Welcome to another edition of “Headliners”. This is EV’s interview series with various people involved in the Entertainment business. While some names might not ring a bell…we here in the EV offices think in the not far future,they’ll be indeed household names.

Just recently I interviewed Matt Iseman,who is a stand -up comic and a co-host of the Style Network’s biggest hit, “Clean House”. While maybe not a “huge” name, it has still taken Matt 8 years to get where he is now. Hollywood is rugged that way…

Jaime McCall is also in Hollywood, chasing that dream. Being a actress/actor is a lot harder then being a comic in a lot of ways. You have to have faith in your talent,take classes, be told “We’ll be in touch” and yet the phone stays quiet. Many struggling artists actually work real jobs (waitressing, bartender, nanny, etc…)as well doing a lot of weird dinner theater, all in hope of getting that big break. Hollywood is rugged that way.

I added Jamie as a friend on MySpace.com after reading one of her blogs. Then I started noticing that she ran a LOT of bulletins letting folks know about any small “thing” she was doing. Now anyone knowing me at all,knows I love artists who promote the hell outta themselves, I mean…I think Tila Tequila is ugly as sin and has the IQ of a gnat BUT she does know how to promote herself,to stand out.

And Jamie does that as well only she has the talent to back her play….she has served her country,is a creative writer and works extremely hard at becoming a better actress.

My old boss in my nightclub days always told me “You always seem to know who is going to break next” when it came to booking bands…its why I think Tey Punsalan and Mermaid Kiss will strike gold and in the world of film…I think, no…I KNOW Jamie McCall will also be a huge star!

And now, Headliners with……….actress Jamie McCall

1. What is your favorite childhood memory?

Oh wow, there are so many. Overall I had a wonderful childhood. Sure, there was some trauma, divorce, abandonment issues, molestation – you know – the average things little girls must grow through. But overall I am very grateful I had a wonderful family, traveled a lot and was encouraged to do anything I dreamed. My favorite memory? My biological Father taking my little sister & I to the Enchanted Forest in Oregon on one of our yearly visits (after the divorce). We went round & round through the Rabbit Hole in Alice in Wonderland while our Father chased us. I remember feeling so proud that we thought we’d lost him. We still have pictures. Then there was the family trip to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming which is amazing! You truly see God in action there. I had my first encounter with a wild Buffalo – up close & personal. Most of my good memories are with my family. But I have wonderful memories when I went off by myself each summer to Girl Scout Camp in McCall, Idaho. One of the most beautiful, pure, clean, untouched places on earth. That’s where my name comes from. And I just recently found out (after I adopted the name, because the place means so much to me…) that my paternal family heritage were some of the first original homesteaders of this majestic mountain town! Talk about Serendipity…

2. You served in the US Navy, why that direction and what did you get there that has helped you the most?

I have a lot of family history in the Navy. My Uncle was a Top Gun Fighter Pilot, F-14 Tomcats, lived the storybook exciting life traveling the world – he was my Mentor – that’s what I wanted to do. I was the first female in my family to become an Officer. Honor, Courage, Commitment is the official Navy code…and that’s what I got. Discipline is crucial to character and hence to success. Especially in this, such an unstructered, unstable business. Plus you’ve gotta have balls. I’m pretty fearless.

3. When did you decide to head to Hollywood?

Several years ago while I was living in Puerto Rico, which was my last duty station with the Navy. I did my first professional acting job there, a film called “Back in the Day” with Ja Rule and my former showbiz mentor Ving Rhames. I packed up & moved here within months after that, having caught “the bug” again. I came here not knowing a soul! I’ve got no family in Cali & had no friends in LA. It was a ballsy move. I just went with my gut. But I’ve been a performer all my life – mainly thru dance production and stage performance. I started when I was a little girl. So this was just a return to roots for me, not a jump into something completely new…

4. What is a SAG card and how does the process work into getting one?

The Screen Actors Guild is the Union for Professional Actors. There are a couple of ways to get the card, but it involves working professionally as an actor and paying a nice chunk of money! It’s a big investment and shouldn’t be taken lightly. I became eligible for mine from my role as a young mother in the Civil War South in a feature film called “Ascension Day”. I did NOT get any eligibility vouchers from working as an Extra, doing background work! I want to make that clear – it’s a big misconception. And I did that full time for about six months! Don’t get caught up in it. Take it for what it’s worth & move on. Although there are a few who become eligible that way, it is rare.

