HW Digital Presents Marital Artist, Actor & Producer Alan Delabie in ANATOMY OF AN ANTIHERO

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ALAN DELABIE

MARTIAL ARTIST, ACTOR & PRODUCER

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR WE WELCOME READERS to our special coverage of the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. This year’s event was hosted by award winning “The Daily Show" Host and Comedian Trevor Noah. We congratulate all of the winners.

We are also honored to have on our cover marital artist, actor and producer Alan Delabie, starring in Anatomy of An Antihero. The martial artist & star speaks candidly about his passion for filmmaking while sharing insight into this amazing film. In Borrowed Time (Denard 3), the third installment of the martial arts-packed action films following the story of Franck Denard, talented forces came together both on and offscreen. Hollywood Weekly got the chance to speak with actor/co-director Alan Delabie, director David Worth, actor Costas Mandylor and choreographer Ron Smmorenburg about the film and more.

And not to be overlooked, the first-ever media empire, Ebony, is getting its own documentary. Lisa Cortes will direct the film and Academy Award and Emmy Award winning filmmaker Roger Ross Williams will produce, via One Story Up. Cortes will also produce, as well.

Finally, we would be disappointed if we failed to acknowledge Diary of a Lunatic Sylke's Tale. Lastly congratulations to the Al Hirschfeld Foundation’s celebration of Black Culture. “Amplified Dignity” is an online exhibition celebrating Black History.

As always, thank you for your tremendous and steadfast support. We truly join each of you as we celebrate the cultural diversity of the entertainment industry.

Best wishes,

Publisher/Editor-In-Chief

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Fight Club In Borrowed Time (Denard 3), the third installment of the martial arts-packed action films following the story of Franck Denard, talented forces came together both on and offscreen. Hollywood Weekly got the chance to speak with actor/co-director ALAN DELABIE, director DAVID WORTH, actor COSTAS MANDYLOR and choreographer RON SMMORENBURG about the film and more.

ALAN DELABIE

Photo Credit: Renaud Masson & Lh Chambat

DAVID WORTH Photo Credit: David Worth

COSTAS MANDYLOR Photo Credit: Bram Heimens

RON SMMORENBURG Photo Credit: Ben Gallazo

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 5

Q&A WITH

ALAN DELABIE Multi-talented Alan Delabie is a martial artist, actor, producer and director. He took time out of his busy schedule to talk to us about his latest project Borrowed Time (Denard 3).

Although you are a well-known actor and accomplished martial artist in Europe, for our readers in America who may not know you, who is Alan Delabie?

I have dreamed of cinema from a young age. It all started when I discovered Bruce Lee thanks to my big brother, who was a fan. I was immediately fascinated! Sport is a family affair. My father was a wrestling trainer and my big brother was the European champion in this discipline. At the time, through hard work and determination, I became the European champion in the practice of Nunchaku, my favorite weapon. This allowed me to be invited on television for martial arts demonstrations. I had the chance to participate in famous television shows in France and Belgium. It really helped me to be natural in front of the camera. I also performed a demonstration at the must-see world martial arts festival, Budo Galas de Paris Bercy in 2011 in front of more than 10,000 people.

It was then that my desire for cinema caught up with me.

I went to castings, landed small roles in TV films in France and then had the chance to have a small role in a JCVD (Jean-Claude Vandamme) film in 2008.I was hungry for evolution and success; I was determined.

Shortly after, I met Jalal Merhi, an action film producer/ director in Canada. He invited me to participate in a "Master of the Art--aka Road To Hollywood" television project in Toronto. This TV show was decisive for me. I had the opportunity to start my own film project. This is why you should never give up on your dreams.

Tell me more about your martial arts background.

I started with shotokan karate. I am a black belt in karate. I also practiced full-contact kickboxing and I am a specialist in Nunchaku. I was European champion in this discipline. I will end with the martial arts TV shows that I have practiced on numerous occasions.

Your current project is part of a thrillogy. Is this correct?

Please tell us about your feature Anatomy of an Antihero. I understand this film is directed by Meosha Bean and stars major actors like Eric Roberts and Bob Wall from the Bruce Lee movie. Tell me more.

I started thinking about this concept in January 2017 after returning from San Diego. At first it was going to be a web series with a few episodes, but I immediately felt that 6 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

Photo courtesy courtesy of Peggy Warny ( @portraitsbypeggy)

there was something original and strong in the project. I contacted my friend Meosha Bean to ask her to make a feature film. Initially we didn’t plan to do a trilogy. With a director on board, the second step was fundraising. We organized a crowdfunding campaign and we achieved our goal! I also managed to convince a private investor. Without a budget, it’s impossible to make a film! The idea for the trilogy only came later.

After I wrote the screenplay, the Antihero adventure was born. It’s an experience full of rich collaborations, especially one with LH Chambat, cameraman, editor and long-time friend. He's been part of the project from the start.

What was it like working with the two other stars of the film, seasoned actors Eric Roberts and Bob Wall?

Meosha Bean had worked with Eric before. When she introduced him to the project, we hit it off right away. He’s a great actor, very punctual and professional. It was a dream come true to play opposite such a legend of cinema. I was introduced to Bob Wall by a friend who hosted a radio show in Toronto. The latter had told him about my talents in nunchaku (Bruce Lee's weapon of choice) and about my exceptional flexibility. He immediately wanted to meet me. It went very well. Bob is a very nice man and we have talked a lot about martial arts, especially Bruce Lee. I was

terribly flattered when he told me that if Bruce Lee had met me, he would have loved me. When he agreed to do a stint in Anatomy of an Antihero, it was magical.

The same question regarding your experience working with Mrs. Meosha Bean. Since you are known as an action movie star, what is it like working with such a renowned director ? I have known Meosha since she started and I’ve always been convinced by her talent. In 2012 we collaborated on a short film and stayed in touch.

Seeing my determination and my passion, she decided to work and direct the Anatomy of an Antihero, 1st part.

She's up for a new collaboration for Antihero Denard Aka Borrowed Time's latest installment, The Sequel.

Please tell me about the other actors, Merrick McCartha and Christina Okolo.I met Merrick on the set of a short film in which I was the lead actor. Merrick is a very great actor with incredible charisma in the Denzel Washington style. He has a great career and plays in several major series. I wrote his character, Dr. Brown just for him.

Regarding Christina Okolo, the original actress was no longer available for the role of Melissa Jordan, so she recommended Christina to me. I was immediately impressed by her talent, her magnetism. I won the exchange by HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 7

collaborating with her. She is a charming actress in the style of Angela Basset. She has an incredible presence in front of the camera, a voice, a style, a sensuality that the audience will love.

Borrowed Time is the prequel to Anatomy of an Antihero. Did you have the same writer for both films?

