Generation Iron Documentary

[Loctus]

They just fukin wat?

[RoroCwalker]

^
Ahhh, 2007 was a good year for it's current Mr.O, Victor. Oh wait.

Hahahahaha!

[patbanya]

Behind the Scenes with Generation Iron - Spotlight On: Ben Pakulski! http://ow.ly/oJV50

Generation Iron - Spotlight on Ben Pakulski

It’s been 35 years since 1977’s Pumping Iron hit the screen; now this new docudrama from the Vladar Company is set to update the world on the sport of bodybuilding and show just how much influence iron culture has had on the mainstream public. Be prepared for an all-access ride with seven elite bodybuilders, culminating in a winner-take-all battle at the 2012 Mr. Olympia. In the last two articles, the film’s writer, director, and producer, Vlad Yudin, shared what he learned while filming bodybuilding greats Hidetada Yamagishi, Roelly Winklaar, and Victor Martinez. This time, Yudin takes us behind the scenes with outspoken athlete Ben Pakulski. Stay tuned for close-ups on Dennis Wolf, Branch Warren, Kai Greene, and Phil Heath, plus a special two-part feature on the making of Generation Iron. And stay up to date by logging on to generation-iron.com and mrolympia.com.



WRITER, DIRECTOR, & PRODUCER VLAD YUDIN’S THOUGHTS ON:

■ THE MAD SCIENTIST This was Ben’s first time competing at the Olympia, so he wanted to come in really strong. Even though he was a rookie on the sport’s biggest stage, there was no denying his confidence level was sky high. The higher you go—and I believe this carries over to all sports, as well as to business and the arts—the more strongly you have to believe in yourself and what you’re doing, or you won’t reach that top level. Ben certainly has that. People are drawn to those with confidence, and he has a really strong fan base.



The thing that stands out about Ben is that his training methods are very diferent from those of the rest of the guys.



He has a B.S. in kinesiology, so he’s very scientific. He’s tried a lot of different approaches throughout the years, and he applies all his knowledge to his training.



He truly believes his methods will eventually change the way bodybuilders train. FLEX

[Larfleeze]

They just fukin wat?

They do look pretty similar to the untrained eye, it took me a while before I stopped mixing them up.

[Ajthemeso]

They just fukin wat?

[img]http://i.imgur.com/E1KOp9w.png[/mg]

i didn't know phil was dominican...

[Unbiasedfan]

They do look pretty similar to the untrained eye, it took me a while before I stopped mixing them up.

For me it was jay and wolf lol, because of the hair.

To think that now i basically know their physiques and details along the years they have competed by memory is incredible lol.

[flangmasterj]

[HOT4_S]

The film busts some myths about the sport along the way – like the notion that bodybuilders use steroids to get buff. Yudin acknowledged that while performance-enhancing substances are out there, not everyone is using them. And according to the reigning Mr. Olympia, and the documentary’s star, Phil Heath, who is preparing to take home his third Olympia title in Vegas on September 28, absolutely nothing can replace good old-fashioned hard work.

“We have to know how to eat right, train right and take the right over-the-counter supplements,” he told us. “There are always going to be misconceptions about what we are doing. When it comes to personal appearance, people are quick to cast judgment on people who look better than them. It’s part of the human inferiority complex.”


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment...#ixzz2ecR7pZW7


BRB everyone defending this chit saying he has to say it
BRB fooling people into buying BS supplements
BRB You're an idiot if you believe most supplements work to any great extent

[RoroCwalker]

^
Wow, that's sad, don't straight up lie about, just don't open your mouth about it.

And yeah, Phil Heath saying nothing can replace good old-fashioned hard work?

''He thinks hard work can beat talent''

[62Wolf]

Behind the Scenes with Generation Iron - Spotlight On: Ben Pakulski! http://ow.ly/oJV50

I'm digging the white lab coat with the shorts and sandals look in the 3rd pic of Ben.....

[patbanya]

The film busts some myths about the sport along the way – like the notion that bodybuilders use steroids to get buff. Yudin acknowledged that while performance-enhancing substances are out there, not everyone is using them. And according to the reigning Mr. Olympia, and the documentary’s star, Phil Heath, who is preparing to take home his third Olympia title in Vegas on September 28, absolutely nothing can replace good old-fashioned hard work.

“We have to know how to eat right, train right and take the right over-the-counter supplements,” he told us. “There are always going to be misconceptions about what we are doing. When it comes to personal appearance, people are quick to cast judgment on people who look better than them. It’s part of the human inferiority complex.”


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment...#ixzz2ecR7pZW7

This movie is supposed to represent bodybuilding as a whole. If you take the various natural federations into consideration, it's not a false statement. Now, we all have our opinions on what can really be achieved naturally, and that's a never ending debate. However, the reality is, not everyone uses PED's. Let's try to be inclusive, rather than exclusive. An opportunity like this rarely comes along. Also, maybe we should hold off judgment until actually viewing the movie. Obviously, I have high hopes for it. I go out of my way to update this thread whenever I can.

