IFH 840: Finding Your Way into Film Without Film School with David Powers

Alex Ferrari 0:30
Enjoy today's episode with guest host Dave Bullis.

Dave Bullis 0:41
My next guest is a filmmaker. He's working pro wrestling. Worked with the Ultimate Warrior again. I feel like I just said this, and he's also a staffer at the New York Asian Film Festival. He actually hosted his own podcast as well, called the turnbuckle throwbacks with guests. David Powers. So Dave, thanks all for coming on the podcast.

David Powers 1:04
Thank you for having me Dave.

Dave Bullis 1:04
No, it's been quite an eventful day. I may have actually

David Powers 1:04
An understatement. After that movie,

Dave Bullis 1:04
I might have accidentally shown you a gay porn, and I'm sorry,

David Powers 1:04
Bigfoot porn zero.

Dave Bullis 1:04
Well, in the in my defense, I didn't think DB Cooper versus Bigfoot was going to be a euphemism for a gay porn.

David Powers 2:38
Well, first of all, I didn't know who DB Cooper was or is, and that, you know, that title doesn't really, like, give away, like, Hey, this is gonna be, like, most awkward movie, one of the most awkward movies ever made.

Dave Bullis 2:51
Yeah, it was pretty awkward. There was no story, and it was a bunch of shirtless guys in the woods just kind of walking around,

David Powers 3:00
Well, you know, like I was telling you, like, oh, you know, this movie seems like it's like, you know, go in the same direction as, like a lot of other, like, you know, crappy B movies like Birdemick, you know, where there's like, a, just, like a driving scene that's like, in real time, you know, guy, they're filming like, every single turn the car is making. And, you know, there's this, like, shirtless dude in the woods just walking around, and it's like, 18 minutes later, finally arrives to a house, and then like, other shirtless dudes come out of the house and invite Him in. It's and it's just kind of like, like, oh, you know that's that's really like, stupid and funny. And then it just continues, and there's no story. And I even told you the Fast forward several times, and it just keeps getting awkward.

Dave Bullis 3:42
We fast forward it through 20 minutes, and it was funny, too. The when all those guys were coming out of the house, it was like a clown car. Yeah, it was like, more shirtless guys get fit in this house. It was just unbelievable that somebody actually thought that was gonna be a passable movie. I actually wonder how this is actually being marketed and

David Powers 4:02
Or if it's even being marketed? Yeah, exactly. Well, I'm sure it's being marketed somewhere, but not to anything that we would actually look at. Because, well, first of all, there's like Bigfoot is just like walking, you know, stalking through the woods, yeah? And, you know, there's these shirtless dudes, you know, even they're interacting with one another awkwardly, having like, these conversations that just like, they're not conversations, and it's just big wood, Bigfoot, you know, you know, peeking into their house. So it's like, Bigfoot a pervert too. Like, what's

Dave Bullis 4:37
They're the second floor, and He's peeking into the windows, so he's up on his ladder. He's like on the side of the house, like clutching on or hanging with him. It's almost like an animal house when, when they got the ladder, looked at the girls,

David Powers 4:52
But it's a Bigfoot looking at a bunch of shirtless dudes, exactly that are continuously changing from shorts to pants. Yeah, in public. Or in the house, yes,

Dave Bullis 5:03
Lots of toy gun play, lots of them in the in the looking in the mirror, lots of walking, lots of nothing.

David Powers 5:10
They supposed to be like a turkey shoot going on, and like they find bones in the woods, and it looks like somebody's like leftover KFC, yeah, or Popeyes or something.

Dave Bullis 5:19
And for all the people who got killed the gore level was like, less than one.

David Powers 5:24
There was no Gore, yeah. Like, he's like, slashing somebody in the face, and they make, like, a kind of, like, there's like a Foley Sound for, like, face flashing, and it's just like, a guy falling back into the wood, back into like a pool with like, no blood, and he's dead.

Dave Bullis 5:38
Yeah, sounds about right. So what would you give DB Cooper versus Bigfoot on a scale of one to a million? God, like, negative a million? Negative a million? Yeah, I would say at least, probably negative 999,000

David Powers 5:51
No, there's like, lots of like these, like lost films, you know, all over the world. And, you know, there is people trying to find, you know, was it lon Chaney's, you know, London at midnight? Like, that's only stills of it. And, you know, imagine you can just find whatever computer this guy has this shitty movie on and just delete it. So then it's, like, completely lost,

Dave Bullis 6:11
Yeah, yeah, it's completely lost forever, yeah. So let's never talk about dB Cooper versus Bigfoot.

David Powers 6:19
Ah, yeah. I somebody asks you've never seen it. You know? It's just like some things you can't unsee. Let's hopefully, like, I get hit by something very hard, and forget that I saw this movie. Yeah, we'll never speak about again.

Dave Bullis 6:35
So, Dave, yeah, so that we've been friends for a while, yes, and we actually met through social media, yes. And now you're here in Casa de bolas for the podcast. Yes. I wanted to ask before we get to how we met and everything else, well, even though I just told the story about how we met through social media, yes, but, you know, it's a question I always ask, and I always want to get to the start of this, and to always get to the start of when you sort of got bit by all of this. So you were in college, correct? Did you go to college for for film?

David Powers 7:06
Initially, I was going for business and marketing, and, you know, there's just got to a point where, you know, just didn't know where any of it was going. You know, had no, you know, particular, you know, end game or goal or anything in mind. And it was just, like, a really frustrating experience, like, for a lot of people. And I always, always wanted to work in, like, entertainment, like, when I was younger. I've always been a big pro wrestling fan, as you know. Oh yeah, I know that. You know you're wearing your Ultimate Warrior shirt. I'm wearing my Rick Martel shirt.

Dave Bullis 7:39
Yeah, seriously, I I wore this Ultimate Warrior shirt for you. Yes, you run the stud plexes, but we'll get to all that.

David Powers 7:45
Yeah, just, but which is another, like, like, an ominous, like, perverted, like, name, well, maybe we could talk about that later. I just show, like, bad wrestling videos and stuff like on Facebook through secret group and but anyway, that's neither here nor there. But, you know, was interested in in film and entertainment and stuff like that. Because, you know, just growing up like watching pro wrestling and, you know, I got into movies through watching a lot of horror movies, like Nightmare on Elm Street, like, my parents just watch Freddy cougar and have fun kid and, yeah, and in, you know, getting and actually, like, in high school, like, I was, like, a huge fan of black exploitation movies, oh yeah. Like, I remember seeing a clip of dolemite movie, The Great White hype. And it's such, like a, like a weird movie to kind of be introduced to something. But I remember, like, see, actually, no, that wasn't even in high school. That was, like before high school, like junior high, or something like that, where I first saw dolemite. And I was so enamored by, like, the horrible karate from this quick clip of dole might in the Great White hype. I'm like, I have to see this movie. This is like, like he's Rudy Ray Moore, you know, God rest his soul. Like he's, you know, trying, like he's not, like, in the best shape ever, and trying to lift his leg to do a karate kick, not making any contact with this guy. And he was, like, a thug falling into, like a trunk of a car. I'm like, even as a kid, I was like, like, I know this is not good, but it's funny, yeah, and, and I want to know, like, what, you know, what movie is this? And, like, how did, how was this even made? Who created it? And I don't know, just like that, that curiosity, kind of, you know, lingered on and back in 2010 I got to go to my first ever New York Asian Film Festival, which I currently work for now and just watching some of these movies, like, some of the genre movies, some of the rom coms and like, I was being exposed to a lot of different like, stuff that I never previously saw, and it just bugged the hell out of me. Like, how the hell they make this like, from like, the simplest ones, the more complicated ones, like, I know, you know, from what little I knew about, like, entertainment and, you know, filmmaking, I know there's a camera. I know that there's, like, a bunch of people behind the camera. But what the hell are they doing? What are they all doing? Like, when you watch like a TV show or movie that has like, like a film element to it, like there's somebody filming a movie. Like you always see, like people walking back and forth, and, you know, they're moving stuff and hearing stuff, and it's just kind of like, what are they all doing? And, you know, actually, from attending the New York Asian Film Festival like that, curiosity. Just like, like, I was like, Okay, I have to figure this out. And actually, six months later, like, I actually ended up on a film set. And once, once I got on, it was just like, like, a friend of a friend who knew somebody who was a DP, and I was like, questioning, like, like, I'm thinking about going back to school, maybe, like, a film school, or something like that. And this friend of mine was just like, Nah, don't even waste your time. Like, I know somebody who's a DP, you can learn all that stuff on set. I'm like, wait, what? Like, I don't have to go to a school and pay them, like, tons of money, and spend another four years to get a diploma so I can do something, like, I could just do this, like I can learn this, like on the job. And he's like, Yeah, sure. And sure enough, he was right and, and, you know, just getting onto a film set, just seeing what people were like, figuring out what people were doing. It's, it blew my mind, and, you know, I got the bug instantly. And it's just like, I want to, I know I'm not going to be like, doing everything that everybody's doing on set, but I want to learn what these guys are doing and hopefully make a living out of it, if possible.

Dave Bullis 12:19
Yeah. And honestly, your friend was right, by the way, because the honestly, it's like this podcast, it's basically, it is an audio film school. If we were talking about, you know, we were, you know, eating or whatever, or when you first got here, I forget whatever we were talking about, yeah, it's basically, you know, you have a lot of options. Now, people have options, you know, people who listen to this podcast know, I'm not a big fan of college. I become a fan of college less and less, yeah, just because the promise doesn't deliver. I mean, you're taught from, from when you're like, you know, in kindergarten or first grade, you have to go to college, you get a good job, you have to have that diploma to get whatever. You get it, and then you realize, holy crap, that's like, there's a gluttony of people with the same degree in the field, yeah. And it's just like, do I really even need this? Like, you know, do I really need this to do? Like, hell, I have a degree in business, and, I mean, I've never, I, honest to God, I've learned so much more outside of college. Yeah. It's like James alter always says, Do you really need to pay $200,000 to learn how to learn? No, exactly.

David Powers 13:20
And there's also something that he, you know, speaks about, like, in depth to, especially like his, like, anti college stuff. It's like, there's a lot of like, you know, you know things in real life that you won't learn in college, like, like, how to fail. Like, there's no class on like, failing. Like, everybody's trying not to fail in college. And if you fail, that's a bad thing. But in real life, ever again. But in real life, you know, especially in filmmaking, like, it's kind of like, the more you fuck up, like, the more you learn. Yes, and in real life, you know, you really do have to screw up to to learn and to, you know, hopefully not make those same mistakes, yeah?

Dave Bullis 14:01
And when you do fail, you can, you know, there's a saying that calm waters do not a good sailor make, yeah? So if you're just always smooth sailing and all these calm waters and everything's just copacetic, and whatever anybody can do that, you don't need that any, anybody, any, you don't even need sailor training. You know what I mean, you could just put that ship and just steer it away. But when the waters start getting very bad, the waters get all choppy, and then you're fighting tidal waves, and then you're fighting Krakens and all sorts of stuff, and you have scurvy that Bigfoot and Bigfoot, yeah? And that's when you have to know, oh, my God, thank God. Yeah. This is teaching you something, yeah, kind of like, you know what Nietzsche says, whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger, absolutely. So it's kind of like one of those things, and you know, and honestly, and to Dave, with so many film productions out there and with all this other stuff, you can just go on YouTube. If I was in high school right now, even in middle school right now, and I looked up films and stuff like that, or I looked up what was going on in my in. My area, wherever the hell I lived in the world. I mean, you could find a ton of other people doing the exact same thing and go, Hey, you know, you're shooting a film maybe next weekend. Or they're looking for people. Go to my local film office and just see about that. You know, one thing I want to tell people is, if you want to go to college, go to college. If you ask what you already said on honestly, but I would always recommend this, take a gap year high school to college, take that gap year and just do a ton of stuff, like we were talking about earlier. If there's something that you want to do in your life and it's itching you constantly, and you're like, god damn it, I you know, I really want to go to wrestling school. I really want to go make a film. I really want to do, go do it. Yeah? Like, before it's too late. And too late is when you're when you're dead, yeah, that's why class, yeah, too late,

David Powers 15:43
Because you could still be a wrestler. Like, if you're 80, chances are gonna get, like, really injured, but probably, like, after one bump in wrestling school. But, yeah, I totally agree. Like, if you if there's, like, a niche that you want to scratch, just scratch it. You know, there's like, so many people that try to say, like, oh, I don't have any regrets or anything like that. Everybody has like, some sort of regret. Like, you can go on social media and see, like, all these different, you know, entrepreneurs like Gary V and Tim Ferriss and all that, and in the rock to the other and, like, every single post is like, positive, and it's like, it can't be that way. There's there's got to be like, something that they regret it, or something like that, you know, like, there's everybody loves, especially on social media, posts in there, and their W's, their wins. So, and I don't know just, just from my experience in in real life, you know, there's more losses than are our wins. And in that just happens with everyone. It's not like, exclusive to certain people. And I feel like if there's like, a certain thing that you want to do, especially going into film, as crazy of a world as it is, and as much like, it makes zero sense to get into still do it. It's, it's, you know, you know, like, you know, me from, from doing warrior university with the Ultimate Warrior and that was just like, such a, like a random thing for me. And that was just like one of the stops on my film journey. And, you know, I just took, like a thing that I was really curious about. And, you know, I was like, You know what, I can do this? And I gave it a shot. And, you know, so many like opportunities that I would never have experienced, like, you know, doing warrior university with Ultimate Warrior that same year, I got to work on the Victoria's Secret show for my first time, and they brought me back a second year. And just like doing a music video for a friend of mine, like just having, like people, like giving me an opportunity, trusting me to do something that you know people wish that they could do. So, yeah, absolutely. Like, if there's any sort of curiosity that you have about life or something that you wish to do, like, do it. Just don't, like, keep thinking about it,

