Introduction
We’re here with the stars of Best Protection Melissa Tracy and Loren Kinsella. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to come visit with us.
MT: It’s my pleasure.
LK: Thanks for having us here.

Well first and foremost Loren, tell me how long you have been involved in the Martial Arts?
LK: For about 15 years.

Have you been training exclusively in a particular style?
LK: Like I said before, I have been practicing the martial arts for 15 years, but for the last 10, I have been training exclusively in Wah Lum Tam Tui Northern Praying Mantis System.

Who taught you?
LK:Kung Fu Living Legend, Grandmaster Pui Chan.

How about you Melissa? Tell me about your Martial Arts background.
MT: I started my Martial Arts training at an early age. Eventually I incorporated more and more techniques to my repertoire. I’ve also trained in eastern and western sword fighting .

Loren Kinsella

What made you decide to study swordplay?
MT: Funny you should ask. I actually took it up because I was auditioning for an Amazon Woman. I studied swordplay in Burbank and also under the supervision of Phil Aslaksen.

Here’s a question for both of you. Who were your Acting and Martial Arts influences?
MT:We shared the same influences. Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, Cynthia RothRock and Mimi Chan.

LK: I also was influenced by Diana Rigg and Judy Dench.

Tell me about your performance background?
MT:Well I was raised in New Zealand and my Martial Arts training began at an early age. Then I started to gain interest in dance. That’s where it all started. Since then I’ve been involved with the entertainment industry in film and television as well as through theater. I’m also a regular Stand Up Performer at The Comedy Store and The Improv.

LK:I’ve been on stage since I was two. I studied at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts and I became a company member with Delta Festival Ballet, New Orleans Ballet Association. I also represented the United States in the Zhengzhou International Martial Arts Festival in Zhengzhou, China.

How did your performance background relate to Martial Arts?
LK: It really helped with overcoming stage fright.

MT: I wasn’t inhibited.

Speaking of performances, I couldn’t help notice the extensive weapon work in “Best Protection”. What weapons do you perform with?
LK: I perform with a variety of weapons but I enjoy performing with Jin, Double Swords and Broadswords.

MT: I personally enjoy using Katanas, Escrima Sticks and fans.

Melissa Tracy

Loren, you mentioned living at the Wah Lum temple what was that like?
LK: It was a fantastic experience. It consisted of 10 hours of training everyday for 8 months.

You must have been well prepared to represent the US in Zhengzhou. What was competing in Zhengzhou like?
LK: Honestly, I was sick at the time of the competition.

And you still performed?
LK: I performed in six events. Even though I was sick I still managed to come in 6th.

Besides “Best Protection” I heard you had more projects lined up. Can you tell us about “Best Protection” and your other projects?
MT: It is a short film about two women who begin their struggle over a materialistic object in the pursuit of the best protection, but discover the excitement and challenge of each other's strength is more motivation to keep the fight alive.

What makes “Best Protection” different from other films?
MT:For the film, we utilized a blended system of Asian and European fighting systems. Our fight coordinator, Phil Aslaksen has choreographed fights using several systems of combat for each action sequence. The combination of expert execution and visually compelling action sequences makes for a unique and entertaining piece. We wanted to produce a film that would be empowering for women, yet entertaining at the same time, I believe that we have accomplished that.

What can you tell me about Ggz?
LK:It’s our newest feature film and that’s about all I can mention.

Well I was always told to leave the audience begging for more. Thank you again for your time.

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