Action Addicts - Talking action films and the Business of Show Business

Can independent films compete with Hollywood blockbusters?
(Also Maono wireless Lav test in a convertible....) 

In this episode, filmmaker and producer Benjamin N. Redic II takes a deep dive into the surprise success of Obsession, the future of independent filmmaking, and one of the biggest debates in entertainment today: how cast and crew should share in a film’s success. Benjamin breaks down why audiences are proving they will support well-made independent films without massive studio budgets, explores the controversy surrounding profit participation, and shares his own philosophy on creating sustainable film business models that reward the people who help make projects possible. Topics include:
Why Obsession is making waves in independent film
The importance of backend points and profit participation How indie filmmakers can structure better contracts
Building sustainable film production models
Why cast and crew should share in success
The future of independent genre filmmaking 
Lessons from films like Iron Lung and other emerging indie successes

Benjamin also discusses the realities of producing independent films, balancing business with creativity, and why transparency in contracts is essential for long-term success. Whether you're an actor, filmmaker, producer, investor, or movie fan, this conversation offers valuable insight into where the entertainment industry may be headed next. Hey fam! Subscribe, Comment and Share the content.

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What happens when you mix samurai bloodlines, Disney training, Hollywood credits, and one of the most influential anime studios in the world?
You get Samantha Inoue Harte.

In this episode of Austin Action Addicts, we sit down with the U.S. Head of Animated Content for GONZO K.K.—the powerhouse behind iconic titles like Afro Samurai and dozens of genre-defining anime projects. With over two decades in the game, Samantha breaks down what anime really costs, why most people have no idea how it’s made, and how Western studios are fumbling the bag when they try to jump in. We go deep on:

• The truth about anime budgets (and why studios are getting lowballed)
• Why Hollywood still doesn’t “get” anime production
• The rise of anime in mainstream culture—and who’s trying to cash in
• Voice acting, casting, and protecting talent in a global industry
• AI in animation—tool or threat?
• And how one random act of kindness turned into a 20+ year career

This one’s raw, honest, and full of industry insight you don’t hear anywhere else. If you’re a filmmaker, animator, or just someone who loves anime—you’re about to see the business side in a whole new way.

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What does it really take to make a feature film with almost no money… and actually turn a profit? In this episode, we sit down with Maria Tran—a powerhouse indie filmmaker who turned a $6,500 feature shot in 14 days into a profitable project across 12+ platforms. We break down how she:

Built a feature film using community, non-actors, and pure grit Rejected traditional distributors to keep control and ownership Used FilmHub to land on platforms like Tubi, Amazon, and YouTube Movies Turned real data into smarter filmmaking decisions Scaled up to shooting TWO films back-to-back with a $30K budget each This isn’t theory—this is real, boots-on-the-ground filmmaking strategy. We also get into:

Why most indie filmmakers get burned by bad distribution deals The truth about AFM (and why it’s not the golden ticket people think) How to fund films through local businesses and product placement Why action & horror are about to dominate the next 5 years The shift in power from Hollywood gatekeepers to independent creators

If you’re serious about making films, making money, and not losing your rights in the process, this episode is required listening.  👉 Bottom line: You don’t need permission anymore. You need strategy, stamina, and the willingness to build your own lane.

0:00 Holy S**+ Intro
4:28 The Ghetto Part of Australia
10:56 Preproduction 
14:29 Based on Real Life 
19:40 All for the money? 
25:00 "She ONLY does action"
30:00 I don't like your energy, keep your money
38:30 Be resilient, gatekeeping is over 
39:19 Gatekeepers are losing power 
50:20 Action star? What a stupid, silly idea 
1:01:52 5,000, 10,000 and Marrese Crump
1:09:26 What are the numbers
1:14:45 Distribution 
1:22:56 Should I stop making movies?