What's the nexus between the two films?

Indeed. Anatomy of an Antihero is the prequel to the first film, Anatomy of an Antihero: redemption.Denard's original title changed for marketing reasons. My distributor chose a title that would have a greater commercial impact. Denard, Anatomy of an Antihero then became Borrowed Time.

Regarding the writing, I wrote the screenplay for all three films and I'm proud of it. I needed to go back to the origin of the character to deepen the two intrigues, the main lines of the trilogy, one based on a mind control program orchestrated by members of an international network and the other the rage of Malandrain to kill Franck Denard. I wanted to keep some mystery behind him too, but the point was to understand that he had not one but two problems to solve. Borrowed Time takes place 6 months before Anatomy of an Antihero: Redemption.

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There’s a theme that reminds me of the 80s. What attracted you to this period of time? How did you capture this era in your film ? Nowadays I find there is too much unnecessary violence and explosions in action movies.

I wanted to keep the main plot taking place nowadays but add the magic that made me dream in movies that were made in the 80s. In films like Bloodsport, Kickboxer or Enter Dragon with Bruce Lee, the attention was focused on elements other than special effects, like music for example. This is why I wanted, among other things, a Retro soundtrack (synthwave). There is also the naive personality of my character to underline this time of the 80s, in which life was a little more pure and innocent, supposedly. Also, I wanted to send a positive message of love and passion.

This is always one of my goals. Free violence no thank you!

Giving dreams is important.

Let's talk about the storyline.

It’s the story of an ordinary man who will see his life turned upside down on a night out with friends. He is wrongly accused of killing a friend. Prison follows. Franck Denard,

the main character, will find himself at the center of a series of events that will change his life forever.

Despite himself, he becomes the subject of a forbidden experiment. I sincerely think that if Netflix were to take an interest in the Anatomy of an Antihero project, it would make for an incredible reboot series. There are still so many facets of history to explore! Franck Denard will have to face his demons, but also keep the hope of a new life. Anatomy of an Antihero is ultimately a dramatic story with hope, melancholy and a note of action. That is my opinion, but I will let the public decide!

Today, COVID -19 has impacted many productions. How has this pandemic affected your projects? It's a nightmare! The last installment of the trilogy is in the works and it’s not easy. The film will be shot on several continents. The European part, with big actors like Costas Mandylor and Louis Mandylor is practically finished. The American part will be co-directed with the infamous David Worth, director of Kickboxer and many other movie hits.

The end of the film will take place in Thailand with Ron Smoorenburg as both the action director and actor by my side for the final fight. With COVID, everything is slowing down.

But we adapt and I won't let down.

No pain No gain!

Since theaters have been slow to reopen, what’s the best way to watch the films?

Anatomy of An antihero: Redemption is available on VOD on Amazon, Direct Tv, Hoopla, Spectrum on demand and Apple TV. The film will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray March 16 and available at Walmart, Amazon and different stores. Borrowed Time, the prequel will be released on Digital in late spring of 2021. It will also be released on DVD.

Photos by Renaud Masson & Lh Chambat

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 9

Q&A WITH

DAVID WORTH David Worth is an American cinematographer and film director whose work can be seen in such films as Bloodsport, Any Which Way You Can, Bronco Billy, Warrior of the Lost World, Lady Dragon and Hard Knocks and Kickboxer. He serves as Co-Director with Alan Dabie of Borrowed Time.

Although you are the well-known director of Kickboxer (the original Van Damme movie), for our readers who may not know, what is David Worth like as a person? Besides films, what are your other passions?

I love being a husband and father. I’ve been married to a lovely Singaporean woman for over 30 years and I’m extremely proud of my son David II who has recently discovered the most amazing recipe for cooking steaks.

Also, my daughter Chrystina has made me a grandfather twice. I’ve been mentoring those boys, Finn and Bowie.

They are now teenagers and are becoming amazing, young filmmakers!

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Starting from your cinematic beginning, what was the big break that enabled you to become a major movie director? It was by doing several very small movies, (under $150,000) that eventually led to me working as the Director of Photography (DP) with the iconic director Clint Eastwood on two films: Bronco Billy and Any Which Way You Can. That then led me to the DP role in Bloodsport.

I then directed the original Kickboxer. All of this came about because I happened to become the DP and editor on a small film called Deathgame. One of the stars of that film, the late and outstanding actress Sondra Locke, went on to work with Clint Eastwood on The Outlaw Josie Wales. She thought my cinematography made her look amazing and she opened the door for Clint to see my work. That’s exactly how a “break” in Show Biz happens!

With the quality of your directing well known, particularly in action films, it suggests that you may have a martial arts background. If so, tell me about your formal training. What attracts you to action movies? No, I do not have a martial arts background.

My background is totally in all things Cinema. I studied the films of DW Griffith, John Ford and Orson Welles, as well as the films of Kurosawa, the Italian Neo-Realists, the French New Wave and especially Stanley Kubrick and the ¬American Independent filmmakers. I was attracted to action films because they have no language barrier and appeal to everyone. They reach an entire world-wide audience.

With such an impressive resume of film projects under your belt, what attracted you to become the director of Borrowed Time (Denard 3)? Borrowed Time came my way because for the past several years I’ve been first a fan of, then a mentor for Alan Delabie. I saw his original film work in the streets with just a video camera and a few friends. I loved what he was doing. I’m extremely proud of what he’s been able to accomplish with his talent, tenacity and determination.

Photo courtesy courtesy of David Worth

What elements are you looking to capture to make this film great, like your other cinematic accomplishments? Every film is a different experience and each one has its own ensemble of actors, locations and story elements. I always try to bring out the best in each of those elements, then mold them into the best film possible.

I understand this film will feature some amazing talent. Have you previously worked with any of the actors who will have major roles in Borrowed Time? What do they each bring to the film that you hope to capture through your camera lens? I haven’t worked with any of these outstanding actors before. However, we all speak the

same language: the language of cinema. We will each bring our various backgrounds to the table, then we will creatively pool our talents and experiences to capture Borrowed Time 3 to make it the best film that we possibly can.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 11

Q&A WITH What is the secret to your success?

There are so many avenues. If you watch documentaries on the great Anthony Quinn and many other actors, you will see that there are many different roads to a successful career.

And I guess everybody has their own little secrets as far as learning how to work and how to express themselves in the movie world, in the theatrical world and I think great mentors can help you, especially at an early age.

Great teachers can teach you at any time though. I heard that the great Al Pacino still works with somebody to this very day. Secrets come from wise people. And every now and then I think you learn a little something yourself along the winding road of ups and downs of being a performer.

