Hunter X Cast and Crew BIG interviews
Hunter X is a feature length independent film about a killer searching for purpose as he fights to survive. There will be blood!
Hunter X is an indie film written and being directed by Jared Brock. It’s a mash up of horror, thriller, and mystery story telling. It’s dark, it’s brutal, but most importantly it’s intense.
Hunter X is the story of a vigilante serial killer who is put to the ultimate test by a Hunter from a secret society of assassins known as the Manus Vindicti. X is invited to join their ranks – if he can survive being stalked for six days. It turns into a macabre cat and mouse game as X is toyed with by a more sophisticated killer.
When X is out of his mask he assumes the most ordinary life imaginable He must blend into the crowd to keep his dark secret hidden. One girl may make all the difference however, as he questions the life he leads. But once someone knows his secret he’ll go to any length to keep them silent.
The film is in post production and is planned to be finished by some time in Sept 2014.
In our first look here we have access to several people from the film “Hunter X”.
Jared Brock: Writer/ Director
Dann Lydon: Lead Actor Plays X
Edwin Millheim: Action Stunt Fight Coordinator and also plays the Council Leader.
Marja Murawski: Apprentice Action Stunt Fight Coordinator and plays Alice Possible love interest for X in the film.
Andrew Bistak : How did you get into screen writing?
Jared Brock: I’ve actually written a few things before this, mostly short format. I once wrote the first chapter to a science fiction novel which I promptly dropped after I concluded that there was no possible logical end to the story. Over the course of a semester I wrote 10 short format stories which were a huge benefit when time came to write the script. Essentially, it boiled down to the fact that I wanted to make the movie so of course, I had to write it. I have to say though, that ever since I finished the script I’ve been chomping at the bit to start the next one.
Andrew Bistak: Who are some of your influences?
Jared Brock: When it comes to film making my two biggest influences are Guillermo Del Toro and John Carpenter. I feel that Del Toro is a master at creating worlds and letting them live out rather than telling a particular narrative. John Carpenter probably has the biggest direct influence on the way I like to tell and illustrate stories. I also really like Kevin Smith, he’s been a fantastic inspiration to even start film making, although I wouldn’t compare my style to his at all.
Andrew Bistak: What current films inspire you at present?
Jared Brock: It really fluctuates, just like my “top 10” favorite movies. I’m the type to become extremely fixated on one film for a short period and then I’ll jump to the next. The Collector was a massive inspiration when the time came to make Hunter X, but lately I’ve been stuck on Django Unchained. My sort of looming inspiration has been The Dark Knight, with the idea that I hope someday to make films on that scale.
Andrew Bistak : What was the hardest challenge in making Hunter X. How did you overcome it, or did you?
Jared Brock: Literally every single thing on the project is the hardest challenge, outside of my crew. We’re working in between jobs and going to school, the schedule is changing constantly, locations are used as favors (and are thus subject to sudden changes), and during the production I’m having my first child. I could go on. The absolute biggest challenge has been to keep going despite being thoroughly tired from everything happening in my life, but the biggest reward has been fighting through it and seeing it to the end.
Andrew Bistak : What thought process or processes do you use to make the transition from writing to direction?
Jared Brock: The best sort of transition was keeping an open mind and being flexible when it came to the written word. Sometimes things wouldn’t or couldn’t work the exact way I had them written and the best thing to do was work on it on the fly. Really though, it was pretty simple seeing as how the entire project started in mind to begin with.
Andrew Bistak : What can you tell us about the other departments for the production?
Jared Brock: I love the idea that we have “departments” as opposed to maybe five guys doing anything at any given time. Indie film making! What can I say, our sound guy is always on the ball, our producer is awesome at “facilitating”, and my lead camera operator and I over time have developed an awesome short hand. I think one of the greatest assets we’ve gained is our composer, John Patrick Perez, who has really helped to define the tone of the movie.
Andrew Bistak : What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of a director/writer of also shooting their own film? (E.g., being also the director of Photography?)