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The Violence Conductor dives into The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of Merlin (Daily Wire’s new fantasy series) — and let’s just say… expectations were high if you promise Merlin, magic, and knights swinging swords. After watching the first three episodes, the verdict is mixed.
The show looks great and the sets are solid, but if you're expecting constant action and epic battles, you might find yourself waiting… and waiting… and waiting.
The acting is decent, some characters show promise, and there are moments of cool combat—but strange editing choices, awkward pacing, and confusing time jumps make the experience a bit uneven. Is this a hidden fantasy gem that just needs time to warm up, or a visually impressive show that takes itself a little too seriously? Watch the breakdown and decide for yourself.
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The Violence Conductor breaks down Iron Lung, the indie horror film that absolutely exploded at the box office. Made for around $3 million and earning over $50 million worldwide, this project proves that independent filmmakers can still punch way above their weight.
Shot largely in a single location submarine, the film relies heavily on tension, sound design, and one man carrying the entire performance. Markiplier delivers a surprisingly strong performance while the film builds suspense through ticking clocks, pressure leaks, and the constant threat of something going very wrong in the depths.
This isn’t an action-heavy movie, but the atmosphere, clever filmmaking choices, and escalating body horror toward the end make it a fascinating case study in how indie filmmakers can succeed with constraints.Is Iron Lung a horror masterpiece or just a really smart indie experiment?
Watch the review and decide. And remember: support indie film. Rent it, buy it, but Don’t Pirate It.

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Janell Vela Smith is a dynamic executive producer and CEO of Iron Dragon Productions, specializing in the distribution of action-packed martial arts films and content through her innovative platform, IDTVFLIX.com. With a background as a certified black belt and stunt coordinator, she champions diverse voices in genre entertainment, curating and streaming high-octane projects like Nova and Templar: Honor Among Thieves to global audiences from her Austin, Texas base.

Keith Strandberg is an acclaimed screenwriter, producer, and martial artist renowned for scripting and producing iconic martial arts films like No Retreat, No Surrender, The King of the Kickboxers, and Bloodmoon, which have been distributed worldwide through major studios, captivating global audiences with high-stakes action and underdog narratives from his base in Switzerland. Keith Vitali, a three-time World Karate Champion and Black Belt Hall of Famer, is a pioneering actor, producer, and martial arts icon who co-starred in blockbusters such as Revenge of the Ninja (MGM-distributed worldwide) and Wheels on Meals alongside Jackie Chan, while co-producing Superfights and Bloodmoon to amplify authentic fight choreography and genre-defining thrills for international markets.

Laura Perez is an Austin-based filmmaker, producer, and director at Alma Libre Films, LLC, renowned for crafting underrepresented stories in features and documentaries like The Place in Between and American Orange. Blending her law degree with hands-on production savvy, she co-wrote and co-produced the award-winning Harvest of Redemption, securing nationwide U.S. distribution and festival acclaim, while innovating low-budget strategies to reach targeted audiences through authentic, efficient content delivery.

Keith Vitali, a three-time World Karate Champion and Black Belt Hall of Famer, is a pioneering actor, producer, and martial arts icon who co-starred in blockbusters such as Revenge of the Ninja (MGM-distributed worldwide) and Wheels on Meals alongside Jackie Chan, while co-producing Superfights and Bloodmoon to amplify authentic fight choreography and genre-defining thrills for international markets.

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Coby Rich is a Houston-based filmmaker, writer, and multifaceted digital media producer with over a decade of experience in directing, editing, cinematography, and production. A true "Swiss army knife" of the industry, Rich has honed his craft across social media and independent projects, drawing inspiration from the vibrant undercurrents of his hometown. In 2024, he made waves with Ridin' Dirty, a pulse-pounding crime short he wrote and directed under Get Rich Productions.

"When three unlikely strangers find $2 million in stolen money it sets them on a thrilling adventure dodging criminals, corrupt cops and an embattled US Senator through Houston’s underground. Will they survive the night?

In this proof of concept short film we find our antagonists, the Barnes brothers, on their way to steal the big payday that sets our story in motion."

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We caught up with Mo on the red carpet! Motivate pictures cleaned up on awards this year! "Maurice Moore is a “storyteller”, who at an early age received a life changing opportunity when Steven Spielberg cast him in the Academy Award nominated classic “The Color Purple”. This fueled his passion to become an actor, then ultimately a producer and filmmaker. Maurice went on to hone his talent on the stage and screen working in productions from Austin to Los Angeles.

After a decade-long stint in Los Angeles where he found success as a producer, filmmaker and screenwriter Maurice took his valuable business experience to Austin, TX where he created Motivate Pictures. Within the first five years of its existence Maurice, working alongside filmmaker Alex Rios, has turned Motivate Pictures into a multi-award-winning production company including films such as “The Devil Inside Us”, “Deja Vu” and “The Place She Dwells”. 