5. Take us through a normal audition day in Hollywood..

It starts the night before. Make sure you’re well-rested (beauty sleep). Carefully choose wardrobe according to the role & specifications. Mapquest your way there before leaving. Arrive right on time if not 10-15 min. early…never late. (Even though they’re usually running late). Make sure you’re well-rehearsed and in the right mental state for the role/character. The process varies so much depending on what you’re going for. I’ve had auditions which took ten minutes and those in which they’ve kept me for two hours! Sometimes they’ll put you on camera and sometimes not. I never do the “cattle call” auditions – where they send out an open invitation and hundreds of people show up. It’s not dignified and it’s not worth it to me. It just seems too desperate. And I always say, desperation doesn’t look good in Hollywood. Confidence is key! I am unique! I am special! There’s only one of me. That’s my reply to people who say “what about all the competition?” Especially being a blonde, blue-eyed attractive young female. But I just don’t look at it that way. You can’t. There IS no competition in my eyes. My only competition is with myself! I know my value. So I wait to be called in specifically for my looks, personality and talent – they saw something they liked in me and requested me. Otherwise, I don’t bother.

6. How did you get into martial arts and what styles do you practice?

I trained some self defense with the military, but I’ve wanted to study formal martial arts all my life. A good friend of mine got her Black Belt from Billy Blanks. She brought me with her to his World Training Center, a staple of Sherman Oaks for over 15 years, and we instantly clicked! He’s a very spiritual, charismatic man. We understood each other from the get-go & became fast friends as well as Master-Disciple. For the first time since moving to LA, I found a place that felt like home. It felt like family there. I immediately dove in, training twice a day up to 4-5 hours a day. I loved it! It was like I’d opened the flood gates. I progressed very quickly. Most people know him as the “Tae-Bo” guy, but he is a 6th Degree Master of Korean Tae Kwon Do. We trained also in Karate and in weapons; I began practicing Escrima (Filipino Fighting Sticks) and the Staff. Then he shut down. I was devastated. Now I train kickboxing with fighter friends freelance here & there as well as some stunt fighting & sparring – I’m still searching for the next Dojo to get back into formal training in my Gi. I want to move into Chinese styles next like Kung Fu.

7. You are now a published author,what did you write and where can we get a copy of it?

I have self-published the first volume of my poetry in a book called “Renaissance Girl – Love.Hate.Sex.Romance.” You can find it on Cafepress.com. There’s a link on my website. Some may not know but I’m also a professional Spoken Word Artist. I’ve been the Featured Poet in gigs in Atlanta, North Carolina and LA. I’m still working on my book “Living the High Life without Drinking the Champagne”. I’m soliciting a publisher for this very dramatic, important piece and am in talks with a couple right now – one here and one in England.

8. What are your 3 favorite movies?

Oh, that’s a hard one! I’m a movie fanatic – there are so many that are my favorite. Story-telling is truly an art, but is also important spirtually, because it brings people together. The Native Americans revered the Elder Storytellers who held (and hold) very high positions in the tribe. I think unfortunately we’ve lost some of that value in Hollywood. Too much of it is about making quick, easy money. Which is why you see so many sequels and so much “reality” tv crap. Anyway, I digress. Ok, so I’ll just list 3 that come to mind that I can watch over & over again & never tire of:
Top Gun
Pulp Fiction
The Crow

9. You are one of the best self-promoting artists I have seen here on MySpace, how important are your fans in relation to your success?

They are everything. From the business side of it, showbiz is 100% based on their reaction. There’s no “supply & demand” like in other businesses where a product is supplied that people need to survive or to live comfortable daily lives. They create the “demand” for the “product” which is Jamie McCall. They’re the ones that say “We wanna see more of her!” On the personal side of it, they are also crucial. There’ve been plenty of days where I’ve felt down & out, tired & ready to give it up…when I get a message, a phone call or a note encouraging me to keep going, thanking me for inspiring, telling me how much of an impact I’m having…and it keeps me going. I really feel like they’re on the journey with me, that my successes are theirs, and that’s why I share so much, every step of the way, all the good and the bad, so that they do feel like an important & integral part of the movement. Because they are. As a sidenote, I’ve never really liked the word “fan”, which comes from “fanatic” because that’s not what I have. I have Friends and Supporters. All real, true people, cheering me on, providing guidance and support while receiving inspiration and hopefully entertainment from me. Most all are interested in me as a person and not just my image. It’s a true give-and-take relationship. I am so grateful!

To add Jamie as a friend and follow this rising star,go here:
myspace.com/goldilx
or check out her personal website:
www.JamieMcCall.com

Welcome to another edition of “Headliners…..”, an ongoing interview series here at Entertainment Vine.

My wife and I watch cable TV. We enjoy watching HGTV quite a bit and we also really like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The idea of watching a show of people helping others just for the sake of helping kind of renews your faith in your fellow man/woman.