[flangmasterj]

BRB everyone defending this chit saying he has to say it
BRB fooling people into buying BS supplements
BRB You're an idiot if you believe most supplements work to any great extent

Just enjoy the film.

[du3ce]

good thing they didnt interview bostin loyd

[crillow]

DO anyone know if this is comming out in australia??

[stealth_swimmer]

Just enjoy the film.

This. And also what Pat said.

[patbanya]

Behind-the-scenes with Generation Iron - Spotlight On: Branch Warren & Dennis Wolf! ---> http://ow.ly/oMgEG

Generation Iron - Spotlight on Branch Warren & Dennis Wolf
A film by VLAD YUDIN

It’s almost here! Bodybuilding’s next blockbuster, Generation Iron, is set to hit movie theaters later this month. Until then, FLEX has you covered with complete with photos and inside information you won’t get anywhere else. And be sure to check generation-iron.com, FLEXonline.com, and mrolympia.com for sneak-peek videos and more!



THIS MONTH WRITER, DIRECTOR, & PRODUCER VLAD YUDIN’S THOUGHTS ON:

■ ONE TOUGH TEXAN Talk about a serious individual! Branch Warren is all business. He’s not somebody who’ll talk to you right away. You have to spend time with him and let him see that you are for real, too. Once he’s comfortable, he opens up.



I knew his reputation for being one of the hardest working guys in the sport, but I was not prepared for what we witnessed first hand. All of these guys train hard, but I’ve never seen the kind of ferocity Branch unleashed in the gym. The pace of his training was so fast. It was controlled mayhem!



And Metroflex is a hardcore gym that fits his no-nonsense approach perfectly. It was very exciting to watch someone with that type of focus and intensity. You do not want to be in his way!



■ ALPHA WOLF Dennis Wolf is very laid back—until he gets to the gym. Dennis James was staying with him at the time, and they had some extremely intense workouts. Dennis [Wolf] knows what he needs to improve to impress the judges and move up.



He and I went on The Morning Blend, a local TV talk show in Vegas, to promote Generation Iron. Of course, they were very impressed with his size, and since we were sitting next to each other on the couch, he looked even bigger. And yes, they asked how much he could bench.



Then we followed Dennis to L.A., where he was auditioning for a movie role. He wants to be in movies one day.



After that, we went to Gold’s Venice, where he worked out with Hidetada Yamagishi, and also Ben Pakulski, who was in town from Florida. FLEX

[Zirkon]

This movie is supposed to represent bodybuilding as a whole. If you take the various natural federations into consideration, it's not a false statement. Now, we all have our opinions on what can really be achieved naturally, and that's a never ending debate. However, the reality is, not everyone uses PED's. Let's try to be inclusive, rather than exclusive. An opportunity like this rarely comes along. Also, maybe we should hold off judgment until actually viewing the movie. Obviously, I have high hopes for it. I go out of my way to update this thread whenever I can.

said like a true filt,,,,

ZirkonApproved

[Unbiasedfan]

'It was uncontrolled mayhem!'

fixed

Spread as always.

[Groggery]

I don't care what the movie is supposed to represent, i ****ing gagged at the Branch section there.

So exciting, so religious, so very ****ing intense....

[Musc1eBound]

"One week left!! -- Meet Victor Martinez. Victor wasn't always an inmate... He was a star... A star bodybuilder on his way to conquering the Olympia title. After some set-backs, Victor is back and trying to regain his form. Victor is also a father of four."

[patroclus32]

I just won a ticket to see a premiere showing of generation iron on Monday, September 16th!! So pumped.

[Dystopia1980]

There's a pretty large billboard with a Generation Iron poster on it by my work. Surprised that the movie is actually being decently promoted.

[patbanya]

Get an in-depth look at the making of Generation Iron - Spotlight On: Kai Greene! http://ow.ly/oPdVc

Generation Iron - Spotlight On : KAI GREENE
An In-Depth Look at the Making of the Movie

From the opening clip of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Columbu plié-ing in a ballet studio, to the piano chords leading into Michael Small’s theme song with the great first lyric “Everybody wants to live forever,” to the training (with gym equipment you’re likely to find only in man caves), to the contest scenes, and everything in between—oh, and all the dialogue that’s been quoted by bodybuilders everywhere for the past 36 years—1977’s Pumping Iron, starring Schwarzenegger, Columbu, Lou Ferrigno, Ed Corney, Mike Katz, and Serge Nubret, among others, has been the inspiration for generations of aspiring bodybuilders.

Now, with the big-screen release of Generation Iron this September, bodybuilding gets a long-awaited and long-overdue makeover. Narrated by Oscar-nominated and Golden Globe-winning actor Mickey Rourke, Generation Iron takes over where Pumping Iron left off. Filmed last year, the docudrama stars Phil Heath, Kai Greene, Branch Warren, Dennis Wolf, Roelly Winklaar, Ben Pakulski, and Hidetada Yamagishi, and captures the real-life drama of the sport’s greatest athletes as they vie to become the 2012 Mr. Olympia.

