Full Transcript for LA Director Michael Matteo Rossi Turned Pandemic Fears Into A Sci-Fi Uprising! I'm in this movie!

everything. 00:04:59.129 --> 00:05:06.889 I also watched a lot of films, some films that I probably shouldn't have watched too young, like Robocop, Terminator 1 and 2, all of that. 00:05:07.050 --> 00:05:08.330 And I just I loved it. 00:05:08.490 --> 00:05:09.529 I loved it as a kid. 00:05:09.689 --> 00:05:15.449 I just, I, I saw these larger than life characters and people and everything. 00:05:15.610 --> 00:05:25.209 And um, and even just watching the Oscars uh back in like the 90s, where it just it felt like it was all about the performance, all about the film. 00:05:25.290 --> 00:05:29.290 There was no other kind of angle to it or or agenda or anything. 00:05:29.449 --> 00:05:33.850 It's just pure like good, good, hardworking, you know, actors. 00:05:34.009 --> 00:05:35.689 And I loved watching all that. 00:05:35.769 --> 00:05:39.370 And I just I wanted to tell stories that way. 00:05:39.610 --> 00:05:40.009 You know? 00:05:40.329 --> 00:05:42.970 So how many years have you been doing this now? 00:05:44.250 --> 00:05:45.290 Nineteen years? 00:05:46.009 --> 00:05:48.170 Nineteen and a half years almost. 00:05:48.410 --> 00:05:49.290 It's pretty crazy. 00:05:49.370 --> 00:05:49.610 Yeah. 00:05:49.769 --> 00:05:53.769 Started basically in late 06, 2006. 00:05:54.329 --> 00:05:57.129 It was uh yeah, 1819. 00:05:57.689 --> 00:06:00.009 And uh it's crazy to think that. 00:06:00.089 --> 00:06:03.530 So yeah, I started very, very young, but long time. 00:06:04.009 --> 00:06:09.370 What was your first project that you actually got in, your first big project that you felt like you broke into it? 00:06:09.930 --> 00:06:15.610 Big project, probably it's a feature, first solo directed feature film called Misogynist, actually. 00:06:15.930 --> 00:06:25.930 Probably wouldn't have made it now, but it was it was kind of a cautionary tale where it was about this guy who kind of teaches young men how to control women, and then you find out who he is, all of that. 00:06:26.089 --> 00:06:27.769 We shot the whole thing in seven days. 00:06:27.930 --> 00:06:32.089 Um, I was young, I was mid-20s, mid-early twenties, but it was good. 00:06:32.170 --> 00:06:32.970 It was divisive. 00:06:33.050 --> 00:06:37.930 I mean, some people appreciated it for what I was trying to do, and then some people just wrote it off. 00:06:38.089 --> 00:06:41.370 It's like, oh, this is crap, this is trash, all of that. 00:06:41.449 --> 00:06:42.810 But I'm proud I did it. 00:06:42.889 --> 00:06:43.769 It got attention. 00:06:43.850 --> 00:06:45.050 Yeah, definitely got attention. 00:06:45.129 --> 00:06:49.050 We had uh about 10 billboards up in LA, which was pretty wild. 00:06:49.209 --> 00:06:50.730 So that was exciting. 00:06:50.889 --> 00:06:54.329 So that helped me gain some momentum. 00:06:54.649 --> 00:06:56.250 How did you get started on that though? 00:06:56.410 --> 00:07:03.530 Because going from scratch, not having a start, no, no money, no nothing, like how did you bring get that even off the ground? 00:07:03.850 --> 00:07:05.930 I funded a lot of it myself. 00:07:06.009 --> 00:07:07.689 So I had some savings, all that. 00:07:07.769 --> 00:07:14.170 I know I was like, you should never invest your own money into film, which can be tough, but I wanted to do it so much. 00:07:14.250 --> 00:07:18.170 I had some stuff saved, and we made it for very, very cheap. 00:07:18.329 --> 00:07:19.370 You know, very cheap. 00:07:19.530 --> 00:07:21.209 We we pinched every penny. 00:07:21.449 --> 00:07:25.769 I had one other person help out a little bit with the money, and then yeah, we did it. 00:07:25.850 --> 00:07:29.530 We we were able to kind of call in favors and stuff like that. 00:07:29.610 --> 00:07:32.490 And again, seven days, pretty contained location. 00:07:32.730 --> 00:07:34.089 But uh, it was good. 00:07:34.250 --> 00:07:41.129 It was it was a good kind of trial run to see how far I could go or starting point to make that happen. 00:07:41.449 --> 00:07:46.089 It's absolutely amazing that you started from absolutely and then you got it, then you got it off the ground, got it going. 00:07:46.250 --> 00:07:46.410 Yeah. 00:07:46.569 --> 00:07:50.490 Now you've worn many different hats from writer, director, producer. 00:07:50.649 --> 00:08:02.730 Out of all those different roles, which role do you prefer to do and which do you figure out which one do you feel like is the most creatively fulfilling role that out of all those three? 00:08:03.050 --> 00:08:04.730 Probably directing, to be honest. 00:08:04.810 --> 00:08:13.129 Because when you when you're on set and you're working with amazing actors and you're seeing it all come, you know, come to fruition, it's just amazing. 00:08:13.290 --> 00:08:22.170 You're seeing the world that so I I write a lot of the stuff that I um I direct and just seeing that all come to pass is just amazing. 00:08:22.410 --> 00:08:29.370 And and as you know, because you worked on one of my films, I I like to work with a lot of the same people again and again. 00:08:29.610 --> 00:08:34.970 Daniel, Vernon, Marnette, Chris, uh a lot of these people, Vanessa. 00:08:35.049 --> 00:08:37.930 I don't want to keep dropping names, but he has a lot a lot of these people. 00:08:38.089 --> 00:08:40.730 So that's yeah, directing for sure. 00:08:41.129 --> 00:08:42.410 Yeah, it's uh it's amazing. 00:08:42.490 --> 00:08:50.730 I was um I was a little starstruck because to be honest with you, man, like I was not I I was not intending to be there. 00:08:50.889 --> 00:09:07.769 I just happened to meet up with a friend of mine uh at lunch and then invited me to to be on site, and I was so blessed and appreciative that that you allowed me to get involved to some extent and just to see the process sort of behind the scenes. 00:09:08.410 --> 00:09:17.690 What do you think is the biggest lesson that you've learned that most young filmmakers don't know but learn, I guess, early on in their career that they probably

should know? 00:09:19.210 --> 00:09:29.049 Work with people that you trust that you know are gonna put in the work that are professional, trust your instinct as well. 00:09:29.289 --> 00:09:36.890 If you get a kind of weird vibe or a different vibe on somebody, you know, trust your instinct on that. 00:09:36.970 --> 00:09:39.450 And and and take your time, take your time. 00:09:39.529 --> 00:09:45.769 It's the it's a thing where uh even a few years back, I felt like I always had to rush into uh films. 00:09:45.849 --> 00:09:47.690 Oh, I gotta make a filmy year, filmier. 00:09:47.930 --> 00:09:48.650 But you know what? 00:09:48.970 --> 00:09:51.049 If you don't make a filmy year, that's okay. 00:09:51.130 --> 00:09:54.809 If it takes two years, if it's you know, make sure you get it right. 00:09:54.970 --> 00:09:57.609 It's better to get it right than to rush it. 00:09:57.849 --> 00:09:59.690 Um that's that's what I learned. 00:09:59.769 --> 00:10:02.170 And just, yeah, helping vet people and all of that. 00:10:02.569 --> 00:10:09.609 We met through Damien, who's who's great as well, and anybody that he would recommend is good people. 00:10:09.769 --> 00:10:17.769 And you were great, and you were professional, and it was in, and I also, it's a weird nuance, but I like people who are excited to be on set. 00:10:17.849 --> 00:10:26.809 That's the other thing, like just taking it all in, being excited, you know, because you know, with censor addiction, we have some pretty strong names in there, some recognizable faces. 00:10:26.890 --> 00:10:35.609 There's some people that have done some stuff that's pretty cool and have worked on studio films and do the the conventions, right? 00:10:35.690 --> 00:10:43.529 Or uh, you know, and and your thing, I don't know if we should spoil you, you have a nice little scene with a pretty big guy and and all of that. 00:10:43.609 --> 00:10:44.730 But I mean, think about it. 00:10:44.809 --> 00:10:45.769 He's all of that. 00:10:45.930 --> 00:10:48.490 Mike O'Hearn has done tons of stuff. 00:10:48.650 --> 00:10:49.849 I mean, let's be honest. 00:10:50.009 --> 00:10:51.769 Uh he's he's he's been around. 00:10:52.009 --> 00:10:54.490 I mean, he went viral, but he was a legend before that. 00:10:55.289 --> 00:11:03.210 And you know, he travels the world doing these conventions and people, people wanting his autograph and all that, and you share a scene with him. 00:11:03.289 --> 00:11:03.529 Yeah. 00:11:03.690 --> 00:11:03.930 Okay. 00:11:04.089 --> 00:11:04.970 I mean, that's pretty cool. 00:11:05.130 --> 00:11:06.890 And that's gonna be there forever. 00:11:07.049 --> 00:11:07.369 Yeah. 00:11:07.529 --> 00:11:10.089 I mean, that's that's humbling if you think about it. 00:11:10.329 --> 00:11:11.369 Oh, totally, man. 00:11:11.450 --> 00:11:12.730 You know, totally. 00:11:13.450 --> 00:11:22.250 Um, I the first time I met Mike O'Hearn was at the Arnold Classic, and I want to say it was in Columbus, Ohio, back in maybe the