Dave Bullis 18:02
Yeah. And that's why I always say, like, people always wait till they're prepared. You're never gonna be prepared. It's ever gonna be the right time. You have to, what I would say is hedge your bets muscles as much as possible, yeah, and then just plunge right into it, yeah, and see what you can do. I mean, like, I'm not saying quit your job and you don't know, like that, like my, like, I was telling you before about my, about my one friend who wanted to go to wrestling school, and he kept saying finding excuses. And I said, dude, like, you know, if you want to do it, just do it. Yeah. And honestly, I have friends who want to make films, and they always talk about these ideas. Like, dude, if you have a screenplay in your head, just start running it down. Yeah. Go, go out honestly. Writers Duet is my new jam. Okay, that's my, that's what's duet, yeah, that's my new that's my new thing. Okay, writer's Duet is a, is a screenwriting software, the best screenwriting software. It's all cloud based. I held by the thumbs because I always like to have a physical copy. However, here's what writers Duet is, just it blew me away. It comes with an actual like, not only is it cloud based, but you can download the actual like software for it, so now it syncs up everything. So like, let's just say you do want to go offline, you can actually download your scripts, write them offline, then as soon as you're back with internet, it'll automatically re sync it. That's amazing. So see that that's key, because I'm always like, well, what if I'm somewhere and I don't have internet? Yeah, that it just answered my question for me, right there. I have no more excuses, so I just bought it, and it's better than, pretty much everything I've ever actually it is better than everything I've ever used. I've used for is now, the future is now, and it is voters duet, because I've used Celtics. I've used fade in final draft. I've used Sophocles. I did. I say Sophocles twice. Maybe I did. Oh, but anyway, I've used them all, and this isn't a commercial, by the way, for others to wet. Sometimes people ask me if I get paid for some of this stuff. I'm like, No. Like, honestly, I just, I just, I just, but that works. Yeah, I do. Like, like, I just told people stuff that works, and I will. I somewhat like some things, if it's on Amazon, you. Oh, There's a 99% chance if you go to davebullis.com and you see a link, 99% chance that it's an affiliate link. But at least I'm looking straight with that. Yeah, but, like, but, but hey, at least it's something I actually use, but like, writers do it, or whatever else you hear me talk about, whether you know, whatever it is, I make $0 off of that. I'm just telling you. It just comes up in the course of conversation. And, you know, that's what we were talking about, too, is you had an itch. You liked the you know, you wanted to get into film, you know, I want to hear more too, about the but the New York Asian Film Festival, because it sounds freaking awesome, yeah, and that's the festival you were talking about a little bit earlier, yeah, where it's just like, you know, as you know, we're both huge Asian cinema fans. Yes, I freaking love Asian cinema. I think it is just, you know,

David Powers 20:54
Well, I know you love Tarantino, see, then you gotta love, right?

Dave Bullis 20:57
You gotta love Ringo lamb. You gotta like to catch a Mackay. You gotta love chan Park. I mean, you know these, I mean, Takashi Mackay might be one of the most dynamic, diverse filmmakers ever, because he has made films like, something like, maybe the audition or visitor queue, and then he makes something like, what is it? 13 samurai. Is it? Yeah, 13 assassins, 13 assassins, yeah. And, and I was like, you know, see, it's something like that. When he's just got any, any so freaking political

David Powers 21:33
He even makes, like, he's made children's films too, yeah, yeah. And it's just like, This guy, man, he's just all over the place. Yeah, he's, plus, he's one of these filmmakers who he'll do, like, I don't know, like 10 or more productions a year. So yeah, maybe not all of them are good. But he's constantly, you know, working his craft.

Dave Bullis 21:53
He must be non stop just working, just turning it out. Yeah, absolutely. So, you know, just back to the New York Asian Film Festival, you know. So what were your first experiences with that? And I mean, because now you're actually a full fledged staff member,

David Powers 22:07
Yeah, I'm Operations Manager with them now, after some years of filmmaking and being a bit hated from any experience, you know, one of the things that like, always, like kept me grounded in film and, you know, kept that fire going. Was the New York Asian Film Festival. I heard about it back originally, in 2009 I was taking a Japanese class, and there was just, like, some guy that came in who was, like, former student of, you know, that professor, and he mentioned, like, oh, there's like, some film festival show in like, Asian movies. And he was like, There's one called vampire girl versus Frankenstein girl with my background that I already mentioned. I was like, Whoa, where? Like, he's like, yeah, it's called the New York Asian Film Festival. I think at that time, they were like, at IFC. And I was like, after this class, I'm going on my phone and I'm looking it up. I'm signing up for any mailing list that they have and whatever screenings they have. I'm going to all of them, because previously, you know, now, whenever I would go to a movie, would just be like a, like a random, like a, not a random, but like, you know, your standard AMC, Lowe's whatever, yeah, to see whatever Hollywood movies are out there, usually for, like, for anything like, international or, you know, just like an independent film, like, I didn't think that those would be at, like, an actual movie theater. Like, I would just go to Best Buy to check out something that wasn't going to be in a movie theater. Or, you know, back in the day, you know, Blockbuster and so blew my mind that there was a festival for this. Blew my mind that they were like theaters that screen these movies. So it's like, I it was like a whole new world. Was like, you know, opening up. I'm like, Oh, my God, there's this. This exists. So, you know, true to my word, like, as soon as that class was over with like, I went on my phone, looked it up, and I found out that the 2009 edition was over, won't want so I signed up for everything mailing lists, got on their Facebook, liked it, and patiently waited for a whole year to go by, for it to come back. So 2010 was the first year I got to go, and their main guest was Sam, oh, hung Oh, wow, yeah. And Simon Yam, who's also like an, you know, bunch of you know, Ringo lamb, you know category three, you know, Hong Kong movies. And I was like, wow, you know, like, I've seen these guys, like, in movies, and they're, they're here, like, they're guests, like they're here to talk about these movies. And didn't know too much about the festival. I didn't know too much about, like, you know, some of. These directors or actors, but new New York Asian Film Festival kind of covered everything from, like, indie to, you know, big budget, you know, films for, you know, all these different Asian countries. So, you know, it just rolled the dice and, you know, picked up their catalog like a program book. When I went to my first screenings, and I just, like, looked through it, and I'm like, this looks cool. This looks this has a badass title. Let me check it out. Rom coms, I don't really watch those, but I'm gonna watch them now. Like, which ones you should watch? 2010, I don't remember, because I was like, maybe 11 years ago. Maybe, was it like, drink, drink, drunk, or maybe My Sassy Girl? Or, No, My Sassy Girl was earlier than that. Oh, my God, I'm trying to once I figure it out, I'll let you know, okay, but I'll link to in the show notes. But I, you know, I just watched like, all these different kind of movies. And there was, like, some stuff that I wouldn't even like bother with. Like, there was one documentary on a Japanese folk artist called Live tape. And it, I forgot the name of the the artists I should remember, because I have the soundtrack at home, but it was literally this guy, you know, starts off walking in, you know, one of one space, and he just starts strumming on his guitar, gets into song, and then he meets up with a band member in some other part of town and goes into another song, and it's all one shot. And they're walking through like, the town you know, him meeting, you know, one band member at a time, and then at the end of the film, like they all meet together, and, you know, get into the last song, and I'm like, wow, this is one shot. And I think I was telling you, like, beforehand, I was like, you know, what's behind the camera? How are they filming this? How do they make it, you know, look the way it does, you know, how are they able to do this in one shot for like, over an hour and have it look the way it looks? Yeah? So just like watching these movies, just kind of like, you know, being a being a big film fan to begin with, because I was, you know, like I mentioned, I was really into black exploitation movies and just other kinds of film and anything that really piqued my interest. Like, I have this like habit of, like, I have to dig as deep as possible, go further down the rabbit hole to find out. Like, you know, what is this all about? You know, what? How did it start? And, like, yeah, how is it what's the community, you know, like, and, you know, notice that there were, like, volunteers and stuff like that. So I'm like, I have to work for the festival next year. So I ended up volunteering. And now I'm actually like, I've volunteered so volunteers so often and been so consistent. Like, now I'm like, part of staff.

Dave Bullis 27:51
So when do they offer you part of staff? Like, did they did somebody there finally say, like, look, this powers kid is really got some Gump shit. He's got some gunk. Yeah, I'm gonna promote him. No, but like, what was the like? Was there a final thing where somebody finally said, Look, Dave, we're just gonna promote you to this for next festival. Or is there anything like that? Or was it like, sort of, they mean, you could get you were consistent, you were always there. So I'm sure, I'm sure somebody had to know something, right?

David Powers 28:19
It's kind of hard to say, because it just kind of happened, like organically. It's kind of like you're just there so long that they just kind of give you a title. Because, believe it or not, you know, despite the caliber of guests that we get, you know, we've had people like Jackie Chan and was our last last year's big guest was Lee Byun Hoon, who was in Magnificent Seven. And, you know, despite getting, like, some of these big names, like, it's really, like, a our team is really tiny. There's, like, a, probably less than 10 people that program it, and probably less than 10 people that are just part of the staff, like, helping out with, like, you know, random stuff. Like, one of the things I'm doing this year is event planning. I don't have too much experience in vent planning, but I sure as hell I'm gonna have it this just this summer. Thankfully, the person that I'm working with, like, has done that before, so, so we're not like, Hmm, let's get some string cheese and toasty So, but it's a really small team that makes this this big festival, like, come together. And really, I think you know me coming into the position that I am with, with operations management, it's just really like, I've just been there for such a long time, kind of like with a lot of the films I worked on in the past, and like some of the guests that you've had on the past, you know, they want to do something so bad, and they want to figure out how it works, like, you know, just want to do like, every year that came by that I was volunteering, it's like, you know, what else can I do besides volunteering? I just asked for more and more tasks. And, you know, because it's such a small team, like they were like, okay, won't you do this?

Dave Bullis 29:05
I mean, yeah, everyone knows each other, right? Yeah, you know, event planning. I've actually done a few like events and stuff like that. Yeah, my tips are always going to be, always, always, always try to get, like, some kind of deal whenever you can. And what I mean by that is I would always, I always pitched quality, quantity over quality. Is the very rare time I actually, like, for instance, alcohol companies. Yeah, I would pitch them constantly. And eventually the vodka companies are huge, and sponsoring shit, even if you can't get money, even a free bottle of something, is a pretty good thing, because you give that away. And it's always, it always looks pretty cool. You can put up their stuff, or you can just trick it yourself in a parking lot and just, yeah,

David Powers 30:59
One of our sponsors this year is same beer sponsor from last year, singtal. Oh, yeah. So they're gonna be one of our, like, sponsors. So we got the free beer. No, they got the beer hook up.

Dave Bullis 31:11
Nice, yeah. See that stuff like that. He that stuff like, you know, just getting one sponsor and getting another sponsor. I mean, honestly, that's, that's the whole thing.

David Powers 31:20
One of the years we had, like, McDonald's as a sponsor, because I was, like, looking was, like, looking, because I had, I was been helping out with the Wikipedia page, and I asked for, like, all the old programs I remember, like, McDonald's was one of our sponsors. I can't even imagine why McDonald's, I don't know. Maybe they had the the Mulan Szechuan sauce, or something like,

Dave Bullis 31:38
Have you been seeing Rick and Morty? By the way, have you seen the newest one? Not the newest season? I've seen, like, some past episodes, the show is incredible. Yeah, that's the whole session. Yeah, yeah. He's got the obsession with Yeah, with that. And just want to bring it up just in case. But yeah, McDonald's, I'm just like, What? What the hell you know, honestly, did you ever get, like, any local restaurants that say, Hey, maybe I can cater for maybe one event, and then maybe the guy down the street cater for another event that way, not killing the small businesses, and they can sort of get something in return as well.

David Powers 32:08
We're working on like stuff like that for this year. I don't know too much about it, because I can't talk too much about it either, so you'll find out if you told me you'd have to kill me, right? Yeah, or make you watch DB Cooper and Bigfoot again?

Dave Bullis 32:22
Well, I thought we were ever going to talk about that again? You have to men and black me and give me one of those, those phaser things. You're just like, I don't remember anything

David Powers 32:30
Well, for the sake of punishment,

Dave Bullis 32:35
Was that the worst we've ever seen?

David Powers 32:37
Oh, man, for me, it's not actually, no, that's not the worst movie ever seen. I'm trying to remember I've seen so I've seen some, like, really horrible ones, because, you know, just sometimes, just, like, curious about something, I think, like, the worst one was, like, an old school like, Mexican horror movie, like, about an Aztec mummy. And, like, the mummy's not, like, hardly in the movie. And, like, it's, it's like, all, like, there's like a voiceover talking about, like, every scene that's going on, and there's people talking. It's like, let the people talk. I don't need a voiceover. Just, just let these people talk. And then I think, like, the way that the mummy is killed, like, is, like a car runs over it. I'm like, Really, this, this, this creature comes back from the dead after 1000s of years, and it gets run over by a car to be killed.

