Tag Archives: Tony “The Tiger” Lopez

Oct42013

Posted in F4YL Announcements • F4YL News & Announcements

F4YL Update – 10.3.13

Hello everyone!  Hope you’re fighting that good fight.  We’ve got a lot in store for the upcoming month.  October promises to be a good one.

We’ve all been working hard in preparation to pick shooting back up in the coming weeks…..and we’re very excited, and thankful, for that.  We can’t wait to get ‘er done!  We’ve also been working on the first official teaser trailer for Fight 4 Your Life, which is right around the corner.  You better keep your eyes peeled.

Upon the launch of the teaser we’ll also be relaunching our Kickstarter campaign.  We really need everyone’s help this time around to make sure it’s successful.  So, tell your friends, family, rich boss or whoever you feel like.  The more eyes and ears we reach the better our chances!

This is just the calm before the storm everyone.  Thank you for your continued support of Fight 4 Your Life.  FIGHT!

 

– The one studios Crew

 

 

Aug72013

Posted in F4YL News & Announcements • F4YL Production Happenings

F4YL Going Strong! Need Dojo or Lobby Type Location

Fight 4 Your Life has now been filming for the better part of 4 weeks.  And we’re still going strong!  We had an excellent shoot on Sunday, August 4th in Roseville, CA.  Below is a still from some of the awesome footage that was captured.

 

Teen Fleet & his Opponent size each other up

Teen Fleet & his Opponent size each other up

 

We currently are searching for one of the following location types to film an important scene in the film within the next 1-2 weeks preferably:

  • Lobby able to be viewed from outside due to large open window.
  • Karate or Martial Arts type dojo with large open window allowing someone outside to watch what’s going on inside.

Either of these locations should be in more urban parts of town.  So, think city streets or older parts of town, including neighborhoods.  Let us know what you got!  Understand that most of this scene will be filmed from the outside looking in.  So, very little will be needed in the way of taking up the time of the location owner.  Please contact us for more details.  Hopefully, we can collaborate!  Thanks for your time.

 

– The one studios crew

Aug52013

Posted in F4YL Cast

Tony “The Tiger” Lopez

3x World Champion Tony “The Tiger” Lopez is a name many people know when it comes to boxing.  A Sacramento native, Tony had a stellar professional boxing career, having had the kind of success all boxers strive for.  Out of the ring, Tony has continued to serve as an example of leadership and professionalism, owning and operating his own business for over a decade now.  Not unlike the character of Tony in F4YL, Tony acts as a role model and community leader.  He has played a key role in Fight 4 Your Life’s success so far, aiding our cast and crew throughout the production process.

 

“When Tony came in to audition, I have to admit, I didn’t know who the hell he was.  I love boxing, but I’m not going to lie and say I follow it closely, although I can definitely see myself doing so more after this production.  All I knew is he was a former boxer who had some acting experience.  It was a funny circumstance really, because I had created the character of Tony “The Tiger” Mercado long before I even met Tony.  So, when he came to the audition and I learned of his name and nickname, I cracked up.  Then, when I saw the personality he possessed, I soon realized it was meant to be.  He was perfect for the role.  He was Tony “The Tiger” Mercado.  

Tony has been a savior when it comes to this production.  Constantly helping the cause, he has spent time training our actors, choreographing fight sequences and pulling strings to get us key locations.  Not only is Tony a huge factor in the success of this film so far, he is also just a good dude.  I am nothing but happy to know him.  Like so many other persons I’ve gotten to know through this process, I look forward to having Tony not only as a colleague, but as a genuine friend, for the years to come.“

– Bryan Bachar    Director

 

Taking on the biggest role of his acting career, Tony is elated to be a part of Fight 4 Your Life.  The hours he has put into this project are enormous.  And he knows it will all be worth it in the end.  His professionalism and dedication are highly appreciated.

For more on Tony’s boxing career, Google him!  HERE is a good place to start though.  To visit his bail bonds business website, please go HERE.

