Action Addicts - Talking action films and the Business of Show Business

Benjamin N. Redic II
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 We celebrate the overlooked group of films, actors and crew that take risks others will not. We educate and connect the creators to business resources and experts and we share these creations with enthusiastic viewers. We know that in the world of showbusiness, ”If you can’t do Business there is no Show” so we focus on having conversations that deal with the part of filmmaking that makes sure you don’t get fleeced and get paid! Join hosts Kisha C.G., Joe Barajas, Danyelle Weatherford and Benjamin N. Redic II aka The Violence Conductor.

  1. Samantha Inoue-Harte: U.S. Head Producer of Animated Content Studio Gonzo

    APR 15

    Samantha Inoue-Harte: U.S. Head Producer of Animated Content Studio Gonzo

    What happens when you mix samurai bloodlines, Disney training, Hollywood credits, and one of the most influential anime studios in the world? You get Samantha Inoue Harte. In this episode of Austin Action Addicts, we sit down with the U.S. Head of Animated Content for GONZO K.K.—the powerhouse behind iconic titles like Afro Samurai and dozens of genre-defining anime projects. With over two decades in the game, Samantha breaks down what anime really costs, why most people have no idea how it’s made, and how Western studios are fumbling the bag when they try to jump in. We go deep on: The truth about anime budgets (and why studios are getting lowballed)Why Hollywood still doesn’t “get” anime productionThe rise of anime in mainstream culture—and who’s trying to cash inVoice acting, casting, and protecting talent in a global industryAI in animation—tool or threat?And how one random act of kindness turned into a 20+ year careerThis one’s raw, honest, and full of industry insight you don’t hear anywhere else. If you’re a filmmaker, animator, or just someone who loves anime—you’re about to see the business side in a whole new way. Like and subscribe. Comment below and let us know what you think! Who do you want us to bring on next? Let us know. Action Addicts Podcast © 2025 Action Addicts Podcast. All rights reserved. Connect with us: X | Instagram | Email (mailto:Contact@AustinActionFest.com)

    1h 55m
  2. Maria Tran -The Rise Of The Indies (59)

    MAR 22

    Maria Tran -The Rise Of The Indies (59)

    What does it really take to make a feature film with almost no money… and actually turn a profit? In this episode, we sit down with Maria Tran—a powerhouse indie filmmaker who turned a $6,500 feature shot in 14 days into a profitable project across 12+ platforms. We break down how she: Built a feature film using community, non-actors, and pure grit Rejected traditional distributors to keep control and ownership Used FilmHub to land on platforms like Tubi, Amazon, and YouTube Movies Turned real data into smarter filmmaking decisions Scaled up to shooting TWO films back-to-back with a $30K budget each This isn’t theory—this is real, boots-on-the-ground filmmaking strategy. We also get into: Why most indie filmmakers get burned by bad distribution deals The truth about AFM (and why it’s not the golden ticket people think) How to fund films through local businesses and product placement Why action & horror are about to dominate the next 5 years The shift in power from Hollywood gatekeepers to independent creators If you’re serious about making films, making money, and not losing your rights in the process, this episode is required listening.  👉 Bottom line: You don’t need permission anymore. You need strategy, stamina, and the willingness to build your own lane. 0:00 Holy S**+ Intro 4:28 The Ghetto Part of Australia 10:56 Preproduction  14:29 Based on Real Life  19:40 All for the money?  25:00 "She ONLY does action" 30:00 I don't like your energy, keep your money 38:30 Be resilient, gatekeeping is over  39:19 Gatekeepers are losing power  50:20 Action star? What a stupid, silly idea  1:01:52 5,000, 10,000 and Marrese Crump 1:09:26 What are the numbers 1:14:45 Distribution  1:22:56 Should I stop making movies? Like and subscribe. Comment below and let us know what you think! Who do you want us to bring on next? Let us know. Action Addicts Podcast © 2025 Action Addicts Podcast. All rights reserved. Connect with us: X | Instagram | Email (mailto:Contact@AustinActionFest.com)

