Martial Arts Interview: Anna Kristina Ranoso

kristina Ranoso

Martial Arts Interview: Anna Ranoso

Anna Ranoso is an accomplished martial artist with backgrounds in Taekwondo, Wushu, Muay Thai, and XMA. She also has a growing career in music and movie stunt work. 

When did you start your martial arts career? How did it come about?

My career in martial arts first started in 2009, a few months after I had moved to California. I originally came to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music, but after performing martial arts in live shows for a few corporate events, I was hooked!

While performing with the martial arts troupe, I was training at open gyms & met a few stunt people who helped me get into TV & film. There were also people who had seen the work I had done through my troupe that contacted me and helped make the transition.

Anna Kristina Ranoso Action Reel

What are some of the differences between film combat and regular combat?

In film combat, movements are large and for the camera. For film, you must consider camera angles, aesthetics & safety.

In regular combat, movements use economy of motion & less telegraphing.

But the biggest difference is that in real combat, the goal is to win, whether it be to defend yourself or overcome another person. In film combat the goal is make things look good as safely as possible.

Have you ever used martial arts in a real life situation? If so, tell us about it.

Martial arts is not just movement. Martial arts is a spirit one embodies. I use martial arts every day in striving to live in the most authentic way possible.

Tell us about XMA and your involvement with it..

I studied XMA for a year and I very much enjoyed the teaching, movement & culture that goes along with it. It is about doing your best and being your best at all times. XMA continues to progress and push the envelope with new, cutting edge movements. Competitors keep advancing their forms, getting better, & growing in their art.

What's your favorite thing about being a stunt actress?

Everything! I love it all!

Tell use about your band. Where we can we listen to your music?

I am currently in between bands but my old music can be found on itunes and my YouTube channel  www.youtube.com/krisranoso . I am working on new music projects that will be released next year. For updates, you can visit my website at www.annakristinaranoso.com

How do you make time to do all these activities?

There is always time for what you love.

Can  you share with us your future goals and what we can expect from you next. 

In the past year I have been training in different forms of movement that I plan on sharing very soon! I did some stunt acting in the movie Black Sky which should be in theaters this or next year.

Up next for me is to continue in stunts, martial arts, & music. I plan on putting out more media and hopefully being involved in more film & TV projects!

Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

Train hard, be consistent, live passionately, love with your whole heart, believe in yourself and believe in others. Don't be afraid to be you. Be good to yourself and be good to others. Happy training!

Anna, thank you for interviewing with our site. We had a lot of fun watching your YouTube videos and can't wait to see you in Dark Sky.

Naomi Karpati - Female Action Performer of the Year 2012

Naomi Karpati

Naomi  Karpati currently works at Sanctuary Cove Golf Club as a fitness expert and trains at Wise Force Chinese Boxing. She has recently established herself as a martial arts action star in Agent Provocateur/Elite; where she won Best Female Action Performer of the year at the Action on Film Festival  -2012 in Los Angeles.

What is the difference between Chinese boxing, boxing and kickboxing?

Chinese boxing is an umbrella term that refers to martial arts created in China. It teaches defensive skills like blocking, parries, grappling, footwork, joint locks and advanced training includes multiple attackers and weapons.

Can you tell us about your background in Chinese boxing?

I've started training at Wise Force Chinese Boxing when I came over to Australia in 2009 being the only girl at the start. Started with learning basic principles and landed thousands of punches and kicks before I could move to more advanced techniques and gained an understanding of other philosophies. 

Is there a different mentality in Europe towards martial arts than in Australia?

Definitely, just like there is a cultural difference. In Hungary, where I came from martial arts are not as popular as for example team sports are. In martial arts it is more karate, boxing and kickboxing that are popular rather than muay thai which is the most sought after discipline in Australia.

Was it always your desire to be an actor? What made you decide to act? 

I never had desires to become an actor. I sort of fell into it through martial arts and stunt training. My character motivated a script and it all started from there.

How did you get selected to play Alex in Agent Provocateur? 

My trainer James Richards at Wise Force Chinese boxing who is also a film maker had an inspiration for a character that he wanted me to portray so my skill set can be displayed on the big screen. 

Why do you feel Agent Provocateur stood out above all the other action films that year?

Because it had an interesting story line, a sense of reality attached to it and good action sequences in it. 

What is your normal training routine for a week?

Training 2 hours 4 times a week at Wise Force practicing combat skills and handling weapons. Cardio training including running, high intensity interval training 3 times a week. 

How much and what kind of training do you do with handguns?

In the preparation process of the film we started going into a bit deeper and I was taught how to move with the gun properly and how to aim at multiple targets. 

What projects are you working on that we can look forward to in the future?

Hopefully we will some more action and different skill sets brought on screen including some of my favorite knives. 

Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

Learn and work hard in your art, whatever that may be, believe in yourself and keep moving forward. 

Find out more about Naomi at www.naomikarpati.com.

Rustic B. Martial arts and Parkour expert. (Interview)

Rustic Bodomov

Rustic Bodomov has over a decade of experience in martial arts with training specialization in Judo, TKD, Karate, Jiu-Jitsu, and boxing. He also has 7 years of Parkour and freerunning experience. He's been featured on camera in films, television and commercials on numerous occasions. 

How did you get your first paid gig as a stunt person? 

I moved out to Los Angeles specifically to pursue stunt work. Before I moved out, I already had a little bit of screen fighting experience (gained from making videos with my friends), and several years worth of parkour videos I used to make..so I cut together a showreel for myself in order to market myself.

