Interview with Marrese Crump
Marrese Crump has made a name for himself as a film actor on an international level with expertise in a wide range of martial arts. His skills and dedication earned him the honor of becoming the only American protégé of Master Panna Rittikrai, legendary creator of the hit movie Ong Bak.
Prior to the release of his latest film project, Welcome to Sudden Death, Marrese Crump took the time to answer some questions!
JUSTIN: Welcome to Sudden Death—the sequel to the 1995 action film starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Sudden Death—is your latest film project to come out and it features you alongside a talented cast of folks such as Michael Jai White and Gary Owen. What can you tell us about your experience working on that film?
MARRESE: It was a fantastic experience! Working with the legend Michael Jai White is something I wanted to accomplish for a long time. I’m so happy that we got to work together. The film was directed by Dallas Jackson. It was great working with him, he had really cool vision for how we could bring the film to life with a unique vibe. It was awesome working with the entire cast and crew.
There is a very interesting amount of depth and nuance you bring to every second of each acting role you've taken. Do you do anything special to prepare for your roles in film?
To prepare for any film, I always start with meditation and training. I like to visualize myself operating within that reality way before I ever step foot on a movie set.
Like you, Michael Jai White is an actor with a very prominent and authentic martial arts background. Did you two exchange any wisdom or learn anything from each other while working together?
Yes, I learned a lot during our action practices. When you get to train with someone like Michael Jai White, you can learn a lot just from the rehearsals. I am always open to learning something new. It was great because he was kind enough to share some of his knowledge and experience with me.
Are there any specific people or projects that you would love to work with in the future?
There are too many great people I would like to work with to list them all here.
Do you have any words from a mentor—either somebody you have met or somebody whose work you have followed—that have guided you throughout the years? My action film mentor Master Panna Rittikrai used to always say to me: “You are the art. You are the production”. I believe this is one of the most important things I ever learned from him. Human-spirit is the key, art is born from the heart of the artist. I always think about that, my heart, my training, and my preparation will always be the key to a quality performance.
Is there anything you would love to see infused into the evolution of action movies and fight choreography as the future unfolds?
I think things naturally evolve, each generation finds their own expression of the art through action. Each individual finds their own style, their own way.
Do you have any other projects or goals we need to keep a watch out for?
There are some things in the works, but they are kind of a secret for now.
What would be your advice for somebody who wants to pursue a career in film?
Be humble. No matter how good you are as an actor or performer. People are only going to remember how you made them feel. Master Panna always told me to avoid showing off or bragging to get attention. Have a good attitude, do your job well and people will respect you.
Welcome to Sudden Death is available now on DVD and Digital! To keep up to date with Marrese Crump, you can follow him on Facebook and Instagram!
