art school dropouts

THE 44TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN: Filming Underway For NY Indie Director’s Kung Fu Comedy Proof Of Concept [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

As prone as we are to including independent action films in our coverage, it was only a matter of time before I’d be back to covering New York-based filmmaker Jon Truei (Gamer’s Generation, Secondary Education), currently in production with kung fu comedy, The 44th Chamber Of Shaolin. Starring is Marshieh Johnson – son of celebrated Wu Shu master, champion and author Willie “The Bam” Johnson (WMAC Masters, Superfights, The Legend Of Kung Funk), along with Mario Marin, and appearances by action actors Angela Jordan and David Lavallee Jr., among others to be named at a later date. Truei has since completed ancillary footage as of last month, shot in collaboration with action director and Art School Dropouts founder Joey Min. Principal photography continues in Brooklyn, N.Y. this week as part of a proof of concept to help draw attention to hopeful feature financing. Inspired by the works of Hong Kong […]

THE LADY FROM NOWHERE Shortfilm Teaser: Stephanie Pham Returns In Killer Noir Fashion

Lee B. Golden III

I still have folks asking me just when the heck I’m bringing the Hit List back. That time will come eventually. I don’t know when, but it’s coming. In the meantime, I’ll still allow myself to publish minor bits of news here promoting some of the fine creatives still doing exemplary work for action fans among netizens and that especially goes for Joey Min and the rest of the miscreants over at Art School Dropouts. Fact is, “Lady”, the name of one of their recent brainchildren of the last several years, has become a personal fan favorite of mine, and while I can’t urge Min enough to build a feature length story around her character, it’s nice to know that at least during quarantimes he’s still able to put out some smaller scale gems. Enter The Lady From Nowhere, which runs at about maybe five minutes or so, and it’s […]

“Be Nice… Be-F*cking-Nice.”: Art School Dropouts’ Director Sempai Joey Min Talks A Zero-Budget Filmmaking, Morale And Self-Discovery

Lee B. Golden III

Joey Min at Art School Dropouts released a new video essay at his official YouTube channel on how to make a feature film with no money. It’s about fifteen minutes long, and I have to say, it especially goes beyond the listed “steps”, one which includes, as Min himself elucidates: “Be nice. Be-Fucking-Nice.” That, to me, among feeding your crew and saying ‘Thank You’, is tantamount to the process in whole, while also worth noting the true intent of the video. Filmmaking is largely a learning-by-doing process, as I’ve learned from various film professionals in the last seven years through their own experiences, some of which who’ve evolved amply immensely in terms of character, creativity and morale. Min conveys his points through some of the experiences he shares with behind-the-scenes highlights of his recent webseries hit/feature debut, My Asian Auntie S2: Yes, Auntie!, in addition to other ASDO projects, and […]

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Now Streaming: Art School Dropouts’s THE IN-HOUSE GRINDHOUSE II

Lee B. Golden III

Saturday officially marked the launch of the June 2020 edition of the In-House Grindhouse from Art School Dropouts. Fifty entries from filmmakers around the world spanning different genres are hosted in the six film blocks embedded below with livestreams that will include some Q&A segments between the channel and the filmmakers themselves. The In-House Grindhouse is a new movement toward supporting independent filmmakers, launched by Art School Dropouts’ own Stephanie Pham and Joey Min, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact life around the world, even now as cities reopen for business in an effort to ween out of an economic stranglehold left by the pandemic. For folks staying at home and looking for something to watch, the In-House Grindhouse promises a spritely mix of content to enjoy, arriving just in time for the weekend! Visit artschooldropouts.com for more info.

