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07/29/10 Finished shooting a fun short film last month with Micah Moses titled "Witness
This" along with some great actors, Malek Hanna and Gariyaki Mutambirwa. Also just wrapped an all too brief shoot for Mike Cuenca's absurdist web series "Oblivion:The Series" as an Irish loan shark in the fictional town of Holwenstall. 04/12/10 Although my
birthday is usually saved for celebrating my mama, since it is her day... after all, she did all the work - I'm using
my birthday this year for charity: water. Instead of gifts, I'm urging my friends, family, associates and exceptionally tiny fanbase to donate to charity: water.
I've set a modest campaign goal, but would love to surpass that. You can donate very easily by clicking here: Benjamin's 29th Birthday What is charity: water? It's an organization whose goal is simple; to provide clean, safe and sustainable water
to developing nations. Every three months they gather the funds collected from individual campaigns and put 100% of it immediately
to work in the field to help drill wells, sand filters and rain catchments. Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause
80% of diseases and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Children are especially vulnerable,
as their bodies aren't strong enough to fight off most illnesses. My birthday lands on July 1st, so I've started the
campaign early to allow time to hit my goal. The fundraising page closes June 30th - so I know that on the day of my birthday,
all of the funds collected from all of you are going to something worthwhile, incredible and very much needed. Rock.
12/04/2009 The informal website to refer interested
parties to the feature screenplay "Oliver", is up! The script has had many revisions and nearly funded experiences
over the years but has finally come full circle, being back in the genre it needs to be with the most recent rewrite. Taking
it back to its original concept of being more of a dark film with a comedic edge instead of a straight forward drama, Oliver's
philosophy is now more accessible through the sarcasm and absurdist approach instead of the overbearing drama it had become.
Although the story remains exactly the same, the approach and visual style now differs which gives it back to the burgeoning
black comedy it's always been. The script follows an animal loving, comic book reading hitman as he tries to piece together
his life and ponders his moral flexibility. Seeking producers, DP, key crew, investors and anyone who is willing to lend their
talents to get this fun, creative and unique piece of cinema going! Feel free to visit the site here for more info: http://oliverinthecity.weebly.com/ Happy Holidays! 11/05/2009 Coming out from teaching hibernation,
I'm volunteering and producing a fundraising event for the Children's Defense Fund in association with Fighting For Lives. On Saturday, November 14th I'll take part in the first ever "World Fighting For Lives Weekend". Never before
have combative/martial arts instructors from around the globe gathered simultaneously to share their respective styles in
order to raise donations in their favorite childrens charity. All one, all at the same time, all for children. If you cannot
take part but would like to donate to my chosen charity, please visit: http://www.change.org/childrensdefense/projects/fundraising/fighting_for_lives It's quick, easy, and secure to get involved by donating. The page will remain open
for the duration of the event and for two months afterwards. The seminar will be held at an TBD location given out to those
who meet the modestly requested donation of $25. If you cannot afford to donate but would still like to participate, learn
a bit about Indonesian culture and it's fighting systems, all are welcome! Feel free to contact the site administrator
or Me directly for more details. 08/25/2009 It's a wrap for "The Millennium
Bug"! The stunts and fights went off without a hitch - all thanks to the detailed attention of the actors on set when
it came to the safety of themselves and everyone around them. There are only a few pick up shots left to do, then The Brothers
Cran hit post production hard! Its been a year long process (even longer for others!) to finally get to the end of production
and the result is sure to be something special. Special thanks to Ken and Jim Cran for the opportunity and the passion they
shared. Oktay Ortabasi for his incredible DP skills in lighting the "Bug" (and the rest of the film, of course) to make it look as amazing
as it deserves. Ben Seton for all of his help and expertise. All of the crew: Nito, Dustin, Robert, Baron, Frank, Dion, Will, Bridget, Lea, Steve, Frank, Mehri, Jenna, Mari-Liis, Gregory, Susan, Inga, Josh and everyone who repeatedly
showed up to help make the film possible. Of course, the actors who made the stunt coordinating part of the job smooth and
enjoyable, especially all the last minute gags. In no particular order: John Charles Meyer, Christine Haeberman,
Jessica Simons, Trek Loneman, Jon Briddell, Ken MacFarlane, Ginger Pullman, Sandi Steinberg and Adam Brooks. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Check out the link below for updates as it moves through
post production: http://www.themillenniumbug.com/ 05/30/2009 BET's fan prank show "Played
By Fame", still in its first season hits episode 25 this month. It features me as "Deuce", a disgruntled Aussie
stunt man that has it in for Jackie Long. The episode follows Jackie and a fan as they traverse the life of Mr. Long, only
the entire day is an elaborate prank with the climax being an audition for an action film which Jackie wants, but Deuce thinks
otherwise. You can view the full episode on "BET on Blast" here: |
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01/23/2009 Having finished performing as the monster "Bug" and
exhausted from tearing through miniatures while wearing an incredible suit of sweat, I'm continuing my work with The Brothers
Cran and taking on the role of fight/stunt coordinator on "The Millennium Bug" for the next phase of production.
With enough caffeine, it can be done. 01/14/2009 Finished shooting "Too Fast", a 5 minute short film
written, choreographed, produced, edited, scored, directed and starring myself as a spy who utilizes Sun Tzu's "Art
of War" as a means to get out of the situation he faces after quitting the business. This action short was made last
minute with fellow filmmaker Dustin Yoder for youtube's "Project: Direct" competition. Unfortunately the deadline
hit while the short was being processed by youtube so it never qualified for consideration. You can now view it by visiting
the short films page.
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