    1h 26m
  3. “Pendragon Cycle: Rise of Merlin — Where Are the Knights… and Why Is Everyone So Serious?” Ep. 58

    MAR 9

    “Pendragon Cycle: Rise of Merlin — Where Are the Knights… and Why Is Everyone So Serious?” Ep. 58

    The Violence Conductor dives into The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of Merlin (Daily Wire’s new fantasy series) — and let’s just say… expectations were high if you promise Merlin, magic, and knights swinging swords. After watching the first three episodes, the verdict is mixed. The show looks great and the sets are solid, but if you're expecting constant action and epic battles, you might find yourself waiting… and waiting… and waiting. The acting is decent, some characters show promise, and there are moments of cool combat—but strange editing choices, awkward pacing, and confusing time jumps make the experience a bit uneven. Is this a hidden fantasy gem that just needs time to warm up, or a visually impressive show that takes itself a little too seriously? Watch the breakdown and decide for yourself. You can support our work of educating filmmakers on the business side of showbusiness and keeping our festival and market costs affordable. Like and subscribe. Comment below and let us know what you think! Who do you want us to bring on next? Let us know. Action Addicts Podcast © 2025 Action Addicts Podcast. All rights reserved. Connect with us: X | Instagram | Email (mailto:Contact@AustinActionFest.com)

    9 min
  4. “Iron Lung Made $50M… With ONE Actor in a Submarine?! Indie Filmmakers Take Notes.” Ep. 57

    MAR 9

    “Iron Lung Made $50M… With ONE Actor in a Submarine?! Indie Filmmakers Take Notes.” Ep. 57

    The Violence Conductor breaks down Iron Lung, the indie horror film that absolutely exploded at the box office. Made for around $3 million and earning over $50 million worldwide, this project proves that independent filmmakers can still punch way above their weight. Shot largely in a single location submarine, the film relies heavily on tension, sound design, and one man carrying the entire performance. Markiplier delivers a surprisingly strong performance while the film builds suspense through ticking clocks, pressure leaks, and the constant threat of something going very wrong in the depths. This isn’t an action-heavy movie, but the atmosphere, clever filmmaking choices, and escalating body horror toward the end make it a fascinating case study in how indie filmmakers can succeed with constraints.Is Iron Lung a horror masterpiece or just a really smart indie experiment? Watch the review and decide. And remember: support indie film. Rent it, buy it, but Don’t Pirate It. Like and subscribe. Comment below and let us know what you think! Who do you want us to bring on next? Let us know. Action Addicts Podcast © 2025 Action Addicts Podcast. All rights reserved. Connect with us: X | Instagram | Email (mailto:Contact@AustinActionFest.com)

    11 min
  5. Distribution and 20k movies: Janell Vela-Smith, Keith Strandberg, Laura Perez and Keith Vitali Ep. 56

    12/10/2025

    Distribution and 20k movies: Janell Vela-Smith, Keith Strandberg, Laura Perez and Keith Vitali Ep. 56