Right after I moved to Los Angeles, I started training at several gymnastics gyms in the area and asking around about where the stunt people trained. After meeting a couple of working stunt people, and making some friends, I was referred to do some tumbling on a music video as a favor for a friend. My first paid stunt job came as another referral after that music video, I was asked to be the main character for this video - https://vimeo.com/40581867

If one wants to break into action movies, do you think it's easier to start out as a stunt person and then become an actor or is it better to go straight into acting?

I don't have a straight answer to this one. Both paths are difficult for their own reasons, I would recommend for the aspiring action actor and/or stuntman to decide which direction you want to go for yourself, then take it. Becoming good at acting, just like stunts, takes hard work and time to get good at. If you want to be an action actor like Jackie Chan, starting with stunts will teach you set etiquette and how a film is run, as well as educate you on how to safely perform your own stunts.. but going directly into acting will start getting you established as a "name" which can be attached to sell a movie.

How many times on average does one have to do a stunt before the director is satisfied with it?

This varies from stunt to stunt, and director to director. If a stuntman is asked to do a high fall, or a similarly large stunt or wreck, everyone will be pushing for only one take. From personal experience, I've only been asked to do a "big" stunt for a maximum of 2-3 takes.

When you get into fight choreography, the amount of takes will start to rise because you have more factors involved (such as a moving camera person, several performers, varying energy levels), and you can start seeing upwards of 5-10 takes per shot. Jackie Chan is known for doing some of his "trick" stunts over 100 times to get it just right!

At what martial arts skill level would you recommend someone to make a showreel of themselves for marketing purposes?

If you are going to be pursuing a career in the action film industry, I'd recommend getting yourself some good looking footage soon. The sooner you have something you can use to get jobs for yourself, the better. If you don't have the ability to create something that accurately reflects your skill, I'd wait until you start working with other people and get enough good footage for a 1 min video (this is a good, short, sweet length for a reel).

Important Side Note!! Martial Arts skill level is not important when it comes to screen fighting skill, and they often times aren't even in the same boat. While Martial Arts will teach you proper body control, and will definitely help you make your Martial Arts style movement look great, you still want to train with some screen fighters in order to make yourself look good on camera. I come from a Martial Arts background, and I struggled for the longest time to be able to translate my skill level to film. (Martial Arts movements tend to be small and efficient, while good-looking screen fighting movements tent to be bigger, more showy, and sometimes aren't even proper technique.

What do you find is the best way to network in the martial arts community?

Honestly, I haven't really networked much with the Martial Arts community. I have made good friends with fellow Martial Artists in the stunt world, but my main networking happens within the stunt community in Los Angeles.

There are several ways to network in the stunt community. Several times a year, different groups of people host "stunt networking" events..and there are several awesome stuntmen who have great training equipment set up in their backyards, and let people come train with them. 

Personally, my favorite way of networking (and where most of my work stems from) is to become a real friend to the people I meet. I try and leave a good first impression while remaining honest to myself. People can usually tell when you're being sincere and open minded, and it will take you far in life. :)

No one teaches Parkour in our area. What's the best way to get started with it?

I also started learning Parkour when there were no gyms or instructors around! There are plenty of online resources for learning various parkour moves safely (I learned almost everything from YouTube), and you don't need to leave the ground (aka go on roofs) to learn how to do every type of movement!

My advice is, don't be afraid, get out there and start moving around and have fun! If you'd like a starting point, check out how to do a parkour roll 

What kind of diet do you have to keep up your strength and stamina?

I don't follow any set diet plan, but I do try and keep my food intake clean. This means that on a good week, I will stay away from any bread, fried or processed food. I don't drink soda. I try to eat as many green vegetables as I can, along with a good source of protein (chicken, beans, etc). Greek Yoghurt and Chick Peas are amazing too... I might be getting too particular here, but my basic nutritional philosophy is to stay away from anything processed, deep fried, or carbonated. It just feels so good to eat clean!

What projects are you currently working on that can we can look forward to in the future?

I'm currently helping produce my first feature film, called "Boone: The Bounty Hunter", which stars my friend John Hennigan (aka, WWE's Johnny Nitro).

Also, I just doubled one of the main actors on "SMOSH: The Movie" which comes out later this year/early next, and I'm waiting on a couple of VFX-heavy projects I starred in last year to be finished. My side project for the time being is my youtube channel.

Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

You've probably heard this before, but it's true.. only you can do anything you set your mind to! I've learned time and again that the secret for creating success in anything you set out to do is to do it with a positive attitude and to really invest in yourself with hard work. What would the future, successful you be doing right now? Training? Writing? Filming? Be the person you see yourself being in the future, today! 

Thank you very much for your time, and for asking such great questions guys! :)

Jeet Kune Do Expert, Actor and Stuntman - Kefi Abrikh

Kefi Abrikh - Actor and Stuntman

Kefi Abrikh is a french actor and stuntman. He is in expert in Jeet Kune Do and Freestyle Acrobatic Martial Arts. He's had a successful career in Europe and Japan. He's has also worked in international movie hits like Fast and Furious 6. 

What was the hardest part of fitting in with the Japanese stunt community?

My first difficulty was of course communication! Thankfully, I had studied Japanese for 2 years before I came to Japan. Nevertheless, I had to learn all the stunt vocabulary usually used on the set. Furthermore, I had to learn how to behave properly in the Japanese hierarchy. 

Which stunt in Resident Evil "The Nightmare Of Dante" was the hardest to pull off and how did you accomplish it?