Jared Brock: The only disadvantage would be trying to communicate my specific vision to my camera man. I’m a very visual person coming from a background in graphic design and illustration. Hunter X started from a more visual beginning than a screenplay. One of my foremost concerns going into the project was how the film would look. In the end, that’s probably been the easiest part because certain moments have always appeared a certain way in mind from the conception and it’s been fantastic to see those images come to life.
Andrew Bistak : I understand you had some veterans of other films or shows on this production (We know Edwin and Donna Millheim and have seen Edwin in other productions) did veterans give input and did it make things a bit easier? (Was there ever a time that the advice or information helped things along in the process? What was it?)
Jared Brock: Absolutely. I’ve only ever directed short film before this project (those are well buried in the archives, never to see the light of day again) so Edwin especially has given some pretty invaluable advice as far as set workflow and the way we operate. The entire project has been an invaluable learning experience and having people who’ve worked on other projects has really boosted the entire production.
Andrew Bistak : Can you tell us (Without giving too much away) about the X character? From what we understand, you actually show things in his past that may have left the psychological scars that made him the man he is.
Jared Brock: From the beginning I was attached to the idea that we never learn everything about X, including his actual name. He’s a conflicted character; he knows that he’s a killer but he wants to lead a regular life. X has relegated himself to being a dealer of justice and in doing so sacrifices having regular social contact. In the film we go back a few times and visit the specific moment where he decides to become “X”, but there are a few years in between that moment and the beginning of the film. However, my favorite aspect of X is his tool set and how creative he gets with hardware and gardening equipment. Watch the first scene of the movie and you’ll probably look at a certain tool differently from now on. The big thing to remember is: he’s the good guy.
Andrew Bistak: Do you have any advice for people wishing to get into the movie making industry? What advice would you pass on?
Andrew Bistak : Well, I’m not really in the industry yet (*crossing fingers*) but the biggest obstacle when it comes to movie making is yourself. It’s so easy to become bogged down in the amount of work it actually is and lose yourself in the stress but you have got to push through it and keep going. It’s easy to quit, but it’s even harder to look back on missed opportunities. If you’ve got a passion for film making, or really anything else, the best advice I could give would be just to do it. Don’t give up, don’t surrender. It may take some time, and it will be a hell of a lot of work (A LOT of work) but nothing beats the feeling of seeing a line that you’ve been thinking about for nearly a year being performed better than you thought it ever could be.
Hunter X – Edwin Millheim (Actor and Action Stunt Fighter Coordinator)
Andrew Bistak: How was this production compared to others you have been on?
Edwin Millheim: A good majority of the people working on Hunter X have not done any film work before. So we had a lot of raw people that brought with them a lot of passion about what they wanted to contribute. Granted it was not always 100% professional, the set was looser than any I had been on, but even when the chips where down and we had been behind for whatever reasons that come up in any production, the moral was always high. Joking around outrageously just before roll cameras, but snapped into a film crew and actors on set at those moments and got the job done. It was pretty good, like hanging out with friends.
Andrew Bistak: What had been some of the challenges working on an indie film with untried people?
Edwin Millheim : If I had to be honest, even though any production can turn fluid and have to change to get other shots instead of what was planned for the day or night…other productions I had been on had better communication in those situations. But everyone I think that was really raw and new on this production…found out things about the jobs and departments and I hope walked away with new skills to make the next production smoother.
Andrew Bistak: And of course the challenge working with action with untried actors?
Edwin Millheim : I would not say there is a challenge really. Most actor’s even casual actors have some form of process to get into character. I have had untried or brand new actors give as well as they got during performances and scenes. In the simplest terms acting is reacting. So depending on the actions and line delivery of your fellow actor… a scene can go into unexpected and at times spectacular places. In the end, the person just has to be willing to open up and go for it. If there was a challenge, it was to pull back a bit on over expectations and mesh with folks having a first time on a film set of any kind. I can get crabby if I think the process is not being taken seriously. Even at my casual level as an actor, I take the whole process seriously. The trick is to not take it so seriously you are a bear to work with… no one wants that. You sometimes…. having the most experience, have to lead by example and nudge forward when you need to. Just don’t sweat the small stuff.