In the past four issues of FLEX, director, writer, and producer Vlad Yudin (who had the unenviable task of filming contest-dieting bodybuilders—yikes!) gave us behind-the-scenes nuggets about filming Yamagishi, Winklaar, Wolf, Warren, and Pakulski.

Here, in the first of our Generation Iron features, Yudin gives us more insight into the making of this ground-breaking film. We also get up close and personal with Kai Greene on what it means to be in a movie that’s sure
to inspire the next wave of bodybuilding stars.



FLEX: It’s been well over three decades since Pumping Iron. What was your motivation for making Generation Iron, and why do it now?

Vlad Yudin: There are a few reasons. First and foremost, I’m a huge fan of the original. There had been nothing of such magnitude done on this sport—at the time, most of the public wasn’t even aware that this was an actual sport. Pumping Iron changed the whole bodybuilding and fitness industry and the way regular people viewed weight training. I had a conversation with Jerome Gary [producer of Pumping Iron] and we talked in great detail about how this film changed the public’s perception of bodybuilding. Really, most people didn’t know what bodybuilding was. It’s one of those sports that’s largely unknown; to this day, there’s a lot of misunderstanding, so there needs to be a reeducation. We decided it was the right time to reintroduce it, if you will, to the new generation.



When did you first see Pumping Iron?

When I was in high school. I’d heard about it before, but I’d never sat down and seen the whole thing. But when I finally got around to watching it from start to finish, I was riveted. There were so many cool elements to it. Just the characters themselves were so unique. The way they talked about bodybuilding was entertaining. I’m an outsider to the sport, and in a way that’s good, because this film needs someone who isn’t involved in it. Looking at it from an outsider’s point of view is a good way to bring in others, because it’ll help others relate to it.

After that movie, I became a fan of bodybuilding because it’s so different from other sports. I was never a bodybuilder—though I’m training now—but that film stuck with me through the years. And that’s what we’re trying to achieve with Generation Iron. We want to make something that bodybuilders will appreciate. It’s very important that we keep true to the essence of the sport so bodybuilders will see that it’s treated with the respect it deserves. At the same time—and this was a key challenge—we wanted to take something that’s so unique and present it in a way that people who are new to the sport can identify with and appreciate it.

Once the business side of making the movie was done, what was the next step?

To be perfectly honest, filming was quite a challenge. It was a very involved process, because I wanted to be as prepared as possible. My goal was
to get full access to the athletes. You can imagine that when you’re training for the biggest contest of your life, you don’t want to be bothered with all these cameras in your face, following you around all day. The tough part was to get them to know me. It took a lot of conversations and meetings.

One thing I know from previous work is that you need a level of trust between the filmmaker and the subject being filmed. If the person isn’t comfortable, you won’t get the best footage. It’s important to spend time with them so they’re relaxed and natural on camera. Once they know you, they trust you and let down the wall, so to speak—it’s easier with some than with others. You also have to be mindful of the circumstances when you’re shooting. Filming these guys during the off-season, when they’re a long way from the contest, is different from when they’re just weeks away from competing. Then they’re extremely focused on this one show where they have to look their absolute best to those who’ll determine who’s the greatest in the world. That’s very stressful. Imagine all that preparation to look the best you’ve ever looked for just two days—out of the entire year! So many things have to go right.

So, of course, when you bring your cameras around, they don’t always want to do an interview, especially at the end of a long, hard day. They want to nap, or eat, or spend time with their families. Throw in hot weather, like you have in New York and Texas, and you have a very challenging situation. But because you’ve laid the groundwork and gotten to know these guys, they realize the magnitude of the situation. All of them were inspired by Pumping Iron, and now it’s their chance to be immortalized onscreen for the next generation.

It boils down to mutual respect. Respect for what they’re trying to achieve and respect for the film that’s capturing the journey.



When did you start filming?

Principle photography began last spring. We started in New York with Kai and Victor. We shot them training and just going about their day-to-day lives to show people how these pro bodybuilders do it.

And when did filming wrap?

We did the bulk of the shooting leading up to the Olympia and then at the Olympia, as that’s the culmination of all the training and preparation. Then we did pickups a couple months later. The last scene was at Bev’s Powerhouse, which was cool, because that’s where we started.

In the past four issues of FLEX, we’ve gone behind the scenes with Victor, Hidetada, Roelly, Branch, Dennis, and Ben. Which brings us to the last two guys, Kai and Phil. Now, Kai was actually the first guy you shot...

Yes, and it was very interesting that we started with Kai. We spent some time with him before we started filming—we wanted to make sure he understood the mission and was comfortable in front of the camera. He’s a true artist by nature; if he weren’t a bodybuilder, he’d be doing some other form of artistic expression. There are many layers to him. He’s very multi-dimensional. The more time we spent with him, the more we uncovered. Everyone was drawn in by his personality. He makes a really good impression because he’s so passionate.

