Gina Scalzi

Busy time of year!

2012-01-23T11:00:00.000-08:00

The full fledged wheel started turning again so quickly, it is hard to keep up! On hold, screeners, and manuscripts to read! Looking forward to seeing Annie in casting on Monday and hearing the news on films in production! It's almost February and I'm just getting around to saying it! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

iWineLists - pause player

2012-01-04T09:11:00.000-08:00

ReGenerations

Thanks to Cole and Ryan

Happy Holidays

2011-12-21T05:37:00.000-08:00

busy week! Time for a holiday!

2011-12-17T18:09:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much to Cole, Ryan, Alex, Dave, Carol, Michelle, Bill, Ryan J., Todd, everybody at Landmark, The production team at Enter Light, Group Systems, as well as every body at all the shoots, callbacks, and auditions this week. Thanks particularly to Tom for letting me keep this up all these years. Everybody is due my thanks for their willingness to work with my crazy schedule, my transportation needs, and the impressively understanding flexibility. Looking forward to a long winter's nap, now!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkahs, and Welcome Winter!

See you soon!

2011-12-12T07:37:00.000-08:00

Looking forward to Accubar, Covidien, ACA, and TECH! High kicking by Sunday night!

Videobloom

2011-12-07T14:05:00.003-08:00

See you tomorrow!

Stained Glass Windows, available at babylion

2011-12-05T16:04:00.001-08:00

http://babylionproductions.com/purchase.html

Thanksgiving

2011-11-27T17:16:00.001-08:00

Back in town and happy to heading to Citizen Pictures tomorrow!
Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving!

Performa 11 · Event · The Vera List Center for Art and Politics: Melanie Crean and Claire Picher

2011-11-11T07:12:00.000-08:00

Performa 11 · Event · The Vera List Center for Art and Politics: Melanie Crean and Claire Picher

Metro Brokers Spot

2011-10-31T15:26:00.001-07:00

True Love from Dan Knudson Productions on Vimeo.

Thanks Marty! (and Dan)

meetings, auditions, and shoots, oh my!

2011-10-30T10:58:00.001-07:00

Looking forward to spending part of my Halloween with Dave and Chad and i25! Looking forward to it!

Also need to shout out to everybody whose been working with me in the last month, and your patience, while traveling around London. Thanks everybody for working with me!

does this mean I've "made" it...

2011-10-23T08:01:00.000-07:00

http://www.whosdatedwho.com/tpx_321835/gina-scalzi/

the internet is a strange funny place.

The answer, by the way, is "nobody"... let me save you time!
And if I did, I would protect it like a mother bear.

Metro Brokers Shoot

2011-09-20T15:47:00.000-07:00

Aw... my little Metro Brokers on-camera family!

I had a lot of fun shooting the commercial which will run soon regionally as well as on MetroBrokers.com

http://www.metrobrokerstv.com/

Thanks to Don and Mike, Gina, Jenice, Marty, and Jenny for the fun and work!

Marriott Courtyard

2011-09-17T09:48:00.000-07:00

http://www.marriott.com/courtyard/travel.mi#/lobby/image5

FTCN team

2011-09-09T14:09:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Jennifer and Greg for the interview today!

Well done, Jenni Graham and the cast of "Seven Against Thebes"

2011-09-06T11:53:00.000-07:00

http://who-will-kiss-the-pig.blogspot.com/2011/09/friday-night-on-lower-east-side.html

Metro

2011-09-04T16:40:00.000-07:00

Marty, looking forward to the commercial shoot on this with you!!!

NYC ARTS Venues East River Park Bandshell Listings SummerStage in the Lower East Side: "Seven Against Thebes" by Aeschylus

2011-08-31T15:03:00.000-07:00

NYC ARTS Venues East River Park Bandshell Listings SummerStage in the Lower East Side: "Seven Against Thebes" by Aeschylus

with Jenni Graham former Maximum Talent, talent; current chaotic goddess

MEET MY NEW AGENT!!

2011-08-31T13:01:00.000-07:00

It is with much pleasure I introduce to you my new media agent Michelle, who is joining Maximum Media Department, effective immediately!

Michelle@MaxTalent.com

as ever the very handsome Bill LeVasseur remains my manager at Maximum

Bill@MaxTalent.com

Sweet Jon, who really championed me through some tough times outside of acting, and got me steady work when I was able to return to it, has moved on to a Corporate setting and will be missed! Thanks for everything Jon!

