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Watch The Powerful First Episode Of Epic Rival's CLANDESTINE

It probably dawned on many of you who may have been following the workings of online film production group, Thousand Pounds Action Company, since promoting and successfully fundraising their newest action series, Clandestine, why it feels like it has taken forever to see what the project has to offer. It probably feels the same way for its creative trio, Chris Cowan, Haile Lee and Lex Randleman, who kicked off their second film production arm, Epic Rival, back in April, while doing their best to help bring Clandestine to its fullest potential. That, of course, meant taking it to various studios for any number of meetings to see about possible network expansion, and deservedly so.

If you’ve been following Cowan and Lee for at least as long as the last couple of years, you will notice the electric responses they’ve received for the amount and quality of work they have achieved in the past several years, bringing a careful touch to their visionary blend of live-action spectacle with martial arts and storytelling gems, layered with attributions to various elements and franchises of gaming and Japanese anime and manga, from their numerous conceptual videos for Clandestine, to the arduous wait and delivery of the independently made Naruto Shippuden: Dreamer’s Fight, Eleven, Street Fighter X Tekken and even their most recent homage to TMNT, all of which have generated some of the biggest online viral video crowds to date, from the interwebs and blogosphere to the gatherings at Anime Expo in Los Angeles. It’s all been about strength in numbers at this point, because even as we’ve come this far, Cowan, Lee and Randleman are going to need all the support they can get as they continue their quest to bring Clandestine to episodic life.

The fundrasier eventually led to the subsequent completion of two principal episodes sampling the epic generational story of love, honor, family, betrayal and spirtual awakening, all encompassed in a young woman’s quest of self-discovery amidst political upheaval and turmoil among polarized clans. Lady Bloodfight star, actress and stuntwoman, Amy Johnston, whose 2012 action sampler at the formerly-titled White Lotus kung fu gym has become the talk of the interwebs, is the heroine of this stellar new project, and as you will see by the release of the first episode in the player below, if the quality and impact here say nothing else about Clandestine, it certainly says this: There are too many good projects out there online that get left by the wayside because someone upstairs in a suit who is too busy looking up the next thing to adapt from a comic book or video game doesn’t know a good thing when they see it. This has to stop.

Clandestine is fresh, original and rich with all the trappings of what could be a truly awesome and fruitful investment in televised action adventure programmimg. And after this write up, I hope the right people will start paying attention. Because if not now, then when?

Johnston is joined by Marshal Hilton and Judith Scarpone, along with Jaymes Edwards, Ming Lo, Luise Heath, actor and stunt coordinator Aaron Toney, Laura Burgo, Michelle Lee, Christopher Rivas and Katrina Walters, with episode two excerpts featuring Reuben Langdon, Linden King, Jimmy Chhiu and Gui DaSilva.

SERIES DESCRIPTION:

Enter the world of Clandestine.  

Hidden within the recesses of modern society, lives four ancient supernatural clans who have been feuding since the beginning of time. Adelene, a young girl who knew nothing of the war between the clans, is suddenly thrown in the thick of it when it’s prophesied that she is the next matriarchal successor to the one of the Families. 

Adelene begins her journey to learn all of what mankind has forgotten as she struggles to become the clans new “Matriarch”. The secrets of what life was like “before”, the decisions that risk countless lives, and the constant struggle to keep the clan united, are just a few of the dangerous trials she must now face… and survival is not guaranteed.  

A martial arts action epic with political intrigue, love, and unforgettable supernatural action. 

Epic Rival presents: Clandestine

Watch episode one below and stay tuned for further updates one number two and the series in its continued efforts. Happy New Year!

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What is Project: THRONE?

…That is the question, and it’s a pretty simple one, although very, VERY little is being willfully said about it since its conception earlier on. For now though, what we can go by is the information currently on display at its official Facebook page, including key names and companies, a very slow feed of stills, and a description that goes a little something like this:

“THRONE” is the an epic, action-adventure film from Halvon Corps. Entertainment, PMV Entertainment (“JumpStart the Movie”), and the producers who brought you “Violence” and “Insecurity”! 

“THRONE” has an insanely talented international cast and crew led by Aaron Toney (“Gaurdians of the Galaxy”), James Young (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”), & Brendon Huor (“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”). And it features the amazingly creative talents from EpicRival, Thousand Pounds Action Company, LBP Stunts Chicago, 87Eleven Action Design, EMC Monkeys, & Flow (just to name a few)! 