At the same time, the Kai sequences were very challenging because you’re talking about over-100° days in the middle of July in New York. It was brutal! And here you have Kai walking around the streets covered up from head to toe, wearing his black hoodie. We were all thinking the same thing: “How is he doing that?” Once we got to the gym, I told everyone to stay out of his way. The key—and this went for all the guys—was to make sure that they didn’t change for the cameras. We wanted to capture everyone in their natural environment, being themselves, being real, with as little compromise as possible.

And what about the meals? I understand you were treated to Kai’s version of Iron Chef.

Oh, my God, it was very tough scheduling things in between all the meals the guys eat. They don’t miss their meals for anything! We had to plan ahead and then often change plans right in the middle. There was a lot of improvising, because we’d be shooting and have to stop so Kai could go cook one of his meals. But we filmed that, too, of course, and it was very interesting to see how big a role food plays in being a bodybuilder. Most people automatically think that being a bodybuilder means lifting weights in the gym, but they don’t think about the other half of the lifestyle, which is the eating. And Kai was cooking in his tiny little apartment with all the burners on the stove going at once. The heat was unbearable—but he was still in his hoodie and sweat pants!

I know this isn’t the sequence in which you filmed the guys, but let’s jump over to your visit to the FLEX offices in New York City.

Yeah, Kai was there, too. It was interesting to see how the office staff reacted to him. His exterior can look intimidating. He’s got scars on his face and unusual hair, not to mention his size. Right away you see a character walking by. But that’s just the outside. He’s very insightful, well-spoken, and soft-spoken—not the typical image people have of a bodybuilder. It’s cool to show that, because people have their stereotypes.

This film will show the many dimensions of all these guys. It’s a great representation of bodybuilders as individuals, and what they do to excel at this sport.

[patbanya]

Continued.

GREENE DAY

The Predator talks about the challenges of filming, opening up for the camera, and being a part of history in the making



FLEX: When did you first see Pumping Iron?

Kai: It was sometime in the late ’80s. It was the class movie at the institution I was in at the time (Greene became a ward of the state at age 6), and I remember the main character was this huge dude who liked working out.

It became a point of reference for my life because I was working out by that time, but didn’t know what competitive bodybuilding was, didn’t really know what bodybuilding itself was, until that movie. The ’80s was a time when pop culture was very heavily influenced by the idea
of working out—you had Olivia Newton-John telling everyone to “Get Physical” and Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon was still very popular. Hollywood was showcasing Arnold, Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme and other action heroes who were larger-than-life, with equally larger-than-life muscles. That exposure made a lasting impression on me as a teenager.

Seeing that movie definitely changed my life forever. I’ve seen it hundreds of times. My friends and I could quote the entire movie verbatim. If fact, several years after seeing it, at my first Colorado Pro [in 2006], I got a chance to meet [IFBB pro] Darrem Charles. The whole time we were backstage, we went back and forth with dialogue from the movie. It was clear we were both well-versed in the art of Pumping Iron. That was our common ground. I can imagine—I hope—aspiring athletes in the future will do the same with Generation Iron.



You met with Vlad before filming. What was going through your mind, knowing that you were going to be in the film?

I remember being very excited and honored. I wished that the people who were in my life 20 years ago were still around so I could share this with them. Part of me wanted to call them up and say, “I’m going to be in the new Pumping Iron!” The uniqueness of this sport is in how lonely the journey can be as you dare to dream and aspire to be the best bodybuilder in the world. It’s unfortunate that the people who were in my life then are no longer in it now, because my life is drastically different today. There’s no one here today that I could share notes with from 20 years ago. But it was still very exciting!

With several training videos under your belt, you’re no stranger to the camera. But were you prepared for the size of the Generation Iron crew? Vlad had upward of 10 people on his team.

At times it seemed like even more than that! It was an amazing spectacle. We were walking the streets of Brooklyn and people were looking out their windows and coming out of their buildings to see what was going on. People were saying, “They’re filming that dude with the muscles who’s always carrying bags of food.” Normally you don’t see a film crew that size in the project streets, so it was interesting seeing their reactions.



The goal of the documentary filmmaker is to capture subjects in their natural state. Did having the cameras and all those people following your every move affect you at all?

Yeah, as much as I want to say it didn’t, there were a lot of times when I struggled to keep my concentration. It’s a tremendous demand to focus on what you need to do. I definitely learned firsthand that it can be very challenging, particularly those times you think you’re prepared but realize you really aren’t. There’s a certain amount of practice one needs in order to be natural and comfortable with that many unblinking eyes on you—and that’s one thing about the camera, it does not blink, ever! It’s like having people come to your house—you want to clean up and put away your dirty laundry, so to speak, before they enter your home so you don’t expose parts of yourself you may not feel comfortable putting on display. But it’s like you hid the dirty laundry behind the door, and people are there in your home, looking behind the door and seeing it. Now it’s revealed to the masses, so there’s a certain amount of trepidation that comes with the experience. That feeling of vulnerability can cause a lot of anxiety. Will people understand and accept me? Will the fact that a professional bodybuilder is not driving a $100,000 car reflect poorly on my status, or on the expectations people have of a two-time Arnold Classic winner?

How did you deal with that?

