Your upcoming movie The Dark Military - in a few words, what's it
going to be about?
The film is an action/thriller which will be one hell of a ride! This will one
for fans of Mad Max, Friday
the 13th, 24 and Battle
Royale. The film can be
summed up in the synopsis. What if a webcast, LIVE on Halloween, turned
out to be a real life survival game? What if the people hunting them are a
rogue military? What if all eyes from the around the world are tuned in, and
with a short window of time, officials need to find out where this broadcast
is taking place? With all of technology taken away from the the young adults
to slow down any rescue team from finding them, they find themselves with no
weapons to defend themselves. Can they be found in time, as the world watches
on?
From the looks of it, The Dark Military is putting a new
spin on quite a few genre conventions - care to elaborate? Yes
I believe the horror genre is a little dry. I also believe if you run
that fine line you can bring the action audience and horror audience
together. (Other)
sources of inspiration when writing The Dark Military? I'm
one that always tries to stand alone. I try to come up with ideas that are
fresh. We all when writing a screenplay sprinkle in influences that
inspire us, however you need to be your own person. You need to take a
chance and go with your heart. I came up with something I believe will
please many audiences. From
what I know, The Dark Military is your first feature as a director
after doing numerous shorts - so where do you see the differences between
directing a short and helming a feature film?
I've done 5
short films and one documentary called Pennsylvania Hardcore
which covers the last 30 years of the underground punk scene in
Pennsylvania. Coming this fall to Netflix, On Demand, etc. Well I have to
say the difference is the short films are your building ground you have
room for error. When you make a feature it has to be flawless, it's what
you've been building for you have to deliver. I have one hell of a cast. A
great soundtrack for the film in the works. It took me 19 drafts over the
course of 9 months to get the final draft for the film. It's putting in 20
hour work days to be ready for making your film come to life. Even based
on the little I know, The Dark Military promises quite a bit of
violence - so how far are you going in that direction, and anything you
can tell us about your movie's action and gore effects yet? The
film will have violence in it but I don't believe that violence makes or
"sells" a film. I believe story and the acting make or break a
film. Along with the secret weapon of all action films (the film score),
but some moments of the film will be turned up - but this won't be a blood
bath flick. What
can you tell us about the overall look and feel of your movie? I'm
going for the feel of Mad Max/The Devil's Rejects when it comes to The Dark
Military team. Really want the characters to shine and be warmed over with
the public. You
also play one of the leads in The Dark Military - so what can you
tell us about your character, what do you draw upon to bring him to life,
and have you written him with yourself in mind from the get-go?
Yes
I play the leader Barabbas he is a true leader of the group and sticks to
the plan the entire broadcast. I promise the public will take a liking to
Barrabas as well as the other members of The Dark Military. Each member of
The Dark Military brings something to the table. Anything
you can tell us about the rest of your cast yet? The cast
is big, the police and agents will bring strong performances. With R.
Marcos Taylor (Straight Outta Compton) now aboard leading the way
against The Dark Military the public is in for one hell of a ride. At what
stage of production is The Dark Military as we speak, and what's
the schedule? And any idea when and where the film might be released onto
the general public yet, however tentatively? The Dark
Military is filming all of September. Marketing will be the next key while
the film is in post. Our film manager will be looking out for our best
interest for the film. No deadline set, I "hope" for next fall. Any future
projects beyond The Dark Military? Yes, The Dark
Military Part 2 and Part 3 all have been funded. As far as I
know, before you broke into films, you've made a name of yourself as a
pro-wrestler and MMA fighter - so what can you tell us about that period
of your career? I was in the wrestling business from 99-04,
I was working the indies (more of a wrestling manager but been in a fair
share of matches myself). I also have been in martial arts since 1995. That
is my bread and butter of life (Gung Fu) raised. I've trained with many
martial arts icons and have fought in the cage but never went pro.
What made you go into acting eventually,
and did you receive any formal training on the subject? I
got into acting just because it was on my bucket list. I signed up to be a
zombie in a movie called The Reunion by Jeff Stewart. Had
little time on camera but fell in love with the whole process. I then ran
to Walnut Street Theater for acting classes and then came out swinging. Eventually,
you also branched out into writing, producing and directing - now how did
that come about? I've been in 75 films, I just had a taste
for everything besides acting. I love every process of filmwork and
jumped into everything. Do talk about your
company Average Superstar Films for a bit, and the philosophy
behind it! Average Superstar Films makes films yes BUT also
runs the biggest and most active short film fest in Philadelphia! Freedom
Shorts and Liberty Massacre. Average Superstar Films also runs networking
events for actors. ALWAYS busy here never take your foot off the gas
pedal. How would you describe yourself as an actor
and as a director? As an actor I bring out and deliver what
is needed for the role. I take acting to the max, ALWAYS ask questions and
always have my lines down when acting and aspire to be the best the performer on set.
When it comes to directing, that is a WAY bigger role. You need to know how
to make your actors shine. The film lives or dies by YOU when directing. Filmmakers, actors, writers,
wrestlers, whoever else who inspire you?
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Anybody strong-willed and anybody who talks game and backs it up. Always been drawn to
the ones that PROVE. Your favourite
movies?
The Lost Boys, Rumble Fish, 9 1/2 Weeks, That Was
Then... This Is Now. This list can go on and on. ... and of
course, films you really deplore? REMAKES! Your/your
movie's website, Facebook, whatever else?
averagesuperstarfilms.com
https://www.facebook.com/AverageSuperstarFilms
https://www.facebook.com/TheDarkMilitary?fref=ts
Anything else
you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask? Nope,
all good friend, thank you! Thanks
for the interview!
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