Brian Sterling-Vete

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Brian Sterling-Vete

Brian Sterling-Vete
Born (1958-08-22) 22 August 1958
Nationality British
Other names Brian Sterling
Brian Vete
Occupation Author
Motivational speaker, Filmmaker
TV presenter
Stage actor
Film actor
Television actor
Stunt performer
Entrepreneur
Known for Guinness World Record Holder
Award-Winning Film-Maker
Martial arts expert

Brian Sterling-Vete (aka Brian Sterling, Brian Vete) (born 22 August 1958) is an English author, Guinness World Record Holder, motivational speaker, Award-Winning Film-Maker[citation needed], TV presenter, stage, film and television actor, stunt performer, martial arts expert and entrepreneur.

Background

Brian Sterling-Vete was born in the Rusholme/Moss Side district of Manchester, England, son of Norman, an exporter and Ida, a restorer of historic costumes. He attended school at Heald Place County Primary and then Burnage High School before taking a 3 year degree at Manchester Polytechnic, now Manchester Metropolitan University.

During this time, Sterling worked in many areas at once, at Kendals (House of Fraser) on Deansgate, Manchester, as a demolition rigger, a nightclub bouncer, builder/plumber's mate, working for Liberty Life and Abbey Life, as a gym instructor, and eventually becoming the owner of a small chain of fitness studios.

Sterling found some success in drug-free bodybuilding during this period, competing in the National Amateur Body Building Association (NABBA) Junior Mr. North West,[1] Junior Mr. Britain and Mr. Britain contests and eventually winning the smaller but completely drug-free Mr. Olympic contest in 1980. He went on to set some very acceptable lifts as a drug-free power lifter and specialty strength athlete at 200 lbs bodyweight in 1980: Squat 665 lbs x 1 rep, Dead Lift 525 lbs x 1 rep, Bench Press 405 lbs x 1 rep, Seated Press Behind Neck 225 lbs x 1 rep.

Career

Martial arts

A holder of 3 Black Belts, his martial arts training started in Pak Mei Kung Fu at the age 12 and progressed over following decade to include Muay Thai, Aikido, Dim Mak, Yawara and Karate. Sterling was actually the first person to train Muay Thai under Masters Sken[2] and Toddy[3] after they befriended him as neighbours. Licensed first by the British Kung Fu Council[4] (later British Council for Chinese Martial Arts) and then by the British Karate Association (BKA),[5] he has studied, trained and taught martial arts all his life to date and after several features in Fighters Magazine[6] he began lecturing internationally on the subject. He was accepted by the World Karate and Kickboxing Organisation[7] as a National team coach Grade A and as International referee Class A.

In 2002 Sterling began adapting the skills, principles and strategies of the Martial Arts, Sun Tzu and the Shaolin masters which he had studied for 30 years at that point in time, into his own business and life training system of Mental Martial Arts.[8] Sterling delivers seminars as an inspirational and motivational speaker[9] in strategic planner. In 2003, Sterling was part of the United Nations team which met Abu Dhabi senior ministers regarding Solar Energy.[citation needed]

Wrestling

Sterling travelled to Iceland in 1985 to wrestle the then 1 time winner of the World's Strongest Man contest, Jón Páll Sigmarsson. This was to promote the production of Claire Luckham’s play, Trafford Tanzi by the Icelandic National Theatre. As a specialist strength coach Sterling later went on to help coach Jon Pall Sigmarsson for another 3 World’s Strongest Man wins.

Inspired by his new friend, the World’s Strongest Man, Jon Pall Sigmarsson, Sterling began setting and breaking World Records himself. Sterling's first World Record was set in 1987 in speed block breaking (105 regulation blocks in one minute). This was done to aid charity as part of the BBC’s Children in Need programme. That record stood for one year until it was beaten by Mac Gilmour the Scottish Karate Champion on the ITV programme You Bet! in 1988. This prompted him to then make another successful attempt at the same world record, again for the BBC’s Children in Need programme in 1989 (breaking 127 regulation blocks in one minute).

When working as an instructor in a gymnasium in Rochdale, England, he eventually struck a deal to buy the almost derelict club which he renovated into the Olympic Gym in 1980-81; Sterling operated until his first divorce in 1981 when it was lost in the process.