Dave Bullis 33:23
So they didn't have cars in Egypt. They just, you know, had hooks up the brain, you know, or if something goes to get the brain,

David Powers 33:29
So apparently, this mummy can come back to life, but if it gets hit by a car, it's, it's a done deal.

Dave Bullis 33:36
But sorry, that's a good too far off as we talk about DB Cooper and stuff now, yeah, but just to go back to the Asian Festival, you know, I'm glad to hear that it's constantly growing, yeah. So what is this year's festival?

David Powers 33:46
It's gonna be happening June 30 through July 15 at Film Society of Lincoln Center, which also is like hosts like other festivals like the New York Film Festival. And last couple days, we're gonna be at the SVA theater on 23rd street.

Dave Bullis 34:03
Cool. And who's the big guest like this year? Because I know you've had Ringo Lamb, Jackie Chan, you said,

David Powers 34:10
Haven't announced any guests. Oh, how do I know? So we'll have to do something after Okay, so I will update this as soon as you make an announcement. We'll be announcing it very soon, actually, okay, good. Because a little bit early with promoting it, well, not too early, but still early. Yeah.

Dave Bullis 34:25
What are we halfway through May? Yeah? So, yeah, okay, about a month. Yeah, we got about a month. Yeah, that's a good time to get some promotion out, yeah? But, yeah, I'll do this as well, because you're actually the next episode in the gate. So I just, I was like, Well, I guess I'll update it. Yeah, okay, when it when you announce the guest? So absolutely. So you know, what are some let me ask you. We talk about networking and stuff. You and I talk about all this stuff. What are some of the things that you've taken away from doing the festival about networking? I mean, I'm sure you've seen people who are awful networkers. Oh yeah, cards out there. Everybody, yeah? And there's good networkers who are almost like, and not to use the Asian theme too much, but like a ninja, where it's like, you know, they're just like, How dare you Yeah, I know exactly right into stereotypes, yeah, but no, like, the they're basically like, you might not know who they are, yeah, but everyone seems to know who they are, you know, yeah, like, like, Hey, do you know? You know, maybe I don't know John Wong, do you know John Wong, oh, yeah, yeah, I know John Wong, have you ever actually met him? I just have heard of him. Yeah. What? I mean, that type of guy. So, I mean, have you seen some of something like that at the festival? What are some of the things you've taken away from it as well,

David Powers 35:38
Just from working, just in film in general actually has helped me out a lot, you know, working at the festival, because we do have these, like, high profile guests, and you never really know how, like, you know, every everyone in general, when you meet them in real life, they're all different. And, you know, when we have, like, big name guests or smaller name guests, it's just kind of like, I just treat them like humans, because at the end of the day, like, I'm not gonna try to pitch these guys an idea, like, or like, Hey, could you get me a job? You know, I'm not gonna be like, begging Jeff give me a job. Like, Gil from Simpsons, get me a job.

Dave Bullis 36:14
Oh, look good. And for old Gil,

David Powers 36:16
Give Gil a lick. Come on. Like, no, no. Like, usually, actually, one of the many jobs I've had in the past was to bodyguard, you know, some of these guys really, who'd you bodyguard for? Jackie Chan was the one that one, that one's actually kind of a stretch, like, it still was like a bodyguard thing. But it was literally like, we need you to, we need you to walk Mr. Chan over to his car. And it was like, it's like, five feet away, or something like that.

Dave Bullis 36:45
Has anything ever happened? We better, like, put somebody down.

David Powers 36:47
No, actually, for the Jackie Chan thing, there were, there were, like, some, like, autograph hounds. There were rounds. And it was kind of strange, because this, we had him for like, a press conference, and it was just like, it's not one of those kind of things that you're gonna, like, find out. Gonna, like, find out about, or it was really, like, low key, and it's like, you know, it's just thinking to myself, like, how did these people know that he was going to be here? So, you know, never estimated the power of a stalker. Yeah. So seriously, man. But luckily, there was, like, me and another guy, and, you know, we were, they were just like, a bunch of kids wanting autographs. So it wasn't that hard to, you know, put them down. But, you know, at that time, like they were like a like an ant, like an animal rabies, but my face, I'm like, no kid, yeah. You know, from my experience in professional wrestling, Power Bomb, the kid on the concrete.

Dave Bullis 37:44
You gave me the rock bottom and the Stokoe sign,

David Powers 37:47
yeah, give him the Super Kick, and now give him the sleeper hold and cut his hair afterwards. But anyway, but it wasn't anything too crazy. And, you know, just one thing that I learned, and, you know, just I learned in real life, it's just like, you know, some people just don't want to be bothered, and situation like that, you know, just do what I was told, bring him to his car, let him get in the car and drive away. And, you know, whenever I've, like, dealt with like guests in the past, you know, I just give them their space. You know, if they want to talk to me, they could talk to me. If not, then fine. Like, there's been, like, there was, like, one really famous Korean actor, Lee Jung Jae, and, you know, there were some other big name Korean, you know, stars that were there too, and they were outside of the theater. They just wanted to sit down at a table and talk. So I let them sit there and talk and me and like one other person was helping me out just watch the area. There was, like, some people that like, Lee Jong Jae and like, yeah, give them their space. And, you know, you know some, thankfully, you know, some of these people are kind enough to just, Hey, let these guys, like, chill out. They're human beings, you know, let them, let them chat with one another, because I'm sure, like, with their schedules and stuff like that, you know, seeing people that you work with or worked with in the past, you know, they just want to hang out. And there's a screening for one of you John Jay's films, and he just wanted to stand in the back and watch it. So, you know, I just, you know, stood there with him, let him do his thing. I didn't ask him any questions or bother him, and at the end of it, he just said, thank you. And for me, that was validation. But there's been times where I've, you know, bodyguarded, like some of these guys, and there's one in particular, Ringo Lamb, who is just kind of like, Who the hell is this guy? Why is he following me around all the time? And then, like, at the end of it, we were like, best friends, and and I'm like, wow. Like, this guy was like, Who the hell, who the hell is this guy following me around? And, you know, at the end of it, like, I we actually, like, bumped into each other at a at a restaurant. And, you know, after one of the screenings, separately, separately, was he, like, you followed me here, too? Kid? No, no. Actually, by that time, like, he got, he, like, grown got grown accustomed to me, and he was like, hey, this guy's All right. And he actually got, like, he stood up from the table that he was at and went over to me and, like, shook my hand. Oh, and, you know, like, you know, said hi to, you know, the people that I was sitting with. So you might have, like, situations like that, but like, I never go out of my way to say, like, Here's my card. Like, I was at Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. You should hire me for stuff I know the Ultimate Warrior. Yeah?

Dave Bullis 40:55
Seriously? Well, because, well, at that point you didn't know the ultimate war that, yes, yeah. And so, so, well, at that point you had everyone at the table. You have to say, this is Ringo lamb.

David Powers 41:05
Oh, they already knew who he was. This is there were some of them were working with me at the festival. One of them was like a friend who flies out from from Austin. Her name is Christina. Hi, Christina. I'm sure she'll be listening. She better be listening. Yeah, I don't know who that is, but she's got to be listening. So, you know, she was hanging out, like, oh my god, ring a lamb. So, you know, it was, it was a big deal, and it was like, such a genuinely nice thing for him to do, like, I wasn't gonna go out of my way to, you know, to be a fan or mark out or anything like that.

Dave Bullis 41:34
Did anybody bring up the fact that city on fire is what? Let me change this around. Okay, that Reservoir Dogs is very similar to city on fire.

David Powers 41:45
No, you don't say, yeah, no, that wasn't brought up. I think because it's like such a like, I think at this point, especially if you're going to the festival, you probably already know that, yeah. So it was just kind of like a moot, you know, subject to bring up. Also, like, he, it was funny. He was very shy, like he didn't really want to do, he didn't want to do Q and A real or anything like that. Like, we did give him, like, a lifetime achievement award, and he didn't, he just said thank you. That was his speech. And it was funny, because he did have some, like, great stories, like in the back and stuff like that. But just, you know, he was a pretty shy guy, or just didn't want to, you know, you know, talk. I don't know, I don't know the specific reason, but it wasn't brought up. But I did ask, like, one of the programmers, like, hey, basically asking the same thing, like, Hey, is anybody? Well, I know people have asked that question, but I was like, oh, you know, what's his like, take on that. And it was just basically like, oh, well, we steal a lot of American ideas. So if you stole, if America steal one of our ideas, all right, that's cool, me. So it was just kind of like, you know, mutual, kind of like, respect, yeah, that's pretty cool, because essentially, that movie basically made Tarantino's career.

Dave Bullis 42:59
Oh yeah, absolutely. And then then Pulp Fiction was the was the sort of Death Blow, yeah. And I mean that in a good way, because that's a good one to combination. It's probably one of the best one two. I got into a discussion with this for for a film professor at Yale, because he we were asking, what the best one two combination of movies from a director, they have to be back to back, yeah, and that hat that has to be up there. He ended up contending that, oh, God, what was it that he said it was actually very tough to beat too. God, damn it. I forget, but when I our original show notes exactly official shows, I will link to it. I'll put like, this is what the hell I was talking about. But I forget what it was. I it wasn't. For some reason I keep wanting to say Sam to Sam Peckinpah movies, but it wasn't Peckinpah. It was. It may have been something it was. It was something else entirely, but I'll get, I'll put those in the show notes. Okay, time, and I'll wait and listen

David Powers 43:54
The breaking movies,

Dave Bullis 43:58
Which Claude Van Damme and and Boogaloo shrimp.

David Powers 44:02
Yes, yeah. It was a great guest on the Super Mario Brothers Super Show.

Dave Bullis 44:05
Yeah. You know that one guy, not, not, not Boogaloo shrimp, but the other guy, Shabadude, you know he's, like, apparently, a total fucking prick in real life.

David Powers 44:14
Well, with a name like shabadoo, like, either you're really, like, the greatest guy ever, or you're, you're cursing God for being named Shabadude.

Dave Bullis 44:21
I guess it's the latter, because apparently, like, I've had people who've met him and stuff, and they said he's just, like, even back then, they were like, he's just any the girl who was in break in, she said he she knew for the after, when they was like, Hey, we're gonna make a sequel. She's like, he better not be in it. Wow, apparently, because he's just so, like, I'm the best dancer out of all of us, and you better all,

David Powers 44:45
Well, I guess you gotta have quite an ego after being on the Super Mario Brothers super ship. Well, Boogaloo shrimp is apparently a good guy, yeah. I mean, you have to be with a game like Boogaloo shrimp. Yeah, come on.

Dave Bullis 44:54
So, so, I mean, you know, and it's great to be, you know, the Asian fest. Of all the New York Asian Film Festival, I'm just glad that there's actually festivals like that now. Yeah, they're becoming more and more prevalent. Because, honestly, man, like, there are some kick ass movies that are coming out from Asia, and sometimes you get buried, and Tarantino made, what was it Rolling Thunder? I think films or productions, yeah, it was going to be like, he's going to start showing these, apparently, it just sort of teetered off. Because, I think, yeah, it wasn't seeing the ROI Yeah, but I wanted to ask, though, did you ever get to see vampire girl versus Frankenstein?

David Powers 45:29
Yes, I did. Okay, God, I got it on like, DVD, like, I think, like the following year or something. Oh, right. That's actually, it was funny because I one of the friends that made through film, just, I guess, to get like, into like, you know, connecting with people and networking and stuff. I was watching the Sci Fi show face off, and there was, like, one, you know, I was starting to get into film. I was just really being like, as bold as possible, because it's just kind of like, Yeah, I saw this great opportunity to just grow as a person, to like, because I really like, held back on, you know, pursuing anything I was interested in, like a big wrestling fan, but I never went to wrestling school. Yeah, they did go to the Chikara pro first tryout. So really, yes, how's that go? I'm not a wrestler, but it was fun. Did you run the ropes? We didn't run the ropes. It was like, super, super basic.

Dave Bullis 46:24
Do they? Let me ask you, did they just, like, try to weed out everybody by making this just do, like, body weight calisthenics, like Hindu squats and running them? Yeah, we, we did

David Powers 46:33
that stuff. But it wasn't like 500 Hindu squats or anything like that. I essentially, like the gist that I got from it was like they were looking for new wrestlers, yeah, like, genuinely looking for new wrestlers. So they just started doing this so, you know, that they could find new talent. Yeah, cuz they were very, like, at the end of it, like, I could tell, like most people, like, including myself, were just there, just to, like, wonder what it's like, yeah, and I specifically was going because a friend of mine's, like, brother badly wanted to be a wrestler. So I'm like, you have to go through Chicago pro because they literally had the best like, trainers at that time. I'm sure they still do now, but like Mike Quackenbush, yeah, Mike Quackenbush, who's one of my favorite indie wrestlers, and Valley, wanted to be a wrestler. So I was like, you know, you got to go to this. And then I got, you know, another itch had to be scratched. So I was like, let me check this out at the end of it. Like the wrestlers on hand and everybody, they were like, almost like, strong arming people to do to like, we'll give you a discount, or something like that. But I was watching the Sci Fi show face off, and there was like one person on there named suley, who I was when getting into film. One of the things I, like promised myself is like, I have to align myself with people that are doing better than me for one thing, so I can learn from them and to, you know, find people that like I know I'm gonna work well with, and three people in the area. So I saw her on the show. Thought she was awesome, enjoyed her work. She was nearby. One of the key things that I heard her say on this show, or like in an interview, was that she was willing to work on local, like independent movies.