year 2000. 00:11:22.490 --> 00:11:22.650 Wow. 00:11:22.970 --> 00:11:24.170 Like 2001. 00:11:24.329 --> 00:11:24.410 Yeah. 00:11:24.569 --> 00:11:32.170 So back then, like I was trying to get a picture with him as a young 20-year-old man, you know, in college getting ready to go in the military. 00:11:32.970 --> 00:11:36.250 And then here I am, like all these like 20 years later, like doing a film with him. 00:11:36.650 --> 00:11:38.009 Comes full circle, doesn't it? 00:11:38.329 --> 00:11:40.089 I mean, it's it's it's incredible. 00:11:40.170 --> 00:11:41.930 And he's a professional too, and it's great. 00:11:42.569 --> 00:11:44.730 His wife Mona's awesome as well. 00:11:44.890 --> 00:11:48.089 And they're kind of power couple and all of that stuff, too. 00:11:48.329 --> 00:11:51.210 But um it it is interesting how that works. 00:11:51.690 --> 00:11:55.130 And in the business, you know, there, for example, Vernon Wells. 00:11:55.210 --> 00:11:56.410 I don't know if you met him on set. 00:11:57.049 --> 00:11:57.529 You did meet him. 00:11:57.930 --> 00:11:58.089 Yes. 00:11:58.250 --> 00:12:00.730 You know, I grew up, I I watched Commando as a kid. 00:12:01.930 --> 00:12:05.289 You know, in Weird Science, he has a has a little role in that as well. 00:12:05.450 --> 00:12:08.089 And these are people I looked up to, and I'm like, holy crazy. 00:12:08.250 --> 00:12:12.009 I mean, he shares an epic end fight scene with Arnold, right? 00:12:12.250 --> 00:12:13.609 And then I'm working with him. 00:12:13.690 --> 00:12:16.410 And I've worked with him on four films. 00:12:16.569 --> 00:12:18.890 I mean, it's pretty incredible, it's humbling. 00:12:18.970 --> 00:12:19.210 Yeah. 00:12:19.369 --> 00:12:25.130 Um, you know, the people that you either grew up with or that you met in your early 20s or as a kid, all that. 00:12:25.210 --> 00:12:27.289 And then it's like, I'm working with them. 00:12:27.450 --> 00:12:27.769 Wow. 00:12:27.930 --> 00:12:28.410 Yeah. 00:12:28.650 --> 00:12:28.970 Yeah. 00:12:29.049 --> 00:12:35.849 And you know, uh, and honestly, how I ended up on set, I trained Brazilian jujitsu when I lived in Cincinnati with Damien. 00:12:36.009 --> 00:12:39.690 And back then we were just young, budding blue belts. 00:12:39.849 --> 00:12:45.450 We knew how to go hard, we knew how to kick each other's asses every single day, and that's about all we knew. 00:12:45.690 --> 00:12:50.089 And I and I think through that, all these years later, we still have a good relationship. 00:12:50.250 --> 00:12:57.930 And it's amazing to me how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has kind of created these long, these long life friends for me. 00:12:58.089 --> 00:13:00.170 Even if they live like hundreds of miles away. 00:13:00.329 --> 00:13:04.329 That was the first time I'd probably seen Damien in maybe 12 years. 00:13:04.569 --> 00:13:04.890 Wow. 00:13:04.970 --> 00:13:12.730 Um, so we we hit lunch together, and then next thing you know, he goes, Hey, there's um a movie set I'm

gonna be going to. 00:13:12.809 --> 00:13:13.930 Like, would you like to stop by? 00:13:14.089 --> 00:13:14.650 I said, sure. 00:13:14.809 --> 00:13:17.690 And turned out the movie set was a range that I was very familiar with. 00:13:17.849 --> 00:13:18.329 FT3. 00:13:18.569 --> 00:13:18.809 Yes. 00:13:19.130 --> 00:13:20.809 Great, great, clean range. 00:13:20.890 --> 00:13:23.049 I want to make sure I plug FT3 in there as well. 00:13:23.289 --> 00:13:23.930 I always wear the hat. 00:13:24.250 --> 00:13:26.170 Is in Carson, uh, California. 00:13:26.329 --> 00:13:30.410 You definitely have to stop by there if you're in town and you're looking to get some rounds downrange. 00:13:30.569 --> 00:13:31.210 Yes. 00:13:32.329 --> 00:13:43.609 You know, honestly, Michael, the thing that I really liked the most out of like being on your set was the professionalism and the humbleness of like Mike was very humble. 00:13:43.930 --> 00:13:44.730 Very humble, yeah. 00:13:44.970 --> 00:13:47.930 All your actors and actresses were very professional, very humble. 00:13:48.089 --> 00:13:51.849 And I think at the end of the day, that says a lot about you. 00:13:52.089 --> 00:13:52.650 Thank you. 00:13:52.809 --> 00:13:53.289 Thank you. 00:13:53.529 --> 00:14:00.009 Because you are the you're kind of the maestro, you're the you're the guy standing up there controlling the environment, controlling. 00:14:02.170 --> 00:14:02.490 Totally. 00:14:02.569 --> 00:14:02.730 Yeah. 00:14:03.049 --> 00:14:08.650 Because if you're if you're a jerk and you're an asshole, well then that kind of trails a domino effect. 00:14:08.809 --> 00:14:11.049 Yeah, trickles down everyone else, man. 00:14:11.130 --> 00:14:15.369 But I was on set for a few days and I never and I never experienced like a bad day. 00:14:15.930 --> 00:14:16.490 Thank you, man. 00:14:16.569 --> 00:14:16.809 Thank you. 00:14:16.890 --> 00:14:23.769 And the funny thing is, you were on set during a little bit of a stressful time because there was a lot of action going on and stuff like that. 00:14:24.009 --> 00:14:26.890 But, you know, kind of remain cool, calm, and collected. 00:14:26.970 --> 00:14:29.130 It's a lot of the preparation as well. 00:14:29.369 --> 00:14:35.049 And I've learned, again, doing this for almost 20 years, you start to build a team. 00:14:35.130 --> 00:14:42.650 You know, you you keep the ones you like to work with, you know, you kind of weed out the ones where it didn't either work out or something like that. 00:14:42.809 --> 00:14:44.730 And that's where it can go. 00:14:44.890 --> 00:14:53.369 And and I've and that's why I work with a lot of same actors because I trust them to to know their stuff, to be professional, everything. 00:14:53.849 --> 00:14:55.130 Um, no, thank you. 00:14:55.210 --> 00:14:57.450 I'm I'm I'm glad that you liked it too. 00:14:58.410 --> 00:15:01.609 It's exciting, and it's exciting seeing it all come together. 00:15:01.849 --> 00:15:02.009 Yeah. 00:15:02.730 --> 00:15:09.930 And and honestly, I'm not just saying that because you're in front of me and I'm trying to kiss your ass, because I have been since that time, I was on another movie set. 00:15:10.170 --> 00:15:11.930 I was on several other movie sets after that. 00:15:12.089 --> 00:15:12.250 Yeah. 00:15:12.490 --> 00:15:14.569 And it wasn't really this quite the same vibe. 00:15:14.809 --> 00:15:17.210 It wasn't as light, it wasn't as fun. 00:15:19.130 --> 00:15:20.250 Supposed to be fun too. 00:15:20.890 --> 00:15:23.289 You know, people like, we're all having a good time, also. 00:15:23.690 --> 00:15:30.170 I mean, we we have an objective to film, but if you if you if everybody's miserable or something like that, then what the hell are you doing? 00:15:30.490 --> 00:15:31.369 So this is what I think. 00:15:31.690 --> 00:15:41.450 And the whole creative process behind it all, taking in the experiences of everybody and their perspectives on how things should work out, you were very open to that. 00:15:41.849 --> 00:15:42.250 Thank you. 00:15:42.410 --> 00:15:42.809 Thank you. 00:15:43.049 --> 00:15:52.890 I try to be open to certain ideas, and I always listen to my actors, and if they want to try certain uh something different or improv or something like that, I'm all for it. 00:15:53.049 --> 00:15:57.529 Let's give it a shot because sometimes that's the thing that ends up uh in the final cut. 00:15:57.769 --> 00:15:58.089 Yeah. 00:15:58.730 --> 00:16:09.609 I'm I'm really excited for this film because there was a lot of scenes in there where Mike had had kind of integrated some of his ideas, and then like I know Chris Moss and then Daniel had talked about doing this and doing that. 00:16:09.690 --> 00:16:12.250 So I'm really excited to see like how this turns out. 00:16:12.410 --> 00:16:15.049 For you've been doing movies for like two decades now. 00:16:15.529 --> 00:16:16.170 It's wild. 00:16:16.490 --> 00:16:23.849 So how has your I guess your your process or your approach evolved over the last two decades? 00:16:24.410 --> 00:16:30.890 It's it's vetting people, it's making sure that you know the script that I have is the right one at the right moment. 00:16:31.049 --> 00:16:34.490 I learn with each film that I do, make no mistake about it. 00:16:34.650 --> 00:16:37.930 Every single one, from the first one to censor diction. 00:16:38.009 --> 00:16:41.769 I've learned from it and then I'm able to adapt from it as well. 00:16:42.089 --> 00:16:44.569 Tell you one one interesting thing, real quick. 00:16:44.730 --> 00:16:47.130 I did it was shortly after Misogynist. 00:16:47.289 --> 00:16:49.369 It was either my second or third feature. 00:16:49.609 --> 00:16:51.769 And I'll I'll be very honest with you about this. 00:16:51.930 --> 00:16:54.410 It was uh it was a pretty terrible experience, actually. 00:16:54.569 --> 00:16:55.609 It was really bad. 00:16:55.769 --> 00:16:58.410 It it um it mentally drained me. 00:16:58.650 --> 00:17:02.250 It was

something where everything that could go wrong did go wrong. 00:17:02.329 --> 00:17:03.369 It was tough. 00:17:03.529 --> 00:17:10.569 Like it was, I remember coming back, I was living with my brother at the time, and uh, he would see me come back from set, and I wasn't happy. 00:17:10.730 --> 00:17:12.890 And I that's a place I never want to be. 00:17:13.049 --> 00:17:18.329 I never want to be on set where I'm not enjoying myself because then what the hell am I doing, right? 00:17:18.490 --> 00:17:23.130 I don't regret making it because it made me recalibrate everything. 00:17:23.369 --> 00:17:30.089 After that, I took a step back, I took a few months off, and I I kind of built a new team. 00:17:30.250 --> 00:17:32.650 And a lot of the team I still work with now. 00:17:32.890 --> 00:17:39.210 So sometimes it's like you got to go through the trenches, so to speak, to come clean the other side and and everything. 00:17:39.369 --> 00:17:41.369 So you learn from those things, right? 00:17:41.450 --> 00:17:42.009 Yeah, you know. 00:17:42.250 --> 00:17:49.289 So that's that's one little didn't mean to segue off into that, but that was a huge learning experience for me. 00:17:49.450 --> 00:17:49.609 Right. 00:17:49.930 --> 00:17:51.049 Sometimes you have to, yeah. 00:17:51.130 --> 00:17:52.890 But that was that was my apocalypse now. 00:17:53.210 --> 00:17:56.970 You hear how apocalypse now was was pretty stressful and all that. 00:17:57.210 --> 00:18:04.250 I I think what Martin Sheen had a heart attack on set and copel and all that, but I mean, look at films amazing, right? 00:18:04.569 --> 00:18:18.009 But we we've all been if you if you're if you're in film long enough, you've had that moment, that movie, that's something where you're like, revisit that again, or I never want to experience that part again. 00:18:18.169 --> 00:18:25.609 So that's why thankfully my films in in recent years, all that have been have been pretty good and fairly stress-free. 00:18:25.929 --> 00:18:30.490 Yeah, I guess uh everybody goes through those highs and lows, especially in life and just in general. 00:18:30.649 --> 00:18:36.169 And if you're um especially in in your line of work, you get a lot of criticism too, right? 00:18:36.250 --> 00:18:41.609 And so how do you how like how do you deal with that when people tell you that that you suck and you're not good and you should just stop, right? 00:18:41.690 --> 00:18:42.809 And I'm sure you get it, right? 