You want to be the athlete getting ready for the biggest and most important competition of your life, and that’s all—you’ve invested so much in being ready for that moment you’ll be called upon. There’s a part of me that recognizes the responsibility of being in the spotlight. As I’m committing myself to making my dreams tangible, I have to be aware of the fact that people are paying close attention to my actions and words. The audience may need to hear a much more powerful message than just how many sets and reps I do. In that moment, there could be individuals watching who are willing to make themselves available to you and whatever it is you have to say, with more respect and attention than they might give their own parents at any given time. I didn’t grow up with a father in my home, but through TV, movies, and various other mediums there were other role models. That’s why I have to give props to the Bill Cosbys of the world for giving me a point of reference I could draw upon in my own life—be it fostering a loving relationship between me and my niece, or being with other people who make my life more fulfilling— even if it was only something I was watching onscreen.

But getting back to the question, the shooting days were at times very long. While you’re trying to get this work done, you want
to make sure you’re concentrating on doing what you—the athlete aiming to be the best in the world—should be doing. The last thing you want is to not place well at the show. I didn’t want it to be a case of thinking afterward, “My parts were great, but I didn’t do well in the show.” I felt continually torn between serving two masters. I thought, what would [six-time Mr. Olympia] Dorian Yates do? Would he allow distractions to interfere with his goals? Then again, you realize that this is a golden opportunity, a million-dollar moment, and you’d be an absolute idiot to let it pass you by. So you put your best foot forward and do whatever needs to be done.

The trailer came out shortly before last year’s Olympia. What was your reaction on seeing it?

There’s a part of you that thinks, “Aw, man! I could have done that better!” or “I wish I would’ve said this...” But the truth is, when you were in the actual trenches of the experience, there were so many things going on.

What about the gym scenes? Did you put any pressure on yourself to make them memorable for the film?

There might have been times when I thought like that, but I didn’t want to get injured. Would that serve my goal? No. You really have to keep your ego in check, and with all my years of training experience, I’ve been pretty good at keeping my ego at bay. Actually, there were a lot of things I’d like to be able to take credit for now, and say I knew what the end result would be, so I decided to do this or say that, but I didn’t. That credit goes to the filmmakers and to the situation at hand, and how it all just played out naturally.

Being an athlete who has a responsibility to himself and his sponsors and fans can be daunting, because you try to keep everybody happy—but sometimes you come up short at the end of the day. So you just do the best you can and focus on things that are immediately important as the cameras are rolling. You realize that this is representative of my preparation at this period.

This was my big-screen acting debut, so in my mind I was thinking of Apollo Creed or Clubber Lang from Rocky, because characters like that resonate with me. But then you tell yourself that this isn’t some part I’m playing. I’m not a thespian. I don’t need to know what my “motivation” is before a scene, because this is real life—my life. When the cameras are rolling, this is me getting ready for the biggest moment of my life.

And that’s where the vulnerability comes in. Because you aren’t acting, you’re just being yourself and the whole world is watching.

What do you hope people will come away with after watching Generation Iron?

At the root of the [bodybuilding] experience is the recognition of personal power and the ability to use it. You’re not a victim of circumstance, genetics, or the permissive will of a deity. You have the power to create your own reality.

It’s through the application of decisions that are made from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep that I’m able to define myself as a champion. My successes and failures are not a product of the sins of my father or the demonstrations of love by my mother. My own hand decides to create what I will with my life. That’s the biggest lesson this lifestyle teaches.

I got the support I did as a youngster embarking on this journey not because someone expected me to be Mr. Olympia, but because they understood that at the root of this, this young man would be able to devote his energy, anger, whatever, toward developing skills—crafting a physique, following a diet plan—that will carry him through life.

That’s the beauty of this lifestyle, and that’s the lesson I hope people watching the film come away with. You can create your own destiny. You’re an active participant in that process every day, with every decision you make. And whether you recognize that power in your hand or not, that reality is not one to run from, but one to recognize and embrace. To embrace it puts you in the driver’s seat to create and make of yourself and your life what you will. - FLEX

[karatmanli]

^^ Kai's approach and philosophy to the sport is amazing, thanks for posting!

[patbanya]

http://radaronline.com/exclusives/20...lder-wrestler/

Director: Mickey Rourke Was The ‘Absolutely Perfect’ Choice To Be The Voice Of ‘Generation Iron’
Posted on Sep 13, 2013 @ 3:52AM | By radarstaff



Mickey Rourke is the voice of Generation Iron, the follow-up to 1977′s Pumping Iron, in a decision the film’s writer and director Vlad Yudin said was a no-brainer.

“It made perfect sense,” Yudin told RadarOnline.com. “His voice is absolutely perfect for this. It has so much emotion.”

The resilient star’s “very physical, very mental” aura, and his background — his father Phillip was a bodybuilder — complemented the project perfectly, Yudin said.

PHOTOS: Mickey Rourke Goes Behind The Scenes For Generation Iron

Yudin drew parallels between bodybuilding and Rourke’s Academy-Award-nominated performance as downtrodden professional wrestler Randy “The Ram” Robinson in 2008′s The Wrestler.

