tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15825376179539817032024-03-13T03:28:38.806-07:00Sensei Production Journalg0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-5397134923262876902011-03-17T13:46:00.001-07:002011-03-17T13:46:18.107-07:00Diana Lee Inosanto, creator and star of THE SENSEI wins AOF Maverick AwardThere are a great number of reasons why Diana Lee Inosanto was named the Action On Film International FilmFestival’s 2011 Maverick Award Winner. None of these reasons have anything to do with who she knows or who <br />
she’s related to. Every one of the reasons for her winning this year have to do with something she has accomplished,<br />
for the work she has done and for the strides she continues to make. Here is a little information on the 2011 AOF <br />
Maverick Award Winner. <br />
<br />
Inosanto is the writer-director-producer and co-star of the critically successful, and popular festival film, "THESENSEI." In addition, D. Lee would work with Asian American theater companies, East West Players & LodestoneTheater Ensemble continuing to evolve as an actress and martial arts choreographer.<br />
<br />
Reaching adulthood, Ms. Inosanto struggled as a young, single mom with an Autistic son. Eventually she met <br />
her husband Ron Balicki, a former Deputy Sheriff turned Martial Arts Entrepreneur / Stunt Coordinator and nowProducer. <br />
<br />
Ms. Inosanto made the most of her extensive training and successful career as a stuntwoman to learn directly onset about the “directing process” by watching and absorbing the techniques, strategies, and philosophies exhibited byA-list directors, like Ang Lee, John Woo, Barry Sonnenfeld, Chris Columbus and Clint Eastwood. <br />
<br />
By the end of 2010, as an emerging director and writer on THE SENSEI, Inosanto would win <br />
awards and accolades at film festivals like LA Femme International, Hoboken International, <br />
Philadelphia Asian American Film Fest, San Francisco's Frameline, Germany's <br />
Verzaubert Film Festival and New York's Newfest to name a few. <br />
<br />
In order to make “The Sensei” a reality, Ms. Inosanto had to overcome manyobstacles, but as always, she perseverd and the result was a fantastic filmand a growing fan base for her work in fornt of and behind the camera.<br />
<br />
So powerful was her message that the Asian American Justice Center will present <br />
Ms. Inosanto with the American Courage Award this October 6th, in Washington, <br />
<br />
D.C for her bravery and dedication to the cause of civil rights and use of incredible <br />
creative aptitude to deliver the message of advancing social justice.<br />
Moving forward, Ms. Inosanto co-produced with her husband, Ron Balicki, the <br />
action thriller "SINNERS & SAINTS" starring Johnny Strong (Black Hawk Down), <br />
Oscar Nominee Tom Berenger (Inception), Sean Patrick Flanery (Boondock Saints), <br />
Method Man (The Wire) and Kim Coates (Black Hawk Down).<br />
<br />
Ms. Inosanto has been accepted into the ALLIANCE OF WOMEN DIRECTORS, <br />
sharing membership with other notable women directors like Catherine <br />
Hardwicke (Twilight) and Kimberely Peirce's (Boys Don't Cry).<br />
<br />
Diana Lee Inosanto is currently working on several projects <br />
in various stages of development and will receive herAOF Maverick Award on July 30, 2011 at the 7th AnnualAOF Black Tie Dinner and Award Show.g0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-64725250259890560692011-02-05T10:40:00.001-08:002011-02-05T10:40:53.236-08:00Diana Lee Inosanto, creator and star of THE SENSEI wins courage awardI am happy and proud to announce, Diana Lee Inosanto, the creator and star of "THE SENSEI" (released last year through Echo Bridge), has been formally invited to accept the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC)American Courage Award at our American Courage Award, this October in Washington D.C.<br />
<br />
Diana was selected for this award<br />
"because of the bravery you have<br />
displayed by shedding light on issues of racism, bullying and homophobia<br />
in your film, “The Sensei.”<br />
<br />
<br />
Founded in 1991, AAJC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to<br />
advance civil and human rights on behalf of Asian Americans and to build<br />
and promote a fair and equitable society for all. AAJC is a nationally<br />
recognized expert on issues of particular importance to the Asian American<br />
community including affirmative action, anti-Asian violence prevention and<br />
race relations, census, immigration and immigrant rights, language access,<br />
media diversity and voting rights. As a member of the Asian American<br />
Center for Advancing Justice, AAJC works alongside its affiliates—the<br />
Asian Pacific American Legal Center in Los Angeles, the Asian Law Caucus<br />
in San Francisco, and the Asian American Institute in Chicago—to enact a<br />
sweeping range of programs on critical national issues that enrich,<br />
enhance and serve our communities across the country.<br />
<br />
Diana will join the ranks of past<br />
recipients of the American Courage Award such as: Lt. Dan Choi, Iraq<br />
veteran and LGBT activist who risked his career to stand up to the<br />
military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy; Mallika Dutt, Executive<br />
Director and Founder of Breakthrough, who works to address critical issues<br />
such as violence against women, sexuality and HIV/AIDS, racial justice and<br />
immigrant rights through today’s media and popular culture; Susan Ahn<br />
Cuddy, the first Asian American woman to achieve the rank of officer in<br />
the U.S. Navy; Major General Antonio Taguba, who showed courage in his<br />
reporting on Abu Ghraib and worked to obtain recognition of Filipino World<br />
War II veterans who served in the U.S. Army; Anna Deveare Smith, an<br />
African American actress/playwright and Stanford University professor who<br />
helps illuminate race and religion; and Lou Diamond Phillips, actor and<br />
Filipino Veterans rights activist.<br />
<br />
<br />
Congratulations to my friend and former director!!! Proud to be able to call her both!g0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-31843625897676101182010-04-14T14:01:00.000-07:002010-04-14T14:02:27.751-07:00The Sensei in LondonTHE SENSEI - screening in LONDON<br /> <br />THE SENSEI screenings in LONDON May 29-30th, part of SENI<br /><br />EXCEL LONDON<br />One Western Gateway<br />Royal Victoria Dock<br />LONDON<br /><br />http://www.spiritwingchun.com/events.phpg0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-63009517950663277982010-03-31T09:08:00.000-07:002010-03-31T09:09:43.819-07:00reviewed<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/S7NziO08h7I/AAAAAAAACB4/9icDXPNrqt4/s1600/Sensei-Poster-web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/S7NziO08h7I/AAAAAAAACB4/9icDXPNrqt4/s400/Sensei-Poster-web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454830605608716210" /></a><br /><br /><br />REVIEW: ‘The Sensei’ <br /><br />By Albert Valentin | Published March 21, 2010 <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Very rarely does a martial arts film tend to be emotional in the vein of bringing out a positive message. While films like THE KARATE KID (1984) and BEST OF THE BEST (1989) bring out a message about self defense and teamwork, this 2008 martial arts drama gives a positive message about civil rights and the courage to fight for who you are during the 1980’s.