K-11 The Movie

Third official BTS still from K-11 shows Jules and Kate

k11admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:29:00 +0000

Director Jules Stewart works with actress Kate del Castillo, seen here in Mousey costume and makeup in the last of three behind-the-scenes stills from K-11.

Second official BTS still from K-11 shows Goran Visnjic

k11admin — Wed, 02 May 2012 10:07:42 +0000

The second official behind-the-scenes still is from the beginning of K-11 when Goran Visnjic’s character, Raymond Saxx, has been arrested and is passed out from a three-day drug binge … in this scene, he is being dragged into the L.A. County Men’s Central Jail for processing, before being categorized “K-11.” The behind-the-scenes shot was taken at our main location: the Sybil Brand Institute for Women (now defunct) in Monterey Park, CA (just east of downtown L.A.). It shows the steadi-cam operator getting a birds-eye-view shot while a crew member walks on the chain-link “cage” that was a real feature of the jail meant to keep prisoners from jumping from one level to another while being transferred.

Meet Sledgehammer (Cameron Stewart) from K-11

k11admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:22:09 +0000

We interviewed Sledgehammer and his alter ego, Cameron Stewart, recently and asked them to tell us a little bit about themselves.

Sledgehammer: Ronny Curren here, straight out of Venice California and proud Soldier of the Aryan Brotherhood. By fourteen I was already hooked on meth, so yeah, I was a “tweaker”, which only means I got in a lot of fucking fights. Now, I’m not gonna say I won them all, but they call me ‘Sledgehammer’ because I took a few of those bastards down with a single hammer-fist to the face. So, I’ve pretty much tried and done it all, which is why I’m in K11. This time, it’s intent to sell, resisting arrest, and whatever else they can throw at me, what the hell difference does it make. At least I’ve teamed up with Shyboy and together we look after Mousey and her drug trade for a little taste of the product. When it comes to love, it doesn’t exist and I’ll take whatever I can get. I don’t really care who it is, as long as I get what I want, when I want it. Know this!

Cameron: I grew up in Los Angeles as a “movie brat” because my whole family is in the motion picture business. After I graduated high school, I joined Local 80 of the IATSE as one of the youngest Grips in town. It’s really long hours but love my job and working with the guys. Playing Sledgehammer in K-11 was my first acting gig and I wasn’t too sure about it at first but since my mom was directing, I wanted to be part of it. I knew she put together a great cast, really cool crew and it didn’t take long for us all to become friends. Besides, when I wasn’t in front of the camera, I was working with all my grip brothers. We have a cool little film and I’m really proud of my mom, I hope you like, but don’t get in Sledgehammer’s driveway, he’s got real heavy hands!

Cameron Stewart is making his acting debut in the film K-11.

Meet Precious (Markus Redmond) from K-11

k11admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:16:27 +0000

We interviewed Precious and his alter ego, Markus Redmond, recently and asked them to tell us a little bit about themselves.

Precious: The first thing you need to know is that I am a lady. And there are rules as to how a lady is supposed to be treated. You respect her, you make good on your promises to her and you don’t fucking cheat on her. Now, I ain’t saying no names, cause that ain’t how a lady handles her business, but SOMEBODY didn’t understand that last one… that’s why I’m in here. They call what I did a crime of passion and I suppose I did go a little bit crazy, but I had a right to! I had finally started to make a life for myself with him, finally gotten out of that hell hole it took so long to crawl out of. We were gonna start a fashion line together. But he had to go and ruin everything with her. Now all I have is K-11 because I do not want to go back to the hell hole I came up in. I got my girls in here and my fashions, and Mousey’s good to me as long as I make the occasional… pharmaceutical trip for her. Apparently, I’m gonna be in here for a while, so I make the best of it. I just hope this new boy Ray don’t give me no problems…

