Tamas Nadas On Acting in and Producing His New Movie Millennium Bugs

The 411 Interview: Tamas Nadas

Tamas Nadas is a world champion martial artist, police detective (in Albuquerque, New Mexico), actor, producer, stunt performer, and director who has been in the movie business for a little over a decade. Originally from Budapest, Hungary, Tamas has lived in the United States since 2000 and has worked on movies like The Last Sentinel, Battle Planet, and Running from WISHconsin, among others (check out his imdb page here). Tamas’s latest production is the late 1990’s set Millennium Bugs, written and directed by Alejandro Montoya Marin. In this interview, Tamas speaks with this writer about how he got involved in Millennium Bugs, working with director Alejandro Montoya Marin, and more.

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Bryan Kristopowitz: How did you get involved with Millennium Bugs? How did you know you wanted it to be your next movie as a producer?

Tamas Nadas: Alejandro and I, we both, live in Albuquerque, and we both heard of each other before. We started talking about projects a while back, and we have been trying to put something great together. It is kind of funny, he knows I am more of an action movie person, but he wanted me to read Millennium Bugs. After reading it, I, immediately, fell in love with the script and story. This was our first project together, and I can say it wasn’t the last one.

BK: What sort of movie is Millennium Bugs? Is it a comedy? A drama? Both?

TN: Looking for a nostalgia trip? The coming of age dramedy Millennium Bugs, set in last days of 1999, tackles issues such as alcoholism, family troubles, and the potential end of the world… In that sense, everyone can relate to the storyline. Every single person, in their lifetime, struggled with something similar.

BK: Where was Millennium Bugs made?

TN: The movie was mainly filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico. However, we filmed several scenes in Austin, TX as well.

BK: How long did it take to make Millennium Bugs, from having a complete screenplay to completing post-production?

TN: Alejandro completed the screenplay fairly quick. Pre-production took us approximately a month, and we filmed everything in 17 days. As of right now, we are about 50 to 60 percent into post-production.

BK: Describe your working relationship with director Alejandro Montoya Marin. How did you come to work with him?

TN: We work together really well. There were some stressful situations, but he knew how to handle his side of the problem and I knew how to handle mine. Alejandro is an amazingly talented writer and director. I mean, Robert Rodriguez would not mentor someone without talent.
We started Millennium Bugs as a “testing the water” project. By the time we were half way into pre-production, we knew we had the same goals. Our personalities matched because of the drive and hunger for success.

BK: Besides producing, you are also acting in Millennium Bugs, playing a character named Squinty. What sort of character is Squinty?

TN: Yes, Squinty is a bartender who can only use one hand because of a recent surgery. It is a clumsy character that will make you laugh. Originally, I was going to play a regular bartender, but due to a work injury, I had to have surgery, and Alejandro had to re-write the script of which made the movie even funnier.

BK: How did you balance your acting duties and producing duties?

TN: My role was just a cameo. It wasn’t big, and I was in front of the camera for only 2 days. I mainly produced the movie, so acting in it didn’t interfere at all with my producing duties.

BK: When can we expect to see Millennium Bugs? What sort of release do you expect it to get?

TN: It always depends on the distribution deal. Alejandro has been going to Los Angeles every other week because companies are very interested in the movie already. Once post-production is completed, then we’ll start shopping it around. But, before we do that, we will enter the movie to the major film festivals. The trailer is ready and it is amazing!

BK: What’s the status of The Martial Arts Kid 2: Payback?

TN: I am not exactly sure in what stage this movie is in. However, I cannot wait to be on screen with Don “The Dragon” Wilson and Cynthia Rothrock.

BK: What was your favorite part, if any, of the transition from the 1990’s to the 2000’s?

TN: I spent my 90’s in Budapest, Hungary; and I loved every part of it. I always wanted to become an actor in the US, so in 2000 I moved here. I never had any legal problems because I got the citizenship due to being a Karate European and World Champion.

I love challenges, so the favorite part was to completely change my life around, and live through the new opportunities the United States gave me.

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A very special thanks to Tamas Nadas for agreeing to participate in this interview and to david j. moore for setting it up.

Check out the official Millennium Bugs website here.

Check out the official Millennium Bugs Instagram page here.

Check out the official website of Tamas Nadas here.

All images courtesy of Tamas Nadas.