 

– The one studios crew

 

Aug12013

Posted in F4YL Character Descriptions

Fleet Blackwood

F4YL - Fleet

Fleet Blackwood

Fleet Blackwood is a humble, yet determined and energetic boxer eager to make something of himself in and out of the ring.  But his path hasn’t been easy.  Often seen as the underdog throughout his life, Fleet comes from a single parent family, raised by his mother, his father having left the picture many years ago.  Much of his childhood was plagued with struggles for both him and his mom.  Fortunately, Ahiga Montejo found Fleet at a young age and was able to set him on a straight road with the help of his good friend Tony “The Tiger” Mercado.

Both Ahiga and Tony have used boxing as a means to lead and push Fleet.  But the relationships Fleet has formed with his two coaches far exceed sport.  Both men have become like family to him, with Tony being like his crazy uncle.  As for Ahiga…well, the bond Fleet shares with Ahiga has formed even deeper, with Fleet viewing Ahiga as a true father figure in his life.  He owes so much to these men.  And he has vowed to make them proud by winning the belt from his longtime rival, Hanson Hansome Kelly.

Despite the internal and external battles Fleet has faced along his life’s journey, always feeling as if something was missing and always searching for something he is yet to find, he’s always maintained a good heart.  Ahiga recognized his light from their very first meeting, seeing a strong spirit in the boy.  It’s Fleet’s heart and spirit which have allowed him to grow into the intelligent and powerfully willed man he is today, well respected by his home town and well revered by the boxing community.  But on this night of nights, his character will truly be tested, along with his diligence and hard-earned skill.

To truly comprehend the challenges that await him, as well as those that have fought with him his entire life, Fleet must finally understand not only the teachings Ahiga has gifted him with, but also himself.  Before he can prevail, he must realize what he’s truly fighting for.  Only then may he rise….

 

 

Aug12013

Posted in F4YL Character Descriptions

Ahiga Montejo

Ahiga Montejo

Ahiga Montejo

Ahiga Montejo was a prodigy boxer that rose quickly in the world boxing rankings, becoming a champion at a very young age.  However, for reasons unclear, he unexpectedly left the game.  He was nowhere near his peak and rumors ran rampant as to why he suddenly disappeared.  Much of what happened to Ahiga during a span of years directly after his disappearance is still unclear, even to the few people he has kept in touch with.

It wasn’t until after his unknown years Ahiga ran across a young Fleet Blackwood, eventually deciding to take Fleet under his wing and train the boy along side his good friend Tony.  Tony and Ahiga have been amigos since they were teens, with Tony being one of the few people Ahiga has remained “unhidden” from since his disappearance from boxing, and the world in general, all that time ago.  It is Tony’s hope that Fleet will be the light to bring Ahiga back from the shadows, into the world once more.  He feels Ahiga has so much to give, so much knowledge to spread.  And Tony wants nothing more than to see his lifelong friend defeat his inner demons and be the man he once was and still views him to be.

Although he can be long winded at times, Ahiga’s philosophical ways have been deeply affective on Fleet.  In fact, Fleet himself doubts if anyone else could have gotten him where he is today.  What Ahiga calls his 9 Principles of Life have been the foundation of his teachings throughout his time as Fleet’s mentor.  These Principles are his way of connecting life with boxing and everything in between.

Much of Ahiga’s philosophy comes from his Native American heritage, which he holds dear.  His past has much sorrow, as does that of his ancestors and their fate.  But it is Ahiga’s personal belief of the incorporation of the now which allows him to push past his short comings and the tragic history of his kin.  He believes in a balance of the old ways with the new.  But he also recognizes how often the old ways are ignored, with the new ways dominating and clouding people’s minds.  Ahiga sees that a connection between new and old ways will always be present.  Therefore, there always must be balance, for no one way is totally right and each way is dependent on the other.  Each way is important.  This balance is the same for all things in life.

Despite Ahiga’s beliefs, he remains in inner turmoil to find his own balance.  Lucky for him his philosophical characteristics share space with quite a cooky sense of humor, which helps the old spirit cling to optimism, always seeing the best in any situation.  Hopefully Ahiga will one day find his peace.