Dave Bullis 48:27
That's her kiss of that. That's right there. I got her. I got her. She's mine. And we always turn to guys a big chomping cigars, like, where he's, like, I got it Yes.

David Powers 48:37
And just thinking about the big money bags with the dollar sign on it, I'm making money Exactly. And I reached out to her, and it turned out like she was, you know, also, like, a big, like, Asian Film fan, despite her being Asian and but I found out, you know, from, you know, we, you know, scheduled time to meet up and just like, chat to see, like, hey, was this? Like, is this somebody I want to work with? And she mentioned that she was originally going to school for like medical, like prosthetics. And she mentioned she went to the New York Asian Film Festival in 2009 for vampire girl versus Frankenstein girl. And I think she met, like the director, one of the directors and SFX artists, nishimora, and she was like, after, I don't know if it was specifically seeing that movie or just like, seeing some other movies in general that kind of, like, put it over the top that she actually got to meet this guy in person. And I know it was like a turning point for her to, you know, go to the festival, meet this, meet, meet Nishimura, and, you know, decide like, hey, you know, I'm done with medical prosthetics. I want to do, you know, movie makeup. So, you know, we both had that like in common, that like the festival was kind of like. A light bulb, you know, for both of us, Like, hey, you know, there's, there's, you know, more to our day to day life than just you know, going to work or whatever you know, plans that we, you know, had at the time so and you know, just want to throw it out there. Like, like, if you see somebody, even if they're on TV or something like that, like, obviously be polite and very, you know, humble when you approach people, because it really is annoying. If you're like, Hey, you want to be my movie, or, Hey, can you work on my movie? Or, like, and there's just, like, no real, like, you know, plan behind asking them, other than like, Hey, can you do this for me?

Dave Bullis 50:48
Like, because there's no script, you know, you don't mean there's no funding. It's just like, it's, I know who probably gets it the worst, and he's not Asian, but it's Bruce Campbell, yeah, I imagine he probably gets it every single day. Like, yeah, should we be in my movie? Yeah. And they probably call mash too, yeah. Well, they do excited because they don't know, yeah, exactly right. And Brian Halloran Dante from clerks, yeah, it was great you're supposed to be here today. And he goes, I was actually there one day talking to him, yeah. And somebody actually walked up to him and said, Hey, Dante, you guys supposed to be here today. And he goes, Yeah, haven't heard that one a million times today, exactly.

David Powers 51:28
But you know, if there's, like, somebody that you want to work with, or somebody that you want to talk to genuinely, you know, I absolutely recommend doing that too, like it, you know, a lot of you know things that we do for the festival and, you know, things that I've done, you know, for my actually, here's a good story for you. When I was working with beyond wrestling, think the like, there was, like, one week where WWE had the Muppets as, like, the guests, like GM, or the guest host for raw, and the promoter Drew was, like, the Muppets on Raw. Like, well, that's, that's ridiculous. Like, so what is beyond gonna do you have Tommy wise Oh? And I was like, I can get a hold of him for you. And I think, like, Yeah, I think he said to be like, yeah, if you could do that, like, we'll see what we could do. And I actually got Tommy Wiseau from the room on the phone, like, the next day, and he was like, talking to me, like, what are you gonna do? Actually, the specific phrase that he said maybe about like 20 times on the phone call is. So what's the story? David, and like, I was like, oh my god, I have Tommy Wiseau on the phone, and he's interested in working for beyond wrestling, this independent wrestling organization in Rhode Island.

Dave Bullis 52:36
That should be like, the name of your book. So what's the story David?

David Powers 52:40
Yeah, in book forms, exactly.

Dave Bullis 52:43
So it's just, it's just an audio book. But, yeah, it was, so it's just, it's just funny, because, you know, wrestling sort of attracts a lot of different people. Yeah, I again, you know, for everyone listening to this, I as, you know, as I've said before, I have stopped watching wrestling years ago. I just talked about it now, yeah, because I just can't get into it anymore. And I mean, you, I haven't watched it in years upon years, probably since I graduated. Well, no, I probably stopped, maybe 2008 maybe somewhere around there, yeah, so. But like, I love all the old school stuff. I love talking about the old school stuff. And I know you and I use wrestling terms in everyday speech, yeah, just by, like, by by accident.

David Powers 53:22
Like, we're using, like, old Carney terms to people that have no idea what it means. Like, I'm really getting heat in on this person, like I was trying to sell this and, like, it's marking out. Like, wait, what are these people talking about?

Dave Bullis 53:34
Like, is he stiff in it? Was he taking liberties? Yeah. Like, big time, enough time. And I love that term. It's just and, like, he's a chopper, yeah? It's just stuff like that, like he's jobbing out to him tonight. It's just stuff like that. And it's just like, it's like, it's just funny stuff. When you when they don't know what they're talking about, yeah, but people very rarely, we were saying, they very rarely, will call you on it, and so they're just like, oh, yeah, because I think they kind of understand what you're trying to say

David Powers 54:01
It's funny because, like, I've never been, like, a big fan of, like, you know, inside talk, like, even for film, like, when I've been on set, like, somebody calls, like, a cable, a stinger. I'm like, yesterday, wait, see, there's a cable this. Call already? Sevens, yeah. I'm like, like, as much as I have, like, enjoyed film, like, I don't like, like, film insider terms, like Stinger like, just go all the cable. It's a cable. Look at it. It's a cable. It's, I know, you plug it into some got two stingers on the floor here, yeah? Like, come on, really,

Dave Bullis 54:29
No no. See 40 sevens, though, although we do have one clamp, we each have a clamp on here.

David Powers 54:34
Was it? Like, the, like, the clothes like, you know, clothes pins, yeah, and people call my bullets and stuff like that. And it's just kind of like, really, it's just kind of like, I'm sure for some people, like, hearing like, who've had conversations with me using wrestling terms of what is this guy talking about? Like, where this guy sounds really stupid, using me.

Dave Bullis 54:57
It's kind of like that movie brick, where they just, everyone kind of talks. Have you ever seen brick? There's Jason Gordon Levitt in it, and everyone talks like a 1920s gangster, but it's set in modern day, like, so what's the story about the dame? It's like, it's actually kind of funny, but grifted me. Yeah, exactly. Chisel. But we were talking about, you know, pro wrestling. How did you get involved? Because I think you said to me, your first shoot, your actual first introduction to film with a pro wrestling company, right?

David Powers 55:28
Yes, actually, my very first film, like shoot period, was with beyond wrestling. Actually, that's, I think I filmed with them for like, a year and a half or so, and I've actually had the opportunity to film an inter gender match with Sasha Banks before she was big. So in the video, the match is actually on YouTube. I think if you just like, type in like Sasha Banks, beyond wrestling, you'll find this, like, funny inter gender match with her in it, and me standing on a ladder filming it.

Dave Bullis 56:01
I want to make sure to find that link to that in the show notes. Yes, I just kicked the microphone. So everyone who's wondering what that noise was, I just have to kick the microphone.

David Powers 56:13
Yeah, but it's funny because, like, you know, trying to figure out how to, like, get into some of this stuff. I'm sure, for like, a lot of people, it's like, absolutely frustrating. It's like, like, you hear everybody else's story, and, you know, there's so many like, different avenues that people have got into it. It's not like something that like, like, just not like a step by step process to, you know, get on, you know, become a filmmaker, or, you know, have a specific title. Like, everybody finds their own way. And thankfully for film, you can really go, you can really get into it through like any means possible. And if you have, like, a desire to become like a director or writer or actor, whatever, you could start at any position and figure out your way through there, but with beyond. It was funny, because I always, like, even when I was a kid, I always hated people that had connections when I didn't have connections, or they would like, have, like, a stupid story where, like, I went into a supermarket and some person found me, like, you're my next star, and they went to Hollywood and became big, or something stupid, like, I had $4 in my pocket And I went to California and started in a production of hair, and then I became a big star that sounds like so unrealistic and funny enough, there was a gym by me, which I always knew that wrestlers like in the past, like Jimmy Snuka and I think, like ultimate war of like rowdy Piper, have gone to this gym, like, whenever they're in the area. Used to be a Gold's Gym, and it's been has it's gone through different owners over the years, so it's had several different names. But my dad just got me, like, a gym membership there, or something like, I think, yeah, he was going there too. So I should get a gym membership here. It's 20 bucks a month. I'm like, sounds good enough and funny enough. Like, I was wearing my chic pro, you know, hoodie, like, for a workout or something, and, and at that point in time, like, I didn't know if there was any wrestlers still going to this gym or anything like that. And, like, I just didn't even think about that or care. And you always hear about like, guys getting into the business from going to a gym, and some wrestlers like, Hey, you look like you should be in the business or something like that. And strangely enough, that kind of happened to me. Like there was a wrestler, like an independent pro wrestler at the time. He went by the name of Nick talent. I think he's going under Nicholas K now, and he saw me wearing the chakar hoodie, and he thought that I was one of the chicara wrestlers, because most of them were luchadors wearing masks, and they're all, like, super skinny. I didn't have the muscle that have now. So he saw me, thought, like, Oh, this is one of the chakar guys. He's probably just like, here for a workout. And I was like, No, I'm not. And then we just started like, Bs ing, he realized, you know, it wasn't like a weirdo or anything like that. That's the key. That's the first if you want to get into anything, yeah, a certain job or whatever, Don't be weird.

Dave Bullis 59:15
Don't be crazy. Don't be a weirdo. That's the two big don't breathe heavy over the food like that,

David Powers 59:23
Be nice. And, you know, we just had, like, just had, like, a fun chat. And whenever I was in the gym and he was there, we would just BS about wrestling. And, you know, he knew I was interested in getting into film. Another key element, if you want to get into film, just tell people that you want to get into film. Eventually you're going to find somebody that knows somebody. So this guy, you know, he would always tell me about beyond wrestling and how unique it was, because essentially, it was just kind of like a promotion that didn't have an audience. The audience was literally just the workers. So it was, you know, wrestlers, wrestling for wrestlers and with the with the mindset of, like, this is a good way for guys to network, and, excuse me, a way for for guys to, you know, get feedback from each other. Because, yeah, I don't know, like, the the mindset of the little locker rooms now, but like, I know of in the past, like, you know, you really have to really be super humble, and, you know, mind your P's and Q's to get feedback, you know, from certain guys, you had to ask the right people and just get some input on, you know, their work, because wrestling is definitely an art. You know, they even like, I've been in the ring, I've run the ropes. Nobody was teaching me how to run the ropes. I just tried to run the ropes on my own. And I'm like, wow, this is, like, the most unnatural thing ever. Like, you just, like, you just, like, run towards the ropes. And like, you know, you have to turn, but it's just, like, such a awkward movement, and like, using the ropes for momentum to to bounce off, and like, you know, run the other direction. It's just not natural at all. So, you know, just, I'm sure, for these guys, just, like, just trying to get, like, their craft, like, polished. Because, you know, when you see the stuff, like, on WWE, like, these guys are truly professionals. They make something that's like, completely like, unnatural, look like, so easy. But when, and I know you've, you've done some, you know, pro wrestling school with King Kong Bundy, like, just a lot of, you know, this, this, you know, movements and wrestling, they just, like, you really have to, like, work at it hard. You know, falling on your back, falling on your knees, and, you know, just just getting slammed and just trying to make it look like as seamless as possible, takes a lot of time and effort. And, you know, a good friend of mine, Chris Dickinson, who's in Evolve wrestling, kind of like a feeder system for WWE is like, Performance Center, you know, he, I remember, he told me, like, it took him, like, I think, like, three years before you realize, like, how to make a match. So imagine, just like having matches and just like not getting it. So these guys like form beyond wrestling to, you know, kind of bridge that gap, to get feedback from other guys to, you know, network with one another. But also, you know, put the stuff on on YouTube, you know, for fans to see it, which actually ended up, like, frustrating a lot of fans like, How come you don't have live shows? But initially, you know, he invited me to do camera work, you know, for beyond wrestling. And I'm like, wow, I don't even own a nice camera, and I'm going to be filming a wrestling event that's going to be, you know, put on YouTube for people to see.

Dave Bullis 1:03:02
Yeah, So did you feel like, Oh, yeah?

David Powers 1:03:06
Cuz, you know, since, you know, with independent pro wrestling, this was like, Really, like minor league at the time, like, Now, beyond wrestling has like, you know, really like stack lineup, and you know, a lot of guys that have competed for WWE or, you know, maybe have, like, some sort of, like a contractual deal with WWE that they appear on, like, their, you know, NXT or or the 205 live cruiserweight show, like they're wrestling and beyond now, and initially, like, for a lot of these groups, they don't have like, a, like, a nice setup. It's not like this, like, fancy television production. It's literally, like, we're gonna give you camp quarter, all right, we don't know where we're gonna set you up for a steady cam so we're gonna put you on this ladder, or we're gonna put you, like, high up on this, like, like, I don't even know how it's even, like, termed this thing that they put me on initially, but I was like, high up somewhere, like a scaffolding, or it was, it wasn't, or something like an eagle's nest, and I was just like, terrified of, like, falling off of this thing more than, like, getting a good shot. But apparently I did well, so they had me come back for other events. And so that was, like, my first, like, taste of film. And it was literally from, like, it literally happened from, like, a stupid, you know, like, man, you know, I wish I was, like, some guy that they found at the gym, and, like, it happened to me. Like, whoa. This actually does happen. So, so that's my, that's how I got initially started off into film.