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HAPPY FAMILY: New Martial Arts Comedy Now In The Works From The Team Behind ‘My Asian Auntie’ And ‘Yes, Auntie!’ [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

Filmmaking duo Joey Min and Stephanie Pham are currently in development with Happy Family, a new feature martial arts comedy next in line from their Art School Dropouts independent film banner. Plot details are currently under wraps, though the film is being billed as “a martial arts action comedy film for the family”, with “a twist on the modern hero origin story, while adding cultural elements, comedy and old-school Hong Kong style action scenes”. Min, founder and senior director of Art School Dropouts, will also join Pham on the acting side. Both are especially fluent in martial arts as they are in their film craft; Min is experienced in Shaolin Kung Fu, and Pham is a champion Taekwondo medalist who has twice repped the U.S. on the competitive circuit. Further casting details are pending as the company aims for a now early 2021 shoot, after scaling back from a late […]

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THE HIT LIST: June 15, 2020

Lee B. Golden III

This next installment of the Hit List took some effort since not a lot of folks are filming anything right now, and I’m not really sure how things will look in the next few weeks seeing as Coronavirus is still lingering throughout the country. For now, we’re rich with plenty of stunt reels courtesy of Andy Le, Shiela Quevedo Cano, Terence Julien, Keilani Mussetter, Anthony Heilmann, Oscar Leiva, Taylor Krasne, Paul Hawk, Angela Sippel, Darin Hicks, Damali Ross, YouTuber Mikestarwalker, Gabriel Rios, Justin Sundquist, April Taft, Oscar Fernandez, Maria Gnecci, and a twofer by Alfred Hsing and his team at East West Action Stunts. Rounding out the playlist are coordinator reels courtesy of Juan Bofill and Olivier Schneider. There isn’t much to promote this week, save for a few trailers. First up is the promo for The In-House Grindhouse II, hosted by Art School Dropouts and launching on June 20. […]

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THE HIT LIST: June 1, 2020

Lee B. Golden III

The newest installment of The Hit List is now live for the week of June 1 through the next few weeks, and heading out of the starting line is Tamiko Brownlee for this week’s stunt playlist, followed by reels featuring Sean Gallagher, Justin Robinson, Sierra Heuermann, Ivan Forlani, Kenny Lorenzetti, Beth Williams, Gerard Mármol, Jesse Frietze, Liparit Ambartsumyan, Jamie Chambers, Nino Deys, Eric R. Lim, and a stellar reel hosting the work of one Brad Allan! There’s nothing to promote at the moment until otherwise, so it’s onward and forward to the action with channel entries courtesy of Haruki Yoshida, Adam Brashaw, Marko Zaror, and a pair of stellar quarantine action montages by Victoria Lee and co., and Russia’s own StuntFX. Ty Hunt delivers ReAction in the next vid before we get some Penny Dreadful pre-viz action from Vlad Rimburg and John Cihangir bunks with shortfilm sequel Roomie 2, Ben […]

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THE HIT LIST: May 18, 2020

Lee B. Golden III

As you’re reading this, I had to get this installment of The Hit List on the day of! Definitely didn’t have much time this weekend, or energy for that matter to be honest. And frankly, Sky Atlantic/Cinemax series Gangs Of London hasn’t yet arrived, and so I’m going without looking at stunt coordinator Jude Poyer‘s latest reel as it kicks off this edition of The Hit List, although I’m certain you’ll enjoy it. The remainder of stunt and demo reel entries come courtesy of Molly Miller, Michel Quach, Matt de Souza, David Lenz, Grace Dougall, Gregory Balzi, Dylan Hintz, Gaetan Caillot, Katrina Leigh Waters, Mandalin Dragan, Dan Carter, Stephen Bodi, Veera Seppälä, Yann Brouet, Genís Lama, Haruki Yoshida, Hayley Wright, Veto Swarm and Kristoffer Jørgensen, and Pirates Project out of Japan. Jude Poyer – Reel Power Stunts 2020 from Jude Poyer on Vimeo. A quick note before we continue: The […]