One day my wife called in me to watch a show on the Style Network called “Clean House”. I sat down and within minutes started cracking up..the show’s premise,to help hapless people living in the LA in totally messy houses,to clean up and let go of all the crap they hang on to.The crew,headed by the great Neicy Nash and her team of main designer Mark Brunetz,yard sale diva,Trish Suhr and the Go To Guy,Matt Iseman,work very hard on a VERY tiny budget to change these people’s lives for the better. While Trish and Matt are relative newcomers,the show has been on since 2004. Some people are grateful for thier help while others (those looney people in New Jersey and the most ugly hearted Toni Dragon) seem to see the show as “come out and clean my house show”.
What makes ‘Clean House” so great is both the humor and the warmth of the crew. Despite having backgrounds in stand comedy,acting and designing multi-million dollar homes, the “Clean House” crew does care about every family they try and help. Its a asskicking show!

So when I saw Matt Iseman had a MySpace page,his own website is a bit dated,I decided to ask for a interview and pick his brain abouyt the show and his career. I wasn’t so much amazed by his comedy,he is a very funny guy on the show,but by the fact he was going to become a doctor! You can tell by watching Matt on the show,he loves kids,he always is the one interacting with them,they seem to trust him and Neicy the most.
I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I had fun putting it together….

And now….sit back and check out “Headliners with……Clean House’s GoToGuy,Matt Iseman!
If you’re fan,drop a comment or a few kudos!

What was growing up in the Iseman house like?

Totally awesome. Lots of sports, both real and of the video game variety. and my room was kickass. If you don’t believe me, make a pilgrimage to Denver, Colorado to see for yourself because it the time capsule is still intact, unchanged since I graduated High School in 1989. But I think the reason I ended up in comedy is my mom. She was and is my biggest fan and by always laughing at all the wacky things I did, I think she turned me into the laugh hungry person that takes the stage today.

2. You went to medical school,how did you go from medicine to comedy?

A Lawsuit. No, I just realized that my heart wasn’t in medicine and I didn’t want to be a half-assed doctor, so I figured I’d try something I really loved and that was being the center of attention. Worked out well so far.

3. Define “comedy” according to Matt Iseman.

See my CD. Whatever makes you laugh, qualifies. Check out Brian Regan to see the man who made me want to be a comedian in the first place. And watch Will Ferrell to see who consistently makes me laugh every second that he’s on screen.

4. How did you get the co-hosting part on “Clean House”?

Really kind of a fluke, they brought me in on 2 days notice to fill in and then, like Lou Gehrig, I just didn’t leave. That was 30 episodes. Not sure I’ll make 2,100 but the streak is still going for now.

5. What percent of the actual work does the main crew do?

It really varies based on the episode and the amount of work we have to get done. The reality is we’re filming a show where we make over a house in just a few days. So we have a crew that helps us get it done on time, mostly it’s just extra hands but… sometimes… under our expert direction… they’ll help out by picking up a hammer. Or a staple gun.

6. Despite knowing the premise of the show,are people that unwilling to part with thier foolishness and mayhem?

YES. It never fails to amaze me… THEY called us and yet they forget we’re not a maid service. We’re helping you get rid of the clutter and make sure it doesn’t come back. Still, it makes it interesting when you offer a brand new bedroom set to someone if they’ll give up heir ratty old teddy bear and they fight you tooth and nail. That’s the heart of the show.

7. What has been your favorite family to work with and why?

Hmmm…. tough to pick just one. I’d have to say it isn’t the Lorias.(That was the crazy ass people who won the Messiest House in America contest-Ed) Haha. I really liked the Sheffies because, being with them for a week, you really got to see they were a close family who wanted to live right and just needed our help. They were fun and funny and Stacie (an amateur handywoman) had created a ton of work for me with her unfinished projects. And they LOVED the finished product.

8. How long have you been doing stand-up comedy?

About 8 years now.

You did a USO Tour overseas to Afghanistan, what’s your position as an American on the war?

As a comedian and the host of a home makeover show, I know that if people care about my position on the war they need to read a newspaper. Suffice it to say, I support the troops and take every change I get to go overseas to perform for them. They are the best crowds for whom I’ve ever performed and the most appreciative.

10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Still cleaning houses. Or starring in my own sitcom. Or maybe on my couch watching tapes or what I was doing today.

11. Which of your friends/fans will comment first on this interview?

My Mom. Or my stalker.

To add Matt as a Friend: http://www.myspace.com/mattiseman

Zara: More than a pleasure. Now stop creeping and ask me the questions ha-ha

Rob: You are a remarkable 13 times World Martial Arts Champion. Could you let us have details of what started you into this field, together with your disciplines?