Metro

2011-08-28T19:24:00.000-07:00

Great to see you, Dan and Mike, in the studio today!

Seven Against Thebes

2011-08-25T12:57:00.000-07:00

With my talented dear friend Jenni Graham

"Though women offend you, heed us just this once"

Seven Against Thebes
by Aeschylus
translated by Aaron Poochigan
directed by Mark Greenfield
presented by the Faux-Real Theatre Company

featuring: Layna Fisher, Robin Fusco*, Jenni Graham*, Ebony Hatchett, Laura E. Johnston*, Joy Kelly*, Colleen McGloin, Erica Lauren McLaughlin, Alexandra Milne, Chrysten Peddie*, Evgenia Radilova*, Dominique Salerno, Adriana Spizuoco, Rooki Tiwari, Josephine Wheelwright
*appearing courtesy of AEA

The Faux-Real Theatre Company transcends boundaries traditionally placed between artists and the public by inviting audiences to engage and interact directly with performers in environments that challenge theatrical conventions.The name, Faux-Real, embodies an aesthetic in which the extraordinary and the quotidian meld into dynamic stage life. The company aims to deliver challenging texts, both classical and contemporary, in multi-dimensional productions that are engaging and accessible.

Written in 467 BC, Seven Against Thebes is the New York premiere of a fresh translation of Aeschylus’ classic by NEA recipient, Aaron Poochigian. This rarely performed play begins with the city of Thebes preparing for an invasion led by seven warriors as their leader Eteocles, tries to silence the protests of the city’s women. Faux-Real spins the Greek tradition of all-male theatre on its head by presenting this classic with an all-female cast of twelve. Clad in platform shoes, larger-than-life masks, and a chariot-full of colorful costumes, these actresses revel in song, dance and combat, as Aeschylus's words find new meaning in the mouths of these feisty females. The play ends with a post-mortem visit from Oedipus’ daughter Antigone, as Aeschylus chisels an early exploration into the modern themes of gender politics and the negative impact of war.

SummerStage Performances:

East River Ampitheater (FDR Drive @ Grand Street)
Wednesday, August 31st @ 8pm
Friday, September 2nd @ 8pm

Additional NYC Performances:

Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn
Sunday September 11th @ 2pm

Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Sunday, September 18th @ 2pm

Crotona Park, Bronx
Saturday, September 24th @ 3pm

Morris-Jumel Mansion, Manhattan
Sunday, September 25th @ 3pm

Roosevelt Island Ampitheater
Sunday, October 2nd @ 2pm

thanks

2011-08-11T18:53:00.001-07:00

Thanks Brian! Great to be in the studio with you!

Somewhere West

2011-08-08T15:20:00.000-07:00

Be looking for this beautiful film, currently making the film festival rounds! Starring Jennifer Summers -- beautiful actress with a beautiful heart. But be prepared, this film will break your heart! In a good way!

http://www.somewherewestthemovie.com/Somewhere_West/Home.html

Stranded Jewelry

2011-07-27T11:39:00.000-07:00

http://strandedje welry.com/blog/

Grupo Posados

2011-06-30T11:16:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Michael, James, Diana, Marco, Aurora, Dina, Shaz, and Jason for such a great time on the shoot in Mexico City this week! British photographer and a great Mexican crew!

Turn Around,...Bright Eyes!

http://grupoposados.com

Dina

Jason

Shaz

THANK YOU beautiful lady!!

2011-06-15T11:26:00.000-07:00

I have to take a minute to day to send a BIG shout out to my agent Carol who just booked me on a the kind job I NEVER thought I'd have the opportunity to put on my resume. THANK YOU CAROL!!! You ROCK!

TI

2011-06-10T12:43:00.001-07:00

Looking forward to seeing everybody at TI production this weekend! Thanks for the invite!

Boystown

2011-05-31T17:56:00.000-07:00

Thanks to InPlains Productions for your consideration today!