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THE HIT LIST: May 4, 2020

Lee B. Golden III

The last several days have been a bit of a drag but I’m looking toward easing myself back into posting norms, and as always, The Hit List is a good motivator! Renae Moneymaker is here to help get the party started with her latest reel to begin the playlist below, followed by Alexey Minaev, Thomas P.R. Watson, Cyril Tellier, Kaitlin Abendroth, Mykola Galagan, Daniele Balconi, Céline Richard, Micaiah Chau, Silvio Gamboa, Fatih Ugurlu, Xanthia Marinelli, Andy Taylor, Kenny Lorenzetti, and Kyro Wavebourne, followed by an awesome parkour medley from Gurpreet Rawat, and an extensive look into the work of stunt coordinator Lauro Chartrand. Moving along with a little something to promote is the first official poster for Dogma, from Wuji Films. The project is a personal proclamation from Manitoba-based Joshua Zacharias and Bronson Cameron, and tells an inspired throwback story about a young Chinese American forced to deal with enemies […]

Art School Dropouts Presents THE IN-HOUSE GRINDHOUSE This Saturday

Lee B. Golden III

Art School Dropouts will take to their platforms this weekend to host The In-House Grindhouse, an interactive livestream to showcase a trio of short-duration film blocks host to independent filmmakers around the web, spanning different genres. The New Jersey-based film troupe made the announcement just over a few weeks ago for a call to entries stamped for an April 5 deadline. Seeing how the production industry is taking a big hit during this outbreak, we wanted see if we could help promote other content creators during quarantine. We hope that we can connect new viewers to great talent around the world and hope this helps our film community thrive and survive this pandemic. Fans will also get to chat with the filmmakers during the experience. There are thirty-eight in total, many of which are favorites of our biweekly column, The Hit List, namely Bryan Sloyer’s Heart System, Nicholas Ortiz’s Black […]

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THE HIT LIST: April 6, 2020

Lee B. Golden III

As stifling as it is to see life grind to a halt thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s been certainly beneficial the numerous performers and content creators out there who’ve otherwise been able to complete backlogged shortfilm projects. It’s also inspiring to see more folks hosting performers and projects on their own platforms to support other artists, and with the newest installment of The Hit List here, I’m happy to do my part. Up first is the usual round of stunt reels, this time featuring Tricia Guarin, Ron Smoorenburg, Phillip Dang, Ivy Haralson, Chris Cortez, Maurice Chan, Joelle Comeau, Devin Regan, Byon Tae-woo, Julia Morizawa, Sergey Ryabtsev, Woody Almazan, Marina Mazepa, Kyle Dean Bolt, Julia Elizabeth, Justin Cabanting, Kenji Shimohira, Nailah Johnson, Mark Stas, Sasha Simic, Tally Rodin, traceur LJ McDonald, and a fantastic performers’ love letter to sword in a montage of projects edited together by Aaron Toney. The […]

Art School Dropouts To Launch THE IN-HOUSE GRINDHOUSE In April

Lee B. Golden III

Stephanie Pham and Joey Min are slating a mid-April date to kick off The In-House Grindhouse, a stream and interactive chat they will exclusively host on the Art School Dropouts YouTube channel to showcase shortfilms entries across all genres. The move is meant to help share the spotlight with fellow independent filmmakers and content creators as the nation continues to battle with the deadly Coronavirus outbreak via social distancing, with states and other nations enacting stay-at-home measures to help flatten the curve. The Coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, caused a perpetual number of shutdowns of film and television productions around the world in the last several weeks. It also forced major distributors to rethink their release windows for films due this year, with some settling on early on-demand and Digital releases, and theatrical delays for others. “If Hollywood and Netflix productions are being put on hold, anyone can only imagine […]

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THE HIT LIST: February 24, 2020

