The
year of action continues on Dan's Movie Report, as promised here is
an exclusive interview with Silvio Simac. Silvio had a wealth of
experience in front of the camera and as a teacher of all aspects
fitness and martial arts. On the heels of the start of production on
the new film Transit 17, Silvio shares a few stories of several past
projects and his goals for the future. Time to get inside the mind,
of SIMAC!
Discuss
your martial arts training, as a youngster, and how it has adjusted
until now.
My
formal interests and fascination for martial arts sparked in the 70's
as a child growing up inspired by the late Bruce Lee. Once i took up
martial arts my passion and desire ignited with ever increasing
intensity, belts changed colour, i started competing and soon winning accolades in the dojo. 28 Years later I hold black belts in 5
disciplines. I write regular features for sports publications and
have published books, DVD'S and E learning materials. I continue to
learn, expand, and grow with continuing excitement.
I
noticed recently you went through a full physical change to more lean
muscle, what prompted the change-over?
I
am a natural born competitor with winning desire and streak. I am not
confirmative thus was adamant to dis spell a myth that life after 40
is downhill. therefore I insured I was in the best shape of my life
at the age of 40.
Has
your work out routine and diet altered as well?
I
am continuisly looking for alternative and most effective methods of
training. I attend regular courses, work shops and read publications
in order to update and upgrade my pool of knowledge in the fields of
sports science, kinesology, biomechanics, neurology and business
kills in order to be on top of my game.
Chatting
about your GYM/DOJO give me your perspective on Starting S.I.M.A.C.
How did the idea of SIMAC Mixed Martial Arts come about?
The
idea of SIMAC MMA has been in the pipe line for the last 10 years. I
started teaching 22 years ago but when my career took off in the
entertainment industry, ALL of my attention and focus diverted away
from teaching. The entertainment industry has given me opportunity to
make many valuable contacts and build a strong solid and reliable
team to work with.
I
noticed your facility is more of an overall training, not just MMA,
but workout, and additional classes, perhaps discuss some of the
classes?
We
run classes for 3 different age groups Super Simacs : 3-6
yrs Juniors: 7-12 yrs Adults : 12+ For more info please
visit www.simacmma.com
Please
note I call my system S.I.M.A.C. Mixed martial art because it is a
combination of some of the most effective, practical and health
benefiting aspects of the martial arts systems I have practiced.
There are a lot of traditional values and the system is in no way associated to
cage fighting.
Shifting
to acting, I just watched your amazing episode of Metal Hurlant
Chronicles, Endomorphe, Chat about your experience on set.
As
with each experience, is different, uplifting, empowering,
challenging and fulfilling learning experience. I had worked with
Michael J white on 2 other projects. it was semi familiar ground all
in all great fun.
Chat
about working closely with Michael Jai White and Michelle Lee, both
action vets, must have been fun to feed off their energy.
As
said above I have had the privilege of working with Michael J white
on 2 occasions. Each person i work with has bought a new prospective
to the way I walk, talk, act and do my action.
Can
you share an unusual or interesting story from the filming of Man of
Tai Chi that no one knows about, a bit of behind the scenes stuff?
When
I was working with keanu reeves on movie Man of Tai Chi, I arrived on
set a week before my shoot to acclimates to time difference and
within that week I struggled severely to sleep and was extremely jet
lagged, so on the last day of the shoot I fell asleep in between
takes.
Shifting
gears, I watched Dean's short action film Razed, chat about working with him, he is
an amazing talent, you guys work very well together.
Dean
is one of the nicest guys on and off screen. highly professional,
talented and a perfectionist when comes to attention to detail.
For
the future I saw you are involved in Killing The Seeds, any light you
can shed on that film as of yet?
It
is developing rapidly as we speak and likely to start shooting in
Thailand early 2015 but unfortunately cannot disclose any further
information.
Travelling
to your film past, Chat about Transporter 3, what amazing work for
you on that film, how did you get the role, and chat about working
with Jason.