In Plain Sight

2011-05-26T15:02:00.001-07:00

Watch for my former SPOTLESS castmate, Jason Coviello, on June 5th IN PLAIN SIGHT

Bryan Frank - STUD

2011-05-17T15:52:00.000-07:00

Former THE SENSEI cast mate, friend, overall stud. See his web series:

http://servitudetheseries.com/

Crested Butte Film Festival

2011-05-11T13:06:00.000-07:00

Michael Brody, director the feature film DOCUMENT, in which I played CAMILLE, has cofounded the CRESTED BUTTE FILM FESTIVAL. Films start screening September 2011!

being choked with a crow bar

2011-05-05T17:27:00.000-07:00

I really have only one thing to say about the shoot today... You enjoyed yourself FAR TOO MUCH Rob.

Actually I have two;

The director at lunch asked me why actors are so crass. I had just told them about Ranger Rich's last column, about a visit to Mens Only Naked Yoga, where they painted their manly parts in celebration of Easter. I told him, at the time, that it was a symptom of our accessibility to our inhibitions.

About three hours later, after said Robert finished choking me with his crow bar and I got a turn to make an expletive ridden psychotic attack of my own... I looked up at our director (following "cut", of course) and asked him if he was enjoying my crassness now...

Lots of fun today! let's do it again soon!

2011-05-03T07:57:00.001-07:00

Don Cudney for Successful Living Magazine

well done and well deserved thanks

2011-05-02T21:34:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everybody on production this week and looking forward to working with the painters in the next couple days, as well as film production later this week as kidnap victim...although I think "womanapped" is more accurate!

And congratulations to my former SENSEI castmate Eriks Betts for his apperannce as Obama on Jay Leno tonight!

Carpet Mill -- Telly and CSA awards

2011-04-19T12:49:00.000-07:00

A commercial I did for Comcast and Carpet Mill Outlets won a couple awards this year, including a TELLY and the CSA - Cable Broadcast Association Award!

Thanks and congratulations 21to Jen, Mark, David, Bartholomew, Matt, and everybody on the shoot that day!

see the commercial in Shine Creative's portfolio link For Carpet Mill Hardwood

http://www.makeitshinecreative.com/

gloMinerals

2011-04-19T12:46:00.001-07:00

Thanks for seeing us today!

audition

2011-04-12T13:46:00.001-07:00

thanks Annie, Ashley, and John for the fun at the audition(s) today!

2011-03-30T15:32:00.001-07:00

Miller/Coors

2011-03-30T14:54:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Brent, Michelle, Abby, Nathan (the Irish Italian cutie), Chad, Nicole, and Mark for the fun on the shoot today.

Diana Lee Inosanto, creator and star of THE SENSEI wins AOF Maverick Award

2011-03-17T13:45:00.001-07:00

There 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
she’s related to. Every one of the reasons for her winning this year have to do with something she has accomplished,
for the work she has done and for the strides she continues to make. Here is a little information on the 2011 AOF
Maverick Award Winner.

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.

Reaching adulthood, Ms. Inosanto struggled as a young, single mom with an Autistic son. Eventually she met
her husband Ron Balicki, a former Deputy Sheriff turned Martial Arts Entrepreneur / Stunt Coordinator and nowProducer.

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.

By the end of 2010, as an emerging director and writer on THE SENSEI, Inosanto would win
awards and accolades at film festivals like LA Femme International, Hoboken International,
Philadelphia Asian American Film Fest, San Francisco's Frameline, Germany's
Verzaubert Film Festival and New York's Newfest to name a few.

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.

So powerful was her message that the Asian American Justice Center will present
Ms. Inosanto with the American Courage Award this October 6th, in Washington,

D.C for her bravery and dedication to the cause of civil rights and use of incredible
creative aptitude to deliver the message of advancing social justice.
Moving forward, Ms. Inosanto co-produced with her husband, Ron Balicki, the
action thriller "SINNERS & SAINTS" starring Johnny Strong (Black Hawk Down),
Oscar Nominee Tom Berenger (Inception), Sean Patrick Flanery (Boondock Saints),
Method Man (The Wire) and Kim Coates (Black Hawk Down).

Ms. Inosanto has been accepted into the ALLIANCE OF WOMEN DIRECTORS,
sharing membership with other notable women directors like Catherine
Hardwicke (Twilight) and Kimberely Peirce's (Boys Don't Cry).

Diana Lee Inosanto is currently working on several projects
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.