“The way he nailed the performance was amazing to me,” he said. “The Wrestler was a very emotional film about an athlete who goes through ups-and-downs — bodybuilding is not always the most rewarding sport.”



As we previously reported, Generation Iron marks the follow-up to 1977′s Pumping Iron, a contemporary look at competitive bodybuilding featuring seven Mr. Olympia competitors (Phil Heath, Kai Greene, Branch Warren, Dennis Wolf, Ben Pakulski, Hidetada Yamagishiand Roelly Winklaar) as they prepare for the sport’s crown jewel, the Mr. Olympia contest.

The film hits theaters nationwide on Sept. 20.

[CytoRoc]

just saw a tv spot

[patbanya]

The conclusion of our behind-the-scenes look at Generation Iron - Spotlight On: Phil Heath! Follow link ---> http://ow.ly/oQSGj

Generation Iron - Spotlight On: PHIL HEATH
The Conclusion of Our Behind-the-Scenes Look at Generation Iron
By Dave Lee



In the last article, we brought you the first part of our exclusive look at the making of Generation Iron, the feature film that takes viewers inside the sport of professional bodybuilding. Seven elite, professional bodybuilders were captured on camera as they prepared for the 2012 Mr. Olympia and the right to be named the greatest in the world. Now in part two, we continue our conversation with writer, director, and producer Vlad Yudin and the film’s breakout star, two-time, reigning Mr. Olympia Phil Heath.



FLEX: Judging from the photos, it’s clear that you had a sizeable crew on hand.

VLAD YUDIN: Production quality was very important. Our goal was to make a monumental film that defined the sport as it is today. And we knew this was going to be a theatrical release so it had to have theatrical quality, and to do that, you need the right team. We had 10 people, so we had the option of a smaller breakaway crew to follow the guys if necessary. Basically, we were with the athletes in some form or another at all times. At the Olympia, we had even more people. And everybody had worked on Hollywood films, so we had plenty of cinematic experience on the team.

You were at a couple of IFBB Pro League shows leading up to the Olympia, but what was it like being at the biggest event in the industry?

That was my first Mr. Olympia and it was a very cool experience. The Olympia is on a whole different level. The production value is enormous. It gives you a real sense of the scale of the contest and you can see why the athletes train so hard and make the sacrifice to be at this level. More than any other contest, you have to earn the right to stand on that stage. The Olympia will always be No. 1, like the Oscars for the movie industry. They live for it because this is the absolute standard of excellence. You can’t go any higher.

One of the interesting facets of all sports is the rivalry between athletes, especially at the pro level, with so much on the line.

Everybody has an opinion, and when opinions start to clash, that can add fun and excitement to the sport. And I found that there was no shortage of opinions between these guys. And it’s not like some amateur talking about Phil; these are guys that have competed against him, and in some cases, even beaten him before. You’ll see that they were very open about sharing their opinions.

It was very important that the different personalities come through on-screen. It’s a misconception that bodybuilders are machines who just lift weights. The film shows that they have emotions just like everybody and they go through their highs and lows. They have to deal with everyday life as they’re training for the contest. And with the seven guys, you have the full range of personalities. You have the scientific, methodical type in Ben, and the blue-collar type in Branch. Kai’s introspective while Phil is outgoing. Just like their training styles are different in the gym, so is the way they are outside of the gym, in the way they deal with people and everything else. I really like that aspect of the film. Showing them not only as world-class bodybuilders, but as regular people with regular-people concerns and commitments.

Now let’s skip over to Colorado, where you shot Phil Heath. This is an ensemble cast, but as the reigning champion, Phil certainly has a presence in the film, much like Arnold did in the original, as the “man to beat” and from the trailers, he definitely comes across that way.

Phil’s a true champion. He’s achieved so much in a relatively short period of time. If you want to be a successful bodybuilder you have to believe that you’re the best. That’s where it all starts. If you don’t believe it, no one else will. And the thing about that kind of belief is that you can tell if someone really believes in himself or is trying to convince others that he does. The way that champions look at things is different, and Phil has that. He has bigger goals. He’s not content with just being on top. He wants to make bodybuilding more exciting, make it bigger, and see it grow and attract more fans. That’s how the sport continues to get better, and Phil understands this because he has a good business sense. Yes, he’s outspoken, but he has that right. He’s earned it. He has worked hard for everything he has and went straight to the top, and the rest of the guys are chasing him.

There’s no denying that Phil is supremely confident as the world’s No. 1 bodybuilder. Last year was the first time he was on top, so it’s a little different defending your title as opposed to taking it from someone else. What struck you in the way he regarded the rest of the guys gunning for him?

Phil realizes that it comes with the territory. He’s achieved something only 12 other bodybuilders have done since 1965. That’s a very select group of athletes for such a long period of time. And Phil is a student of the sport so he understands the significance of being in the position he is and why it means so much for the other guys to try to achieve it, too. He’s very respectful of all the guys because he’s been there himself, when someone else was on top and he was trying to be No. 1. And having come close, he knows the disappointment of not achieving your goal. But like he said, that only pushes you harder for the next time. He knows where the others are coming from. At the same time, he’s very competitive. You don’t get to that position without that streak. It’s evident in the way he carries himself.