Andrew Bistak: You have an apprentice now, tell us about that?
Edwin Millheim: Oh yes. Marja Murawski. Marja actually has been someone I have been working with for a couple years now. About four almost five years now… She started working with me doing live stunt shows, and learning stage combat. I actually got involved with Hunter X through her. She was coming along real well with choreographing for live shows and performing… she displayed an interest in expanding her knowledge for choreographing action and fights.
Since there can be different things to consider choreographing for film as opposed to doing a live show… she wanted to learn more. So I invited her to Apprentice for the film shoot. She is a good sounding board and I work well with her. Sometimes during a session of reading over the script and going over some of the action on the page…I would ask her how she would do the set up for the action. At first she was not sure since we have to consider cameras and the overall story and the characters. The action should never be just something that feels thrown in, it should seem organic and something that is a natural progression of the story and the characters. Further into the production she was more comfortable with throwing ideas around and set ups. I am rather proud of her.
Andrew Bistak: What was it like working with your Wife, Donna?
Edwin Millheim: Actually a real joy. Since they used one of my prop replica pistols for the scene I had to be on set as well since I was technically the armorer for the scene and responsible for the actors and crew safety dealing with even a prop weapon. She is a casual actor, and only very rarely will take a roll. She does not consider herself an actor at all. But she exudes truth in the character which was thrilling to witness. She just has this natural way of bringing something to a character, it’s a joy to watch. I do my best to not look right at her when I am on the other side of the camera because if I smile and she even glimpses me, it can be a distraction.
Andrew Bistak: Can you tell us a bit about some of the action?
Edwin Millheim : Hunter X was a nice challenge to work on, because there was plenty of action. Fight encounters and the use of different things. From a pistol to Machete and fireman’s axe and different types of knives. Of course intermixing with hand to hand as well. As you watch the film you will notice that one character seems more skilled and is testing and toying with the other one….as the film progresses the unskilled character starts to pick up on some new tricks…It’s a nice roller coaster ride… not only in the action but the simple direct story and the characters journey to becoming something more. The hunter moves with precise movements, and focus. While X is more of a brute, animal…he has some skill but it is very rudimental and we show that in the fights and action.
Andrew Bistak: You have a part in the film too….How did you approach playing the council leader? What did you want to bring out to the audience about the character?
Edwin Millheim : No actor looks forward to a part where you never see their face. When it’s covered with a mask I find that to be more of a challenge to rise to as an actor. Since you cannot see the characters expressions, you have to project the characters emotion and mood. Be in normal gestures as they talk, and inflection in what they are saying. The council leader being the head of this organizations had to be strong and ruthless to get where he was. Beneath his calm almost casual manner, you get a peek once in a while of this lethal force of nature ready to take your life if they see fit to. He would think nothing more of it as he would smacking a fly.
This is a guy that has seen so much over the years, its everyday life and death to him. So here comes this raw guy feeling around in the dark…X…
I went at it that the council leader was intrigued by this misfit. He sees potential in X, so goes to the task of testing him. If by the end of all these trials he is not worthy, well…X would be just another weakness to be cut from society.
Andrew Bistak : Have you sustained any injuries during your time as a stunt coordinator? If so, tell us a little about them?
Edwin Millheim : Well I did a particularly exuberant fall and knocked a temporary cap off of one of my teeth. That was in a live show practice…a very long time ago… Hit the ground in this great prat-fall and out it sailed out of my mouth in front of me. I did have a sword point bury into my thigh from one of my fight partners during rehearsals for a live show once. It hurt more than any actual damage that was done. It was nothing…but it hurt and I let out a string of explanative.
Andrew Bistak : What was your biggest challenge in being part of Hunter X?
Edwin Millheim: Perhaps the short amount of training time and having little access to the actors. I wanted more time to work with them. Being a smaller production especially… people have regular jobs more often than not… and there may be distance involved too. I would have loved to really have had the key actors especially for my more standard strength and stamina training….to have built them up better for the physical demands of the parts. For the time I had things came out well. I had to pull back on a lot and choreograph with the physical abilities of the actors in mind, more so than I would have had to do. For the time we had I worked them hard, but I never pushed them to a breaking point of what they could do.
