Action Talks with Eric Jacobus

By Eric JacobusTV & Film Film Interviews

Action Talks with Eric Jacobus episodes

January 15 Michael Jai White - Martial Arts Star, Philosopher, Comedian (Action Talks #48)
Michael Jai White is a martial arts star, director, and producer known for films like Undisputed 2 and (my personal favorite) Black Dynamite. He talks about his philosophy and merging martial arts with comedy. You can see his IMDB here https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0925220/
Edited by Noel Ross
Action Talks on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKvT1cdaRn78tV4vF78InER7GhxCKaxU5
Action Talks on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7D289YtkiQIkSVhNLDX8O2
Action Talks on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/action-talks-with-eric-jacobus/id1686666319My studio SuperAlloy: www.superalloyinteractive.com
Blog: www.ericjacobus.com

Timestamps:
0:02:29 Introduction
0:04:23 Beginning as an actor
0:08:19 Action sells internationally
0:23:36 On directing
0:24:50 Breaking others' assumptions and following the heart
0:30:12 Mentors
0:40:44 Knowing which roles to take
0:44:16 Great projects are ruined by bad execution
0:49:13 Shooting wide and long on great performers
0:52:56 What to take from Hong Kong-style editing
0:55:44 Black Dynamite filmmaking style
0:56:28 Deliberate shooting
0:58:14 B cam, sit your ass over there
0:58:59 Would the average person know the difference in styles
1:00:35 Movies you did you can't stand to watch
1:03:34 Make sure it's in the contract
1:06:02 Action design: "Without personality, who the hell cares?"
1:15:56 Where is the modern action star
1:17:21 How you see it segment
1:27:56 Black Dynamite
1:40:46 Being a father
1:51:48 Advice for younger generations
1 hr 55 min
January 07 Sloclap - The Team behind Sifu (Action Talks #47)
Jordan Layani and Kévin Roger of Sloclap are the minds behind games like Absolver, Sifu, and Rematch. They talk about the Hong Kong inspirations for Sifu and what continues pushing their creativity. You can see his IMDB here https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0550301/ and his HKMDB here https://hkmdb.com/db/people/view.mhtml?id=4788&display_set=eng
Edited by Wesley Mountford

Action Talks on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKvT1cdaRn78tV4vF78InER7GhxCKaxU5
Action Talks on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7D289YtkiQIkSVhNLDX8O2
Action Talks on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/action-talks-with-eric-jacobus/id1686666319

My studio SuperAlloy: www.superalloyinteractive.com
Blog: www.ericjacobus.com

Timestamps:
0:00:46 Introductions
0:01:53 Inspirations, Martial arts (Pak Mei) and Tekken
0:13:48 Ubisoft, studies, Sloclap and Ninjitsu
0:20:14 Prodigal Son, Sifu staff, and Godhand
0:24:19 Sloclap behind the scenes, Fighter Maker and Absolver
0:30:43 Sifu gameplay, Kill Bill, The Raid: Redemption
0:36:56 Making efficient fighting styles look good
0:38:27 Sifu boss fights, Benjamin Colucci
0:42:49 The benefits of motion capture
0:43:55 Sifu bosses, Virtua Fighter, Mortal Kombat
0:49:37 John Wick, Oldboy, SPL 2
0:51:16 Cinematography
0:56:41 Sifu's cinematics, Absolver combat, Tekken 3
0:59:22 How to make game combat work
1:01:57 Classical Pak Mei, guns, knives, death
1:09:47 Sifu's aging system
1:09:59 The Matrix, Sifu live-action short
1:11:11 Shooting mocap for Sifu
1:16:20 Sifu practice mode, Jackie Chan, Overwatch, Scavengers Reign
1:18:44 Breaking the cycle of vengence
1:25:57 Outro
1 hr 27 min
January 07 Mars / 火星 / 蔣榮發 - The Stunt Genius (Subtitled) (Action Talks #46)
Mars / 火星 / 蔣榮發 is an actor, stuntman, and action director known for classic films like Project A and Police Story. He talks about his stunts and the origins of Jackie Chan's unique action style.