But on this evening of events it is what Ahiga has taught his pupil that truly matters.  What Fleet has learned and incorporated into himself from Ahiga’s Principles will come to be of great importance on this peculiar night in which the young man must test his might against a plethora of challenges.  And with Fleet’s obstacles too comes an ultimate test for Ahiga’s teachings.

 

 

Aug12013

Posted in F4YL Character Descriptions

Tony “The Tiger” Mercado

Tony "The Tiger" Mercado

Tony “The Tiger” Mercado

Tony “The Tiger” Mercado is a lively ex-boxer who now spends his days mentoring youth and training up and coming boxers.  Not afraid to tell it how it is, and not taking any bull, Tony is a well respected member of his community and is known to stand up for what’s right, especially when it comes to youth.  Having grown up in the foster care system himself, he’s made it a point to share close relationships with many outreach organizations and has made it a personal duty to give back to the community and help kids.

Underprivileged children always have a home at his gym, where he’s known to tell stories from his past on a daily basis.  He’s been around and recognizes game when he sees it.  So, many of Tony’s stories are meant to teach street smarts and inform young boxers about the darker side of the business of boxing, which have served many of his students well.  Bobby, a longtime protege of Tony, is a perfect example of such positive influence.

But Tony’s stories are often mixed with a lot of jokes and inappropriate content as well, which the kids tend to love, but doesn’t always sit well with the more straight laced of his peers.  There’s definitely no censoring this fun loving, yet hot blooded, character.  His robust ways may have earned him a reputation for being blunt and not always polite, but they have also aided in giving him the reputation of being a brave, honorable and largely selfless man.  Time has taught him patience and has soothed his temper.  But it definitely hasn’t toned down his hilarious, and often crude, sense of humor!

Ahiga knows this sense of humor all too well.  Tony and Ahiga have been friends since they were teens and came up together in the boxing world.  When Ahiga made the decision to suddenly leave boxing early on in his incredibly successful career, Tony was as shocked as anyone.  It was only Tony, with him being Ahiga’s best friend, and a select few other persons that Ahiga maintained contact with after his departure from the ring.  Tony went on to continue his professional boxing run, having a very fruitful career in any regard, before eventually opening his own gym upon his retirement.

Years later, when Ahiga brought a young boy by the name of Fleet into Tony’s gym, Tony saw not only promise in the boy as a boxer, but also saw an opportunity to bring his friend back into the light.  Ahiga had remained in the shadows since his punching days, choosing not to allow his whereabouts to be known by the masses that might still wonder what had happened to the once phenomenal boxer.   And because of his miraculous feats, as well as his utter disappearance, he is now thought of in the boxing ranks as more of a legend than actual man.

As Tony has continued to help train Fleet, as well as represent him in all of Fleet’s public athletic competition endeavors, he has also continued to have the hope that one day Fleet will be able to bring Ahiga back into the world, allowing all of society to benefit from the unique and powerful mindset Ahiga possesses.  But no matter the outcome of his good friend, Tony’s focus is on doing everything he can to ensure Fleet is ready to beat the current champ, Hanson Hansome Kelly, who is the protege of an old buddy named Henry Page, and who also happens to be managed by one of sleaziest scoundrels in the sport, Cecil Claremont, who has it out for Tony…..boy would Tony love to knock Cecil out.

 

 

Mar22015

Posted in F4YL Character Descriptions

Bobby

Bobby aka Fleet's Corner Man

Bobby

Every great fighter has a great team behind him.  Much of Fleet’s success comes from his neverending support system, from his mom, to his mentor, Ahiga, to his trainer, Tony, to even his neighborhood market owner, Mr. Jenkins.  Bobby is the guy every fighter wants in his corner.  And Fleet is lucky to have him.

Bobby was a pretty good boxer himself, until an injury took his fighting days away from him.  He trained under Tony for years, and had the heart of a champion, although he just didn’t quite have the talent to actually be one.  Still, he understands what it takes to be a champ and gives his all to help up and coming fighters reach their goals.  It was only natural he stayed with Tony after his career ended, helping his former coach with his gym and the training of young fighters.  Fleet was just turning pro around the time of Bobby’s transition from fighter to corner man.  The two had always shared a good relationship.  And Fleet has always been happy to have Bobby in his corner.