Film

Projects in collaboration with writer and producer Cliff Twemlow included: The Pike[10] starring Joan Collins,[11] Target Eve Island, Masons War,[10] The Ibiza Connection,[12] Harrising Moments,[13] The Blind Side of God, Ring of Steel, African Run,[10] The Omega Connection,[10] Predator: the Quietus[14] (aka Moonstalker), The Eye of Satan,[15] Tokyo Sunrise, Firestar, and Lethal Impact.[16] It was on the movie Predator the Quaith that Sterling met cinematographer David Tattersall (The Green Mile, Die Another Day, The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Phantom Menace', Con Air, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and the new Gulliver's Travels).

Sterling says this was a pivotal meeting for him and when he first took a deeper interest in direction and cinematography to learn the arts himself while taking advice from, and being inspired by his new friend and Emmy Award winning cinematographer.

After gaining membership to the professional actors union, British Actors Equity, Sterling went on to make many more on-screen appearances in the UK, Europe and in the US. Credits include: BBC TV’s That's Life!,[17] Coronation Street,[18][19] (Carl Chambers), Sterling doubled for Hollywood star Steve McQueen in a series of TV Commercials recreating the movie The Great Escape for Holsten Pils breweries, he again doubled as Ian Fleming’s 007 character, James Bond for Barratt Developments and made three appearances in Star Trek: The Next Generation by Paramount Pictures. As a TV presenter and TV News reporter, Sterling’s work included appearances on the BBC, ITV in the UK and internationally on Alpha TV in Greece, RTL TV Germany and Holland.[18]

Stuntman

With divorce came a significant career change to that of TV & Film Stunt Performer[20] when offered work on the projects of Mancunian author and film producer Cliff Twemlow.

In 1987 and 1988 Sterling also set new world records in fire stunts for part body burns with gasoline. The first successful world record attempt in 1987 was set at 2 minutes, 24 seconds and the second successful world record attempt in 1988, was for 2 minutes, 53 seconds. Both records were set at the Armalite (now Armatomic) research laboratory under the direction of Craig Mills, the inventor of the pre-burnt carbon fibre multi-layer stunt suit system. Seventeen years later in 2005 he captured a Guinness World Record [21] in plate spinning, making a personal total of 5 World Records to date.

Documentary filmmaker

In 1988 Sterling formed the MajorVision organisation and began pioneering specialist documentary films. His total works in this area amount to 58 verifiable independent film productions, including the merited Porsche Cars 50th Anniversary documentary, The Power to Win, Fitness on the Move, The Ultimate Self Defence and the award winning Giants of Steam.[22]

As a broadcaster and presenter, Sterling produced programmes and news for Discovery TV, CNN, ITN and the BBC front line news for 15 years. Sterling was part of the team winning 4 Royal Television Society awards in the process, performing interviews with US President Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the G-8 Summit meeting in 1988. Sterling introduced the concept of Steadicam to the directors of Formula 1 motor racing TV coverage and he also performed the Pit Lane interviews in 1998/9 for FOCA TV. Sterling was the director/camera operator (Rick Bayles – producer) for the team that received the Creative Excellence award for best documentary at the US Film and TV Festival in Chicago 2001 for the documentary "Millennium Bridge." Sterling and MajorVision covered two war zones, Desert Storm in 1991 and Bosnia in 1995; then in 2001 the Oldham race-religion riots in the UK for the BBC News.

As a producer of coaching and instructional films, Sterling produced: Pro Boxing Heavy Bag Drills,[23] Thai Bag Drills,[24] Focus Pad Drills,[25] Swiss-Ball Drills [26] and Medicine Ball Drills [27] all through the UK’s National Coaching Foundation’s publications division, Coachwise-1st 4Sport, these follow on from Sterling’s production of the Dictionary of Weight Training in 1991 for the same organisation.

Sterling's MajorVision organisation expanded into cellular telecom between 1995–2000, contracting with Brightpoint [28] Europe, Middle East and Asia.

In 2003, Sterling led the marine dive-salvage team to lift the Baltic Trading ship The Glaciere [29] from the bottom of Liverpool bay. The ship's new home is in the Albert Dock moored outside the World famous Tate Gallery. The ship’s owner, Captain Dave Murray generously donated the ship for use as a sail and dive training vessel for charity, benefiting under privileged children.

