Kely McClung’s love for martial arts began at a very young age. It was a combination of his training in martial arts and his confidence in his own creative talents that helped him make his transition into the world of film. After 20 years in the film industry, Kely is now directing, producing and acting in his own films. He has successfully melded his martial arts talents to create films that will impact any audience.
Here is his story.
How did it all start for you?
I was never one of the hip, cool people in high school or college; He just wanted to be the best boxer in the world. I trained in many martial arts around the world and of course I taught with my own combination of philosophies and fighting styles. I was lucky enough to win the International Full Contact Stick Fighting Championship and that got the attention of the Hollywood people.
Tell me about luck and Hollywood for you?
Although my concentration was on martial arts, like most people, I had dreamed of being in movies. Still, it seemed too far from my reality to think that it could actually happen.
A friend in St. Louis, where I had taught seminars, invited me to audition for Mike Stone; at that time, a very famous karate champion who was working in the film industry. He was helping find a replacement for Van Damme, who was making the leap from B to A movies and renegotiating his contracts. Although the deal didn’t work out for me and eventually Van Damme of course moved on to bigger things, Mike invited me to help out on American Ninja IV in South Africa.
Due to the delays in filming, I spent months in South Africa and had the chance to really start learning about the process of making movies. Thanks to Mike and the opportunity to be there, I had time to start learning how to adapt my martial arts skills to the screen. There is a big difference in fighting technique and cinematic technique – they are two completely different skill sets and concepts.
I wasn’t very enthusiastic about these low-budget stories, so when I left, I was already working on my first few scripts.
How did you end up creating your own work?
I fell in love with film and the whole business and challenge of making movies from the first few seconds of being on that first film set. I then spent almost 15 years as an actor, stuntman, writer, and editor, all with the idea of directing my own stories.
I did just about every other job in the movie business I could, from helping build sets, to casting and producing, and even doing commercial hair and makeup. Finally, with the convergence of technology; better cameras, computers and software, and my own talents, you run out of excuses not to make a movie. It took me a lot of work, but I finally had the confidence that I could be a good director.
What happened after?
The first film I made as a director was BLOOD TIES. My film partner, Robert Pralgo, and I were determined to make a feature film, so I convinced him that we should shoot in Thailand to maximize our small budget. We shot for a month on that first trip. We went back and also added Miami, Washington, DC, the mountains of Virginia, and of course my home in Atlanta. I did 4 more trips to do it and added scenes in Cambodia. In total, it took me 4 years to finish the film. We have won many awards for it at festivals around the world.
While on the festival circuit, I shot my first short film, AM SESSION. It was screened at the sold-out American Black Film Festival at the Writer’s Guild Theater and was bought by HBO. Shot for just $400, I still don’t think the HBO execs believe me!
So what are you working on now?
I just finished a new, much bigger feature film, the crime thriller KERBEROS. I also helped produce and direct a movie in Hollywood for my friend Stan Harrington called CREED. Both films have their official world premieres on July 24 at the Action on Film Festival in Los Angeles.
Do you feel that you have been successful in this business?
Even after all these years, I feel like I’m now beginning to know where I’m going and how to get there. I like the idea of creating my own work and opportunities instead of just waiting for someone to hand them to me. I know I still have a ways to go, but people are starting to recognize my efforts.
What advice do you have for me?
Keep doing what you’re doing, networking and letting people know what you’re trying to achieve. If people don’t know what you’re trying to do, no one will know that you’re working to become an actress. Hard work and dedication can bring you luck and opportunities, but you must be ready for them.
Where can people go if they want more information about you and your movies?
For more information, visit http://www.kerberosbites.com/