About eight years ago or so, as I spent my time browsing online, zombied out while instant messaging with friends, I would always look up trailers and clips of action movies. I began witnessing an emerging of a new subgenre within martial arts cinema. It was the start of an era comprised of many individuals and sports teams throughout the world, harnessing their athletic talents in martial arts, stunts and filmwork to this very day. People I observed, making their own short action movies and gaining their notoriety through viral videos were doing so, starting in their late teens and early/mid 20’s. But as fate would prove it, for me, and possibly many others, dreams are timeless, especially for sixth grader and Colorado native, Joshua Kieser.
At just twelve years old, Joshua is already a lifelong athlete, having played soccer when he was around four or five years old, and also, now currently playing Rugby and skateboarding. When he is not wearing his skates, or when he is not busy on the Rugby field, he is training in martial arts, on a journey which began for him at the age of ten.
A year and two months later have since passed and Joshua is doing pretty good in school and trying to improve a little more in science. He is also excelling in his studies in Wushu, and he practices a little Shaolin Kung Fu. Moreover, to the delight of many martial arts fans who appreciate the film genre in all aspects, Joshua is an aspiring stunt performer, learning to sharpen his knack for martial arts performance and choreography on film for his YouTube channel, bearing the username, 02stuntmaster (a nickname that pays ohmage to the 2000 Playstation game of nearly the same name).
In the following Q&A, Joshua explains his latest venture into film and what inspired him to follow his dreams:
FCSyndicate: What got you interest initially in martial arts?
Joshua: “I have been watching kung fu movies since I was little, and once I was about 10 I got obsessed with wanting to learn kung fu. So when I was 11 I tried out a couple schools and found one I liked.”
FCSyndicate: When did you first start making your own independent shortfilms?
Joshua: “I started making my own independent short films a little after I started doing martial arts when I was about 11. I did it pretty rarely but now I try to make films a little more consistently.”
FCSyndicate: Do you want to be an actor when you grow up? If so, why?
Joshua:“Yes I would like to be an actor, but more of (quote Jackie chan) a fighter who can act instead of an actor who can fight. So more stunts and action instead of dialog. Because I’m not amazing at acting, I mean I’m OK but nothing special.”
FCSyndicate: Have you always done action films?
Joshua: “Yes I have always done action films but sometimes you know just messing around with my friends making a music video or something but I would not consider that a film.”
FCSyndicate: What inspired you to get into martial arts and stuntwork at such a young age?
Joshua: “What inspired me? Well 80’s Hong Kong action moves mostly. Seeing people doing crazy stunts and fight scenes. As far as martial arts goes just seeing people on YouTube and movies as well. It’s kind of just like I started liking this stuff earlier than other indie action film makers so I started doing it a lot younger than most people who are into this kind of things, but I’m still pretty new at this so I’m not as good as others in my opinion.”
The first time I caught wind of Joshua’s videos was early in March when martial artist, actor and tokusatsu stunt/suit performer Mark Musashi updated his own Facebook wall with a fight clip that looked like it was inspired by the same energy and vision shared in the playground sequence in Jackie Chan’s Police Story 2. So, it was pretty evident, as well as delightfully surprising, that for a twelve year old, his inspiration happens to be rooted in the classics. Joshua continues:
FCSyndicate: Do you have any favorite movies and TV shows that attribute to your filmmaking and stuntwork?
Joshua: “Yes, my favorite movie is Police Story. I think it’s the perfect balance of martial arts, stunts, and gun fights, plus car chases and things like that. TV? Not really. I don’t have cable so it’s hard for me to watch anywise.”
FCSyndicate: Who do you attribute most to your style of filmmaking? Any favorite action stars or directors in mind?
Joshua: “My favorite action stars are: Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Donnie Yen, and the whole JC stunt team. I don’t know about directors but I love Golden Harvest productions.”
Joshua is almost a year into being an independent filmmaker, with ten shortfilms so far available on his YouTube channel. He has already shown a sharpening approach when it comes to cinematography, stunt coordination, choreography and timing, regularly working with one friend who has some experience in Karate, and a few other friends whenever he can. Beyond that, he tries to find people who share the same interests and skill level as his, which he describes as a rarity where he lives.
Joshua discusses his craft and how he does his best to help make it all happen, along with the help of friends and family:
FCSyndicate: How did you learn to make your own movies?