Documentary productions
  • Freedom Denmark 1990 [30]
  • Summer in Holland (1992) (V) [31]
  • The Power to Win 1992
  • Fitness on the Move 1992 [32]
  • The Ultimate Self Defence 1993 [33]
  • Fitness over Forty 1993 [34]
  • The Giants of Steam 1994 [35]
  • Porsche 50th Anniversary Documentary 1998 [36]
  • Manchester Storm Episode 1 1999 [37]
  • Millennium Bridge 2001 [38]
  • Manchester Storm Episode 2 2002 [39]
  • Advantage TV 2007
  • The Rough Guide to Athens 2007 [40]

Business

In business Sterling partnered Perry Hughes (Roots Music Group), manager to opera star Jon Christos, contemporary jazz singer and songwriter Rick Guard and former manager to opera star Russell Watson). Sterling operates MajorVision International, a provider of specialist international TV and news services.[41] He is also still heavily involved with international cellular telecom and with global news media hubs between the UK, USA, Poland, Belarus, Latin America, Delhi, Beijing and Brisbane.

Consultant

From 1985 to 1989 Sterling was consultant to British vitamin and food supplement manufacturers, Healthilife and to produce their Super-Bodypower range of food supplements, they were later the sponsorship owners of the NABBA Mr and Miss Universe contests for that period.

In 2006 Sterling acquired Record Breakers company, the name was more commonly associated with a commercial TV show about World Records. In 2005, this 25 year old organisation was turned into a non-profit, Registered International Fund Raising organisation for multiple Charities.

Author

Sterling completed his book Mental Martial Arts, released in 2010,[42] the work took him 7 years to compile and complete and when interviewed he is quoted as saying that it also took him 41 years to research, the whole time he has been studying the martial arts to date.

Recognition

Sterling was honoured as one of the pioneers of British Video and Digital Cinematography in the 2005 book by Julian Granger of the British Film Institute.[43] Sterling’s work was again honoured at the Manchester and Salford Film Festival in 2009 and 2010[44] and in the book The Lost World of Cliff Twemlow: The King of Manchester Exploitation Movies[45] by C.P. Lee[46] and Andy Willis[47] (as featured in the Manchester Evening News.[48] Sterling was part of the pioneering movie making team led by Twemlow from the late 70’s through the 80’s and into the 90’s. This 3 decade era was dubbed in the book as being ‘The Golden Age of Video Cinematography’ in Britain. Sterling was awarded an honorary title as a Knight Templar for his charitable works through the years - this is not to be confused with knighthoods conferred by the British Monarch. The order of the Knights Templar is an ancient military order dating back to the 12th century[citation needed]. The order is noted for its dedication serving and helping others in need through charitable endeavours. The hit movie The DaVinci Code brought the order back into the public eye.

Acting Roles

Filmography

As actor

As stuntman

Theater

  • Yankee Doodle Dandy - George M. Cohan (M/C Polytechnic Theatre)
  • The Silver Box – Jeremiah (M/C Polytechnic Theatre)
  • Trafford Tanzi - Stunt Choreographer & Fight Director (Icelandic National Theatre)
  • Aladdin 1995 and 1996 - Chinese Police Chief Ping (Albert Halls)
  • Dick Whittington 1997,1998 and 1999 - King Rat (Albert Halls)
  • Spring and Port Wine 1998 - Arthur Gasket (Healds Green-Room Production and Theatre)
  • Blithe Spirit 1999 - Mr Condemine (Healds Green-Room Production and Theatre)
  • Hobson’s Choice 1999 - William Mossop (Healds Green-Room Production and Theatre)

