One of the sets of "Warrior" in Pittsburgh.
Here's the fourth installment of George McGinnis' blog on his experiences as an extra on the movie set of "Warrior," an MMA movie being filmed in Pittsburgh. He called this one "Home Sweet Home."
Well I made it in. I got home Thursday morning around 1:00 - 1:30 a.m.
I was so anxious to get home, that I unfortunately forgot to get into touch with key people that have potential business opportunities for me in the future. At this point, I no longer feel the need to force opportunity. Due to my patience, hard work and persistence, things for me lately have been more or less falling from the sky. I will however stay focused and chase down the things that are important to me. There has been random yet potentially promising opportunities presenting themselves for me since my arrival to the set...
George doin' some grappling.
- Two of the extras, "The Rapper Grapplers" (Inside Joke) are involved with the music business. One seemed to have recently released a single, while the other is involved with beats and track background influence. The joke of their newly received nick name (courtesy of yours truly) came about when Sue (actor placement manager) had called for all the grapplers and would look at everyone she touched eyes with and would say "are you a grappler?" - "How about you?" - "What about you, are you a jiueuitstue guy?". The poor woman couldn't pronounce Jiu Jitsu to save her skin, but never the less, she was a pretty cool chick. So anyways... The two gentlemen looked at her as if they had considered pretending to be BJJ guys just to get on the set, but their long and hesitant stare gave way to an honest smile and shake of the head to signify that they were in fact NOT ground guys. So I later headed to the holding area to grab a drink and quick snack and seen them sitting there. As I approached I sarcastically said "so are you guys grapplers?", they looked at one another and laughed. Here, due to the echo in the lobby, it must have sounded as if I asked "are you guys rappers?", which I would later sarcastically tease them about being remotely offended to them being black with doo rags on (lmao@Rappergrapplers). The two clearly and openly admit that they have not one clue about ground game, but its still all in fun. We talked for quite a while about life, fighting, the music industry, etc. That's how the idea of me being in the video came about...
- Tap Out (Punkass & Skyskrape). It was interesting meeting 'Skrape. His being on the set was a surprise, but I would later find out that, not only did they donate a ridiculous amount of clothes and gear for the set (and I mean a lot), but they also had roles in the film. I ended up meeting Skyskrape when he was seated near the play back area. Many people approached him. I personally don't like to abruptly approach a celeb and ride their nuts because (a) They get that all the time, (b) they are there for business, not fans, (c) I personally feel that when you (for lack of better words) lower yourself to a fan, you not only appear to be like the next guy, but subconsciously you're predetermining your position amongst the very people your trying to rise to. Then of course there's (d) and d is me not wanting to add to some of the celebs already pretentious egos. I "get in, get out" with saying little to nothing and just offering a hand shake or nod as they pass, and to be quite honest, this demeanor wasn't designed by my experience on the set, I have been like that for years. I have met some pretty impressive celeb's in my day. Both in and out of the fight world, but I always - always try to maintain a professional state of mind and address them as they would likely address me. 'Skrape is pretty upbeat, confident, sarcastic and nearly arrogant. I spoke to him the least due to our differences of character. Punkass was pretty cool. He stood next to me during one of the rehearsals. I looked at him nonchalantly and said "Sup Punk", he smiled and offered a hand shake. We spoke momentarily, but then headed our separate ways...
- Yves Edwards (Thug Jitsu). This one I must admit was a little harder for me. I did stick to my guns and didn't address him as he first walked by, but when I first seen him, I thought to myself "Holy $h!t, that's my boy Yves!". You see, me and Yves go waaaaaaaay back. On d.v.d night that is. I would review some of his fights for the longest time. Watching his movements, his combinations, his confidence. Hell, I'll even go out on a limb and suggest that Yves was breakin out the (now highly anticipated) "super man punch" when it was hot off the press nearly a decade ago. I did eventually crack and slowly and modestly made my way to where he was seated. I politely approached him and said "had to swing over quick and show you some love pimp", he smiled as we shook hands and I headed right back to my scene position. I spoke to him off and on and gave him a card in hopes that he and I could knock out a private or two since he was in town, but I never got a call before my departure back to York...
- More soon...
Sincerely Yours: George McGinnis
York Mixed Martial Arts Academy
www.YMMAA.com
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