Andrew Bistak : Lastly, what advice can you give people wishing to work in the movie industry?
Edwin Millheim : Have some focus on what aspect in the industry you want to work in. Then make sure you work at learning the job. Apprentice and help out in productions if you can. Some of the jobs in theatre productions mirror what is done on a T.V. show or film set, so it’s a good place to start to get some skills. You can also network, some of the gigs I ended up with had been from word of mouth from people I have worked with or know….. But learn the job and once you get going be professional. Word spreads. One thing you should always remember, film making especially is a collaborative process. We may be in front of the camera, being that character…but there are so many other departments that come together that help give that performance more punch than perhaps it would have. Make up, Special effects, to name JUST a couple. The crews can be large, and even larger behind the scenes people. Never forget, it’s not just you.
Hunter X – Donna Millheim (Actress)
Andrew Bistak: Tell us about the audition process? Did they know right away? Or did it take some time to get back to you?
Donna Millheim : It actually was a few weeks before I knew. They had been looking at other people both in face to face auditions and also like mine… I was allowed to film mine and send in the footage. I did what is called reading sides. Sides are just a printout of the script where your character is in couple of scenes. So we set up our video camera, I had the script sides in my lap and My Husband Edwin was off camera reading the other lines for characters in the scene. Ideally you should memorize your lines, even for sides. Edwin always is a big help, he is pretty intense when it comes to learning about the character. Even in auditions and reading sides, you want to figure out what is your characters relationship with the other characters in the scene and what is your characters history, background. If you can get the whole script to read all the better to prepare. But, anyway after about two or three weeks I found out I got the part.
Andrew Bistak : How did you approach the character? What did you want to relay about the character and where she is at in this phase of her life?
Donna Millheim : Well, I don’t want to give too much away. But the character is in a pretty low place, with an abusive husband. Maybe her only bit of light in her dark world is her son…so when that dark world touches her son…well watch out. She is a scared little cat, but you can see the mother come out when her son is involved.
Andrew Bistak : Do you ever bring any of your own experiences into the roles you play?
Donna Millheim: Well you put a bit of you in every character. How much of yourself? Hard to say at times.
Andrew Bistak: Tell us a little about the motivations of the character you play in Hunter X?
Donna Millheim : Well, like I said she is in a dark place with an abusive husband into not so nice things. She’s trapped and does not feel she has any place to go. But she has this young son and her major motivation is to try to bring him up in this filthy world they are in without it affecting him. Any mother can relate to that base instinct of protecting your child. It can be primal.
Andrew Bistak : What challenges if any, where there for you as the character and how did you get past the challenges?
Donna Millheim : Well. Maybe relaxing and just being the character for the scenes really. I don’t consider myself an actor since I can count the times I’ve been interested enough to be in productions on one hand. I feel a bit shy when people compliment me on a character or something I did as an actor. It’s funny but I have played role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons for a long time….so role playing is a lot like acting, depending on how much you put into the character. I just PLAY the role.
Andrew Bistak : What was it like working with your husband Edwin?
Donna Millheim : He is nice to work with, I mean since he was the action coordinator…I did not work with him as an actor in Hunter X. For my scene he was in charge of making sure everything was safe with the pistol. I am very grateful for that because he does take on set and show safety seriously. For my acting even though he was there off camera, I pretty much ignored him because I had to be in the moment as the character. He was just one of the crew behind the camera to me… he had to be… for me to function through the scene the way I was supposed to. But it was comforting having him there.
Andrew Bistak: Do you think it was easier working on a smaller production rather than a larger one with a larger crew?
Donna Millheim : Well since my part was only a scene, things went very fast. A Small talented crew sometimes can mean things move faster. Though with a larger crew you have more talented people to tap into for different aspects of the production process.