00:18:42.889 --> 00:18:43.450 Because I get it. 00:18:43.849 --> 00:18:44.490 No, totally. 00:18:44.889 --> 00:18:52.889 So with the first couple films that I did, when I got like my first critical review that wasn't good, it actually affected me a lot. 00:18:53.049 --> 00:18:55.369 I was I was kind of naive and hurt to it. 00:18:55.529 --> 00:19:00.970 I'm like, wait, wait, somebody didn't really enjoy it, or somebody tore it to shreds, or something like that. 00:19:01.129 --> 00:19:04.569 But then you build up and you understand that A, you can't please everybody. 00:19:04.730 --> 00:19:06.649 Just in anything, you can't please everybody. 00:19:06.809 --> 00:19:12.569 There's always going to be people that think you're terrible or the stuff you do is bad, all that. 00:19:12.970 --> 00:19:23.769 But for every one of those, I have people who also are like, Mike, that was fantastic, or I'll get a good critical review that really compliments certain aspects of it and appreciates it. 00:19:24.009 --> 00:19:32.009 So look, there are people who hate the Godfather, there's people who hate, you know, like whatever, like universally loved stuff. 00:19:32.169 --> 00:19:33.609 And you just gotta go with it. 00:19:33.690 --> 00:19:35.849 I have built up a thicker skin with it. 00:19:36.009 --> 00:19:40.169 You know, there will always be trolls out there, there will always be certain stuff like that. 00:19:40.250 --> 00:19:47.690 But I try to uh cultivate a positive experience, even with with um with my social media and stuff like that, you know. 00:19:47.769 --> 00:19:53.129 Maybe I post too much, but I I just I try to not do the whole negative stuff. 00:19:53.289 --> 00:19:58.730 Yeah, and and there's some people who post nothing but political stuff and issues and problems. 00:19:58.809 --> 00:20:01.769 And if that's what they want to do, go for it. 00:20:01.849 --> 00:20:02.649 That's awesome. 00:20:03.049 --> 00:20:04.009 That's not my thing. 00:20:04.089 --> 00:20:05.049 That's not my thing. 00:20:05.210 --> 00:20:06.089 So yeah. 00:20:07.289 --> 00:20:17.529 I remember last year you when we went to dinner, you talked about um an incident where somebody had sent you a book and asked for you to sign it. 00:20:18.089 --> 00:20:18.889 Do you remember that? 00:20:19.210 --> 00:20:24.169 I do remember are you talking somebody did sign it with a book, but also a DVD. 00:20:24.329 --> 00:20:24.649 DVD. 00:20:24.730 --> 00:20:25.049 DVD. 00:20:25.210 --> 00:20:25.369 Yes. 00:20:25.529 --> 00:20:25.769 Yes. 00:20:25.929 --> 00:20:26.809 That was incredible. 00:20:26.970 --> 00:20:31.289 It was this woman that followed me on Twitter or Axe. 00:20:31.450 --> 00:20:32.889 She lives in North Carolina. 00:20:33.129 --> 00:20:34.009 North Carolina. 00:20:34.169 --> 00:20:38.569 And uh she reached out, she hadn't, she's like, Mike, do you mind signing it? 00:20:38.730 --> 00:20:39.529 And of course. 00:20:39.849 --> 00:20:43.769 This person had been following me for years and so awesome and supportive. 00:20:43.929 --> 00:20:51.369 And when I did it, I I signed it, signed it in uh in silver sharpie so it would it would stick and it would look great and all of that stuff. 00:20:51.529 --> 00:20:54.809 And then I I mailed it over to her in North Carolina. 00:20:54.970 --> 00:21:03.369 And it, I mean, even that, you have to step back and think, these are people who are watching your stuff all over the country and the world. 00:21:03.769 --> 00:21:09.450 Because uh a lot of my stuff

is is in Asia and Europe and South America, you name it. 00:21:09.609 --> 00:21:10.409 That's incredible. 00:21:10.569 --> 00:21:16.490 And, you know, she took a picture of it when it was mailed to her and all of that type of stuff, and that's incredible. 00:21:16.649 --> 00:21:18.809 And for me, I'm I'm old school too. 00:21:18.970 --> 00:21:24.730 A couple of my films have not had DVDs of it because you know, everything's streaming, all that. 00:21:24.889 --> 00:21:27.289 But I like DVDs, I like the physical media. 00:21:27.369 --> 00:21:28.490 There's something about that, right? 00:21:28.889 --> 00:21:29.769 Tangible, everything. 00:21:29.929 --> 00:21:33.129 Charisma, Charisma Killers did have a DVD. 00:21:33.369 --> 00:21:38.409 Very happy to say that uh Sensor is going to have a DVD of it, which is really cool. 00:21:38.490 --> 00:21:41.769 It's gonna be in Walmart's as well and and a bunch of other stuff. 00:21:41.849 --> 00:21:43.529 You can get it on Amazon. 00:21:43.690 --> 00:21:44.970 And we'll talk about it more. 00:21:45.049 --> 00:22:03.049 But yeah, I'm very happy that they have gonna have a physical DVD because no matter what happens with with uh streaming, all that, because you know, things can get censored, no you know, no pun intended, you have the physical copy of it, and that's awesome. 00:22:03.289 --> 00:22:03.609 You know? 00:22:03.929 --> 00:22:06.889 That's the one thing, even like on a personal level, like with pictures. 00:22:07.129 --> 00:22:08.569 I miss having like I know. 00:22:08.730 --> 00:22:09.849 I miss having albums. 00:22:10.409 --> 00:22:12.009 I know, I know everything. 00:22:12.169 --> 00:22:22.169 Boy, I should I should upload or print them out and stuff because if you know, God forbid something happened with with uh technology and all that, I mean, it's wild. 00:22:22.250 --> 00:22:27.769 Like we don't I mean, yes, of course, people have framed photos, but not to the level of where it used to be. 00:22:27.929 --> 00:22:30.250 Remember, you get it developed, you know, all that. 00:22:30.490 --> 00:22:32.329 Now it's uh it's all on here. 00:22:32.490 --> 00:22:34.250 Um, which is pretty crazy. 00:22:34.569 --> 00:22:37.609 So having a physical DVD of it, I love it. 00:22:37.690 --> 00:22:38.490 I love it. 00:22:38.889 --> 00:22:44.009 And I grew up in the days early on, because I was born in 80, so VHS, beta. 00:22:44.250 --> 00:22:44.730 Of course, beta. 00:22:45.049 --> 00:22:45.529 Of course, right? 00:22:46.009 --> 00:22:49.929 VHS, I was born in eighty seven, so I'm I'm all about VHS too. 00:22:50.009 --> 00:22:55.369 I had VHS until my teenage years, and then it kind of transferred to DVD. 00:22:55.529 --> 00:23:00.490 So no, I Definitely remember that and rewinding it and doing all that stuff. 00:23:00.569 --> 00:23:00.970 Yeah. 00:23:01.049 --> 00:23:01.289 Yeah. 00:23:01.609 --> 00:23:05.450 You mentioned him a couple times, but I want to make sure that we that we do talk about him. 00:23:05.609 --> 00:23:07.369 You talk about your brother. 00:23:07.849 --> 00:23:12.169 So what does he do and how does he play a role in your life? 00:23:12.569 --> 00:23:14.490 My brother's like my best friend. 00:23:14.569 --> 00:23:17.529 Um and the funny thing is, he doesn't have any social media. 00:23:17.769 --> 00:23:19.609 He's he's kind of introverted that way. 00:23:19.690 --> 00:23:23.769 He's never had any social media, uh, not even my space back in the day. 00:23:23.929 --> 00:23:27.210 Um we're 17 months apart, Irish twins, right? 00:23:27.289 --> 00:23:28.169 He's younger. 00:23:28.409 --> 00:23:32.569 Um and uh and he's just we're super close. 00:23:32.730 --> 00:23:35.690 He used to do a lot of writing as well, screenwriting. 00:23:35.769 --> 00:23:41.609 Then he kind of segued more into to kind of finance stocks, all of that type of stuff. 00:23:41.769 --> 00:23:46.569 Um, but no, we just we get along really well, you know, just like with with any family. 00:23:46.649 --> 00:23:48.889 Yeah, we have our arguments and stuff like that. 00:23:49.129 --> 00:23:50.970 We watched a lot of films together. 00:23:51.210 --> 00:23:54.250 We we kind of watched a lot of stuff. 00:23:54.490 --> 00:23:55.049 Pro wrestling. 00:23:55.289 --> 00:23:57.929 Remember WWE, WWF, all that stuff. 00:23:58.169 --> 00:23:59.609 You know, we we we would do that. 00:23:59.769 --> 00:24:01.529 We'd play soccer together, the whole bit. 00:24:01.609 --> 00:24:03.369 So he's my only brother, you know. 00:24:03.529 --> 00:24:04.730 I love him, of course. 00:24:05.049 --> 00:24:08.889 But, you know, yeah, it's it's it's good, you know? 00:24:09.049 --> 00:24:12.250 And he watches every time one of my films comes out. 00:24:12.329 --> 00:24:14.169 Uh, we obviously watch the film together. 00:24:14.250 --> 00:24:16.009 I love seeing it through his eyes. 00:24:16.169 --> 00:24:21.049 So literally, usually release day, I will watch it with my brother. 00:24:21.210 --> 00:24:27.129 Whenever it is, we'll rent it from uh I'll come over to his place and we'll we'll watch it. 00:24:27.289 --> 00:24:29.529 It's kind of a little little mini tradition. 00:24:29.929 --> 00:24:35.690 What a blessing it is to have a a partner and and a teammate who's also related to you at the same time. 00:24:35.769 --> 00:24:37.289 And you can trust so much. 00:24:37.769 --> 00:24:38.409 I can trust. 00:24:38.569 --> 00:24:45.849 There's, I mean, look, in in this business, in any business, it's it is hard to trust people and people can come and go and and stuff like that. 00:24:46.009 --> 00:24:49.609 But yeah, my brother's stuck with me, which is which is good. 00:24:49.929 --> 00:24:51.450 You know, known him all my life. 00:24:51.609 --> 00:24:56.009 Again, we're just a year and a half apart in age, so that's pretty wild to think that. 00:24:56.089 --> 00:25:00.649 But yeah, no, we always watch it and and he'll always tell it to me straight too, which I like. 00:25:00.809 -->