One of the great acting teachers I had was Janet Alhanti. She was a mentor. She said that you had to bring your life to your art. I was lucky enough to grow up in a kind of rough and tumble world of nightclubs and nightlife because my uncles had these kinds of establishments. I was educated on the street early in life, so that was some sort of wisdom I had as a youngster. Having a background in sports provided me with a discipline, so being fit and ready for whatever came was another part that prepared me. Bits and pieces of life, wisdom gets gathered along the way. All of the sudden you might have something to look back on and work from, which I do. But discipline is special; staying away from the parties and drugs, and all the silly stuff. I went through a phase that I never thought that I would go through and I look back thinking what a waste of time it was. Having a healthy lifestyle and discipline are important. Of course, some people have a natural talent, which doesn’t hurt. Some people have to work at it harder. These are the secrets that I’ve learned.

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COSTAS MANDYLOR What kind of training did you have?

As far as training is concerned, Janet Alhanti was my first official teacher.

She worked with the great Sandy Meisner. Some of my classmates-Josh Brolin, Kevin Sorbo, Dean Cain and many others passed through the doors of Janet Alhanti. She had a lot of wisdom to share and prepared us for the years to come. Of course life is one of the great teachers if you pay attention to what’s around you. And idols. There are so many wonderful actors that I’ve worked with. I’m totally in love as a brother with William Dafoe.

He keeps on trucking and is always right there doing brilliant stuff. Of course the great Anthony Quinn. The great Robert Loggia. Both were my two Hollywood fathers, so to speak.

I can say that because they called me their son many, many times. They were incredible to talk to and be with.

I could go on. So many great actors.

Joe Pesci, who I became friends with.

Gerard Butler, who has done wonderfully, is like a brother. Josh Brolin, who I respect. I am proud to have spent time with these people and to now watch them on screen; I try to keep a childlike view of our business and watch people that I adore. There are many more I adore. I hope I don’t offend anybody.

But watching great movies, great theater with great writers and directors is an untouchable piece of beauty that lasts forever.

What was it like working with Oliver Stone in The Doors? The great Oliver Stone. The wonderful, crazy, brilliant man that he is. I’ll never forget when I first met him. I was so nervous. His

offices were in Venice, California. I remember going in and he wanted to improvise. His casting agent, I forget her name now, was there. And he said to me, “I’ll play Jim Morrison and you play the Count.” The Count, the Italian Count, who was actually a real person in that era of the craziness of Jim Morrison and The Doors in Venice Beach. He said, “I’ll pretend to walk in on you sleeping with my girl.” I didn’t know what to do, but I just went with the flow. I was on the floor with the lady and Oliver Stone walked in on us and I just smiled because I thought how funny it was that I was doing this.

Oliver Stone looked at me and said, “You’ve got the part.” I’ll never forget it. He took me through the office and introduced me to everyone. He announced, “This is Costas Mandolyr, an unknown entity. But he’s working with us and he’s playing The Count.” I left there thinking, “what just happened?”

I met so many wonderful actors on that set. Of course Val Kilmer and Meg Ryan, Michael Wincott, Michael Madsen. So many were somewhat born around that era. I would have loved to have worked with Oliver again, but I'll never forget how great and exhilarating it was working on that film.

How did your role in this latest film, Borrowed Time, come about?

I happened to be in Europe when Alan Delabie requested me for the film, which is always an honor when someone wants to work with you.

It is an action-packed, thriller film.

I’d rather Alan speak about the film though, which is still ongoing.

Tell us about your ongoing role in the Saw franchise. Can you talk about that? I was introduced in Saw III and I’ve gone all the way up until the latest installment. I’m actually the longest survivor in the films I think. I’m proud of that. The producers are great and I’m so grateful that they invited me in. It’s been a really great ride. I am excited for when the theaters will open back up and we can see the prequels.

Do you have any advice you’d pass along to younger actors? Career-wise, I’d say to just respect the art and try to remain fearless. Gather as much knowledge as you can and trust in yourself. If you fall flat on your face, get up and try again. Many actors have said the same thing. Going back to the classics like Anthony Quinn, Robert Loggia. It was not easy for them in the beginning. But they just kept developing.

And along the way you meet excellent directors like Oliver Stone and of course Cecil B. DeMille, who I think was Anthony Quinn’s first director. We could go on and on, but you begin to build trust. The great director Robert Zemickis gave me an opportunity once to do Beowulf with Ray Winstone, Sir Anthony Hopkins and John Malkovich. All of these experiences build you and you learn to just go for it, but always being well prepared. I say this to the younger actors because I mentioned it in the beginning: stay away from the stupid stuff and when you get to work, FLY. I always get nervous during auditions, but I’m never nervous on set. When you are working with such wonderful people, it is such a joy. I will finish by saying that I worked with Jack Nicholson and Sean Penn; and I will never forget how complementary they were after a very long scene. It felt like they were right there with me and we were such a team. It gave me a sense of rebirth and hope for what this career could actually be like. It’s like dancing with a partner, when you are gliding along the floor and you know what you are doing with the steps. It’s exhilarating.

Thank you for listening to me. I’m not done yet. And to all you up-and-comers, Kick Ass.

Photo courtesy of Bram Heimens

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 13

RON SMOORENBURG

Q&A WITH

Ron Smoorenburg is a Dutch martial artist, actor and choreographer. He is both an actor and action choreographer for Borrowed Time (Denard 3). Discovered by Jackie Chan in 1998, Smoorenburg’s talent shines through on the screen.

Photo courtesy Ben Gallazo 14 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

Tell us about your background and your role in the film. In 1997 I recorded the highest kick in martial arts (11 feet). In 1998 I was discovered by Jackie Chan to do the final fight scene in his movie Who am I?. It was tough, as I was young and it was my first action movie ever. I had to fight one of the most demanding action stars ever and the pressure you get from all directions is immense. As masterful as Jackie is, he makes up choreography on the spot, so after he shows you a fight combo and a few minutes later the cameras are rolling. You have to perform the moves full speed with the right timing and precision. You can

sometimes overthink the combination scenes. I’m grateful to have this pressure, as good things in life don’t come easy and I am learning from one of the best teachers I could ask for.

I essentially gave up basic life and took the risk to move to Asia. I’ve been fortunate to have worked with many action stars who are all different in their speed, power and technique. If I can give you a few examples: Scott Adkins is super controlled with very good power, Tony Jaa hits hard so you don’t need to act, Steven Seagal and Donnie Yen were great to work with, JCVD is really nice as and takes care of you on set extremely well, Gary Daniels is such a gentleman and tough at the same time. One day I’ll write a book about it all.

