GRAYSON: EARTH ONE - F*CK IT!

Every knight needs his squire. Well, that's how the old story goes. A story that normally takes a young man from tragedy to triumph, from prodigy to fable, and from a trusted aid to hero in his own right. More importantly, though, this is the type of tale that inspired my mate Hisonni to transcribe for all our viewing pleasures. Want to know more? Then please my friend, read on. Please read on





1) What are your own origins, Hisonni? Plus what path did you take in life prior to getting to where you are today?   I'm originally from Milwaukee,  Wisconsin, but call Riverside, California, my home. My path, more or less, has been a straight line. I made my first film with friends when I was about 13 years old and have been involved with films in one way or another since that age. I've done nearly every job that can be done on a film in the subsequent 20 years, in an attempt to become as knowledgeable about filmmaking as I can be.

2) What inspired the creation of ‘Grayson: Earth One’?   I had just read Frank Miller's 'The Dark Knight Returns' for the hundredth time and wanted to find a way to experience that world for myself. I also knew that I wanted to put my stamp on that world somehow. So, I took everything I had experienced in my life, and mixed that with my favorite music and my closest friends.

Boom! You have Grayson: Earth One.

3) In your own words how would you describe this story?   I'd describe it as my own. Yes, the characters are named the same, the towns are the same, but by changing one critical event in the DCU, I've changed everything. Much like any of us would be changed if we had grown up with a different set of parents, you know? It's a show you'll never get ahead of because it's a perfect mix of the comics and my life in the inner city of Milwaukee.

4) If this film omitted a collective odour, what would it smell like and why?   It would smell like a bar after closing hours. The smell of sweat, alcohol, cigarettes and women's perfume sums everything up for season one.

Picture the keyframe of season one, AKA the image that inspired me to write season one of this show. Picture Richard Grayson sitting mid stage alone in a dive bar, smeared makeup on his face, clutching his most prize possession… A blue and black fender guitar. In this show, Richard Grayson, a man that uses music, women, and substances to cope with a horrific childhood. And not just the death of his parents! We're talking about the acrobatic training that more than likely bordered on child abuse. The pressure of being a child prodigy and life on the streets as an orphan criminal.

5) What song would you say best represents your wares and why?   'To Be Alone' by Hozier! The show draws from the most traumatic moments of my life and that song taps into the feeling of isolation I had during my brief time being homeless as a child.

6) If you could get a known celebrity – either living or dead – to promote this flick, who would you choose, and why would you want this particular person?   Andy Whitfield! One of the reasons I made films was to one day make a film with him in it.

7) What were the main obstacles you had to contend with along the way?   Money and myself. Ha! All the typical questions in my head about being good enough. The anxiety of pushing my bank account to the brink in order to give the project the time it deserves. Worrying about how I'm going to please everyone.

8) If ‘Grayson' had a motto, what do you think it would be?   That motto would be “F*ck it”. From the start I knew I'd catch hell for doing my own thing with these characters, but “F*ck it!”. I'd often have no idea how I'll afford to make the episodes, but “F*ck it!”. And finally, when Richard becomes a hero for the first time in his life it's because he said, “Oh well, F*ck it! I'm gonna kick some ass”.

And on that direct note, dear reader, I'd like to thank Hisonni for telling us about his webseries, 'Grayson: Earth One', before directing you towards his Youtube and IMDB pages.