Indie Filmmakers / Actors Network

Hello Everyone

Hi everyone.

I'm Rob and basically dipped my toe into the screen fighting arena in late Oct 2006, and haven't looked back. My first taste of experience was when I applied to be an Extra on a project called Dark Eden (Golden Light Studios). This is to star Steven Benitez who is a Silat expert.

When I received an email from the Casting Director, I was ecstatic; although when I later read that I was needed at a nightclub in Bradford at 5.30am on a Saturday, my initial response to myself was no. It was a good number of hours drive and I was thinking logistics. However, after a short period of reflection I thought to myself, "What if?", and took the plunge. In the absence of any expenses, I went ahead and travelled up on the Friday and stayed at a hotel. I decided that I needed to see this, as I wondered if this might be the only opportunity in my lifetime.

I would like to think that I am quite a patient person and I found myself doing a lot of waiting around on set. Eventually I was given the opportunity to fight the man himself, albeit only for a few seconds before I 'died'!

It was a good initiation for me as I observed the stresses and time constraints that the Crew were under. I kept an open mind and came away from the experience with what I was expecting, and wanted from it.

I then moved onto a Graduate Short Film, called Hitman; and played a bodyguard/henchman to the Gangster Boss. It was more visual than anything and I was just asked to look menacing. With fairly longish hair at the time, I wasn`t entirely convinced if my Elvis quiff helped. However, I thankfully received some appreciative feedback.

A more physical role was asked of me when I played yet another henchman for Peter Hallett's, Tough Justice. It was an all day shoot, and I was to fight Peter with a Jason Baird (nice chap). It was very good experience as I took some tasty hits and was sore for about a week. I do believe that is required though, as it makes you appreciate the hard work that goes into the sequence.

This coincided with the same time when I was fortunate to get in touch with Zara and Vic (NB Pictures); and I was humbled to have been made a member of Zara's screenfighting team (UK Black Salt).

During the course of attending Zara's fighting seminars and through chatting with them both, I feel that I have learned a great deal from them both; about the industry. I even remember clearly asking Zara in an email what, "Indie meant!" DOH!!!!

Furor to me was a proud moment, as I was given my first acting role. I enjoyed being Mr Lung, and in preparation, I studied Chow Yun Fat in Replacement Killers; as well as Jet Li, in Lethal Weapon 4.

Certainly with the projects lined up for NB Pictures, I cannot wait to, '....get stuck in', and assist hopefully both in front of and behind the camera.

In 2005, I stopped being a solicitor owing to, 'taking stock of my life'; almost taking a step out of my bubble and seeing what was happening if you will. I went back into the family business as a Landlord, and once I settled, also decided to stop teaching hip hop dance (was in hip hop for about 4 years) in the Summer of 2006 to focus on training for martial arts performing. I didn`t have anything in mind but I was happy because it was what I wanted to do, and I gave myself the philosophy that even if nothing comes of it then it didn`t matter to me, as I had decided upon something for me.

I am 'beyond' over the moon with what is happening now, as I`ve got to know a solid and sound network of friends; and my family supports me 100%. My parents must be one of a few pair of seniors in Bristol, who love to watch a `good cinematic kicking`!

'All systems go!'