Lee B. Golden III

I can honestly say that one thing I wasn’t looking forward to doing this weekend, among other things, was fighting a nasty cold and fever. Alas, here we are. The Hit List is always a welcome labor and thus, we begin with a playlist filled to the brim with stunt demo and training reels from today’s talents: Shawn Bernal, Natascha Hopkins, Eric Miyashiki, Luke Davis, Justin Carney, Patrick Chu, Alejandro Gil, Todd Ryan Jones, Joshua Romeo, Mike Marin, LJ LaVecchia, Linda Kessler, Diandra Stoddard, Brittany Battle, Dani Parker, Cheryl Lewis, Gabriel Lewis, Lexter Santana, Jason Elwood Hanna, Bridgette Michelle, Hugh O’Brien and Jodi Stecyk. As far as trailers go, the only one on my radar hails from Darren Holmquist whose latest short, Phone It In, is set for a March 28 big screen premiere for the Indie Shorts Showcase at the Laemmle in Claremont, CA. Click here for tickets! There […]

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THE HIT LIST: November 25, 2019

Lee B. Golden III

I had the explicit delight of reviewing a film this weekend called Gold Coast Lounge which opens locally in Ghana in January. That’s really all there was to my weekend except the usual offering of life’s headaches. I also got to put together this week’s installment of the Hit List and it’s the first of the final three for 2019, so I hope everyone out there will make it rain going into the holidays! Chelsea Goldsmith kicks off the usual raft of stunt and action reels followed by Alexis Meyenberg, Entony Ruscetta, Coledyn Garrow, Gelsey Laurie, Jeff Budner, Jason O’Halloran, Jorge Pereyra, Melissa Lara, Antoine Piquet, Tyler Tackett, Paxton Pregel, Fran Williams, Justin Fillings, Dizzle Korey, Kai Ferris, Bethany Curry, Simeon Freeman and Vic Plajas. The reel concludes with entries for stunt rigger Brett Copes, and fight coordinators Malay Kim and Dan Rizzuto. Trailers for Godefroy Ryckewaert’s The Collector, and […]

THE HIT LIST: November 11, 2019

Lee B. Golden III

I would’ve posted an Instagram teaser on Sunday evening for the Hit List, but I definitely needed time to recuperate from Saturday evening. Needless to say, it was a blast from the Far East. Now it’s time to blast back into another installment of The Hit List, starting with a new round of stunt reels from today’s working professionals and up-and-comers: Christine Trinh, Rebecca Ferguson, Martin Wan, Nicklas Hansson, Omar Zaki, Judd Wild, Wilson Sze, Jeska Pike, Jessie Simpson, Ed Heavey, Mariam Macip, Alexandra Hansler, Line Phe, Michelle Andrews, Erin Haus, Jesse Haus and Garrett Dumas. Rounding out the playlist are stunt Ann Arbor’s own Ring Of Steel Action Theatre in Michigan, and reels by stunt coordinators Ian Eyre and T.J. White. In about two weeks we’ll be sharing a teaser for an upcoming Mortal Kombat fanfilm from the fantastic minds over at Barilliant Action. For now, I get to […]

THE HIT LIST: October 28, 2019

Lee B. Golden III

I’m anxious for the next several weeks and what the possibilities may bring. In the meantime, we’re back again with another installment of The Hit List, packed with amazing stuntreels and online action short gems from around the web. We kick off the stunt playlist with Ron Smoorenberg, living a life of action with every move per his mantra. Other entries include Lauren Nguyen, Daniel Locicero, Allen Quindiagan, Chris Cortez, ‘Enelē Ma’afu Tauteoli, Damion Tanzer, Dan Pelchat, Kate Cochran, Donald Brooks, Hayden Lam, Mykola Galagan, Skylar Mowatt, Valisa Tate, Patrick King, Patrick Ptasinsky, Lexter Santana, Elisa Sargent and Tristan O’Connell, followed by reels from stunt coordinator Martin K.R. Zetterlund, Mongol Stunts, and a lengthy opus from stunt and fight coordinator Dan Rizzuto. For promo bits, tomorrow will see the release of some Jordan Cann action with Timothy Colon in Elysian Showdown, and we have the brief teaser up next to […]

