Monday, July 8, 2013

World Title Champion Boxer In The Making!


A while back we told you how a champion is made, built, molded and created.  Here is the living proof!  He is at it again.  Thanks to hard work and perseverance of Alexander and the amazing dedication of his trainers, Evangelos and George Giovanis, XTC is taking the championship belt that is rightfully deserved.....your XTC family is so proud of you and we are cheering for you!

Join us and be part of the winning team!!!!



Friday, June 28, 2013

The Greek Hollywood Reporter!

Neve Campbell & Malcolm McDowell


BrothersEvanlelos and George Giovanis  have scored two big names for their upcoming film, “Bereave.”
The Greek-American filmmakers have enlisted Hollywood legend Malcolm McDowell (“A Clockwork Orange,” “Halloween,” “ A Green Story")  , and actress Neve Campbell (“Party of Five,” “Scream,” “Wild Things”), for the project.

Giovanis Brothers

“Bereave,” which just had its crowd funding campaign launch on Indiegogo, revolves around Garvey, who is struggling with his own mortality and unable to reveal this secret to his family. He thinks he’s figured out how to die alone, but when his beloved wife Evelyn goes missing on their 40th anniversary, he must live to save her. During that short time, Garvey realizes what life still has to offer.

In addition to reaching out for support in producing the project, the crowd funding campaign, which McDowell is also taking part in, benefits CANCER STOMP! Twenty-five percent of proceeds raised will be donated to a cancer research charity (a vote on the organization will be taken at the close of the campaign). Those who contribute can choose from various reward options, including a free copy of the completed DVD, roles in the film, props, and even dinner with Malcolm McDowell, himself.


Brothers Evangelos and George Giovanis have scored two big names for their upcoming film, “Bereave.”
The Greek-American filmmakers have enlisted Hollywood legend Malcolm McDowell (“A Clockwork Orange,” “Halloween,” “A Green Story”), and actress Neve Campbell (“Party of Five,” “Scream,” “Wild Things”), for the project.
“Bereave,” which just had its crowd funding campaign launch on Indiegogo, revolves around Garvey, who is struggling with his own mortality and unable to reveal this secret to his family. He thinks he’s figured out how to die alone, but when his beloved wife Evelyn goes missing on their 40th anniversary, he must live to save her. During that short time, Garvey realizes what life still has to offer.
In addition to reaching out for support in producing the project, the crowd funding campaign, which McDowell is also taking part in, benefits CANCER STOMP! Twenty-five percent of proceeds raised will be donated to a cancer research charity (a vote on the organization will be taken at the close of the campaign). Those who contribute can choose from various reward options, including a free copy of the completed DVD, roles in the film, props, and even dinner with Malcolm McDowell, himself.
- See more at: http://hollywood.greekreporter.com/2013/06/28/giovanis-brothers-lock-in-key-talent-for-bereave/#sthash.iTKvuwsk.dpuf
Brothers Evangelos and George Giovanis have scored two big names for their upcoming film, “Bereave.”
The Greek-American filmmakers have enlisted Hollywood legend Malcolm McDowell (“A Clockwork Orange,” “Halloween,” “A Green Story”), and actress Neve Campbell (“Party of Five,” “Scream,” “Wild Things”), for the project.
“Bereave,” which just had its crowd funding campaign launch on Indiegogo, revolves around Garvey, who is struggling with his own mortality and unable to reveal this secret to his family. He thinks he’s figured out how to die alone, but when his beloved wife Evelyn goes missing on their 40th anniversary, he must live to save her. During that short time, Garvey realizes what life still has to offer.
In addition to reaching out for support in producing the project, the crowd funding campaign, which McDowell is also taking part in, benefits CANCER STOMP! Twenty-five percent of proceeds raised will be donated to a cancer research charity (a vote on the organization will be taken at the close of the campaign). Those who contribute can choose from various reward options, including a free copy of the completed DVD, roles in the film, props, and even dinner with Malcolm McDowell, himself.
- See more at: http://hollywood.greekreporter.com/2013/06/28/giovanis-brothers-lock-in-key-talent-for-bereave/#sthash.iTKvuwsk.dpuf