In Borrowed Time I play Jay Petersen, an old friend of Franck Denard. I help him on his quest when he arrives in Thailand where I live. What attracted me to this role is the fact that this character I play is unlike other villain characters I have played before. Alan Delabie knew my wish to play a good guy and he made it happen when he cast me. This role is a game changer for me. I have to say this is quite rare, as not many actors share good-guy parts in a movie. I think my full potential is really met here to be honest. It sets me up for other roles like this ,but it all started with Borrowed Time. We are really good friends in real life as well and I want to bring out something beautiful and sincere in the film.

Describe the movie from your point of view. Borrowed Time is a unique story of an antihero, not your typical hero that you see in many movies. It portrays the underdog in the character Frank Denard (Alan Delabie) and the actions he had to take. I think people can identify with this character maybe even more than with most of the heroes on screen today. The movie has that motivational aspect that is often seen in movies of the 80s. Even the music during the training sequences is in that style. Alan is really good in this style, as he has so much experience from back in the day. You can only create this feeling if you know what it really is.

What is it like coordinating the fight scenes? There’s a difference between a normal fight scene and a martial arts fight scene. One of the trends now is to make fights more realistic. Some camera operators use shaky cameras, which works if people can’t fight but it’s a disaster for fans of martial arts.

Martial arts is an art, so you don’t want to blur away. When you look at Jackie Chan movies there isn’t much camera movement, so the focus is on longer takes and stunts. I like a kind of video-game style, which is dynamic camera movement, interacting with the movements of the performers; with more flow you can clearly see what’s happening, feel the pain when there’s a close up or hard fall in full frame. The hard part is sometimes to get the best of both , get good visuals but still keep it realistic. I think they did a great job with this in the movie Extraction.

What was it like shooting in Thailand? Thailand has a lot of advantages as a location because you have a mix of beautiful landscapes as well as urban areas, which can be both gritty or luxurious. Chinatown has some great old temples, alleys and amazing skylines. Budget-wise you can get a lot things done with the right production team. The crew, especially the stunt teams are very fast, creative and experienced. I think Thailand has even more potential with the optimization of government support and tax benefits.

What other projects do you have coming up? I’m working on my own movie, which will be a very motivational movie with a good life story. This is a very big project for me and I want to send a very strong message to the world with martial arts as the vehicle of a deeper life story. After having made our first action movie English Dogs in Bangkok we will make part 2 at the end of 2021. We are now filming Bet Dead Casino, a gritty movie about the dark web and illegal fights.

Any last words of advice?

I always say “Life is action.” If you have ambitions, try to be different from the already different--this is what makes the real difference.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 15

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MARY ANGELA MOORE: A Beauty, A Voice

BY BENCH BELLO AND DEBORAH LEVINE

MARY ANGELA MOORE exudes a classic elegance both appear-

ance, manners, and speech. She charms her audiences with her fresh ideas, wise words,and cheerful yet sincere approach to life and career which is an inspiration not only to women but to everyone in all ages who hope to make a difference for themselves, communities, and the world.

Her life’s journey to success is admirable for its creativity and innovativeness. Her path has not been easy or simple. Yet, the difficulties and disappointments along the way have taught her how to navigate the challenges to her advantage.

And now, she is teaching us.

Mary’s Tips on entrepreneurship, business, and life are invaluable.

Her lectures and books provide new entrepreneurs with the rudiments of entrepreneurship and business with lessons on planning, funding, finances, employing, outsourcing, and facilitating contracts/agreements. As a business coach with much valuable experience, Mary offers sound, simple, and practical strategies for Do-It-Yourself marketing and PR campaigns.

As a leadership trainer she leads by example. Her style is unique as she eclectically uses the best of her learning experiences both academic and experience wise. Her seminars are surely life changing. See more of testimonials about her trainings around the world here:

Philippines https://youtu.be/mGcg2x_MIag, Africa https://youtu.be/4h8egAJRwo8, South Korea https://youtu.be/m19tBSaPmSw, Air France https://youtu.be/j41ty-JuzN8, South Korea https://youtu.be/lCK3qRXLlBE, Nepal https://tinyurl.com/ewuekf5c Dedicated to helping budding entrepreneurs, women in business, and executives on leadership Mary discusses the minute details that are commonly overlooked, but necessary for one’s personal and business success. As a Life Coach, Mary tackles issues that many of us prefer to ignore, particularly our health, both physical and emotional.

As a woman leader in a male dominated business world, Mary is happy to share and empower women in business. The article below was lifted from her book, Wealthopia Generation, a sequel of From Passion to Profit which she is launching in May. She hopes that her article below as well as her new book help women as well as young entrepreneurs all over the world to find their niche in the corporate world.

For more tips about women, entrepreneurship, and leadership, you may read Mary Angela’s book, The Wealthopia Generation that will be released by May 2021.

For webinars, travel lectures, and coaching. You can reach Mary here: http://linkedin.com/in/englishwithmarymoore

HOW TO SUCCEED IN A MALE DOMINATED WORLD FROM WEALTHOPIA GENERATION

BY MARY ANGELA MOORE PROOFREAD BY DAVID L. PENNSYLVANIA In a democratic world, to succeed in a male dominated world is not as challenging as others may think it is.

Only if women are aware that they are equal and complementary in their diversity. If both genders cooperate and complement each other the chances of success is maximized.

Thus, women imitating the attributes of men are less likely to receive help from them. By nature, men are born with an instinct to help the opposite sex. They love to help women. It is all up to the woman to bring it out in the man. This principle applies even beyond business relationships.

Statistics show that only 11% of start-up businesses have female founders or CEOs. Out of that 11%, only 0.1% manage a global business.

Given the statistics, women in the corporate ladder or globally competitive businesses are still under represented.

How to succeed in this male-dominated world of business is nothing but basically having HIGH SELF ESTEEM. Self esteem is seen as a character trait that makes a woman stable, enduring, and wise.

The following are tips on how to succeed in a male-dominated world:

YOURSELF 1.EQUIP PROFESSIONALLY With the shift of paradigm in the marketplace where less muscles but more brains and hearts are needed, women with proper intellectual prepa-

ration and with a track record found their way to the corporate or business ladder easier than the others.

Success is reachable as long as women equip themselves with a complete knowledge about their work, PLUS the following life or professional skills: Problem-solving, Coding, Critical and Analytical Thinking, Powerful Communication skills, Ethics, and Accountability.

AN AUTHENTIC 2. BEWOMAN According to Mathew Boggs, author of “Cracking the Man Code,” men respect women who do not try to compete with their masculinity but women who are authentically women themselves.

This doesn’t mean playing dumb in the negotiation table but being smart in a feminine way. Be soft but firm. Be gentle but sharp. Be graceful but principled.

Be polite but stand your ground.

Be dependable yet, still a WOMAN.

