KUMITE Is Happening!
This puts rest to all the rumors of KUMITE not happening. This was also posted in another thread as well:
Jean Claude Van Damme
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER
September 2004
_______________________
NEW UPDATE ON KUMITE FROM JCVD
The 2005 drama ³KUMITE² fight story will be made with my very best
effort... not to just reach the heart of the people, but also the heart
of the warrior...
The movie will have the feel of an old-fashioned action / love story
with something very edgy and extremely dangerous. It will take
uncommon fighting techniques to win the 2005 Kumite and that is
exactly what you will see.
HOW DO YOU BECOME A STAR?
Everywhere I go with JCVD he is always being given head shots, demo
reels, photos etc. Then the question always comes up: How do I get in
the movies and be the next Action Star like Jean Claude?
He is usually very busy and doesn¹t have the time to really give a good
answer. We figured because we have the inside track with him, and if
anyone should get this information from him, it should be his loyal
fans. So, that is exactly what we did * we sat him down and asked him
to
go through with us in detail just what he suggests.
The first thing he suggests is that unless you like rejection, find
another business to get into, because in this business it is all about
rejection, no matter how far up the pole you get.
A friend of mine who knew Kirk Douglas (who is one of my favorite
actors
of all times especially in Spartacus) said he asked Kirk Douglas the
same question once.
He said, ³Hollywood and becoming a star is kind of like being in a long
line. When you get to the front, you have made it in Hollywood. The
only
problem is that you just never know where you are in the line. Your
turn
could be next or you may have to wait another 5 years.²
In saying that, here are Jean Claude's ten suggestions for his loyal
fans:
1. Get a very good head shot done of yourself by a pro.
2. Prepare a demo reel of yourself showing what it is that you do
better then most other people - whether it's kicking, stretching,
weights
or acting.
3. A big mistake is that everyone tries to show how good their
martial arts skills are... but, what directors and producers really
want to
see is your acting ability.
4. If you are not taking acting lessons, start right away. You
can never get enough practice. I am very lucky because I have had
great directors like Ringo Lam who was also a great teacher of acting.
He really knew how to draw the character out of you. He is a fabulous
director.
5. You need to live in Hollywood, and you must realize that no one is
going to come and make you a star. You must be prepared to keep going
and keep knocking on doors, even when it seems that no one is listening
to you. They are. They just may not have work for your type of
character right now, so you need to keep reminding them that you are
ready and better now then the last time they'd seen you.
6. Hollywood is a lot about being lucky. You must be in the right
place, at the right time, and know the right people.
7. Networking and meeting as many people as possible is also very
important,
as you never know when someone you meet may be the next big time
director or producer.
8. One of the most important things is that you must be able to work
hard. When the opportunity comes... and it will... you better be ready
to
seize that opportunity and go for it. Many of you know that story of
me meeting Menahem Golan. Well, just imagine if I had not impressed him
when I got the chance? Where would I be today? God only knows.
9. One of the most difficult things you need develop is charisma. To
be very honest with you, you either have it, or you don¹t. I have
no idea on how to develop it. I am blessed, for as they say, I have it.
10. The tenth is the most important, and the easiest, but yet the
hardest:
³just never, ever give up.² The roads to Hollywood go two ways: into
town and out of town. Both roads are jammed full all the time. They
are
filled with dreams and sadness. Hollywood can be a terrible place and
it can also be a fabulous place. It is all in how you deal with
rejection. I choose not to acknowledge its existence.
I wish you all the very best of luck and please keep sending in those
head shots to me and your reels I am looking all the time for someone
to take my place. I want to help people get into the business, if
they've
"got it".
Remember this, though, if I am looking for a good-looking blonde
with a great body to play the lead in my movie and you are a guy 5¹11²
built like a hulk you're not going to get the part. It is just that
way.
*****************
KUMITE CASTING CALL
"KUMITE" starring Jean Claude Van Damme
Open Casting Call
Sunday, September 12th @ 1:00 p.m.
at Rising Sun Productions
628 N. Doheny Dr.
Los Angeles, California
1-310-248-3633 or email us <donrw@earthlink.net>
Call to make a reservation for your time and spot.
Bring your uniform and be prepared to do a 2 minute demo or show us a
reel of yourself.
"Jean Claude" and fight co-ordinator "Peter Molota" will be here
personally and they are searching for this final person for the film.
The person we are trying to find is Asian, about 5'9" and up. He must
be 175 lbs and up.
He must be flexible and in good shape with excellent martial arts
skills. 25 to 35 years of age. Acting ability is a plus.
Until next time,
--
Webmaster,
The Official Jean Claude Van Damme Website
http://www.jeanclaudevandamme.net