Dave Bullis 1:04:39
And see, as we sort of take a step back here, you know, you had to fail. You know, when you were actually doing this stuff, you had to actually learn how to fail. And you had to learn how to, you know, do it the right way. Yeah, learning running. Talk about running the ropes, how the natural that was, and how you basically, you know, you have to learn, you know, this whole new skill. Yeah. And most. Of the time you learn by failing. Because, you know, yeah, so,

David Powers 1:05:02
You know, not all the stuff that I shot was like, great. Like, like, it was like, somehow it'd be like, after the fact, like, the promoter would be like, gotta stop like, doing, like, the zoom in thing, like they do on WWE, because it doesn't look good for our stuff. And, you know, just getting feedback and not taking it personally and, like, you know, how can I, how can I make this better? Like, I, like, my, my, you know, aim was not to be like a camera guy or anything like that, but at the same time, it's like, okay, well, there's going to be situations where they may need somebody, whether it's beyond or somewhere else, just to press record, yeah, and, you know, just, just, you know, make things look nice.

Dave Bullis 1:05:44
And just because I have to ask, because, again, yeah, this is filmmaking. What kind of camera did you use? Or if you're on the film set, it's, would you shoot that on? You know, if they're a film festival, you know, if you're at a film festival wherever, and you know, the film people, because they're going to come up to you and say, would you shoot that on?

David Powers 1:06:00
Exactly for the first one. It was, oh my god. It was like, literally, the promoter, like, dug out some, like, old camcorders and, like, they did have like, some HD to them. Well, no, no, they actually, they weren't HD. It wasn't until, like, there was like, one wrestler who goes by the name of, oh my god, Jarek, 240 or something. I forgot the numbers. Sorry if he's listening, but he, he was into film. He was, he was doing a lot of editing. And he had, like a, I think it was like the the rebel he had with him, okay, for, and that was like for our very first rebel, t3 i Yeah, for our first for our first live event with an audience. So we were actually had, like, by time, we were actually allowing, like, an audience to come in and, you know, watch us, you know, do our do we actually had, like, HD, you know, cameras with us. Oh, cool, so, but the initial, like, you know, tapings, they were just like some old camcorders that the promoter dug out, or, like, one of the wrestlers had an extra camera on and

Dave Bullis 1:07:06
And that because the show we were talking about. You know, you can't wait to you ready. You have to just go with what you have. Yeah, actually,

David Powers 1:07:14
I remember, like, a earlier in the conversation you mentioned, like there's, like, some people, they just we, we, they're waiting for the perfect moment. They're waiting for the for the right thing. I've known people that have, like, graduated from NYU for filmmaking, and they're like, Oh, I'm gonna wait to make a film. Like, once I have, like, the right camera or something like that. Like, No, don't. Don't wait. If you have like, a cell like, we're at a point now where you can make an amazing film with your cell phone. There's, like no excuse for doing what you want to do.

Dave Bullis 1:07:42
I've had on Sean Baker, who made tangerine and we talked about how he shot that whole movie with his iPhone, yeah, and that was a Sundance darling, by the way. Still my most popular episode ever with Sean Baker, yeah, I mean unbelievable numbers, because I actually got to interview him before. Every before it just blew up. I It was like, I even planned this, and it was just serendipitous. That is all of a sudden, it like I did the interview, and then here's where he, like, all of a sudden, was everywhere it being mentioned, so people were looking him up, and his first hit was my podcast. So that's why, all of a sudden I saw the numbers. It was kind of like one of those, like, Scooby Doo cartoons, where you're kind of like, yeah, I rubbed the rise links, and be like, What the hell? So, so it's awesome, but, but yeah, and so, you know, he just, he knew what he wanted to do, and you know, he wanted to shoot that, but, yeah, you can't. You can't wait for the perfect time. You know, no, and that's what that promotion did. They just, they knew what they had, and they made it work. And as you mentioned, King Kong Bundy, he always talked about the story telling of professional wrestling and the story telling everything else. And, you know, because, you know, Bundy says professional wrestling supposed to mirror a fight, yeah? And that's why he doesn't get things like the tackle, drop down. He doesn't get things like the LeapFrog, yeah. He says, if you're in a fight, why the hell would you be trying to leapfrog over somebody? He's like, Well, here's the perfect example. Is this. He goes, the other guy, you whip the other guy into the ropes. He comes back at you and trying to Gore you like a bull, so you leapfrog over him. And he goes, he goes, What the hell is the psychology of that? And, and you understand, I understand what he, what he, what he's saying with that. You know, it's, it's just a but, because, I think now, with the way wrestling is now, because, again, as we were talking about the pre interview, I have two friends who talk about it all the time, so I got it all my information from them. It's like, don't you think that'd be a good podcast, though, where they just, they both deny they watch it, and then all of a sudden they're talking about it, but, yeah, but, but, but, yeah. No, no, that's, that's where, that's what I was just talking about, was just that, you know, wrestling now that things will be different. I think, you know, with how everything's changed, yeah,

David Powers 1:09:46
I think the the artist storytelling is kind of, I don't want to say it's lost, like these kinds of things, is like, never really lose them, but they're definitely, It deserves to be brought back in like, grand form, because, you know, wrestling, just like film, it's like, about memories. Yeah, you know, there's, like, some, there's been, like, some great talents over the year. I remember, just, like offhand, I remember, it's like an episode of Cohen O'Brien, where he's, like, talking about Sid Caesar, and, like, this amazing comedian from from back in the day, and but he never really did any films. So nobody really like, despite how great his comedy, you know, was, and still is today. Like nobody talks about Sid Caesar or his influence on comedy and but you know, with with wrestling today, you know, without stories, without those moments, you know, there's no like, there's nothing for people to like. You know, tell others about, like, a lot of things that we get sold on, especially with film. Like, somebody tells you about, like, I saw this movie, you know, like, city on fire, and it's like, this happens, and it's so like, similar to war dogs. It's like, whoa, wait a second. He took that movie from that guy and like, and you, and it just gets you captivated. And if there's no moments, there's no memories, it's just gonna get, you know, hard to, you know, sell some of these people down the road.

Dave Bullis 1:11:31
Yeah, it's, you know, somebody once told me that that writing a screenplay is really scene writing, yeah, because you're writing these scenes out, and these moments that happen within these scenes are really key. Like, the movie casino, I was actually just, it was one of my recommended some of the clips on YouTube were recommended to me, and I started just watching this again. I was like, You know what, fantastic. Just some of these things. Like, you know, when, when Robert De Niro and when his wife in the movie, which is Harren stone, she ends up going back to her pimp boyfriend, yeah? And that whole scene happens. I mean, it's just stuff like that, you know. And they beat him up at the outside in the park on all of Robert near his boys. And just like, you know, there's this movie so well put together, and it's just these scenes that we can always talk about, because I had a friend of mine in high school who would always put on movies, and he want to show you the best scenes, yeah? And I was like, dude, just let me watch the fucking movie. Like, I don't need to, I don't need to see, like, because he was trying to show me Dawn of the Dead at just the best parts, like in the mall. I was like, Dude, I just wanna see the movie. Like, I don't need you to show me like that, the head explosion, your daughter dead in the beginning. Yeah. Was the George Romero version, by the way, yes. Not the, not the James Gunn version, yeah. But what, you know, look where they actually, they're going to, they're going through the apartment and the guy blowing the heads off and stuff like that. But it's the moments like that. And we were talking about speaking of the warrior, you know, when WrestleMania six, when warrior beat Hogan. I mean, that's, you know, that's someone leanly, yeah, leanly,

David Powers 1:12:55
It's just in like that match. Actually, I'm more of a fan of the career, ending match with him and macho King Randy Savage. And actually, when I knew warrior I, like one of my one of my regrets, is I didn't get to ask him about that match. It's like classic storytelling for those that have no idea about wrestling or that match in particular, you know, it's just like a heated few between the macho man and the ultimate warrior to a point where whoever loses the match loses their career. And it's like at a point of, like this blood feud between these two guys, they hate each other so much. And you know, this was, like a unique match, you know, at the time, like they got over how much they hated each other, and in a sense that, like, their demeanors completely changed from what they how their fights were normally, Ultimate Warrior usually, usually would jet down the ring. For this one, he walked down the ring. He was focused, you know, on macho man as his opponent, like he wasn't going to slip up both of these guys, like, performed each other's finishing moves like, multiple times, which was like, in the past, like you would never see a guy like, hit their finishing move more than once. Like, none of these guys were laying down for the other there's even a point where ultimate warriors like second guessing. He's already got macho man down on the floor, and he's second guessing, you know, should I continue? He's like questioning his fate in professional wrestling. And he decides, you know, he's speaking to the gods, and like, he comes back in the ring and then just, just destroys macho man and pins him with one foot on his chest. And it's like, whoa. What the hell just happened. And then, if you know anything about wrestling, you know, at that time, the macho man was separated from Miss Elizabeth, like they, you know, there was, like the whole feud with Hulk Hogan and and Miss Elizabeth was torn, so she was accused by the macho man, you know, that Hulk Hogan was lusting after her. So. She split up from the macho man, and she finally returns to the macho man at that WrestleMania after, like this, like, epic loss to the Ultimate Warrior. So you had, like, your love story. You had, like, this intense battle between two guys, like, who was going to win? It wasn't like, an easy thing to, you know, predict, like, some people could just watch wrestling now, like, Oh, that guy's gonna win because he's popular. But this was, like, completely unpredictable. It was like, there's like, so many different dynamics going on with this match. And I always wanted to ask him, like, what the hell was like? What was it like for you? And Macho Man, like, figuring this match out? And unfortunately, I didn't.

Dave Bullis 1:15:43
So how did you meet the ultimate warrior?

David Powers 1:15:46
He was doing these inspirational videos on YouTube, and, you know, I call wind of them. And you know, Warrior has been always like these, like fascinating personalities in professional wrestling, where it's like, basically a comic book character come to life, and, you know, there's always, like, a big, you know, feud between me and my friends, like, who's the better wrestler? Warrior, a Hulk Hogan. I was always a Hulk Hogan guy, but I love the warrior. And just being the wrestling fan that I am, I'm always curious what these guys are up to when they're not wrestling. And warrior was doing like, these, these, like, intense over the top motivational videos on YouTube. And you know, being the open minded guy that I am, you know, I think a lot of people, when they see these videos, they're like, Oh, he's in character. He's an idiot. He's just screaming. But I was like, you know, I'm gonna pay attention to what he's saying. And, you know, some of the stuff was just like, so like, just like, well said, well put. And, you know, despite him almost kind of being in character, and it seemed like the, you know, this man has, like, significantly matured, you know, from his time in professional wrestling, you know, from the the raving lunatic to this with this, well read, you know guy and who you know hadn't been wrestling in some time. You know, he's aged significantly. You know, he's got the gray hair, but he still, like, had, like, this amazing body. You know, not to go back to the to the movie we were talking about earlier, but

Dave Bullis 1:17:23
He was shirtless a lot.

David Powers 1:17:24
Yeah, it he should this guy have, like, discipline in life, yeah. And these, yeah, I would just like watch these videos over and over again. And you know, me and my other friends would like share them and like, like, some great stuff. And you know, some of the people that you know was friends with, even some of the film people like you got to listen to these videos. They're incredible. And some of them would be like, oh, you know, he's screaming. He's an idiot. I'm like, No, listen to what he's saying. And even they would like, eventually, like, turn there's like, some people I've like, I turned them into MP threes and gave them out as like CDs for people to listen to in their cars. And there's like, a few of my friends who like those things, have not left their cars and wherever they've like moved to like that CD goes along with them. And there was just, like, one day he posted a new video saying he was doing an autograph signing New Jersey. And he was thinking about doing some filming at that time on YouTube. There were two TV shows that he put out. There were, there were, there were pilots that it was clear that they weren't going to be like, aired on any television network and called the warrior show. And basically it was Ultimate Warrior taking like these screamo bands to a gym and taking like these, like,

Dave Bullis 1:18:47
Yeah, because the first band was, like, something alexandretta, or

David Powers 1:18:50
I have forgot the names. I haven't seen it in so while, in so long. But it was just kind of like, after seeing the motivational videos, and you're and like, I'm not a big screamo fan. So I'm like, oh my god, I can't wait to see these guys, like, you know, get taken to task at the gym, and have them see him puke and all this other kind of stuff. And, and I watched the show, he had them like, he put him through the ringer, had him like, do some crazy stuff, but, you know, turned it around in, like, and for, you know, this guy who's a celebrity, and, you know, like, for the food you ordered, you know, you wear an Ultimate Warrior shirt now, like, when the guy delivered food, he's like, Hey, that's the ultimate warrior, isn't it? Yeah. And I thought it was interesting on the show, he didn't assume that anyone knew who he was. And I one of the things that kind of like, endeared me even more to him. He's like, I know you guys looking at me like, wondering who the hell is this guy and all this kind of stuff. And then he starts explaining who he is, and you know why he you know, you know, put him through the task that he did, like, all these different like, workouts, excruciating workouts. And just to you know, get them to really physically feel like, you know, like you have some like power in you, not just to like be some like crappy screamo bands, you know, getting trashed on rose a and, you know, doing you know nothing with your life you know like you, he's getting it through to them. Like, hey, you have, like, an incredible, like opportunity that you know your band. You can get your message heard across to, like so many different people. You can use this platform for for something grander. And when I saw this YouTube video of him announcing that he was going to do filmings. I was like, I have a feeling it's going to be something like this, but I want to badly do it. And it was funny, because initially we were told, like we were not going to be told what the format of the show was going to be. If you're interested, he had a several page like, application that you had to fill out and you had to do your own video to send to him. So I was like, Oh, my God, I don't want to film myself.