Zara: I started in martial arts when I was a wee little girl aged 7, originally my dad got me into Shotokan Karate under the tuition of Mick and Wayne Tucker, in fact I remained studying karate for 6 years but in that time I’d also been fortunate enough to be accepted for tuition at the renowned school of champions academy in Nottingham. From there I continued training in Kickboxing, Tae Kwon Do, Ho Shin Sul, Sport Karate and Shaolin Wu Shu and developed into the national team in competition, although I enjoyed my years in international tournaments , martial arts is a way of life for me, I love to study and teach rather than compete.

Rob: How did you get into the world of screen fighting?

Zara: I was actually competing in USA when I got spotted for a film, on returning to UK after the film project (which was a Sci -Fi, no martial arts at all) I got the indie film bug, and it was then I realised to my amazement there was so much going on back here with stunt fighting in martial art UK productions. With my connections in the states along, with friends here in UK, it soon became more common to study screen fighting , how it works, the difference between film fighting techniques and real martial arts etc. In fact I got asked to teach some workshops on it as I got more and more detailed in the technicalities of industry standards such as line of impact, falls, safety lines, etc. There is a big network of screen fighters here in the UK, but martial art practitioners are generally un- aware of this, especially those who aspire to become martial art actors. So the workshops provided a good link up for this.

Rob: This year you have managed to set up the UK Black Salt Screen fighting Team, as well as become the UK Representative for the Fighting Stunts Association (the stunt team behind Sin City). That is incredibly quick! What is the secret to your success?

Zara: The secret is this, it’s nothing to do with me, it’s the fact that so many martial artists out there didn’t realise screen fighting was about, everyone thinks that you need to be a registered stunt person and go through all that, which is good but not the only avenue for martial art actors. The Black Salt team was made up out of a demand for networking and team practice in screen fighting, we are very lucky to have such a great group of people involved from around the country, up coming stars like yourself, Kayley Marke, Rob Comrie, and so many others. There are other teams in the UK, all very good, and with this brings more awareness to the indie film maker who didn’t have access to action fighters before for their projects. FSA got in contact soon after Black Salt team appeared, after talking to them extensively over a couple of months I found we were really on the same page, my involvement with them came out of the fact I really like what they are doing for martial artists to get into film industry, whether it be small or big budget, plus the knowledge is invaluable to the team.

Coming back to building the Black Salt screen fighter team, another inspiration is the team from Glasgow – The Total Combat team. They are awesome, I really like their work, in-fact I’m able to work with them on a project at present. The more teams that

form the better I think, because there will be more indie productions as well as bigger production opportunities. Hopefully the UK will start having regular action martial art related films being made with all this talent available.

Rob: Who in the martial arts film world is your inspiration?

Zara: Bruce Lee still does it for me. You just think, the films were made in the 70’s yet he still commands that tingle down your spine when he is on screen. Jet Li is also a hero of mine, but to be honest I love most martial art movies, USA, HK, Europe etc, Cynthia Rothrock I’m a big admirer of too, I still think she’s the queen of martial arts ha-ha

Rob: Zara, you will soon be shooting, “Shiai – The Game”. What would audiences see that would differ from the majority of current martial arts films?

Zara: My character I am hoping will show that a female can hold her own on the screen with having to battle different styles and not fight the same but adapt and adapt well to survive, I think that will be different for a female lead character in a martial art film, so fingers crossed.

Rob: What in your opinion, makes a good fight sequence?

Zara: wow, well it all depends on the project. Different projects mean different type of fight scenes and choreography. I must admit one of my favourite and hard worked fight scenes to date is with Joey Ansah (Bourne Ultimatum). We worked on the film ‘Underground’ and the fight scene in that wasn’t your typical girl kicks high etc, it was a tough battle and we both came out with bruises, I for one knew when I came out of that, that we’d done a good job. I think as long as an audience can see the fighters really work it, then the fight scene should be cool , but lets not forget is down to the editors after that ha-ha.

Rob: I have attended your screen fighting seminars; and whilst challenging, are most enjoyable. What do you see happening for the stunt team you have created?

Zara: I haven’t created the team, the team have created themselves, a bunch of positive thinking talented people coming together on a common ground. I think the team like other teams in the UK will continue to grow and develop in various projects, whether it is on film, TV, commercials or music video’s. Obviously a lot of them work with me on projects I am sometimes involved with, but they also work on their own stuff too. The team is about being a team, supporting each other in whatever we are doing, whether we are involved in the same project or not, it’s a support and training base. I know you’ll see more of the team in the near future appearing on big and little screens.

Rob: Furor appears to be a change in direction for you. How do you think this project will challenge you Zara?