There was a wire-work scene where Nero catches Dante's leg in the air and hits him violently to the ground. 

What was it like being on the set of Fast and Furious 6?

That was just amazing! It was very different from what I've done until now. When I was younger, playing in a US studio production was just unimaginable! I have very good memories of fighting with Vin Diesel and Paul Walker. 

One of your many skills is Hong Kong Style Fighting. How does one recognize this style?

Hong Kong style fighting is very recognizable because it's a very acrobatic fighting style with a lot of innovative stunts using improvised weapons. Sequences of fighting scenes are very quick and often have violent stunts. Nevertheless, my favorite skill remains Japanese style action because I like to give life to characters that can only communicate with gestures. 

What's the best way for a martial artist to get into professional stunt work?

I would love to have the answer of that question! I think that getting into the professional stunt work is a combination of hard working and luck.  You need to keep on training very hard so that you are ready when the opportunity comes.

What trick took you the longest to learn? What changed mentally to accomplish it?

It took me very long time before I mastered the "540 kick". Nowadays, it's a very simple kick but it's very powerful. I just kept on rehearsing till I managed it. 

What projects are you working on that we can look forward to seeing in the future?

Kefi Abrikh

I am working on different projects right now. One of them is a french live action series inspired by a Japanese sentai series. 

If you could change one thing in your life what would it be?

This is a difficult question to answer! There are so many aspects of my life, that looking back now, could have been improved. But, each and every of my failures have led me where I am now. 

Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

If you want to succeed in something, just give your best. Even if you fail many times, keep on believing in youself. If you are motivated enough to continue, then you've found your real path. 

Jeet Kune Do and Kali Expert - Ruben Rodriguez

Jeet Kune Do and Kali Expert - Ruben Rodriguez

Ruben is an expert in Jeet Kune Do and Kali with over 40 years experience in martial arts and is considered by Paul Vunak as one of the top experts in street fighting in the U.S. counting also with extensive experience in Kickboxing and Grappling.

Tell us about becoming part of Paul Vunak's organization.

I had read about Paul and seen his advertisements on Black Belt magazine. I found him and his system very interesting. We came from similar backgrounds as far as martial arts is concerned. I trained with him a few times in the early nineties, then I became part of his organization in 2005.

Why do most Jeet Kune Do instructors also know Kali?

The JKD guys that train Kali are usually the JKD concept group that come from Dan Inosanto lineage, Guru Dan is a very skilled kalista. Kali is the best weapons system around and I think that is why JKD concepts students are attracted to Kali.

It seems many Jeet Kune Do experts have a reputation for speed. Is this due to the type of training or the style itself?

Some people are born fast. I also believe you can work on speed with certain types of training.

What are 3 techniques you use that are not found in most martial arts schools?

Three techniques we use in our system that stand out for us are destructions, guntings and of course our straight blast.

Destructions and guntings come from Kali. Destructions are usually done with the elbow or knees and used against punches and kicks that are thrown at us. A gunting is like destructing but it is done in a scissoring motion with both hands usually used to attack on coming punches. The straight blast is a series of straight hand vertical punches from wing chun.

Is it true that a person who has a black belt in martial arts has to register themselves at the police station? Also, are martial artists held at a higher level of restraint when it comes to self-defense by the justice system?

The registering of black belt hands is a myth, no state in our country requires us to register our hands.  I do believe that some courts expect martial artists to show more restraint and they are probably harder on someone who is skilled with his hands and feet.

What's the best way to leave a martial arts school without hurting anyone's feeling? Conversely, how does one ask someone to leave?

Jeet Kune Do and Kali Expert - Ruben Rodriguez

I think honesty is the best way to leave your current school. Sometimes feelings get hurt but that's the nature of our business. As far as asking people to leave, that’s always tough, but again I believe honesty will work out best.

What part does rest and relaxation play in training to become a martial arts expert?

Rest and relaxation are very important in a martial artist’s career. Just recently, I learned through my experiences how important rest is. I have always been very hardcore with my training, but now I make time for rest and relaxation. As a martial artist, I am always on high alert; always ready to defend myself or friends and family. I have found that Christian music has always calmed me down.

Progressive Scientific Fighting

What has been the greatest reward to you for dedicating so many years to martial arts?

My greatest reward from the martial arts is that I am able to make a living doing what I love, not many martial artist get to do this.

Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

Thanks for the opportunity to do this interview. I hope Brandon's martial art career goes well, and know that he is welcome at my school anytime.

Be sure to visit Progressive Scientific Fighting and on Facebook.

Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate Expert - William Christopher Ford.

William Christoher Ford is a 5th degree blackbelt in Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate and was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 by the Masters Hall of Fame. He's been featured in over a dozen films and is often cast in theatric work. He also played a supporting role in Karate Kid III.

How did failing your first black belt test affect you? Do you believe having the possibility of failure on your promotion test is a good thing? Why?

First of all, "Failing" is simply not getting the result you wanted or expected at the time. "Failing" was one of my best teachers. I learned that I was not prepared… my stances were weak, my stamina insufficient, my visual and mental focus all over the place. ..so I took the lessons of that experience and trained harder and worked on my shortcomings. I started running and doing rope work, practiced my kata more seriously, and prepared myself mentally. When I took the test again, several months later, I was better prepared and I passed. I learned the value of working hard for and earning what I wanted, goal setting, persistence, humility, and the dangers of being overconfident. These are invaluable lessons that I might not have learned had I not "failed".