00:25:03.369 He'll tell it to me, hey Mike, this was my favorite. 00:25:03.529 --> 00:25:06.329 I like this, I didn't like this, and I'm cool with it. 00:25:07.210 --> 00:25:07.849 That's awesome, man. 00:25:07.929 --> 00:25:09.769 I I know you talked about him a couple of times. 00:25:09.849 --> 00:25:15.769 I don't want to make sure that we uh that we covered, you know, who he is as a person and what part he plays in in your life. 00:25:15.929 --> 00:25:18.009 Um let's talk about sensor addiction, man. 00:25:18.649 --> 00:25:21.049 Um it's a sci-fi action. 00:25:21.210 --> 00:25:26.009 Talks about big pharma and how the rebels have to rise to to take take everything back, right? 00:25:26.169 --> 00:25:26.490 Yes. 00:25:26.649 --> 00:25:29.690 So where did this story originate from? 00:25:30.169 --> 00:25:34.169 So I wrote it basically in the heart of the pandemic, right? 00:25:34.649 --> 00:25:41.210 Being in LA, we got hit pretty hard with uh some regulations, some strict stuff, everything. 00:25:41.289 --> 00:25:45.049 And and again, so many, so much of my family's in medicine, actually. 00:25:45.210 --> 00:25:58.250 So I'm definitely somebody who, you know, believes in science, believes in this, but some of these steps, even though I know wasn't we didn't know everything, were a bit excessive and impractical. 00:25:58.569 --> 00:25:58.809 Agreed. 00:25:59.289 --> 00:26:06.889 And and uh and people didn't talk about the mental aspect of things, how this was psychologically damaging people and all that. 00:26:06.970 --> 00:26:09.450 We're we're social creatures and and everything. 00:26:09.529 --> 00:26:10.490 So finding that balance. 00:26:10.649 --> 00:26:19.849 So I kind of, you know, I wanted to tell a story that almost maybe didn't feel so off about essentially, hey, blindly listen to us. 00:26:20.089 --> 00:26:23.929 We know what we're talking about, don't do any research about it. 00:26:24.250 --> 00:26:28.569 You know, heaven forbid we we we look into stuff and and everything. 00:26:28.809 --> 00:26:34.569 And I wanted to take it even just a few, you know, it takes place just four years from now, 2030, the film. 00:26:35.690 --> 00:26:37.450 It's like, are we that far off? 00:26:37.609 --> 00:26:38.250 I don't know. 00:26:38.649 --> 00:26:39.450 I don't know. 00:26:39.769 --> 00:26:52.250 We saw as a society how people could act during something like this, and to be honest with you, it was fairly scary, yeah, especially at first. 00:26:52.490 --> 00:27:00.809 It was fairly scary where it's like, wow, the people really, really do get in line blindly very quickly. 00:27:00.970 --> 00:27:14.730 So I wanted to play on the on the the big medical giant, which is which is what in the film, and what happens, and then a few people who kind of know the insight and they look to take it down. 00:27:15.129 --> 00:27:20.889 So that's what that's so yeah, uh essentially the pandemic influenced me to to make this film. 00:27:20.970 --> 00:27:26.490 And like I said, I didn't want to make this in the year 2500 or all that. 00:27:26.569 --> 00:27:29.849 I wanted to make it now four years out. 00:27:30.250 --> 00:27:31.529 That's pretty close, right? 00:27:31.690 --> 00:27:32.009 Right. 00:27:32.250 --> 00:27:34.730 So, but yeah, that's yeah. 00:27:35.210 --> 00:27:40.089 You know, it it's amazing that that you mentioned these certain things because it did affect people. 00:27:40.490 --> 00:27:45.289 Like in it as a father of a six-year-old, I I have a pandemic baby. 00:27:45.450 --> 00:27:57.289 She and the rest of her classmates are different than the other than the other kids, and all the teachers, they all give me that feedback as far as like they're missing like certain social things that they're trying to catch up with. 00:27:57.529 --> 00:28:01.929 And I was traveling during COVID, um, going from state to state. 00:28:02.009 --> 00:28:02.250 Yeah. 00:28:02.329 --> 00:28:04.490 Um, whereas most people were kind of stuck here. 00:28:04.649 --> 00:28:16.009 And it was amazing to me how I would land in a different state and I would be masked up and double masked up and all this other stuff, and then I would land in another state, and then everyone there is looking at me like, what are you doing? 00:28:16.169 --> 00:28:17.529 And they're not wearing anything. 00:28:17.690 --> 00:28:20.009 And it it's so funny because we're all humans. 00:28:20.169 --> 00:28:21.690 So what's good for one state? 00:28:21.769 --> 00:28:22.809 Why is it not good for another? 00:28:23.450 --> 00:28:25.369 It's so bizarre, and even certain things. 00:28:25.450 --> 00:28:29.450 You walk into a damn restaurant and you have to have it on, and then you sit down. 00:28:29.609 --> 00:28:30.970 That we're we're gonna look back. 00:28:31.049 --> 00:28:39.609 I even see funny memes that it was saying like 2020 was a wild year, and it shows like certain pictures of how some people were, and it's it's wild. 00:28:39.769 --> 00:28:40.409 It's wild. 00:28:40.569 --> 00:28:53.369 But like I said, I think that the broader, scary thing was how people, human beings as a group were uh and how how they were, where it's like, whoa, that's pretty crazy. 00:28:53.529 --> 00:29:05.369 I think at the height of it, I I was taking a walk, and on a on a couple occasions, I might have had it off for a second, and I had an older lady, put that on, you're endangering people, all of that. 00:29:05.529 --> 00:29:09.049 And I was like literally 20 feet from the person, the whole bit. 00:29:09.450 --> 00:29:10.730 Anyways, you get it. 00:29:10.809 --> 00:29:19.369 Whereas like it brings out the paranoia, all of that, the the the vitriol, and and it's just it was crazy. 00:29:19.450 --> 00:29:25.129 So I'm like, I have to make a story a little bit, again, just basically like blindly follow us. 00:29:25.289 --> 00:29:26.809 We know what's right for you. 00:29:26.970 --> 00:29:28.569 We know what's right for you. 00:29:28.730 --> 00:29:35.769 Don't

listen to anybody else but us, government oversight or whatever it is, or huge company. 00:29:36.490 --> 00:29:43.690 Um yeah, and but I think it's something that that can uh that people can relate to and all that. 00:29:43.849 --> 00:29:52.490 There was a a recent article, or excuse me, critic review that enjoyed it that talked about how this doesn't feel too far off, uh, which was cool. 00:29:52.649 --> 00:29:58.169 They said that in in the critic review, uh, which was interesting because that's what I wanted to show. 00:29:58.329 --> 00:29:58.490 Yeah. 00:29:58.649 --> 00:30:08.089 I wanted to say, hey, hey, this isn't some freaking a Star Wars, all of that stuff, where it's like this isn't gonna happen for a while, but it's here. 00:30:08.569 --> 00:30:21.210 You know, I would like to see a documentary just going back and and underlining the things that we did because we had lifeguards and and law enforcement chasing people off the beaches. 00:30:21.369 --> 00:30:30.809 Like that's how insane it was, which now it's I mean, I most most of these hand sanitiz sanitizer machines from the uh 2020s. 00:30:30.970 --> 00:30:34.089 I I walk up to now and I try to use and they're completely empty. 00:30:34.250 --> 00:30:38.250 And I'm like, whoa, this is like a yeah, it's like a time capsule or something. 00:30:38.409 --> 00:30:39.289 It's like yeah. 00:30:39.529 --> 00:30:40.889 It it's it's crazy. 00:30:41.049 --> 00:30:46.089 Again, we look back at it and I'm like, I I don't know how the how we lived through it and and all of that. 00:30:46.329 --> 00:30:49.769 But it was it was the met the the mental as well. 00:30:49.929 --> 00:30:56.809 Um there's this uh wrestler Scott Hall who uh I didn't know, but yeah, you know Scott Hall or Razor Ramon, right? 00:30:57.529 --> 00:30:58.409 Do you know what happened? 00:30:58.649 --> 00:31:04.409 He he got back into drinking because he couldn't be with his friends and socialize. 00:31:04.569 --> 00:31:10.730 He was kind of kept inside all that, and that's actually what in part led to his death. 00:31:10.809 --> 00:31:12.809 You know, that's what that's what I heard, you know. 00:31:13.210 --> 00:31:15.529 But no, I'm serious, look it up and and everything. 00:31:15.769 --> 00:31:17.849 He really got depressed from it. 00:31:18.089 --> 00:31:21.049 The mental affects the physical in in most things. 00:31:21.129 --> 00:31:22.409 It really, really does. 00:31:22.569 --> 00:31:32.490 Uh we we we focus on the physical, which is important, of course, but if you're you know pressed or not getting the help or something like that, you know, yeah. 00:31:32.730 --> 00:31:43.049 So it it just he apparently had kicked drinking for a while and then kind of got back into that pretty badly, and it kind of snowballed from there. 00:31:43.369 --> 00:31:50.970 Yeah, I really think we need to do an examination on how much that, I guess, protocol affected us as a country. 00:31:51.129 --> 00:31:54.250 And and not only as a country, but the entire world basically. 00:31:54.730 --> 00:32:00.409 I know there's there's effects like what you just talked about with Razor Ramon, aka Scott Hall. 00:32:00.889 --> 00:32:05.369 Um yeah, I know who I dude, I know exactly who I know exactly who it is, dude. 00:32:06.009 --> 00:32:09.609 Oh, Kevin Nash, Hogan, all that WCW in the late nineties. 00:32:09.929 --> 00:32:11.210 Yeah, anyways. 00:32:13.609 --> 00:32:21.289 When you talk about like the the rebels and stuff, you know what you know what's interesting is um I'm not a big gun guy, but I but I shoot guns. 00:32:21.609 --> 00:32:22.250 I own guns. 00:32:22.490 --> 00:32:30.649 But the interesting part is is when all this kicked off, I've had so many people over the years tell me, like, oh well why do you need that? 00:32:30.809 --> 00:32:31.929 Why do you like why do you do this? 00:32:32.009 --> 00:32:32.569 Why do you do that? 00:32:32.730 --> 00:32:40.809 When all this kicked off and we went on lockdown, then I can't tell you how many people like called me up and was like, Hey, do you have extra ammo? 00:32:40.970 --> 00:32:41.129 Yeah. 00:32:41.210 --> 00:32:46.649 And I'm like, Well, and I was like, Well, what what what do you need extra ammo for? 00:32:46.889 --> 00:32:47.690 Just call the police. 00:32:47.769 --> 00:32:48.490 Like, you know what I mean? 00:32:48.649 --> 00:32:50.329 Like, it's you know, it's like, yep. 00:32:50.490 --> 00:32:52.250 What's the what's the first thing to take? 00:32:52.409 --> 00:32:58.490 No, and I and I get it as well, but like government, yeah, what what's the first thing the government's gonna take? 00:32:58.649 --> 00:33:00.089 Guns and all of that type of stuff. 00:33:00.169 --> 00:33:06.970 And again, I don't I don't want to get into the crazy issue, but you you found that left, right, and center, people were buying more. 00:33:07.289 --> 00:33:10.169 People were buying more to protect themselves, to do all of that. 00:33:10.409 --> 00:33:15.769 I think even now gun sales are are still thriving and through the roof and all that. 00:33:15.849 --> 00:33:19.690 And we can you know you can get into the smaller stuff of what's necessary, all that. 00:33:19.849 --> 00:33:33.210 But I think few would argue um to even have just a handgun or something like that just for some protection or or something, few would argue that that's not okay or something like that. 00:33:33.450 --> 00:33:39.929 You know, you can talk about other stuff and full magazines and blah blah blah, but I know a lot of people. 00:33:40.089 --> 00:33:45.129 I have friends on all sides of the aisle and even pretty extreme on on some. 00:33:45.289 --> 00:33:52.970 And yeah, so it's it's wild, you know, and people panic and people will, but they they want that security. 00:33:53.129 --> 00:33:53.769 Yeah, you know? 00:33:54.009 --> 00:34:02.329 And I'm I'm definitely a big proponent of having like a last stand weapon to defend yourself, and I will argue anyone on that