Joshua: “I learned to make my own movies by pretty much just learning how to use a camera. It’s not too hard but also a channel called Indy Mogul helped me out with the camera work. From watching a lot of fight scenes and action movies I just sort of knew what to do when it came to fight choreography.”
FCSyndicate: Who are some of the kids you make movies with? How long have you known them?…Do they all practice martial arts or play sports?
Joshua:
“Most of the kids I make movies with are just kids from school or that I’m friends with. The one I do most of my movies with did karate for like a month and that’s it so I have to correct him a lot. That’s one of the things I’m working on is trying to find someone around my age to make movies with because there’s not to many film makers or kids who do martial arts/are just willing to do it who are my age and live around me.”
FCSyndicate: Do you make all the props you use in your shortfilms? Do you purchase any?
Joshua: “I normally make most of my props like tables and stools. I used to make my own fake blood as well but I ran out of ingredients so now I purchase my fake blood. Most of my props are just things I find around the house. For guns I use my old air soft guns ether painted in black or covered in black tape (not good for close ups).”
FCSyndicate: Which props are the most pivotal to the shortfilms you make right now?
Joshua: “The most important props I use are things like: sticks, chains, knifes, things that you could use in a fight scene.”
FCSyndicate: What steps do you take in choreographing fight scenes and gun battles?
Joshua: “I never really plan my fight scenes, I do sometimes but normally I just walk around where ever I’m shooting the film the day before the film and think about what I want to happen that’s how I plan and I think I need to work on that. But when I’m choreographing I’m normally just doing pretty basic movements and adding a fancy kick or move every once and a while. I admit I’m just kind of eyeballing sometimes.”
FCSyndicate: What are the safety procedures you undergo before filming stunt or an action sequence?
Joshua: “Safety procedures? Ummm… Snow couch cushions stuff I find around the house really I don’t really use body pads because I’m kind of a no budget film maker so I can’t afford too many things, plus the only type of pad I really want is a back pad aka spine protector.”
FCSyndicate: Have you ever been hurt after a stunt?
Joshua: “Every once and a while ill twist something. I get bruises all the time I have done stuff like broken my arm and dislocated my wrist just running around and jumping off of stuff.”
FCSyndicate: Do you prefer to work in front or behind the camera? Or both? Why?
Joshua: “Mostly in front of the camera because that’s where most of the action and energy is but I’m pretty OK at working behind the camera.”
FCSyndicate: What is it about the filmmaking process you love the most?”
Joshua: “The part of the film process I like most is doing all the fighting and stunts for sure. Because I’m a 12 year old boy and normally 12 year old boys are into fighting and action and danger and I’m one of those. I don’t know why I just am into that stuff, and I like movement and speed.”
FCSyndicate: Out of all the shortfilms you have made so far, which one is your most favorite and why?
Joshua: “Well normally with me, the latest video I post is normally my favorite because I improve every time I make a video but my favorites right now are probably Martial Arts Fight Scene and Fight choreography test but me and my friend who made it refer to it as Playground Fight. I also like Knife vs Chain choreography test but I feel like the flow is a little off on that one.”
FCSyndicate: Do you have a least favorite?
Joshua: “Well I have lots of least favorites if you look at my channel it says I have like 13 uploads if I had not deleted any of my short films I would have like 26 uploads. I delete a lot of stuff just if I think it’s a little sloppy or to short. But my least favorite one that is up now is the grenade chase I like the stunt in it but the idea is stupid and I don’t like the fight choreography.”
FCSyndicate: How would you describe some of the feedback you received on YouTube? Critical? Helpful? Positive? Negative? Mix?
Joshua: “They are mostly positive and some critical.”
FCSyndicate: How do you apply some of these criticisms to the filmmaking process?
Joshua: “I just don’t do something the mixture time or figure out how to do something better. Again if too many people dislike it or give me to much criticism, I’ll listen to the feedback but ill probably delete the video.”
FCSyndicate: What do your parents think about your current aspirations as a young stuntman and up-and coming filmmaker?
Joshua: “Mom is pretty ok with what I do and in fact I use her as my camera man/girl sometimes.”