Can you tell us about your most memorable moment in your martial arts career.

My most memorable moment in my martial arts career was opening Kaizen Dojo. It is joyful beyond measure to be able to share my experiences with my students and to be able to positively impact their lives empowering  them with self-protection skills, helping them to build their confidence and self-esteem, teaching them self-control and how to respect others and themselves. I love what I do and it is an honor and privilege for me to be able to do it as my primary career.

Name 3 characteristics that help someone become successful in martial arts.

Persistance, Desire, An open mind. And here is a 4th: Be a beginner every day.

What makes Kobayashi Ryu unique from the other 3 major schools of Shorin Ryu Karate?

The styles are similar, in my opinion, but the kata curriculum varies with each style and school. Sometimes the kata used are the same with slight differences and sometimes altogether different kata are used across the styles and dojos. 

Now, the way that I was taught Kobayashi Ryu is different than many other dojos, in that both Sensei Richard Rabago and Master Tadashi Yamashita emphasized lower stances, in order to strengthen the legs and hips, though not as low as say, Japanese Shotokan. But definitely lower than what you'll typically find in most Okinawan Karate. Probably closer to Shito Ryu. Also we do not use a deep back stance (kokutsu dachi). We use cat stance (neko ashi dachi), front stance (both lower and higher), horse stance, and sumo stance (shiko dachi) in our kata. 

In regards to what I teach at Kaizen Dojo… I teach traditional Shorin Ryu as a base but with a more modern approach. I am very open-minded and believe all styles have many great things to offer. I really like Western Boxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, and Filipino Arnis too. Concepts from these arts are brought into our curriculum. Wrestling, Pencak Silat, Kung Foo San Soo, Wing Chun, Hung Gar, Aikido, Judo, all have great value in their own way. 

I believe kata is a template and the techniques can be applied in a myriad of different ways. But kata must have a combative application and these applications must be practiced in a variety of situations with an ever increasing level of resistance from your training partners… that is critical. Without that, you have a pretty , little dance. There must always be a combative attitude and application. But more important than any "style",  is situational awareness, verbal de-escalation, diffusing the situation if possible, and Run Foo ("RUN, FOO!") if you can escape.

What are the clues that a student should look for that reveal the fact that a martial arts school is genuinely interested in sharing their martial arts knowledge for the love of it or just interested in the money?

Watch the instructor teach. Does his teaching style resonate with you? Look at the quality of the students. Ask a ton of questions.  See if he pressures you to commit right away. Talk to the other parents. Check the school out on YELP. Remember high tuition does not necessarily mean that the school is only about the money. If they are offering a high quality program with tremendous value, than it might be worth the investment, however, I would be wary of long-term contracts that you can't cancel easily, hidden fees, price gouging on testing fees and equipment and if all the students are testing every month regardless of skill and you see 7 year old black belts running around the school, run the other way!

Critics state Karate styles have no defense techniques against ground fighting. Is this true? If so, how do you offset this with your school’s training?

I have no emotional attachment to any one style. One must use whatever is effective and appropriate to the situation. BJJ is taught at our school by Jocelyn Chang, a black belt who has studied BJJ for 19 years. Guro Marc Lawrence teaches Filipino Arnis at Kaizen Dojo. They are both very complementary to karate (old style Okinawan karate or modern sport karate). But there is no one style that is the be all and end all. A martial artist should be open-minded, well rounded, and adaptable. That's why I admire and respect fighters like Lyota Machida, Georges St. Pierre, and Jon Jones. They have been able to utilize their karate, muay thai, and boxing skills effectively against their opponents as well as their grappling skills.

What advice would you give a 15 year old on how to pursue his goal to act in a martial arts movie?

Study the martial arts and action films you like. Why do you like them? What makes them work in regards to story, acting, action, soundtrack, editing. Listen to the filmmakers' commentaries on how the film was made. Analyze the fights. Look at the angles and how they were shot.

Get a camera and start putting your own fights together. Learn the difference between a real fight or sparring and a fight meant for a film and yet again, a fight meant for a stage production. All are different. Often times moves that work in a real fight can't be read by the camera which means your audience isn't getting it or they are seeing all the "misses" in the fights because they are shot poorly.

Learn to edit.

Take a few acting classes. You eventually want to get into a class that teaches acting for film and television meaning they use a camera to record your performance in  class so you can get feedback. This can be a very painful process but you will learn very quickly the difference between what works for the stage and what works for film and television. If you should ever come to Los Angeles, I have a few great teachers that I could recommend. Hone your craft and keep honing it.

Get involved with student films and indie films to gain experience and to network. This can be invaluable. Most of these don't have the budget to pay their actors but you will learn a LOT! And usually, you get CCM (copy, credit, meal). Ask to get a copy of the completed project but also of your scenes. You won't always be successful in getting a copy but it's always worth asking for. Now, many of these folks own their own equipment or have access to people who do and they are often looking to shoot something while they are in between projects. These are the people you want to become friends with. They might be interested in shooting an action short (or a feature!)

Build your network and keep building it.  You can find out about various projects that are being cast through actor submission websites like Nowcasting.com ( great for student films and indies), Castingnetworks.com and Actorsaccess.com.

Nurture your  relationships with stunt people, martial artists, actors, filmmakers, casting, cinematographers, sound people, editors. Network.

You may want to eventually consider self -producing at some point. Not easy but worth considering.

You eventually may find yourself a big fish in a little pond. Don't be afraid to become eventually a smaller fish in a bigger pond if

you want to move up.