13th & Pearl

2011-03-02T11:13:00.000-08:00

Great to have a chance to meet with you today Chris and Darin! Love the script, and wish you good luck with the pilot. Thanks for the read - you know where to find me if you need me!

Well Deserved Praise

2011-02-05T10:39:00.000-08:00

I 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.

Diana was selected for this award
"because of the bravery you have
displayed by shedding light on issues of racism, bullying and homophobia
in your film, “The Sensei.”

Founded in 1991, AAJC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to
advance civil and human rights on behalf of Asian Americans and to build
and promote a fair and equitable society for all. AAJC is a nationally
recognized expert on issues of particular importance to the Asian American
community including affirmative action, anti-Asian violence prevention and
race relations, census, immigration and immigrant rights, language access,
media diversity and voting rights. As a member of the Asian American
Center for Advancing Justice, AAJC works alongside its affiliates—the
Asian Pacific American Legal Center in Los Angeles, the Asian Law Caucus
in San Francisco, and the Asian American Institute in Chicago—to enact a
sweeping range of programs on critical national issues that enrich,
enhance and serve our communities across the country.

Diana will join the ranks of past
recipients of the American Courage Award such as: Lt. Dan Choi, Iraq
veteran and LGBT activist who risked his career to stand up to the
military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy; Mallika Dutt, Executive
Director and Founder of Breakthrough, who works to address critical issues
such as violence against women, sexuality and HIV/AIDS, racial justice and
immigrant rights through today’s media and popular culture; Susan Ahn
Cuddy, the first Asian American woman to achieve the rank of officer in
the U.S. Navy; Major General Antonio Taguba, who showed courage in his
reporting on Abu Ghraib and worked to obtain recognition of Filipino World
War II veterans who served in the U.S. Army; Anna Deveare Smith, an
African American actress/playwright and Stanford University professor who
helps illuminate race and religion; and Lou Diamond Phillips, actor and
Filipino Veterans rights activist.

Congratulations to my friend and former director!!! Proud to be able to call her both!

Level 3

2011-01-31T10:10:00.001-08:00

It was great working with Lisa and Steve and the cast of Level 3!!!

I AM

2011-01-28T12:30:00.000-08:00

Met director Tom Shadyac last night at a screening of I AM the documentary.

Great guy and a great film!

Enlightening, paradigm shifting, it will definitely make you think.

The documentary has been picked up by Paladin for a February theatrical release, part of a screening schedule that includes festivals and college campuses around the country.

www.IAmtheDoc.com

Level3

2011-01-25T20:35:00.000-08:00

Looking forward to Level3 shoot Saturday! See you then!

Thanks to everybody at Sokol's for your consideration on this!

2011-01-21T13:46:00.001-08:00

Thanks to Annie and John and everybody at Hamilton and everybody at K&H!

Red76

2011-01-18T17:23:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Steve, Bartholomew, David, Louise, Hillary, and Brandy for everything on the shoot today!

please pause play on the bottom of the page before pushing play

2011-01-13T20:58:00.000-08:00

Desert Sun

2011-01-13T07:23:00.001-08:00

Thanks to Kathryn Brink for considering me!

CoLo

2011-01-04T17:36:00.001-08:00

Thanks to Sam and Sylvia at Gregory-Reinking Casting for the laughs today!

Happy Holidays

2010-12-17T13:16:00.001-08:00

Arpen Productions for Marriott

2010-12-17T13:11:00.001-08:00

Marriott

2010-12-16T13:20:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Eric, Mary, Ashley, Gretchen, Laura, Lori, Marco, Elizabeth, Omid, Ross, Michael, Frank and everybody at the Marriott shoot today... let's pray we're all able to make it home from Albuquerque tonite!!!! It was a great time!

Randi Rosen

2010-12-01T13:16:00.000-08:00

Organic Beach Clothing

2010-11-30T11:01:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Jeana, Gretchen, Ralffy, and Rachelle for everything on todays shoot for next Fall's Organic Beach Clothing.

http://www.organicbeachclothing.com

and brrrrrr

Property Virgins - pause player at the foot of the page

2010-11-10T14:23:00.001-08:00

2010-11-07T10:49:00.001-08:00

thanks to Randi Rosen for her great work yesterday. Can't wait to see the images!

MODERN FAMILY

2010-10-20T17:51:00.001-07:00

TONIGHT -

guest starring the beautiful and talented Libby Baker !!!