Giovanis Brothers Lock In Key Talent for ‘Bereave’

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Ribbet collageBrothers Evangelos and George Giovanis have scored two big names for their upcoming film, “Bereave.”
The Greek-American filmmakers have enlisted Hollywood legend Malcolm McDowell (“A Clockwork Orange,” “Halloween,” “A Green Story”), and actress Neve Campbell (“Party of Five,” “Scream,” “Wild Things”), for the project.
“Bereave,” which just had its crowd funding campaign launch on Indiegogo, revolves around Garvey, who is struggling with his own mortality and unable to reveal this secret to his family. He thinks he’s figured out how to die alone, but when his beloved wife Evelyn goes missing on their 40th anniversary, he must live to save her. During that short time, Garvey realizes what life still has to offer.
In addition to reaching out for support in producing the project, the crowd funding campaign, which McDowell is also taking part in, benefits CANCER STOMP! Twenty-five percent of proceeds raised will be donated to a cancer research charity (a vote on the organization will be taken at the close of the campaign). Those who contribute can choose from various reward options, including a free copy of the completed DVD, roles in the film, props, and even dinner with Malcolm McDowell, himself.
For more information on “Bereave”:
Facebook: facebook.com/Bereave.Malcolm.McDowell
Twitter: @BereaveFilm
Also check out a special featurette with the Giovanis brothers and McDowell on the Indiegogo page: BEREAVE

- See more at: http://hollywood.greekreporter.com/2013/06/28/giovanis-brothers-lock-in-key-talent-for-bereave/#sthash.iTKvuwsk.dpuf

Giovanis Brothers Lock In Key Talent for ‘Bereave’

 1  7
 
 0  10
Ribbet collageBrothers Evangelos and George Giovanis have scored two big names for their upcoming film, “Bereave.”
The Greek-American filmmakers have enlisted Hollywood legend Malcolm McDowell (“A Clockwork Orange,” “Halloween,” “A Green Story”), and actress Neve Campbell (“Party of Five,” “Scream,” “Wild Things”), for the project.
“Bereave,” which just had its crowd funding campaign launch on Indiegogo, revolves around Garvey, who is struggling with his own mortality and unable to reveal this secret to his family. He thinks he’s figured out how to die alone, but when his beloved wife Evelyn goes missing on their 40th anniversary, he must live to save her. During that short time, Garvey realizes what life still has to offer.
In addition to reaching out for support in producing the project, the crowd funding campaign, which McDowell is also taking part in, benefits CANCER STOMP! Twenty-five percent of proceeds raised will be donated to a cancer research charity (a vote on the organization will be taken at the close of the campaign). Those who contribute can choose from various reward options, including a free copy of the completed DVD, roles in the film, props, and even dinner with Malcolm McDowell, himself.
For more information on “Bereave”:
Facebook: facebook.com/Bereave.Malcolm.McDowell
Twitter: @BereaveFilm
Also check out a special featurette with the Giovanis brothers and McDowell on the Indiegogo page: BEREAVE

- See more at: http://hollywood.greekreporter.com/2013/06/28/giovanis-brothers-lock-in-key-talent-for-bereave/#sthash.iTKvuwsk.dpuf
Brothers Evangelos and George Giovanis have scored two big names for their upcoming film, “Bereave.”
The Greek-American filmmakers have enlisted Hollywood legend Malcolm McDowell (“A Clockwork Orange,” “Halloween,” “A Green Story”), and actress Neve Campbell (“Party of Five,” “Scream,” “Wild Things”), for the project.
“Bereave,” which just had its crowd funding campaign launch on Indiegogo, revolves around Garvey, who is struggling with his own mortality and unable to reveal this secret to his family. He thinks he’s figured out how to die alone, but when his beloved wife Evelyn goes missing on their 40th anniversary, he must live to save her. During that short time, Garvey realizes what life still has to offer.
In addition to reaching out for support in producing the project, the crowd funding campaign, which McDowell is also taking part in, benefits CANCER STOMP! Twenty-five percent of proceeds raised will be donated to a cancer research charity (a vote on the organization will be taken at the close of the campaign). Those who contribute can choose from various reward options, including a free copy of the completed DVD, roles in the film, props, and even dinner with Malcolm McDowell, himself.
- See more at: http://hollywood.greekreporter.com/2013/06/28/giovanis-brothers-lock-in-key-talent-for-bereave/#sthash.iTKvuwsk.dpuf