Dave Bullis 1:21:10
And what was the application like? What were some of the things on there? Like, was really, like personal questions or

David Powers 1:21:15
They were kind of, like, not too super personal questions. But, you know, like asking, like, what did you What do you do for for work, you know, what? What motivates you? Do you work out, like, you know, like, basically questions asking, like, how, you know, mentally, physically, spiritually, how do you like, you know, hold yourself, how do you like, handle yourself, and all that. So it wasn't like this, like, weird, like questionnaire, of all these weird questions, it was actually pretty, you know, something like an introspective kind of, like, you know, form to fill out. So when I was filling it out, there was stuff, a lot of stuff I, like, you know, think about on a regular basis. But now I was actually writing it to someone else. I was writing it to a childhood hero, and did the video. Was like, scared of shit to do that. And I think like, about like, since I badly wanted to get on the show, I just did my best to completely forget that I even, like, submitted it. I didn't want to think about it. Was not going to obsess about it, nothing. And I think I heard back from like, two weeks later or a week, no, no, it was a week later. Did he call? You know, his management called me okay, and they're like, oh, you know, we're interested in having you on the show. And I was like, I they left the voicemail, and I immediately, like, called him back, and we were, you know, later given, like, I don't want to say, like, vague instructions, but they were not, like, they didn't give us the format of the show, what it was going to be. He just said, once you meet all meet at this hotel in, I think it was Woodbridge New Jersey at 4am I'm like, Okay, this sounds like the ultimate word. So we all got there, actually, I was so I knew he was going to have us, like, work out. And I knew that was going to be the case. And I was so hyped up. I was still, I was I was like, okay, they're not giving us the format of the show. Let me just come in regular clothes, but bring gym clothes with me. I was so hyped I completely forgot to bring my gym clothes. And I just showed up, like, wearing, like, skinny jeans and converse and my Charles Bronson shirt. And I was like, and once I got there, saw everyone else in gym clothes. I'm like, Ah, I'm fucked. And he met with us there. And it was funny, because it was just a spot that they picked. Warrior was not staying there. He showed up in a car, like, you know, I think at like, four or something like that, and basically told, you know, they gave us the deal like, Hey, you guys are gonna take a five mile walk to the underground strength gym in Edison, New Jersey. And I was like, five miles, all right, we're in for a long day. And the camera crew didn't show up. Meanwhile, you know, really, camera crew didn't show up. Warrior was there. His manager was there. And, you know, Warrior at first, just, you know, acted normal. He has said hi to us, shook our hands, stuff like that. And once it was clear that the camera crew wasn't there, keep in mind, like I said, you know, this is not a hotel that anyone was staying at. It was just a spot that they picked for all of us to be there. And he's like, Oh, Steve, his manager brought him into the hotel. Meanwhile, we're outside, screamed at this guy. And he was like, go. He was going into full Ultimate Warrior mode. And I'm like, oh my god, so awesome, even though he's just like, screaming at this guy. And. Like I said, this was not a hotel anyone was staying at. So there's somebody working at the table in the lobby. There's no one else there. It's just the Ultimate Warrior screaming at like, some guy in a hotel, where the hell is the crew? And it's like, at the same time, I was like, wow. Like, he's just like, he's just like the character and I also, at the same time, like, Okay, this is also, well, we're going to be like, who we're going to be dealing with for the rest of the day. And, my God, like, that was just kind of like, it seemed like an endless workout. I think from start to finish, it was like over four hours. And he had us. I was doing stuff that had never done before, like sandbag carries. At that point, I wasn't even, like, strong enough to, like, lift this thing on my shoulders. Had to have someone help me with it. And did the warrior like, was he watching as you were, like, somebody, oh yeah. He was there going. Was he just, like, kind of like, sitting there? Just no he was encouraging people to team up and help one another. So it was kind of like a team activity and and it was just one of like those, like, hottest days of the summer, and we had to go from from the gym and walk these, like sandbags to a dumpster. It's a parking lot that was nearby, and we had to walk back and did things like that, and again, like I'd never done before, like, tire flips, flipping, like, 200 pound plus tires, and trying to think it's like some of the other stuff. It was just like, really, it was just like a really, like, intense, like, I think once we got to the gym, it was just like a two plus hour workout. And, you know, with the purpose of just like seeing, like, Hey, we're more capable, you know, we're capable of things that we're that we're not even aware of, because the fact that, you know the physical, you know, state that I mental, state that I was in at that time doing the stuff that I did that day, was like, whoa. Like, I couldn't believe that I even did that. But the the thing that I remember the most from from that experience, was at the very end of the workout, and this is where the skinny jeans came into play. It came into big benefit for me, he had us crawl on the parking lot floor with chains around our neck, 45 pound chains on our neck from one end to another. And then at the end of it, he was like, if you don't follow your dreams, this is basically what you're doing to yourself. And there were guys after that. We were all talking to one another for weeks. They were pulling out like glass from their knees because they were wearing shorts, and I was wearing, I was wearing skinny jeans, so I didn't worry about that. Jesus. But it was, it was, it was a very, incredibly memorable experience. And, you know, I still go to the underground strength gym, and Zach and I, and we always, like, talk about, like, that day constantly.

Dave Bullis 1:27:58
Well, you know, it's funny because we were talking, I've actually, like, I don't know, know Zach, but I've actually emailed him back and forth. I bought a program from him, like, a couple, maybe a year or two, maybe a couple, a while ago. But yeah, I know who he is, and so, yeah, shout to Zach Evenish

David Powers 1:28:15
Of Zach Evanish he's got his own podcast, the strong life, yeah, podcast, which could download on iTunes.

Dave Bullis 1:28:21
Yeah, don't advertise on people's podcast. No, I'm just kidding. I don't know. I clearly promote Zach, yeah, but yeah, it's, I'll obviously link to all that in the show notes as well. And you know, it's been a Zach's a great guy. And just going back to what we were taught with what you were talking about, Warrior, when he said to you, you when you're following your dreams, this is what you're doing to yourself, like, all the time, yeah, you know, did a lot of people at that, at that finally have that aha moment, like, holy shit.

David Powers 1:28:48
Like, I can't speak for everyone, and, you know, like, some of these, some of these kind of experiences, you know, once you have them, like, I feel like it's a real, like, you know, process to to really, like, understand, like, the things that you go through. And I think for a lot of guys, including myself, you know, we're still learning, you know, from that, from that day, you know, I can, you know, just speaking for myself, I can tell you, I've, like, greatly matured, you know, from how I, you know, talk to people, how I treat them and stuff, and, you know, how I, you know, pursue my own dreams. It's not like the hardest, it's not the easiest thing to do what you want. You know, I feel like the mind is like the greatest, you know, barrier to just to living, you know, I forgot that Muhammad Ali quote is, you know, it's not like the biggest mountain that's in your way. It's like the pebble in your shoe. Oh, yeah. So, you know, it's just like that, just like some of the mental chatter, you know, it's like, really, like the hardest stuff to overcome. You know, you know, going through that experience with him. You know, I'm still like, you know, learning and still reminding myself, like, hey, you know, it's really just as simple as just doing what you want. And if you don't know how you know, if you don't know the first step, just, just do whatever you can do, what you know, talk to whoever you got to talk to, like, like, some of the people I've mentioned, you know, previously. And I'm sure you do the same with with your podcast, like getting guests to, like, you know, James Altucher. I'm sure he's not easy guy to get. But you persisted and you continued,

Dave Bullis 1:30:41
Yeah, it was, I did talk to his girlfriend a lot. Yeah, that that's a tip from from from me to you, is, whenever you have a tough guest, always go to the wife, girlfriend, whatever. Yeah, that's always a good way in i and then, sure enough, I was able to, sort of, you know, yeah. So you know, she wouldn't be in the right direction.

David Powers 1:31:00
Exactly. It's, it's really just like, you know, even with the the film festival, like, when I first started going to the New York Asian Film Festivals, like, how do I, you know, volunteer. I remember my very first day volunteering. I was actually coming off of the Kitchen Nightmare set. I was working with them. And how was the workout? Kitchen Nightmares? By the way, it was a nightmare. I didn't, I didn't see Gordon Ramsay once. Actually, I was just like, happy as, like, a pig and shit to be, like, on the set. Yeah, cuz that was a big deal for me. And actually funny enough, like, you know, I never was like, into like, cleaning my house or cleaning in general. I didn't even know how to paint. And actually being on that set, I learned how to do all that stuff. I actually like paint like, you know, it was all about, like, renovating, like, you know, these different restaurants that were just like pieces of crap, yeah, and, you know, I actually working on Kitchen Nightmares, I learned how to paint

Dave Bullis 1:32:02
Well, yeah. You know, somebody once told me that, like shows like that and Bar Rescue, that the way they choose a restaurants are the restaurants that are hanging on by like a thread, yeah? And basically, what happens is, there's already going to be like conflict there. The producers don't have to basically add anything, yeah. So basically, you know, the criteria is, hey, it's hanging on by a thread, which means something is desperately wrong anyway, because, because good restaurants, even if they even a place, looks like crap, if they have good food, people will come in Yeah. As people have told me, the best pizza places are the ones that look like the shit. Yeah, outside you go to go in there, it looks like shit. Outside, you go in there, it's like the best pizza.

David Powers 1:32:40
Yeah, they got the chandelier. And you like champagne cola,

Dave Bullis 1:32:45
Yeah, you like, what the hell like where the pizza is banging, but, but? And, you know, there's usually some some, some issues there with the food. Some people are just in complete denial. The place is falling apart. There's people that don't want to admit to their mistakes exactly, and also, because somebody once told me to about this, I just find this stuff fascinating. I don't want to take too much time away from you, but it's like, the other thing is, is that, if they were going to go under, yeah, the anyone who's had has some like, business acumen, yeah, say something like, okay, look, I don't want to throw good money after bad. So here's what we're gonna do when the lease is up and maybe a year from now, yeah, I'm gonna just focus on just making as much money as I can for the business. And then when that year's up, I'll maybe break even, lose it less, but I could still get out and I won't be losing my shirt. You know, whatever those businesses that are like in the real like bottom 1% or bottom whatever that appear on stuff like Bar Rescue and Kitchen Nightmares, they are so far gone, yeah, that it's like they are literally hanging by a thread. So everything is just like pandemonium when you go there, yeah,

David Powers 1:33:49
Actually, it's like pandemonium on set. I remember one of my, like, craziest moments was they're like, We need a waffle maker for the next scene. We need you to go to Walmart and get this specific waffle maker. I'm like, I got it and drove like a madman to get this waffle maker. I drove back, drove down a one way street, the wrong way to get him this waffle maker. And then, like, when the the show finally aired, like that scene wasn't even in there. So I was, I was waiting for that waffle maker scene. I'm like, you know, I went through hell to get that waffle maker, and they didn't even have the dignity. Just show one waffle or the maker on the episode.

Dave Bullis 1:34:29
It's those editors are brutal, man, they slaughter. They slaughter without man. So as we sort of talk about all these things, you know, meeting the warrior, and everything else, you know, you mentioned you got burned out from doing a lot of this stuff, and so did I. And who asked what we actually bonded us? Because we're like, look, we've had 28 experiences. It's time to sort of see on down the road. Yeah, you and I, finally, we're talking again, and we're saying, Hey, listen, you know, it's been a while since, you know, we each have done something. Yeah, you know, we you and I've ever worked together, but, you know. We each, you know, we ended up taking day jobs. You with various companies, me with various companies, because you just got burned out. So I wanted to ask you, and you know, free feel, you know, feel free to talk for as much as little as you want. Because I know, you know, obviously, you know, maybe some stories that you don't want to talk about, but, yeah, but you know, what are some of the things that happen to you that sort of burns you out. I won't even go into it, because everyone who listens this podcast already knows, yeah, they're pricing. They're going, Oh, Jesus Christ, don't let Dave talk anymore about Yeah, let the other Dave talk exactly. Let the other Dave talk.