Stay humble. Stay balanced.

Have a plan, a plan B, and a plan C.

Never give up.

Have fun!

For more details about William Christopher Ford, visit his professional webite and his dojo's website.

Jayson Patino Interview - BJJ Expert

Jayson Patino is a black Belt in BJJ and Taekwondo. He has participated in extreme fighting championships and has a history of winning in high level BJJ matches. 

Tell us about yourself and your school.

My name is Jayson Patino and I am the Owner and Head Instructor of American Top Team East Orlando. I started training Taekwondo when I was five years old then wrestled in high school and college. I was a 2x NCWA All American in wrestling at UCF and a member of the US Grappling World Team. I fought MMA professionally and received my black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from Ricardo Liborio. I teach and train at my academy everyday and compete as much as I can. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is my passion. I love practicing different ways to submit people, its fun! Teaching has given me a way to pass on all the great benefits of training BJJ to my students. It is very rewarding seeing people achieve their goals and improving because of something you showed them. 

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What has been your biggest accomplishment to date? Why did it mean so much to you?

My biggest accomplishment is probably winning the 2009 ADCC North American Trials and competing with the best grapplers in the world at ADCC in Barcelona. This meant a lot to me because after training so hard for so long, I finally got some recognition. I had won several local and regional tournaments but this was my first big tournament win. 

You have won titles in Gi and No Gi brackets. Do you feel it's important to train one more than the other to be expert in both?

I believe training in both gi and no-gi will make you the most effective grappler. My first three years of training were all no-gi. Once I put the gi on it was much harder to submit people who knew how to slow me down using the gi grips. Learning the intricate details of gi will help make you more technical. Then training no-gi will help improve your ground game without relying on the grips of the gi. This mix of both has really helped me through the years. 

We have heard to points of view. One being, "BJJ is the greatest martial art in the world for self defense." and the other, "Being on the ground in a real fight is the worse place to be in." What is your philosophy about these statements?

In terms of self defense, BJJ is definitely one of the most effective martial arts. There are so many variables in self defense situations though, that a mix of multiple martial arts like Muay Thai and BJJ would be the MOST effective way to defend yourself. 

In response to people who say being on the ground during a real fight is the worst place to be in: If there are multiple people attacking you,  then yes, I agree. Your objective should be to defend and escape. In a one on one fight situation though, BJJ is a very effective way to defend yourself and subdue an attacker. In addition to teaching techniques that focus on angles and leverage over strength, BJJ also focuses on staying calm and relaxed. The ability to remain focused and not allow emotions or adrenaline to overwhelm you during a stressful situation can be very useful. 

What do you feel is the most under-utilized technique in BJJ? Taekwondo? Muay Thai?

The most under-utilized technique in BJJ is probably takedowns. Most higher level jui jitsu players want to pull guard and try to sweep or submit instead of working for a takedown. This is actually a very smart strategy but it leaves many jiu-jitsu players with bad takedowns. 

The most under-utilized technique in Taekwondo is protecting your chin. Students are taught to throw punches and bring your fist back to your waist instead of back to your chin. Sparring with experienced fighters really exposes this hole. 

The most under-utilized technique in Muay Thai is probably elbows. Elbows are great close range weapons that can cause serious damage. 

How can someone tell if their local BJJ school is any good?

You can tell if a local BJJ school is good by looking at the instructor's credentials, students' accomplishments and by trying classes there. Ideally, a good academy will have an instructor with decent achievements as well as having produced technical students. Sometimes there are great competitors out there that are not as good at teaching. Trying classes at an academy will let you see the instructor's teaching style, their class structure and let you get a feel for the atmosphere. Training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a lifestyle and long term commitment. You want to make sure you are comfortable with the people you will be training with over the next few years.

What are your thoughts on instructional videos being available for free online?

Instructional videos being available online is a great resource for students worldwide to improve their game. I have watched several instructionals online and post my own instructional videos on YouTube as well. 

If you never win matches at your home gym, do you feel it is still important to attend tournaments? Why?

If you are never winning matches in your academy it is probably not a good idea to compete in a tournament  (unless you are a beginner and have all advanced training partners). Confidence plays an important role in your performance. If your confidence is already low from constantly losing during training, it could get worse if you lose in competition in front of an audience. This could turn someone off from wanting to train BJJ and ultimately cause them to miss out on all the benefits training has to offer. Practicing more and improving your weaknesses before entering in a competition would be a better idea. 

Visit Jayson and American Top Team for more information.

Mike Moh Interview - Martial Artist

Mike Moh is a 4th degree black belt in Taekwondo. He has played  in multiple TV series and is also known for his stunt work. You can see Mike in the upcoming film Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist as Ryu.

What did you enjoy most about your Taekwondo competitions when you were younger?

I really enjoyed the opportunity to showcase the skills I had been working hard to improve on in my training. It was also a very friendly environment and still am friends with many of the kids I competed with!

Are the flips and twist normally taught in Taekwondo? If not, how did you learn them?

No flips and twists are normally taught in traditional taekwondo. However, the high flying/spinning kicks that taekwondo is known for make transitioning into "tricks" much easier than other martial arts styles. I learned how to do tricks by teaching myself with the help of online videos and going to open gym sessions at gymnastics facilities.

When you were filming with Jackie Chan. Did you ever hear him say something in person that has stuck with you after all this time?

It was more of what he did than what he said. Even though he's one of the world's biggest movie stars, on the set he was sweeping the floor, running around like crazy working very hard to help out the production. He ate meals alongside everyone else and even shared his chicken with me! He's a hard worker and very very down to earth.