The Olympia is his and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep it. In his mind, no one is coming into his house to take what he’s worked so long and hard for.

I think he likes the challenge. Knowing that you beat the best to get where you are and now you’re the best and everyone is trying to beat you, that is what motivates all great champions. At the same time, he does it all with a graceful style. His intensity in the gym is amazing, but somehow he makes it look easy. Everything he does, from the training, the eating, and everything else is in preparation for this one moment and there’s no hesitation or doubt that it will go exactly as he plans. And the way he interacts with people, he’s very approachable. He makes others feel comfortable because he’s very comfortable with himself. You can’t help but come away thinking, “Yes, there’s a reason why this guy is the best in the world and he’s Mr. Olympia.”



Much like the Arnold and Lou rivalry, there’s a rivalry between Phil and Kai that seems to be one of the driving forces in the film.

This rivalry is for real. Both are very successful but they’re very different. I don’t want to give away too much, but you really see it in the movie. Their outlooks in the sport and life in general, even their appearance—Phil with his shaved head and the clothes he wears and Kai with his braids and his trademark boots and all— total opposites. The dynamic between the two is powerful and it creates tension. Whenever you have that between two driven individuals going for the same thing, the stakes go higher and higher. That’s exciting for the fans. And you need that tension to keep the narrative moving forward. It was really highlighted at the Olympia when they went at it and they were the last two standing. The whole movie captures the rivalries between all the guys. You have the back-and-forth between Branch and Ben, Branch and Dennis, and of course, the central rivalry between Phil and Kai. One guy knows he’s being compared with this guy, and how does he stack up?

Finally, what is it that you want people to take away with them when they leave the theater?

The main question I’m trying to answer with this film is “What is bodybuilding and who are bodybuilders?” Obviously it’s a sport, but it’s more than that. It’s a combination of sport, art, and science.

It’s very unique. It’s artistic expression using the human body. It’s competition. Who are these guys and what motivates them to push the limits of what is physically possible? The film will deliver that answer.

[patbanya]

Continued.

SEIZING THE MOMENT

Phil Heath on turning his second Mr. Olympia win into a history-defining moment

FLEX: What was your first exposure to Pumping Iron and what was your impression of the movie?

PHIL HEATH: I believe it was the first couple of months of being a bodybuilder, and I can definitely say it was very entertaining. Of course, I knew Arnold was going to win, but it was how he did it that impressed me.

How specifically?

The way he toyed with everyone showed how supremely confident he was. And you could see that the other guys were definitely chasing him. You could even sense a little envy or jealousy because of all the things that Joe (Weider) was bringing to his table, as
far as appearances and all the notoriety, which is to be expected given that he was a five-time Mr. Olympia at the time and rightfully deserving of all the spoils. But more than all of that, it was the balance he showed in his life. He had more balance than anyone else in the movie. He was doing his thing at Muscle Beach and Gold’s, eating, doing photo shoots, chasing chicks, living the lifestyle, and all that stuff. Then you had Lou Ferrigno training in the dungeon with his dad. That was all he was concerned with, almost to the point of being narcissistic. I didn’t relate to that. I didn’t think to myself, “That’s how I want to be.” No disrespect to Lou, but I wanted to be like Arnold. I wanted to be the guy that people are painting pictures about; the guy having fun and enjoying everything that came with being the absolute best. Everywhere he went people were falling at his feet. I mean, I’m sure he had his haters, as everyone does, but he was respected. I can relate to that, especially now because I’m dealing with it myself. I have a lot of fans, but I also have a lot of competitors and people who don’t like who I am and what I’m about. But at the end of the night, he stomped on these guys and he did it with a smile on his face. You couldn’t say that he wasn’t good and didn’t deserve it because he was obviously very focused, but not with this crazy do-or-die attitude like there’s nothing else in the world. You see him training his ass of and the next minute he’s telling jokes. That’s how I am. I can turn it on and be as hardcore as the next guy but I can also make people laugh and have fun with it. You don’t see a lot of bodybuilders smile or tell jokes. They’re all super-serious. But how are you going to interest people if all you are is a big dude who just grunts, lifts weights, and scowls all the time?



How did you become involved with Generation Iron?

Robin Chang (of AMI) told me there was a potential re-telling of Pumping Iron, a movie that would pick up where the original left off, and I thought, “Gosh, if that really does come to fruition I’d love to be a part of it.” It would be an honor. Then when I actually talked to the Vladar Company guys, they gave me an idea of what their vision was. You have to realize that bodybuilders get offers for movies or TV, but then we’re not treated with respect. It’s usually done as a mockery or to make us look stupid. They didn’t come of like that at all. They were for real. And it was their attitude and enthusiasm for the sport that sealed the deal.

Were there any concerns that this might affect your ability to defend the Mr. Olympia?