<br /><br />The “sensei” of the title is a woman named Karen O’Neill, played by writer/director Diana Lee Inosanto. A Japanese-Filipino-American, she returns to her hometown of Summersfield after a falling out with her family over her rank as a black belt martial artist. She has made amends with most of her family, with the exception of her brother Simon (Tim Lounibos), who still feels she has somehow disgraced the family with her rebellious attitude.<br /><br />Meanwhile, McClane Evans (Mike O’Laskey), a teenager has been pratically ousted by everyone around with the exception of few because he is a gay teenager who lost his best friend. Feeling conflict not only with local bullies but himself as well, an incident after gym class leaves McClane in the hospital. McClane’s mother Annie (Gina Scalzi) asks for Karen’s help in teaching McClane self-defense. At first, Karen is reluctant, but she eventually takes him in as a student.<br /><br />McClane and Karen not only become master-student, but friends who possess something in common: the loss of a loved one. When McClane finally stands up to the lead bully who was responsible for his hospitalization, word breaks of Karen’s teaching McClane. It is not long before Karen’s family begins to feel the pressure and get ousted by the townsfolk. However, a shocking revelation may prove to be a factor that not only brings Karen and McClane closer but Karen and her family as well.<br /><br />The film was set during a time where the AIDS epidemic was on a high rise and people came under the generalization that only homosexual people were akin to the disease. For writer/director/star Diana Lee Inosanto, it was a chance to bring a positive message to break the stereotypical banner while showing that she has the ability to film a martial arts drama. According to Inosanto, the film was influenced by the murder of teen Matthew Sheperd in 1998 as well as the coming out of her cousin and it took seven years to get the project off the ground. The final result is truly worth the wait.<br /><br />The daughter of Filipino martial arts legend and Bruce Lee student Dan Inosanto, Diana definitely has some martials arts skills and possesses some really good dramatic skills as well. While she has the makings of a talented independent director, she could still brush up a little on her screenwriting in terms of its dialogue. There are times when it seems there is some unnecessary foul language. Maybe it is because she is trying to display the behavior of teens in that era or perhaps, it posed as a set up for the action scenes.<br /><br /><br /><br />The student, McClane Evans, is played by Mike O’Laskey, perhaps best known for his role as Colt in 3 NINJAS: HIGH NOON AT MEGA MOUNTAIN (1998). A martial artist himself with black belts in Karate and Tae Kwon Do, O’Laskey was able to adapt well when it comes to on-screen fighting, especially in the few big fight scenes he has in the film. O’Laskey also does a good job in the dramatic department as a teen whose sexual orientation makes him an outcast, but also a victim of bullies.<br /><br />What stands out is the relationship between Karen and McClane. Reminiscent of THE KARATE KID’s Daniel and Miyagi, Karen and McClane soon feel a deeper bond when a major incident reveals a shocking twist to the film. McClane at one point tells Karen that he wished he had met her sooner before the tragedy that fell upon him. Like many friendships, Karen and McClane hit a few bumps but they stick it out until the very end.<br /><br />Veterans Sab Shimono (TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES III) and Emily Kuroda (YELLOW) play Karen’s grandparents, who feel they are at the center of the conflict that emerges between Karen, McClane, and the townsfolk. Despite having top billing for the most part, Keith David (THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT) and Louis Mandylor (MARTIAL LAW) have mainly cameo appearances as a minister and Karen’s ex-fiance, a boxing champion who goes through a very tragic experience. Even martial artist extraordinare Erik Betts brings in a non-action role as a very influential character in Karen’s life as is RUSH HOUR’s Tzi Ma as a Buddhist priest who teaches Karen a life lesson in a memorable flashback.<br /><br />Inosanto’s husband, martial artist Ron Balicki, did well as the film’s stunt coordinator and fight choreographer. O’Laskey and Inosanto shine when combining Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Kali, and Jujitsu. O’Laskey even gets to add a little taste of Muay Thai and in a demonstration scene, a little bit of perhaps either XMA (Extreme Martial Arts) or Capoeira. There is plenty of blood but not in the vein of NINJA ASSASSIN (2009) but enough to show injuries and even a subliminal sense of sodomy during McClane’s assault. Nevertheless, like BEST OF THE BEST, there are few action scenes but they were well done and shot with minimal quick cuts and close ups.<br /><br />THE SENSEI is truly an emotional martial arts drama, one that truly needs to be seen because of its positive message of civil rights as well as seeing a future star and filmmaker in the form of Diana Lee Inosanto. Should she decide to do another film, one only hopes she can belt out something as great as this film which can bring someone to tears once they get into the film.<br /><br />REVIEWg0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-39912063593484155342010-03-16T13:11:00.001-07:002010-03-16T13:11:24.542-07:00Publicity for THE SENSEIpublicity links as THE SENSEI continues with momentum...maybe you have websites, FB SITES to add this to, to get the word out...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />http://vjnet.wordpress.com/2010/03/03/the-sensei-say-karate-kid-is-gay/<br /> <br />http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hsJl5Atg4K7Wz1i5AAffSEhfiO3g - "The Sensei" is on this list!<br /> <br />http://blog.ctnews.com/evans/2010/03/10/the-sensei-a-martial-arts-movie-which-teaches-tolerance/<br /> <br /><br />Blip TV (main show site): http://theindiemusicshow.blip.tv/<br /><br />CNN iReport: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-419965<br /><br />current.com: http://current.com/items/92319459_interview-with-diana-lee-inosanto-director-of-the-sensei.htm<br /><br />YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_DhKZ_G5p0<br /><br />PirateBay (without the trailer): http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/5434405<br /><br />DailyMotion: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xckj61_interview-with-diana-lee-inosanto-d<br /><br />Livestream: http://www.livestream.com/indiemusictelevision<br /><br />Mevio: http://theindiemediashow.mevio.com/<br /><br />Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/10146808<br /><br />VEOH: http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/entertainment/watch/v19907481SYfdFEqM<br /><br />Myspace Video: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=&release=104407639<br /><br /> <br />Casey Kaczmarek<br />Nine-Thirty Consulting<br />Media & Public Relations<br />West Hollywoodg0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-86105854722686427182010-03-14T17:38:00.000-07:002010-03-14T17:39:19.300-07:00"The Sensei" interview with Diana Lee Inosanto on CNN iReportBlip TV (main show site): http://theindiemusicshow.blip.tv/<br /><br />CNN iReport: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-419965<br /><br />current.com: http://current.com/items/92319459_interview-with-diana-lee-inosanto-director-of-the-sensei.htm<br /><br />YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_DhKZ_G5p0<br /><br />PirateBay (without the trailer): http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/5434405<br /><br />DailyMotion: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xckj61_interview-with-diana-lee-inosanto-d<br /><br />Livestream: http://www.livestream.com/indiemusictelevision<br /><br />Mevio: http://theindiemediashow.mevio.com/<br /><br />Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/10146808<br /><br />VEOH: http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/entertainment/watch/v19907481SYfdFEqM<br /><br />Myspace Video: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=&release=104407639g0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-45055183322160399972010-03-10T16:38:00.001-08:002010-03-10T16:38:56.467-08:00Reviews coming in for THE SENSEIThe Sensei Presents a Spiritual Journey Worth Exploring <br />The Sensei Presents a Spiritual Journey Worth Exploring<br />By Raymond Horwitz <br /><br /> <br />Diana Lee Inosanto and Michael O’Laskey star in The Sensei.