I have to say, it’s been pretty exciting going into the Fall season as I’m looking toward meeting and greeting some great people. In that time, I’ve had the privilege of reviewing some pretty good screeners, one of which recently brought me into the throes of actor, filmmaker and fight choreographer John Soares.
Film Combat Syndicate: Greetings Ken! How has your year been thusfar?
James Mark is a Ontario-based, aspiring independent martial arts action filmmaker with his own action company called Team 2x. For the past eleven years, he has also been a martial arts stunt performer for stage, film and TV, learning everything he now knows from veteran Jackie Chan stunt team member and industry action director, Bradley James Allan. James, whose current list of credits include everything from stunt performer and fight choreographer, to writer, producer, actor and director, has already begun embarking on a mission with his team to make their dreams come true, with the launch of a brand new Indiegogo campaign to help fund a unique martial arts drama titled Genetix, a production to be made in the same vein of Japanese Anime, starring his brother, Chris Mark, in the lead role.
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.
From what I have researched so far, the team is largely known in its working comnunity as a small group of athletes who train in Wushu Kung Fu and gymnastics, and for competing and showcasing their dynamic skillsets for live sporting events at places like the JAM Gymnasium in Reseda, California. Martial Club is also known for partaking in performing stunts and choreographing action sequences for today’s independent action film industry, as can be seen on their YouTube channel, as well as over at Dragon Phoenix Entertainment, Whirlwind Action, the EMC Monkeys and many other production companies.
The film tells the story of a rogue operate known only until the end as “The Widow”, whose only chance of getting her son back alive from the heavily armed squad who kidnapped him lies in the hands of a former black ops agent she burned years ago.