You can see his IMDB here https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0550301/
and his HKMDB here https://hkmdb.com/db/people/view.mhtml?id=4788&display_set=eng
Edited by Milan Swagers
English Voiceover by Phill Kismartoni
Translation by Gary Choi
Action Talks on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKvT1cdaRn78tV4vF78InER7GhxCKaxU5
Action Talks on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7D289YtkiQIkSVhNLDX8O2
Action Talks on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/action-talks-with-eric-jacobus/id1686666319
My studio SuperAlloy: www.superalloyinteractive.com
Blog: www.ericjacobus.com
0:00:45 Introduction
0:01:24 Early Training
0:11:58 Protection gear in the early 70's
0:16:29 Origins of the Hong Kong spin
0:23:05 Working with non-stuntman directors
0:26:36 Competition amongst stunt teams
0:33:58 Getting into acting
0:41:33 Dragon Lord (1982)
0:58:27 Project A (1983)
1:00:13 The clock tower stunt
1:05:22 Police Story (1985)
1:15:41 Developing a new style
1:21:16 The future of action films
1 hr 32 min
January 25, 2024 Mathis Landwehr - Germany's Martial Arts Star (Action Talks #45)
Mathis Landwehr an actor, stuntman, producer, and indie action
filmmaker. He's known for his show Lasko, The Foreigner, and Kamfansage II (my personal favorite). You can see his IMDB here: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1716923/
Edited by Tristan Glover
Action Talks on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKvT1cdaRn78tV4vF78InER7GhxCKaxU5
Action Talks on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7D289YtkiQIkSVhNLDX8O2
Action Talks on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/action-talks-with-eric-jacobus/id1686666319
My studio SuperAlloy: www.superalloyinteractive.com
Blog: www.ericjacobus.com
Timestamps:
0:05:26 Time constraints shooting "the Last Kumite"
0:06:45 Shooting until it's perfect
0:07:55 How Mathis built his skill set
0:09:31 Inspirations
0:10:40 The film scene in Germany
0:12:11 Why Germany didn't make action films
0:14:44 No German action heros allowed
0:18:21 Mathis's first short film
0:22:34 Did Mathis make the first German martial arts movie?
0:24:24 German people's and regulators perceptions of action movies and violence
0:30:14 Martial arts vs acting
0:32:02 Martial arts culture in Germany
0:33:59 V for Vendetta
0:38:42 Advancing one's choreography skills
0:40:20 How previz changed over time
0:42:16 Lasko Previz
0:46:43 Martial art monk
0:50:44 Different approaches to Kampfensage and Lasko
0:58:30 Action design in Lasko
1:01:45 The feedback about Lasko, the super fans and haters
1:05:04 It's different when Germans watch Germans
1:08:39 Mathis's career after Lasko
1:10:43 Changing his approach and attitude toward action
1:13:44 Stroytelling vs unnecessary fighting / shoe leather
1:17:13 The Foreigner
1:25:16 The Last Kumite and emulating the 80s action film
1:36:53 Finding his own way
1:39:00 Perceptions on violence
1 hr 47 min
January 18, 2024 Action Talks Episode #45 Teaser - Mathis Landwehr
Mathis Landwehr an actor, stuntman, producer, and indie action
filmmaker. He's known for his show Lasko, The Foreigner, and Kamfansage
II. You can see his imdb here: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1716923/
Edited by Tristan Glover
Action Talks on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKvT1cdaRn78tV4vF78InER7GhxCKaxU5
Action Talks on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/7D289YtkiQIkSVhNLDX8O2
Action Talks on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/action-talks-with-eric-jacobus/id1686666319
My studio SuperAlloy: www.superalloyinteractive.com
Blog: www.ericjacobus.com

