How 'Slapped Straight' Directors Brought Growing Combat Sport to the Big Screen

48 Hour Film Project winners David Anderson and Raynel Almonte are making history in Buffalo, New York, with their new comedy Slapped Straight – the first ever film about slap fighting, a sport said to be popular in Russia and Serbia that’s been gaining momentum in the U.S. through UFC CEO Dana White and SlapFight Championship founder JT Tilley. 

Prior to merging their companies into Luminary Figures Group, Anderson and Almonte have made a name for themselves in the Buffalo area with several short films of their own including the award-winning mystery Degraded, the family film Holy Night and award-winning drama Take Me. 

Web series thriller 'Unusual Attraction' by Luminary Figures Group. Starring Amanda Barsi, Austin Gallego, Grace Harvey, Sean Mansfield, Shanda Gardner Fry, Hugh Davis and more.Slapped Straight -- about a rideshare driver and a slap fighter whose lives intertwine after mistakenly grabbing the wrong gym bag -- was actually developed while Anderson and Almonte were on set filming their web series thriller, Unusual Attraction. Once the idea sparked, the filmmaking duo wrote the screenplay for Slapped Straight in three months.

"My partner Raynel wanted to create a movie that has not been made yet. We were looking for a niche and slap fighting was one of them. There was no movie made on the upcoming sport. So we decided to go at it!" says Anderson, who shares the Writing, Directing, Editing and Producing hat on Slapped Straight.

The film follows rideshare driver Garry Nichols who lives day by day resenting his life choices, which is as plain as anyone else's until he meets the one person that will change his life for the better. After boosting Garry's confidence and showing him how to live, HotHands introduces Garry to the world of Slap Fighting, where hothands prepares to go up against the Smack Fight Champion.

Comedy 'Slapped Straight by Luminary Figures Group. Starring Garry Jerome Knight, Mark Williams, Kyle Seyer, Sonia Angeli, Jahga Banks and Jewels Genesis.

Anderson describes production as 37 fun and amazing days filled with many memorable moments when he and Almonte were on set, especially the "scenes with El Guapo." For Anderson, one of those moments were when actor Garry J. Knight would go missing, and "we needed him for a scene, so the group chat would always say 'Where's Garry!?'."

When the crew ran out of light and needed to film the inside during day, that didn't stop the production. "We were tight on the schedule so we didn't want to miss a shoot day. But we figured out to just take a bunch of lights and put them behind the window and made it look like day time."

"We couldn't of picked a better cast," he says while adding that the post production was also fun to do. Over the course of seven months, Anderson and Almonte put together different scenes separately, then came together to get a picture lock. "What took a lot of time, was that the entire movie is ADR. So we had to recreate the foley and add in all the atmospheric sounds. Tiresome, but worth it," says Anderson.

 Rather than having one composer for the film's soundtrack, Anderson and Almonte crowdsourced original music from various artists for Slapped Straight. "We wanted to help artists in Buffalo, NY by putting a variety of different artists music in our film. Buffalo has a good group of music artists that I believe are underrated. So we wanted to put them on the map and push their work as much as we push Slapped Straight. The music makes the movie more unique and original which brings another element to the table, and each song that we used, matched the tone and vibe of the scene, or at least moment within a scene," says Anderson.

Almonte, who was a multi-passionate artist himself, already had his finger on the pulse of the local music scene long before making this film. "I was in between choosing what I wanted to do with my life. I was a rapper, I made graphic designs; made T-shirts. I had a bunch of things I wanted to do. I had a mentor that told me to chose one thing, so I decided to choose filmmaking. I've wanted to move into that field, because it embodied everything that I already loved to do. Music, design, etc. That's when I knew filmmaking was for me," he says.

As someone who participated in multiple 48 Hour Film Projects, Anderson is a great collaborator whose filmmaking journey is a huge complement to Almonte's multidisciplinary experience. "I've always loved story telling. To this day I would zone out and imagine different scenes in my head, that will cause me to have an emotional response. I've always enjoyed the feeling that would come from that. What made me chose filmmaking over just writing books, or short stories, is that I can really bring to life the images that are in my head, and evoke emotion into others. So I purchased my first camera, Lumix GH4, found the Buffalo Film Community, then started making short films," adds the prolific director.

Comedy 'Slapped Straight' movie poster. Produced, Written, Directed, Filmed and Edited by David O Anderson with production assistance from Al Warren.The poster design for Slapped Straight is very creative, bucking many movie poster trends in favor of a one-sheet that looks like hand drawn artwork. So I was curious about the directors' process in choosing the design and who made it.