one. 00:34:03.210 --> 00:34:07.769 And and with with you know, let's look at history and let's look at all of that. 00:34:07.929 --> 00:34:10.570 What's the first thing that a government will do? 00:34:10.730 --> 00:34:20.409 They will take the guns away to, you know, look at what look at World War II, what what what the Germans did, what Hitler did, all that political with this. 00:34:20.730 --> 00:34:22.809 He took the guns away. 00:34:23.210 --> 00:34:23.530 Right. 00:34:23.690 --> 00:34:24.090 Right. 00:34:24.409 --> 00:34:29.769 Your inability to protect them yourself renders you vulnerable, and then they can control you more. 00:34:30.090 --> 00:34:35.690 And there's certainly a movement with certain states that try to do that, that try to restrict them as much as possible. 00:34:35.929 --> 00:34:43.369 And at the end of the day, a lot of times, not a lot of times, every time, these laws that they create only affect the law-abiding citizens. 00:34:43.530 --> 00:34:46.570 They don't affect the criminals who don't give a shit about the laws. 00:34:46.730 --> 00:34:48.730 And that's what people need to understand the most. 00:34:48.889 --> 00:34:57.050 But again, back on topic with the I think that most people I'd I'd like to think are common sense. 00:34:57.130 --> 00:35:02.570 So when you mention stuff like this or talk to them, they can at least understand what you're talking about. 00:35:03.050 --> 00:35:03.210 Right. 00:35:03.849 --> 00:35:14.170 Well, and I think this ties into the movie really well because in the movie, people have to rise up against big pharma, big money, and they have to fight back and they have to take take arms. 00:35:14.329 --> 00:35:19.690 And you spent a significant amount of time developing the world of sensor addiction. 00:35:19.849 --> 00:35:26.170 What was the biggest challenge you think in bringing this future life to the screen? 00:35:26.570 --> 00:35:44.409 It I wish, I mean, just like with any indie film, like you almost wish that you could have shown the world just a little bit more, but I wanted just certain subtle differences, certain subtle things where we even talk about, hey, little World War III happened or something like that. 00:35:44.570 --> 00:35:51.610 But it's it's just it's it's finding the little small differences to show that it's kind of in the near future a little bit. 00:35:51.769 --> 00:35:53.369 But it can be done with details. 00:35:53.529 --> 00:35:58.730 It doesn't need to be some grandiose thing where you show like a crazy skyline. 00:35:58.809 --> 00:36:00.250 That'd be awesome to show that. 00:36:00.409 --> 00:36:06.329 But just certain little differences between where we are now and where we could be in a few years from now. 00:36:06.809 --> 00:36:13.769 I what do you think is one creative choice that you made during this film that you're especially proud of? 00:36:14.250 --> 00:36:22.809 I'll give you a little bit more of a general answer, but I think it's listening to my actors with certain things, with certain improv, certain let's try this. 00:36:23.130 --> 00:36:31.449 Even, you know, part of your scene wasn't completely written in the script with the whole, you know, all of that type of stuff, but it worked. 00:36:31.610 --> 00:36:32.090 It worked. 00:36:32.409 --> 00:36:33.610 I do remember that it was amazing. 00:36:33.929 --> 00:36:41.690 I do remember that because I remember they they they coached me and told me this is what's gonna happen, and then it changed, and I was like, oh, we got I mean, I understand, be flexible. 00:36:42.170 --> 00:36:44.730 And it was and it was great, and it looks great. 00:36:44.969 --> 00:36:46.329 Trust me, it looks great. 00:36:46.570 --> 00:36:50.250 Um, those things and that they can kind of come on the fly, actually. 00:36:50.329 --> 00:36:54.329 But then it's like, you know what, this works, and it works for Mike's character. 00:36:54.889 --> 00:37:00.489 This is a freaking superhero, larger than life, terminator type guy. 00:37:00.809 --> 00:37:05.130 He would do something like that, and he he would be that rage. 00:37:05.769 --> 00:37:08.889 Uh, and you sold it well for the record. 00:37:08.969 --> 00:37:10.650 You sold it very well and all that. 00:37:10.809 --> 00:37:11.289 That was good. 00:37:11.449 --> 00:37:14.170 Because you're you're you're you're a build guy too. 00:37:14.409 --> 00:37:15.610 Mike's just crazy. 00:37:15.849 --> 00:37:18.250 Mike, Mike makes everybody look uh smaller. 00:37:18.489 --> 00:37:19.130 Oh, he's a monster. 00:37:19.449 --> 00:37:20.409 He's a monster, right? 00:37:20.570 --> 00:37:25.369 And and then, you know, he he's been doing it since the late 80s, basically. 00:37:25.449 --> 00:37:26.809 What, since he was about 18? 00:37:26.969 --> 00:37:27.289 Yeah. 00:37:27.449 --> 00:37:27.929 Something like that. 00:37:29.289 --> 00:37:30.489 That's that's commitment. 00:37:30.650 --> 00:37:33.929 I think his son's gonna probably be a monster growing up too, right? 00:37:34.170 --> 00:37:38.170 Like he is his son Titan, like he's getting him into all of that stuff too. 00:37:38.329 --> 00:37:45.929 But um, but no, though those type of things, just listening to actors, and there's some stuff that I I was like, no, no, no, let's let's not do it this way. 00:37:46.170 --> 00:37:51.610 But listening to them and and applying certain uh certain things, absolutely. 00:37:52.170 --> 00:37:52.409 Yeah. 00:37:52.650 --> 00:37:59.049 You know that you mentioned Titan, but the thing about Mike that and Mona both that I appreciated the most was their parenting. 00:37:59.210 --> 00:38:06.889 Because I talked to Mike, he had a true appreciation for the wrestling, Brazil jujitsu, and then fitness. 00:38:06.969 --> 00:38:11.529 Um whereas Mike has just been mostly a bodybuilder his his whole life and his career. 00:38:11.849 --> 00:38:13.769 But he had that appreciation of that. 00:38:13.849 --> 00:38:18.570 And he also had appreciation for military and

law enforcement as well, and and just their parenting. 00:38:18.650 --> 00:38:21.449 I was it was interesting to see that side to them, you know? 00:38:21.769 --> 00:38:22.329 It was good. 00:38:22.489 --> 00:38:29.049 I mean, he's gone to a point where I'm I'm sure you see he posts stuff that some of us would would not post or anything. 00:38:29.210 --> 00:38:32.009 But no, you get you get to a point where you just don't care. 00:38:32.090 --> 00:38:33.529 There's it's it's like what we talked about. 00:38:33.610 --> 00:38:50.170 There's always gonna be haters, there's always gonna be people that but but no, I see some of the stuff where he talks about raising raising a kid and really kind of implementing this good, good positive reinforcement with stuff and having him stay active and and everything. 00:38:50.250 --> 00:38:52.009 And kudos to him with that. 00:38:52.170 --> 00:38:53.049 Kudos to him. 00:38:53.210 --> 00:38:58.329 You know, they have I've I've been over to Mike's place a few times and it's it's it's great. 00:38:58.489 --> 00:39:02.250 And the first time that I met Mike, I can't say anything bad about him. 00:39:02.329 --> 00:39:08.409 He was very welcoming, he's funny, he he's got this good sense of humor about him, but he was cool. 00:39:08.570 --> 00:39:10.969 He was cool and he's friendly, he's friendly. 00:39:11.130 --> 00:39:15.529 Like he'll never, you know, not take a picture with you and do stuff like that. 00:39:15.769 --> 00:39:20.009 Like, it's it's great, and he's got a great team and and everything, yeah. 00:39:20.329 --> 00:39:28.090 Yeah, that I'll tell you, man, like honestly, that was the coolest part about the entire set and the entire cast was everyone was so cool. 00:39:28.170 --> 00:39:33.369 And yes, a lot of the villains in this story were created to be very intense. 00:39:33.529 --> 00:39:37.769 So, can you talk to me about what was the approach that you had in developing these characters? 00:39:38.170 --> 00:39:40.809 So I'll I'll go back to you know, Robocop, right? 00:39:40.969 --> 00:39:42.969 The original Robocop and all that. 00:39:43.130 --> 00:39:45.769 I I don't know if you've seen it in a while or something, of course, right? 00:39:46.009 --> 00:39:48.969 Uh, there's uh Clarence Bodeger and Dick Jones, right? 00:39:49.130 --> 00:39:54.889 Canvas, Bart, Canvas was is kind of the main henchman of Chris Moss. 00:39:55.049 --> 00:40:05.210 And I wanted a little bit of that dynamic where there's this sadistic, you know, gritty type person, and then the the top boss that delegates all of all of the stuff. 00:40:05.369 --> 00:40:13.529 And I'm just really influenced by those, you know, gritty action thrillers, sci-fi, all that. 00:40:13.690 --> 00:40:14.409 I I just love it. 00:40:14.489 --> 00:40:16.489 I'd want us to bring that back more. 00:40:16.570 --> 00:40:21.610 There's still some good films coming out, but just that was like that was a good time. 00:40:21.769 --> 00:40:23.369 That was a good time right there. 00:40:23.449 --> 00:40:25.529 The the characters were incredible. 00:40:25.769 --> 00:40:29.369 So credit to Bart, to Chris, they kill it. 00:40:29.610 --> 00:40:31.690 Um, you know, so yeah. 00:40:31.849 --> 00:40:38.090 And vil villains for me are always almost more fun to write than the heroes, weirdly enough. 