Has your degree in Marketing helped you develop your acting career? If yes, how so?

My college experience helped me as an actor as it taught me about life and how to live on my own and be responsible. For me, acting is all about drawing from personal experiences and translating those experiences into your character. 

Many martial artists start off with stunt work. Do you feel this is a good way to get started?

Everyone has their own path. For me, my background in martial arts helped me get acting agents immediately so I was fortunate to book work in TV and commercials right away since my main goal was to be an actor not just martial artist. Others prefer to stick to stunts or use stunts to transition into acting.

What do you feel was the number one difference between making it as an actor and never being signed after your first role?

Staying positive was my key to success. No matter how talented you are, actors will hear NO many many many times. The actors that can stay positive and continue working hard will end up landing roles that will lead to a prolonged career.

You recently had a spot on Castle, one of our favorite shows. How did you get that spot? What was it like being on the show?

Since I no longer live in Los Angeles, my agent had me video tape an audition. Thankfully, they really liked my audition and after a few days I flew to LA and filmed the show! Working on the show with actors like Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic was pretty intimidating and I was nervous! However, they were very kind and easy to work with and I had a blast working with the Castle crew!

Is there anything we can hope to see you in, in the future?

Besides Street Fighter:Assassin's Fist coming out next month on Machinima, I also have a really cool short film called "The Man from Death" coming out later this year. I play a diabolical villain!

Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

Stay positive, train hard, and eat your vegetables.

Mike, thank you for taking time out to answer our questions. We look forward to seeing your upcoming TV appearance. 

Be sure to visit Mike's website to learn more about his career. 

Interview with Kevin Secours - Systema Expert

Systema

Kevin Secours B.Ed. is one of North America's foremost specialists in Russian Systema. Kevin was long renown for his concise grasp of Systema and his innovative approach to sharing his knowledge. He has published some of the first and most comprehensive articles on the subject. He has been featured in numerous DVD's including his own best-selling combat series, and taught Systema on 5 continents. In 2010, Kevin formed The International Combat Systema Association to more fully represent his continuing evolution and understanding of the Russian martial arts.

What makes Russian Systema different from Krav Maga?

Systema is often equated to Krav because they are both military hybrids but beyond that they do not have much in common. Krav focuses more on aggressiveness and is about moving forward. They prioritize sweeping 360 degree blocks and direct pressure and a small arsenal of simple high probability techniques. SYSTEMA by comparison advocates a lot of breath work to help keep a high degree of relative relaxation and emphasizes on biomechanical efficiency. It emphasizes yielding rather than pressure and adaptability rather than memorization. Epistemologically, it actually the polar opposite.

What is the difference between what you teach and what a pure Russian Systema school will teach? 

What I teach (combat SYSTEMA) is my interpretation. SYSTEMA is a hybrid that was created in the 1930's but various teachers relay their version as if it has achieved perfection. I believe that no one or one system has all the answers and the definition of a hybrid is that it is constantly evolving. Evolution is a process not an end result. It should never stop shifting and integrating. I have no interest in trying to be Russian. I am a westerner and this necessarily leads to a different interpretation. I have profound previous experience and I will not forsake this either. I would expect no less of any student that trains with me. I advocate cross training and individual realization.

You have expertise in Goshinbudo. Can you tell us about this style and what it's strengths and weaknesses are?

Goshinbudo literally means self defense. It is all about survival and fighting. There are various schools of goshinbudo in the world but they are generally based on jujitsu in some respect. Our approach is all about getting home alive. It is very strong in it's principles, and like everything that we teach. I modify and adapt it so I am always trying to plug up its weaknesses. The key for us is to pressure test and then to observe and accept what we discovered to make the necessary changes.

We are also very interested in your expertise in Five Animal Shaolin Chuanshu. Many people claim animal styles are strictly for Hollywood. What are you thoughts on this? Can they be used successfully in real life combat? Can they be successfully applied in real life combat?

I can't speak to whether or not five animal work is purely Hollywood or not. It certainly weighs heavily in marketing. There was some good material in it. I certainly still favour a lot of gouging which I was first introduced to there, but I was working as a doorman when I used to teach it and literally had one encounter one night wherein I realized I was never using the style in application and was always reverting to my jujitsu; so I came in the next day and told my crew I couldn't teach it any more in good conscience. We haven't really used it very much since that day; save for as a basis of comparison and important life experience. There are strong advocates out there who could speak to it's value far better than I could.

What was the last 3 things you learned with martial arts?

The last three things I learned with martial arts:

First being an observation I made about hip movement with firearms when working with a defensive tactics friend of mine--it was one of those things he was doing without realizing it, just torquing the hip as he moved his eyes. Very subtle but a light bulb went off.

Second, I had to work through a lower back pull recently during one of the most hectic schedules ever, and it taught me a lot about isolating my core and moving on what was essential.

Third, we had a situation with a homeless guy shooting up heroine in the stairwell of the downtown office building where my dojo was and I had to bounce him out. It was late, I was tired and wasn't expecting him naturally and after the fact I was quite ramped up and I used a variation of staggered breathing (inhaling in this case in 6 increments and exhaling in 6) afterwards to calm myself down and realized firsthand just how effective it was for me.

Those have been the big three from the last few weeks.

What inspires you to be better next year than you are today?

