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| Jerry Quill and Noah Fleder in Seibu Keisatsu. |
It’s another day, another week, and another stint of creativity from online independent action favorite, Emmanuel Manzanares of LBP Stunts Chicago as he unleashes new small skit with actors Jerry Quill and Noah Fleder titled Seibu Keisatsu, loosely based on a classic late 1970’s/early 1980’s Japanese television drama of the same name. It’s one of the many projects I have shared on the blog featuring Manzanares‘s work behind the camera, which in any case nowadays is his preferred place to be much of the time.
Earlier on Monday afternoon, I chatted a bit with Manzanares about his career to learn a little bit more about what keeps him ticking. “I love being able to create, and push things out of performers that they maybe don’t realize they can do.” he says. “I really enjoy the journey of taking someone’s potential or existing skill, and using it in different ways, whether subtle or not. It’s fun to work together and achieve those results as a team, whether it’s with LBP or whomever.”
Manzanares also feels great about Quill‘s potential as an up-and-coming performer for the past year and a half as he sharpens his craft, originating from years of training in different styles from Wing Chun to 5 Animals Kung Fu and Kali. And considering that Monday’s release is Quill‘s second project in a row with him since collaborating on The Fixer just a few weeks ago, it’s pretty easy to observe Quill‘s own enthusiasm about applying himself to Manzanares‘s direction. “My favorite part of working with Manny is that he works us super hard!” says Quill. “By the end of the shoot, I’m exhausted and delirious, but he brings out the absolute best in his performers. His choreography is always changing and doesn’t get stale. It’s exciting to work with him because there is so much experience and wisdom to absorb from working with him.”
Fleder, a 17-year martial arts veteran and Simon Rhee protégé who’s been doing stuntwork for roughly a year, is looking forward to a full plate of his own going into 2014. He also shared his excitement in telling Film Combat Syndicate what it was like adding Manzanares to his experience as a rising action performer. “He was very easy to work with.” he says. “The first time I had met him let alone work with him and we got along greatly. He gave clear directions, was motivated and best of all, whenever he came up with awesome choreo, he looked like a kid in a candy store! He also gave Jerry and I a ton of pointers to help really sell our movements. I can’t wait for the next video I do with him!”
Manzanares is currently in California to maintain his availability for industry work as a stuntman. His next film, the feature-length directorial debut of Dennis Ruel’s kung fu comedy, Unlucky Stars, is currently in post production.
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