Property Virgins

2010-10-15T11:58:00.000-07:00

to enjoy, hit pause on player below. Otherwise, Bono will interupt us.

thanks for considering me

2010-09-18T20:41:00.000-07:00

Much fun was had by all at the Army One callbacks. Great actors to play off of at one of my favorite casting offices. Thanks guys.

Property Virgins

2010-09-10T20:32:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Denise, Jean, Jill, and the Bill LaVaVasseure ( ;) ) for lots of fun on the HGTV shoot. Airing off channel in mid October.

HGTV

2010-09-03T11:59:00.000-07:00

want to thank Brie and the crew at Mrs K's house for considering me this week. After most of the summer spent on hiatus due to a death in my immediate family, I'm looking forward to shooting another promo for HGTV's PROPERTY VIRGINS this week.

Document Screening at Starz

2010-07-21T15:09:00.000-07:00

"Powerful"
"Compelling"
"Sexy and sensual"
"Funny, wild, and touching"
"A brave, true, movie"

This is what audience members are saying about Michael Brody's feature film DOCUMENT.

"Document"
is playing a final two nights at the Starz FilmCenter
Thursday July 22nd and Saturday July 24th.
The shows begin at 7pm
Michael will do an Intro before and a Q & A afterward.

Our website is www.documentmovie.com where you can preview the trailer and also purchase merchandise.
The film is rated 'R'

The film is a coming-of-age story about two young guys who leave small-town America for L.A. in order to pursue their dreams, only to bring all of their troubles with them (think cutting, cross-dressing and women galore!)

Please bring friends and enjoy a great night out!
Your support will forever be appreciated.

Thanks and all the best,
The Producers of "Document"

See you in London

2010-05-22T16:26:00.001-07:00

The Sensei screening at SENI at the Excel Center, London next weekend! See you there!

THE DOCUMENT

2010-05-19T16:24:00.000-07:00

Screening Saturday May 22, at Mikes Coffeehouse!

Thanks

2010-05-12T13:27:00.001-07:00

for considering me;

Kathy Brink for the upcoming Disney tv movie

link @Amazon

2010-05-12T13:25:00.001-07:00

The Sensei

Colorado.com

2010-05-10T20:03:00.000-07:00

The Colorado.com Summer campaign runs again this year! With me as "hiking Mom"

http://Colorado.com

The Sensei on PPV

2010-05-06T12:44:00.001-07:00

available on DISH network PPV

The Mikado Project LAAPFF

2010-04-28T09:09:00.000-07:00

THE SENSEI's creator, Diana Lee Inosanto, will be a LAAPFF at the DGA, on Sunset, this year to take part in the celebration of Bruce Lee. THE MIKADO PROJECT will also make its premiere with SENSEI alum Erin Quill (original cast Avenue Q)

in consideration this week

2010-04-25T20:56:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone at

"In Plain Sight"

and

Rehab for Fling

2010-04-23T14:09:00.001-07:00

Thanks for the script Jimmy! ;)

I love it when people send me a script and say "thought of you for ________. She's a real bitch"

Spotless and Post Traumatic have apparently given me the spectacular opportunities to shine as manipulative villians! ... I'm actually very nice...

2010-04-12T18:42:00.000-07:00

2010-04-12T18:41:00.000-07:00

every good review makes me happy!

http://commercials.tuneforums.com/thread_view.php?threadID=1977

Thanks for your consideration

2010-04-08T18:36:00.000-07:00

Network Affiliates

Gregory-Reinking Casting

Breaking Bad

Crash

StarZ

THE SENSEI - screening in LONDON

2010-03-31T20:10:00.000-07:00

THE SENSEI screenings in LONDON May 29-30th, part of SENI

EXCEL LONDON
One Western Gateway
Royal Victoria Dock
LONDON

http://www.spiritwingchun.com/events.php

VFF 2010

2010-03-31T08:54:00.000-07:00

http://www.vailfilmfestival.org/

Attending VFF 2010
Seymour, Braff, Haysbert to be honored with VFF tribute awards

