Never Quit - Astoria Boxing Club (HD) from Albert Art on Vimeo.
This is another short film that I shot quite awhile ago, in January, and it's something that dragged on for several months in post as I tried to figure out the style of music that I wanted. Herman Witkam, whom I collaborated with previously on Vancouver in 2010, was patient enough with me to try different music compositions. In the end we settled for something that would give a feeling of epic proportions.
The folks at Astoria Boxing Club were cool enough to let me come in to observe these fighters in training. I tried my best to stay out of their way for fear I would get clocked in the face, and some how damage my camera, but luckily nothing like that happened.
running time: 01:20
'Never Quit' is a short piece on amateur boxing, which highlights dedicated fighters in training. Filmed at the Astoria Boxing Club in Vancouver, Canada, the goal was to capture the intensity and aggression of boxing.
Dir. Albert Art Original Music by Herman Witkam
Special Thanks Astoria Boxing Club George Angelomatis Dave Schuck Jaime Ward
AlbertArt.net herman-witkam.com warriorsboxingclub.com
A great Boxer should remain just that, a Boxer.
No doubt, Manny Pacquiao is a great fighter. An icon for the sport, and for Filipinos all across the globe -- especially for those in his native Philippines. Admiration for the athlete defies all races, classes, and creeds, from the wealthy, to the poor living in small impoverished barrios, the boxer is a man at the top of his game, whose entertainment value extends beyond the ring.
Looked upon as somewhat of a savior, "The People's Champ" with many believers and followers, he is perhaps comparable to that other guy, Jesus Christ. The man acts, sings, dances, throws punches with unmatched speed and accuracy. With all the fame, fortune, and success, why not take advantage of the opportunities that come along? After all, Pacquaio started from nothing, so why not make the most of it.
Getting into politics with bucket loads of money and fame, seems like a no-brainer in the Philippines, some would consider Pacquiao a fool if he didn't get involved in the government of his home country. Running for Congress seems like a logical step in his case, to flex his influence on the people hoping to bring an end to poverty and more opportunities for Filipinos. No doubt his intentions are true in wanting to lend a helping hand, which he could only do through politics, the Philippines isn't exactly known for pumping out highly educated, Politicians free from Dynasty-like (corrupt) political ties. If he gets involved with politics, he could be down a dark path.
I was watching an episode of HBO 24/7 preceding Pacquiao vs Cotto, and you could clearly see how easy Pacquaio became distracted by the allure of politics, by putting his training second, and his new political venture first. His trainer Freddie Roach expressed concern over it, and like a spoiled child being enticed by sweets, Pacquaio was easily malleable by the words of his political buddies during a private meeting. Then again, he sort of has to be (easily influenced), to get to where he is today in the boxing world, and pop-culture in general. Taking the advice of others has worked so far in his career.
A puppet for Nike, if Pacquiao were truly "for the people," then he would take the opportunity to speak out against sweatshops, and child labor in the Philippines, (Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, India) rather than becoming the poster boy for one of the biggest sweatshop employers around, Nike.
You know you've made it big when Nike releases your own brand and line of clothing, shoes, and related apparel. Though, I must admit it is cool seeing a Filipino be so successful, with cool sneakers.
I don't know about you, but I wanna see more boxing from Manny Pacquiao and less of everything else.
I'm totally stoked for this boxing match going down May 2nd. Pacquaio is gonna clobber the ol'timer Hatton and is gonna do to him, what he did to De la Hoya, that is, make him retire.
Sports related docs/shorts/mini-movies have always been amped on the drama of the athletes depicted, and HBO's 24/7 is no exception. This episode in particular is the first of several leading up to the fight, following the training of both boxers. Not only does 24/7 have some really good production values akin to a slick music video, but I'm actually learning more about the fighters as people, and it's getting me fired up to watch the fight. I guess the program is doing exactly what's it was made for. Haha.
I just wanted to take the time to acknowledge the awesomeness of Saturdays fight. I couldn't be any happier with the outcome of the Pacquiao/De La Hoya fight on Saturday. Amid all the naysayers, and doubters who believed that Manny did not have it in him to beat the much more experienced Oscar De La Hoya, I stood my ground along with the countless other Filipinos anticipating this fight.
When the bell rang, and the fight began, Pacquiao's quick footwork, dodging, and punches to Oscar's face proved early on in the 12 rounds that the advantage was in Manny's favor. With each round, the 'Pacman' would step up his game, leaving De La Hoya looking for an opening. Would De La Hoya surprise Manny and strike back even harder? He surprised us alright, just not the way people expected.