"We wanted to create a poster that tells the story when looking at it. We also wanted to the cover to be colorful as the film itself is very colorful and vibrant," shares Anderson. 

The comedy feature premiered at the Capitol Theatre earlier this Spring in Niagara Falls, NY. It has since been embraced by the slap fighting sport and its founder, JT Tilley, which the Co-Directors find to be nothing short of amazing.

"The fact that JT was interested in our movie and decided to help push it, really felt like we reached a goal, or an achievement. The film was well received by the community and we are really appreciative for the support we have gotten," says Anderson. 

This support even took the Co-Directors all the way to Texas, which Almonte describes as a very good experience. "With it being Dave's first time on a plane, and going to Texas, it made it all the more special. When we got there, we ended up going to check out the location the Slap Fight event was taking place, and that's when JT spotted us. He welcomed us to the place and showed us around. Then the next day was the slap fight event. It was amazing to say the least. And of course you know we had to get some Texas barbecue," he says. 

Being surrounded by men slapping each other for sport, the directors would surely have some perspective on the slap incident that happened between comedian/host Chris Rock and actor Will Smith at the 94th annual Oscars, right? It surprised Anderson. "There was obviously entertainment in that incident, but personally it was a let down to see someone you looked up to in some way, embarrass another one you looked up to in some way. I feel bad for Chris Rock, and in some way I also feel bad for Will. He was an icon and that one moment, he fell and that destroyed his image," says Anderson. 

From lighting challenges on set and missing actors to traveling by air for the first time and entering the world of competitive slapping, Anderson and Almonte are proud to be independent filmmakers. "We enjoy being able to tell our own original stories, and watching people enjoy them," says the Co-Directors who aim to "connect with people and evoke emotions. To be able to create a quality film in its story, image, and sound. Ultimately, to be a big production house and be able to be a full time filmmaker." 

'Slapped Straight' Producers, Writers, Directors, Cinematographers and Editors David O AndersonThe directors are already on their way to reaching their goal of being a big production house after merging their own separate companies, ComposedIMAGE and FrameArt Pictures, into Luminary Figures Group in their aim to create a unique, official name for both of them.

They drew names from a hat, but didn't like them. Soon Anderson came up with the name Luminary Figures Group and Almonte liked it. 

Anderson and Almonte are certain it is possible to make a living as a filmmaker but you need the proper equipment. "Why would someone choose my production company, when they can choose someone else who can create any vision because they have the necessary equipment to do so. It is very possible, but the equipment matters," adds Anderson. 

They're currently looking to upgrade their equipment so Luminary Figures Group can take on commercial jobs and weddings. "Our lowest list of equipment is about $30,000. That will kick us in to gear to start taking on projects for other people. In the field of filmmaking, we feel our stories are our strong point, but we can work to make our dialogue a little better. Also, script supervising; or a larger crew in general as it is just us, sometimes 1 other person to assist on set," says the duo. 

In the meantime, they are screening Slapped Straight at film festivals and working to get the film wider distribution. "We really enjoy creating original and unique movies for people to watch and we hope that we can get the recognition we do deserve, and one day be as big as A24, Paramount Pictures, Disney etc. We jut need the opportunity to prove ourselves, and show that we can create real unique movies," adds Anderson and Almonte. 

The comedy Slapped Straight is available to rent for 48 hours here. 

Who would you pay to see in a slap fighting competition? 

What do you think about the Slapped Straight movie poster? 

Cinematographer Sean Taylor on Why He Started a Video Production Business

What is the first movie you remember seeing in a movie theater? For Philadelphia based videographer and editor Sean Taylor, Superman rings the bell. “I never forgot the scene when baby girl fell over the GIGANTIC waterfall and Superman saved her,” he says. Ever since those early days of visits to the cinema with his dad, Sean has worked on several short films as a director, camera operator, sound mixer and producer throughout his 20+ year career as a production specialist. 

Originally from Connecticut, Sean prides himself on exercising professionalism and creativity to produce quality content in high pressure environments while honing his craft at major companies including ESPN, ABC News and NASCAR. “I know how it feels to go live with no room for error,” adds this Janet Jackson fan who watches Kung Fu movies when he needs a pick-me-up. 

Unable to find another job after being laid off in the summer of 2013, Sean created Visual Jedi, a video production service that gives him the opportunity to work on films, music videos, commercials and corporate videos for a wide range of clients. “I never wanted to feel like the rug was pulled from under my feet again!” says Sean.  