RESPECT 3. YOURSELF Confucius said,”Respect yourself and others will respect you. Self-respect is the respect you have for yourself, while ego is your understanding of your own importance. As such, men respect women who respect themselves, while they dislike women who are egoistic. This works both ways.

When Women respect themselves they set high standards for themselves, and they make right choices. They are confident, calm and charming. In contrast, when women lack self-respect, they compromise their values, and it leaves a crack to their personality which may hinder good business relationships.

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ALL THE QUEEN’S MEN New York, NY – March 25, 2021 BET

T H G I L T SPO

Created by Keyes,“All The Queen’s Men” is one of the first shows from Tyler Perry Studios’ scripted development arm, Pitch Black Development LLC, Headed by the studio’s President of Production & Development, Michelle Sneed.The series receives an unprecedented episode order increase by BET+ from eight half-hour episodes to ten one-hour episodes with additional filming set to begin later this month at Tyler Perry Studios.

Catch the latest episodes of your favorite TV Shows

THE CHALLENGE: ALL STARS April 1, 2021 PARAMOUNT+

Hosted by TJ Lavin, THE CHALLENGE: ALL STARS will follow competitors as they face unprecedented, over-the-top challenges set in the Andes Mountains of Argentina.

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DARK HUMOR February 1 2021 Comedy Central YouTube

THAT GIRL LAY LAY March 18, 2021 Nickelodeon

LET THE RIGHT ONE IN March 15, 2021 SHOWTIME

“Dark Humor” is directed by Sacha Jenkins and was co-produced with Mass Appeal. Producers for Comedy Central are Justina Quagliata and Lauren Blassingame. Gabriella Yacyk is the Executive in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.

Created by David A. Arnold (Side Hustle, Fuller House, Bigger), That Girl Lay Lay follows Lay Lay (That Girl Lay Lay), an avatar from a personal affirmation app that magically comes to life, and her best friend Sadie as they navigate life as teenagers and discover who they truly are.

“The series is both a love letter to the original film, and a story entirely our own,” said Hinderaker. “And casting a true artist like Demián epitomizes our bold aspiration to be one of the most terrifying shows on TV, and one of the most moving.”

CMT CROSSROADS March 26th CMT

MACGYVER APRIL 9 CBS

NASHVILLE -- (March 16) -- Acclaimed musician Nathaniel Rateliff, backed by longtime band The Nights Sweats, and country singer-songwriter Margo Price team up for the newest installment of critically-acclaimed series, “CMT Crossroads,” premiering Friday, March 26th at 10PM ET/PT on CMT. This marks the first appearance for both artists on the celebrated Crossroads stage, which resumes production for the first time since Halsey & Kelsea Ballerini’s episode premiered in March 2020.

While Mac and the team delve into the world of Italian car culture in order to track down a crime boss-in-hiding, Mac must lean on Desi when he discovers that he losing the ability to control his hands. Also, Mac and Desi move in together and Riley reveals the truth about her secret team of hackers to Russ, on MACGYVER, Friday, April 9 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS Ryan stiles

Executive Producer/ Comedian Nickelodeon WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? BIRTHDAY

KUNG FU Wednesdays (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) The CW Christina M. Kim wrote the pilot episode and serves as executive producer/co-showrunner of the series with Robert Berens. Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Martin Gero and David Madden also serve as executive producers.

Hanelle Culpepper is directing and co-executive producing the pilot episode.

KUNG FU is produced by Berlanti Productions and Quinn’s House in association with Warner Bros. Television and is inspired by the original series created

by Ed Spielman.

April 22 Stiles began his comedy career as a teenager, performing stand-up routines at small comedy clubs near his home in Vancouver, British Columbia.

At age 17, he dropped out of high school to pursue standup comedy full-time.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 19

Photo Credit: Michael Schwartz/CBS ©2021 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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MEGAN THEE STALLION RECEIVES 4 GRAMMY NOMINATIONS for Best New Artist Record of the Year, Best Rap Performance & Best Rap Song In the wake of releasing her critically acclaimed debut album, Good News, Megan Thee Stallion has received 4 GRAMMY nominations: Best New Artist, Record of the Year ("Savage Remix"), Best Rap Performance ("Savage Remix") and Best Rap Song ("Savage Remix"). Megan has also been honored as Apple Music’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year and received Best Rap/Hip Hop song for ‘WAP’ with Cardi B at this year’s AMAs, where she gave her first electrifying performance of ‘Body’.

Since its release, Good News has reached #1 in 12 countries, and occupies #1 album on Apple Music’s Top 100: USA, as well as #1 track with ‘Body’. Notwithstanding, Good News has earned the second biggest debut for a rap album on Spotify at 6.9m streams. As well as fans everywhere taking on the ‘Body’ choreography challenge, Good News has been receiving outstanding reviews globally.

These accolades follow Megan’s five BET Awards, including Hip Hop Artist Of The Year as well as an MTV VMA Award for ‘Savage’, GQ’s Rapper of the Year and an honor by TIME in the TIME100, its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 21

The 78th Annual

Golden Globe

Awards

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Photos by: NBC HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 23

AL HIRSCHFELD FOUNDATION presents "AMPLIFIED DIGNITY," online exhibition celebrating

BLACK HISTORY

T

he Al Hirschfeld Foundation celebrates Black History with its latest online exhibition, Amplified Dignity: Black Dancers Drawn by Hirschfeld. Now live at AlHirschfeldFoundation.org/exhibitions though March 13, the exhibition features Hirschfeld's reflections of legendary 20th Century artists including Sammy Davis Jr., Josephine Baker, Nicholas Brothers, Bunny Briggs, Judith Jamison, Hinton Battle, Maurice Hines, and Honi Coles.

the 2020 Apple Awards. A special episode dedicated to the works featured Amplified Dignity: Black Dancers Drawn by Hirschfeld will be available starting February 2, 2021 from AlHirschfeldFoundation.org/podcasts, iTunes and other popular podcast sites.

"To be rendered by Hirschfeld is to be immortalized in the fraternity of American popular art," says dance educator, choreographer and dramaturg Melanie George, who has curated Amplified Dignity. "These drawings encapsulate a history of individual and collective opportunity and excellence, as well as disenfranchisement and marginalization. The exhibit contains a mix of well and lesser-known artists, and nameless groups of dancers, who have contributed to the history of dance in America. The images demonstrate reverence for the people and art of New York, especially during the Harlem Renaissance era. The intent is to place these dancers at the center of the cannon, not on the margins. A rightful place, as the foundation and evolution of dance in America is intertwined and indebted to innovation and performances by Black people in America."

