Q. Can you tell us something about your filmmaking?
Recently, I have completed a film, Voyeur to the Paranormal, which is about the paranormal scene in New Orleans. The film has won over 35 international film awards! Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Roma, Singapore, Paris, London, Seoul, Bali, Madrid, Trieste, Nassau, Kolkata, Madras are just a few places from where I received the top laurels.
I have written several novels and a book of poetry as well.
Q. How did you get into filmmaking?
I have always been interested in the creative aspects of life and filmmaking is one of them. I took and completed the Film and TV Production courses at Mt. San Antonio College. I really honed my expertise and of course, this helped me achieve the recognition from the film festivals, domestic as well as international.
Q. Is it true that you are a producer of a SAG-AFTRA union signatory project?
A. As you know SAG is screen actors guild that all celebrity actors belong to. I wrote a screenplay and went through a long process. As a result, my screenplay was approved as a SAG-AFTRA signatory project which also makes me a producer.
Q. What was your inspiration to compose the Mantra of Circle?
A. The circle is a symbol of eternity as well as a journey. If you look at Zen paintings, a circle is often drawn as a calligraphic art. There is no beginning or an end. However, in our physical world, there are cardinal points of the compass, East, South, etc. and to be part of the circle, there is a center. In this case, I used yin and yang idea, Love Dark and Love Light.
Q. Why are there six songs in the first Mantra of Circle but five songs in Mantra of Circle 2?
A. The number 6 and number 5 are often used to symbolic of certain flowers. Six (6) represents the Lily, which is originally a six petalled flower. Five (5) is symbolic of a rose which in its natural form, is a 5 petalled flower. Five is also symbolic of a human. So, after have reaching the center in the 1st cycle, the soul (or spirit) is unified, but leaves the center and goes in counterclockwise direction to reach East, or the Awakening.
Q. Is it true that you learnt piano in several years, won prizes and were invited to perform at Carnegie Hall?
A. Two years. As a child, I learnt a little. Later, I decided to tidy up my loose ends, and practiced with devotion and diligence. Then, when I performed in front of my teacher, he suggested that I should try competitions. I won non-pro divisions and was invited to perform at Carnegie.
Q. You have also won martial arts tournaments?
A. Yes, I went to a Wushu school and the main teacher who was a champion from China said that in 6 months I am doing what professional Wushu martial artists are doing in China after 6 years. He had hoped that I would compete at Olympics but Wushu never became included. Then, I once performed Salsa at a charity concert and was noticed by GrandMaster Pan Qing Fu, martial artist extraordaire who choreographed and starred in the original Shaolin Temple that launched Jet Li's career. He inspired me and even flew in from Canada to Los Angeles and stayed at a nearby hotel to teach me privately broadsword form with which I won 1st place. I also I won 1st place in long fist form.
Q. What do you do for relaxation?
A. Read, meditate (Eastern & Western), yoga, hike and do something creative, definitely dancing. They do have a relaxing effect for me.