Stay updated by connecting with us on social media! And when “THRONE” drops… 

“…you’re gonna see some serious sh**!” ~Dr. Emmitt Brown

Click the photos for larger viewing:

If you follow my site and happen to be a devout fan of independent film and action cinema, you’ll likely recognize the names mentioned above, like Hollywood stuntman Aaron Toney, who is directing this project. And it makes sense that Toney is the one sitting in the director’s chair considering how much talent he sees and appreciates among professional performers, something he expressed in a special exclusive interview with our own Darren Bailey earlier this year. “I’ve seen nothing but good things come from people like The Stunt People, Thousand Pounds, EMC, Lazy Brown Productions…all these guys are top notch, …which is why I like working with all you guys.” he said. “You do some of your best work with independent, like-minded people.”

Needless to say, these like minds are keeping extra quiet about this little upcoming gem, and perhaps rightfully so, seeing as how awesome this project is already looking. So, indeed, no spoilers or clues just yet, but by all means, do the sensible thing and follow Project: THRONE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and watch this space for more news!

To watch the full interview from April, CLICK HERE!

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Reel Time: BRENDON HUOR

I have had a great time promoting and discussing geniune martial artist and XMA purveyor, actor, stuntman and Thousand Pounds action director and performer Brendon Huor since launching my Facebook page in late 2012. He’s done (and continues to do) some truly amazing work with independent and mainstream filmmakers, performing in commercials, and even acting and coordinating stunt action in a number spectacular shortfilms, between his roots in Jackie Chan’s 2006 film, Rob-B-Hood, working the stage with Team Sidewipe and training and filming with LBP Stunts Chicago, to working with the folks at Thousand Pounds Action Company, Flow, Epic Rival, and folks like independent filmmaker and action auteur, Vlad Rimburg.

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Epic Rival Does It TMNT STYLE!

Yes, ninja turtles usually come green with assorted masks and shells, and we’ll get more of that in a few months. This week however, we’re getting an inspired take on the classic characters by way of independent filmmaker Chris Cowan in the form of a new action short simply titled TMNT Style, featuring performances by actors Brendon Huor, Xin Sarith Wuku, Jimmy Chhiu and Micah Karns, with a special guest appearance by actor and stuntman, Master Simon Rhee of Best Of The Best fame.

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LBP Stunts Presents: BRENDON HUOR vs. JAMES YOUNG

A flurry of fists set the tone between Brendon Huor and James Young in their new test fight, dir. by Emmanuel Manzanares

Whatever happens, don’t ever take your eyes off of independent filmmaker and LBP Stunts Chicago founding member Emmanuel Manzanres. Because at the end of the day, Manzanares is a friggin machine when it comes to putting his direction and choreography skills to the test, working with innumerous professionals of the stunt field both in and outside his own team. I’ve covered his action gems more times than I can count on my blog as Manzanares has become more and more prolific over the years through the blogosphere with his contributions to the independent and mainstream action cinema world, and that coverage continues this week with his latest treat featuring performances by Brendon Huor and James Young.

The new test fight marks the latest collaboration between Huor and Young, both well and highly respected stuntmen and fight choreographers to date with respective credits including indie action faves such as Thousand Pounds Action Company’s Naruto Shippuden: Dreamer’s Fight, as well as last year’s Wonder Woman shortfilm nod, First Impressions, and the Zoë Bell action headliner, Raze. With any luck, this won’t be the last time we see these two together working on something that will blow our minds in due time. And on one programming note, if things go as planned, Film Combat Syndicate contributing film critic, Thousand Pounds co-founder and actor Darren Bailey may likely be able to share an inteview with Young joined by fellow stuntman/performer Aaron Toney upon the forthcoming release of their latest work on Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Time will tell if this will be possible though, particularly since peoples’ schedules are very tight, but keep it in mind nonetheless. In the meantime check out Huor and Young in the embed below where you may also subscribe to LBP Stunts Chicago for more awesome videos.