Markus: I hadn’t acted for six years before taking the role of Precious. I had figured that my acting days were behind me, having committed myself to writing. But doing the movie, meeting the amazingly talented and gracious cast and Jules awakened something in me that I had thought was long gone. Sometimes the business of show can be very grueling on your soul and take away things within yourself that you didn’t know were missing. The challenge of this role, unlike anything I had ever done before, pushed me back towards what acting and making films is all about… passion. Watching Jules’ fearless passion for her vision, inspired me to push toward the same for my performance. Having that energy back in my life again changed it for the better, as well as the friendships that I made with so many in this wonderful cast. It was a rare treat to be a part of this project and I am proud to call them friends as well. I thank Jules for giving acting back to me and now, combined with my writing, I am using both of my skill sets and hope to work on projects with several K-11 alumni in the future.

Markus began his television career playing Raymond on DOOGIE HOWSER, M.D. NYPD BLUE, MURDER ONE, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM and ANGEL are among the shows he played memorable characters in. He also worked alongside Academy Award nominees Edward Norton and director David Fincher in the cult classic FIGHT CLUB. He also wrote and starred in “IF I HAD KNOWN I WAS A GENIUS” with Academy Award Winner Whoopi Goldberg, Academy Award nominee Sharon Stone and Tara Reid, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

First official BTS still from K-11 shows Goran Visnjic

k11admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:34:19 +0000

Here is our first Behind the Scenes official still from K-11. This still shows actor Goran Visnjic (Raymond Saxx, Jr.) with the marker ready for a take.

Meet Hollywood (Billy Morrison) in K-11

k11admin — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:26:08 +0000

We interviewed Hollywood and his alter ego, Billy Morrison, recently and asked them to tell us a little bit about themselves.

Hollywood: It’s all a big mistake and I’m gonna be back on top. Real soon. Gonna reform ‘Stainless Steel’ and hit it big – I’m working’ on this song right now – My Liberty. Yeah, it’s kinda inspired by this little….’vacation’ I’m being forced to take by the authorities. I was set up anyway. That smack wasn’t mine, and I was just giving that bitch a ride home. They totally screwed me and now I been here in K-11 eight months waiting for the judge to sort it out. Bunch of weirdos in here with me as well, but they’re ok I guess. In fact there’s one or two I’d do….. Anyway, some bird called Kay Kay keeps following me around like a puppy. Fine by me. She gives me her jello at chow time and keeps Mousey away from me so whatever. They’ll see, I’m gonna quit the drugs this time and get the band back together.”

Billy Morrison: “Music was my escape, from the moment I saw the Sex Pistols on TV when I was a kid. I watched the adults lose their minds with disgust and realized that I had a way out – a creative outlet for the crazy shit inside my head. And that was it – I got a guitar, learnt three chords, and turned it up loud. Started forming bands and playing locally, but a period of, shall we say, “narcotic experimentation” intervened with my plans and dreams. 14 years later and I emerged from the haze with a passion and drive that still lives inside me today. When one of my bands signed to Geffen in Los Angeles and we made the album here in LA, I fell in love with the City Of Angels and moved here. I joined rock band, ‘The Cult’ for their Beyond Good And Evil period, then went on to form ‘Camp Freddy’ with Dave Navarro, Donovan Leitch and Matt Sorum, and in 2010 I joined Billy Idol as his rhythm guitarist. But along the way, I started to act, make movies, do some TV – and my creative juices started to flow…. or pour, to be precise. I loved the atmosphere, the challenge, the whole process. And I have embraced it fully. With K-11, I got to work with amazing actors, fantastic crew, and a passionate, talented and driven director – Jules Stewart. The material was dark and gritty (which is right up my street!) and I’m sure everyone will leave the movie theatre grinning from ear to ear in that “oh my God, did I just see that??” kinda way!”