Andrew Bistak : We understand you don’t particularly like guns, but you are in a scene with a gun…tell us about the industry processes that are used on set with fire arms. Also did this help you feel more at ease?
Donna Millheim : Yea, I have always had a fear of guns. When I was younger I was shot in the arm by a pellet gun. You know the things they use to hunt small birds and squirrels. As for the industry process this information comes from Edwin and I am sure worldwide there is a safety process when firearms are used in a production. Here in the United States the standard is that there is usually one person in charge of the firearms to be used on set…now things get a bit more complex when dealing with the replica prop weapons that fire the blank charges. There is a whole process on keeping the filming crew safe as well. So rather than make a whole book here I will go over the basics of using a blank firing prop pistol that for the scene will not be loaded with blanks even…… The person in charge checks the weapon, brings it on set and keeps it on their possession and NO ONE else touches it till it’s almost time to rehearse or camera roll. At this time the person in charge of the weapon checks the barrel to make sure there are no debris down the barrel (unless it a solid core plugged barrel). Then they check the clip and chamber, or open the wheel if it’s a revolver and checks the revolver chambers to make sure there is nothing loaded. They then show the Director of Photography that it is empty, they show the director and the actors involved in the scene. Then they close it up and gives it to the person that will be using it in the scene. IF it is a scene that will be using blank firing weapons, the weapon will be loaded up and it’s advised the weapon is loaded and ready to fire. We wanted to say something here to your readers…every year there are injuries and even deaths using blank firing replica weapons in productions and amateur films as well… If you’re not qualified don’t mess with this stuff. It is dangerous.
Andrew Bistak : What advice could you pass onto people wishing to get into the movie industry?
Donna Millheim : Well depending on what part of the industry they want to get into. Find a place that either teaches the skills needed and then maybe look into internships. That could be a way of getting a foot in the door. But definitely work on the skills that are needed first.
Andrew Bistak : Lastly, what was your biggest reward (so far) in being part of Hunter X?
Donna Millheim : Hmmm maybe working with someone in the scene that has done other things before. The person that played opposite me is a working actor so it was nice to have some different energies in the scene playing off of each other. We did some unexpected things that worked really well.
Dann Lydon Actor plays X
Andrew Bistak: How did you end up playing this part? I understand there was no one else in mind, it was you in mind from the start?
Dann Lydon: Actually steven tea the producer got ahold of me because he knew i had done some shows with a local playhouse on marco island and asked if i was interested in reading for the part. i went out and read for it a few times and jared brock the writer and director pretty much said i was “the obvious choice” but he needed to let a couple other people read for it. by my third or fourth read he went ahead and gave me the green light.
Andrew Bistak: What is something that you know now that you wish you knew when you were first starting out as an actor and for this part?
Dann Lydon: How to tell if a role was physically demanding based off the script (laughs). I read it the first few times and was expecting nothing more than a gore fest, so I was a little surprised when I started going to Edwin Millheim for the fight choreography. The role was much more physical than I thought.
Andrew Bistak : Did you try to bring anything to the screen about the character and what is it?
Dann Lydon: Reading the script over a few times I picked up there was a dark humor undertone with a few of his lines, primarily in the kill room. Reading it in my head the character of X had the humor of Brandon Lees Eric Draven and a hint of the Joker off the dark knight I felt. I don’t think I quite hit that level by any means but I like to think people could pick up some subtle influence from them in the character.
Andrew Bistak: Is there anything about the film process that surprised you? What was it?
Dann Lydon: I wouldn’t way surprised, but i was very relieved to see Jared wanted to take an old-school approach with it, homemade blood, real animal organs, minimal cgi, things like that. Was very relieved to see this movie isn’t just a ton of videogame looking effects.
Andrew Bistak : As an actor who are your inspirations?
Dann Lydon: Mathew Lillard, Micheal wincott, Alan Rickman, Bruce Willis. I’m actually big into gangster films, movies like Donnie Brasco, Good Fellas, and Casino. The more old-school Italian actors I really like.
Andrew Bistak : If you could pick your dream role, what would it be?