Zara: hmmm, without giving too much away? Lol Ok , well Furor for me is a acting challenge, you are hopefully going to see some demanding acting from me emotionally, well at least though parts of the film ha-ha. It is a change for me, as all the roles I’ve played so far are tough chicks, and in this for some part I do as well, but there is also a very different type of role for me too, without letting out too much )

Rob: What advice would you give to anyone who is interested in venturing into the martial arts media industry?

Zara: Seek good advice, I’m not the one to give it, I’m still new and a baby to all this. But, there are some good people out there, people who have made it so to speak and with real experience in this industry. They are here in the UK, and they are nice people too. Talk to the action actors that are doing the work out there, I for one have learnt a lot in this last year alone by networking. I’ve been fortunate to work with the likes of Mark Strange, Nathan Lewis, your self, Joey Ansah, all the guys on the Underground project (some awesome peeps on there) also working with George and Mandy at Total Combat has helped me a lot. Network, Network, Network!

Recently I joined the SOOPA 8. An amazing group of models, actors, performers and business venture’s, even through this, networking and gaining knowledge has been incredible. There are a lot of talented and helpful people out there, so again, start networking!

Rob: I got to know you via Myspace. How do you rate Myspace as a networking tool for screen fighters?

Zara: It’s great. We may never have met if it wasn’t for Myspace. Now look at us… we’re working on two films together one in the States & one in the UK, you can’t argue with that! Myspace is great for contacting people you didn’t get opportunity to contact directly before, so for networking it is cool, as long as you keep it professional. However, with every good thing comes the down side, and yes Myspace has its down side too. Like some unprofessional people on there dare I say, in fact, there are a lot of profiles of stars that aren’t really their profiles. I talk to a well known international actor (not going to name him) who actually has 3 myspace sites claiming to be him, although none are!

Rob: How do you juggle your martial teaching with your screen fighting projects? You never seem to rest!

Zara: it’s tough, but I love it so much (teaching and screen fighting) that it doesn’t seem as tough as what it looks on paper. I run a full time business with my academy in Mansfield, the Personal best Academy , here’s my plug – www.personalbestacademy.com ha-ha. I love the place, the students and the fellow team staff. I’m also still a member of the School of Champions Academy, which is still my training home, training these days are limited for sure, the hardest transition is from my usual 7 days a week training (sometimes twice a day) to now juggling between teaching, managing, filming and finding that one moment where I can use the opportunity to train. That is the hardest thing, as training is still my biggest buzz.

Rob: I am fortunate to be a member of your stunt team, and you have become a great friend. What is your philosophy on life Zara?

Zara: To beat you up if you call it my stunt team again lol… Seriously though, I just love life itself, corny, simple I know, but it’s true. I love martial arts as you know, and I seriously love the film industry related stuff, but for me as a person, meeting people, different cultures etc is something that means so much. Being the best person you can be with yourself is surely something to look back on with pride. Have a goal in life, then keep that aim, if you haven’t got goals then how do you live your life?

Rob: Where does Zara Phythian see herself in the future?

Zara: 80 year old woman in the back garden doing her tai chi and loving it ) the rest in between? Well, I intend to enjoy… whatever it may be.

Rob: Thank you very much for doing this interview. I wish you all the success in the future.

Zara: I wish you success too, you thoroughly deserve it sir!

Zara Phythian On Myspace

Personal Best Academy

The internet has allowed people to decide what they want to watch and hear while pushing aside much of the pre-processed material that tends to get thrust out into the public. Arin and Susan have gained many fans on their own without the usual distribution methods and old dictated process of having a film created and made available to the public.

Along their journey, they also selflessly help to promote others in the music and media world.

We have all been there… in the beginning of starting our own lives… and finding someone to share our lives with in a relationship…

I wanted to share Arin and Susan’s story with you, so I asked to collaborate on an interview with them….
[Wendy at Dreamish.com] When did your journey begin with the Four Eyes Monsters project?

[Arin Crumley] Well I guess pretty much when we met each other in September of 2002. But we started working on the film to convey our experiences around November of 2003. Finished a rough cut about a year later, showed the rough cut at Slamdance 2005, then showed a less rough in our self distribution theatrical release in September of 2006 and finally had a final cut we released on the DVD off our website on March 31st of this year. So its been a long road.

[Wendy at Dreamish.com] When you started the project, did you have any experience or education in the film field?

[Arin Crumley] I had a lot of technical experience in shooting and editing video and Susan had been learning for a year. She has a fine art background and I didn’t go to college.

[Wendy at Dreamish.com] With Episode 1 “In the beginning”, you expressed how you were creative, but not able to find a way to communicate it. How have things changed since the beginning, now that you have given everyone a window to view your world and your relationship.

[Arin Crumley] Hmm. Still trapped inside the confines of my brain. But I guess maybe I’ve let others peer in?