References

  1. ↑ "National Amateur Body Building Association". National Amateur Body Building Association. Retrieved 29 March 2010. 
  2. ↑ "Master Sken". Retrieved 29 March 2010. 
  3. ↑ "Master Toddy". Retrieved 29 March 2010. 
  4. ↑ "British Kung Fu Council". Retrieved 29 March 2010. 
  5. ↑ "British Karate Association". British Karate Association. Retrieved 29 March 2010. 
  6. ↑ "Fighters Magazine". Fighters Magazine. Retrieved 29 March 2010. 
  7. ↑ "World Karate and Kickboxing Organisation". World Karate and Kickboxing Organisation. Retrieved 29 March 2010. 
  8. ↑ "Mental Martial Arts". Mental Martial Arts. Retrieved 29 March 2010. 
  9. ↑ Beale, Robert (13 August 2007). "Brian packs commercial punch". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 30 March 2010. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 "The Pike". jeet-kune-do.info. Retrieved 30 March 2010. 
  11. ↑ Sterling-Vete, Brian (1983). "G.B.H". I.R Productions. 
  12. ↑ Kent-Watson, David; Twemlow, Cliff (1984). "The Ibiza Connection". Skyzo. 
  13. ↑ "Harrising Moments". British Film Institute. Retrieved 30 March 2010. 
  14. ↑ "Predator the Quaith". MGM. Retrieved 30 March 2010. 
  15. ↑ Kent-Watson, David; Twemlow, Cliff (February 21, 1992). "Eye of Satan". International Communications. 
  16. ↑ Kent-Watson, David; Twemlow, Cliff (1991). "Lethal Impact". City Major Films. 
  17. ↑ Sterling-Vete, Brian (1987). "Naming the Names". Screen Two. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Sterling-Vete, Brian (1988). "Coronation Street". ITV Studios. 
  19. ↑ Sterling-Vete, Brian (1988). "Wipe Out". Granada Television. 
  20. ↑ "Brian Sterling". IMDb.com The Internet Movie Database, an Amazon Company. 
  21. ↑ Sterling-Vete, Brian (2005). "Mental Martial Arts & Sir Brian Sterling-Vete Sets New Guinness World Record". Guinness World Records. 
  22. ↑ Sterling-Vete, Brian (1994). "Giants of Steam". Artsmagic. 
  23. ↑ "Pro Boxing Heavy Bag Drills". Sports Health USA. Retrieved 21 January 2012. 
  24. ↑ "Thai Bag Drills". Sports Health USA. Retrieved 21 January 2012. 
  25. ↑ "Focus Pad Drills". Sports Health USA. Retrieved 21 January 2012. 
  26. ↑ "Swiss-Ball Exercises". Sports Health USA. Retrieved 21 January 2012. 
  27. ↑ "Medicine Ball Drills". Sports Health USA. Retrieved 21 January 2012. 
  28. ↑ "Brightpoint Cellular Corporate". MajorVision. Retrieved 21 January 2012. 
  29. ↑ "Lifting the Baltic Trading ship The Glaciere". 2003. 
  30. ↑ "Freedom Denmark". Heritage Video. 1990. 
  31. ↑ "Summer in Holland". Heritage Video. 1992. 
  32. ↑ "Fitness on the Move". 1992. 
  33. ↑ "The Ultimate Self Defense". 1993. 
  34. ↑ "Fitness over 40". 1993. 
  35. ↑ "Giants of Steam". MajorVision International. 1994. 
  36. ↑ "Porsche 50th Anniversary Official Documentary". 1998. 
  37. ↑ "Manchester Storm Episode 1". 1999. 
  38. ↑ "Millennium Bridge". 2001. 
  39. ↑ "Manchester Storm Episode 2". 2002. 
  40. ↑ "The Rough Guide to Athens". 2007. 
  41. ↑ "MajorVision Video Portal". MajorVision International. Retrieved 21 January 2011. 
  42. ↑ Sterling-Vete, Brian (2010). Mental Martial Arts. MajorVision International. ISBN 978-1-907613-02-9. 
  43. ↑ "British Film Institute". British Film Institute. Retrieved 30 March 2010. 
  44. ↑ "Manchester and Salford Film Festival". Manchester and Salford Film Festival. Retrieved 30 March 2010. 
  45. ↑ CP Lee; Andy Willis (October 2009). The Lost World of CLIFF TWEMLOW: The King of Manchester Exploitation Movies. Hotun Press. ISBN 978-0-9556257-1-8. Retrieved 29 March 2010. 
  46. ↑ "C.P. Lee". salford.ac.uk. Retrieved 30 March 2010. 
  47. ↑ "Andy Willis". salford.ac.uk. Retrieved 30 March 2010. 
  48. ↑ Donohue, Simon (19 November 2009). "The last action hero of Eccles". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 30 March 2010. 

External links

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