    Janell Vela Smith is a dynamic executive producer and CEO of Iron Dragon Productions, specializing in the distribution of action-packed martial arts films and content through her innovative platform, IDTVFLIX.com. With a background as a certified black belt and stunt coordinator, she champions diverse voices in genre entertainment, curating and streaming high-octane projects like Nova and Templar: Honor Among Thieves to global audiences from her Austin, Texas base. Keith Strandberg is an acclaimed screenwriter, producer, and martial artist renowned for scripting and producing iconic martial arts films like No Retreat, No Surrender, The King of the Kickboxers, and Bloodmoon, which have been distributed worldwide through major studios, captivating global audiences with high-stakes action and underdog narratives from his base in Switzerland. Keith Vitali, a three-time World Karate Champion and Black Belt Hall of Famer, is a pioneering actor, producer, and martial arts icon who co-starred in blockbusters such as Revenge of the Ninja (MGM-distributed worldwide) and Wheels on Meals alongside Jackie Chan, while co-producing Superfights and Bloodmoon to amplify authentic fight choreography and genre-defining thrills for international markets. Laura Perez is an Austin-based filmmaker, producer, and director at Alma Libre Films, LLC, renowned for crafting underrepresented stories in features and documentaries like The Place in Between and American Orange. Blending her law degree with hands-on production savvy, she co-wrote and co-produced the award-winning Harvest of Redemption, securing nationwide U.S. distribution and festival acclaim, while innovating low-budget strategies to reach targeted audiences through authentic, efficient content delivery. Keith Vitali, a three-time World Karate Champion and Black Belt Hall of Famer, is a pioneering actor, producer, and martial arts icon who co-starred in blockbusters such as Revenge of the Ninja (MGM-distributed worldwide) and Wheels on Meals alongside Jackie Chan, while co-producing Superfights and Bloodmoon to amplify authentic fight choreography and genre-defining thrills for international markets. Like and subscribe. Comment below and let us know what you think! Who do you want us to bring on next? Let us know. Action Addicts Podcast © 2025 Action Addicts Podcast. All rights reserved. Connect with us: X | Instagram | Email (mailto:Contact@AustinActionFest.com)

    33 min
  6. Coby Rich - "Ridin Dirty"

    11/27/2025

    Coby Rich - "Ridin Dirty"

    Coby Rich is a Houston-based filmmaker, writer, and multifaceted digital media producer with over a decade of experience in directing, editing, cinematography, and production. A true "Swiss army knife" of the industry, Rich has honed his craft across social media and independent projects, drawing inspiration from the vibrant undercurrents of his hometown. In 2024, he made waves with Ridin' Dirty, a pulse-pounding crime short he wrote and directed under Get Rich Productions. "When three unlikely strangers find $2 million in stolen money it sets them on a thrilling adventure dodging criminals, corrupt cops and an embattled US Senator through Houston’s underground. Will they survive the night? In this proof of concept short film we find our antagonists, the Barnes brothers, on their way to steal the big payday that sets our story in motion." Gear List: Microphone - Maono PD400X USB/XLR Mic - Maonocaster AM100 Interface/MAONO AU-MH601Studio Headphones Get %10 off ➡️Here: https://www.maono.com/?ref=vmwwa2qg Use code - AustinActionFest We're shooting for 1,000 subs so Please Subscribe, Comment and Share the content. You can support our work of educating filmmakers on the business side of showbusiness and keeping our festival and market costs affordable. Be our Patron - https://www.patreon.com/AustinAction Like and subscribe. Comment below and let us know what you think! Who do you want us to bring on next? Let us know. Action Addicts Podcast © 2025 Action Addicts Podcast. All rights reserved. Connect with us: X | Instagram | Email (mailto:Contact@AustinActionFest.com)

    6 min
  7. Maurice Moore Red Carpet Interview at our 2025 event! "Finding Solace" Premiere!

    11/27/2025

    Maurice Moore Red Carpet Interview at our 2025 event! "Finding Solace" Premiere!