I am inspired by everything. My son is a huge factor because he is only four and I want to be alive and healthy as long as possible to share everything that I know firsthand. My students are another huge factor because I want to feed those that are hungry and lately I have been on a real mission to get a lot of info out. There is just so much bad instruction out there. That alone is motivating.

What is your favorite quote? Why does it apply specifically to your life?

My favourite quote is from Rumi--the first obligation of the teacher is to destroy the idol the student would make of them. I try constantly to advocate critical thinking and to get rid of fantasy and worship and wishful thinking in the dojo. Ego is a life waster. I just want honest sharing.

Here's a hypothetical situation. All government has broken down and it's chaos in the world. You are only able to have 3 weapons and no firearms. What would they be and why?

My apocalypse backpack is already packed-- cold steel karambit is the first go-to. It is my favorite for hand to hand. Great leverage and cutting capacity. It fits naturally with my fighting approach. Second would be a good quality Kuhkri. My ka-bar is in my bag right now. It doubles for an axe for bushcraft and can hack a path through anything and even throws well. Third would be my tomahawk. You can hook or smash or hack. I double it up with the karambit for optimal zombie mayhem. It deploys quickly, works well in close combat or at a distance, again can be thrown easily and is super durable and still effective if you forgot to pack a sharpening stone.

What new projects can we expect to see from you in the next 5 years?

The next five years will see a lot of growth in my online learning site www.combatprofessor.com. It will see the launch of a instructional DVD series with a major US provider. It will see continued stunt and choreography work in the entertainment industry as early as this year. It will see a reduction in travel and seminars with focus on home life. It will also see a lot more written material and hopefully a continued growth in my own training and teaching.

Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

Final words would just be to trust your gut and to always choose teachers over styles. If something doesn't feel like the right fit, keep looking. You are the best expert on you. Don't be told otherwise.

Thank you Kevin. We really enjoyed reading about you and your journey.  Your advise is greatly appreciated by a number of our readers and we will continue to follow your progress and your journey.

See more at www.montrealsystema.com
http://www.youtube.com/systemacanada

Interview with Monty Hendrix

TaeKwonDo

Master Monty Hendrix is the Founder and Owner of Essential Martial Arts.  Master Hendrix is a published author and his column "The Essentials" is currently featured in each issue of the international martial arts magazine, "TaeKwonDo Times," (sold at Barnes and Noble).  Master Hendrix holds the rank of 7th Dan Black Belt in TaeKwonDo, 4th Degree Master in HapKiDo and is a Full Instructor in Contemporary Jeet Kune Do. He also has 10 years of experience in Philippine Martial Arts and several years actively training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu/Submission grappling.

Which of your accomplishments means the most to you? Why?

I don't really think about life in terms of accomplishments as much as I enjoy the journey. I have a room full of major championships along with belts and certificates but I feel my greatest accomplishment is seeing a student make a personal improvement - on or off the mat - and then having them come back to me and say our martial arts program helped them make it possible. 

You hold a black belt or instructor level in numerous martial arts. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each? Which one do you recommend people start with?

All arts have strengths and weaknesses.  However, these strengths and weaknesses are different for each person.  I like the diversity of HapKiDo. I like the aggressive nature of Jeet Kune Do. I like the softness of Tai Chi. I like the extreme nature of the knife and stick and I like the simplicity and work out of traditional Taekwon-Do.  The weakness of any art is held within the personal limitations of the individual studying that art. 

When do you advocate for a child to fight back against a bully at school? Many schools have taken on the policy to suspend anyone participating in fighting even if it's self defense? 

When the other option is to be injured physically.  The rules are secondary if bodily harm becomes imminent. 

It seems systems like BJJ and Jeet June Do do not have forms. However, systems like Taekwondo feel they are instrumental? So, how important are forms if some awesome systems don't use them?

Forms are simply a set of combinations along with a method of solo training that is handed down from instructor to student in order to build: Technical ability along with physical fitness and mental discipline.  Nothing more and nothing less.  All legitimate fighting systems have combinations and solo training drills that build these attributes.  Some use formal "sets" and some use a hanging bag, while others simply use mat space.  It is up to the individual to find a system and training method that suits them physically and mentally.  

When we go to tournaments we see young kids with black belts. We also hear people speaking negatively about it. What is your take on young kids being awarded black belts?

I can not criticize how anyone trains their students. Each system has different emphasis. So, that system may or may not be appropriate or feasible for a young person to meet certain training goals and make milestone achievements.  I have styles such as HapKiDo, Knife Fighting, Jeet Kune Do and Tai Chi that children are not allowed to even participate.  In our Taekwon-Do program, an individual must be at least 16 years old to achieve a full ranking black belt. Below that age they can only earn a "junior" status black belt. I do this because I have no personal desire to train a child the same way we would train an adult.  Therefore the black belt designation must be different for us.  

Critics claim there is little or no punching in TKD. Is this so? 

There is little punching seen in Olympic style TKD sparring b/c of the rules.  However, I have seen many Olympic TKD stylist perform incredible feats of breaking with the hands. Additionally I have seen their forms and they have a full arsenal of hand techniques.  However, we only teach traditional Taekwon-Do.  The system we teach has many more hand techniques than kick techniques and hands and feet are both often and regularly used to score in sparring both to the body and to the head.  The confusion for non TKD stylist is that both branches of TKD teach powerful kicks as well as spinning and jumping kicks.  These kicks are very dynamic visually so I believe some people outside of the TKD community believe TKD must only be kicking b/c kicks are the hallmarks of the style.  I could see this being an innocent mistake.  