2 min
January 18, 2024 Sam Kefi Abrikh - Action Designing from France to Japan to Vietnam (Action Talks #44)
Sam Kefi Abrikh is a stuntman, fight coordinator, and second unit
director based out of France, who got started Japan. He's known for
Princess, Fury, and Furies, but has done a load of quality indie action
material. You can see his imdb here:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3768608/
Edited by Joey Min
Action Talks on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKvT1cdaRn78tV4vF78InER7GhxCKaxU5
Action Talks on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/7D289YtkiQIkSVhNLDX8O2
Action Talks on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/action-talks-with-eric-jacobus/id1686666319
My studio SuperAlloy: www.superalloyinteractive.com
Blog: www.ericjacobus.com
Timestamps
0:02:04 Where it all began
0:04:37 Japanese influences
0:07:45 French action films
0:11:38 Indie filmmaking
0:13:09 Learning to move HK style
0:14:35 Making his team for indie films
0:18:04 What techniques did you use to make shorts?
0:21:22 Rhythm diff between HK and Japanese action? French action? US action?
0:25:03 What was it like going to Japan?
0:30:39 What did you take from Shibahara's method?
0:32:23 What was the rhythmic difference?
0:37:08 Was there any overlap between JP language and the JP movement style?
0:38:18 JP movement might come from animation and theater
0:40:20 huge contrast between acting and normal talking
0:41:18 "Developing his skills in JP "
0:43:35 After Japan, what came next?
0:48:06 Was it hard going back to stunts after being in Japan?
0:51:38 Could you apply your skills to Luc Besson films?
0:54:14 What do you look at as a stunt double?
0:55:10 Did you ever perform music?
0:56:17 How are you applying your skills to indie projects?
0:58:23 Bourne style might lose the audience...
1:01:13 Filming the action on District 9 and Bourne series
1:03:45 Working on the Princess
1:06:17 Training actress vs hiding the double
1:07:18 How did he get involved in Furie?
1:09:50 Approaching the action of Furie
1:11:15 Preproduction on Furie
1:15:37 Any stories about when you had to improvise?
1:17:56 Any inspirations for shooting style?
1:19:33 Do you think about camera and editing before shooting?
1:22:15 Do you try to break expectation in action?
1:23:59 What films have succeeded in looking un-choreographed?
1:25:32 Do you apply yourself most to your own projects?
1:26:25 What are you watching now?
1:31:48 What's your approach to female-led action film as opposed to male-led?
1:33:18 Do you have to pull back with Veronica if she was too good?
1:35:40 Toning down big guys against smaller performers

1 hr 38 min
January 11, 2024 Action Talks Episode #44 Teaser - Sam Kefi Abrikh
Sam Kefi Abrikh is a stuntman, fight coordinator, and second unit
director based out of France, who got started Japan. He's known for
Princess, Fury, and Furies, but has done a load of quality indie action
material. You can see his imdb here:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3768608/
Edited by Joey Min
Action Talks on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKvT1cdaRn78tV4vF78InER7GhxCKaxU5
Action Talks on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/7D289YtkiQIkSVhNLDX8O2
Action Talks on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/action-talks-with-eric-jacobus/id1686666319
My studio SuperAlloy: www.superalloyinteractive.com
Blog: www.ericjacobus.com

2 min
January 11, 2024 Chris Troy - Falling, Dancing, Comedy (Action Talks #43)
Christopher Troy is a stuntman, actor, and a filmmaker. Marvel and Star
Wars shows as a fight coordinator, he's worked on Tenet and Shameless,
he makes amazing short films on Instagram
(https://www.instagram.com/christophertroyofficial/?hl=en) and you can
see his IMDB here:
https://www.instagram.com/christophertroyofficial/?hl=en
Edited by Ian Volner
Action Talks on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKvT1cdaRn78tV4vF78InER7GhxCKaxU5
Action Talks on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/7D289YtkiQIkSVhNLDX8O2
Action Talks on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/action-talks-with-eric-jacobus/id1686666319
Telegram: t.me/ericjacobus
My studio SuperAlloy: www.superalloyinteractive.com
Blog: www.ericjacobus.com
00:01:38 Chris Troy: Today
00:06:24 What are the actor guilds fighting for?
00:12:35 Do you see a parallel with the studios of yesterday and the streaming services of today?
00:15:07 Acting and Stunts: How do you manage the two?
00:20:21 What do you think editors are looking for when it comes to choreo?
00:23:27 What "skills" are needed for commercial acting?
00:26:56 Separating the actor from the human, how easy is it?
00:28:07 From Dancing to Stunts
00:33:18 Learning to fall "ugly"
00:37:23 How does your experience inform your performance?
00:39:00 What do you think makes a solid editor?
00:45:18 Pre-Visis to Production: challenges faced by choreographers
00:47:59 Previs work for auteurs: Is it an amicable process?
00:49:55 Working on Tenet: Nolan's witnessed process
00:54:17 Doubling Back: What do you look for in the actor you'll be doubling
00:59:44 Doubling: Getting into your actor's headspace
01:03:33 Why does comedy stunting hurt so much more than action stunting?
01:04:51 Working on Dayshift
01:08:54 Social Media as an engine for your career
01:11:25 Cultivating your mythos
01:21:00 Innovation in Movement: The Sell
01:24:36 Shorts on socials to short films: What do you set out to accomplish in short form storytelling?
01:27:10 Directing action and camera on "Suppression"
01:30:13 Action Designing with the Camera In-Mind: How much do you consider the camera and the edit in your choreo?
01:32:14 Have you always considered the camera in movement? When or where did it start?
01:33:57 How do you look at movement? With an intention to innovate or...?
01:37:36 From Short to Shoot: Have you travelled the distance from youtube short to feature film?
01:40:51 What was the reception to your feature?
01:43:22 The future of indie action comedy
01:50:21 What are you watching these days and what do you look for while you watch?