[Wendy at Dreamish.com] In Episode 1, you mentioned how you started your project. Did you quit your jobs to be able to work as needed on the project? How many hours a day did you tend to put into the creation process?

[Arin Crumley] Well this project has been 10 to 18 hour days or longer for about 3 and a half years. Yes, I know, crazy. But sometimes we’ll take a day off for rest or for paid work. But no real jobs. Just “gigs” basically. But this is like once a week at the most, and more for Susan then for me, I pretty much never take gigs anymore, there just isn’t time. So we go without money if we have to.

[Wendy at Dreamish.com] In Episode 1 & 2 “The Investment”, you mentioned how financing the film was done by using credit cards and help from family. Were you aware of how much it would cost to create this film? Was it impossible to get any financial investor backing for your project?

[Arin Crumley] Yes, it was impossible to get a financial backer. We had no track record of any kind. No script. No indication that we had anything. Just some ideas in our heads. And further more, to have tried to first convey this all to some backer would have killed our process. Similar to the reason we don’t have backing for our next project. And if we can’t even get backing for our next project, surely there is no way in gods name we could have done it for our first.

[Wendy at Dreamish.com] Was the Four Eyed Monster website created in the beginning of the project? Did you design and set it up yourself?

[Arin Crumley] We made www.foureyedmonsters.com a few weeks before going out to slamdance in 2005. We needed a place for their site to link to. The way back machine has a pretty funny early version of our site. It was nothing like the RSSing, podcasting, blogging, open source 2.0 mega word press site we have today.

[Wendy at Dreamish.com] What other types of internet avenues did you use? (I remember trying to make it to the Second Life screening, but my computer wouldn’t cooperate while in there.) Which avenues were the most valuable to bringing new viewers? What seemed to be the hardest to deal with?

[Arin Crumley] Podcasting. Simple. That is the future of entertainment. Bits of media that come to you automatically if your subscribed. No TV channel has that. No major studio has that. No radio DJ has that. When we make a new video or have a new trailer or post a new short episode or have a video invitation, our subscribers get it. They’ve basically pleged by subscribing that they want to hear from us. They want to know what we are up to and see what ever we make and put up there. It’s the single most powerful thing we’ve done online and it’s the reason we were able to do everything else we’ve done online. Once you have a fan base, you can mess around, experiment, do crazy things like screen the film in the 3D world of Second Life and have avatars sitting in theater seats in a virtual space. That was probably taking things too far by the way, but it’s been fun experimenting in this world of media and technology innovation that is being re-invented before our eyes.

[Wendy at Dreamish.com] In Episode 3 “Pretend”, I love how you show the real and genuine side of working on the project through these episodes. You started developing problems in your relationship due to the stress involved in getting the film ready for the Slamdance film festival. Is there anything you would have done differently if you got to do it all over again?

[Arin Crumley] Relationships and projects are not the same thing. But at the time the Episode 3 material was filmed, we thought they were the same thing. That’s how in it we were.

[Wendy at Dreamish.com] Along came…

Episode 3.5,

Episode 4 “Waiting For Crumley”,

Episode 5 “Losers”,

Episode 6 “Inside the Acting Studio”,

Episode 7 “If you give a mouse a cookie…” and

Episode 8 “The Family Meeting”…

You show how you had a stalled moment, a rollercoaster ride of emotions, exhaustion, a break in trust during your trip to Slamdance, and relationship breakdowns. They are dramatic episodes showing what can happen in the film industry. Do you feel as though you were taken advantage of since you were new to the process? Would you have contracts and specific roles written up in the future and do things a bit more formal?

[Arin Crumley] No. I don’t plan to use contracts in the future. In fact, I plan to get even more organic with the collaboration. And I think the solution to the credits problem is meta data. That’s all everyone wanted. They just wanted a way to know who was in-front and who was on set for every scene. Our next project is going to have meta data like that. And then there can be no credits because it’s all accessible online.

They say it’s bad to wait until a project is done to then go in and try to get contracts, I agree, if you have a normal project with normal roles, absolutely, but if you want to be fluid, I stand behind not asking people to sign until the end, that way you can know for sure, it hasn’t hurt the work in anyway.

The other thing to do is have people sign something the moment you meet them. Honestly, I’ve done that too, had people sign releases when they come to the audition, then forget all about it.

Bottom line, contracts are weird. They just are. They rub everyone the wrong way. They keep people awake at night. Why, because they relate to money. Which is ridiculous to have had a problem with a film like Four Eyed Monsters that has made no money to speak of. But the second your relationships start having this clinical monetary tinge. That’s when it gets weird. And that’s across the board. Susan and I deciding to marry our finances turned into problems. Actors wondering what their financial compensation for their contributions would be caused problems. And I’d even go as far as to say our connection with our audience has been slightly offended due to us selling t-shirts and DVDs and soon downloads of our feature film. I wish there was another way. I have a big problem with money and what it does to social and collaborative dynamics..

