Season 1

Steve and Paul sit down with Cinder Chou (Writer/Director) and Kerry Lacy (actor) about their feature film Artist Unknown.

Jasper Joyner is a Michigan born stunt performer who has shared the screen with action legends such as Scott Atkins and Ray Park. Since 2014 Jasper has been Michael Jai White's stunt double, working on such productions as Accident Man (2018), Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016), As Good As Dead (2022), The Commando (2022), Falcon Rising (2014), Chain of Command (2015) and more. Jasper, Paul and Steve break down some of his most epic fight scenes, delve into some of the challenges of working in the entertainment industry; why it is important to stay positive, humble and thankful; and how YouTube just might get you your next big break.

Our interview with Sherry Rene begins with a breakdown of the 'Burnham vs Burnham' fight from season 5, episode 4 of Star Trek Discovery. Star Trek has a long history of characters having to face themselves on different timelines, parallel universes, when faced with mimicking entities and other anomalies of space and time. Michael Burnham, Captain of the Discovery, is the latest crew member in Star Trek universe to join this lineage. Outside of Star Trek Sherry has appeared as a stunt performer in Black-ish, Brooklyn Nine Nine, Snowfall, Runaways and American Horror Stories. Sherry shares her leap of faith journey from Long Island, New York to Los Angeles where she channeled a life of martial arts training into a successful career in television and film - and super excited Trekkie parents.

Steve and Paul share stories from their lives as stunt performers and discuss some insights regarding shooting fights for fun, training and on professional jobs. They dive deep into the development of the 'Kenton vs Anton' fight from season 1, episode 2 of Alex Garland's DEVS (2020), where Steve stunt doubled Zach Grenier. Beyond simply fight building they talk about training and doubling actors, hustling for work, injuries, rigging and their attempt to shoot a shot-for-shot remake of the epic 'Achilles vs Hector' fight from Troy (2004).

David S. Tuttman is a Cinematographer and Director whose works include The Endgame (Director), Prodigal Son (Director), Damages (Director), The Following (Cinematographer), Blindspot (Director of Photography), Law and Order (Director of Photography) and Wu Tang: An American Saga (Director of Photography). We begin our discussion with a breakdown of the epic homage to John Woo's The Killer (1989) in episode 7 of the 2nd season of Wu Tang: An American Saga. Our discussion then takes us through intricacies of shooting action, David's career, set safety and the future of the television and film industry.

American Werewolf in London (1981) and Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001) are two iconic films that have some surprising threads of connective tissue between them and other classic movies. Paul and Steve show their film fanboy sides as they dissect these classics, play six degrees of separation between the films, reveal lesser known Easter eggs and play with actual props from the film. Grab a beer, sit back and nerd out.

Jay R. Adams is Detroit area stunt performer who has appeared on Ray Donovan, The Outsiders, Banshee and many more productions. In 2014, after a serious injury, he left his career as a professional wrestler and moved into the film industry. Our discussion begins with an epic fight on the Dream On episode of Ray Donovan (S6 Ep9) and progresses into his career, making it in the stunt business, challenges of working in film and some future productions we will see him in.

Doc Duhame is a stunt performer, actor and stunt coordinator of seasons 6 and 7 of Ray Donovan, as well as the Ray Donovan Movie. Our discussion begins with a deep dive into coordinating fights on Ray Donovan and branches off into a discussion about the industry and his long career. Originally from Long Island, New York, Doc moved to LA in 1979 to pursue a career in Television and Film. Three months later he was performing stunts at the Western Stunt Show at Universal Studios and being ushered into the business by legendary performers of the day. Over 40 years later Doc has regularly doubled Gene Hackman, Jonanthan Banks, and many others. Among many noted productions, Doc has worked on To Live and Die in LA (1985), Runaway Train (1985), Iron Eagle (1986), Swamp Thing (1990 - 1991, Stunt Coordinator), Quick and the Dead (1995), LA Confidential (1997), Face Off (1997), Galaxy Quest (1999), Payback (1999), Django Unchained (2012), Captain America: Winter Soldier (2014) and many more. If you love filmmaking technique and history you will absolutely love it.

Hugh Fitzgerald is a Los Angeles based actor, writer, BJJ Black Belt and fight trainer at the legendary 87 Eleven Action Design and 87 North. Nearly 20 years ago, a struggling New York based theater actor, Hugh had a chance meeting with David Mamet that would literally change his life. That meeting opened doors he never could have imagined and paved the way for a transformative career in the film industry. His foray into this world was Mamet's love story to BJJ and the Martial Arts - Redbelt - which ushered Hugh into a community of martial artists and filmmakers who would go on to become legends in the industry. We start at the opening scene of Redbelt, which offers one of the earliest depictions of BJJ and grappling on the American screen. Sit back and get ready for a thoughtful, philosophical and genuine discussion on martial arts, film, the struggles of working in the film business and magic. Yes - Magic.

Calvin Ahn is a New York based actor and stunt performer who has appeared in Fallout, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Lovecraft Country, The Defenders, John Wick Chapter 2 and in one of the most noted shows in the martial arts space, Cobra Kai - as Chozen's stunt double for the epic re-match with Daniel LaRusso. We begin by breaking down this fight scene with Calvin and springboard into a fascinating discussion about stunts, his career and life as a performer. Most importantly, Calvin is in our logo.

Paul and Steve take a deep dive into writing action with Joshua Todd James. Joshua is a screenwriter, playwright, novelist, lifelong martial artist and BJJ Black Belt behind JCVD's Pound of Flesh (2015) and the upcoming Hulu feature Take Cover (2024) starring Scott Atkins. Our discussion begins with a breakdown of the bible fight from Pound of Flesh and springboards into Joshua's career, writing process, the importance of story and authenticity when writing action, what goes into getting a screenplay made and so much more. You will not want to miss this one.

Steve and Paul are joined by Becca GT, professional stunt performer who has doubled Natasha Lyonne on Orange is the New Black, Russian Doll and most recently Poker Face. We dive deep into the epic retirement home fight from Season 1, episode 5 Poker Face as well as Becca's career beginning 20 years ago driving at the legendary Chitwood traveling thrill show.

Co-hosts Stephen Koepfer and Paul Varacchi introduce themselves, how they got into the TV and film industry and what is in store for the Fights With Friends Podcast.