Interview with "Shanghai" Kate Hellenbrand

On Friday June 3, 2011 I drove out to Buffalo, NY for a long awaited interview with the world renowned tattoo artist "Shanghai" Kate Hellenbrand. Noted to be one of the world's top 10 tattoo artists I would venture to say that both my excitement and my nerves were at a high.

Reaching Buffalo I pulled into the hotel where we would be conducting the interview and I immediately grabbed my equipment and headed upstairs towards my room. Upon entering my room my first thoughts were "How in the hell am I going to conduct an interview in here?" The room was very small offering no room for the lights, camera and sound equipment. I had to be inventive and I had to figure it out before the next days interview.

So, I decided this all had to change! I grabbed the two end tables next to each side of the bed and moved to the front door and then pushed the bed that was perpendicular to the wall and made it parallel. This gave me just enough space for the equipment and for Kate to sit.

As I brought up the last bit of equipment and in the middle of my brainstorming of furniture arrangement, I pulled out my iphone and shot a text to Kate letting her know that I had arrived. I got an immediate response letting me know that she would be just a bit longer. "Great, this gives me more time to figure this arrangement out and finish setting up".

After about an hour or so I was well on my way to having things set-up fairly well where the interview would look good on film. Then suddenly I got a text from Kate saying she had arrived to her room. She invited me over and my nerves went wild as I had no idea what to expect but I couldn't let that get in the way! She was two doors down and I polished myself up and headed down the hallway and knocked on the door.

As the door opened I was met with a big smile and a delicate handshake. I took a seat and she laid on her bed as she suffers from a bad back from multiple injuries. We started sharing stories of our injuries and how we came to be we we are today. As the conversation enrolled nearly 45 minutes passed by. I found myself to be not only with one of the world's top tattoo artists but an intelligent, funny and caring women whom left me inspired to continue following my dreams. As I stood up we agreed to meet the next morning for breakfast before the interview and then I left towards my room to complete setting up for the following morning.

I continued setting up the equipment testing the lighting making sure it fell just right on my subjects face and testing the audio making sure it would sound crisp and clear. Midnight was upon me and I laid on my bed in exhaustion amongst a room strewn with cables, mics, camera and furniture piled in the corners.

The next morning greeted me with an over the top alarm clock that sent me flying to the snooze button. It was eight o'clock and I had an hour to get ready and make any last minute changes or adjustments before I met Kate for breakfast. Nine o'five... a knock on the door, "House keeping". I laughed as the soft sweet voice could only be Kate.

We headed to the corner restaurant and spent nearly an hour talking over eggs, bacon and banana bread french toast. We talked about everything from politics to tattoos and right when we were finished my phone received a text from the photographer, "I am on my way".

We headed back to the hotel and we were met by the photographer. I mentioned to the photographer that this was going to be quite a challenge unlike most shoots as he had to work around a small and limited space but also he could only shoot his camera when Kate wasn't speaking as it would get picked up by the mics and ruin the interview.

So, finally the moment came and I rolled lights, camera and sound then with the SLAP of my clapper board the interview was officially underway. It was like a switch had been flipped on as Kate came to life in front of the camera. I then realized how privileged I was to be sitting with an icon. Her answers came with extreme knowledge and sincerity and it was evident that she was a master of her craft. After an hour of filming and picture taking the interview came to a close. I got what I needed and the images captured where truly amazing leaving me ecstatic and over joyed.

As we parted we exchanged information and I gave her some Under the Skin keepsakes. She left me feeling very proud of what I am doing and complimented me on my kindness and professionalism. Coming from such a profound women I felt I succeeded in my task of a well conducted interview and that I represented Under the Skin with the utmost professionalism.

My drive back home was filled with eagerness to start the editing and see the results of the interview. I know that I just made a terrific friend and I look forward to meeting her again. Under the Skin had made another leap forward and I truly feel lucky and blessed to be making this film.

Made it out of surgery

I just made it out of surgery foir my back. I was quite nervous but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. To add on to it the trailer should be done within a weeks time! I really need a trailer done so I can promote the hell out fo this film. I also recieved my dog tags in for the site and the stickers and wristbands should be in this coming week as well. I am excited to get some of this promotion aspects going. Well, back to laying down!

The website is up!!!

The website is up and running. It took a lot of work to get here but we here nonetheless. I like the simplicity of its navigation yet it holds a catchy and creative edge. I am waiting for my merchandise to come in between this week and next week so I can start posting that on the site. Right now I had to just work with what I have.

I am eagerly awaiting for the trailer to be cut by a very generous man named Dick Campbell. He is usually swamped with projects and is an engineering professor on top of that so I can understand why it takes so long to complete a trailer for someone when you are doing it pro bono. That is why budgets are a beautiful thing because you can actual get things done at a pace. But the important thing is things are moving and as I recall it was the turtle that won the race.

Thanks for reading and if you haven't go and read over the website. If you can, take one dollar and donate it to the cause. Instead of spending that dollar on a sticky bun, throw it to us so we can use for a good purpose....helping soldiers and their families in need.

Gregory Hines

Website, merchandise and trailer oh my!