Amplified Dignity is the latest exhibition in The Al Hirschfeld Foundation's Black Art Matters series. Having launched last summer with Lost in the Stars: Black Theater Makers Drawn

By Hirschfeld, upcoming exhibits in the series will celebrate black film artists and musicians, and the 80th anniversary of the artist's iconic representations of the African-American experience in the 1930's Harlem As Seen By Hirschfeld., Go behind the lines of Hirschfeld's art with "The Hirschfeld Century Podcast," nominated as "Best NYC podcast" by

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Self Portrait, 1985 © The Al Hirschfeld Foundation. All rights reserved. www.AlHirschfeldFoundation.org. Press contact: Keith Sherman & Associates info@ksa-pr.com 212.764.7900

Judith Jamison in Echo: Far From Home, 1998 © The Al Hirschfeld Foundation. All rights reserved. www.AlHirschfeldFoundation.org. Press contact: Keith Sherman & Associates info@ksa-pr.com 212.764.7900

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ABOUT CURATOR MELANIE GEORGE

ABOUT THE AL HIRSCHFELD FOUNDATION

Melanie George is a dance educator, choreographer, scholar, and dramaturg. She is the founder and director of Jazz Is... Dance Project and an Associate Curator and Scholar-In-Residence at Jacob's Pillow. As a dramaturg, she has contributed to projects

by David Neumann & Marcella Murray (on the Obie Award winning Distances Smaller Than This Are Not Confirmed), Raja Feather Kelly, Ephrat Asherie, Susan Marshall & Company, Machine Dazzle, and Urban Bush Women among others. A highly sought after teacher and choreographer of the neo-jazz aesthetic, Melanie is a featured in the documentary UpRooted: The Journey of Jazz, Dance. Melanie has presented her research on jazz improvisation and pedagogy throughout the U.S., in Canada and Scotland, and founded the global advocacy website jazzdancedirect.com. She is the former Dance Program Director at American University, and has guest lectured at Harvard University, the Yale School of Drama, and The Juilliard School, among others.

The mission of the Al Hirschfeld Foundation is to promote interest in the theater and visual arts by supporting non-profit museums, libraries, theaters and similar cultural institutions.

The Foundation fulfills its mission through grants and exhibitions of Hirschfeld's art . The Foundation maintains an extensive collection of Hirschfeld artworks and lends and/ or donates pieces to institutions all over the world. Another primary mission is arts education, which the Foundation does primarily with the Hirschfeld Arts Curriculum. Created in conjunction with the New York City Board of Education, The Hirschfeld Arts Curriculum is an innovative visual/ performing arts education program based on Hirschfeld's art to engage students K through 12 in a variety of arts activities. Our programs encourage writing, reading, researching, observing, movement and performance to learn about the arts, its history, and the opportunities for education and employment in the arts field. The web based Al Hirschfeld curriculum is easy to use, and is intended to be a free resource for teachers and students. www.AlHirschfeldFoundation.org

Sammy Davis Jr in Stop the World I Want to Get Off, 1978 © The Al Hirschfeld Foundation. All rights reserved. www.AlHirschfeldFoundation.org.

Press contact: Keith Sherman & Associates info@ksa-pr.com 212.764.7900 26 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 28

ABOUT THE ARTIST Al Hirschfeld's drawings stand as one of the most innovative efforts in establishing the visual language of modern art through caricature in the 20th century. A self-described "characterist," his signature work, defined by a linear calligraphic style, appeared in virtually every major publication of the last nine decades (including a 75-year relationship with The New York Times) as well as numerous book and record covers and 15 postage stamps.

Hirschfeld said his contribution was to take the character, created by the playwright and portrayed by the actor, and reinvent it for the reader. Playwright Terrence McNally wrote: "No one 'writes' more accurately of the performing arts than Al Hirschfeld. He accomplishes on a blank page with his pen and ink in a few strokes what many of us need a lifetime of words to say."

In 1945, Hirschfeld celebrated the birth of his daughter Nina by placing her name in the background of a drawing. What the artist described as an innocent prank soon became a personal trademark and national obsession, as he began hiding numerous NINA's throughout his drawings for years to come.

He is represented in many public collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the National Portrait Gallery, and Harvard's Theater Collection. Hirschfeld authored several books including Manhattan Oases and Show Business is No Business in addition to 10 collections of his work. He was declared a Living Landmark by the New York City Landmarks Commission in 1996, and a Living Legend by The Library of Congress in 2000. Just before his death in January 2003, he learned he was to be awarded the Medal of Arts from the National Endowment of the Arts and inducted into the Academy of Arts and Letters. The winner of two Tony Awards, he was given the ultimate Broadway accolade on what would have been his 100th birthday in June 2003. The Martin Beck Theater was renamed the Al Hirschfeld Theater.

Whoopi Goldberg in Whoopi Goldberg, 1984

Bunny Briggs in Black and Blue, 1989

© The Al Hirschfeld Foundation. All rights reserved. www.AlHirschfeldFoundation.org.

Press contact: Keith Sherman & Associates info@ksa-pr.com 212.764.7900 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 27 29

MATT DAMON’S PACIFIC PALISADES MANSION!

For the first time in decades, Matt Damon will be making a move without his best friend, Ben Affleck. They moved their families together to Los Angeles’ Pacific Palisades - even on the same street - back in 2012. Matt and wife, Luciana, purchased their luxurious home for $15 million, and have now put it on the market for $21 million.

This time it appears Affleck will be staying in Los Angeles to be near his three children while the Damon home goes on the market and the family moves to their six-bedroom penthouse at the Standish in Brooklyn Heights, New York, which they purchased in 2018 for a record-breaking $16.745 million. This may be the first time so many miles have separated the two best buddies since their school days.

The Damons have excellent taste in homes from their stunning Spanish-style Miami Beach home, which they sold to move to California, to the magnificent contemporary now for sale, the Damons have been living in tropical climates with lush year-round landscaping and a 365-day, indoor-outdoor lifestyle.

Their current 13,508-square-foot home has seven bedrooms and 10 baths, inside a private-gated entry. The home’s focus is the center atrium soaring to 35 feet with mahogany ceilings and light pouring in through clerestory windows branching out to the open-plan living. California-style formal rooms open seamlessly via movable glass walls allowing for vanishing thresholds between living and landscape. The house contains a chef ’s kitchen in mahogany with bluestone countertops, the master suite has its own private terrace, dual dressing rooms, massage room and bath. Also included is a game room, bar office, staff quarters, wine storage and tasting room, and a media room. Outside is a pool, spa, children’s play area, a waterfall, koi pond and Hawaiian-style covered lanai for dining and lounging among tropical plantings.

