West Coast Energy

There's a difference between East Coast films and West Coast films. Or maybe more accurately, there's a difference between New York films and LA films. But what exactly is that difference?

There's the obvious in landscape and architecture. But the visuals are only part of it. There's a difference in energy between the two cities, and that's the element I want to focus on...

Specifically, as it relates to the Fructose Samurai.

When I first developed the Fructose Samurai Cast, they were a decidedly East Coast team of heroes. Lipstick Dojo was even set in Manhattan.

The nuances of character were still being fleshed out, and for something intended to grow into a long running franchise, that's natural. There's an inevitable evolution of story that's both surprising and exciting.

After Lipstick Dojo premiered, work began on the origins of the Fructose Samurai (at that point, they were still being referred to as the Tactical Samurai) and that's when one of the biggest changes was made. The cast would relocate to LA!

But, why?

Was a change of scenery really that important?

Maybe not. But a change in energy was. The Fructose Samurai are actors. They're artists. Of course, New York has a massive film community, but when we think of the business, we think of Hollywood. These characters aren't on Broadway. They're in the studios. And if there's one thing that's certain, film actors and theatre actors are very different personalities!

Which brings me back to the evolution of character and story. I originally thought this would be an East Coast adventure. It isn't... The journey is where we are ultimately revealed, and it's something I've found to be true in fiction and in life.