Is it a social club or a burgeoning media collective?

The lines are blurred said Kalvin Nhan, co-founder of Kanata-based ONI entertainment group.

Like an independent movie studio, ONI members write scripts, audition actors and direct and shoot their own short films for YouTube, Facebook and MySpace. They also perform live martial arts, magic and breakdancing demonstrations.

Friendships just seem to blossom in the process, as members of the group – ranging in age from 17 to 19 – get together to express their creativity.

“It brings together a lot of people of different backgrounds,” said group member Ramses Shakur. “We’re getting major connections with everyone.”

Though ONI – pronounced like “only” without the L – is based out of A.Y. Jackson Secondary School, their connections aren’t limited to Kanata.

After eight months on YouTube, their first video got some serious international attention with 15,000 hits and music offers from a composer in Finland.

“People say things like ‘We’re surprised you came from Ottawa,’” said Nhan. “In Ottawa, there’s really not a lot of entertainment.”

ONI is like a youth group that helps young people come out of their shells, make new friends and "get stuff done,” said group member Kevin Hua.

“Before I was pretty shy,” said Hua. “It just makes me feel good about myself.”

The group helped transform Quoc-Viet Le-The, a founding member.

“I was that little, quiet Asian kid,” said Le-The, now outspoken and eager to share his growing experience. “Two years ago, I didn’t know anyone else. I just went to class and did my homework.”

“Of course, he still does his homework,” adds Nhan with a laugh.

Though technically there's usually no profit involved, the group makes it a point to give back to the community.

They recently held a dance benefit for the China Earthquake Relief Fund, raising about $2,000.

FALLEN BLOOD

Despite using all of their own equipment and working with no budget, ONI manages to pull off surprisingly professional videos using family camcorders and editing software.

“We’re all amateurs,” said Nhan, “but we draw on the talents of the group. We have so many people that are part of ONI.”

Dealing with themes of reincarnation, Fallen Blood, their biggest work to date, is an ongoing vampire/action series broken into 10-minute episodes for the web.

Formerly a martial arts “tricking group,” performing stunts and choreographed fights for live demonstrations, ONI brings this element to many of their films.

Though the ONI crew does everything from producing to acting in their digital shorts, they reached out to the Asian community to recruit actors during a February audition. People had such fun making the movies they have gone on to become dedicated members of the group, said Hua.

“Everyone just warms to us,” he said, adding that they now have more than 300 members in their collective.

ONI first brought their creative skills together in 2007 for the Canadian Youth Film Festival. The members had talent but their real motivation was the top prize of a Playstation 3 console.

ONI ended up winning the competition and then set their sights on bigger and better projects.

Though still making movies for fun and friendship, ONI shows signs of making the leap into serious commercial endeavours.

Nhan said the group has been hired to put together a karate video for a local martial arts studio. The opportunities for growth seem endless, said Nhan, whether its music videos, films or commercials.

To join the club, view videos, or pick up some merch, visit www.myspace.com/onininjas.