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When it comes to celebrities, Pacific Palisades has turned into the 21st-century Hollywood when it comes to where they choose to live. Its huge population of film industry, sports and music stars practically guarantee rubbing elbows with several when shopping at Palisades Village. A few include Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Billy Crystal, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, John Goodman, Steven Spielberg, Kate Hudson and Diane Keaton, who might be checking out paint colors for her next house flip.

Photo by Kelvin Bullock

Damon’s filming activities experienced a pause with the advent of the pandemic, but his latest film, The Last Duel, which was filmed in France and Ireland and is about a 14th-century fight to the death, will be released in October. He and his cohort-in-film, Ben Affleck, appear together once again in the movie. The two also co-wrote the screenplay and were the producers.

The listing agent for the Damon home is Eric Haskell of The Agency, Beverly Hills.

Photo credit: Alexis Adams • Source:TopTenRealEstateDeals.com HOLLYWOOD HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY WEEKLY •• 29 31

Diary Lunatic OF A

S Y L K E ’ S

“D

iary of a Lunatic: Sylke’s Tale’s” written and directed

by Greg Robbins follows a group of young adults trying to save their universe, one writing at a time. I appreciated this short series for many of its unusual yet unique choices and elements. To start, the diversity in the cast of this show was remarkable.

Recent stories have been flying in the media about lack of People of Color in top-ranking films and TV shows. I commend the writer for his choice of cast and non-stereotypical role choices.

Many shows these days tend to take this tasteless road of stereotyping actors on how they should act based upon sexuality, skin color, etc. The storyline of this show can be hard to grasp at first so I urge all audiences to pay close attention to details such as symbols, language, and character development. The character MaHa is one of the main protagonists in this show. MaHas's character is very unique as she tends to be wise and also unsure of her greatness. I appreciated

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the variety of story lines that happened in this show because it provided a bit of realism. Grace is a character that I enjoyed as she was portrayed to be very young and innocent while still being the most powerful woman in the room. We have all seen the fairy tales where the princess needs the prince to save her but in Diary of a Lunatic, the people save themselves. This show gives a refreshing take on mystery and magic all while intertwining it into different worlds full of villains and darkness. There were many twists and turns in this show as each episode led into the next and almost all ended on a cliffhanger. I believe that this show had lots of great detail. Shows like this typically tend to lack big pieces of a plot line but for this series, that was not the case. I can tell by watching this that the director had a clear idea of what he wanted to see on the big screen. It was refreshing to be able to understand the details as a viewer because this show allowed me to not only question my ideas for the plots but also understand from other perspectives

T A L E

By Elyce Hastings

from the comfort of my own home. I have not seen many of the actors in this series anywhere else before so it was very interesting to see new acting styles unfold before my eyes. This show is unlike many others that I have seen.

It was hard to relate it to multiple plot lines, even ones that may have shared similarities. I would highly suggest this series to anyone who enjoys the idea of fantasy over reality. I would love to see this series progress into more episodes that introduce new and intriguing characters. If you find yourself in hard times and need to escape for a bit, try out “Diary of a Lunatic: Sylke’s Tale’s.”

After long research and studying of this marvelous series, I took it upon myself to interview some of the key characters and actors that helped develop the unique storyline and plot to this artistic, unique story. The first lovely woman I had the pleasure of interviewing is Melody Nardone who played the character “MAHA”

Q&A W I T H Melody Nardone

EH: Why did you want to be involved in this production?

MN: It was truly divine intervention. I received a call from Larry Saunders asking if I was interested in doing a screen test for this series. I didn't even know what a screen test entailed. He went on to mention that Kimberly Eastwood who is Clint Eastwood's daughter is the executive producer. I was floored to know this and instantly wanted to be part of this TV series. It was even better when they asked if my daughter, Amber Vanderbush wanted to take part in this.

How could I say, "no?" Greg Robbins, the director saw something in me that I didn't even know existed. I trusted in that.

MH: The experience alone was worth it.

To work with this talented cast and crew, was worth it. To have it on Amazon Prime, is worth it. To be featured on the back of a bus, is worth it. To be here, doing this interview is worth it. To have worked with acting coach, Josie Divincenzo, worth it. For an opportunity to be a lead in a TV series, was worth it.

Alongside MaHa, there were many other amazing actors and actresses that made the characters they played truly come alive.

When speaking with Yancy Butler who played “Clarissa”(MAHA’s evil alter ego), I got to know a bit more about the true meaning behind this series. Yancy highlighted that this story is “unlike anything or any other story” that has been done. “This story is about different journeys and respecting each other’s choices”. When asked about the chemistry on screen between cast members, Yancy stated that they all were “nothing but welcoming, as we have all never worked together”. I found that this was a very interesting fact to know as the chemistry on screen is clearly very natural for everyone. This aspect made the tale just that much more desirable to watch.

EH: What made this role one worth having?

EH: Do you believe that you are similar to your character, if so, how?

TW: Trew and I are similar in the way we want to support and cheer on other people.

EH: What do you think people can walk away with after watching and understanding this story?

TW: I think this story is much like life trying to figure it out as you go along. It's not always clear when you are going through it, but then you look back and it all makes sense. I also appreciate the themes of goodness, and the importance of helping each other out, sticking up for one another, and encouraging each other to be our best.

EH: What’s going to surprise people about this show?

TW: It's not all spelled out for you. You have to come along for the ride, and watch it unfold.

EH: What’s going to surprise people about this show?

MH: It truly is a sci-fi/ fantasy mixed with some intense stunts. The stunts will surprise you!

EH: What do you think people can walk away with after watching and understanding this story?

MH: I truly feel like this film empowers you. You hold the pen to dictate your life.

You always have a choice no matter what your situation is. Here's the pen, how will you write your story?

Q&A W I T H Tracy Wilson

Tracy Wilson who plays “Trew” in the series gave us some insight on the similarities between her and her character. Tracy also ex pressed her overall appreciation for the cast and crew that made this on-screen experience special.

Muse Watson gave us an insight to his character of “creator of all worlds”. It is important to note that this character was played by Watson as his first on screen character since his former well received performance as “Mike Franks” on the CBS television series NCIS. When asked about the benefits of playing his character, Watson answered “playing the creator of all worlds was very fun, when I read his opening monologue “I was hooked”.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 31

Q&A W I T H Cynthia Rothrock

I got the chance to speak with Cynthia Rothrock. Cynthia is best known as her character “Mrs. CLOUDOVER” Mrs. Cloudover plays the mother of one of the main characters whose evil alter ego takes EH: What’s the biggest challenge about taking on your role?

CR: This role was a fun role for me to play.

The biggest challenge was playing a dual role.

The same thing is what attracted me to part. .

EH: What made this role one worth having?

CR: The role was fun for me to do. I always played a tough fighter and now I was playing a quirky mom possessed by a mean spirit.