THE HIT LIST: September 30, 2019

Lee B. Golden III

I’m eager for a night out later this week if I can make it happen. It would be my fourth night out with friends this year too so, it’s sorely needed. For now, time for another pitch of some awesome stunt reels and action performance content from around the web. There’s more than a load of gems here to start with and that especislly goes for action star favorite, choreographer and performer Tim Man. Following that are reels featuring the explosive talents of Lauren Mary Kim, Patrick Chu, Niahlah Hope, Luciano Arnieri, Jen Bennett, Jeff Karr, Angela Sippel, Jarmin Runes, Milena Brewster, Caleb Cole, Brandy Lewis, Zac Andianas, Anna Puig, Donald Brooks Jr., Kat Redner, Jacob Pattison, Nikki Tomlinson, Oscar Casellas, Karina Beverly Ho, Alejandro Gil, Jacqueline Rosenthal, Tristan McConnell and Chole Bruce, with a fight choreography medley by Robert Dill, and a team reel by Legionarius Stunts. Folks attending […]

THE HIT LIST: September 16, 2019

Lee B. Golden III

The next installment of the Hit List is here for the week of September 16. I actually have to put my five-a-day together after this at some point so this will be a bit rough going between tasks, but hopefully I’ll manage. For now, Helena Laliberte kicks off this week’s rounds of stunts for The Hit List. Following that are entries featuring a raft of current and up-and-coming stunt performers like Talin Chat, Derek Henning, Gelsey Laurie, Paul Wilk, Eric Fuchs, Evelyn Osrio Vaccaro, Gabe Rios, Brian In, Beverly Provost, Parker Durant, Chase Del Rosario, Chelsea Goldsmith, Adam Sewell, Edward Bossert, Chloe Bruce, Chris Jones, Noah Batenhorst, Louise Fisk, Jamar Flower, Malcolm Washington and Brynn Knickle, with action legend Robert Samuels and a stellar new reel by David No. We’re junping into the fights and films column of The Hit List and for this, we begin with a small raft […]

THE HIT LIST: September 2, 2019

Lee B. Golden III

Saturday was my “rest day” so to speak. The evening that followed was amazing, while I spent the bulk of my Sunday fighting my desire to slack off. I think I won? Maybe? Anyway, another two weeks have past and so it must be, another installment of The Hit List has arrived home to more servings of amazing feats of stunt and independent film fighting and performance from some of today’s strongest talents. Evelyn Osorio Vaccaro and Paul Varacchi tune us in to their new reels for the week prior to a playlist a la YouTube comprising entries from Somnang Chay, Chuck Johnson, Hai Le, Dominic Cancelliere, Nadia Lorencz, Chien Escalera Duong, David Miller, Shawn Robidoux, Bryan Vigier, Nina Nightingale, Trenton Rostedt, Ricky Coston, Kara Petersen, Patrick Stayer, Eric Fuchs and Connor Cross, followed by extended reels from Cassandra Ebner, Christine Hillary Lee, and action and stunt choreography reels by […]

LADY 2: Watch Stephanie Pham Mutilate A Room Full Of Sex Traffickers In The Relentless New ASDO Action Short (NSFW)

Lee B. Golden III

March 2018 saw a brief change of pace for director Joey Min with Lady, a three-minute experiment with a more “gritty and serious” direction apart from his usual kung fu comedy formula. Lady was a hit with fans and followers on YouTube, coalescing with the following success of Min’s highly-celebrated My Asian Auntie sequel, Yes, Auntie!, and so Min and actress/martial artist Stephanie Pham are back and in brutal and bloody fashion with Lady 2. The action is the total package here with Pham front and center, and in the kind of principal role you’ve NEVER seen before. It’s a first for Art School Dropouts and it’s anbeye-popping, mind-blowingly violent and fun turn for the ASDO crew this go-around. Moreover, I especially love Pham’s sign-off here and the depth it adds to the character. …It also sucks that this project is only eight minutes. Imagine what Min and Pham could […]