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Amy Johnston Packs A Punch In The New Series Trailer For CLANDESTINE

Two years after crowdfunding, filming, post production, hitting the LA Expo last year with conceptual shortfilm releases and promotional efforts in addition to searching for a worthy television platform for their new series, Clandestine, the multifaceted independent filmmakers Christopher Cowan and Haile Lee have finally launched the official trailer for the first two episodes of their ambitious new webseries. Best known for their visually stunning depiction of martial arts action with much adherence to a fanbase of amime, manga, movie and game lovers, Cowan and Lee, and series co-creator Lex Randleman, in conjunction with their production bases at Thousand Pounds Action Company and and their newest vehicle, Epic Rival, aim to use Clandestine to showcase the raw talents of some of the most prominent and rising action actors and actresses to make their mark in recent years.

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CLANDESTINE Finds Its Path To A New Trailer Date

Independent filmmakers Chris Cowan and Haile Lee have been busy for the past couple of years over at Thousand Pounds Action Company putting together their brand new and currently-developing fantasy martial arts action series, Clandestine. The series has already granted exclusive eyes for its trailer viewing at last year’s anime expo where attendees also got a glimpse of conceptual action shorts that were filmed in expansion to reflect how the series would look.

You can view some of those concept videos on their YouTube channel as we speak. However, with the official trailer still a mystery to many, Cowan and Lee are making it official with today’s announcement.

Hey all, 

Haile and Chris from the Thousand Pounds Action Company are official guests at this years MAGFest. Today they will be showing some previous game related works at the conventions film festival @3:30pm as well as walking around and gaming with the masses all weekend. Be sure to say hi if you’re in the area! 

Also, we’re proud to finally announce that we’ll be releasing the first look at the Clandestine Path Trailer for the first two episodes on Monday, January 13th. We also want to recognize Andrew Prahlow | Music for his brilliant work on the original score for Clandestine. The music is sounding amazing and that will definitely reflect in the trailer. 

More information next week as the trailer release nears closer. 

Excitebike!

This year’s twelfth-annual MAGFest in Washington D.C. ends this Sunday. For more details, visit their official website. Stay tuned for more information on Clandestine Path as it trickles.

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Darren Bailey To Make His Directorial Debut In The Upcoming Shortfilm, SURGE

It seems Canadian independent action star Tyler Williams is making pretty good use of his time out in California this year with actor and up-and-coming filmmaker Darren Bailey (pictured left). On top of collaborating with actors Gui DaSilva and independent filmmaker Emmanuel Manzanares on Extraction, in addition to the long-awaited release of Right-Handed, Williams also spent his time with Bailey, who is currently directing and starring in their upcoming short film release, Surge.

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Amy Johnston Interview

I recently had the opportunity to sit down and interview the lovely Amy Johnston. You probably know her from the ‘Thousand Pounds Action Company’. She is a wonderfully fun human being and I wish her all the best with every future project, she is genuinely a laugh and I hope she won’t stay a stranger to us here at FCS and I loved every second of her time.

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Thousand Pounds Aims For Television With Fantasy Action Series, CLANDESTINE PATH

In addition to this, the clip also comes in light of a bold effort by Chris and Haile to cement the show’s potential by bring it to television for more broader and episodic storytelling, which they revealed in a recent fan Q and A video they hosted this week. “…We figured we’d aim for the stars on this guy, (or) scale back to web if need be.” Chris says. “But we are trying to take this series to television, and that is why this process has been a slow one-because it’s never fast getting anything to TV in general, but we are…we’re trekking very hard trying to get that.” This is a pretty important announcement, especially for anyone who has been around for more than ten years enjoying the inspired action shorts posted online by earlier stunt teams and independent film groups such as Zero Gravity, The Stunt People, Whirlwind Action, Montanick Pictures, Jabronie Pictures and Team FistyleZ to name a few.

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Updates On CLANDESTINE PATH + Explosive New Action Short: ELEVEN

Last year, filmmakers Chris Cowan and Haile Lee were joined by a cast of martial arts stunt actors to host a successful Kickstarter fundraiser for their bold new epic martial arts action series from Thousand Pounds Action Company, Clandestine Path, a story about feudal martial arts clan warfare in a modern-day setting. Cowan and Lee also shared a few conceptually illustrative video updates explaining the etymology of the clans, including the lion and eagle clans, respectively featuring action performers Amy Johnston and Brendon Huor.

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