[Wendy at Dreamish.com] You created these podcast episodes with some incredible music. Did you have pay to use the music or was it a collaborative co-promotion arrangement?

[Arin Crumley] Oh my god, more on the money tip. Now so far that’s all been fine. Indie bands are completely fine trading exposure for use of music. They are in the same situation as us, they are running from obscurity and chasing exposure to avoid curling up and dying.

[Wendy at Dreamish.com] The DVD is now available with original artwork, all of the episodes, and more. I am anxious and look forward to receiving the copy I have ordered. How are things going with this part of the process?

[Arin Crumley] As of May 15th we’ve sold 750 DVDs. We are pretty happy about that. But the goal is to sell 5,000 during 2007, so we have to pick up the pace if we are going to get there. That will get us out of debt from making the film. And our future goal will of course be to make more projects once we are in the clear from this one.

[Wendy at Dreamish.com] Your vision is something that will inspire many people. What are you doing these days to move forward?

[Arin Crumley] Well I’ve been writing tutorials for other filmmakers on our website and collecting ideas and experiences for our next project. Susan has been doing photo documentation of various things and editing a bunch of material we will be posting later. And finally, I try to constantly zoom out. I’ve been studying the way our financial system works, how it really works and the corruption there and also paying way more attention to world politics. So what does it matter to be making personal work in a world where humanity is clearly sick on a larger societal scale. Well the answer I have thus far is that if individuals were okay in their lives, if they were okay in their relationships, maybe we wouldn’t have the genocidal and self destructive human race. Maybe we would have a loving-caring, and understanding human race.

[Wendy at Dreamish.com] Thanks Arin!

Arin and Susan are very talented and can use everyone’s support.

- Visit the Four Eyed Monsters website – Watch the Film Trailer- Order the DVD & t-shirts

- Visit the Official MySpace for Four Eyed Monsters

In a short space of time, he has become a member of the UK Black Salt Screen Fighting Team, and registered with The Fighting Stunts Association (Sin City). Based in the UK, he is under the watchful eye of Zara Phythian (13 times World Martial Arts Champion and actor).

He feels that as a Screen Fighter, he goes into a project as a ‘blank canvas’, and looks forward to the direction offered by the choreographer”

[Paul Reeves] Hi Rob. Thanks for taking the time to give this interview.

[Rob Ho] It is my pleasure. Thank you for giving me the opportunity.

[Paul Reeves] You’ve been practising martial arts for 20 years now. What made you interested in taking up martial arts?

[Rob Ho] Well, I grew up watching Bruce Lee films and so he initially sparked off my interest. Then I guess it was experiencing bullying first hand when I grew up, which prompted me to learn martial arts, for self-preservation. I continue to train for well-being.

[Paul Reeves] What does a typical day’s training involve?

[Rob Ho] Ha ha to be honest, I think I am rather lazy! I do in the main jogging, coupled with light stretching and performing various martial art techniques. It has dawned on me that the shooting of a fight scene requires rather a lot of stamina, so good resilience is recommended.

[Paul Reeves] When did you start chasing your ambition to use your martial arts experience to try and get into action movies?

[Rob Ho] Paul, it all started when I changed my career, which I will speak of later. Historically I always dreamed of being in a martial arts film, yet I was encouraged to follow a specific path; namely a traditional career which would allow me to live. Well as I mentioned, after changing careers, I wondered where things would take me if I signed onto a casting agency. This I did near the start of 2006, although I have historically received modelling work from them, ha ha, doing “business suit” work!

Over the last few years I was also teaching Hip Hop dance in Bristol, and I made the decision to stop teaching after the summer of 2006, to focus on martial arts performance training. I did not have any projects lined up but I was happy as I had made the change to martial arts training. The way I approached it was that if something came of it, then great; but if there was nothing, I would equally be happy.

It was not until last September 2006 when a friend emailed me a link. A company were advertising for extras to be in a UK based martial arts film. It was one of those moments when I thought, well….shall I or shall I not…..I completed the application form online and sent it off, just because my friend kept on encouraging me to. I received a reply informing me that they wanted me, and if I could turn up in Bradford at 5.30am on a Saturday morning! Now, being in Bristol, that was miles away, and it did not seem rational. However, after mulling it over, I presented myself with the, “…what if anything comes of it” scenario, and made the long drive up. That film was called Dark Eden.