Jane Seymour
Riva Award for Achievement in Acting
“Dr. Quinn,” Wedding Crashers

Zach Braff
2010 Renegade Award
“Scrubs,” Garden State

Dennis Haysbert
2010 Excellence in Acting Award recipient
“24,” “The Unit,” Far from Heaven Ashley Jensen
“Ugly Betty,” “Extras,” “Accidentally on Purpose,” Patrick Warburton
“Seinfeld,” “Rules of Engagement,”

VFF 2009 Highlights from Vail Film Festival on Vimeo.

another review for THE SENSEI

2010-03-31T08:43:00.000-07:00

REVIEW: ‘The Sensei’

By Albert Valentin | Published March 21, 2010

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

REVIEW

VFF

2010-03-18T15:19:00.000-07:00

See you at the Film Festival April 1-4! Thanks to Scott Cross and Bill LeVassuer!

Publicity for THE SENSEI

2010-03-16T13:09:00.000-07:00

publicity links as THE SENSEI continues with momentum...maybe you have websites, FB SITES to add this to, to get the word out...

http://vjnet.wordpress.com/2010/03/03/the-sensei-say-karate-kid-is-gay/

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hsJl5Atg4K7Wz1i5AAffSEhfiO3g - "The Sensei" is on this list!

http://blog.ctnews.com/evans/2010/03/10/the-sensei-a-martial-arts-movie-which-teaches-tolerance/

Blip TV (main show site): http://theindiemusicshow.blip.tv/

CNN iReport: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-419965

current.com: http://current.com/items/92319459_interview-with-diana-lee-inosanto-director-of-the-sensei.htm

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_DhKZ_G5p0

PirateBay (without the trailer): http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/5434405

DailyMotion: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xckj61_interview-with-diana-lee-inosanto-d

Livestream: http://www.livestream.com/indiemusictelevision

Mevio: http://theindiemediashow.mevio.com/

Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/10146808

VEOH: http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/entertainment/watch/v19907481SYfdFEqM

Myspace Video: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=&release=104407639

Casey Kaczmarek
Nine-Thirty Consulting
Media & Public Relations
West Hollywood

Stained Glass Windows available at BIGSTAR.tv

2010-03-16T12:38:00.000-07:00

http://www.bigstar.tv/movie/stained-glass-windows

This film is available for rental, purchase, and download.
In it's first week it has made it to BIGSTAR's front page!

The Sensei on CNN iReport

2010-03-14T17:36:00.000-07:00

Diana's "Sensei" interview for CNN iReport

Blip TV (main show site): http://theindiemusicshow.blip.tv/

CNN iReport: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-419965

current.com: http://current.com/items/92319459_interview-with-diana-lee-inosanto-director-of-the-sensei.htm

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_DhKZ_G5p0

PirateBay (without the trailer): http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/5434405

DailyMotion: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xckj61_interview-with-diana-lee-inosanto-d

Livestream: http://www.livestream.com/indiemusictelevision

Mevio: http://theindiemediashow.mevio.com/

Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/10146808

VEOH: http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/entertainment/watch/v19907481SYfdFEqM

Myspace Video: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=&release=104407639

Reviews coming in for THE SENSEI

2010-03-10T16:34:00.000-08:00

The Sensei Presents a Spiritual Journey Worth Exploring
By Raymond Horwitz

Diana Lee Inosanto and Michael O’Laskey star in The Sensei.
(Echo Bridge Entertainment)
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.

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.

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.

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.

Despite this demographic rearrangement of the cookie-cutter premise, however, The Sensei’s similarity to such now-trite formulas ends here.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

(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.)

Stained Glass Windows - reviewed

2010-03-10T16:30:00.000-08:00

FROM The Movies Made Me Do It:

I've never been one to enjoy the idea of a "high-school/teen-life drama", in pretty much any way, shape or form. This, for the most part, has to do with the fact that most of my high-school days had no drama, and the majority of my teen-life was spent with drugs, insomnia and droog-style hell-raising making the concept VERY difficult to wrap my head-around.

Sure, not being able to empathize with a character or situation shouldn't necessarily deter an individual from enjoying a good film, but try and try and try as I have, such alleged gems as "The Breakfast Club" have left me, not only disappointed (HORRIBLY) but extremely worried that my cinematic appetites aren't as varied as I use to think. I mean, over time I came to realize that it's because "The Breakfast Club" has little story, trivial drama and boring characterization, but it doesn't change the fact that I still feel like there's a niche or two I can't quite wrap my head around.