Dann Lydon: There’s a few movies I’ve always said if they ever made a remake I’d love to do, but I think allot of struggling and upcoming actors either do, or should keep a pretty level head on their odds in scoring a chance at a role, and their capabilities, but I loved the movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit? And to be able to do voice work on that would be amazing (laughs). Even Christopher Lloyd’s role as The Judge would be a fun one to try and take on. I definitely feel more comfortable doing comedy roles but I wouldn’t mind taking on some more physically demanding roles.
Andrew Bistak: How well did you take to doing so much action?
Dann Lydon: I think once I got the feel for it I was able to pull it off well enough (laughs). You’d have to ask the rest of the cast and crew to see how it actually looks.
Andrew Bistak : What was it like working with the Action stunt fight coordinator?
Dann Lydon: Unsettling at first (laughs). I never know how I’m going to be when it comes to working with new people. For lack of better word, I’m what you call a bit of an asshole. I honestly wasn’t sure if we were going to butt heads, mainly because I’ve never seen anything he worked on prior, and that made me a bit hesitant, but by the third day or so he very much showed me he was capable of making some very cool scenes happen, and was a ton of fun to work with.
Andrew Bistak : Do you have any favorite scenes so far? If so, what are they?
Dann Lydon : Scenes where I got to sit down and eat (laughs). As far as for the most fun to shoot, there was a couple days where we filmed with Juan Colon, and he was fun to work with, really gave us some good footage I felt. He and I played off each other well enough where if one of us dropped a line it seemed to get picked up pretty quick. Also David was great to work with, (my best friend in the movie). Lots of jokes off set, and I have to imagine if there are any bloopers for this movie, he’s gonna pop up at least once. Visually, I haven’t seen the movie yet myself so I’ll know what my favorite is visually when everyone else does (laughs).
Andrew Bistak: Lastly, what has been the most challenging aspect of Hunter X?
Dann Lydon: Not telling people about what we shot the day before. a bunch of the techniques we’re using are very much in the style of older gore horror movies, so minimal to no computer effects, so some of the props we’re using like blood and organs are a little gnarly. Very tempting to brag about.
Marja Marie Murawski Play Alice and also Apprentice Action Stunt Fight Coordinator.
Andrew Bistak : What do you do as an Apprentice Action stunt fight coordinator?
Marja as an Apprentice Action Stunt Fight Coordinator, I assist in creation ideas, and moves for different sequences. When Edwin Millheim, the Action Stunt Fight Coordinator, has an idea I help foster it and we discuss back and forth on how to bring it to life. There have been a few times when I have come up with an idea or move that we foster and work into a fight or stunt. Edwin and I will, often, create the fights using ourselves and toying with its physicality before teaching it to the actors. I also assist in practices by making sure that proper technique is being used, and offering suggestions on how to make a move cleaner. There was a fight in which I would stand-in as one of the fighters and demonstrate how to execute a move, so the actor can see how it’s done, instead of just being told how to do it. I have run a couple practices on my own, focusing on material that had already been instructed, and just cleaning it up, or making it more dynamic.
Andrew Bistak: How much experience do you have in action and stunt fights, what led you to it?
Marja Marie Murawski: I have been involved with this craft for about four years. Although, Hunter X is my first film, and I am thoroughly enjoying being part of the process. I have fought in a couple fights in a local medieval faire. I am currently practicing for an upcoming faire. It was at the local medieval faire that I met Edwin and started asking questions about what he did, and how I could get involved. Soon after the faire had ended, Edwin contacted me and we got together for our first practice. I have been doing it ever since. I really enjoy heat I am doing and working with such a professional like Edwin.
Andrew Bistak: What have some challenges been in doing action for Hunter X?
Marja Marie Murawski: I think my greatest challenge was working with my friends. I struggled a bit in trying to have them understand that when we were practicing and on set for a fight, I was the Apprentice Stunt Fight Coordinator and not their friend. It was difficult finding a balance between the two, but I think that overall, I was able to handle it nicely.
Andrew Bistak: You also play a part in the film, tell us about the character what kind of place is she in (In the human condition) when we are introduced to her?
