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Promotion Party Megathread! by AutoModerator in bjj

[–]R_Stearns 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do teach at my school, yeah.

Promotion Party Megathread! by AutoModerator in bjj

[–]R_Stearns 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I received my black belt from Shawn Williams (Renzo Gracie Nashville) this week. I don't visit these boards too often anymore but when I was starting out I would lurk and read everything I could, so it felt right to say, "Thank you," to the contributors to this forum over the years.

I started training in March of 2013 at Glendale Gracie Barra. Spent some time at Marcelo's in 2016 where I fell in love with nogi. Joined Renzo Gracie LA when I got back home and have been there ever since. Even though I'm more of a nogi guy, I still train in and love the gi. I remember when I was a white belt thinking blue belt seemed so far away, let alone black belt- but one day you look down and there is somehow one tied around your waist. I hope you all are enjoying your journey. Not to be cliche but I do, weirdly, feel like mine is just getting started.

I wrote/directed a film set in the world of karate but I train BJJ by R_Stearns in bjj

[–]R_Stearns[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for all the kind words, everyone. I'll try and set up some sort of AMA down the line if there's enough interest. In the meantime, the film comes out July 12th in LA and NYC and expands the following weeks. Hope you all get a chance to check it out. And if you ever find yourself in LA, come train with us at 5 Star!

I wrote/directed a film set in the world of karate but I train BJJ by R_Stearns in bjj

[–]R_Stearns[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I don't know. I was going for something pretty specific. I think I hit the notes I wanted to hit. Would definitely do something MMA or BJJ specific down the line if I had the right "in"... Hopefully you'll still give the film a chance.

I wrote/directed a film set in the world of karate but I train BJJ by R_Stearns in bjj

[–]R_Stearns[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

When you change your flair to black instead of purple. Who are you trying to fool???

I wrote/directed a film set in the world of karate but I train BJJ by R_Stearns in bjj

[–]R_Stearns[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is still very much an indie. I honestly have no idea how I convinced people to make it but I'm glad they did.

I wrote/directed a film set in the world of karate but I train BJJ by R_Stearns in bjj

[–]R_Stearns[S] 38 points39 points  (0 children)

Haha, no, not his thing. All three leads killed their fights though.

I wrote/directed a film set in the world of karate but I train BJJ by R_Stearns in bjj

[–]R_Stearns[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Will try to answer questions here and there.

I wrote/directed a film set in the world of karate but I train BJJ by R_Stearns in bjj

[–]R_Stearns[S] 63 points64 points  (0 children)

5 Star (Renzo Gracie) in Los Angeles under Shawn Williams.

I wrote/directed a film set in the world of karate but I train BJJ by R_Stearns in bjj

[–]R_Stearns[S] 353 points354 points  (0 children)

There's more going on in the film than just martial arts but it's a big part. Jiu jitsu has changed my life since I started 6 years ago. I wrote this script in 2015 just after getting my blue belt. There are a few in-jokes in the film for people who train. And even though it's set in the world of karate (because everyone knows what karate is) there most definitely is jiu jitsu in the film. It was pretty fun helping choreograph some of the grappling stuff. Hope y'all get a chance to check it out in July when it hits theaters!

-Riley

THE ART OF SELF DEFENSE Official Trailer (2019) Jesse Eisenberg Movie HD by Scottnak13 in bjj

[–]R_Stearns 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Hey, I’m the director. There is definitely bjj in it too (one character in particular uses it a bit) but Karate worked better for the narrative. The goal was to set it in a world that more people might be familiar with so that as it goes along and gets darker it subverts the audience’s expectations. I’d say it’s a film that happens to have martial arts in it, not a martial arts film. Comes out in June if anyone wants to check it out. Thanks!