<br />(Art courtesy of Echo Bridge Entertainment) <br />While many martial arts films focus on moving the audience through a series of flashy fight sequences set on dark city streets, questionably lit competition halls or picturesque pagoda-peppered locales, The Sensei is not a typical martial arts movie. Written and directed by Diana Lee Inosanto—daughter of martial arts legend Dan Inosanto and goddaughter of Bruce Lee—the movie features a conservative Wyoming town as its backdrop and tells a compelling story about people, prejudice, family, faith and fear.<br /><br />Set primarily in 1985, the film’s two central characters are Karen O’Neil, who is deftly portrayed by Inosanto, and McClain Evans, a gay teenager played by Power Rangers alumnus Michael O'Laskey. In a somewhat predictable plot setup, Evans is bullied by high-school jocks. What isn’t so predictable, however, is the film’s portrayal of the brutality eventually inflicted on Evans, which is communicated on-screen in Hitchcock-like fashion. The film foreshadows the impending trauma without actually showing it, allowing what’s not seen to be more horrific than what is.<br /><br />Regardless of whether one can see what happens, what happens to Evans qualifies as a worst-case scenario. This prompts Evans’ mother to seek help from O’Neil, a gifted martial artist whose family runs the town’s martial arts school. She agrees to provide Evans with private lessons in an old barn, where she teaches a variety of martial arts to the socially and physically awkward teenager. There’s a montage with a wing chun-style wooden dummy as well as throwing, kicking and striking drills. Evans’ physical skills and self-esteem improve dramatically as time passes. <br /><br />So far, this sounds like familiar territory: an underdog-finds-help-and-fights-back story similar to a re-imagined version of The Karate Kid with inverted gender roles. <br /><br />Despite this demographic rearrangement of the cookie-cutter premise, however, The Sensei’s similarity to such now-trite formulas ends here. <br /><br />The film not only exposes gay bashing in the high-school locker room but also explores the dynamics of O’Neil’s conservative Asian family and their interaction with the town’s predominantly non-Asian population. Adding more complexity to the equation is the fact that O’Neil and her several brothers come from mixed ethnic and religious heritage. “I was raised by a Filipino Christian grandmother and a Japanese Buddhist grandfather,” O’Neil says. “It was a weird combination.”<br /><br /> <br /><br />Eventually, O’Neil’s family learns that she is training Evans in secret. This development does not sit well with them, and they move into damage-control mode. Evans is a gay teenager whose former partner was killed by town bullies—and in 1985 Wyoming, having their school associated with such a perceived undesirable is considered tantamount to professional suicide. <br /><br />Allegorically, this concept of suicide extends beyond the professional world and into the medical realm, given the prevailing and often erroneous attitudes of the day about the transmission of AIDS. And while this theme is not fully explored in the film, it is definitely a subtext played with subtlety thanks to Inosanto’s keen writing and directorial choices. <br /><br />Adding fuel to the conflict fire is the fact that O’Neil is teaching this ostracized gay student because she had been passed over in black-belt promotions due to the school’s conservative tradition of only promoting men. Her various acts of rebellion, told in brief yet effective flashback sequences, paint a picture of long-standing strife as O’Neil seeks peace with her place in the school hierarchy and her position as the proverbial black sheep of her family. <br /><br />This complex backdrop, while perhaps plodding on paper, moves along at a surprisingly brisk pace thanks to its focus on tight editing and character-driven storytelling rather than on setting up the next fight. And while the film does feature several fight scenes, they serve to move the plot forward rather than the genre-typical reverse. <br /><br />Ironically, it’s the martial arts sequences that raised my eyebrow at a couple of spots—perhaps because they were supposed to depict more true-to-life fighting rhythms than staged ones, or because the staging and editing weren’t on par with the film’s very strong dramatic narrative. However, because these sequences are peppered in sparingly for specific plot-pertinent purposes, they do not detract from the overall experience. <br /><br /> <br />The Sensei is really about the characters’ internal fights, and the physical fights between them externally are vehicles for depiction and plot momentum. Family relations are strained, allegiances are tested, devastating secrets are revealed, and preconceptions about people labeled as “other” (often by men and women considered “other” themselves) are challenged—and this could all be laborious drivel without the catalyst of physical conflict, which Inosanto uses as color in her storytelling palette rather than a means to an end. <br /><br />For a film written and directed by a martial artist, titled with a martial arts term and featuring martial arts as a narrative thread, The Sensei isn’t so much about a teacher-student relationship as it is about the often-ambiguous art of living life and continuing to walk forward in the face of fear, anger and heartbreak. The martial arts component is the backdrop, the vehicle for telling this story of the human condition in a particular time and place. <br /><br />Across multiple viewings, I was moved emotionally at the same plot points each time, which serves as a testament to the performances by the actors, the thoughtful script by Inosanto, the film’s score by composer Dean Ogden, some beautiful cinematography by Mark Rutledge and editing choices by Reine Claire. The elements coalesce like a well-structured piece of music, knowing when to splash color, crescendo and retreat. <br /><br />As a minister played by Keith David (recently seen in the film Crash) says during a pair of scenes that bookend the film, “Life is the sensei.” And this snapshot of life in a small Wyoming town is richly animated by invested performances from a passionate cast, including Louis Mandylor (Martial Law; My Big Fat Greek Wedding) as boxer Mark Corey; Tzi Ma as an ultra-serene Buddhist monk; Sab Shimono as O’Neil’s grandfather Taki Nakano, head of the town’s martial arts school; and his wife Flora Takano, played with honed comic timing and emotional sensitivity by Emily Kuroda. <br /><br />The Sensei is a spiritual journey that presents a surprisingly complex yet successfully intertwined array of dilemmas, questions and crises as it bravely delves into some of the darkest reaches of the modern human condition: prejudice, fear, sexism, racism and homophobia, among others. And while a bit heavy-handed in its execution, the film’s overall delivery—and the moments when its elements truly harmonize in heartbreaking fashion—make the journey well worth taking. <br /><br />(The Sensei is available on DVD, iTunes and various cable services. For more information, visit the senseimovie.com. Or for more martial arts entertainment, check out our Black Belt Shop.)g0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-55654947007050181002010-03-09T12:17:00.000-08:002010-03-09T12:19:07.612-08:00THE DAY HAS COME<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/S5atJIcv8MI/AAAAAAAACAU/vt9fiR4N4c0/s1600-h/The+Sensei.