I had a very open mind when I arrived and I came away from the day `taking` the experience that I wanted from it.

[Paul Reeves] You left behind a career as a solicitor, which was a very bold decision to make. Did you ever have any doubts about leaving this career path?

[Rob Ho] I spent 10 years in the legal field and it was one of those situations Paul, that I discovered it was not for me. I must confess, there was a month of deep reflection, asking myself if it was the right thing. In the end I knew it was.

This coincided with my father’s health being at a stage where he could not really continue working at the same rate he previously did; and it was agreed that I`d help out in the family business. I now work with my older sister Susan, and we are both Landlords. .

[Paul Reeves] Was it always in the back of your mind to someday pursue your dream of being an action film actor?

[Rob Ho] To be honest, over the course of time I always day dreamed. Even when I was watching the trailer in the cinema before a film started, my mind would be elsewhere and I would visualise myself in some amazing fight scene! However I always thought (certainly until recently) that it may have been all but an intangible dream.

[Paul Reeves] Have you ever had any serious injuries during training or shooting a scene?

[Rob Ho] That is a very good question. I get the feeling that some people think martial film fights are not painful. That is not the case. I have come to expect that when I perform a fight sequence, I anticipate an injury of some sort. ‘Touch Wood” I have received more niggling injuries than serious ones. My left big toe ‘pops’ out of joint sometimes, and nowadays when I train, I tape my toes together!

[Paul Reeves] Who have been your biggest influences to chase your dreams?

[Rob Ho] That would be a number of people. I would first mention Peter Hallett of Utopian Pictures, who gave me my first experience of proper screenfighting, together with speaking lines for the camera. Then there is Zara Phythian and Master Vic Marke. I can truly say that both have taken me under their respective wings, and I am honoured to be a member of their stunt team (UK Black Salt). Zara is a 13 times World Martial Arts Champion and actor. Master Vic is a very well respected international coach in martial arts, as well as being a Producer/ Director. Every time I visit them, I learn something new in relation to screen fighting. I am soon to fly out to Ohio with them both to play a Shaolin Fighter in Zara`s film, “The Game”.

I almost forgot one crucial person who has encouraged me to see what I can make of this screen fighting. That is my mum! Her face lights up when I tell her what I have been up to, and she is very proud that her little boy (well I`m 34!) is going to the US to be in a martial arts film! However, mum keeps stressing to me the importance of remaining grounded, which I seek to abide to.

[Paul Reeves] Out of today’s martial arts movie stars, which one would you most like to perform with?
[Rob Ho] I would love to work with Jet Li. Not only is he an amazing martial artist, his acting is very strong also.

[Paul Reeves] You have a very nice profile on Myspace. Have you found Myspace useful in helping you make contacts in the film world?

[Rob Ho] Thank you Paul. Myspace has been an amazing networking tool for me. It was Myspace which connected me with Peter, Zara and Vic, so yes, it has been great.

[Paul Reeves] You seem like a very pleasant natured person. So how does it feel to play the roles of bad guys and evil henchmen? Do you find it a challenge?

[Rob Ho] That is awfully kind of you to say Mister Reeves! I enjoy playing bad roles and it is sooooooo the opposite to how I am in reality. If anything it makes my male friends chuckle, and freaks my female friends out! The latter find it hard to connect `lovely real Rob`, with `evil reel Rob`!!!

[Paul Reeves] Do you worry about being stereo typed?

[Rob Ho] I would say no, because in the small number of productions I have been in to date, whilst they have been ‘bad’ roles, the way in which I have been asked to play them have been quite diverse. For instance in Peter’s film, “Tough Justice”, I play a modern day henchman who fights modern martial arts. In Zara’s film, “The Game”, I will be playing a Renegade Shaolin Monk, fighting Zara`s character with traditional kung fu style moves, with the traits of a monk.

[Paul Reeves] What would be the best advice that you could give to someone who would like to start trying to get into action films?

[Rob Ho] I was lucky through Myspace and I basically networked, perhaps that it might be a good place to start. However it is important that you remain humble throughout and realise that film makers are not obligated to help you.

[Paul Reeves] What are your hopes for the future?

[Rob Ho] I am hoping Paul that perhaps one day my pastime of being a Screen Fighter becomes my main occupation. At the moment I am a Landlord, although the hours are somewhat flexible for me to pursue my love of screenfighting. I would also hope that the UK martial arts film making industry one day could join forces and make a film project that would show the world what we are all about.

[Paul Reeves] Rob, it’s been a pleasure. I hope we see you up on the big screen very soon.

[Rob Ho] Thank you very much Paul. I am most flattered.
Rob “Hip Hop Ho”

- Rob Ho on MySpace

- Paul Reeves on MySpace