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

A Great Love Story.....Bereave!


"Where is the Life we have lost in living?" -

T.S. Elliot
Mr. Elliot, it would be so great to answer: "Hidden inside the art we made."

brief history 

(bear with us please while we bare some):
The only silver spoon the Giovanis brothers were born with, was in the restaurant business. By 12 years old they were bussing tables. By 14 they were telling hooligan customers "the bathroom is out of order." And although they can still make a hell of a pizza; they realized a long time ago that their true passion is filmmaking.

Evangelos Giovanis was rejected by fancy-pants graduate film schools George Giovanis has a Master’s Degree in fun, so he did not bother to apply). In taking the road less traveled by, the Giovanis brothers held hands and plunged into the cold river of filmmaking - learning to swim on the job.


For growing pains and what felt like nasty kicks to the groins: they were conned out of money online for cameras that never arrived (the internet was new then) – but still, how could you "Blue Eyes?" They opened, closed and sold restaurants, worked second and third jobs (some including getting punched in the face!), went bald, lived in 6 different states, created a love/hate relationship with credit cards - all to proudly, self finance their films and their dream! Needless to say they almost bankrupted the family (sorry mom & dad).
Eventually however their socially conscious, award winning, feature films - that have screened at prestigious festivals around the world and racked up awards - reminded critics and audiences of early Scorsese, Tarantino and John Cassavetes.

Our second feature film LAND OF NOD won Best Picture and the Digital Alexander Award at the prestigious Thessaloniki International Film Festival. Our third feature RUN IT won the Gold Award for Best Feature at the Philafilm Festival, Honorable Mention at the Canada International Film Festival, Bronze Palm Award at the Mexico International Film Festival, AND Gold Kahuna at the Honolulu International Film Festival. Our only rule is every film must be better than the last.

That brings us to BEREAVE, a drama/romance script now starring MALCOLM MCDOWELL!!!

We have self-financed our films for 12 years now. This project is the next step. We have many people that believe we are extremely talented, but they will not or cannot finance us. So what do we do?
Quit? Cry? Roll over? I don't think so!

If you are wondering about our luxurious lifestyles, I drive a used car that is 16 years old and I share it with my brother. We share a cell phone. We share a one bedroom apartment. We share our clothes. We share our laptop - much the same way we share this resolve to make our film. The biggest reason is we love each other. The other reason is we have invested our life savings in our art. We certainly have sacrificed and lead by example. If you invest in us, you are investing in a real underdog. We don't have the studios backing us up behind the scenes; that's the bottom line.
We now need a hero (cue the music). But you don't need a costume to help. Just generosity and love of independent films.


Try telling a producer "we don't make movies to make money, we make money to make movies."
Every horror story (creative differences, loss of final cut, casting decisions etc.) you have heard; is true. Cue the violins, but that seems to be the nature of the business. But so what? We can change that together.
You think I'm kidding?