Yes I have been completely engulfed in this film over the last couple of weeks. The amount of work that it takes to do something that seems so simple to the layman's point of view is amazing. I have been overseeing every inch of the way in regards to the website in that it comes out all right. There are so many factors that are involved and that can go wrong it is easy to get away from you if you don't stay on top of it. I can see how easy it is to have something come out like complete garbage too. The hope is that all will be alright and I will get a lot of traffic to the site.

In addition to the site I have been busy with promotional merchandise. I have been taking copious notes on all manner of things that would be potential high sellers. As of date, I have ordered specialized logo dog tags, stickers and just now...specialized bracelets. Next up is getting this poster finished.

I have been working closely with the poster artist and so far I haven't liked what is coming out so we started form scratch and are trying again. I should see another draft tonight. When dealing with an actual poster it is critical that it is near perfect because it is the central theme or focus of the film. It is the silent voice that speaks for the entity of my precious jewel. If it takes weeks to complete than so be it but it must be done right. Once that is complete and I am happy with it, I will most likely use that for the t-shirt design and move on getting the shirts made. I am starting with small orders on everything to see how they will sell. For example, I bought 40 hats of Medium and Large in simple colors of black, white & pink. We'll see how those and other items sell. It really depends on the amount of traffic generated towards the site and how generous and supportive people will be.

I find this film a little different than most as it is a film that directly supports a cause. Most films are out for self gratification and success. Granted the film costs money and funds must be generated but how many films are out there promoting a cause? Moreover, how many films are made by the very same type of individual that the proceeds are being generated for.....a film by a Wounded Warrior for Wounded Warriors!

Soon the website will be out and following behind that will be the merchandise. As a viewer/consumer we will be asking to either purchase an item in support of the film or simply donate directly to the film. Furthermore, all we ask is a donation of $1.00! That is it. If we get $1 from a couple thousand people, which is not many people, than we are doing well to raising funds. Our goal is to raise a minimum of $10,000 for the Wounded Warrior funds so the better we do the more money the funds make. Everyone will make out. So, keep an eye out for the site and please donate a dollar and pick up a braclet or perhaps a shirt or a sticker. But show your support to the wounded and the arts.

Gregory Hines

Under the Skin

Well, the holidays have passed and since then I have gotten married to my fiance from which, prior to my arrival to seeing her, we had been separated for over a year.

The Army unit that I am in keeps me busy with appointments and next week, March 17 I am going in for surgery on my back. I would be a liar if I said I wasn't nervous but they say it is an easy procedure. We'll see!

As far as the film work is concerned, I have been doing a lot behind the scenes work from creating a website, that is nearly complete to introducing a line of merchandise on the website. It has been a lot of logistical work but it has been keeping me busy and mind off of this upcoming surgery. I'll keep posting about the events as they unravel.

Happy Holidays

It has been one of the longest years of my life. I started 2010 on the way to deaths door. Laying in the hospital thinking....well...not good things and as 2011 rolls around I am breathing fire and spitting flames! I have no idea what they really means but it just was really fun to write.

I am processing the footage for my documentary and when that is complete the editing will commence. I am also headed out to the Philippines next month for a lovely and well deserved vacation. When I get back from there then I would say this project should be complete by this summer. That is my goal anyway......

My next goal is to get a website up and running, get some merchandise and there is still some more changes I want done to my logo. If you feel like drawing...let me know!

I hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday and thanks for reading and all of your support. Thank you to my wonderful family and friends. Dad and Lynny for keeping me alive both physically and in spirits. Also, thanks for all the abundant support in my arts and with my asawa. Andrew Gamboa whom from which I would not be alive it if it weren't for him taking care of me while I was bedridden in Korea. Then My Army buddies Elliott, Jim Nguyen, Jared & Dee, Jim Diedrich, Jimmy J. Jones, Gabriel Estes, Shak, Cousar, Kevin Oliver, The Golsons and all the cast and from Under the Skin and the rest of all my dear friends...


Gregory Hines

Under the Skin: Reshaping As I Move Along

Hello and thanks for those of you taking the time to read this. I just love to write and love to document my story as I go through this process of making my first film. The process of making your own film is trying, long and arduous but so rewarding and for me, a spiritual path.

When I tell people that I am an independent filmmaker, they give me a look as if I am a dreamer who will never record a thing. Then they see what I have accomplished already and then it all changes. It was once told to me, "People who tell you what you CAN'T do are really telling THEMSELVES what they can NOT do".

I have circled the globe and seen many cultures and still so many more to experience. I open myself up to each and every experience as if it were to be my first and last opportunity and it has yet to fail as a life altering event.

As of yet, we finished the Captain Cook and the Polynesian segment and that was such a moving experience. I actually had an Army soldier come up to me after wards and tell me how he just left theatre and is preparing to go back to Iraq/Afghanistan and before he showed up on my set he was emotionally in turmoil. After just 2 days on my set he claimed how much it helped him. He said it gave him a sense of internal peace to be on my set and watching what I was doing with this project and the segment material. I truly believe that this film will make waves turning over people lives in a positive way.

So, since I left Hawaii last week for my home in NY I am still running the final shot of the Vietnam segment. Once that is complete, then post and then you all can see the promo trailer!

In the mean time, I am concentrating on getting better and getting through this medical separation and getting out of the Army so I can finally move on with my life.

Well, I'll write as much as I can when I can. Take care.