With that success Motivate Pictures has expanded globally and created Motivate Pictures Europe! Maurice and his team have gone on to produce critically acclaimed projects all over Europe that include “Skills”, “The Heist”, “Light”, “Blue”, and “Cold Love”. Maurice’s recent feature film, the psychological thriller “Finding Solace”, will hit theaters in 2025. Motivate Pictures exciting upcoming slate of projects “King of the World”, “Dark Sunlight”, “Killdeer”, and “Founding Father” are expected to keep audiences on the edge of their seats and entertained for years to come. It shouldn’t go without mentioning Maurice is also the Founder and Acting Coach of the nationally acclaimed Austin based Breathe Acting Studio." 

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Keith Vitali is a legendary figure in the world of martial arts, born on December 24, 1951, whose journey began in 1971 at the University of South Carolina. A former track star who shattered state records in cross-country, Keith traded his athletic scholarship for a passion ignited by his first Tae Kwon Do class under instructor John Roper. Earning his first-degree black belt in just two years, he founded the university's karate club, one of the nation's earliest collegiate programs.

Over the next decade, Keith dominated the competitive scene, amassing over 1,000 fights, securing three consecutive U.S. National Karate Championships from 1978 to 1980, and claiming the World Karate title. Ranked the #1 full-contact fighter in the USA and inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame as Fighter of the Year in 1981, he was hailed by Black Belt Magazine as one of the top 10 fighters of all time, gracing more than a dozen national magazine covers with his explosive power and precision. Transitioning seamlessly to the silver screen, Keith became a staple in martial arts cinema, starring in iconic films like Revenge of the Ninja alongside Sho Kosugi—sparking the 1980s ninja craze with its nationwide theatrical release—and Wheels on Meals with Jackie Chan, Benny Urquidez, and Sammo Hung.

His action-packed resume also includes No Retreat, No Surrender 3: Blood Brothers, American Kickboxer, and Superfights. Beyond the ring and reel, Keith is an acclaimed author of instructional books like Winning Tournament Karate and Bully-Proof Your Child, and a dedicated child advocate through his K.V. Video Productions, creating safety videos that made headlines in outlets like USA Today. As the first president of the South Carolina Karate Hall of Fame, Keith continues to inspire generations with his unbreakable spirit and commitment to empowerment. 

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Ericka has a conversation with Grandmaster Harris on the red carpet during Austin Action Fest & Market 2025.

"Grandmaster Samuel Harris was given the name "Ming Sam" by the late Grandmaster Moy Yat. Grandmaster Ming Sam trained extensively in the art of Ving Tsun under Grandmaster Moy Yat for 8 years, including private instruction. He became a formal disciple of his Sifu Moy Yat in 1996 where he learned the finer aspects of Ving Tsun Kung Fu through his sifu's teaching of "Kung Fu Life". This method of learning Ving Tsun inspired Grandmaster Ming Sam to open his own Ving Tsun school using the very same principles as taught by his Sifu.
The school was eventually opened in Fort Washington, Maryland and named "Ming Sam Ving Tsun Kung Fu" in honor of Grandmaster Moy Yat's belief that Kung Fu must become one's own. Today Grandmaster Ming Sam continues to pass on his sifu's idea of "Kung Fu Life" to his family, his students and his disciples. He remains very close with the immediate Moy Yat family as well as respected by Great Grandmaster Ip Man's son Grandmaster Ip Ching. Grandmaster Ming Sam had the honor of an exclusive visit with the Moy family to Hong Kong and Foshan, China for the grand opening of the Ip Man Tong in 2002. Now he is one of several of Grandmaster Moy Yat's last teaching disciples found today."

To find more info on Grandmaster Harris - https://www.youtube.com/@UCKtF_yC4jxDJkvShAsHI0rg https://www.instagram.com/minghousevingtsun https://www.facebook.com/steven.nativi Gear List: Microphone - Maono PD400X USB/XLR Mic - Maonocaster AM100 Interface/MAONO AU-MH601Studio Headphones Get %10 off ➡️Here: https://www.maono.com/?ref=vmwwa2qg Use code - AustinActionFest Be our Patron - https://www.patreon.com/AustinAction


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