Here is a copy/paste of some of the latest email rejections & comments from credible producers (some names have been omitted):

"You should stop writing meaningful scripts and do a horror script or something commercial damn it. Just do one so we can get our foot in the door." - George Giovanis 

Here is another:
Evangelos -
"I took a look at BEREAVE. It was a well written character piece, but needed a bit more levity brought in. I feel this would cater to the MARIGOLD HOTEL crowd, but the end also felt a bit too downbeat to leave you with as good a feeling. I liked the writing, but felt this would be a bit of an uphill battle commercially speaking for us.
Thank you for sending this my way and please let me know if you have anything else that would fit our mandate."

crowd funding for BEREAVE
Here is another:
"I hope you guys are well. It's been a while since we last spoke. We have tried on this end to figure out what we can do to try to get BEREAVE made. There is potential opportunity to get funding for the film but that would mean that you would have to give up the position of Director."


So what kind of film do we want to make with BEREAVE you ask?

LOGLINE: Struggling with his own mortality and unable to reveal this secret to his family, Garvey thinks he has figured out how to die alone. But when his beloved wife Evelyn goes missing on their 40th anniversary, he must live to save her! In that short time, Garvey realizes what life still has to offer.

Here is a peak into the language, into the world of our film, into the mind of GARVEY who speaks to his muse:

"But if you are stubborn and take care of love constantly, sacrifice your life to it, time will make it so that people say, ‘he must have been so handsome long ago.’ And you will say it too. You will stand there like a tourist in the relics of your flesh; trying to feel love. It will be the strangest, saddest thing."
Sounds interesting? Sounds like something you would watch?
Why stop there?
If you said yes, nodded, or murmured even a small “hmmm,” - help us MAKE this screenplay come to life!
If enough people believe with us and support us; it will happen. We just need to believe it. More importantly you will help make a great independent film that producers refuse to finance because it is not "commercial enough" or it's "artsy."
You will prove to producers and distributors alike, that people still desire to see films about people; stories that blow up hearts, not cars. You will also be fighting cancer! Please look at our CANCER STOMP! perk. We intend to DONATE 25% of that perk to an organization for cancer research.

Malcolm McDowell


You may know Malcolm from A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, HALLOWEEN, THE ARTIST, O LUCKY MAN or another 120 films he starred in!
He has also made over 82 TV appearances in shows such as ENTOURAGE, FRANKLIN & BASH and THE MENTALIST.
Since signing on a few months ago, BEREAVE has become Malcolm's passion project. We all refuse to quit on this story. Malcolm loves our vision, our script and believes in it with all his might - so much so that he has become an Executive Producer and is invested heart and soul... and then some. He even wishes us to direct the thing! If you believe in us like he does, we can achieve everything.

Start and Finish


 
There are a lot of difficulties to overcome when shooting a film. It's impossible to guarantee everything will happen as smoothly as we wish it to, but in the end, we know we will make a beautiful film! See you at the movies! We LOVE YOU!





Monday, June 10, 2013

Home Of Champions!




XTC is proud to be the HOME of Erick Lopez, NAGA Champion in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Alexander Enriquez, So Cal State Champion in Boxing.  Here at XTC we make, build, mold and create Champions.  Stop by if you wish to be part of this amazing training facility.


Friday, January 4, 2013

A Champion is Created!



Alexander "The Great" Enriquez

FIGHT NIGHT with Alexander “The Great” Enriquez.

It’s another Sunday afternoon. The gym is closed, and as we turn the keys, all three of us know we’d rather be at the beach, at the park, or eating cheeseburgers. But like devout churchgoers, we are here.  For my brother George and I, it is a Sunday ritual to train our fighter Alexander “The Great” Enriquez.
He is about 125 pounds, quiet, serious and has never fought; all reasons people might assume he is paltry. At first, I wasn’t sure if his unassuming nature was a form of arrogance or respect. I couldn’t read those green eyes of his. But as time went by, I learned he has the heart of a lion and the determination of a wolf.
“How are you feeling?” I ask him.
“Good,” he responds, and I nod. 

We all know where we’re going and somehow not just for the day. Alex steps on the mat, I rush to the office computer to see what the NFL is doing, and my brother puts on some coffee. The Pats are winning, the air smells like caffeine and I soon hear the familiar tick tock tick tock of Alex’s jump rope.  As seconds wind up to minutes and the bells of the timer bob and weave into our ears and subconscious minds where the stillness is - I believe we make time move.