1 hr 54 min
January 04, 2024 Action Talks Episode #43 Teaser - Christopher Troy
Christopher Troy is a stuntman, actor, and a filmmaker. Marvel and Star
Wars shows as a fight coordinator, he's worked on Tenet and Shameless,
he makes amazing short films on Instagram
(https://www.instagram.com/christophertroyofficial/?hl=en) and you can
see his IMDB here:
https://www.instagram.com/christophertroyofficial/?hl=en
Edited by Ian Volner
Action Talks on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKvT1cdaRn78tV4vF78InER7GhxCKaxU5
Action Talks on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/7D289YtkiQIkSVhNLDX8O2
Action Talks on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/action-talks-with-eric-jacobus/id1686666319
Telegram: t.me/ericjacobus
My studio SuperAlloy: www.superalloyinteractive.com
Blog: www.ericjacobus.com

1 min
January 04, 2024 Kensuke Sonomura / 園村健介 - Choreographing Pain (w/ English Voiceover) (Action Talks #42)
English voiceover version here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se1TqcdmSV4
Kensuke Sonomura / 園村健介 a director and action designer known for films
like Hydra, Baby Assassins, and Bad City. He talks about how he created
his unique action style. You can see his IMDB here:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2338317/
Edited by Yutaka Nozawa
English Voiceover by Phill Kismartoni
Action Talks on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKvT1cdaRn78tV4vF78InER7GhxCKaxU5
Action Talks on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/7D289YtkiQIkSVhNLDX8O2
Action Talks on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/action-talks-with-eric-jacobus/id1686666319
Telegram: t.me/ericjacobus
My studio SuperAlloy: www.superalloyinteractive.com
Blog: www.ericjacobus.com
Timestamps:
0:01:05 Intro
0:01:34 Childhood and cultural influences growing up
0:02:14 Inspiration from martial arts films
0:02:43 Inspirations from Jackie Chan
0:03:07 Karate
0:03:45 Getting into stunts
0:04:19 Trainig at Kurata Action Club
0:06:28 Relationship between the Kurata Action Club and Japan Action Club
0:07:18 Difference in visual styles of Kurata Action Club and JAC
0:08:50 Early career
0:10:01 Process of action design for Japanese video games
0:11:31 Working with different types of directors
0:12:10 Camera and editing for video games
0:12:51 Filmmaking at Kurata Action Club
0:13:22 Kurata Action Club's action style
0:14:36 Traditional shooting style and new style
0:16:14 Films with extreme violence
0:17:37 Working with a foreign crew
0:19:12 "Merihari" = contrast
0:21:11 Japanese language and "merihari"
0:23:18 Tekken Blood Vengeance
0:24:48 Goals with action design for independent films
0:25:40 Changes of action design
0:26:36 Action design for Hydra
0:28:17 Fast punches in Hydra and its trainng
0:30:52 Startig to use Pre-viz
0:31:11 His Involvement in Pre-viz
0:31:25 Filmmaking influences for Pre-viz
0:31:46 Shooting Pre-viz for other directors
0:33:12 Designing action for actors
0:34:01 Training actors
0:34:48 Working with skilled fighters
0:36:29 Baby Assassins
0:37:21 Pre-viz for animation
0:38:11 Pre-viz for anime vs. Pre-viz for live action
0:38:58 Resident Evil 3
0:39:28 Bad City
0:40:55 Shooting action in one day
0:42:21 What needs to change in the Japanese action business
0:44:16 The future of Japanese action
0:44:48 Side interests
0:45:18 Drawing
0:45:37 Time restrictions on Chambara films
0:46:23 Kurata memories
0:46:44 Advice for Japanese stunt performers
49 min

About Action Talks with Eric Jacobus

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Eric Jacobus hosts this action-oriented podcast, talking to directors, choreographers, action stars, stunt performers, combat animators, and anyone else involved in the action entertainment world

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Action Talks with Eric Jacobus

Action Talks with Eric Jacobus episodes

About Action Talks with Eric Jacobus