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