00:40:38.250 --> 00:40:42.809 Maybe it's the dark side of me or something like that, but uh, but it's good. 00:40:43.130 --> 00:40:43.369 Yeah. 00:40:43.529 --> 00:40:47.130 I think what I liked the most was the chemistry between everyone that you had. 00:40:47.369 --> 00:40:53.849 For you, what's it like directing an uh a cast that with seasoned performers? 00:40:54.009 --> 00:40:57.449 Like you mentioned it earlier, you've got Vernon Wells, you've got Mike O'Hearn there. 00:40:57.610 --> 00:41:05.369 And what's it like for you when you have those types of folks on set versus like some of the younger guys that are new to the new to the whole game? 00:41:05.769 --> 00:41:16.730 Well, people like Vernon and even Vanessa Angel and and and all of that, they've been in the game so long, but you see why they still work so much because they respected me. 00:41:16.889 --> 00:41:18.730 They gave that respect back. 00:41:18.969 --> 00:41:23.210 And even when I met with them beforehand, like they were very chill. 00:41:23.369 --> 00:41:37.849 They they, whether I was a big studio director versus an indie director like me, they they love the script, they love the character, and they listened to me just like the the the newcomers do, and all of that, you know. 00:41:38.009 --> 00:41:46.409 They knew I had a vision, they'd ask questions for clarification, but they were thankfully really, really great to work with. 00:41:46.650 --> 00:41:48.489 So that that's what I like. 00:41:48.570 --> 00:41:51.289 I've I've been pleasantly surprised by all that. 00:41:51.449 --> 00:41:56.170 And that's why, again, I I've worked with Vanessa twice, Vernon four times. 00:41:56.650 --> 00:41:58.489 I love working with these people. 00:41:58.809 --> 00:41:59.130 Yeah. 00:41:59.769 --> 00:42:05.369 Definitely have a great um great chemistry between you and them and then them working with each other. 00:42:05.529 --> 00:42:11.610 Uh, how do you think censor addiction compares to your earlier films like Chase or uh The Charisma Killers? 00:42:11.849 --> 00:42:27.690 Well, it's funny, one uh I don't know if you saw, I think I posted it, but uh one of our critic reviews that came out about a week ago, and this guy had seen a bunch of my films, he said that this was the best film that I ever did, which I'm I'm very blessed to hear and happy to hear. 00:42:27.849 --> 00:42:38.090 I definitely feel like this one, I don't want to bias people and all that, but I feel like this would definitely be in the top, top 25% of the films and all that. 00:42:38.250 --> 00:42:45.210 I'm curious for uh people if they'll like this one more or Charisma Killers, my last film

more. 00:42:45.369 --> 00:42:49.369 They're very different, but I'm just curious because they are my two most recent films. 00:42:49.529 --> 00:42:52.570 But uh this would definitely be be up there. 00:42:52.730 --> 00:42:55.529 You know, we we really we kept it tight, you know. 00:42:55.610 --> 00:42:57.449 It's a good, it's about an hour and a half. 00:42:57.690 --> 00:43:03.929 Could have been a lot longer, to be honest, but we shaved about 30 minutes because we wanted to keep it flowing. 00:43:04.090 --> 00:43:12.809 You know, how many films have we seen recently where it's like two and a half hours and you're like, oh, this film could have been like 45 minutes shorter, right? 00:43:12.889 --> 00:43:13.210 Yeah. 00:43:13.449 --> 00:43:16.409 So I feel like it flows really, really well. 00:43:17.289 --> 00:43:18.570 I'm proud of it though. 00:43:18.730 --> 00:43:19.449 I'm proud of it. 00:43:19.529 --> 00:43:21.369 I do feel like it's one of my best. 00:43:21.849 --> 00:43:30.170 I was amazed that you had some guys like Will Rollins all the way from England here. 00:43:30.489 --> 00:43:34.409 Uh, and you had guys like fly fly from all over the United States here for this. 00:43:34.650 --> 00:43:34.889 I know. 00:43:35.049 --> 00:43:38.809 And that's why I that's why I have so much gratitude because this is kind of in my backyard. 00:43:39.210 --> 00:43:43.690 And I just stumbled, I was stumbled on lunch, and then next thing you know, I'm like there and working with you guys. 00:43:43.849 --> 00:43:46.090 So I was so fortunate about this, man. 00:43:46.170 --> 00:43:49.929 And um the film, does it open any possibilities for sequels? 00:43:50.250 --> 00:43:51.049 Sure, sure. 00:43:51.210 --> 00:43:55.289 A a lot of my films kind of have this thing about uh open-ended and all of that. 00:43:55.529 --> 00:43:56.409 But yeah, no, no, no. 00:43:56.489 --> 00:44:07.769 It opens or excuse me, it it I feel like it definitely leaves stuff to where it's like, okay, maybe a chapter's done, but the whole book's not done, that there's more to to to it. 00:44:07.929 --> 00:44:12.809 So depending on how it does and stuff like that, I'd I'd be open. 00:44:12.969 --> 00:44:17.849 I mean, I I feel like it's a world worth exploring even more and and everything. 00:44:17.929 --> 00:44:19.769 So, yes, the short answer is of course. 00:44:19.929 --> 00:44:23.369 I'm I'm definitely open to more and and everything. 00:44:23.449 --> 00:44:23.690 Yes. 00:44:24.009 --> 00:44:24.969 So fascinating, man. 00:44:25.049 --> 00:44:32.809 I'm I'm excited and I'm glad that my first experience was being on your set because it was a great experience. 00:44:32.969 --> 00:44:33.289 Thank you. 00:44:33.449 --> 00:44:37.130 And it kind of charged me to like want to stay involved in this sort of thing. 00:44:37.369 --> 00:44:42.009 And but I want to ask you, man, like as a as a creative yourself, yeah. 00:44:42.090 --> 00:44:48.090 Um, are there any daily rituals or habits that keep you creative and grounded during the shoots? 00:44:48.250 --> 00:44:53.049 Like, is there anything that directors or writers do, sort of like baseball players, right? 00:44:53.130 --> 00:44:53.289 Uh huh. 00:44:53.449 --> 00:44:56.650 That that you do to kind of stay in your your head in the game. 00:44:58.250 --> 00:45:03.769 I will watch certain scenes from movies just to keep me sharp and motivated. 00:45:04.009 --> 00:45:10.730 I will listen to certain songs or scores, scores from from movies, and it'll just motivate me. 00:45:10.809 --> 00:45:23.929 Even as I'm driving to set sometimes, I'll be listening to either a a podcast or a scene or a a certain score from a movie where I'm just like, this is this is, you know, I'll watch some of the greats. 00:45:24.170 --> 00:45:29.529 I'll watch either Scorsese film or again RoboCop or whatever it may be. 00:45:29.610 --> 00:45:31.369 And it motivates me. 00:45:31.449 --> 00:45:34.409 It's like a pump up, you know, all of that. 00:45:34.650 --> 00:45:37.289 So that is, or like I could do this. 00:45:37.369 --> 00:45:40.650 I'm not that far off from making a film like that. 00:45:40.889 --> 00:45:41.449 Yes. 00:45:41.690 --> 00:45:53.210 I'll tell you, man, like even having this podcast when I was on set, I had a true appreciation for the lighting crew, for for the sound guys, for all of it. 00:45:53.369 --> 00:45:55.529 Because doing this, like I'm kind of a one-man show. 00:45:55.610 --> 00:45:58.730 When I'm even now I'm like flipping this flipping the switches here and there. 00:45:59.289 --> 00:46:05.449 But but like it was interesting to see it all come together like on the on the silver screen, I guess. 00:46:05.610 --> 00:46:07.849 You have a strong visual style in your films. 00:46:08.009 --> 00:46:12.969 How involved are you in aspects like the cinematography, the music, and and all that stuff? 00:46:13.049 --> 00:46:15.049 And do you work with the same crew like when you do that as well? 00:46:15.449 --> 00:46:16.170 Recently I have. 00:46:16.329 --> 00:46:21.610 Shout out to Fabian, who's Fabian's great, who's my cinematographer, also edited it. 00:46:21.769 --> 00:46:23.610 So he understands my vision. 00:46:23.690 --> 00:46:28.489 You know, we've worked on a bunch of films before together where he knows what style. 00:46:28.650 --> 00:46:32.730 We've obviously talked about references and samples and other stuff. 00:46:32.889 --> 00:46:37.690 The the uh composer Grant, who's great, he scored my last like five films. 00:46:37.929 --> 00:46:39.130 He understands my vision. 00:46:39.210 --> 00:46:43.449 I'll give him certain examples or certain I want it this way, that way, the whole bit. 00:46:43.610 --> 00:46:50.650 And he's able to do it where I actually don't need to give them that much direction after a while, you know, because they just get it. 00:46:50.809 --> 00:46:56.090 I listen, I review, but a lot of times I'm like, good to go, you got it. 00:46:56.170 --> 00:46:57.690 This is

what we wanted to do. 00:46:57.929 --> 00:46:58.329 Yeah. 00:46:58.489 --> 00:46:59.929 So it's it's good, man. 00:47:00.809 --> 00:47:01.529 So exciting. 00:47:01.690 --> 00:47:04.489 So sensor addiction, when is it coming out? 00:47:04.730 --> 00:47:06.250 Where can people see it? 00:47:06.489 --> 00:47:08.250 Uh, give us the info on all that. 00:47:08.489 --> 00:47:11.690 So good news is found out two or three days ago. 00:47:11.849 --> 00:47:13.369 It's gonna be March 3rd. 00:47:13.610 --> 00:47:14.489 March 3rd. 00:47:14.730 --> 00:47:19.849 So I don't know when this is gonna air or anything like that, but coming up soon, regardless. 00:47:20.090 --> 00:47:34.409 March 3rd, and it's gonna be on VOD, so it'll be on uh Amazon, Voodoo, a bunch of those type of platforms, and then DVD, DVD, Walmart, and it'll also be in libraries to rent as well. 00:47:35.130 --> 00:47:35.529 It's crazy. 00:47:35.610 --> 00:47:39.369 That's gonna be like in 9,000 libraries, that's what they said, which is pretty wild. 00:47:39.529 --> 00:47:42.730 Uh, you know, has the there's like the DVD section you can rent out. 00:47:42.969 --> 00:47:48.329 So it'll be on on all of those, obviously, good to support, but I'm super excited about it. 00:47:48.409 --> 00:47:54.730 And based on some of the critic reviews that uh that have gotten the the early screener, it's been very favorable. 00:47:54.969 --> 00:47:57.610 They've actually really enjoyed it um and everything. 00:47:57.769 --> 00:48:00.889 So yeah, March 3rd, I believe that's Tuesday. 00:48:01.130 --> 00:48:04.170 Tuesday, March 3rd is when it's dropping in. 00:48:04.409 --> 00:48:10.409 Definitely gonna be watching it again on the my my TV or with my brother. 