    We caught up with Mo on the red carpet! Motivate pictures cleaned up on awards this year! "Maurice Moore is a “storyteller”, who at an early age received a life changing opportunity when Steven Spielberg cast him in the Academy Award nominated classic “The Color Purple”. This fueled his passion to become an actor, then ultimately a producer and filmmaker. Maurice went on to hone his talent on the stage and screen working in productions from Austin to Los Angeles. After a decade-long stint in Los Angeles where he found success as a producer, filmmaker and screenwriter Maurice took his valuable business experience to Austin, TX where he created Motivate Pictures. Within the first five years of its existence Maurice, working alongside filmmaker Alex Rios, has turned Motivate Pictures into a multi-award-winning production company including films such as “The Devil Inside Us”, “Deja Vu” and “The Place She Dwells”.  With that success Motivate Pictures has expanded globally and created Motivate Pictures Europe! Maurice and his team have gone on to produce critically acclaimed projects all over Europe that include “Skills”, “The Heist”, “Light”, “Blue”, and “Cold Love”. Maurice’s recent feature film, the psychological thriller “Finding Solace”, will hit theaters in 2025. Motivate Pictures exciting upcoming slate of projects “King of the World”, “Dark Sunlight”, “Killdeer”, and “Founding Father” are expected to keep audiences on the edge of their seats and entertained for years to come. It shouldn’t go without mentioning Maurice is also the Founder and Acting Coach of the nationally acclaimed Austin based Breathe Acting Studio."  Gear List: Microphone - Maono PD400X USB/XLR Mic - Maonocaster AM100 Interface/MAONO AU-MH601Studio Headphones Get %10 off ➡️Here: https://www.maono.com/?ref=vmwwa2qg Use code - AustinActionFest  We're shooting for 1,000 subs so Please Subscribe, Comment and Share the content. Like and subscribe. Comment below and let us know what you think! Who do you want us to bring on next? Let us know. Action Addicts Podcast © 2025 Action Addicts Podcast. All rights reserved. Connect with us: X | Instagram | Email (mailto:Contact@AustinActionFest.com)

    16 min
  8. Keith Vitali - Karate Master and Action Actor, "No Retreat, No Surrender 3"

    11/27/2025

    Keith Vitali - Karate Master and Action Actor, "No Retreat, No Surrender 3"

    Keith Vitali is a legendary figure in the world of martial arts, born on December 24, 1951, whose journey began in 1971 at the University of South Carolina. A former track star who shattered state records in cross-country, Keith traded his athletic scholarship for a passion ignited by his first Tae Kwon Do class under instructor John Roper. Earning his first-degree black belt in just two years, he founded the university's karate club, one of the nation's earliest collegiate programs. Over the next decade, Keith dominated the competitive scene, amassing over 1,000 fights, securing three consecutive U.S. National Karate Championships from 1978 to 1980, and claiming the World Karate title. Ranked the #1 full-contact fighter in the USA and inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame as Fighter of the Year in 1981, he was hailed by Black Belt Magazine as one of the top 10 fighters of all time, gracing more than a dozen national magazine covers with his explosive power and precision. Transitioning seamlessly to the silver screen, Keith became a staple in martial arts cinema, starring in iconic films like Revenge of the Ninja alongside Sho Kosugi—sparking the 1980s ninja craze with its nationwide theatrical release—and Wheels on Meals with Jackie Chan, Benny Urquidez, and Sammo Hung. His action-packed resume also includes No Retreat, No Surrender 3: Blood Brothers, American Kickboxer, and Superfights. Beyond the ring and reel, Keith is an acclaimed author of instructional books like Winning Tournament Karate and Bully-Proof Your Child, and a dedicated child advocate through his K.V. Video Productions, creating safety videos that made headlines in outlets like USA Today. As the first president of the South Carolina Karate Hall of Fame, Keith continues to inspire generations with his unbreakable spirit and commitment to empowerment.  Gear List: Microphone - Maono PD400X USB/XLR Mic - Maonocaster AM100 Interface/MAONO AU-MH601Studio Headphones Get %10 off ➡️Here: https://www.maono.com/?ref=vmwwa2qg Use code - AustinActionFest We're shooting for 1,000 subs so Please Subscribe, Comment and Share the content. Like and subscribe. Comment below and let us know what you think! Who do you want us to bring on next? Let us know. Action Addicts Podcast © 2025 Action Addicts Podcast. All rights reserved. Connect with us: X | Instagram | Email (mailto:Contact@AustinActionFest.com)

    6 min
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About

 We celebrate the overlooked group of films, actors and crew that take risks others will not. We educate and connect the creators to business resources and experts and we share these creations with enthusiastic viewers. We know that in the world of showbusiness, ”If you can’t do Business there is no Show” so we focus on having conversations that deal with the part of filmmaking that makes sure you don’t get fleeced and get paid! Join hosts Kisha C.G., Joe Barajas, Danyelle Weatherford and Benjamin N. Redic II aka The Violence Conductor.

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