When Bobby isn’t helping Tony train his fighters, or doing gym duties, he loves to be a part of the entertainment scene in the city.  He’s done some commercials and it is his second life in entertainment which gave him his first glimpse of a young actress, named Grace Justice, trying to make a name for herself in the Sacramento and Bay Area film and TV societies.  Grace turned her focus to journalism early on in her career, with her catching wind of a stewing rivalry between two local, up and coming amateur boxers in the first year of her employment at one of Sacramento’s newspapers.  The story of the ongoing rivalry between Hanson Hansome Kelly and Fleet Blackwood has been her personal jewel ever since…..and it’s been Bobby’s ongoing opportunity to try to win Grace over.

 

 

Mar42014

Posted in F4YL Character Descriptions

Henry Page

Henry Page Contemplating

Henry Page

Henry has a lot of confidence in his prodigy, Hanson.  Despite the bad attitude Hanson displays constantly, Henry stays true to his disciple, regularly having to aid in covering up Hanson’s mishaps and poor decisions and getting the brandishing champ out of the trouble that he seems to search for.  It doesn’t help that Hanson demands the company of certain people Henry would rather not have around, like his leeching companion, Craig, who often interferes with Henry’s training of Hanson and who also never seems to shut up.

Henry knows he shouldn’t be feeding into his protege’s recklessness and ill temperament.  But he’s taught himself to just look the other way.  His pride has made him put the morals and good nature he grew up having to the side for the sake of winning, something he himself could never quite accomplish during his boxing career, at least not to the level he desired…to the level of Hanson.  Henry is a perfect example of someone living his dreams through another person.

Just ask his old pal Tony, Henry’s not a bad guy.  He’s just afraid to lose.  And he’s caught up in the hype of everything.  He’s allowed himself to be over influenced and largely controlled by the wrong people.  His love for the sport has played second string to his hunger for success.  Tony feels Henry officially sold his soul once he allowed Hanson to sign with Cecil Claremont as his manager.  “Sure, Hanson might get a fast road to the belt.   But nothing good will come from it but a bag of shit,” Tony was quoted saying.

Henry’s craving for success has diminished his path, often clouding his better judgment.  But when his pupils are successful he feels like he is too.  So, he justifies his actions, or lack there of, with the results he obtains.

Furthermore, no matter what it might seem to outsiders, Henry does share a special bond with Hanson, as the champ has always remained loyal to his longtime trainer.  Henry put his neck, and financial well being, on the line for Hanson more times than once during Hanson’s come up.  And Hanson, despite his lack of apparent good nature, is not one to forget who has his back….hence people like Craig.

Deep down Henry knows Hanson’s time is coming though.  He recognizes the potential Fleet has in taking down his champion.  And it scares the crap out of him.

 

 

Mar22015

Posted in F4YL Character Descriptions

Cecil Claremont

Cecil Claremont

Cecil Claremont

We’ve all heard the stories about talented athletes that make millions of dollars only to have those millions blown from reckless spending and poor management.  Often these stories end with the athletes having nothing, yet, their managers walk away very, very well off, having used and manipulated the athlete the entire time to fill his or her own greedy pockets.  These types of managers are utter and complete scumbags…..Well, Cecil is one of these kinds of managers.

Always looking out for his own grander horizons, Cecil Claremont seems to be in the mix of everything involving money.  People might question his character, but they cannot deny his pizazz for financial gain or his ability to recognize talent.  It was no surprise to the boxing world he signed the current champ, Hanson Hansome Kelly, the first chance he could, becoming the gifted, yet egomaniacal, boxer’s manager.