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/S5atJIcv8MI/AAAAAAAACAU/vt9fiR4N4c0/s400/The+Sensei.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446731171749687490" /></a><br />THE SENSEI is available for purchase on DVD at Amazon.com now! Additionally, the film is now released digitally through multiple platforms including Netflix.com,Amazon .com, Blockbuster.com, CinemaNow.com, Dish Network, EchoStar, iNDemand, COX ONDemand, Time Warner Cable ONDemand, Comcast Cable ONDemand and iTunes.g0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-27898705652961189042010-03-07T12:10:00.000-08:002010-03-09T12:16:42.873-08:00DVD Release Party and Screening<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/S5asltu_y8I/AAAAAAAACAI/qW4KY89GftA/s1600-h/DVD+release+7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/S5asltu_y8I/AAAAAAAACAI/qW4KY89GftA/s400/DVD+release+7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446730563283045314" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/S5aslUYNlgI/AAAAAAAACAA/wxbqlpiWu2c/s1600-h/DVD+release+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/S5aslUYNlgI/AAAAAAAACAA/wxbqlpiWu2c/s400/DVD+release+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446730556476593666" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/S5aslD_2ozI/AAAAAAAAB_4/GW-cTmKbqmc/s1600-h/DVD+release+6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/S5aslD_2ozI/AAAAAAAAB_4/GW-cTmKbqmc/s400/DVD+release+6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446730552079459122" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/S5askvjoSsI/AAAAAAAAB_w/7b0k2CtPT-I/s1600-h/DVD+release+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/S5askvjoSsI/AAAAAAAAB_w/7b0k2CtPT-I/s400/DVD+release+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446730546592369346" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/S5askSIPAiI/AAAAAAAAB_o/dC9d-7Jk0QI/s1600-h/DVD+release+8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/S5askSIPAiI/AAAAAAAAB_o/dC9d-7Jk0QI/s400/DVD+release+8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446730538692837922" /></a>g0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-13020228863669693082010-03-04T18:41:00.000-08:002010-03-09T12:10:55.404-08:00ON DVD MARCH 9th, 2010<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/S5BviUCWWvI/AAAAAAAAB-g/U688u7Jsg3w/s1600-h/The+Sensei.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/S5BviUCWWvI/AAAAAAAAB-g/U688u7Jsg3w/s400/The+Sensei.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444974584775727858" /></a>g0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-24840020257272283502010-03-01T08:46:00.001-08:002010-03-04T18:37:36.259-08:00Matthew's Place cast interviewsfor the rest of the interviews visit:<br /><br />http://www.matthewshepard.org/site/PageServer<br /><br /><br />Interview with Gina Scalzi who plays Anne Evans in The Sensei<br />By Jason Marsden, Executive Director<br />(I have edited out some of my 'Rainman' moments - not to mention, wow, I'm an adult woman who says "you know" alot)<br /><br />J: Hi Gina. <br />G: How you doing? <br /><br />J: I'm well thanks. How are you? <br />G: I'm really good. <br /><br />J: So this is a great movie. I was, I was able to watch parts of it. Thomas told me what the key parts were for the interviews I needed to do and I was sitting there sort of watching and thinking about high school in the late 1980's and how familiar it all sort of seemed and obviously it' a dramatic presentation of, of the kind of bullying pressures that kids who are different from the mainstream kids end up experiencing. But it really, it wasn't that far from how -you know-, how I remember going to a rural high school in Wyoming when I was, when I was growing up in the late 1980's, so… I don't know did it, how did it, did it ring true to you on that level? <br />G: I've gotta say I was really lucky, I grew up in an academic situation. My parents were both professors and I later went to Oberlin which is really open in general to diversity. And so I was really kind of protected in a lot of ways. So when I got this part I did a lot of interviews with a lot of moms and particularly moms who had actually lost sons to AIDS because that was the time frame this film was in; people weren't surviving AIDS, people were dying of it. And families -you know-, coming out to your family meant so much -you know-, just profound a declaration. So I really wanted to do my research and talk to women who have been through it. And what was really striking to me was as I did, I had not realized how many Gay kids would kill themselves to avoid coming out. And I read the scripts and I really loved the script, just kind of as an actor. I really loved what Diana was trying to say. But it was when I started talking to these moms when I really understood the impact and how true the script was playing to that time in America, to that time in our history. So yeah, it really did ring really true to me - the more and more I learned about, the more it rang true… <br /><br />J: How did the moms feel about, about a project like this or maybe did they, are they noticing that there's more, much more inclusive sort of media portrayals of LGBT people and LGBT youth in particular out there than there was? <br />G: Oh they, oh they absolutely, they absolutely realize. (Rainman moment there, sorry). What I did was, I got in touch with the people, the PFLAG groups. In Colorado, but also in New York, also through my friends who's parents are apart of PFLAG. I asked them for help and I got through to their groups and I kind of sent out this email or sent out calls or made personal (inquiries) 'if you have anyone that wants to talk to me I'm making this film and I really want to try to be respectful and do it right'. And the thing about the moms is that these are moms about as subversive as any body else's mom. These were, I mean, I met woman and talked to woman who -you know- all of them reacted, but none of them reacted exactly the same to their son's coming up. None of them reacted exactly the same way to finding out their child had AIDS. It was, it was a broad spectrum of reaction. And what I really loved, one of the moms said that she had rejected her son and he had kind of crawled away to die. And after he was gone it was she who nursed his lover until he passed. And, and what I love is that she said " I didn't know". She grew up in a Mormon town. She had no role model for this. She had no idea how she was supposed to react -you know-. She had no way of knowing and she horribly