In this week’s episode of The Von Vodcast, Jason Von Berg travels to The Big Apple to interview some of the stars from the film Ninja Assassin. The film, which releases countrywide on Friday the 29th of January, tells the story of Raizo; one of the deadliest ninjas around. After an incident that leaves his love interest dead, he escapes the secret society of the Ozunu clan; he goes into hiding where he plots his revenge. Watch the interview.
Tag Archives: James McTeigue
Ninja Assassin junket in NYC: last day
Today is my last day in NYC before I pack my bags and head back south. On the list of must see and do today? Brookly Bridge, China Town and Central Park (weather and time depending). Before that happens, I must get back to the purpose of this post and the reason I’m here. Ninja Assassin. My interview with Rain and James McTeigue went well. It was really quick, five minutes was the time I was allocated, along with the rest of the media group, so I had to select specific questions… the ones I hope nobody else had. That isn’t very easy let me tell you. Try asking intense, in depth, technical & production process movie-making questions in 5 minutes, and you’ll realise it ain’t that easy. I mean you need to ask the obvious questions, but my aim is to create a memorable interview. One that a viewer will be able to see the comfortable interaction between the interviewee and interviewer. If that is there, you’ll see a different side to the person being interviewed and you’ll probably land up getting more info then you initially expected. So when the interview, in the form of the Von Vodcast, goes up… y’all can crit me 
That episode will be up closer to release in South Africa! I now leave you with a Slideshow my colleague and award-winning photographer, Alon Skuy put together of his experience in NYC recently:
Ninja Assasin junket in NYC: cont.
Jason Von Berg
I’m staying at the very slick hotel called The London Hotel in New York City. It’s situated just a few blocks up from Times Square, a few down from Central Park and just a block away from the Rockefeller Center. So in short, it’s very convenient to get around and is in a perfect location. So last night I decided to go for a walk around the very windy and cold city and I landed up in Times Square. It’s very difficult for me to put into words what I feel every time I’m in Times Square. It’s incredible, so many lights, billboards, skyscrapers, people, restaurants, the works. Love it.
Now obviously I’m here for a press junket for the film called Ninja Assassin. I thought this film was going to be big, but not as big as it would seem it is going to be. I have thus, over the last couple of days changed my mind. For one, walking through Times Square last night, I saw a massive billboard advertising Ninja Assassin. Now this is prime location, expensive I’m sure, but in terms of the reach and exposure, it’s massive. I have also now watched the film and it’s surprisingly (for me at least) very good. What I really enjoyed about it is is sticks to the basic style viewers will expect from the action genre type, but it is also reinventing the way filmmakers will produce these types of films from here on out. The special effects are really good and Rain (who plays the lead character Raizo) performs at least 90% of his own stunts, which once you watch it you’ll see why that is so impressive. So in the film you can expect:
1. Lots of action (duh),
2. Lots of slick martial arts moves.
3. Loads of ninjas and of course loads of assassinations.
It’s gory, be warned. I usually don’t like those films much, but it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. I’ll have more details on the film making process straight from director James McTeigue and lead actor Rain, so stay tuned. If you’re in the mood for some action, check out Ninja Assassin when it hits theaters in the US on the 25th of this month, early next year in SA. For details on release dates in your country, check out your local listings.
Times Square on Friday night
Ninja Assasin junket in NYC: Day 1
After a long flight from Johannesburg, South Africa I’m finally here, safe and sound in New York City. Man I love this place, the vibe is awesome (even if it’s freezing) and the people? Friendly and yoh most of them are so stylish! My theme song for this trip is most certainly Empire Of The Mind: Jay-Z and Alicia Keys… check it out below. But the business at hand is to find out more about the new action film called Ninja Assasin. It’s due to be released here (USA) on the 25th and early next year in South Africa. I’m going to get to chat to the lead actor, Rain who plays the character of Raizo- and I’m also going to get to chat to the director James McTeigue so stay tuned for me on those details. For now though, as promised… my theme song for today:
Oh and to any New Yorkers out there, do y’all know who’s in town and what’s happening on the entertainment front? Holler, keen to check it out!