So, before watching "Stained Glass Windows", I decided to ignore the concept of forcing myself into the characters, situation or even being involved with the story; as it turns out, that may be just the perspective I have to take upon watching things from the far-eclipsed perspective I have.

After a horrible "reunion" with her ex-boyfriend is ended by a caring call from a neighbor, high-school senior Cherry was left with a scar on her face and even more damage inside of her. After the tedious legal affairs that took place soon afterward she returns to her mother's house (the site of the incident, after a long-stint in foster-care), hoping to go back to her high-school life and possibly piece herself together in the process. Well, in the process she comes to feel more for her mother's life and concerns as well as getting reunited with an old childhood friend who introduces her to a bushido class that she and her boyfriend attend. Taking the initiative, Cherry goes to try and master the discipline she needs to maintain her slowly redeveloping life. She, however, soon discover the shallowness of her relationships, the confusion of her individuality and the longing desire to find a greater peace of meaning in her existence.

In my latest viewing from Celebrity Video Distribution, I left to production satisfied, entertained and... well, very confused. You see, if you've seen any of the promotions for this film, it and shallowly attempts to market this as a morbid, teen-angst revenge film, and I can comfortably say that it isn't anything even remotely similar. It's a very well-scripted coming-of-age drama about a girl who uses to trauma of her life to become a better person and overcome all of the deeper problems she has in life through the aid of some older, wiser mentors as well as her own experiences. I promise you, nothing even similar to a revenge plot can be found in this one, and I couldn't have been more pleased by this.

As I said, teen-dramas wear on me, but the story here takes such an honest view on the angst filled youth of the modern American teenager. It doesn't try to approach the problems and confusions as bigger than they are, it doesn't saturate us in the angst in such a way that we're wrapped in the same overwhelming sense of obsession that the other characters are, and that makes for a much more truthful film. Not to mention, some of the even more frivolous and pointless sequences are just flat entertaining (such as a particular showdown and some certain moments of the climax) and never leave a moment for me to gawk in disbelief at some preposterous frivolity, as so many do.

More impressive than the approach taken with the subject matter is probably the performances; not that any of the ones found here are spectacular, but they're more than well-done enough to be entertaining. Nothing I'd consider spectacular, but Emilie O'Hara is simply wonderful as Cherry, and the turned supporting performances Cajardo Lindsey and Chuck Fiorella were very honest and true to character, both of which are surprisingly uplifting. Then there's Christopher Atkins... I'm not quite sure why his detective character lasted past the introduction, other than the moderate recognition his name could POSSIBLY bring to the production, but it feels like another bit of undermining of the actual film itself. Not that he's the crippling factor, just the fact that they thought they'd need something like that to sell the film, it's a bright film, it's a smart film, truthfully, it sells itself.

I'm not sure, aside from a few technical complaints, a handful of weak-scenes and some very, VERY fucking strange marketing choices I think I can safely say this may be the most entertaining work of teenage drama I've ever seen, not the best, perhaps, but the first one to ever have me wondering what I may be missing from them all. It's simple, fun, insightful and to the point. Doesn't side-step itself, doesn't play itself as anything more than it really is. It's a great film, and I plan to watch it again real soon.

8.1/10.

iTunes

2010-03-10T15:01:00.000-08:00

“The Sensei”, just scored premium placement on iTunes store front both for the feature and the free bonus download! Check the links below!

All the best,

Kyle from Echobridge Entertainment

http://client.newvideo.com/clientdir/89/dl/Echo%20Bridge.The%20Sensei%20-%20The%20Making%20of%20the%20Sensei.iTunes%20Movies%20-%20Free%20on%20iTunes.png

http://client.newvideo.com/clientdir/89/dl/Echo%20Bridge.The%20Sensei.iTunes%20Movies%20Drama%20-%20New%20This%20Week.png

Openning Day ImdbPro ranking

2010-03-09T13:30:00.000-08:00

With the DVD release of THE SENSEI today, the film's ImdbPro.com rank shot up 4290%, putting the film at a rank of 555 worldwide of movies currently out.

My actor rank jumped up by over 300%

The Sensei -- Echo Bridge DVD release TODAY

2010-03-09T12:07:00.001-08:00

Today is the Day

2010-03-09T11:59:00.000-08:00

THE SENSEI

now available

Amazon

Netflix

Blockbuster

Dish Network

Comcast OnDemand

Time Warner

amongst dozens of other platforms.

