THE HIT LIST - August 10, 2015

It's been a busy, busy year for the blog, and I seem to notice I'm running out of outstanding stunt reels. I may have to substitute if this keeps going, although I hope this turns around. Anyway, this week has a new Hit List installment and it should be an awesome evening or morning for you, wherever you are in the world as there are plenty of shorts and bits of webserial content to share with at least one being a matter of catching up for me.

I almost wish there were two of me for this thing.

Starting things off here is the stuntreel playlist with samplers by Robert Watson and Sean Taylor's stunt highlights from work on Josh Trank's Fant4stic, as well as reels by Tony Flores, Noah Woods, Lisa LoCascio, an excellent new reel from stunt coordinator and stuntman, Arnold Chon and a fantastic action reel courtesy of Martial Club's own Daniel Mah!

Now it's time to get fighting, and kicking things off are a trio of quick little fight action jewels, and I have a favorite from these. Cinematic Fight Studio initiates this round here with a test fight starring CFS student Nhan Du and martial artist and upcoming actor Tom Caserto, followed by Jeff Centauri's latest bit of madness in Young Model Fights Back: Secrets, a nifty little video from our German entertainers within the Noobtown Monkeys as dueling roommates, Player VS. Player and the latest test fight short, Captured, from Wolf Stunts!

Taking a moment to help share a little bit of webseries, YouTube Space has proven to be quite the breeding ground of ideas for Toku creative, indie filmmaker Bueno. The latest idea to come to fruition has finally taken shape in the new webseries, Ayakashi Zamurai, with Kimura Keisaku starring as a fugitive and wandering drifter armed with a kickass...puppy. Yes, I'm calling it a puppy until you see it for yourself.

The second video comes from the kind folks over at Shuriken Films in the wake of their new webseries launch, Warigami, starring Sam Marra in the story of a warrior on a mission to protect ancient scrolls while facing an opposition with a shared, unique skillset. It's visually impressive and the story and action share as every bit of intensity as you'd hope, and if you're new to the webseries, then you're just in luck. Because you can also catch the second episode today after you've seen the first in the player below!

And lastly, though far from least, oft contributor and independent action coordinator, James Couche, has a few gems of his own now out and about. One is the latest long-awaited short Demon Hunters:  Zero Mission, now online as of last week and serving up a nice little slice of sci-fi action cheese circa the mid-90's.

The second, and final video of the Hit List this week comes by the good graces of the latest milestone success of the current Kickstarter for director Michael Neal's webseries, Swords Of Insurgency, with the unveiling of the pilot while crowdfunding continues. Couche's team, DC Stunt Coalition led by stunt coordinator Dylan Hintz, designed the action with actress Rebecca Hausman front and center of this post-apocalyptic tale of one woman's struggle to survive tyrannical usurpers of the future.

Click here for more info, otherwise, enjoy both videos below!

Swords of Insurgency - Pilot Episode from Michael Neal on Vimeo.

A few noteworthy mentions here are necessary this week, particularly for independent filmmaker Frank T. Ziede who is currently around the corner with his latest military action series, Black. In the meantime, he's also promoting the Wednesday online premiere of his latest shortfilm, Dogs Of War, and there's an event page where you can join and view the trailer as well.

As for all else, there's plenty to catch up with if you're new to the Hit List, and last week's list is full of goodies if you missed any. And, if you or someone you know have QUALITY content you would like to host in our weekly Hit List, e-mail us at filmcombatsyndicate@gmail.com.

Help Kickstart Michael Neal's New Action-Packed Webseries, SWORDS OF INSURGENCY!

It's always welcoming to see original content stake its claim in the eyes of the film viewing world. As tough as it is to sustain, however, opportunities for things like this most certainly advantageous, and so director Michael Neal is now ready to heed the call with crowdfunding at his disposal for the hopeful support of his newest webseries, Swords Of Insurgency.

There's no doubt that this one assures quality in its inspired vision between production values and cast performances. I had the opportunity to screen the pilot episode myself awhile back and observe lead actress Rebecca Hausman in the lead role and was very impressed with what I saw in an episode full of drama, intensity and phsyicality worthy of capturing on camera with great fight action put together by indie action design team, DC Stunt Coalition, led by oft-contributor to Film Combat Syndicate, fight choreographer James Couche.

The set design, costumes and overall indoor and outdoor settings were fantastic, and all done with a small investment and it goes to show the level of talent you have to have in achieving that sort of thing. Clearly the talent is there with Neal, Hausman, Couche and the rest of the cast, and with the help of Kickstarter through generous donations in exchange for some tasty perks - including an exclusive viewing of the first episode, Swords Of Insurgency will surely be a feat to enjoy in a webseries with all the trimmings.

Decades have passed since the great apocalypse destroyed civilization. The world has now become a reincarnation of the dark ages, warlords rule and fight for domination. Firearms are now scarce and held only by a few who use it to maintain power; hand to hand warfare has returned as the dominant form of control or liberation against tyranny. 

Our story begins with Abigail a proud warrior with dark past, now imprisoned in a brutal political prison, run by the Emperor Taneg and his son Droll, a demented psychopath with a disturbing infatuation for Abi. 

On the outside a rebellion grows against the monstrous Taneg and his prison, Abigail must find a way to escape and join the rebels and their mysterious leader. But to what extent will she go? And what awaits her on the outside, is she stepping out of the frying pan and into the fire? 

A vicious world has been formed and Abi will find out first hand what it takes to survive and what it means to be human, in world full of beasts and monsters.

Head on over to the project's Kickstarter page and learn all you need about what the critics are saying, as well as how you can help bring another awesome webseries to life.

Swords of Insurgency Trailer from Omar juarez on Vimeo.

Indie Non-Profit Actioner, SWORDS OF INSURGENCY Launches A New Trailer!

Director Michael Neal's latest indie feature-length webseries presents a something that could bode well for YA audiences that don't mind something a little different compared to its Hollywood counterparts. Swords Of Insurgency is the name of the project, set in a post-apocalyptic world where the remainder of mankind lives mostly in the dark ages and thrives primarily on one's own fighting skills to survive.

The project began roughly a few years ago with funding through tax-deductible donations to the non-profit art services group, Fractured Atlas, and while this isn't a new concept as there have been plenty of variations of it in prior works, this certainly garners my interest with its current setting and cast. The trailer just released and shows some pretty good cinematography and nicely done action with Rebecca Hausman and Jarod Kearney starring.

There's no dated release just yet, but there's a website to follow if it suits your interests. Watch the trailer just beneath!

SYNOPSIS:

Swords Of Insurgency is an action martial arts short film based in an apocalyptic setting. It is a non-profit project. 

Decades have passed after the great apocalypse and the world has become savage more reminiscent of the dark ages than modern times. Most of the world's firearms have been destroyed and hidden and hand to hand warfare has returned as the dominant form of fighting.

Swords of Insurgency Trailer from Omar juarez on Vimeo.