00:48:10.969 --> 00:48:13.849 I'm gonna make sure that this comes out before then. 00:48:13.929 --> 00:48:19.210 And I'm also interested in connecting with the actors and having them on the podcast as well. 00:48:19.449 --> 00:48:20.409 I'm sure they would love that. 00:48:20.570 --> 00:48:22.889 Hey, I'm excited, man, because this this is my first time. 00:48:23.210 --> 00:48:23.929 You will like it. 00:48:24.090 --> 00:48:27.449 You made the cut, you credited, all of that stuff. 00:48:27.610 --> 00:48:30.650 So it's you know, it'll be fun for you to watch it. 00:48:30.730 --> 00:48:36.809 You can even take a picture view on the thing and you know, sharing a screen with Mike O'Hearn that way. 00:48:36.969 --> 00:48:38.570 Come on, that's pretty memorable, man. 00:48:38.730 --> 00:48:39.130 Yeah, yeah. 00:48:39.449 --> 00:48:41.929 You know, and you have lines in it and all of that. 00:48:42.009 --> 00:48:43.529 So come on, that's pretty cool, man. 00:48:43.929 --> 00:48:45.769 Like I said, I have so much gratitude. 00:48:45.849 --> 00:48:49.049 I'm so fortunate, man, to it's gonna, it's gonna humble you. 00:48:49.130 --> 00:48:57.210 I think that you maybe you'll even get chills a little bit when you watch it because you're gonna be like, holy crap, because remember, people are seeing this all over the world. 00:48:57.369 --> 00:48:59.849 I mean, that's pretty cool if you think about it. 00:48:59.929 --> 00:49:13.289 See, even for me, you have to step back sometimes and see how far you've come and read like, wow, wow, somebody from North Carolina who wherever random ass place, like that's pretty incredible. 00:49:13.449 --> 00:49:14.009 Yeah, right? 00:49:14.250 --> 00:49:15.049 Yeah, totally. 00:49:15.289 --> 00:49:16.090 So you'll like it. 00:49:16.329 --> 00:49:17.769 No, I'm I'm I'm excited, man. 00:49:17.849 --> 00:49:19.210 I'm actually looking forward to it. 00:49:19.369 --> 00:49:30.570 Um you know, growing up in the 80s and 90s, Michael, I I just want to mention to you real quick, like we have that was a fascinating time for us to like for for music, for entertainment and everything. 00:49:31.130 --> 00:49:34.409 And I feel like uh since then things have shifted in Hollywood. 00:49:34.650 --> 00:49:39.210 What do you think what's one mistake that you see emerging filmmakers make coming up? 00:49:40.809 --> 00:49:41.769 That's a good question. 00:49:42.009 --> 00:49:54.170 Emerging filmmakers, I feel like they want to placate or virtue signal to the greater audience without really taking in what they want. 00:49:54.329 --> 00:49:55.849 What story do they want to tell? 00:49:55.929 --> 00:50:05.690 Because if you want to just check off certain boxes or do something that you think the audience is gonna like, a lot of the time it backfires, you know, and and everything. 00:50:05.849 --> 00:50:11.130 It's just remember at the end of the day, people want to see movies to be entertained. 00:50:11.289 --> 00:50:13.049 It's a form of escapism. 00:50:13.449 --> 00:50:20.170 They want to be entertained, they don't want to be lectured to, they don't want certain agendas, certain stuff like that. 00:50:20.409 --> 00:50:21.849 They want to be entertained. 00:50:22.009 --> 00:50:23.529 So entertain them. 00:50:23.849 --> 00:50:24.969 That's what I think. 00:50:25.289 --> 00:50:25.690 Yeah. 00:50:26.009 --> 00:50:37.690 And I, you know, I it's interesting because I watched a uh video the other day and and they were talking about hip-hop and rap, and they were talking about how in the own creative work. 00:50:37.929 --> 00:50:46.809 And but nowadays it feels like a lot of rappers, for example, in hip hop is trying to copy each other, even their style, like their whole like machine gun style that they're doing now. 00:50:47.210 --> 00:50:49.690 Versus like in the 90s, there everyone had their own style. 00:50:49.929 --> 00:50:50.809 They created their own. 00:50:50.969 --> 00:50:52.730 But like you're saying, just stay true to yourself. 00:50:52.809 --> 00:50:52.889 Yes. 00:50:53.130 --> 00:50:54.090 What you believe is right. 00:50:54.250 --> 00:50:55.449 Don't copy other people, right? 00:50:55.929 --> 00:51:06.009 Don't, you know, it it's if you want to just go after the most popular thing and

just all that, people can see the the how not authentic you are. 00:51:06.170 --> 00:51:08.650 So just be true to yourself, exactly. 00:51:09.049 --> 00:51:10.889 Tell the stories you want to tell. 00:51:11.130 --> 00:51:16.170 I understand that not everybody's gonna like my films, but I know people that do, right? 00:51:16.329 --> 00:51:23.449 And I know people that know my style, and if they're in the mood for my style type films, they are going to enjoy it. 00:51:23.769 --> 00:51:28.650 If you want a cool action mixed with suspense type stuff, you're gonna like this film. 00:51:28.809 --> 00:51:36.489 If you've seen some of my other ones, you're gonna see certain themes and motifs and stuff like that, and you'll enjoy it. 00:51:36.570 --> 00:51:37.289 Yeah you know? 00:51:37.529 --> 00:51:37.849 Yeah. 00:51:38.170 --> 00:51:38.809 That's what I think. 00:51:39.130 --> 00:51:44.730 Yeah, staying staying true to yourself is definitely um something that helps create the creativity. 00:51:44.809 --> 00:51:48.009 And I think it's something that we're missing today in entertainment in general. 00:51:48.250 --> 00:51:48.409 Yes. 00:51:48.730 --> 00:51:54.250 So who are some of the directors or films that have influenced your work throughout your life? 00:51:54.570 --> 00:52:21.690 Uh again, you know, Scorsese, Hitchcock, you know, Kubrick, this Japanese director Kurosawa, um all all of those people really, uh you know, David Fincher, Christopher Nolan, um all of those type J James Cameron, I don't know if I mentioned that, but yeah, all those people that just make these amazing films, these entertaining, thought-provoking films, that's that's what I love, you know? 00:52:21.849 --> 00:52:25.369 So though those are the big boys that influenced me for sure. 00:52:25.529 --> 00:52:25.610 Yeah. 00:52:25.849 --> 00:52:29.449 And Paul Verhoven, the guy who directed Robocop, can't leave him out. 00:52:29.610 --> 00:52:29.769 Yeah. 00:52:29.849 --> 00:52:32.889 And he did Total Recall as well, and Starship Troopers. 00:52:33.130 --> 00:52:35.130 So pretty, pretty cool and all that. 00:52:35.449 --> 00:52:38.250 Has anybody in the business kind of been a mentor for you? 00:52:38.650 --> 00:52:46.650 There I had a next door neighbor, his name is Robert Mintz, who passed away a few years ago, but he wrote some of the original Batman from the 60s. 00:52:46.809 --> 00:52:51.769 So, and his dad was in silent films in like the 20s and stuff like that. 00:52:51.849 --> 00:52:53.369 So he was old Hollywood. 00:52:53.529 --> 00:52:55.210 He helped mentor me a little bit. 00:52:55.369 --> 00:52:55.929 Oh, wow, okay. 00:52:56.090 --> 00:52:57.049 And and all of that. 00:52:57.210 --> 00:53:00.730 It's good to have mentors, it's good to have people that you look up to and all that. 00:53:00.809 --> 00:53:02.489 But he he was one of them for sure. 00:53:02.650 --> 00:53:02.889 Yeah. 00:53:03.289 --> 00:53:04.570 It's hard to hear about in passing. 00:53:05.049 --> 00:53:09.289 He he was he was well into his 90s, so I think he lived a pretty good life. 00:53:09.449 --> 00:53:09.769 Yeah. 00:53:09.929 --> 00:53:10.969 You know, yeah. 00:53:11.369 --> 00:53:13.369 So what's next on the agenda for you, man? 00:53:13.449 --> 00:53:15.049 Like after censor addiction? 00:53:15.369 --> 00:53:16.809 It's a very good question, man. 00:53:16.969 --> 00:53:23.929 I as you know, I kind of have also gotten into talent management a little bit, representing some actors and stuff like that. 00:53:24.090 --> 00:53:26.570 But no, I mean, I'm I'm open. 00:53:26.650 --> 00:53:28.170 I'm seeing what it is, you know. 00:53:28.250 --> 00:53:30.889 This this has been a journey getting sensor out. 00:53:31.049 --> 00:53:36.969 I want to see how censor addiction does and all that, and then I'll see what the next play is, you know? 00:53:37.210 --> 00:53:37.369 Yeah. 00:53:37.610 --> 00:53:38.570 That's kind of what I think. 00:53:38.889 --> 00:53:40.409 I just want to ask real quick, because I'm curious. 00:53:40.489 --> 00:53:41.449 So how how does it work? 00:53:41.529 --> 00:53:45.690 So once the film is done and it's edited, um, it then goes where? 00:53:46.250 --> 00:53:54.250 Then you start to pitch it to pr uh excuse me, to distributors, or you shop it around to distributors, or you can go to film festivals, all that. 00:53:54.409 --> 00:53:56.489 So I got referred to a distributor. 00:53:56.570 --> 00:53:57.769 I really like their bit. 00:53:57.929 --> 00:54:01.130 They like the film, they wanted to take it, uh, take it. 00:54:01.289 --> 00:54:03.849 And yeah, so I went with them. 00:54:04.009 --> 00:54:06.489 And hopefully, hopefully it does well. 00:54:06.650 --> 00:54:07.449 Hopefully. 00:54:07.690 --> 00:54:09.210 Um, but I feel good about them. 00:54:09.369 --> 00:54:16.409 I feel good about them, and especially I was referred to by somebody that I trust, somebody that I has a good track record to. 00:54:16.650 --> 00:54:19.929 So then it goes to distributor and they handle all of that stuff. 00:54:20.170 --> 00:54:21.690 Basically getting it out there. 00:54:21.929 --> 00:54:22.170 Cool. 00:54:22.409 --> 00:54:24.329 Yeah, I always wondered how that process works. 00:54:24.409 --> 00:54:28.329 Um, and it just sounds like it's it's kind of a it can be stressful. 00:54:28.969 --> 00:54:33.529 It can be stressful getting getting the deliverables, getting all of these certain things. 00:54:33.610 --> 00:54:37.449 But once it's done and once you have a release date, you're like, thank God. 00:54:37.610 --> 00:54:38.570 Yes, it's good. 00:54:38.889 --> 00:54:39.049 Yeah. 00:54:39.130 --> 00:54:41.049 And how does the marketing work like after this? 00:54:41.130 --> 00:54:43.289 Like, is there is there already budget for that? 00:54:43.769 --> 00:54:49.529 I mean, a lot of it's just it's me promoting even on social media, having other people promote the whole bit. 00:54:49.690 --> 00:54:51.449 My actors promote everything.

