T: Hi, Louis. It’s Thomas with The Matthew Shepard Foundation. How are you?

L: Thomas, how are you? I’m doing fine. Thank you so much.

T: No, thank you so much for chatting with me this afternoon.

L: I’m very honored. I’m excited, so thanks for having me.

T: Our conversation is going to go on the Foundation’s website for young people called Mathhewsplace.com, which is really a site that we have designed to provide resources to young people to help them lead healthy, productive, hate-free lives.

L: I love that.

T: So we’re very excited and really have been honored to involved with Diana and crew, and she and Ron speak very highly of you.

L: Oh that’s beautiful. Yeah, they are great people and I love them dearly.

T: Can you tell me a little bit about why you felt being involved in this film was important?

L: Of course, funny enough, I’m at a point in my life and my career now where when you begin something, you do it with a means to an end. And I’m now [at a point where] reading something is integral. And reading the script and knowing Diana, firstly I was honored that she offered me the role of Mark Corey in the film. And then once I began to read the story, as they say … it was riveting, it was powerful, it brought me to my knees. I read it in its entirety. I think most people that open that script, read it in one shot. It had a message. It had a powerful one. I wanted to be a part of it. And even though there were a lot of people that were reluctant to get involved, I felt the opposite. I guess I’m the type of person that believes strongly in what it is that I believe in. And I stood by the fact that this was a wonderful story with a strong message and it was an honor to be a part of.

T: In your opinion, what would you say the overarching theme of the movie is?

L: Interesting question. There’s so many angles on that one --- [we’ve] discussing it on and off for a while since we shot the movie. I see it as pulling someone through a keyhole, [which] is ultimately what happens in life. And then there’s an extent of how big that keyhole is. And, this character got pulled through a very small keyhole in a society which was unforgiving. And the strength, the resilience to be who he is, to stand by it, and at the same time grow as a human being and forever respond to that word evolution … We all were evolving as a society and we’re evolving as people. And you think of then and now --- I’m hoping it’s getting a little better. I mean, it’s a broader spectrum around the world. Globally things are changing but the arc of this story, to me, was the strength in this family and this child. And love and the strength in Diana’s character and that family, and overcoming the obvious factor which is discrimination, race, and just pure, pure hatred. It exists and it has to be dealt with. And I think this movie, a big part of it is dealing with it and making a stand.

T: Well, the interesting thing is your character, Mark, seemed to, in his own mind, have his own issues of bias, and ended up contracting a disease that sort of forced him to deal with some of his own issues. Does that make sense?

L: Oh, as far as the Mark Corey’s character? Absolutely. But the irony in what I loved in the script, the irony was that this alpha male and this fighter was the one that ended up contracting this virus that was predominately, as we know, for gay people in those times, and they were judged. See, here we have this alpha male that, not only he has to deal with it, but the year was a great twist in the story and very powerful. And [he] definitely had faith and demons. And what’s nice is at the end, he succumbs --- I mean he grew as far as playing that character. It was interesting because in that one year he probably learned and grew more that he would have grown in a whole lifetime if he never contracted the virus.

T: I spend a lot of time traveling around talking to high school kids, and I guess I wonder, what you as an individual would say to a young person who faces bullying consistently in their daily lives? Do you have any thoughts or advice you might give to someone who’s in that position? Regardless of what they’re bullied for, I mean?

L: Wow. I’m not sure if I’m one to give advice, if it would be the right advice. I was bullied as a kid and that’s why I became a fighter. I started practicing martial arts. I think that’s what drives a lot of people to the martial arts. And innately what you learn is the power of thy self. It’s owning who you are and standing true to yourself. So bullying I mean, wow.

T: Well, what would have made things easier for you as a young person being bullied?

L: To be honest with you I, I love the film and that the film answers the question in my humble opinion. I hate to give advice because I’m not one to give advice but … What I love about the movie, and it answers the question as far as my humble opinion, is, he fought back. He fought back, made a stand and he created an identity for himself. And you know what, he was accepted once he embraced who he was. So I would say, embrace what you truly are and make a stand and be who you are and be proud of it. That would be my advice.

T: I think that’s wonderful. What would you want someone to leave with after they’ve watched “The Sensei?” Or what would you hope someone would have gained?

L: Well, what a journey “The Sensei” is. I guess [I hope viewers would have] gained a whole new avenue of thought in their mind, body and soul in regards to the world around them, and the way they treat people, and the discrimination that exists. And I believe in a collective conscience on this planet; maybe collectively we can make a change, and rid, let’s say, advanced societies of this pure low grade hatred. So I wasn’t being taken on a tremendous journey. I guess a little education. Knowledge is power, and obviously coming to understand what certain people go through when making a change in their lives.

T: Right. Well, as we wrap up, are there some things that you’re working on right now that you’re excited about?

L: Actually, yes. Quite a few things. I have my own little company and we made a handful of films last year that did wonderfully, and we have one airing on SyFy February 6^th which Ron actually worked on with me, Ron Balicki. And we have a couple of slated films for this year. And as far as my acting, God bless, I’m working in a volatile business and there’s a few nice jobs that are ready to be released and a couple more in the future.

T: That’s great. And Judy Shepard also wanted me to pass her thanks on to you. And if there’s anything that we can do here as an organization to support you or your work in the future, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

L: Thank you so very much, and I will not hesitate. I mean that. You guys are great. I love what you do and thanks for talking to me today. I look forward to maybe meeting you guys sometime soon with Diana.

T: I think that would be wonderful. Thank you so much, Louis, and have a blessed afternoon.

L: My pleasure. You too,k my friend. Have a blessed day.

T: Buh-bye.

L: Buh-bye.