#48 Balconies, Breakouts, and Arm Wrestling Trophies with Pete O'Hanlon (Part 3)

The Imposter Podcast AU

In this episode of The Imposter Podcast AU, Burso and Fitzy bring on their guest, Pete O'Hanlon, for an action-packed and hilarious conversation that dives into the unpredictable world of indie filmmaking and competitive arm wrestling. Along the way, the trio discusses everything from behind-the-scenes chaos on film sets to breaking into the world of professional arm wrestling.

What happens when an explosion rocks a Brisbane apartment complex? That’s one of the key moments Pete recounts from his experience working on the indie film Kane, which was shot in just two weeks. Pete describes the mayhem that ensued when a massive balcony explosion, orchestrated for a scene in the movie, sent ashes and pyrotechnics raining down on neighboring buildings. With firefighters and police showing up, people mistook the blast for a real terrorist attack! The podcast gives listeners a taste of the intense, no-budget world of indie films and the improvisation required to make the project a success. It’s a wild ride full of unplanned moments and tense confrontations with furious neighbors.

Pete also shares what it’s like to move from being a military extra to a cast member in films. He reveals the highs of working with big names like Tom Hanks and Baz Luhrmann, to the occasional ego-clash on set. How do you go from being an extra to sharing the screen with Hollywood stars? The answer lies in persistence, a bit of luck, and knowing the right people. Pete breaks down the networking aspect of the industry, explaining how important it is to be reliable and professional—traits that helped him move from the background to cast roles.

In a surprising twist, Pete switches gears to talk about his passion for competitive arm wrestling. As the 7th-ranked arm wrestler in Australia, Pete has some battle-hardened stories to share. How does one transition from the battlefield to the arm-wrestling table? Pete credits a combination of military grit and a desire for new challenges. He talks about the highly strategic nature of the sport, which is more technical than the average pub arm-wrestle. He also delves into the ups and downs of the competition circuit, including the taxing wait times and the brutal reality of facing a top-ranked opponent right out of the gate.

Listeners will also enjoy Pete’s anecdotes about the arm-wrestling community, including the camaraderie that exists in a sport where breaking bones isn’t unheard of. What does it take to compete in a sport where one wrong move could leave you with a broken arm? Pete explains the importance of technique and the sense of adrenaline that keeps him coming back.

Anecdotes to look forward to:

• Pete’s wild story of having his apartment blown up for a movie scene.
• Shaun Barry’s cameo in every film he’s part of, channeling his inner Stan Lee.
• The thrill of having your name on a trailer for the first time—and working with Tom Hanks!
• A behind-the-scenes look at arm wrestling, including why chalk is key and what goes into a regulation table match.

From explosions to arm wrestling, this episode

Matty Morris of https://www.zerolimitspodcast.com/ helps us out with a banger of a tune. If you want to hear about some real intense moments from Veterans and First Responders. Check out Zero Limits Podcast.

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1. Movie Roles and Producing Experiences (00:00:00)

2. Stories of Military Experiences (00:05:42)

3. Publishing Fictional War Story Options (00:15:45)

4. Navigating the Entertainment Industry (00:19:52)

5. Acting Industry Realities and Opportunities (00:29:26)

6. Navigating the Acting Industry Ranking (00:39:52)

7. Making a Movie on a Budget (00:47:29)

8. Competitive Arm Wrestling in Australia (00:58:24)

9. Obscure Sports and Entertainment Conversations (01:05:35)

10. Extreme Arm Wrestling Stories (01:12:52)