#Miami connection how to

RELATED: 35 YEARS LATER: ‘THE WRAITH’ REMAINS AMONG THE BEST IN ’80S CHEESE Though novices in acting, none of the cast were unskilled in their other crafts, and that level of discipline and potential shines through in earnest in the final cut.

#Miami connection how to

Angelo and Kathy took on the roles of Tom and Jane, and helped the cast learn how to move on stage for the performance sequences. Jannotti ended up writing the original songs “Against the Ninja” and “Friends Forever,” alongside musician Kathy Collier. Manson InternationalĪngelo Jannotti wasn’t actually a martial arts student, but his sister was taking photos at Master Kim’s studio and found out about their need for someone who was a musician (and “someone who could get beat up”). Maurice Smith, who Kim believed to be the best actor, who was also his student, was given the emotionally-demanding role of Jim. Vincent Hirsch was already teaching at his own studio before getting the call from Kim, and taking on the role of John. Kim continued recruiting from his school in Miami for the best actors and martial artists in his dojo. With no experience writing a real Hollywood script, Diamond bought eight books on screenwriting and spent a month studying and writing a formula-driven film that would drive investors to the project. As the cast came together, Diamond was then recruited to write the screenplay. Grandmaster Kim, an accomplished martial artist and motivational speaker, leapt at the opportunity, and asked his friend, Joseph Diamond, for help.ĭiamond, who would portray evil gang leader Jack, was a student of Kim’s, and originally signed on as an actor, but was soon asked to help with coordinating production. Kim on a South Korean talk show “Meet at 11p.m.” and called him up with an idea to make a film. Woo-sang Park (aka Richard Park) saw grandmaster Y.K. One need only look to the making of it, to see where that honesty came from. RELATED: BLU-RAY REVIEW: ‘GIRLS NITE OUT’ (1982) IS A FUN, LESSER-KNOWN ’80S SLASHER TO REVISIT “They initially get pulled in by the irony, the ’80s fashion, but what’s underneath it is very entertaining.”īut what was it that brought about this sincerity, this optimism of creative execution, that gave second life to the band of cinematic misfits who captivated so many hearts?

“What I’d like to think is that people really get enthusiastic about the sincerity in the movie,” Carlson told CNN in 2012. It was a crowning achievement of ‘80s cheese, aged to perfection and paired with a nice cold ginger ale. He started taking it to theaters in Austin, and each time, the audience devoured the campy fights, corny dialogue, and rockin’ soundtrack. Zack Carlson had no idea of the phenomenon he was about to create when he made that bid. It sounds like an oxymoron, but much in the same way The Room or Troll 2 have garnered a cult-fandom siding on zealotry, so too can you find Miami Connection and the random chance that brought it back to the public, more than 20 years after its initial release.

It jumps from set-piece to set-piece with little orientation, but there’s a copious amount of charm and earnestness felt in every scene-chewing performance. In its final form, Miami Connection is a savory rendezvous with overly-choreographed action, flustered editing, and porous ADR.