Stiff jabs rip the air, introductions to combinations of hand movements bound by fists, followed by graceful angles of cutting and moving that have us lost in the paradoxes of blind mirrors and shadow boxing with no shadows. The slip ball, lateral movement, sit ups, pushups, bag work… his warm up.
Eventually I get off the chair and put on the gear. I’m getting too old for this, but I want to give him some good sparring. So we step into the ring.

“Don’t hit my head. I want you to do only body sparring” I tell him - as I’m still feeling the pain of a car accident a few months ago. He nods. I lift my shirt and show him a bruised rib and hip, courtesy of yesterday’s training session and his left hooks.

 “I’m coming for you, cause of this,” I tell him and put on my gloves. “I’m gonna knock you out.” He smiles that freaky mouth piece smile. My brother readies the camera. We record it and my brother points out our errors afterwards on the TV, while we deplete the boss’s supply of waters and peanuts.
“Don’t throw punches you know won’t land!” “Keep your hands up!” “Look at me in the eyes!” “Don’t circle into your opponent’s power!” we pop off instructions. We bark out praise and criticism. I punch his face. We do this for 18 minutes. 

He listens, he implements and soaks up every word the way canvas soaks up blood on fight night. After this, he will run three miles on the treadmill. I push him as the wheels spin, eight miles an hour, then ten miles an hour, I put him on full inclines that reach in and try to rip out his lungs. I stand still next to the machine, but chase him worse than a hound chases a fox or a ghost a live soul - till he almost falls off.

“If you fall off, you will break your arm or your foot, and your six months of training will be for nothing” I tell him as he limps dangerously close to falling off the treadmill. He tries to tell me he has a cramp, but he has no air left in his lungs. The treadmill is hurting his insides, but I am sure he is doing the same thing to it; all his sweat, puddles and pools, fall on this machine rusting up its bolts. He will break it someday, or at least that’s what I tell him.

Fight night is Friday. “Friday, Friday, Friday” I say like it is not a day on the calendar but the end of the world. “You need to hurt this man.”
Our first fight was cancelled, as our opponent got cold feet. Three weeks later we drove over an hour to a gym, but were not put on the card, and now it is finally here. We have a scheduled fight for sure.

“Are you nervous?” I ask him. “Yes,” he tells me, and I admire him for his honesty because I was nervous the first time I fought.  “That’s OK,” I tell him. “I want you to be nervous. You eat eggs in the morning, to gain power for training, and a few minutes before you step into that ring, you will eat the nervous and you will have power for winning.” He nods. He listens, he soaks up every word.  My brother starts talking to him now. He teaches him combinations and secrets of the sweet science, something I watch play out in front of me, over and over and over and over.

I won’t describe all of Friday to you. Not the way I lived it anyhow, for it would take too long. But I will tell you Alexander’s family is there. A few diehards from the gym are there. We are there. And Kobi Julian – the owner of XTC gym – is there. She smiles proudly and I catch her admiring “her fighter.” I give her a thumbs up as we plan where we are going to film our fight from. 

The night is electric. Somebody has already been knocked out; he beat the count, argued with the ref for stopping the fight, and then stumbled towards his corner - before collapsing on his face, untouched; doctors rushing to see if he is OK.  

After three bells, Alex lifts the trophy, and he looks at us and smiles - the biggest smile ever. He exits the ring and is hugged and kissed by all who love him. He doesn’t want us to cut his wraps off, not yet anyway. He is 1-0 now and wants to savor this moment like a glass of wine.
Later as he sits in the car, still with his hands wrapped, he asks my brother “how did you know I wasn’t breathing?” My brother smiles and pats his head. “Take the day off tomorrow, Sunday, we will do it all over again.” And we do.