As well as his musical accomplishments, both as a solo artist, and as a founding member of Camp Freddy, Billy was a guest star in an episode of the hit TV show, ‘Californication’, has appeared in the horror movies ‘Evilution’ and Basement Jack’ amongst others, and can be seen this summer, 2012, on tour in Europe with Billy Idol. His signature model Gibson Les Paul guitar is available now.

Meet Kay-Kay (Ralph Cole, Jr.) from K-11

k11admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 23:37:42 +0000

We interviewed Kay-Kay and his alter ego, Ralph Cole, Jr., recently and asked them to tell us a little bit about themselves.

Kay-Kay: To look at me you would not take me for an Edwin Ahlbrandt…but that’s my birth name. Yuck! So I go by Kay-Kay. I am fierce. The system calls it “prostitution”, I call it being a people person. They call it “possession”, I call it having a few party favors. Anyway, it all led to K-11. But I am not here for life. Please know I am not like these other long time losers. I have a trade. Oh, but yes I do. I am a stylist. I do hair and eyebrows. I am clearly something to look at and be aware of. Because of my talents, I am respected and left alone. Mousey rules the joint and that’s fine cause these bitches can be ruffff! And now that I am all teamed up with Hollywood…I am a celebrity stylist. So, learn it.

Ralph Cole, Jr.: I was born to perform. As an only child I thrived on make believe and vivid imagination. It started in Los Angeles, then New York City for twenty years and now back home! Living on both coasts profoundly shaped my experience and approach to acting. I am energetic and enjoy using my phenomenal comic timing. With life experience comes tremendous memories which facilitate creating darker roles. I was raised by two supportive parents which has resulted in my boundless zest for life and instilled confidence. Combined, this makes my acting journey palatable and rewarding.

Ralph received both the prestigious NAACP Theater Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Pasadena Playhouse’s FRED Award for his creation of the plum role “Babaloo” in Larry Hart’s Sisterella produced by Robert DeNiro and the late, great Michael Jackson. Network TV like Desperate Housewives and Two and a Half Men coupled with film appearances in The Soloist and Eating Out: The Open Weekend, round out his credits.

Meet Crystal (Tara Buck) from K-11

k11admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:49:52 +0000

We interviewed Crystal and her alter ego, Tara Buck, recently and asked them to tell us a little bit about themselves.

Crystal: I’m a junkie with a rap sheet a mile long, mostly minor offenses but in Cali we have this fu*@# up three strikes law. Drugs mostly, but some BS prostitution charges too. I was born a boy but I’m hella foxy and I aint about to let this hot ass go to waste. That’s probably where the trouble started. Honestly I’d rather be in K-11 than on the outside, so for me it’s home. Mousey’s my girl but when she aint looking you can be sure that I’m gonna get mine.

Tara: I grew up in Idaho mostly, one of two children raised by a single Mom. I spent most of my childhood entertaining myself. We didn’t have a television so I created my own stories and spent days lost in my imagination. I rode horses, played in mountain creeks and constantly had skinned knees and a sunburned nose. I moved to Los Angeles immediately after graduating from high school to pursue acting at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Shortly after graduating I landed my first recurring television role on the hit series Party of Five. I’ve been in Los Angeles chasing the dream ever sense.I gravitate to roles where I get to bring a voice to the underdogs in life, whose stories are less often told. I enjoy the transformative leap into a character and the freedom that gives me to indulge my imagination. Working on K-11 was a delightfully twisted diversion from my day to day life and I hope that audiences will enjoy a similar escape when they go to see it.

Tara is best known for her recurring role as the epic screaming barmaid “Ginger” in HBO’s True Blood. Tara has also guest starred in numerous other television shows including Nip/Tuck, Bones, Southland, Justified, Cold Case, The Closer, The Shield, The X-Files, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Without a Trace, Navy NCIS and most recently NBC’s Prime Suspect. Tara also just wrapped production on the indie film Boot Tracks starring alongside Stephen Dorff, Michelle Monaghan and Willem Dafoe.