regretted not just listening to her heart and doing what she personally felt she should do. She did what she thought she was supposed to do and she regrets it and she's so happy that now there are more portrayals that are one - truthful but also they kind of set up some role model of acceptance even just for moms and dads. So I thought that was really glorious because this was a woman who didn't know me from Adam, who was willing to kind of put out her flaws in front of me to, to really examine and consider. And I think that was important, particularly for my role, because my role is not,... she's not a perfect mom. She's a well intentioned mom. But she is not the perfect mom by any stretch of the imagination. -You know- a very, very young mom in that time period, who would have no idea really how to, how to actually deal -you know- where to go. And there was -you know-, there were so few places for them to go. <br /><br />J: Well though the idea of showing an imperfect person trying to deal with an imperfect situation turns out to be really important because we all are imperfect and… <br />G: Well absolutely. <br /><br />J: Makes it seem like that, things like Glee and all the other mainstream portrayals of LGBT people, the really powerful ones show the parents wrestling with it and not handling it perfectly so that… I think that in a way it gives parents permission to be imperfect and just do their best. <br />G: Right. Because I think that's the reality for all parents. I mean my parents didn't do everything perfectly but -you know- they did their best. But it's, I think it's just really good to have [that protrayal]; to not like push it away and put it behind a curtain and really examine in all its facets. Of how to deal. <br /><br />J: So the film has a lot of different messages. I mean on one level there's this you have the right to defend yourself message which almost… Almost masks the you have the right to be comfortable with who you are inside your soul before you even hit the gym and learn how to punch someone. <br />G: Well that's, that's yeah, that's part of it isn't it? You can't really defend yourself until you consider yourself worthy of defense. <br /><br />J: Yeah. Do you, do you feel like are people going to get that? They're not going to just see this as "a it's really important to know martial arts in case the bully picks on you". I feel like, I certainly hope they get the underlying message. It's, it's definitely there. <br />G: I think they will because [well] I think that certainly there will be people who come to this film because this is Bruce Lee's God daughter. "Oh my God, she's so awesome. Her father's so awesome. I want to see her kick some ass". But, and Michael, who plays McClain is just such a beautiful martial artist to watch. He's just [so gracceful], it's just so beautiful to watch. It's just on a visceral level you're like "wow, this is awesome". But I really do think, particularly the way the film is set up, is that you're really attached to these characters. You invest in them as humans. It's not like we're going to be getting McClain action figures. I think, her intention is pretty there, I mean I think it's relatively settled. But I think it's pretty clear from the beginning, where we are and what this film is. And her intentions are really too; to change minds quietly. <br /><br />J: Did you come away with any different feeling about how you, I don't know what your family situation is, if you're parent or if you have nieces and nephews or if. Anything like that, but in terms of dealing with vulnerable youth or youth that are questioning their identity or how they fit in, did you come away feeling a little differently with how you would approach that versus going into this before you talked to all those mothers and so on? <br />G: Well I've got to say after, after talking to the mothers, I really understood kind of how far we come as a human race when we allow our love to evolve through tolerance. And that is certainly a huge [concept], I mean that, that can be reinforced daily. I mean we can all use that in all things. And -you know- as, as a person part of a family I see how -you know- my mother's generation deals differently with a cousin's who's Gay or a cousin who's different. Particularly as I'm very Italian and my family, my mother's family is very Roman Catholic, and to see kind of how, how we've evolved as generations come up as far as tolerance, as far as acceptance, and as far as how much that improves our love, our personal love for each other. And I think that alters the way I approach my own family and the things I expect of my friends. When my roommate came out she was really concerned because no body in my nuclear family is Gay and she was like "you know I was really sad to tell you, I was really worried to tell you". And I was like "wow, there's no reason for you to worry because I love you, period" <br /><br />J: Gina I think that, I guess the only other question is the take away you'd like audiences to come away from this film thinking about maybe and you mentioned families and the interesting thing about this is this is both the sort of bad guy in this film and McClanes character are fatherless and or have -you know- incomplete family backgrounds and I grew up with a single mother and I hear you about parents being scared of doing the wrong thing. Do you hope or do you feel there will be a take away that even if you're a single parent struggling with raising a kid that is different or is having trouble fitting in that they still have the, they still have the ability to, to send the right message and make a real difference? <br />G: Oh I hope so. I hope what they see from Annie and McClain's relationship is that ultimately no matter how flawed she is and ultimately no matter what he's been through it is their love that keeps them together as a family. And that love is her catalyst,... it is her love for her son that is the catalyst for making all this happen. For her approaching this woman who she knows is the only person who can teach her son to save his own life. And yeah, I would like that to be the take away that ultimately love is, love and tolerance is what's going to get us through and help us evolve. <br /><br />J: Great. Well thank you very much I'll, I'll let you go. <br />G: Great. <br /><br />J: And hope this is a huge success. We're really, really grateful you took the time to talk to us for Matthew's Place. <br />G: Well thanks for all your help. You guys have been awesome. <br /><br />J: It's our please. Thanks. <br />G: And an inspiration. <br /><br />J: Great. Thank you! <br />G: Thanks! <br /><br />J: Yup, take care. <br />G: Okay, you too. Buh-bye.g0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-37318145676985364802010-01-15T15:57:00.001-08:002010-01-15T15:57:49.744-08:00Coming March 9th<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7Pd05GIJWaA&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7Pd05GIJWaA&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>g0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-37864405016183823102010-01-07T12:59:00.000-08:002010-01-07T13:00:43.387-08:00The Sensei Release Date<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/S0ZLdZ-TcEI/AAAAAAAAB8s/02uqLwiOMJk/s1600-h/The+Sensei.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/S0ZLdZ-TcEI/AAAAAAAAB8s/02uqLwiOMJk/s400/The+Sensei.