She was suppose to change looks from the crazy mom to the good mom, but we only see the crazy looking mom side...But it was worth it to play Mrs. Cloudover when the spirit left her body.

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EH: Why did you want to be involved in this production?

CR: When the director contacted me he said it would be a fun role...A sci-fi film... With quirky characters. My character played two parts... One bad/ and one good. I loved the thought of playing a dual role. Unfortunately, more of the bad side shows up...We ran out of time and had to cut the good character scenes out to just a shortened version. You never got to see me look like the good side...But it worked and that is the magic of filming. I thought it was totally different from the past roles and loved the idea of going back to NY. EH: What do you think people can walk away with after watching and understanding this story?

CR: They will walk away being completely entertained, see some great fight actions, and as always good always wins over the bad.

Along with Greg, Maha Guemei is one of the key elements to this project as she is not only the co- creator, but also the exec producer words. Talking” is his attitude, and who wouldn’t if that is all he asks in return?

EH: Do you believe that you are similar to your character, if so, how?

MG: I was meant to play myself in our first production TREW’S CALLING and again in this TV series SYLKE’S TALES, but each time personal issues and health issues prevented me from doing so.

And both, Tracey B. Wilson as TREW and Melody Nardone as MAHA paint a perfect picture of me and my reactions to and the experiences of God talking to and teasing, testing and impressing an intelligent, independent, nonreligious woman who wants nothing to do with him. True to life is also that God never tries to shove TREW or MAHA into a religious belief corner, and that he is neither deterred by their cussing nor their disbelief in his words. “All is fine as long as we keep talking” is his attitude, and who wouldn’t if that is all he ask in return?

Lastly, I got the amazing opportunity to interview the film's very own director himself, Greg Robbins. Greg Robbins spoke to me about the true creative process behind this detailed series and who exactly he pulls inspiration from when bringing the big stories, to your very own screens at home.

Q&A W I TH Greg Robbins

EH: What, in your opinion, is the most important quality in a film director?

GR: Teaming up with actors to tell a story and bring emotions to the surface that take an audience on a journey.

EH: Regarding the creative process, how did yours come about? How did you come up with this idea?

GR: This is a collaboration between myself and Maha Guemei. We create ideas together and then I write dialogue and bring it back to her and we work from there.

EH: Tell me a bit about how it was to work with the cast.

GR: I have worked with most of the cast before as I like surrounding myself with good people. Being a good person is as important to me as having talent.

EH: What do you hope to do in the new future with your talents?

GR: To continue telling stories that enhance life EH: What audience do you believe that this series is targeted towards most?

GR: We are learning that gamers, people that are into comic books and fantasy’s of all ages like this show EH: Who is your favorite film director and what inspires you most about them/ their work?

GR: I love the work of Clint Eastwood, Frank Gapra and Peıer Berg, they are different styles of directors but they seem to pour the heart and soul into the stories they tell.

EH: I noticed on your IMDB, you quote “When you're a nobody making a living as a filmmaker is kind of like clawing on the inside of a coªm”. Can you please explain a little more about this concept of “clawing on the inside of a coªm” and how do you overcome it?

GR: Everyday is a struggle when you are a nobody in this business, trying to get stories told without the proper tools starting with funding. I don’t care about how much money I make, I'm talking about being able to take our time and do things the correct way. You never overcome it, you just keep moving forward and learn to make solid products with what you have and you try and get better faster. I just want to tell stories that makes people feel good and maybe that feeling will help their day.

Many of the actors in this series had nothing but raving compliments regarding production and overall outcome. Diary of a Lunatic: Sylke’s Tale is unlike anything you will ever watch.

From cast, to crew, to themes, this show stands out. Fantasy, magic, and the ultimate truth of friendship is what this show is all about. Empowerment tends to be an ongoing theme within this series as the pen is what ultimately dictates people’s futures. Melody Nardone chimed in on this take with her stating “I truly feel like this TV series will empower you. You hold the pen to dictate your life. You always have a choice no matter what your situation is. Here's the pen, how will you write your story?”. I found this to be a very interesting aspect of the show as such a simple object, had the power to hold so much story and truth in many different ways, for many different characters. The color pallet of this show is notably something that stood out to me as a viewer. Many of the emotions from each character is translated through the use of colors that set the scene. The darker colors indicated fear, loss, and defeat. The brighter colors were used to help show enjoyment, happiness, and even admiration or love. I urge all audiences to be mindful of this special detail while watching.

The character development was very clear while watching this show. “MAHA” is a character that I grew into finding herself above all else. It was fantastic to see how all characters including her, grew into finding their voice throughout each episode. Underlying themes such as this one make for excellent on-screen art.

GREG ROBBINS is a very talented director who puts all of his energy into his work. Diary of a Lunatic: Sylke’s Tale is a perfect example of this. I would suggest this show to anyone who finds comfort in watching fantasy mixed with realistic challenges on screen. Each character is uniquely developed and therefore can relate to anyone watching. I would only hope that Greg Robbins continues to pursue his passion through film as his work is clearly one worth watching overtime. I look forward to having the pleasure of viewing many of his future projects as I believe that they will be just as special, if not more.

Photos courtesy of Greg Robbins, Jim Breidenstein and Monika Zanni

Diary OF A Lunatic Check it out now on Prime Video!

www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B08XJLP91D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 33

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216 S. BEVERLY DR 6333 W. 3RD ST. 12100 1/2 VENTURA 370 N. FAIRFAX 226 N. LARCHMONT 900 N. BROADWAY B 1140 HIGHLAND AVE 19344 WYANDOTTE S 10597 W. PICO BLV 11203 NATIONAL BL 1652 N CAHUENGA B 18001 VENTURA BLV 23717 1/2 MALIBU 716 N. FAIRFAX 21900 VENTURA BLV 215 N. EUCLID AVE 333 S. HOPE STREE 515 S. FLOWER 8701 ALDEN DR. 215 BROADWAY 630 WILSHIRE BLVD 6330 W. 3RD ST. 8253 W. 3RD ST. 303 N. CRESCENT D 7300 BEVERLY BLVD 225 26TH STREET 1929 MAIN STREET 3240 CAHUENGA BLV 10570 RIVERSIDE D 8755 W. 3RD STREE 433 N. ROXBURY DR 1925 CENTURY PARK 2701 BELDEN DR. 10833 WILSHIRE BL JULIANA SEVERO / 9909 JEFFERSON BL 10201 W. PICO BLV 10201 W. PICO BLV 3500 W OLIVE AVE 100 UNIVERSAL CIT MORNING SHOW ATTN 8230 SANTA MONICA 4001 SUNSET BLVD. 8361 BEVERLY BLVD 11737 SAN VICENTE

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