Initially it raised some questions, but more so for Hany [Rambod, Heath’s trainer/ nutritionist] than it did for me.

I actually saw it as an opportunity. Because I knew I was going to be a part of history, I was going to lift heavier and be more intense. I figured it was going to help me mentally, physically, and emotionally to turn it up a notch. Getting ready, you know the other guys are talking trash and they were kind enough to share some of that with me, so I realized that I needed to remind them how good I really am, I needed to remind the world. I viewed it as an awesome opportunity to have my Olympia win on film.

One of the things I noticed about our sport compared to others is that we’re so afraid to fall on our faces that we don’t take chances and come right out and say that we expect to win. If you look at the Super Bowl, both teams have champagne in their locker rooms, hats and shirts with “Super Bowl Champs” printed on them because they expect to win, even though only one of those teams will go home with the trophy. But an athlete doesn’t go into a contest not believing that he can win. At least I don’t. I expected to win. I had every intention of winning. That’s why I worked so hard for it. I wanted to be in the history books again. You have to step up in those moments and have the confidence to show the world that you believe in yourself. It was a chance to put my legacy on film.

And what about the film crew? You’ve done a lot of training videos but what was it like being on a real movie set for the first time?



It was a trip at first. I had an 11-man posse and an RV parked outside my house. The neighbors thought I was doing a reality-TV show. That’s when it hit me that this was real and it made me very excited for the whole thing. But I was pretty comfortable in front of all the cameras. One of the things that sticks out, and I hope they show it, was that I was making Vlad laugh so much that he’d have to re-shoot and tell me to say the same things.

One night, we were at the gym shooting a workout, and the next thing you know, there’s a big-ass bus, and out come all these Japanese people. And it was just like the scene where Arnold is in the prison posing, but this time it’s at the gym and I’m training. I was surrounded. People clicking away and every time I finished a set they would applaud. It was crazy!

You said before that having the cameras there helped you. Can you explain that?

Anytime you have cameras in front of you, it’s a reminder to not screw around. It’s extra motivation. You think about how you want to be remembered on film because thousands of people are going to be watching it and it’s forever. Let’s face it, shooting free throws in your backyard is different from doing it in a high-pressure situation in front of 20,000 people. But I have experience with that from my basketball days, and others who aren’t used to performing in front of a crowd might not shine in that moment. I mean, bodybuilders by definition are introverted. They don’t want the attention, but on the other hand they do want it because they’re working so hard to build their physiques and they want to be recognized for it. It’s funny because you see guys trying to copy my swagger onstage, trying to pump up the crowd and all, but the reaction isn’t the same because

You can read the script, but if you want to nail it like an Oscar-winning actor, you have to own it. Charisma comes from within. You can’t fake it. That comes from being in tune with who you are and what you’re trying to represent. For me, I just love people and it comes out in the way I do things. And I realize that being in my position, all eyes are on me. There’s always someone watching, b
so you give it your best shot. I know guys are taking notes on my workouts at the gym or snapping photos when my back is turned, and they don’t think I notice. But hey, there’s a picture of me training five minutes later online. As a bodybuilder, that’s what I signed up for. We’re judged onstage and everywhere we go. You have to be a strong-minded person to handle that. People can think they are, but until they walk in those shoes, they’re not battle-tested.

You saw the trailer for the first time last year during the contest. What did you think of it or were you too focused on the show to really have an opinion?


I thought, “Holy ****! This is crazy.” I said to myself, “I gotta win this contest tonight.” And the best part is that moving forward into this year’s O, all the guys who talked trash in Generation Iron are going to have to watch that movie, and watch me win. [Laughs]

What do you want people to think about bodybuilding and bodybuilders after watching this movie?

I want them to get an honest look at the sport. If I could ask each person to write down their top 10 impressions of bodybuilding as they walk into the theater and then another list of 10 things after watching the movie, I’d hope that their stereotypes would be gone and that those 10 new things would be positive. Each and every one of us puts a ton of effort into this. The movie will show what we go through and that we’re professional athletes with a great perspective on the world of health and fitness. We do it every day, not with fads or gimmicks, but with fundamental diets and training programs that actually help us lose fat while gaining muscle. It would be great for the general public to realize that they can do it, too. You don’t have to be Mr. Olympia or a professional bodybuilder to excel at this sport and use it to improve your current situation.



And for those guys who do want to be Mr. Olympia one day, they can say, “Look, Mom, I don’t have to be a basketball player, I can be a bodybuilder like Phil Heath.” Let’s be honest, most kids want to play pro sports for fame and money. And this movie is making me look like the biggest baller there is, which I’m not, but bodybuilding has given me a very comfortable lifestyle. Parents can see that here is an educated family man who works hard and is a decent role model. Mr. Olympia can be a role model who can motivate you to do better things. I want them to learn something new. The next time they see a bodybuilder, especially a pro who makes his living in this sport, maybe instead of sneering or making backhanded compliments, they can look at that person and say, “I admire your work, that takes a lot of dedication.” - FLEX

[STRONGmanmike06]

extremely excited for this!!!!!