George Pogacich - bringing Systema to the big screen
by Hope Crenshaw
 Have you ever had a preconceived notion of how someone was going to look or behave prior to meeting them, and then discover they are completely different than you expected? Meet George Pogacich. I was told he was a master in the Russian martial art Systema, so in my mind I pictured a Russian version of Mr. Miagi - just a little taller. Well George is a lot taller, and he looks more likely to jump off the page of a Russian romance novel than like the first American ever certified in the KGB fighting style or inducted into the Russian Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
This obviously works in his favor as an actor and stunt man. George’s recent gigs include being a stunt man in Game of Death with Wesley Snipes, acting in Guns, Drugs and Dirty Money with Eric Roberts, and a fight choreographer and fighter in Full Blast with the late David Carridine. Wesley Snipes’ Michigan made Game of Death is the first feature film to showcase Systema!
Systema is Russia’s ancient martial arts system that is based on physical and psychic energy. Each level in Systema is interrelated with the other and you can’t have one without the other. The first level is biomechanical human ability - the ability to move. Watching George in the middle of a group of people trying to attack him, it barely looks as if he is exerting any energy at all. His movement is so subtle and fluid, it is almost an optical illusion. In Systema, the fighter appears not to be trying because when relaxed, it is easier to avoid being hit. This illusion keeps opponents off balance, and provides a subtle control that isn’t perceived by their conscious minds. In George’s action sequences, adversaries appear like pesky little flys swatted away with the flick of his hand.
The second level in Systema involves the manipulation of the opponent through psychological methods. The subconscious mind is looking to find physical support in the adversaries’ physical movements. The brain works with anticipation. For example, when you pick up a fork, your mouth opens. When you can’t anticipate attack, you can’t defend against it, and you also lose your own ability to attack.
The third level of Systema is psychic energy. Each person exudes a psychic electrical charge. Larger, healthier, and stronger people, produce higher energy output according to Systema. So the saying is true. The bigger they are, the harder they fall! Confidence and patience are very important ingredients for psychic energy. I wonder if this would help me with my ADD? I have the confidence thing down, but I need to work on the patience. George could probably sit for hours, waiting for that fly to come by so he could grab it with his chopsticks. Oh, wait, that was Mr. Miagi!
George and the ancient Russian martial art Systema, are providing a “new” form of martial arts to the big screen, originating right here in Michigan. Wesley Snipes’ Game of Death, is just the first to feature this esoteric art in a feature film. George is now working on a gritty, crime drama about human trafficking, featuring an unnamed, internationally known Asian martial arts expert. Better get your chop sticks out Mr. M... I mean George. It looks like you might need them!
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