Review Fix Exclusive: Inside ‘Asia A’ With Jake Katofsky

Review Fix chats with “Asia A” with producer Jake Katofsky who discusses the film, the kinetic on-screen chemistry of the cast and the impact he’d like it to have on audiences.

About the Film:

ASIA A tackles the subject of sudden disability and stars London Brown (Ballers), Pruitt Taylor Vince (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D), Paulina Bugembe (The Good Place) and Elizabeth Keener (The L Word). Just having begun its festival run this live-action short is already a semi-finalist at the 45th Student Academy Awards, has been selected for LA Shorts International Film Festival and HollyShorts.  ASIA A was created by director Andrew Reid, writer Roberto Saieh, and producers Jake Katofsky and Eric Baird.

Review Fix: How was this film born?

Jake Katofsky: This film was inspired by unfortunate events that occurred in Andrew Reid’s life that left him paralyzed from the chest down, told he would never walk again. Today, he walks with a cane. This story is born from the decision to persevere each day regardless of the adversity thrust in your path.

Review Fix: How has it changed from initial concept?

Katofsky: The story has fluidly evolved throughout the process, but has remained relatively true to original inception.

Review Fix: What are you most proud of when it comes to this film?

Katofsky: I am proud that our team was able to tell a compelling three-act story in a short period of time, predominately in a single room.

Review Fix: What helped inspire it?

Katofsky: The underlying inspiration for ASIA A is in the ideal that we all have a choice to make every day: do we get out of bed and stare adversity in the face or do we back down to the challenge to be greater and give up?

Review Fix: What was the feeling like on set?

Katofsky: Organized chaos, however, filled with excitement and a drive to do the story justice. We started off a little shaky, but it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish – and we finished strong as a team.

Review Fix: What stands out the most about your cast?

Katofsky: We could not have asked for a more talented, respectful, and dedicated cast. They are true professionals in every sense of the word. Our leads, London Brown and Pruitt Taylor Vince, brought more to their characters than we could ever have hoped for.

Review Fix: What makes this film special?

Katofsky: This film is unique because it gives us a snapshot into that initial decision to get out of the hospital bed, a portion of recovery we seldom see on screen. It is special in the way it can immerse a viewer and drive deep into an emotional core with universal themes.

Review Fix: Who will enjoy it the most?

Katofsky: This film will really speak to those 20-40, especially those who have had a life-altering event they had to overcome.

Review Fix: Why is the subject matter of this film important?

Katofsky: ASIA A is important because it illuminates who ASIA patients are, and what they have to go through to get back out into the world with confidence in themselves.

Review Fix: Do you connect with it in any way?

Katofsky: Of course! Being an athlete my whole life, I have had my fair share of injuries, some of which could have ended my career if I did not decide to rehab relentlessly. But on a deeper emotional level, ASIA A represents that moment when you know everything is, in fact, going to be ok, that your life is just entering the next chapter, and that tomorrow is not something to be afraid of.

Review Fix: Bottom Line: Why must someone see this film?

Katofsky: Incredible performances.  An emotional roller coaster.  A story that will stay with you long after you leave the theater.

Review Fix: What’s next?

Katofsky: We are currently working to adapt ASIA A into a feature-length film as the short was always intended as a proof of concept. Beyond that, I am constantly looking for new voices and compelling stories to bring to the screen in an exciting and moving way.

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About Patrick Hickey Jr. 13819 Articles
Patrick Hickey Jr. is a full-time Assistant Professor of Communication & Performing Arts and Director of the Journalism program at Kingsborough Community College and is the chairman of the City University of New York Journalism Council. He is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of ReviewFix.com. He's also a former News Editor at NBC Local Integrated Media and National Video Games Writer at Examiner.com where his work was mentioned in National Ad campaigns by Disney, Nintendo and EA Sports. Hickey was also the Editor-In-Chief of two College Newspapers before he received his BA in Journalism from Brooklyn College. Hickey's work has been published in The New York Daily News, The New York Times, Complex, The Hockey Writers, Yahoo!, Broadway World, Examiner, NYSportScene Magazine, ProHockeyNews.com, GothamBaseball.com, The Syracuse Post-Standard, Scout.com and the official sites of the Brooklyn Aces and New York Islanders. His first book, The Minds Behind the Games: Interviews With Cult And Classic Video Game Developers was released in April 2018 and is chock full of interviews with legendary developers. His second book in the series, The Minds Behind Adventures Games, was released in December 2019. His third book, The Minds Behind Sports Games, was released in September 2020. His fourth book, The Minds Behind Shooter Games, was released in March 2021. The Minds Behind Sega Genesis Games and The Minds Behind PlayStation Games were released in 2022 and The Minds Behind PlayStation 2 was published in January 2023. Hickey is also a contracted comic book writer, currently penning his original series, "Condrey," as well as "The Job," "Brooklyn Bleeds" "Dem Gulls" and "KROOM" for Legacy Comix, where he serves as founder, owner and Editor-in-Chief. Hickey Jr. is also a voice actor, having starred in the 2018 indie hit and 2019 Switch, PS4 and Xbox One release, The Padre (also serving as English language Story Editor), from Shotgun With Glitters. The sequel, The Padre: One Shell Straight to Hell was released in February 2021- Hickey also served as a Story Editor and Lead Voiceover performer. He has also done narration and trailers for several other titles including The Kaiju Offensive, Relentless Rex and Roniu’s Tale. Hickey is also the lead voiceover performer on Mega Cat Studios’ upcoming title WrestleQuest, responsible for nearly 90 characters in the game, as well as Skybound's Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood, where he voices both Dracula and Renfield, as well as several other characters. He also stars in Ziggurat Interactive’s World Championship Boxing Manager 2, where he performs the VO of nearly every male character in the game. He also worked on the Atari VCS’s BPM Boy.

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