Category: movies

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Skateboard Bandits – 3 Star Review

I’m excited to announce my short film thriller, Skateboard Bandits, just received 3 Stars from the industry’s leading online review platform, Short Films Matter. Kudos to my co-star, Anna Christensen, as well as all the other cast and crew members for their excellent work!

Click below to see the entire review, and here’s an excerpt:

Rich Tola’s low-budget thriller delivers an entertaining experience. With its engaging storyline, impressive skateboarding sequences, and solid performances, it is a film that showcases the director’s creativity and resourcefulness. While it may lack the polish of big-budget productions, it more than makes up for it with its raw energy and bohemia.

Skateboard Bandits

Thanks for watching, and as always, get your workout in!

Peace – R

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“Skate like a bat outta hell”

Hey everyone, we just released Skateboard Bandits on YouTube and Vimeo.

It’s a 12 minute character-driven thriller about a band of skateboarders who conspire to take revenge into their own hands – the second time around – and risk life and limb to rob a bank. We filmed all 18 scenes in one day, throughout the streets of LA.

Looking forward to releasing my next short narrative, Zen Diaries: The Lockdown, coming this November.

Peace – R

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Skateboard Bandits – Coming Soon!

Hey everyone, I just completed my first scripted narrative short, Skateboard Bandits, soon to be released in September.

It’s a 12 minute character-driven thriller about a band of skateboarders who take revenge into their own hands – the second time around – and risk life and limb to rob a bank.

Super excited to finish another film project on-time and on-budget. It took 90 days and cost $1000 from start to finish. For my next production, I look forward to releasing a “Boulevard Zen” short film spin-off, exactly ten years since the 2009 premiere of my first film.

For more information please contact me at: [email protected]

Have an awesome day and always remember…get your workout in! Peace – R

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Thanks for the memories…and free movies SAG!

It’s always a treat to witness great movie-making with Hollywood’s biggest stars, not to mention getting to nominate your favorite actors and ensemble casts for the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.

It’s an even bigger treat to participate in live Q&A’s with these bold & beautiful demigods. For such insightful talks I’d like to thank my union for the complimentary screenings and receptions they’ve awarded me the past few months where I’ve met Margot Robbie, Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Keira Knightley, Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Tyler Perry, Ryan Reynolds, Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Hugh Jackman, Alfred Molina and Sebastian.  Well, perhaps I didn’t meet these masterful entertainers but for sure I’ve heard their thoughts and felt their passion for their craft. 

Kudos SAG-AFTRA…it was an honor to be a member of the Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominating Committee. I look forward to seeing my “outstanding” choices take home the gold!

Have an awesome holiday everyone, and get your workout in! Peace – R

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Tola Talks with Recording Artist & Entrepreneur, Moses Stone

Another great show with the multi-talented recording artist and entrepreneur, Moses Stone.  We’re talking all things music and movies this week including the new Star Wars: The Last Jedi, plus listening to two original songs from this charismatic rapper.

It’s also the final Tola Talks of 201 7, so we’re highlighting the best of the best including If I Were President and thank you shout-outs to my celebrity guests.  Not to mention some timeless fitness & Tola Yoga tips for 2018, and of course, the Get Your Shit Together Award.

Thanks again everyone, for tuning in these past few months…it’s been a blast!

Stay tuned for the next generation of Tola Talks to be announced on my website www.RichTola.com and my socials:  @richtola

Happy Holidays…and may the force be with you!  Peace – R

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Tola Talks with DJ Rebekka Starr and MC Freddy Figs

We’re talking all things Movies & Music today with my special guests, DJ Rebekka Starr and MC Freddy Figs. Starting with their favorite genre of Hip-Hop, we discuss the history of music from the early 1970’s to today’s wildly popular Electronica (EDM) and the Top 10 DJs that rule the raves.

On a beautiful sunny day in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, Tola also Talks about movies that spotlight “The Valley” including We Are Your Friends (Zac Efron) and Elektra Luxx (Carla Gugino), plus what this infamous basin is really know for: strip malls, sushi restaurants in strip malls, and of course, porn stars. We also pay tribute to the King of Hip-Hop, Eminem, and the late Adult Film Actress, August Ames, an unfortunate victim of cyberbullying. Thanks for tuning-in everyone! Peace – R

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Tola Talks with Singer/Songwriter, Cooper Phillip

Always a great time having Cooper Phillip in the studio…she’s rocks it in person and on the radio! Learn how she seeks balance, comfort and happiness amidst the ever-so ripply waters of the music business, plus find out more about her journey from Russia to Hollywood that began seven years ago.

For all you Halloween lovers, we also talk about Vatican sanctioned exorcisms, the highest grossing film in history with 10 Academy Award nominations , The Exorcist, and of course, my most delightful “10 Most Frightful Pickup Lines”.

Not to mention we play three amazing songs from the multi-talented singer-songwriter including her new hit single, Party By Myself.  Listen now:

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Tola Talks with Actress/Producer, Stephanie Drapeau

Kudos to re-launch of Tola Talks…we had a titillating show yesterday talking Hollywood film and TV roles with the lovely and talented, Stephanie Drapeau.

Plus, before I introduce Stephanie at 27:41 minutes, I kick-off the show with some Presidential advice on how to solve homelessness and get every United States resident off the streets. I also give out the Get Your Shit Together Award to none other than The Trump Administration.

We also observe a moment of silence for the victims and families of those who perished or were injured in Las Vegas in the worst mass shooting in our nation’s history, as well as for the way-too-early passing of one the great rock-and-roll legends of all time, Tom Petty.

Thanks for listening, and have an awesome day! Peace – R

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Rich Tola – Mindie Music Videos (2 min Compilation)

Fun, challenging, invigorating and very tiring at times yet always a blast to film – one video required more than 50 takes – we filmed 18 Mindie music videos throughout the streets of Hollywood during the summer of 2014…every one of them using popular movie theme songs.

Can you guess the name of every movie, every theme song and every Yoga pose? Enjoy – R