00:54:52.409 --> 00:54:59.369 They're gonna maybe take it to certain places, but it's just a lot of it's word of mouth and just getting it out there and posting about it. 00:54:59.529 --> 00:55:01.049 That's that's super important. 00:55:01.449 --> 00:55:01.769 Right. 00:55:01.929 --> 00:55:02.250 You know? 00:55:02.650 --> 00:55:07.210 Michael, what legacy do you hope to leave through your filmmaking? 00:55:08.009 --> 00:55:09.210 That's a great question. 00:55:09.289 --> 00:55:10.329 That's a very great question. 00:55:10.409 --> 00:55:11.449 It's a heavy question. 00:55:13.289 --> 00:55:19.929 Just that I told the stories that I wanted to tell and that I wanted to entertain people. 00:55:20.329 --> 00:55:31.769 I I wanted to talk about characters that all have crosses that they have to bear and deal with it, that not everything is black and white, that these characters are conflicted and and everything. 00:55:31.929 --> 00:55:35.610 Not everybody's 100% good or 100% bad. 00:55:35.849 --> 00:55:39.130 The most important people are where it's shades of gray, right? 00:55:39.449 --> 00:55:51.929 So those type of stories, and that I didn't fall victim to just certain, oh, I'm making this film to hit a certain agenda or to get political this way or overtly or anything like that. 00:55:52.090 --> 00:55:53.849 I strayed true to myself. 00:55:53.929 --> 00:56:02.090 Um, and I also wanted to entertain people and bring it back to the A's and N's and all of that. 00:56:02.329 --> 00:56:07.769 So, because so many people, again, their films that are are just lecture to people. 00:56:07.929 --> 00:56:12.329 And it's like, no, you watch my films, want you to just be entertained. 00:56:12.489 --> 00:56:12.730 Right. 00:56:12.889 --> 00:56:15.210 Okay, just be entertained, just enjoy it. 00:56:15.289 --> 00:56:15.449 Right. 00:56:15.690 --> 00:56:16.250 Enjoy it. 00:56:16.489 --> 00:56:16.809 Right. 00:56:16.969 --> 00:56:17.610 That's it. 00:56:17.849 --> 00:56:18.329 You know? 00:56:18.570 --> 00:56:24.009 You know, man, I gotta say, like, even on set, like your your temperament overall, like you never seem to get pissed off. 00:56:24.170 --> 00:56:25.130 You never got mad. 00:56:25.210 --> 00:56:28.250 You never you always just kind of I got stressed, but I don't think I got mad. 00:56:28.409 --> 00:56:29.049 No, thank you. 00:56:29.289 --> 00:56:34.009 But even outwardly, like I could like the way you are now was the way you are the entire time. 00:56:34.250 --> 00:56:34.489 Thank you. 00:56:34.730 --> 00:56:37.449 I mean, I think that says that says a lot about you and just who you are. 00:56:37.529 --> 00:56:38.889 And I just can't burn myself. 00:56:39.289 --> 00:56:40.409 And the professional that you are. 00:56:41.130 --> 00:56:41.610 Thank you, man. 00:56:41.849 --> 00:56:42.570 So thank you. 00:56:42.730 --> 00:56:42.969 Thank you. 00:56:43.049 --> 00:56:44.730 I I really know, and likewise to you. 00:56:44.809 --> 00:56:46.809 And again, look, we're gonna be working together. 00:56:47.049 --> 00:56:49.130 Again, I have no no doubt about that. 00:56:49.289 --> 00:56:50.889 But yeah, no, I appreciate it, man. 00:56:50.969 --> 00:56:53.529 I'm gonna continue to try to be this way, that's for sure. 00:56:53.849 --> 00:57:04.009 Yeah, I I think it's best to just to have a baseline like that when it comes to your mood, emotions, and it it that has a tendency to put a trend on everyone else and the environment that you're in. 00:57:04.090 --> 00:57:09.289 So anyone out there listening to this who's interested in following you, what social media platforms are you on? 00:57:09.929 --> 00:57:12.650 Um I'm on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. 00:57:12.730 --> 00:57:15.210 It's just Michael Mateo Rossi, you look it up. 00:57:15.289 --> 00:57:16.570 I'm verified on those. 00:57:16.650 --> 00:57:20.570 So feel free to send me a message, say hi, you know, all that. 00:57:20.650 --> 00:57:22.730 I try to be pretty receptive that way. 00:57:22.969 --> 00:57:27.929 Um and yeah, and I use it pretty actively, almost daily, which is a lot. 00:57:28.009 --> 00:57:28.650 But it's good. 00:57:28.730 --> 00:57:30.409 It's weirdly therapeutic for me. 00:57:30.570 --> 00:57:33.289 So uh so you can follow me on all of those. 00:57:33.449 --> 00:57:34.409 And threads. 00:57:34.650 --> 00:57:35.610 Other, I always forget. 00:57:36.009 --> 00:57:36.409 Threads, yeah. 00:57:36.650 --> 00:57:37.049 Threads. 00:57:37.130 --> 00:57:38.329 I I try to use that too. 00:57:38.409 --> 00:57:38.650 But yeah. 00:57:38.969 --> 00:57:40.170 Well, I really appreciate it, man. 00:57:40.329 --> 00:57:44.809 Was there anything uh that you wanted to mention before we round off this episode that I didn't talk about? 00:57:45.210 --> 00:57:49.849 Just just that I really do appreciate the people that I work with and and everything. 00:57:50.009 --> 00:57:55.449 And I know I didn't name drop maybe uh as much as I should, but you know who you are. 00:57:55.610 --> 00:58:05.049 You know the actors and the crew and everything that uh that I've worked with and and even the supporters and my friends who maybe I haven't worked with yet. 00:58:05.210 --> 00:58:09.130 I appreciate all of you because I I see how supportive you are. 00:58:09.210 --> 00:58:10.009 And thank you. 00:58:10.250 --> 00:58:11.610 Basically, thank you. 00:58:12.009 --> 00:58:13.449 No, I really appreciate it, man. 00:58:13.529 --> 00:58:20.889 Um it's quite an honor to have you come all the way down here to my humble shack uh to do this, though. 00:58:21.130 --> 00:58:21.610 Yeah, man. 00:58:21.690 --> 00:58:23.529 I I do my best with what I got. 00:58:23.690 --> 00:58:25.769 But um I really appreciate it, man. 00:58:25.849 --> 00:58:27.610 And and give me the give me the opportunity. 00:58:27.769 --> 00:58:29.130 I mean, thank you so much for that. 00:58:29.690 --> 00:58:36.329 Um to bring like my experiences, my you know, military law enforcement experiences to to the big screen as well. 00:58:36.409 --> 00:58:38.650 And and uh yeah, I would love to work with you again, man. 00:58:38.730 --> 00:58:39.769 I Oh we will. 00:58:40.009 --> 00:58:40.409 We will. 00:58:40.889 --> 00:58:43.049 You know, but yeah, let's let's do dinner again sometime. 00:58:43.210 --> 00:58:44.730 I'd love to get you and Force together. 00:58:44.969 --> 00:58:45.610 Let's do it. 00:58:45.769 --> 00:58:52.489 Sometimes we get uh kind of spun up in our daily lives and we don't take time out to just sit down and break bread. 00:58:52.570 --> 00:58:53.929 So I'd like to do that again, man. 00:58:54.250 --> 00:58:54.889 I love that. 00:58:55.049 --> 00:58:58.329 This was great, man, and and and I thoroughly enjoyed it too. 00:58:58.489 --> 00:58:59.130 Seriously. 00:58:59.449 --> 00:59:01.289 Check out sensor addiction. 00:59:01.529 --> 00:59:04.650 Um at the end of the day, um, it's got me in it. 00:59:04.809 --> 00:59:08.170 And then also, too, so many great actors and actresses as well. 00:59:08.329 --> 00:59:10.170 Uh Michael, thank you again. 00:59:10.250 --> 00:59:10.730 I appreciate it. 00:59:10.969 --> 00:59:11.130 Thank you. 00:59:11.449 --> 00:59:11.769 Thank you. 00:59:11.929 --> 00:59:13.210 This was this was great. 00:59:13.449 --> 00:59:16.650 Censor addiction coming soon, and thank you, brother. 00:59:16.889 --> 00:59:17.289 Thank you. 00:59:17.610 --> 00:59:24.969 Michael's out here not just making movies, but he's crafting worlds that provoke thought, challenge expectations, and entertains in equal measure. 00:59:25.210 --> 00:59:30.570 I can't wait to see where your story ends up next and what uh story you create. 00:59:30.730 --> 00:59:34.250 For everyone else out there, make sure you follow Michael on all the social media platforms. 00:59:34.329 --> 00:59:41.130 You can scroll down to the bottom and see in the description how you can follow him either on Instagram or Twitter or X. 00:59:41.369 --> 00:59:43.130 But again, check out Sensor Addiction. 00:59:43.210 --> 00:59:46.489 It's coming out on March 3rd, and I'll make sure this episode comes out before then. 00:59:46.730 --> 00:59:51.210 As always, I want you to stay tuned, stay focused, and stay motivated. 00:59:51.529 --> 00:59:53.289 Warriors fall out.