Saturday night watching the fight at Library Square Pub was an awesome experience. Lots of Pacquiao fans were in attendance, but the place was no surprise divided with fans of the opposing fighter. Soon though, these Oscar fans were silenced, as Manny dominated, destroying De La Hoya with hits to the face, and combos to the body. Before the ninth round, Oscar gives up, with a busted face, and the lack of desire to continue. The pub went wild. The Golden Boy gave up.
Sure he was taller, had a longer reach, and much more experience under his belt, but that didn't mean a more eager fighter couldn't compete. Compete he did, and he won. Freddie Roach trained the Pacman well.
PUMPED UP for the FIGHT!
I'm totally stoked for the upcoming boxing match between the Pacman, and Hoya Dec 6th. It's something that's exciting on so many levels, getting fans of both fighters -- many of whom are of Filipino and Mexican backgrounds -- all fired up for the competition. Though this shouldn't be a battle that's boiled down to something that's as absurd as racial 'superiority', this is a fight about the fighters skills, abilities, and strategy. Yet, it's hard not to feel a little overwhelmed with pride for the country that the boxers represent. And being Filipino myself, (but never having lived in the Philippines), I can still feel that vibe, that strong passion for the country and seeing a fellow Filipino blazing a trail of success with his fists, on the world stage. It's something to feel proud of. Can I get a wha wha, Filiiipiiinos?!
Latimes.com has some good articles and video, about the upcoming fight, including interviews with the two fighters. Check it out.
I predict that this statue will mark Oscar De La Hoya's demise. That Hollywood smile is gonna be needing some porcelain veneers.
If Manny wins, he should star in a Wii Boxing/Punch-Out! commercial or something.
Jumping on the Uwe Boll "hate" bandwagon is so 2006
Just because I interviewed the guy at his Raging Boll Boxing publicity stunt, doesn't mean I actually care for his movies. In fact, I don't give a flying F*ck. I just don't care, to the extent that I don't care for the petition to stop his filmmaking career.
Why do people even care about his movies anyway? He hasn't exactly turned the most popular video games, into horrendous films. Besides, it's not like gamers really cared about the Alone in the Dark, and House of the Dead games.
How many people actually played House of The Dead? How Many people actually played Alone in the Dark?
Sure they have a following, (a cult following which includes me) but they ain't no Halo, in terms of sales, or mainstream pop-cultural acceptance.
These games should never have been made into movies. Even if they were made by a different director, I'm sure they'd be pretty shiotty. Hello! House of the Dead! Anyone who's actually played the series knows it has a pretty campy/cheesy/cliched storyline with awful cinematics and voice over. I wasn't exactly waiting around for someone to make it into a feature film.
It's not like there were many people who remembered Alone in the Dark, either. Most people on the petition probably aren't old enough to remember Alone in the Dark! As for BloodRayne, Dungeon Siege, Postal... never interested me. Yet I can see where the anger comes from. Why make these games into films if people weren't hoping and wishing for movies based on them. Especially given Uwe's reputation, and the way they turned out. We have every right to fear more crappy video game to film abominations.
But everyone needs to realize that there are worse movies out there, and worse directors. Why aren't people bitching about Paul Anderson, and his Resident Evil flicks? He's raped Resident Evil, the Alien/Predator franchise, and now OMG Castlevania with Stomp the Yard director Sylvain White?!! Or what about Xavier Gen and his Hitman filck, that no one saw. Let's not forget Annabel Jankel, Rocky Morton, Roland Joffé, Dean Semler, all of who had a hand in making Super Mario Bros. the movie. What about DOA: Dead or Alive? or The live-action Street Fighter directed by Steven E. de Souza (who also helped write The Cradle of Life)? Lara Croft: Tomb Raider by Simon West? Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life by Jan de Bont
What about the new Street Fighter? Maybe there should be a petition to end Andrzej Bartkowiak's career... a director who also just so happened to direct Doom... as well as Romeo Must Die, Cradle 2 the Grave, and other hip hop martial arts cheese??
Gamers shouldn't be angry at solely Uwe Boll. Hollywood is to blame. Developers/Publishers who whore out their properties without much involvement (if any), in it's adaptation and production are to blame. Video game's aren't being treated, or respected as source material, as novels are treated when adapting for film. It's a shame.
I'm not worried about Uwe. I'm more worried about McG doing the next Terminator filck, and Paul Anderson molesting Castlevania. The world is coming to an END.
Signing the petition is like contributing to a marketing survey that shows statistically, 1 million people are aware of Uwe Boll's existence. What an ego booster. If you wanted to hate on someone, ignoring them is worse than acknowledging.