Why do we see so many Jeet Kune Do experts also specialize in Kali or a type of Philippine Martial Arts?

You see this a lot b/c both systems involve hand traps at close quarters. Also, JKD does not actually use weapons so FMA is a great way to learn the stick and knife for any stylist.  

What changes do you see happening in modern martial arts? What are  your thoughts on them?

I think you will see martial arts continuing to spread. Some people will continue to love the traditional arts. Some will love the self defense systems. Some will love the diverse and mixed systems while others will enjoy the systems that teach fitness and relaxation. With the Internet being such a large part of our lives now, I see more people becoming aware that there is a martial art out there for everyone.  As a result of that you will also see more martial arts schools opening up and probably closing down. Just because you love something doesn't mean everyone will love it. Just because you can "do" something doesn't mean you can teach it. So buyer beware.  

How to do you insure all 3 of your schools get enough personal attention?

We have a full staff of professional certified black belts at each location.

Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

Train hard and enjoy the journey no matter what art or arts you train.  All arts have something to offer. Don't let anyone tell you differently.  I believe there is no BEST art but there might be a best art for YOU !  Just remember not to disrespect what is the best for someone else on your path of discovery.  

Thank you Master Hendrix for your valuable time and well thought out answers.

Interview with Anthony Pho - Martial Arts Expert, Actor and Stunt Man

Martial Arts Expert

Anthony Pho is an expert in multiple martial arts styles. He currently lives in France where he enjoys a successful career as an actor and stunt man in French Movies.  

Tell  us about your martial arts and acrobatic background.

I started martial arts when I was 13 with Vovinam Vietvodao for 5 years.  This is a very complete style considered as Vietnamese kung fu. Afterwards I studied Taekwondo. I’m a black belt and I have learned the basics of gymnastics. I also do tricking and I train more on weapons (single/double nunchuks, katana, bo staff, kamas). 

But since 2008, I started to learn screen fighting and falls. I was lucky to meet Olivier Schneider and Patrick Vo from  U-men stunts. They choreographed various movies including Fast and Furious 6, Taken and Safe House. Olivier and Patrick have been my teachers for a year and I have also had several years of training with my friend Manu Lanzi, who really helps me a lot. I can’t thank him enough for being my teacher.

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What do you think you would be doing if you did not have martial arts and acrobatic training?

I have a Masters degree in computer science. I could work as an engineer but I have been so lucky to land various jobs in the movie industry after I graduated.

How dangerous is being a stunt person? Is it as dangerous as it looks or is there an aspect of safety to it?

I don’t think it’s dangerous because you should know what you are able to do and NOT able to do. You have to train a lot to prepare your body and everyone has their specialities. 

If you don’t feel a stunt, don’t be upset to tell the stunt coordinator you don’t want to take the risk. There is nothing worse than making your stunt coordinator embarrassed because you got injured doing something you know you could not do.

You are padded most of the time, and you rehearse the stunt little by little, so most of the time, it is safe and the stunt coordinator is there to prevent any risks.

In your opinion, what is different between being an actor in France and being an actor in the United States? 

That really depends on your projects and yourself. To me, as an Asian actor in France, it’s very difficult to play a role that is different from that of an Asian character. There are not as many projects compared to the United States, but we often play the same type of roles; as an immigrant, a waiter, somebody in a Chinese mafia… But sometimes you have other kind of interesting propositions. But some American friends told me they have the similar roles as I do in France. I hope that will change one day so that we have a variety of roles to choose from.

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What do you feel defines a "successful" actor?

To me, a "successful" actor is somebody that can really choose to play want he wants to play and the projects he wants to be involved in. "Successful" is a kind of freedom for the actor.

What is something you know now that you wish you knew when you were first starting out as an actor? 

During the different acting classes and movies I’ve done, the best advice I could give anyone is to let yourself go! You have to be free of your body, of your mind and concentrate on your character, your partners and your environment. You always have to be aware of everything, and accept what your partners give to you. If something unexpected happens and you are surprised, integrate it in your acting; that makes it more real and more interesting.

It’s easy to tell you this but you have to act, act and act to understand it.

What character have you played that you felt was most like you? Why?

I’ve just finished shooting a new TV show for France called " CHEFS" directed by Arnaud Malherbe about french food and culture. It’s weird because I have never really cooked. I played Woo, who is Korean. He came to France to learn the french food and culture. I could really relate to this character because he’s someone very nice, shy, always smiling and always trying to help others.  It was funny to play because you just have to learn the lines and be directed.

What is the most interesting role you have played?

A movie called "Shanghai Belleville" directed by Show Chun LEE (not released yet) where I had one of the main characters. I played Liwei, a Chinese immigrant who came to France with his little brother because their parents were killed for being smugglers. He tried to live in France, build a new life and he was confronted with many integration problems. It was very difficult because it was my first role in a movie and I did not have prior experience to draw from. The character had such a terrible experience in their life.  I really worked hard to learn the history of my character and his personality.  I have written a diary to try to know everything about him in order to construct the character, which in turn helps me to act.  I have also done a really hard diet to change the way I move because the character did not have the daily comfort in their life like I do.  Despite all this, I still think that this is the most interesting experience I have had. 

Do you have any hobbies outside acting, martial arts and acrobatics?

I really enjoy photography and I started to direct my own videos with cute stories involving my cousins aged of 6 to 9.

Anthony, thank you for taking the time to answer our questions and offer insight that helps our audience learn more about you. 

For more information on Anthony Pho, visit http://www.anthonypho.com/