Tag Archives: Karate Girl’s Coach

May92014

Posted in F4YL Crew

Gary Merlo – casting associate / location scout

Garly Merlo passionately believes that tae kwon do has impacted his life in a very positive manner.  He has been training in martial arts since the age of 15, tallying up 12 years of experience as a head instructor and earning his Seventh Degree Black Belt along the way.

Upon moving to Folsom, CA Gary’s dream was to be a strong, positive influence in the community through martial arts instruction.  He considers himself to be a very family oriented person and feels fortunate to live in a family-driven community.  Gary says,

 

“I look forward to the challenge of making a difference.  Through martial arts instruction, I have witnessed children and adults reach far beyond what they believed to be their full potential.”

 

He continues,

 

“I believe the practice of martial arts, the discipline and training, develops the necessary life skills to succeed no matter what the student’s goals are.”

 

Gary has had the privilege of teaching in the Bay Area as well, and those students have now grown to become doctors, teachers, engineers and actors.  But more importantly he has tried to instill in all of his students a strong sense of family values and respect for those values.  His goal is to create an environment in which children and adults not only learn the disciplines of tae kwon do, but also learn a great deal about themselves.

This is apparent when you spend some time with Gary at his school West Coast Martial Arts, in El Dorado Hills, CA.  The relationships he has with his students, their families, his colleagues and everyone he meets are ones of welcoming and respectful natures.  It’s easy to see how he has become so successful, and his students the same.

The one studios crew has received the same treatment from Gary and his establishment.  With his cooperation we have filmed scenes at his West Coast Martial Arts for both the Fight 4 Your Life short (2012) and feature length films.   Gary has also aided us in casting and further location scouting.  Thank you for everything Gary.  Your knowledge, support and kindness are appreciated beyond words.  You’re the best!

For more info on Gary and his school, please visit www.westcoastkickinit.com.  Gary can also be found on Facebook!

 

– The one studios crew

 

 

Mar292015

Posted in F4YL Cast

Marc Gardner

Marc grew up in Northern California but has been fortunate enough to have also lived in a variety of other locations, including Los Angeles, Utah and Argentina.  His acting background is made up of many years of experience being on the set, constantly staying active in the field.  Marc has been a part of variety of projects from Hollywood feature films to indie features and shorts, commercials, television productions, industrial shoots and web based projects.

In addition to his time on screen, Marc also provides his talents behind the camera, having played key crew roles in award winning works.  He is a true filmmaker at heart, not simply an actor.  And it’s good to note he has ample experience as a fight coordinator as well.

Mr. Gardner has been performing since elementary school and has been blessed enough to have traveled all over the world to perform as a singer, dancer and actor.  Complementing his goals as an aspiring actor and vocal artist,  Marc has become a well rounded human being.  He spends his days serving as a proud father of five, a personal safety advocate, a self defense trainer and a martial artist, having earned multiple black belts.

Be sure to keep up with Marc’s adventures at MarcGardner.net.  He is also a heavily active with several Facebook groups, posting daily film advice and helpful articles for filmmakers and talent.  Marc’s recent short film The Within has been screened at multiple film festivals around the country and he is currently pursuing turning this project into an ongoing web series.  F4YL creator Bryan Bachar was lucky enough to have had a small role in The Within short and can vouch for its awesomeness.  For more on The Within and other projects of Marc’s, check out Ring22Entertainment.com or The Within Facebook page.

We’re thankful to have Marc aboard Fight 4 Your Life.  A long time supporter, he’s been with us since the F4YL short film in 2012.  And now it’s a family affair, as Marc’s daughter Kaitlyn is also a part of this feature length, large scale production, playing the part of the Karate Girl, aka Cris.  Marc wasn’t able to reprise the same roles he had in the original F4YL short.  But he appropriately enough plays the Karate Girl’s Sensei in the feature.

Thanks again for all your hard work, support, team minded efforts and dedication Marc!

 

Marc Gardner’s Contact and Info:

(916) 204-6272  phone

MarcGardner.net  personal site

Ring22Entertainment.com  company site

Marc on IMDb

 

– The one studios crew