Despite having challenges finding good people to hire, he always wanted to work in a professional production house that allowed him to work on many different projects and meet people from all walks of life. Sean cites Catch Me If You Can, the crime drama about a skilled forger who passes as a doctor, lawyer and pilot while being chased by an obsessed FBI agent, as a movie that would help you understand his experiences as a business owner. 

“I feel like it's me alone against the world,” he says while adding that this film -- starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks and Christopher Walken – has the best lessons that can be applied to running a small business. “If you don't believe in yourself...no one else will.”

Sean travels to many cities such as Miami, Florida and Memphis, Tennessee, using Visual Jedi’s production services to help people achieve their dreams from concept to completion. 

Within the last year, he’s also brought his love for the art of storytelling to the Short Film Slam’s 2020-2021 season as our new jury president.  

He attributes his long career to a natural ability to produce content out of thin air, being tech savvy and “keeping up to date with today's technology and software in a never-ending changing world.”

In the meantime, he’s enjoying watching films with a good plot and training the next generation of video professionals while looking to add more 4K cameras to his production arsenal. 

Urbanworld Film Festival Lights up the Red Carpet at AMC

Chef Roblé Ali from BRAVO TV and Project Runway model Shaya Ali attend the 19th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival.In the film business, a red carpet is akin to fashion industry runways, as big names and up-and-coming talent come out and strut their moneymakers. It’s more about substance over style for those appearing in support of movies that have people within the big and small screen arena talking. For audiences at the 19th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival taking place this weekend at AMC Empire 25 on 42nd street, Muhammad Ali: The People's Champ featuring stars such as rapper T.I. and actor Jaleel White stand among them.

On opening night Wednesday, the red carpet was also lit with surprises and fun times spearheaded by personalities who made their presence known.

During his hosting activities as 2015 Festival Ambassador, actor-singer Tyrese Gibson took a moment to plug the premiere of Shame, a short film set in the 1960s. Tyrese plays an abusive husband struggling with addiction in the pursuit of his musical dreams in this narrative drama playing Saturday at 6:30pm. Produced by Oscar winner Denzel Washington, the movie also stars Academy Award winning actress Jennifer Hudson and serves as the lead-in to Urbanworld's highly anticipated closing night documentary A Ballerina’s Tale about ballet dancer Misty Copeland. Latino writer Victor Cruz and Chinese filmmaker Trevor Zhou were also on hand to make sure their screenings get that extra push -- a necessity for the 80 titles competing for audiences, distribution, press reviews and awards at this year's Urbanworld film festival, presented by BET networks with founding sponsor, HBO.

Cruz is the writer behind The Stockroom, a narrative feature about a stockroom supervisor who, upon approaching his  10-year anniversary on the job, must choose between remaining there or pursuing dreams of being a stand-up comic. The Stockroom, which is also Cruz’s directorial debut, plays at 5:00pm today. Zhou’s short film The Waltz is about an immigrant mother who, in the midst of a crumbling marriage and hoarding compulsion, tries to reclaim her life when she stumbles upon dancing lessons. The Waltz plays in the festival’s 12pm noon “Shorts Program 3” lineup on Saturday.

Urbanworld Film Festival founder Stacy Spikes takes selfies with the red carpet crowd on opening night.Contrary to what it may seem, Urbanworld is much more than business, as shown by leaders who had a good time walking the red carpet including hip-hop music artist David Banner and Urbanworld Film Festival founder Stacy Spikes; both captured selfies with an eager crowd of men and women at the front lines of all the lights, cameras and Time Square action.

"19 YEARS!!!," yelled a cheerful Spikes -- one of several well-known figures unleashing a kind of energy in the air that let everyone watching know that a lot of the smiles on this runway are there for real, not for show.

Urbanworld’s long history is an example of what can be done when you make a commitment to providing opportunities for diverse stories about the African-American experience -- and universal tales involving people of color -- to get their time in the spotlight. 19 years of fulfilled dreams. 19 years of careers launched. 19 years of blood, sweat equity and tears to provide a home where creatives have a chance to share their vision with the rest of the world. It took 19 years to build a place that gives women, LGBT, black, yellow and brown communities ample representation in front of the camera just as well as behind the lens. That’s one of the reasons why attending film festivals and supporting the kind of films we want to see in the theater (and on television) helps to prove to the industry and narrow-minded members of society that all lives, stories and experiences do matter…including ours.