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Showdown: Mark Dacascos talks 'Manilla'...

3rd July 2015

With filming finished on 'Showdown in Manilla', Mike Leeder sits down with legendary martial artist Mark Dacascos to discuss his directorial debut and what comes next...

Mark Dacascos talks Showdown in Manilla - exclusive

Mark Dacascos has carved quite the career, from epic adventures like Crying Freeman, Brotherhood of the Wolf and Nomad, through martial arts classics Drive and Only The Strong, battling Jet Li in Cradle to the Grave, the little dragon in Legend of Bruce Lee, making the role of Eric Draven his own in The Crow: Stairway to Heaven tv series, battling McGarrett and his team on Hawaii Five'0 and playing the American version of the Iron Chef.  He even survived working with Mike Leeder on the upcoming Ultimate Justice. Mike caught up with Mark for the following exclusive  'skipchat' about his latest project Showdown in Manilla and what the future holds....

Mike Leeder: Congratulations on completing the shooting of Showdown in Manilla.

Mark Dacascos: Thank you, 'Big Mike'! I appreciate it. And thank you for this interview. Before we get on, I’d like to thank our producer, Alexander Nevsky, for his support, and for giving me this incredible opportunity, my directorial-debut. Another thank you to our Director of Photography, Rudy Harbon, for his patience, passion, beautiful images, and for keeping me on track. And “Salamat” to Chris Santiago and his production team for helping us make it happen.

How would you describe the experience?

I had an amazing time directing Showdown In Manila. The process was extremely challenging, often frustrating... as I expected it would be, especially for a first-time director. But being back in the Philippines for the fifth time, working with some of my friends and colleagues from other projects and meeting new and talented people, was an absolute joy. On multiple levels 'SIM' was a very rewarding experience.

How did it feel to be behind the camera this time and do you think that being an actor also gives you some insight into directing, and the other way round? How did you find directing other actors and will we be seeing more projects where you are behind the camera?

I felt comfortable behind the camera. The progression from actor to director felt natural; my personal evolution. If felt good.Working as an actor certainly gave me insight into how to communicate with other actors. I understand the language and terminology many actors use, and that each actor is different and unique. I enjoyed the process and discovery of how to work with each artist. And yes, I do intend to direct again and am currently developing a few projects; one of them is with Capoeira Mestre Amen Santo. We worked together on the movie Only the Strong. We’re developing an original story (NOT a sequel to OTS) which we’ll produce. Mestre Amen will be in charge of all things Capoeira and play one of the lead roles. I’ll act and direct. And yes, we will have “real” Capoeiristas in the movie; a lot of them!

Mark Dacascos talks Showdown in Manilla - exclusiveWas there anything problematic during the shoot that you weren't expecting?

We certainly had challenges, but most of them were expected. We knew we were very ambitious in wanting to make an “action-movie” on a “low-budget,” with only two weeks of pre-production and three weeks of “on location” principal photography. To try to do a lot, in a very short amount of time, and with very limited resources, comes with inherent obstacles. In addition, but typical of a movie shoot, was equipment failure, scheduling issues, and logistical complications.But what we had going for us on and behind the camera was an abundance of talent, ability, experience, creativity, positivity and the desire to make the best movie we could. Our cast and crew bonded and we never gave in. We gave it our all.

How did you find working with so many cast and in a limited time frame? Did any of the cast really surprise you?

We had a fantastic international and eclectic cast; actors and action-stars from the US, Russia, and the Philippines. Everyday was intense, but fun. All of the actors came to set well prepared, had great attitudes, and were open and willing to “play.” We collaborated. Tried ideas, theirs and mine. I encouraged them to improvise if it felt right; better to try it, have it, and not use it if it didn’t work, than the opposite. It was a joy and honor to work with our cast. I was pleasantly surprised at how much our cast enjoyed cracking jokes off-camera. They all had a great sense of humor and brought that and their humanity to their roles. I’m hoping you and your readers will enjoy the relationships they created between their “on screen” characters. They all did great! Just great!

How did Alexander and some of the cast find working in the Far East?

I would encourage you to ask Alex directly, but he seemed happy to be there, and thrilled to be making a movie with so many of his friends. He took a huge chance, because unless I’m mistaken, he’d never even been to Southeast Asia before. And we shot in the rain forest! It’s a bit different from his surroundings in LA and Moscow. Casper and Cynthia stayed a few extra days after they wrapped and flew with us to finish our filming on the pristine island of Palawan. I think they loved it. I certainly did.

How did you find working with your father as part of the action team?

It was an honor, pleasure, and blessing to work with my father, Al Dacascos! We’ve wanted to work together for a very long time and it finally happened. I hope to work with him again. A good friend of mine and fellow student of my father, Sonny Sison, was one of our Stunt-Coordinators and Second Unit Director. He was invaluable in helping with the action. He’s a big talent and an excellent friend. And in regards to the action in our movie; there were no stunt-doubles used for our actors. All actors performed their own stunts and did their own fights.

Are you now looking forward to post-production?

I just finished my “director’s cut” with our talented editor, Steve Adrianson. I like it a lot. Yes, I am excited about the rest of post-production and look forward to the other elements coming together and enhancing our film.

And finally, what can you tell us the audience about what we have to look forward to with the project?

Our movie has diverse types of action, humor, humanity, and “sexy”, all in an exotic land with charismatic actors and action-stars. I’m not sure how much the distributed movie will change from my “director’s cut”, but regardless, I’m excited for you to see it. So thank you, readers, and thank you, 'Big Mike'. Aloha!

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Showdown In Manilla's cast includes the likes of  Alexander Nevsky, Casper Van Dien, Tia Carrere, Cynthia Rothrock, Cary Tagawa, Matthias Hues, Don “The Dragon” Wilson, Olivier Gruner, Dmitry Dyuzhev, Iza Calzado, Jake Macapangal, Hazel Faith and we'll continue to cover the film through its post-production...

 

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