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424105769774837826" /></a><br />THE SENSEI will commerically be released March 9th, 2010 through Echobridge Entertainment. Aside from the DVD Release it will have in stores around the country (like Walmart), the outlets where you will find THE SENSEI, will be through Pay Per View on Demand (Dish & Direct TV), Video On Demand (Comcast, Cox Time Warner), and Internet release (Blockbuster. com, Amazon.com, CinemaNow.com, I-Tunes.com, Netflix.com).g0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-25339967500179278012009-06-26T12:14:00.000-07:002009-06-26T12:15:36.517-07:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SkUeLf5eZSI/AAAAAAAABqo/inkf_-ESQv4/s1600-h/echo+bridge+logo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 325px; height: 325px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SkUeLf5eZSI/AAAAAAAABqo/inkf_-ESQv4/s400/echo+bridge+logo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351716915089663266" /></a><br /><br />Congratulations<br /><br />The SENSEI has been picked up by ECHO BRIDGE ENTERTAINMENTg0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-32593244378463878242009-06-02T12:16:00.000-07:002009-06-26T12:17:47.776-07:00THE SENSEI screens in GermanyFrom Germany to New York<br /><br /><br />The Sensei screened to glowing reviews as part of the Verzabert Film Festival in Germany, with screenings in Munich, Cologne,Berlin, and Frankfurt, receiving 5 stars out of 5 from one critic!<br /><br />Having just returned from Europe myself, I now will commense on rehearsals for "Moonlight in Escabana" at Center Stage. Openning night July 10.<br /><br />But before live performance begins, THE SENSEI will be screening in New York, May 22- June 2. Diana Lee Inosanto and Ron Balicki will be there for a personal appearance on June 2! Screenings will take place at the Jacob Burns Film Center.g0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-67897146251902014962008-10-27T07:51:00.000-07:002008-10-27T07:52:06.089-07:00recent articles covering "The Sensei"<br /> <br />Look for the new issue of A & U Magazine. Thanks to our publicist, Casey Burns, I will be on the Front Cover, discussing The SENSEI<br /><br />http://nwasianweekly.com/2008_2744/pages/sensei.html<br /><br /><br />Sherri Lewis<br />STRAIGHT GIRL IN A QUEER WORLD<br />http://heretv.com/APodcastDetailPage.php?id=23 <br />Posted by g0 at 10/27/2008 <br />humanitarian endorsements<br /> <br />newly endorsed by:<br /><br />Safe Schools Coalition, & Families Against Hate. <br />Posted by g0 at 10/27/2008 <br />Sensei -- nominations and wins<br /> <br />WINNER - <br />La Femme International Film Festival, BEST FEATURE FILM WRITER<br /><br /><br />WINNER - <br />Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, HONORABLE MENTION for Best Feature Film<br /><br /><br />WINNER - <br />Hoboken International Film Festival for BEST FEATURE FILM WRITER <br />Posted by g0 at 10/27/2008 <br />10/24/2008<br />The Sensei, continued acclaim<br /> <br /><br /><br />Following a Spotlight screening at Image Out and an official selection at Action Out and Le Femme festivals, THE SENSEI achieved honorable mention in the feature film category at the HBO sponsored Philadelphia Fest! Congratulations Diana Lee!g0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-48595143748146869482008-10-05T16:21:00.001-07:002008-10-05T16:27:10.729-07:00PPLFF screening<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlNNCNz7RI/AAAAAAAAA6M/kyu_mjoNCmQ/s1600-h/lobby.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlNNCNz7RI/AAAAAAAAA6M/kyu_mjoNCmQ/s320/lobby.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253815326632832274" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlNNmW26bI/AAAAAAAAA6U/Wyl9a4nm9-I/s1600-h/lobby+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlNNmW26bI/AAAAAAAAA6U/Wyl9a4nm9-I/s320/lobby+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253815336334453170" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlMZAqkVGI/AAAAAAAAA58/FVIACuTvvBw/s1600-h/in+theater+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlMZAqkVGI/AAAAAAAAA58/FVIACuTvvBw/s320/in+theater+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253814432863376482" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlMZKa-qvI/AAAAAAAAA6E/6yt8utdHHno/s1600-h/lobby+9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlMZKa-qvI/AAAAAAAAA6E/6yt8utdHHno/s320/lobby+9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253814435482348274" /></a>g0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-27020593544276011232008-10-05T16:05:00.000-07:002008-10-05T16:19:00.101-07:00San Francisco -- Frameline Film Festival<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlKm0MWgOI/AAAAAAAAA5E/-A9WfTdagbE/s1600-h/roxie_front.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlKm0MWgOI/AAAAAAAAA5E/-A9WfTdagbE/s400/roxie_front.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253812471010328802" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlKnGNwT_I/AAAAAAAAA5M/sPQqdSZai1o/s1600-h/QA2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlKnGNwT_I/AAAAAAAAA5M/sPQqdSZai1o/s400/QA2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253812475848052722" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlKnSatlpI/AAAAAAAAA5U/WX8lkymqQe0/s1600-h/sensei+sf.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlKnSatlpI/AAAAAAAAA5U/WX8lkymqQe0/s400/sensei+sf.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253812479123625618" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlKnvJRSQI/AAAAAAAAA5c/Q8JOyLaAf1w/s1600-h/san+francisco,+portland,+seattle+105.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlKnvJRSQI/AAAAAAAAA5c/Q8JOyLaAf1w/s400/san+francisco,+portland,+seattle+105.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253812486835095810" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlKnif2SYI/AAAAAAAAA5k/U8gbSsvUV5I/s1600-h/san+francisco,+portland,+seattle+118.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlKnif2SYI/AAAAAAAAA5k/U8gbSsvUV5I/s400/san+francisco,+portland,+seattle+118.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253812483440134530" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlLMA38Z0I/AAAAAAAAA5s/o5nmIgb-dRI/s1600-h/san+francisco,+portland,+seattle+119.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlLMA38Z0I/AAAAAAAAA5s/o5nmIgb-dRI/s400/san+francisco,+portland,+seattle+119.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253813110069552962" /></a>g0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-70538241852670832032008-10-05T15:55:00.001-07:002008-10-05T16:03:49.163-07:00NY Premiere<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlHrqh_1QI/AAAAAAAAA4c/z8YTAaOWIUw/s1600-h/Summer+08+033crop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlHrqh_1QI/AAAAAAAAA4c/z8YTAaOWIUw/s320/Summer+08+033crop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253809255781225730" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlHryQ0YBI/AAAAAAAAA4k/IXawB5Beuf0/s1600-h/Summer+08+029.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlHryQ0YBI/AAAAAAAAA4k/IXawB5Beuf0/s320/Summer+08+029.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253809257856655378" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlHsB_lG0I/AAAAAAAAA4s/LadBYwWXoEU/s1600-h/n1363707386_42902_6318.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlHsB_lG0I/AAAAAAAAA4s/LadBYwWXoEU/s320/n1363707386_42902_6318.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253809262079318850" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlHsCDKjXI/AAAAAAAAA40/aZpbjiWFyco/s1600-h/n1363707386_98269_788.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlHsCDKjXI/AAAAAAAAA40/aZpbjiWFyco/s320/n1363707386_98269_788.