David Powers 1:35:31
Oh, my God, it's like, and, you know, this is just like a process that everyone goes through. You know, when you first start out like you're so eager, you're willing to do anything, and, you know, to degree, I'm still willing to do whatever, like, as long as I feel like there's going to be some sort of benefit out of it. Just after a while, like, the number one thing that really, just like, troubled me the most, I think it's like a tiebreaker, one, just dealing with people that have no idea what the hell they're doing, and they're not willing to, you know, learn, yeah, to advance and to people that just get so emotionally, you know, tied up, you know, on set. Like, I've, you know, I'm a pretty humble guy. Like, you know, I don't have to be like, the director, writer, actor, producer. I don't have to be the Ed Wood for every movie, everything that I do. So, you know, there's times where I'm willing to, you know, PA, I'm willing to do anything like, as long as it seems fun, hopefully I'll get a payday out of it, you know. But, you know, just, just like, going through, like, some of the ridiculous, like, things like, I've had to, like, go to court appearances because people didn't, you know, clear a certain location, and then somebody saw us filming there, and you know, we would get, you know, summonses to court. And really, yes, damn, yeah. Like, it was just weird. I thought everything was taken care of, but it wasn't. And I had to show up in court, thankfully, was dismissed. But you know, it's just like, stuff like that, when people just, like, don't think out, like, think out like the process and to like the even if, like, they're friends with, you know, the people that they work with like they, you know, don't, they don't think of all the steps. You know, a lot of, you know, some of these situations are forgivable, but there's like, sometimes where I've had, like, people freak out on me for for stuff that made no sense. Like there was, like, specifically had a set that I was on where I was sent to go get some props. I had them was ready to walk out, got a call, like, we need you to CVS to get suntan lotion. I'm like, All right, I'm on it. They're handing me the receipt. I'm gonna walk right it out. Like, no, I need you to leave right now. Like, I'm about to leave in like, a minute. Like, no, no, you have to leave now. I'm like, this makes no sense. And, like, It's situations like that where I learned to just say, like, Yes, I'm on my way. I'm leaving, right? Yeah, exactly. But, yeah, even though, like, you know, knowing how to handle some of those situations, like just after a while, like people just freaking out or just causing, like, unnecessary stress, and these days are long. Like, average day on set is like 12 hours. And you know, I've had people that would go for 24 hours and and it's just kind of like, wow, I physically, like, can't, like, handle when somebody, like, make some of these mistakes because they're, you know, again, like, some of them are forgivable. Like, I can, look past through things, but there's just, like, sometimes where, like, you can tell that you're being clearly taken advantage of, yeah, and there's no benefit out of it, no none whatsoever. Or just like, you know, just some people aren't, you know, fit to be in film, and you really got to, like, one thing that I learned, and I'm sure James Altucher will tell you this with the power of No, you do have a choice in the matter. And, you know, I feel like, if there's, like, if you're on a set and it's just going to be trouble, and you just have a bad vibe about something, trust your gut. And you know, it's not, it's not a bad thing to say, No, I know, like, some people are afraid, like, Oh, I'm not going to get a call back. I'm not going to get another job, I'm not going to get paid. What am I going to do? It's like, No, don't worry about it. Like, if you're in a situation where there's a no benefit, like, why would you want to keep continuing to do that? I've had situations where people offered me contracts to work for their production company, and I'm not. I can't, you know, read contracts and, you know, pull, you know, no, no legal guy or anything like that. But I can. I can read them enough to tell them when I'm being screwed, and I would pass them around to to people who do know how to read contracts. Like, this doesn't look right. Can you can you read this over for me, and I remember specifically there was one friend of mine who was like, Is this like a, like, a Hollywood contract from like, the 1930s like, because you're not going to make anything. From, if you sign this,

Dave Bullis 1:40:26
Well, basically, was it? Were they just trying to say, like, you're not gonna make anything, and trying to, like, control your rights? Because, like, I actually had, if somebody present me a contract one time to help, to basically, co write a script and help co and co produce the feature in direct terms, it even said you're not paying, getting paid anything. It was like, what we're paying and we're paying the amount of he wrote in 0.00,

David Powers 1:40:50
Wow. They have wrote, they even wrote out $0.00

Dave Bullis 1:40:54
And I said, Wild Earth, but I signed this, yeah. And it's like, well, it's experience. I don't need any more experience in, like, student film stuff. You know what I mean? Like, I said, like, you and I were talking about this earlier. You can watch some of these bad movies and you can see how they mirror student films. It's like, I always turn I use the term student film with money, yeah? Because it basically, hey, it's not two people talking on a backdrop anymore, yeah, although Bigfoot versus DB Cooper, yeah, keep talking about that movie by the guy. DB Cooper was obviously just in an office somewhere going, ma'am, I have a note. You know what? I mean. It's just like, Okay, you're just in an office. We got it. You can't film one on the freaking plane. But yeah, plenty of shirtless guys to go around.

David Powers 1:41:37
Yeah, exactly. Well, this, this contract to purchase. Well, the one that I'm thinking of right now, it was really just kind of like, you do all this work for us, and we'll give you this small percentage for getting us clients and off the back end, yeah. And actually, was, it was funny. I had a friend of mine, you know, go through the contract, and I gave him a counter offer, which was like, basically the reverse, because I was the basically the intent of my reply was, like, I'm on to you guys. And this looks like a contract that, you know, in nicer terms, it looked like a contract that he probably just found online. Yeah, that's the exact which a lot of people do. So, you know, keep in mind, filmmakers out there, be careful of people that just print stuff offline that they don't even look at. Yeah, and

Dave Bullis 1:42:28
Because it looks like a nice contract, I had that done with me before. And I said, is this, there was a website that actually had this guy made, a website to give people free film contracts. And like I would see, keep See, keep seeing the same exact like, paragraphing and space. And I kept saying, like, is there some place of like, oh yeah, I found it, but yeah, I'm sorry.

David Powers 1:42:46
I didn't mean to remember it's like, and plus, like these people in particular, I know that they had no lawyer or anything like that, to write that this thing for them. So basically, we just tour be in the friend of mine. We tore apart the the contract piece by piece. Well, not physically, but you know, like, we basically gave them counterpoint, saying, like, Okay, you have this written down. Well, I'll be willing to do this instead. And it was funny, they accepted on all terms, but then I just ended up saying no, because I was like, All right, well, if they're willing to offer me this kind of ridiculous contract in the first place. What's stopping them from doing something, you know, equally as stupid, or even worse, down the road? Yeah, so, you know, just really showed me their true colors, and I was not afraid to say no and just leave it at that. And again, like, feel like, with some filmmakers, whether they do stuff like they're they're set, or they aren't. There's always like, some sort of paranoia of, like, somebody got hired me for another gig or something like that. Because just like, you know, just just the hustle of jumping from one thing to another, it's a lot of work, and it's very tiring, and it's just stuff like that that I just, I just didn't want to put up with anymore. So I was like, You know what? Right now, for me, the New York Asian Film Festival is like they treat me, right? Love the people that I work with. You know, this is what I love about film and actually make make better contacts through through New York Asian than I do through anything that I've ever done, even Victoria's Secret, I've made better context in new IGN than I did at Victoria's Secret So,

Dave Bullis 1:44:24
Yeah, and honestly, you probably would have a better time at the New York Asian Film Festival.

David Powers 1:44:28
Yeah, actually, even for Victoria's Secret, like, it was fun the first time, the second go around, it was just kind of, actually, when I did the Victoria's Secret show the first time around, that was kind of like, you know, once you're behind the scenes, I'm pretty sure, like, most people there, were just, like, so caught up in the glitz and the glam. But the first thing that came to mind was like, wow, this is like, so fake,

Dave Bullis 1:44:49
I imagine too. Like, I know I've seen backstage like, I've seen like, on TV, yeah, it's like, so chaotic, yeah? Because they're like, everyone's moving at 10,000 miles an hour, yeah? Like, oh my god, where the hell is this? Thing I love, you know what? I mean, they're just running around. You're like, Jesus Christ, yeah, just get the models out there. Come on. I mean, you know, and some of their, some of the costumes, obviously, you can never wear any down the street. It's just particular fashion, yeah? I mean, they've got wings and shit on me. Yeah? Imagine wearing those in New York. You'd get worse in New York, yeah, actually, because I because every time I've ever seen anybody get out of line, even a little bit in New York, it's just like they, they just get put down immediately. And what I mean by that is like people who walk slow, even foreigners who come over here, like immigrants who come over here, yeah, they wouldn't know what I'm saying is they, they know right away that you don't walk slow in New York. I remember this Muslim man was like, he was like, there was this woman walking so in front of him, and he actually turned to her and he said, he goes, it's fucking New York. You gotta walk, yeah.

David Powers 1:45:48
And I'm like, yo, if you, if you just, like, stand around and, like, look at something like, you're like, Crossfire,

Dave Bullis 1:45:58
Exactly, you're gonna get a push in grandma,

David Powers 1:46:01
Like, like, even if you have nowhere to go, you go, you're trying to get through as fast as possible. Yes, yes. I've even had people like, who they're just, like, not from here, and they're walking with me somewhere. And I remember there was, like, one person in particular who's like, walk very fast. Like, I didn't even notice it until they pointed it out. I'm like, Yeah, you're right. And then I was just, you know, it all became clear to me.

Dave Bullis 1:46:26
I there was a time a friend of mine, we came, we went to New York with a group of his friends. Yeah, they were from the middle of nowhere in, like, Kansas or Iowa. I mean, I mean middle of nowhere. And they stopped, they saw New York for the first time, and, like, what the hell yeah. And they were wanting to take pictures of everything. And I said, Look, they're gonna get, like, steam old. So I said, you take this group. I'm gonna take this group. And I started talking to him, like, if you want to take a picture, you tell me, and I will tell you where to stand, so somebody doesn't come by and fucking lose their mind. And you'll be like, What the fuck you doing? Ah, yeah. And because it happens, you know, it just, yeah, so, like, you know, there's certain places and, like, thankfully they but, like, they went to, you know, Wawa is right, yeah. Okay, so we went to Wawa, and they couldn't order from the thing the screens, because they didn't understand, like, what that it was going but they would actually time out, yeah, before they could actually order it, and the whole thing would reset.

David Powers 1:47:21
Wow. That's like, such like, I don't know it's like, such a common thing now, like, for a lot of convenience stores, and even just, like, some like, regular places, just to place your order on a tablet or something.

Dave Bullis 1:47:32
The greatest was a few years ago, but still, yeah, but yeah, as we sort of go full circle with this, you know, you and I both got burned out. We both have day jobs now. We're like, you know what? You know, you went to the Asia Film Festival to, sort of like, look, this is my outlet. I started this podcast. And out of frustration, man, I honestly because of a couple of reasons. And now, you know, we're trying to start doing this stuff again, you know, doing our own projects. And it just sort of circles back to what the ultimate we was talking about, where, if you don't follow your dreams, this is what you're doing to yourself. You're picking glass out of your knees. You're doing all this other stuff, yeah,

David Powers 1:48:09
Crawling on your hands and knees, or the friggin chain around your neck, getting a hot parking lot.

Dave Bullis 1:48:13
And it really does tie in, because it's like you're torturing yourself, yeah? I mean, you're working harder for less,

David Powers 1:48:19
Yeah, and it's just kind of like, I don't know, like, when you really badly want to do something, you know, I'm slowly but surely, you know, making my my way back into film, like it's, I have to admit it to myself, like I still want to do some of this, maybe not to a degree that I used to do, but I still love it. And, you know, least, you know, thankfully for me, like I have the New York nation Film Festival to be able to work in like, some sort of capacity to film where I can actually, effectively, you know, help people enjoy, like, these amazing films, yeah.

Dave Bullis 1:48:54
And, I mean, also, I think to picking and choosing is really good, because I did the same thing where I would just say yes to every project. Yeah, that's bad. I mean, I told you the stories, yeah. You know, the guy, the director waking up late on their shoot the morning of, and two hours later, he's still nothing, yeah, yeah, cuz he's, I overslept. I'm coming now, and Tommy was those story too, yeah, exactly, yeah. But yeah, that stuff too, but, like, and then the guy was talking about forgot the key, and it's just, you know, it's like, one thing after another, after Yeah. And eventually you're like, What the hell calling the locksmith doesn't work. And, you know, it's all that good stuff, yeah, the whole it's like, what am I doing this for? Exactly, yeah. And then you get, you get burned out. And, you know, again, you know, we have our own stories about getting burned out and so, so what are your plans for the rest of this year? Like, what are you hoping to

David Powers 1:49:40
Right now it's just mainly focusing on the New York Asian Film Festival. We're actually next this coming week. We've been we've been doing this basically like a YouTube like chat show, talk show called NYAFF chat. NYAFF chat. And we, we started with, like, a few episodes, like, we're starting to get into the groove of things, and this week we're going to be having having a guest come in and I'm actually going to be directing the latest episode. So this is actually my, my return to the director's chair.

Dave Bullis 1:50:30
See, see, I knew you were going to drop a bombshell.

David Powers 1:50:32
So, so I am like directing again. Like the last thing I directed was with a friend of mine named Stefan versus we did a music video for our friend Baron called the remedy. And, you know, that was, Oh, my God, I'm trying to think of, like, how long ago that was? Had to be, like, three or four years, which is funny, because, like, even though I haven't really done anything, like, you know, super big in film. It's just really been helping out with with New York Asian people still ask me, like, oh, like, what are you gonna do next? Or, like, if I take a trip to LA, they're like, oh, except for work, like, so, like, just even, like, with, like, friends of mine, like, they they want me to get back in. They know what I'm capable of. So, you know, nav chat with with New York Asian Film Festival. I'm going to be back in the director seat directing those. Our next guest is kanji furatachi, who's, he's kind of like one of those like that guys in Japanese movies. He was in our our audience award winner last year called too young to die. And we're going to be filming it at film movement, who's distributing kanjis, new film harmonium, to the US. So we're going to be interviewing him there, in their, in their, their office space. So it's gonna be, it's gonna be fun. I, you know, it's like, I've heard of this guy. I've seen movies that that, you know, he's been in. So technically, I'm gonna be, like, directing him for this talk show.