One would think there would be some sort of loyalty between the two with everything each has contributed to the other….nope.  Hanson might be a punk, but he isn’t dumb.  He sees right through Cecil’s act.  Their relationship is one based more on necessity and greed than trust and love.  Hanson’s trainer, Henry Page, is too prideful of his protege’s place in the spotlight to let anything disrupt the good’s going.  So, he too turns the cheek to Cecil’s manipulation and thirst for financial gain.  As long as Hanson keeps getting the right fights and his title is secure Henry is content.

Cecil’s had his eye on Hanson’s up and coming rival, Fleet Blackwood, for quite a while.  Over the years his attempts to win over Fleet have been derailed by Fleet’s team.  The temptation to move ahead more quickly using Cecil’s influence and power has at times been difficult for Fleet to resist, especially earlier on in his career.  Luckily, Fleet has had proper guidance by way of his mentor, Ahiga, who’s always provided great advice.  And Fleet’s trainer, Tony, well, there’s history between him and Cecil, and let’s just say he sees the kind of animal Cecil is…..and he’s not a fan. 

Who is to know if the dirty dog will ever win over the stoic boxer.  One thing is certain…..Cecil is quite persistent.

 

 

Aug182013

Posted in F4YL Character Descriptions

Grace Justice

Grace Justice

Grace Justice

Grace is a local Sacramento newspaper reporter well known within the surrounding communities.  Since her earlier days of striving to be a film and television actress, she’s always pushed to make a name for herself.  But don’t let her desire for stardom fool you.  This tenacious, but always professionally-minded and respectable, lady of the press is in love with her work, having a real passion for truth.  She never lets her own vanity get in the way of what’s right.  And she is quite selfless when it comes down to it.

In fact, Grace’s main flaw, if you want to call it a flaw, is her conscience and good spirit often get the better of her, not allowing her to do a lot of things her colleagues would in order to move up the ladder.  Her sense of righteousness often annoys her peers and tends to make her the laughing stock as they regularly mock her behind her back.  However, those of her colleagues that would mock her know doing so behind her back is the only viable option.  Facing Grace face to face means battle because she’s quick to defend herself with her intellect and will often go overboard in her defensive debates, not letting things go lightly.  She is the last person you want to get into an argument with!

Grace isn’t all talk though.  She can easily bite back with more than just words, furthering her wits to her advantage.  She is quick to pick up on things through observation and especially through speech.  So, you’re not going to pull one over on her easily.

Knowledge is power.  This is the creed of Ms. Justice.  Always calculating, Grace has used her natural intelligence to make up for her lacking qualities.  A perfect example would be how she studied case files, tagged along with local detectives and even went as far as to live on the streets for intermittent periods, all for the sake of learning some valuable street smarts so to better understand where to find the most grimy underground stories.

All in all, Grace possesses the perfect reporter’s attributes, aside from the inability to give in to the dark side of news to get ahead, which, sadly, could make things so much more simple in her quest to be the best.  But her persistence, never ending tenacity and pursuit for the ultimate story keeps her going.  She’s determined to find her success, but only through being good at her work, not by selling out.

An obsession for years, Grace finds the story of Fleet and his boxing rival, Hanson, very intriguing.  She has been following their feud, as well as their separate journeys, for some time.  When the time came for the two young men to meet while still amateurs she was there to get the story of the locally long-awaited sports event.  However, when things went down a different road she was left disappointed, like so many others.

Due to her commitment to professionalism, she can’t take sides.  But deep down she likely is routing for Fleet, as she’s witnessed his road to this point, and knows quite well the type of person he is.  She’s of course seen Hanson’s ascension as well.  But let’s just say Fleet has been the kinder of the two towards her throughout the years.

Grace has become sort of a regular around Tony’s gym, always being welcome around Team Blackwood.  If it was up to Bobby, a member of Fleet’s corner team and Tony’s right hand man, Grace would never leave.  He’s had his eyes on her since her acting days.

Now, with Fleet finally meeting Hanson in the ring, this diligent reporter named Grace Justice is there to witness an ending to her story that has been years in the making.  This is the finale she’s been waiting for.  This is her story, her baby, and it will finally be complete.  And no one is going to get in her way, or dare not steal it from her!  Her career depends on it.