I had the lucky opportunity to sit in on a planning session behind the scenes with three cast members during my trip to LosAngeles. I met Don Barndhart and the lead actress (Asian lady) and Zef Shalaj. I rated this film 9 out of 10 stars because I have a preference for non violence and different genres than thrillers. I recall them discussing costuming and how to deliver the car crash treatment. I had met Zef when he worked in Miami Florida and caught up with him during a working vacation while I was a ballroom dancer in San Diego California. I took the train out to LA for a few days. I will definately watch the whole film, looking out for my friend's pawnshop role. The trailer is setting off my interest and alittle anticipation anxiety of suspense, and since this movie is action packed I will watch it in the daylight. I am working on my first screenplay myself so I appreciate all the talent and effort it takes to pull off a successful indie production. The makeup looks great and the characters are believable. For a film that is 10 years old, the picture quality is still intreaguing. I will be watching for transitions and less about the actual adventure. Diamonds are a girl's best friend. I am always sensitive about women in media being portrayed as victims of violence but since these girls were opportunistic and less emapthetic they are actually portrayed as karmic equals. Overall I think it will be time well spent following up and seeing the final product. On this trip I also met comedian George Lopez in an unrelated project while he was shooting a TV show. Zef is a comedy writer by nature, and is a chamelon who is versatile as a character actor. I also caught up with him off broadway in NY. Zef moved to LA and got jobs as production assistants and editing film with Avid and in movie theatres. Actors wear many hats. The actress was also shopping for some of the clothing pieces. Cast members often contribute in more than just appearing in front of the camera. Everyone was polite and professional and acknowledged me, as I just listened in patiently. I knew it wasn't the kind of project that I would do as I do more musical and documentary, biographical, and fine art, like visual narratives, but it was a good hour of my time understudying. Ten years ago, I actually met some of these people by chance. It's pretty cool to get to see what materialized. I am also alittle surprised Zef didn't get a named role but I will see how much screen time ended up and how much dialogue he got. Zef was talented and observant as a young man and he knew what he wanted to pursue in the entertainment business. I don't think he was in this trailor. I will watch it again later. Overall, even though this is not the kind of project I would direct, I still can keep an open mind and allow the professionals to do what they love and are good at. I will be following them. You can't deny the appeal of the leading lady and her unique accent. She was actually a sweetheart in person and not quite the badass you see in this role and that just reminds me how talented she is as an actor. A film like this takes alot of synergy and chemistry of gifted people bringing their A game and contributing and colloborating and they got the job done and delivered. I almost doubted for a quick second. If I had lived there I probably would have opted not to play any role in this because it is out of my comfirt zone. As an artist when we review a script or a reading, we don't always relate. I could do the job but not with conviction. The fact that this cast brought in their inner ninja and mobster mafia just demonstrates how brave they are. A fight scene is cathartic. I am sure I will laugh alot and grip my seat. I am impressed. I would consult with any of them on my projects and my instinct was that these are trustworthy people. Although the genre isn't my cup of tea, I can still applaud them. Sometimes I am in the mood to binge watch a crime drama. When that time comes this China Dolls will be #1 on my list. I have to figure out if I can get a physical copy, a download or a stream. (I probably could have danced the part of a stripper in the background but not as a theif hahahaha) The trailer makes us really curious if she triumphs in the end. If I were colloborating I would have choreographed a sexy dance with the diamonds. That's about all I could have done. A car crash in Hollywood Hills terrified me. They were discussing the flames and I was nervous. It takes a strong mindset to carry a script like this. This isn't for amateurs. You have to really be dedicated to the craft to commit to it. Crazy interesting in a cult classic way. Best of luck to you all. You won a fan!