Marja Marie Murawski: Yes, I play Alice. Alice is one of those people whom I call an optimistic realist. She is the kind of person who is aware of everything around her, good and bad, but makes the most of whatever good things she can. I believe that it is this complexity that can be seen when Alice is first introduced.
Andrew Bistak: What are some of the qualities you tried to bring to the character on screen? What was your process for her?
Marja Marie Murawski: Alice is the type of person who would bake cookies for everybody in whatever group setting in which she finds herself. She prides herself on her intelligence and has a keen ability to read people, which grants her the fortune of seeing the good in everyone. She carries a mystery about her that intrigues people and piques their interest in a manner in which they want to get to know her. Alice is good-natured, and well-mannered. She comes across as happy and almost carefree, but she carries a painful past, which is what gives her the ability to read people so well.
Andrew Bistak: Have you ever gotten hurt doing action or stunt fights?
Marja Marie Murawski: I have gotten hurt a couple of times, but it was because I was being lax with my technique. I have never been hurt by anyone else.
Andrew Bistak: What about action and fight coordinating have you been surprised at learning about if anything during this filming of Hunter X?
Marja Marie Murawski: I have learned that when I am confidant, I am capable for more than I give myself credit. I have learned that I can use that confidence in helping to teach others, and come up with ideas of my own. This has been greatly, and appreciatively, fostered by Edwin.
Andrew Bistak: What have you been most satisfied with during Hunter X filming?
Marja Marie Murawski: It is difficult to say what I have been most satisfied with. I have more than one arena to consider. As far as Stunt and Fight Coordinating, I am most satisfied with the growth in my confidence, ergo, my ability to learn, contribute, and teach. As an actor, I am satisfied most with my ability to feed off, and use, the energy of my fellow actors.
Andrew Bistak: What’s your bad quality? And in a book end question, what’s your best quality?
Marja Marie Murawski: A bad quality that I have is lacking the confidence I need as an Apprentice Stunt Fight Coordinator to be as effective as I am capable. I need to give myself more credit, the credit that Edwin gives to me. My best quality would probably be patience. I have no problem having to do multiple takes with multiple angles to make sure a shot is gotten to the satisfaction of the Director, Jared Brock. I also have patience with my fellow actors, as I am sure they have had their moments to be patient with me.
Andrew Bistak: When first starting in doing action and stunt fights, what was a surprising thing you found out, that you did not know?
Marja Marie Murawski: I learned that I have more talent and ability than I think I do. Edwin is constantly telling me that I need to start giving myself more credit, which I am slowly, but surely, beginning to do. I have been told that I am a quick study and that it does not take me long to learn and use a new move or technique. When I first started doing this type of fighting over four years ago, I never would have guessed that it would lead to this amazing opportunity that I am so grateful to have. I owe a big thanks to my mentor, Edwin Millheim.
About the Author
Edwin Millheim Edwin Millheim is a freelance writer since the 1980's has worked in comic book scripting and story writing, for such magazines as Shadis magazine, Anime A2. and also has worked on role playing game creation and adventure creation in the role playing industry as a freelancer (For such companies as Hero Games ,Palladium Books Rifts Index and Adventures Vol 1 hook line and sinker story contributor) working over the years with his editor and co writer for many projects, Donna Millheim, his wife, together... wrote the "electronic games" article for Funk And Wagnalls Encyclopedia Edwin has also worked as writer on comic adaptations to some of his writer/created role-playing games such as Bright Future (Sci Fi) and Unknown Eagles (Based in World War II), and Moonsfar: Warrior's Creed.(Sword and Sorcery) Has also worked as an actor for various live action stunt shows and worked as action fight coordinator and action coordinator for film, and tv and live shows. He is also the Lead singer and Lyric writer for the band Dragon and Berr, who he works with his Drummer wife. Other than the albums they have released over the years, he has also started producing and mixing and mastering for other artists from his wife and his label Loose Bolt Records. All in all likes to keep busy, his first love will always be gaming though.
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