Dave Bullis 1:52:12
So what are you gonna say? Like, what types of directions are you gonna give him? Like, like, talk louder and just be like, I'm trying to make a joke here, but, yeah, it's why people attempt to humor like, I remember, I always used to say as a joke I would tell people like, a directing tip is always to say things that mean nothing, yeah, just to make yourself like you don't mean like. I don't really believe that this is a chair. Yeah, I you know what I mean. And we sort of keep like, what the can I make it more of a chip? Well, it's like, it doesn't really mean anything, but,

David Powers 1:52:45
Well, this kind of, like, just, like, started because, you know, I didn't really, like, have any plans to, to direct or anything for, for this project. It was just kind of actually coming from me, like, giving them, like, a lot of feedback. Like, there's just be, like, you know, certain, like these, like nervous tics that they would do, like, on the camera, or, like, one of the guys would have, like, their arms folded the entire time, like, no, unfold your arms. And like, just like one where they were drinking beer, and like, the the the beer, like, logo was on the cup. And like, like, don't, don't drink at don't drink the beer. Like, just, just leave it there. Let it be a prop in front of you. You don't have to keep drinking it while you're talking. And, you know, just like, offering feedback about, like, body language, and, you know, like eye contact amongst you know them, and you know, just like the the spacing in between them, like, it's kind of like, even though I haven't, like, done film in a while, like, all this stuff is like, coming back to me, I'm looking at the camera, I'm looking at the like, you're doing it all wrong. And just like, I just want to, like, yell at everybody and flip a table, and

Dave Bullis 1:53:53
Are you gonna start wearing like, like, leather chaps and have a riding crop, like, the old fashioned directors, yes, and just be like a slave driver, beret, exactly, beret with a bullhorn and leather chaps and a horse whip, yeah, like a riding crop. So you're just always like, you always slap, because that's what you do. You slap against your leather chaps.

David Powers 1:54:15
Yeah Cecil Devill or something like that, one of those old timey, you know, Director Exactly. Yeah. I have, like, the big megaphone, yeah,

Dave Bullis 1:54:23
You're like, two feet away from the actors, like we are right now, yeah? Just like screaming like, god damn power is like, just, just calm down.

David Powers 1:54:31
Yeah, can't work with any of these people.

Dave Bullis 1:54:35
Oh, now you can't hear how your eardrums blown up.

David Powers 1:54:37
So it was just kind of like stuff like that. And, you know, we're, we're, you know, we're trying to do something new, because the festival just happens once a year. We also do the old school kung fu fest, oh, cool, which is, like a program that we used to do a while back. We recently bought it back for like, the last, like, last, like, three years. Yes. So it's like, okay, so essentially, we're just doing the New York Asian Film Festival and the old school kung fu festival. So it's like, rest of the year, it's kind of like there, it's just like, this big gap. So we're doing, you know, nav chat to, like, fill that gap. So like, there's a presence for us throughout the year to get the word out about the festival. You know, we're also, actually, I'm also in charge of their Instagram, so it's like me and like a few other people who are, you know, just trying to, like, again, like, just like, fill that like time that like, nothing's happening with something I say so people are aware of us, because it's a really unique situation. Because, you know, the group that you know puts us all together is called subway cinema, and it's kind of like, well, how do you market like a group that just does, like, film programs and like, we don't have our own theater. Usually, like, if you hear about like, something like Fantastic Fest, like that happens at the Alamo draft house. They have their own theater, and, you know, the these groups that put them on it's not like, it's not like people, you know, like talk about subway cinema or anything like that. It's a really unique, you know, thing to market. So we're just kind of like, okay, well, what's the potential that we have here? Because we know people love the festival we have, like, these, like, you know, like a list, you know, Asian you know, guests coming in, and it's kind of like, okay, well, what can we do so people, like, know who we are, and, like, if we do, like, a special event, like old school kung fu fest, or in the past, you know, we've, we've also had the New York Korean Film Festival. So how do we get people to, you know, piggyback from the New York Asian Film Festival, to go to these other stuff that we're doing, or sometimes we might do, like a one off screening. So one of the great things about New York Asian is the audience. They're really passionate about these films. They really, you know, know, you know so much about these actors, actresses and directors and everybody, and just like for me, how working with with New York Asian as a volunteer to a staff member, like I have always been constantly in contact with the audience, because we do, like, You know, prize giveaways and, like, the Audience Award. So, like, when they hand this, like, stuff back, you know, they're either, you know, giving us feedback, or, like, I'm just curious. You know, you know why these people are coming? How did they find out about it? Because, you know, I just, I heard through word of mouth, like, how did these people find out about it? That's, I'm, like, really curious. And you know what keeps them coming back? Like, we have our hardcore people, you know, coming in, and we have like friends, like my friend Christina, who flies in from like, Texas, you know, every year for the New York Asian Film Festival. So, you know, feedback from the audience is a big, big thing. It's like, you know, you don't know what you're doing right or doing wrong, unless you get that feedback, and it's crucial. And some of these people end up, you know, becoming friends of mine. Like hanging out with them, and, hey, it's also a great way to network, too. There's been some, like, interesting people that like, who are in the business, who come every year, they just want to watch movies and they love, you know, you know, the different genres that we that we include from all the different countries and stuff. And recently, we're taking more of a focus on, like, I think Southeast Asia, like, there's like, we're showing more Filipino movies and like from Vietnam and stuff like that, not just like, Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong, which everybody knows and loves. So we're really broadening our scope these days. I know, like, for instance, last year, like, we brought, like, one of the biggest, you know, Filipino actors, John crew, John Lloyd cruise, you know, to the festival. And, you know, really showing people what, you know, what's, what's being like offered in all these different Asian countries. And so far, the feedback has been, like, amazing. You know, back in the day, we showed a lot of genre movies, and now, you know, we're 16 years old, if we're having our quinceanera, oh, you know, we're, we're maturing. So, you know, it's, it's becoming evident in the festival itself. You know, as you know, some genre movies, they're just not as good as they used to be. So, you know, we're, we're just just doing our best to bring, like the best quality, you know, Asian films, you know, to to North America for people to enjoy.

Dave Bullis 1:59:42
If you ever want a recommendation for a fun Filipino movie, check out for your height only starring Wang Wang.

David Powers 2:00:00
Oh, well worth.

Dave Bullis 2:00:01
Okay, I was gonna say there's actually, I was in New York, and somebody actually had, and we were at a film festival, and somebody actually had a shirt that just said Wang, Wang, and just a picture of him. And I, wow. I wonder how many people, other than complete film nerds with no life like me, know who the hell wing one is? Well, you seem, you know who went,

David Powers 2:00:22
Yeah, you know, that's, like, one of the original, like YouTube viral videos. So that the new Manuma guy, yeah, that's it for people just like, oh, it's that, like, that, like midget from wherever that, like, does Kung Fu, and he's like a James Bond guy,

Dave Bullis 2:00:36
Yeah, for your height only. And then the sequel was, what it was called. It was like another kind of, like a spoof name, yeah, I think it was all spoof of the spy who loves me, yeah. I think it was maybe the, the, the way, my who loved me, I don't know, but, but, yeah, that, but that's just my recommendation. But all kidding aside, though that it's great though that you're having your kids in Europe, and that, you know, the again, yeah, not you personally, but, but sweet 16 years, but, but no, because, again, it's always great to see these different films from other cultures, which is why I'm always against when art becomes homogenous and all and art becomes like this thing where you have to follow these set of guidelines and rules. No, you have to be like mate Neo in the Matrix, anyone who tells you that shit? Okay, marry the end, when Neo becomes the one, yes, you have to look up and just hold up your hand and say no and let it all go away. And that's what you have to do. And totally because otherwise, we're all just gonna be sitting around watching the same art that everybody else has, that you know, and we it's just gonna be the same movie no matter where you are, and you can't have that. It's gotta be an expression of your culture, expression of yourself, and it's all that good stuff. That's why I'm glad you know that there's, there's film festivals like this out there, and just to get sort of a different vibe. And you know, America is the melting pot, and God bless America. Yeah, seriously, man. I mean, you can in America, you can go out and grab some Mexican food, watch an Asian American Film Festival. You get the first amendment right so you can talk shit on people. God bless the First Amendment right? Because if it was first amendment right, wasn't around. I mean, you know me, I just love the fans would be screwed. Exactly wrestling fans would be done. Man, yeah, which

David Powers 2:02:17
They couldn't complain about raw every Monday slate that much slanders online, yeah, and

Dave Bullis 2:02:24
Some of these wrestles with these shoot interviews. They would, they would be gone too well.

David Powers 2:02:29
Now it's all podcast, so there's, there's no like, shoot interviews, because they go on stuff getting paid by, like, some guy to film them, like, do a shoot interview. Now they're just, like, going for free on a podcast.

Dave Bullis 2:02:39
I bet, see, I don't get that, like, I don't understand why they would do that. Like, it has to be a reason for it. I have a theory, because, like, on key talk. Man, now, for instance, you're the Honky Tonk Man, right? Oh, yeah. So he goes around to, like, these places, it just does live shows. And I know, I know Bruce pitcher is doing the exact same thing. And by the way, I want to give a shout out to Connie Conrad, who does the Bruce pitcher podcast. Now he did the Ric Flair podcast. I actually we follow each other on on Twitter, and he's actually really good guy, so shout out to him. He's actually supported the podcast a lot nice So, and also, I don't want to mention any names, but there's a person who's involved with wrestling who's a potential guest, so I'm just closing in. Okay, now, okay, well, you know who I'm talking about, as you already told me, I just want to make sure it's another Dave, yeah. And so, yeah. So what do you think about Twin Peaks tomorrow? It's Saturday, where we're recording this. I'm so, what do you think about my god, I can't wait. I think it's gonna be freaking Yeah.

David Powers 2:03:38
Like, I remember, like, as a kid, like, I didn't even know I was a David Lynch fan. I would watch like the Alpha Man. I'm like, this movie is great and, and I didn't see racer head until, like, years later, but a friend of mine brought my attention to, like, Blue Velvet. And that's like, when I like, do who directed it, and I'm like, This guy's good.

Dave Bullis 2:03:58
And because you watched it, you you know it's good. But when you're that age, you don't know why it's good.

David Powers 2:04:04
Yeah, you just, you just, it's just, like a je ne sais quoi when, yes, when something works out, like, it's, it's evident to anyone that you don't have to have a film background to appreciate somebody's art or anything like that. You just watch it and like, you just know it's good.

Dave Bullis 2:04:19
Yeah, my movie was big trouble, Little China, which is still my favorite movie of all time. Like, I remember watching that movie as a kid and being like, this is fucking awesome. And I don't same here, and I don't know why it's awesome, because I was a kid, yeah, but it's just fucking cool, yeah. So Dave, we've been talking for about two hours now. Jesus Christ, yes, sir. Zero is usually like an hour, yeah, about an hour or so does it take? So I'm just gonna put this one episode. Okay, so in closing, any final thoughts

David Powers 2:04:49
Just come out June 30 through July 15 to Film Society of Lincoln Center as well as SVA theater for the 16th annual New York Asian Film Festival.

Dave Bullis 2:05:00
Yeah, and I'm gonna link down the show notes everybody. I really, again, I just want to encourage everyone to attend. It is a really great festival, and I'm just, it's just, again, serendipitous that Dave happened to be, you know, now, an actual staff member for it. But again, I encourage everyone to attend. It's a great festival. I actually heard about it a few years ago from a friend of mine. And it was just at James Hong. You have James Hong. No, he was, so he was like, Wayne's. He was Wayne's girlfriend's dad and Wayne's World too. He was, he was low pan and big picture, little, oh, yeah, well, so he what?

David Powers 2:05:42
Yeah, I What was that he brought up the festival?

Dave Bullis 2:05:45
No, he I was actually had a thing for him, and somebody else there brought the festival. Okay, so, so, yeah, I don't know why I went for Wayne's World to First Cassandra said instead of anything, yeah, is it a Kung Fu Panda? Yeah? Like, I bring up Wade's world too. Yeah. I'm gonna link to all that in the show notes. Everybody and Dave, we will find you out online.

David Powers 2:06:05
I think like best right now is just to follow all the New York Asian social media outlets on Instagram. We're New York Asian Film Festival. One big word, Facebook. Just type in, New York Asian Film Festival. You'll find us through there. What else we also got Twitter, which is just at Subway cinema, which is like our mother company, and like, if you contact, like, any of those outlets, you can get a hold of me.

Dave Bullis 2:06:32
All right, so because I noticed that Dave isn't on Twitter as much as it used to be.

David Powers 2:06:36
No, it's like some old photo of me shaking hands with nose Ferrari. Yeah, exactly. I have been like, I don't even remember the last time I posted on there.

Dave Bullis 2:06:43
That was that, how I remember you. I was like, man, Dave shaking hands of nosferatu. That's, that's why I would remember you for the rest of my life,

David Powers 2:06:50
Just you know, a benefactor for from my projects,

Dave Bullis 2:06:55
Public domain. Come on, baby. Dave Powers, it's been awesome having you on man, it's we've been talking for so long online first and then we finally got to meet today, and we did the podcast. It's been awesome having you on man, yes.

David Powers 2:07:10
Irresistible force meets the immovable object.

Dave Bullis 2:07:12
Seriously, it's like Hogan warrior, yes. Now I want to bring you back on seriously, because I want to see what you're up to, and then I should keep myself accountable too. And as we get back into doing this, man, as we take some of the warriors advice and just go out there and just do it, baby, always believe, always believe, Dave. Thanks a lot man.

David Powers 2:07:31
Thank you for having me man.