What has already been said about THE SENSEI:

“A FILM THAT WILL CHANGE HEARTS AND MINDS”- Thomas Howard Jr. Program Director

MATTHEW SHEPARD FOUNDATION

“A MASTERFUL JOB…”- Michael Guillen’

The EVENING CLASS/ GREENCINE DAILY

“POWERFUL…This movie is like a kick to the gut”- Ainsley Drew

CURVE magazine

“Spiritual and Socially Conscious…A REALLY, REALLY, REALLY Good Movie!”-Chael Needle

A & U magazine

“A DIFFERENT KIND OF MARTIAL ARTS FILM”-Phillip W. Chung

DVD Release Party and Screening

2010-03-07T12:03:00.000-08:00

ON DVD MARCH 7th, 2010

2010-03-04T18:40:00.000-08:00

The Sensei/Echo Bridge/Matthew Shepard DVD release celebration!

2010-02-28T19:52:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Arlene and Tom, Echo Bridge, The Matthew Shepard Foundation, Zen Mt and Heitman Entertainment for all The Sensei DVD release party mayhen! It was great to see evertbody!!

http://www.matthewshepard.org/site/PageServer

Interview with Gina Scalzi who plays Anne Evans in The Sensei
By Jason Marsden, Executive Director

J: Hi Gina.
G: How you doing?

J: I'm well thanks. How are you?
G: I'm really good.

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?
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…

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?
G: Oh they, oh they absolutely, they absolutely realize. 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 roll 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 roll 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 roll, because my roll 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.

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…
G: Well absolutely.

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.
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; to not like push it away and put it behind a curtain and really examine in all its facets. Of how to deal.

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.
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.

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.
G: I think they will because 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, 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, 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, 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.

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?
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"

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?
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, 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.

J: Great. Well thank you very much I'll, I'll let you go.
G: Great.

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.
G: Well thanks for all your help. You guys have been awesome.

J: It's our please. Thanks.
G: And an inspiration.

J: Great. Thank you.
G: Thanks.

J: Yup, take care.
G: Okay, you too. Buh-bye.

The Sensei upcoming release

2010-02-24T13:14:00.000-08:00

check out:

http://echobridgeentertainment.com/indexEN.php

SENSEI DVD release party!!!! International release, begins in the UK!

2010-02-18T10:45:00.000-08:00

THE SENSEI will have dual state release parties, on February 28th, one in L.A. at the Jeff Bridges Theater the other hosted in Denver (where much of the location shooting was done) by the Matthew Shepard Foundation and Echo Bridge Entertainment!! The two events will be video linked LIVE!

The films DVD and cable release will be March 9th in the US and Canada, and the international release will start in May inthe UK!!

casting

2010-02-11T18:50:00.000-08:00

Great to see Dave and Chad (I was JUST kidding) and everybody at D&S Casting today. Just say "yes" -- I did a few dozen times!

Maximum Talent

2010-02-04T14:30:00.000-08:00

kind of nice to be highlighted as film talent on the home page:

http://www.maxtalent.com

Dan and Eli

2010-02-03T15:37:00.000-08:00

If you happen to be watching HBO or a behind hte scenes featurette for "The Book of Eli" you will be watching the writer/director/star of the SENSEI, D Lee Inosanto's, father at work!! Formerly Bruce Lee's student,ever young at heart and strong of body!

Stained Glass Windows

2010-01-28T13:55:00.000-08:00

William Brown's film "Stained Glass Windows" with Christopher Atkins, will also be released on DVD in March! I play the part of "Ms. Reynolds"

AND

"Document" by Michael Brody is now available on line, along with its soundtrack, at

http://www.documentmovie.com

I play "camille" in this one.

Thanks to the Matthew Shepard Foundation

2010-01-27T13:51:00.000-08:00

Had a great time with the interview today! Thanks for your support with THE SENSEI.

Hope for Haiti Now

2010-01-22T18:52:00.000-08:00

donate

www.HopeforHaitiNow.org

Comcast

2010-01-21T15:55:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Jen, Mark, David, Bartholomew, Matt, and everybody at yesterday's comcast shoot!