Exclusive Interview: Bear Frazer

The Bam Theory is the best MMA movie you’ve never seen. And not because it hasn’t hit theaters yet.

Writer/director Bear Frazer is bringing to the screen a story about the human condition, set against the backdrop of superhuman athleticism, courage, and bravado, and it is this dichotomy, he believes, that will set The Bam Theory apart from other recent films with armbars and little gloves.

“I really don’t feel like there is an original, creative story out there,” the Garden City High School graduate told Long Island Fights. “A lot of it, to me, seems like Bloodsport - which was an awesome movie - but a lot of these movies recycle that. It’s like, ‘I’m going to win the tournament, get the five million, get the girl, f- her, and then f- the mob over.’ Why do we keep have to falling into this trap? 

“MMA is not illegal; it’s sanctioned – but not in all states unfortunately. It’s not like MMA is this taboo entity. It’s a real sport, and I want to show it in a positive light. There are a lot of different personalities, and I wanted to bring out a character who had a different personality.”

And that character is Bam Thomas, the film’s easy to root for protagonist, played by Matt Coleman (pictured below, left). Bam is a student at NYU training for his MMA debut; he has a great family and a great girlfriend, but everything changes when Bam’s father takes his own life.

“His girl leaves him; he has to work a dead-end job to help his mom pay the mortgage. It’s a heartbreaking story. It’s something real. He’s looking to MMA as a future career; it’s not about making all this crazy money and doing illegal shit. And that’s what I think is missing from MMA movies: the humanity element.”

But make no mistake about it: Bear Frazer loves his fights as much as the next guy. In fact, before conceiving The Bam Theory, he was (and still is) a regular contributor to FIGHT! Magazine.

“I’ve turned town pussy just to watch fights,” Bear told me, with equal parts pride and embarrassment.

Still, he’s a thinking man’s fight fan, a talented screenwriter who has studied at the New York Film Academy. He can step back as a MMA journalist and laugh as some of the sport’s die-hard fan base froths at the goddamn mouth over a Sherdog.net thread. He appreciates the cool vibe of a tight-knit, local MMA fan base, so much so that watching a UFC pay-per-view event one night at Buffalo Wild Wings in Virginia inspired him to set The Bam Theory in that same small town.

The Bam Theory tells the story of real people and has been inspired by a real community. Yes, asses are kicked in Bear’s movie, but Bam Thomas’s toughest fights take place outside the cage walls.

Today, Bear is looking to take what is a 14-min extended trailer to the next level. He’s been shopping his labor of love to possible financial backers and potential producers, hoping to sell it or develop it into a full-length feature production.

“The bottom line at the end of the day is to get it to the theater,” he says like a proud papa. “I have this incredible belief and confidence that the job will get done, and if I didn’t feel that way, I wouldn’t be doing this. I know the best is yet to come, and I truly believe that.” 

 (Bear Frazer gettin it done.)

Lightning Round with Bear Frazer:

If you could have anyone playing Bam, who would it be?

Oh man. Good question. I honestly think it would be an unknown actor.

Who should play you, should someone make a movie about you?

You’re really stumping me now. Well, what actors look like me? Wow. Definitely not Andy Samberg. I’ll say Taylor Lautner.

Who should play your love interest?

Oh, Jessica Beil.

Who is the most unattractive fighter in MMA?

Hmm. That’s a tough one.

No it’s not. Bigfoot Silva is the correct answer. Let’s move on.

What is your iPod’s guiltiest pleasure?

Rent soundtrack. I like that fucking soundtrack; I know it’s cheesy. Or BBMak. And also Enrique Eglesias. John Secada. I’ll tell you what my ring tone is: “Rock DJ,” by Robbie Williams. That’s a guilty pleasure and my favorite song ever. I don’t care what anybody says.

Whom should Jon Jones fight next?

Chael Sonnen. I mean, he’s the middleweright champ. Anderson’s just the paper champ. If not Chael, then Anderson.

You go home to Long Island. No one’s home to cook for you. You’re hungry. The first place you go is ___.

Silver Star Diner (Franklin Square) or Mama Teresa’s (Mineola)

The absolute tattoo no-no:

The face, unless you’re ugly.

Finally, if you were a Care Bear, which would you be?

These are the toughest questions, the Lighting Round. I’d probably have to be Crazy Bear. I’m kind of crazy with my thoughts. I’m, like, Stephen Colbert crazy.

Check out more from Bear Frazer at Red Bull, The Bam Theory, and Fight! Magazine.