Funny
enough i never auditioned for that movie, i had worked with Luc
Besson production company Europa Coorporation in Paris several years
earlier on unleashed with Jet li. Over 800 people had auditioned for
my part in Unleashed. Production company had contacted me directly and offered me a role based on our past collaboration. Working with Jason Stathem was fun, he is an easy going guy.
For
the final film question, Undisputed 2 fight with Scott Adkins,
describe the set-up for the fight, how long did it take, please if
you can remember, share a story from that filming, I know it was a
while back but it was an amazing fight.
I
had fun and the privilege of working with Scott Adkins on 5
productions ever since we became friends during our 3 month shoot of
black mask 2 in Thailand 13 years ago. Undisputed 2 was shot in
Bulgeria in the midst of winter.We were working in a studio with
temperatures of minus 20 degrees celcius. We was consistently sprayed
with water to make it look like sweat. In order to warm myself up I was doing press ups so I got challenged to see how many fully
executed push ups I could do in 60 seconds and I did 105 and that is
from my chin touching the wrists and my arms fully locked.
Wrapping
up, what are some of your future goals with your SIMAC MMA DOJO and
acting, would you ever like to come to the states to be the big
action actor, or do you like the balance of operating a facility
mixed with acting?
I
shall continue to pursue both of my life long dreams in martial
arts and entertainment and to continue to grow and make more noise.
Thank
you for the time, Silvio. Watch for more noise making from Silvio later in 2014 on
Dan's Movie Report!
Official Silvio website @ http://www.silviosimac.com/
Like the official Transit 17 Facebook page @
https://www.facebook.com/TRANSIT17?fref=ts
Working with Master Silvio is his partner Nikki T! So as an added bonus here is a short interview with Nikki!
Chat about your work at the SIMAC Facility, you teach a children's class is that correct?
I teach Mixed martial arts of all ages starting from as young as 3 years old all the way up to 71 in the UK and looking to expand classes and schools world wide in the future. I have been doing mixed martial arts martial arts for many many years and i love it.
I am sure you have other duties at the facility, what else are you responsible for?
Apart from being one of the instructors at SIMAC mixed martial arts school, i also do a lot of day to day promotions, advertising always finding new ways to reach out to the public and generate new leads. I am also the coordinator for SIMAC. My duties vary but i love it!
What is an average workout day consist of for Nikki T? Diet as well.
I do not really have an actual diet plan but i do like to be healthy by eating a lot of fruits rather then chocolates and junk. i do not drink or smoke so i guess i just live a normal day to day healthy living way my way. Martial arts and dance is my work out, i used to use the gym but i now do a lot of Pilates, dance and keeping firm through martial arts and kick boxing.
How about acting, stunt work, ever interested in that aspect?
I have never had any thoughts about becoming a stunt woman no. i used to do acting at two of the most famous UK performing arts schools, Sylvia young and Pineapple dance studios. I did enjoy acting although never pursued in it as Dance was always my passion so we will see.... who knows what the future will bring.
Would like to get your perspective on women in action films as a general question. should there be more female driven major roles etc..
Good question....Um well i think the action heroes aren more known to be males so its expected but yes i think more action woman on the screen would bring a whole new light on the action stars because there are only very few so yes i think there should be more female driven major roles.. i know a lot would agree with me.
Do you feel there is a competition among MMA schools for students in your area of U.K., or can they co-exist as they each provide something a bit different?
As we all know martial arts is a huge organization and a huge market but not all martial arts are being taught the same way so there is always room for multiple schools in the same area although with saying that it IS competitive. At SIMAC we teach a curriculum based on our own knowledge that what we teach WILL work out there on the streets and we teach a much simpler way of self defence but we also work closely with local communities, MP'S and children's education board where our students gain better school grades through there martial arts etc. It is proven to work, and will continue.
Wrapping up: What are some of your ideas and dreams for SIMAC MMA, Expansions etc.and other future personal goals?
We would like to have at least another 10 schools by next year and our aim is to constantly expand and continue to grow as a team and a name and to help children learn about respect, discipline and self control (which we are currently doing now) It is not just all about Martial arts and self defense, but also about safety, health, a better living and a respectful attitude.