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253809262094355826" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlHsJLgeeI/AAAAAAAAA48/PdnO41t_TDQ/s1600-h/n1363707386_98284_263.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlHsJLgeeI/AAAAAAAAA48/PdnO41t_TDQ/s320/n1363707386_98284_263.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253809264008395234" /></a>g0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-34226562135867523302008-09-13T16:24:00.000-07:002008-09-13T16:42:27.867-07:00PREMIERE<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxNfUwSyYI/AAAAAAAAA08/9OSzzjn22-U/s1600-h/IMG_3058-01_w3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxNfUwSyYI/AAAAAAAAA08/9OSzzjn22-U/s320/IMG_3058-01_w3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245652866522335618" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxNf-iymbI/AAAAAAAAA1M/LgCWI7k38uE/s1600-h/IMG_3078-01_w3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxNf-iymbI/AAAAAAAAA1M/LgCWI7k38uE/s320/IMG_3078-01_w3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245652877739989426" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxNf06LYpI/AAAAAAAAA1U/so7Gyn2E7Xg/s1600-h/IMG_3280-04_w2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxNf06LYpI/AAAAAAAAA1U/so7Gyn2E7Xg/s320/IMG_3280-04_w2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245652875153728146" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxNgOa4xzI/AAAAAAAAA1c/h6d5taA0fT8/s1600-h/IMG_3155-01_w3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxNgOa4xzI/AAAAAAAAA1c/h6d5taA0fT8/s320/IMG_3155-01_w3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245652882001807154" /></a><br /><br />MAY 2008 and "THE SENSEI" will be have its official Premiere at the LA Asian Pacific Film Festival, at the Writers Guild of America on Sunset. It's a reunion, and an event. We make our way down the red carpet, (Mark throws himself into the fray at the last minute, producing the finest of the cast shots) we pose and answer questions for press, pose with the celebrity guests, and make our way in. There is an overflow audience and people, 150 we are told, are turned away. At her introduction Diana says "I hope none of them were my family". The screening produces laughter and tears, and not a few gasps in the violent scenes. There is cheering as the credits role and an ovation as Diana makes her way to the podium when the lights go up. WHAT A RIDE!!<br />VIP lounge is packed afterwards and after the press interviews there is celebrating for all.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxPY_HTrxI/AAAAAAAAA1k/MfHkoO2kDmU/s1600-h/LA%2708+144.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxPY_HTrxI/AAAAAAAAA1k/MfHkoO2kDmU/s200/LA%2708+144.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245654956657323794" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxPZAqNB0I/AAAAAAAAA1s/8zXYNyq3OF8/s1600-h/LA%2708+152.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxPZAqNB0I/AAAAAAAAA1s/8zXYNyq3OF8/s200/LA%2708+152.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245654957072123714" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxPZulvcFI/AAAAAAAAA10/HYl1s8f-MZM/s1600-h/LA%2708+149.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxPZulvcFI/AAAAAAAAA10/HYl1s8f-MZM/s200/LA%2708+149.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245654969401438290" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxPZ5tK3-I/AAAAAAAAA18/iY0YsK0yYWI/s1600-h/LA%2708+146.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxPZ5tK3-I/AAAAAAAAA18/iY0YsK0yYWI/s200/LA%2708+146.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245654972385386466" /></a>g0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-26455553218392021302008-09-13T16:07:00.001-07:002008-09-13T16:18:51.901-07:00Rainbow Alley<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxKHL3C0fI/AAAAAAAAA0k/9ygvahWjZfs/s1600-h/Senseidec07_006dit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxKHL3C0fI/AAAAAAAAA0k/9ygvahWjZfs/s200/Senseidec07_006dit.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245649153282986482" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxKHKRv5QI/AAAAAAAAA0s/wFcB9Shw29k/s1600-h/01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxKHKRv5QI/AAAAAAAAA0s/wFcB9Shw29k/s200/01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245649152858121474" /></a><br />Diana, Ron, Joey, Tarik, invite us to attend the screening of the film for a benefit "Untitled Film Festival" for Rainbow Alley -- a facility for young GLTB kids that is part of the Matthew Shepard Foundation. They have already had a benefit lunch for the film in LA, as well as official endorsed it, so there is a great turn out of cast and crew for the screening. Jon Camp pops up with a shockingly blond mohawk, I babble during the Q&A, but it is a great audience with lots on interest and questions and admiration. This screening comes on the heels of a screening in Alaska for the World Aids event there, and there are some audience members who followed it here. I am amazed!!!!g0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-74211563274315571972008-09-13T16:00:00.000-07:002008-10-05T15:39:42.445-07:00a letter from the tundra12/2/07 4:32am<br />Hello Sensei Team,<br /><br />I am in Anchorage, Alaska. I showed the film tonight for World AIDS<br />Day here (for what I thought would be a small group of people), and my<br />hosts were able, a few days ago, to put an advertisement of my film<br />onthe website of the Anchorage Intl' Film Festival that is going on<br />simultaneously right now--so we were able to piggy back on top of this<br />film festival.<br /><br />I am happy to report, it was a packed house at a movie theater that<br />sits 120 people (over 111 people)--very mixed and diverse crowd<br />(straight, gay, Christian, Jewish, martial artists, White, Black,<br />Asian, Hispanic--huge spectrum).<br /><br />They laughed,cried, cheered,yelled out loud during the fights scene<br />and clapped, laughed and cried some more and when the film was<br />done...they gave the film a standing ovation!!! They loved our<br />actors, they loved the production and said a huge "Thank You for<br />making the film"--they loved you guys!<br /><br /><br />Dianag0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-75070285482052050922008-09-13T15:46:00.000-07:002008-09-13T16:23:53.880-07:00ADR and MORE<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxGjYGQ9SI/AAAAAAAAA0c/34rCw1e3SRQ/s1600-h/LAwinter07_008adj.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxGjYGQ9SI/AAAAAAAAA0c/34rCw1e3SRQ/s200/LAwinter07_008adj.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245645239557879074" /></a><br /><br />A couple months later we are together again for ADR. My time in the studio is with Joey and Diana. I drop my MQ mobile in the toilet at LAX the night of the GGawards getting back to LA. I feel naked driving around LA without it. I tell Ron the story and he seems almost as upset as I am about it -- I've just gotten the thing. Get to get caught up with Dora, who's been traveling all the world with work. Diana shows me the image files on the article featuring her work on "The Sensei" as a female filmmaker in MORE magazine. By the time it comes out, she's made the cover.