When I was about Joshua’s age, I was into a lot things growing up. I did pencil drawings, among other things. I was largely known for my drawing since I was very good at it, and the recognition I got for it kept me going. This reflection was what prompted my own curiousity when it came to Joshua and his films, in addition to some of the attention he has gotten from the stunt community in recent weeks, which is how I discovered him for myself. Of course, I made several of these questions (as well as the ones above) optional in case he felt shy about anything. But Joshua was very forthright and genuine about his answers:
FCSyndicate: Have you garnished any popularity at your school because of your films? What do they and/or your teachers think?
Joshua: “A couple girls at my school and most of my friends watch my films but it really has not made me more popular I don’t think. And I’m pretty sure the teachers don’t even know that I make videos.”
FCSyndicate: Are there other kids your age who have been inspired to do what you do?
Joshua: “Well kids my age have never straight up told me you inspired me but people have asked to be in my videos quite a bit.”
FCSyndicate: Is there a girl in your life?
Joshua: “No I’m trying to focus more on martial arts and film but if there was she wouldn’t really be in my life it would be more like just someone I hangout with.”
FCSyndicate: What are your thoughts on the amount of attention your channel has gotten in recent weeks from industry stunt performers through Facebook and Youtube?
Joshua: “My channel hasn’t gotten to much attention but when I uploaded my latest video it’s like something clicked and I got way more subscribers than I had plus some of them were really amazing indie filmmakers so I’m very thankful.”
After reading these answers so far, it is very evident that Joshua mostly learned how to do all this by seeing and doing. He loves making shortfilms so much that it basically comes natural almost every step of the way. He handles criticism very mindfully and continues to perfect his craft, with an open mind and a humble manner. All admirable traits for someone of his age. So in my opinion, it is no wonder that he earns the respect of so many older people who come across him, whether online or probably in person. Well, I’m just guessing with the latter, but more than likely I believe.
Joshua concludes:
FCSyndicate: What are some of the most important lessons you have learned?
Joshua: I honestly do not really know, maybe to use things like props and keep the action going. Also to make friends online.
FCSyndicate: What are some of your other dreams and aspirations for 2013 and beyond?
Joshua: “Some of my dreams are to work with other independent film makers, do more stunts, find better locations (besides my backyard), get more complex with fighting, improve with martial arts, and just to get into the martial arts filmmaking community.”
FCSyndicate: What is your biggest takeaway as a filmmaker and an stuntman at this early stage in your life?
Joshua: “I think the biggest take away for me is just learning all these things about film and action scenes, and fighting, and stunt work.”
Joshua’s age and youth are a major highlight in observing the prodigal level of knowledge he continues to acquire, so willing and able to do so much to achieve things that I have only seen people in their 20’s and 30’s do, as well as some older teenagers really, even while there are others who have preceeded him as child stars in the past, from the cast of the “3 Ninjas” franchise and T.J. Roberts in Magic Kid 1 and 2, to Ernie Reyes Jr. in “The Last Dragon” and Xie Miao in films like “The Enforcer” and “New Legend Of Shaolin”. But Joshua’s success here is unique here, in that he is working hard to become a part of an industry dedicated to bringing a vision of a classic and enduring genre to life, for a new generation of filmmakers. He moves and creates with the mind and heart of a professional, and he pays great attention to detail, full of ideas and cultivating himself just a little more everyday to be like the action stars he idolizes on film. He is a follower of the classics and a faithful subscriber and fan to several contemporary independent action film groups including such favorites as The Stunt People and Magnificent Fighter, and also, he namely hopes to get to film one day with The Stunt People when he grows up since he likes their choreography and their style of action. He even hopes to acquire his big break by the time he is in high school.
Joshua Kieser may only be a kid, and he sure has a lot of time on his hands to fulfill his curiousity in life. But as a boy who happens to be so full of energy and glowing prospects, Joshua is a not only an stunt performer, and he is more than just a work-in-progress. He is a symbol of the action genre and the legendary screenfighters who have shaped the industry he admires, in all its perpetuity. And we can only hope more children his age will have the same desire he shares.
Granted, it is pretty early, and whether fans and filmgoers like it or not, Joshua has his whole life ahead of him to decide what he wants to do. But no matter what path he chooses, his sense of creativity, drive, maturity, humility and professionalism speaks for itself, as he is bound for a future that only remains brighter as he continues to follow his dreams, and inspire those who follow in his own footsteps.
Thank you Joshua, for taking the time to share your story with me. We all look forward to your endeavours.