every day. I think when you stop learning you stop growing and that you should keep learning no matter how old you are or how much experience you have… One of the things I love about what I do is that I learn something new with every project I do." 

It was a great talk and I enjoyed our conversation as Mr. Barbarash was honest about the business, quick thinking yet thoughtful and insightful. We ended the call with a mutual film fan moment when I asked how Michael Biehn ended up in They Wait in a supporting role. Barbarash, like Dammaged Goods, is a huge Biehn fan going back to The Terminator. Once they had Jaimie King in the lead, the producers were looking for another name to bolster the credits and Biehn was suggested and accepted the role. While Biehn only worked a few days on the film, Barbarash described him as a fun guy and good actor. Here's hoping Ernie Barbarash's future includes a Jean-Claude Van Damme movie co-starring Michael Biehn. Until then, thanks to Mr. Barbarash for taking the time and to Popular Press Media Group for making the introduction.

Pound of Flesh opens in select theaters and VOD on Friday, May 15th.

Tell Me A Question: Kirk Shaw and Pound of Flesh

The highest compliment Dammaged Goods can pay a person is to say that they're a Doer. Not talking about it, criticizing it from afar or wishing for something to happen. But to do something about it. Kirk Shaw is a Doer. He's also a producer. With over 200 credits to his name over television and film, it's easy to see the man likes to stay busy. His most recent film is the Jean-Claude Van Damme action-thriller, Pound of Flesh. When Deacon (JCVD) attempts to help a woman in distress, he wakes up the next day missing his kidney and sets out for revenge utilizing his fists, feet, guns and a bible. I recently had the chance to chat with Mr. Shaw as he prepares for the world premiere taking place on Thursday, May 6th at The Grove in Los Angeles before Pound of Flesh hits the market on Friday the 15th. Based in Canada, Shaw has been working in the entertainment industry for over 30 years. As a movie loving child, Shaw originally wanted to be a writer but realized he was better at business. Plus, he enjoys editing other people's scripts more than writing them himself. As his career evolved, Shaw's financial savvy led to Insight Film Studios, Canada's largest independent production house. These days, Shaw is heading up Odyssey Media and more interested in packaging stars with scripts to secure financing in an ever changing marketplace.

For Pound of Flesh, the script by Joshua James caught his eye years ago. Shaw liked the story, heart and action of it and spent two years acquiring the rights. During that time, Shaw embarked on a mission to meet Jean-Claude Van Damme, who in recent years has become somewhat reclusive and elusive as he lives in Hong Kong and doesn't do many movies. Shaw had already worked with the action hero likes of Dolph Lundgren, Steven Seagal and Wesley Snipes but thought Van Damme would bring an extra dimension to the role of Deacon. More so than any actor of that era and genre, Jean-Claude Van Damme has always wanted to be an "actor" over an action star. His blend of sensitivity and honesty mixed with a powerful physical grace was displayed in darker performances in films like In Hell, Wake of Death, Until Death, The Expendables II and the mockumentary JCVD. Shaw doesn't think Van Damme gets enough credit for his range of emotion and I wholeheartedly agree.

After burning out on the Hollywood lifestyle and feeling blacklisted, Van Damme seems slow to trust new would be collaborators. Shaw flew to Hong Kong and Belgium just to meet the man, investing and building their relationship. Now friends with a level of trust, Shaw has a great appreciation of Van Damme's character and personality, citing how much JCVD gives to everyone he meets. Whether it's a crew member or a fan; Van Damme takes the time to talk, pose for photos and sends them off with his blessing. Van Damme's agents at Gersh also reacted to the Pound of Flesh script and thought it would be an ideal leading role for their client. After years of cameos, villainous turns and supporting parts, Pound of Flesh sees Van Damme bleeding emotion as well as giving audiences plenty of ass kicking. Hong Kong based producer Mike Leeder introduced Shaw to martial artist and choreographer John Salvitti to give PoF a raw, realistic viciousness while utilizing Van Damme's trademark karate kicks.

Shooting took place in mainland China, partially because of the script and partially because of Shaw's never ending quest to stay relevant. Always hearing about China being the next big market with resources aplenty, the producer did his homework and partnered up with Henry Luk to find out if all the chatter was true. Under director Ernie Barbarash, PoF shot for 36 days and resulted in a positive experience with the producer and director eager to return. The film is also receiving a solid theatrical release in China on 3,000 screens. This is Barbarash's 3rd time out with Jean-Claude and I asked what Shaw saw in him as a director. Shaw described Barbarash as a man you could throw any problem at and he would never become dejected or negative, always remaining positive and able to think on his feet creatively to finish the day.

It sounds like Shaw is very proud of the film and it could mark the start of a new era in his already impressive career. In the last year alone he's shot films in Cuba, Romania, Bulgaria, China, Brazil, Australia, Canada and the United States. Shaw is eager to learn the economics of regions, maximize budgets and show off the best parts of the countries to bring in business and expose them to the world. Speaking with Shaw, it was evident he was a very smart man who has had great success in his career yet never came off with arrogance or an attitude. His quest to reach the top and always be learning was insightful, inspiring and pretty funny when he mentioned seeing dollar signs anytime he watched a movie. What it costs for the actors, location, action, extras...the real economics of filmmaking. The knowledge off the top of his head was impressive as he spoke about wanting to make a film in South Korea with local actors in the Korean tongue as over half the films released there are S.K. productions. In India something like 94% of films are domestic versus imported so it's important to keep an eye on emerging markets and experiment.

If everything goes well with Pound of Flesh, Shaw would love to do more modest budgeted action movies with strong casts as the international brands of the Lundgrens, Seagals and Van Dammes still carry plenty of weight in the market. It's like the old saying goes, a joke can play differently in any given country but a punch to the face is still a punch to the face in any language. Many thanks to Mr. Shaw for taking the time to speak with me and to Popular Press Media Group for making the inroads. Check back soon for my chat with Pound of Flesh director Ernie Barbarash.