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxLMFR27uI/AAAAAAAAA00/ne7jiJwlt8U/s1600-h/Dicrop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMxLMFR27uI/AAAAAAAAA00/ne7jiJwlt8U/s200/Dicrop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245650336927379170" /></a>g0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-31037176348882377222008-09-11T19:11:00.000-07:002008-09-11T19:45:07.223-07:00The Wrap Party<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnTQL1c7vI/AAAAAAAAAz8/ecvrf4NxySE/s1600-h/IMG_1270.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnTQL1c7vI/AAAAAAAAAz8/ecvrf4NxySE/s200/IMG_1270.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244955516058005234" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnTQjpnkSI/AAAAAAAAA0E/hCv_9D9YEws/s1600-h/IMG_1248.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnTQjpnkSI/AAAAAAAAA0E/hCv_9D9YEws/s200/IMG_1248.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244955522450821410" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnTQxhKidI/AAAAAAAAA0M/V0bDeHfQ4dU/s1600-h/IMG_1279.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnTQxhKidI/AAAAAAAAA0M/V0bDeHfQ4dU/s200/IMG_1279.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244955526173460946" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnTReHQiCI/AAAAAAAAA0U/oQ_UvUykL_Q/s1600-h/IMG_1242.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnTReHQiCI/AAAAAAAAA0U/oQ_UvUykL_Q/s200/IMG_1242.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244955538144397346" /></a><br />It is easy to imagine that there is little in the journal this night. Joey is talking about cutting his hair, I am planning on my triumphant return to my natural raven. All the pretty girlfriends are introduced. Lots of kissing and hugging and "I love you man"s to go around.<br /><br /> But there is a special story to tell.<br /><br />We have celebrated into the night and boyfriends and girlfriends are beginning to trail off, family men returning home, friends with early calls tomorrow reluntantly leave. Diana and a couple of us make our way our from the club down Hollywood Blvd. We are on a bit of a quest that I am only remotely aware of. Come to the sacred place of honor. The girls take their shoes off, right there on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and stand in celebration - on Bruce Lee's, "Uncle Bruce" as Diana knew him, <strong>STAR</strong>.g0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1582537617953981703.post-47879561068256915342008-09-11T18:08:00.000-07:002008-10-05T15:51:47.930-07:00My LA scenes<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlE1utzQ9I/AAAAAAAAA4E/nUmILRrZVDI/s1600-h/memoirs+of+the+queen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlE1utzQ9I/AAAAAAAAA4E/nUmILRrZVDI/s320/memoirs+of+the+queen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253806130168284114" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlE11c502I/AAAAAAAAA4M/RbDCl6NB3Yg/s1600-h/46-1205-01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SOlE11c502I/AAAAAAAAA4M/RbDCl6NB3Yg/s320/46-1205-01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253806131976459106" /></a><br /><A href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnGu3TMvyI/AAAAAAAAAzE/UgfrHFOPRSY/s1600-h/IMG_0578.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244941749470412578 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnGu3TMvyI/AAAAAAAAAzE/UgfrHFOPRSY/s320/IMG_0578.JPG" border=0></A> <A href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnGvWlq1oI/AAAAAAAAAzU/FcOCUJm2gyY/s1600-h/sensei+in+la+082.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244941757869381250 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnGvWlq1oI/AAAAAAAAAzU/FcOCUJm2gyY/s320/sensei+in+la+082.jpg" border=0></A> We shot the Black Belt scene over nearly a week at a dogo in Thousand Oaks, and this time, not only did "The Sensei" family show up, but the extended family of wives and husbands and fathers and mother pop up. Most notable, my knees go completely weak just watching Dan Inosanto walk on set. I'm standing next to his son, who is a cutey face himself, as he walks in and I am not sure he really can read the "I can't believe that is your father" in my eyes. That man has presence. I am starstruck I am hardly a martial arts efficianato. I think I mentioned -- demented ballerina in stunt class. Much better with a sabre wearing tights, but that's another production journal. <A href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnGujBBLLI/AAAAAAAAAy8/ZsnzGGJnIFM/s1600-h/sensei+in+la+049.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244941744025447602 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnGujBBLLI/AAAAAAAAAy8/ZsnzGGJnIFM/s320/sensei+in+la+049.jpg" border=0></A> <A href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnHfgJ-q9I/AAAAAAAAAzk/o3QI3XRwhB4/s1600-h/sensei+in+la+085.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244942585071315922 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnHfgJ-q9I/AAAAAAAAAzk/o3QI3XRwhB4/s320/sensei+in+la+085.jpg" border=0></A> Tim's daughter is dancing around and Hannah is heartbreakingly sweet in her close up. Tarik is visuably proud of her. Dora is telling me about her ever interesting travels with work, Arlene is a nut and we have a little too much with my hair piece. <A href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnGvLqEq5I/AAAAAAAAAzM/KtQXGReLvwU/s1600-h/IMG_0782.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244941754935061394 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnGvLqEq5I/AAAAAAAAAzM/KtQXGReLvwU/s320/IMG_0782.JPG" border=0></A> Even Victor gets a shot in the Black Belt scene. I get the silliest fortune cookie fortune that reads "you are not illiterate". Ron and Joey are practicing quietly between takes the takes going on inside. They are interrupted when their exercise is paralleled by two crew members who prove that training in martial arts is necessity to appear cool while fighting. Or wrastling. Or whatever it was they think they were doing <OBJECT class=BLOG_video_class id=BLOG_video-fb0f64469ea54d6f height=266 width=320 contentId="fb0f64469ea54d6f"></OBJECT><br /><OBJECT class=BLOG_video_class id=BLOG_video-f264c5dd4732a8e4 height=266 width=320 contentId="f264c5dd4732a8e4"></OBJECT><br /><br />A notable addition to the crew; Dominic. His sister is also named Gina and he knows all the nicknames that really irritate me most. He of course employs everytime he gets within earshot of me. Butthead. I get to meet Joey's sister and his dad. Zackary is running around and it is all very happy and family and fitting for out last days of photography. .<A href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnHgI4-lOI/AAAAAAAAAzs/OQujsnjHm-A/s1600-h/sensei+in+la+095.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244942596005860578 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnHgI4-lOI/AAAAAAAAAzs/OQujsnjHm-A/s320/sensei+in+la+095.jpg" border=0></A> But more to the point, this scene. This blackbelt scene is killer. TIM is KILLER. I am a ball of sentimental sap. Pathetic. It closes the circle -- figuratively and literally. And Diana is BEAUTIFUL. Blessed, blessed, blessed days. We wrap a few set ups later just at midnight, and Diana gives a toast to hard work, good intentions, and gratitude for a hard fought journey completed. THE SENSEI is a WRAP! <br /><br /><A href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnHgL3ovhI/AAAAAAAAAz0/7rYP-e3xYDU/s1600-h/sensei+in+la+119.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244942596805541394 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UeNz5qDE4ns/SMnHgL3ovhI/AAAAAAAAAz0/7rYP-e3xYDU/s320/sensei+in+la+119.jpg" border=0></A>g0http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389168678571436131noreply@blogger.com0