Since writing this article, Alex is now 2-0. He won his second fight by TKO in the second round. If you have ever wanted to compete, or simply learn how to box, please come and inquire at XTC gym.

XTC GYM 2131 Colorado Boulevard Eagle Rock CA 90041-1221
info@xtcgym.com    +1 (323) 259-9009
 By: Evangelos Giovanis

Friday, December 21, 2012

RUN IT!

XTC is pleased to introduce two of its trainers EVANGELOS and GEORGE GIOVANIS,who have taken this place to the next level by their dedication to Boxing....now it is time to show their other talents to the world....like it,  share it, support it, and contribute to it.

EVANGELOS and GEORGE GIOVANIS were never accepted to film schools.  With ambition that defied that kind of inspiration - they decided to start shooting independent films.
Their first effort, Taking the Turn, focusing on inner-city kids who mess up their lives, was put together on a shoe string budget of $0.  The film starred family members, friends and many errors.  The Giovanis brothers performed all duties on and off the set.  It was a formula they would follow time and again trying to improve their skills.
Their second feature film, Land of Nod was shot on a shoe string budget.  This film takes an uncompromising look at the AIDS epidemic and was awarded the Digital Alexander Award, along with a $20,000 cash prize - for best feature at the prestigious Thessaloniki International Film Festival in 2006.  Critics hailed the directing effort and likened their talent to that of a young Martin Scorsese’s and John Cassavetes’.
In 2009, the Giovanis brothers shot their third feature film Run It with a modest budget.  The action-drama premiered at Philafilm and picked up the Gold Award for best feature.  It continued its festival run and accolades with an honorable mention at the Canada International Film Festival, a Gold Kahuna Award at the Honolulu International film Festival and a Bronze Palm Award at the Mexico International Film Festival.
We are now taking the same go get 'em approach to distribution and hope Indiegogo is the method to the madness. In the last three years, we were offered distribution deals by two companies, but refused them (distributors have a tendency to feel they deserve to keep all the money).
So? We decided that we would self distribute our award winning, completed feature film RUN IT - but we need your help and support!

 

 

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

We always knew we could make a film, but now what? How do we get it out there?
FOUR WALLING: In the film industry, four wall distribution (also known as four-walling) is a process through which a studio or distributor (us) rents movie theaters for a period of time and receives all of the box office revenue.
It costs an average of $4K-$5K minimum per theater to do what we want to do; that's not including advertising costs (essential to success).
Our plan: Raise some money on Indiegogo (please help), four wall a theater in Los Angeles, and New York and play our film for the audience!
With that momentum, we hope to raise awareness, an audience base and secure proper distribution for the official DVD release.
Up till now, we have self financed all our filmmaking endeavors. How? My brother's night job... just kidding. We always open a restaurant (4 so far), work it (13 hours a day), sell it (we serve the best pizza, so the town folk get mad with this part); then poor (intentional) all the money in the films.
Would we do it all over again? That's the GOAL. You don't quit on your dreams, and if you wake up the next morning to remember them while you're sipping milk and eating eggs; it was all worthwhile.
Please support our art... like we have been for 11 years.
Don't forget to check out our pics in the gallery!
If this economy is just killing you, and you can't join us, anything you can do to help us reach our goal is great. If you can't donate - please spread the word.
Visit our facebook page and share it and this campaign with everyone you know.
We would like to thank you in advance for being part of this project.
THANKS!
Angelo and George Giovanis

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

A True Champion


          A while back, I asked one of my trainers to write a blog on "how to train a winner?".  After a few months of sweat, soreness, kicks, punches, and screaming we have ourselves a WINNER.  It is really not about "winning or losing", it is about training the mind and transforming one's life.   We are excited to let our readers know that we got a fighter/winner/champion in our team.

        Alexander "The Great", 17 years old, has trained at XTC for about five months with George and Angelo, is ready for his first fight.  He is a dedicated young man with a bright future. We, his XTC family, wish him all the best in his new way of LIFE.