Meet Shyboy (Luis Moncada) from K-11

k11admin — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 01:48:18 +0000

We interviewed Shyboy and his alter ego, Luis Moncada, recently and asked them to tell us a little bit about themselves.

Shyboy: I am in K-11 for (ADW) Assault with a Deadly Weapon and ended up in K-11 because my homeboy Mousey had a lot of pull and pulled me away from the mainline to be the muscle behind the power together with Sledgehammer (Cameron Stewart) in K-11.

Luis Moncada: I was born in Honduras and came to the US when I was young. My mother was a single mother raising 3 boys in some of the rougher areas of Los Angeles. I joined a gang, went to prison a couple of times, got out, and met my wife who happened to be a federal parole officer (not mine LOL). She gave me the little extra push I needed. That’s when I really started to change my life around.

Most of my friends from the neighborhood were serving life sentences or dead. I realized this was not the life I wanted to live anymore. Luck does happen- I never intended to be an “actor.” I was working security on a film when a day player failed to show. The director approached me and offered me his role in a movie. The day player gig turned into a month of work and the start of my career. I figured, why not- I didn’t need to act much to play these roles. I had lived the life. Soon I realized I had something unique to offer Hollywood. For years Hollywood cast “actors” to play gangsters or prison roles, but I offered the real deal. I am able to bring my real life experience to set. These parts opened doors that gave me the opportunity to expand my character to play more intricate roles.

The most important role I played was a mentor. When I started doing motivational speaking, the kids I talked to saw a way out that many of us didn’t know existed. I was able to relate to these kids and they were able to relate to me. I know the struggles that they go through. I understood how it was growing up in some of the rougher areas. These kids were inspired and offered a new hope. So I became a mentor to the kids that were once just like me.

In my free time I enjoy boxing and Muy Thai fighting. I have been able to get some of these kids off the street and into the gym where I train them to use their aggression in the ring and not in the streets.

Luis Moncada has been acting in movies and television for over ten years. His television experience includes roles on Breaking Bad, Dexter, Castle, The Mentalist, Common Law and CSI: Miami. His movie experience includes roles in Collateral, Fast and Furious, and K-11.

K-11 Costume Designer Sarah Trost Talks “Mousey” Costume

k11admin — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 11:06:34 +0000

We recently caught up with K-11 costume designer Sarah Trost to talk about the costume design for the character of Mousey in K-11 and the unique restrictions place on her by Director Jules Stewart.

We have now seen the first picture of one of your costumes- on the character of Mousey, played by actress Kate Del Castillo.

Tell us about this costume and what you were thinking.

Jules Stewart, the Director of K-11, told me I had to create costumes using only things that could be found within K-11 itself, so I was thinking I have 12 components to work with. I have to sew this with dental floss and dye it with soda and juice…AND make it look like it was conceived and produced within the dorm?? How do I make this outfit sexy, powerful, and represent Mousey without having to verbally explain her character’s checkered background?

Mousey is the Queen and pinnacle of the dorm society. No one in the dorm is allowed to upstage Mousey in their attire. I wanted to portray this power and separation with the most intricate, well fitting, and time-consuming outfits the dorm life has to offer. In order to be successful this design had to include harsh and powerful movement and all available colors (the fringe), coveted sparkle (chip bags and soda can pulls incorporated in the halter strap), and convey an overall shape befitting her heritage, gang affiliation, and sex appeal.

Stay tuned for more interviews in the future with Sarah and other members of the cast and crew!

Sarah Trost is a California native and the only Los Angeles contestant accepted to Project Runway, Season 8. She is a fashion columnist for Frontiers Magazine. Trost is the third generation of her family to work in the film industry. Her expertise with fabric type, texture and period research was honed by two years in the Warner Brothers’ costume house. Notably influenced by fantasy and adventure movies of the 80s, Sarah has also been impacted by her global travel experiences – to places like England, Thailand and Argentina. Sarah has designed costumes for a variety of formats, including film, television and music videos.