Tag Archives: West Coast Martial Arts

May72014

Posted in F4YL Crew

Jonathan Calizar – fight choreographer / casting associate

Sixth Degree Black Belt KJN, Jonathan Calizar, has been training with Ernie Reyes’ West Coast Martial Arts since the age of four.  He has traveled nationally with the Ernie Reyes Demonstration Team.  He is experienced in Tae Kwon Do, Wu-shu, gymnastics and a variety of martial arts.

With thirteen years of teaching experience, Jonathan still follows his passion for instructing students.  Having moved to Folsom, CA in July of 2004, he proudly has honored the opportunity to teach the Martial Arts way.  One of his favorite quotes comes from Kwan Jang Nim Scott Coker,

 

“It’s not the teacher who teaches, it’s how the teacher teaches.”

 

Jonathan says,

 

“I’ve learned a lot in my brief lifespan, but what I will always remember are all the people who supported me.  Unfortunately, the list would never end!  So to everyone who supported me in the decisions I’ve made, I want to thank you for being there for me, and I will forever be indebted to you.”

 

Jonathan has served as a fight and stunt choreographer for Fight 4 Your Life, having met director Bryan Bachar through mutual colleague, and dear friend to B, Eliot Kelly.  B was amazed at the crazy acrobatics and high-flying kicks Jonathan could execute with precision.

 

“There was without a doubt Jonathan had to be a part of this film.  His abilities separate him from the pack.  He’s the kind of guy that you watch and say, yeah, he’s a professional.  Jon belongs in the movies.”  – Bryan Bachar aka B

 

And lucky for Bryan, Jonathan’s flare carries over into his attitude on camera as well.  A natural actor, he also plays one of the main villains in F4YL.  Working with lead Brandon J. Woods, a fight everyone is sure to remember was choreographed.

We thank Jonathan for his continued support and dedication to Fight 4 Your Life.  His energy and positive attitude has been addictive…and during the long shoots we need that!  Like a handful of F4YL‘s cast and crew members, Jonathan has been with this project since the very start, having also been in the F4YL short film in 2012.  This just shows the character of Mr. Calizar, as he is truly a loyal friend and a man of his word.  The one studios crew forever thanks you Jonathan.  We are in YOUR debt!

Check Jonathan out on the official El Dorado Hills West Coast Martial Arts site, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter!

 

– The one studios crew

 

 

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

 

 

May92014

Posted in F4YL Cast

Eliot Kelly

Eliot Kelly is the head instructor at El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  He started learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu while he was teaching English and coaching wrestling in Japan.  During his stay in Japan, he was fortunate enough to live in a community where many Brazilians lived and quickly became involved with their culture and sports.  Although his training took place in Japan, he experienced complete immersion in Jiu-Jitsu training while surrounded by the Brazilian community.  Eliot explains,

 

“I wanted to learn Gracie Jiu-Jitsu because I heard of people doing it well into their 50’s and even 60’s.  I finally found something I could do that wasn’t just lifting weights, hitting a ball, or chasing a ball.” 

 

Eliot earned his brown belt in Japan from Michel and Marcio Miyashita, instructors under 5th degree black belt Master Barbosa.  After moving back to the United States from Japan he trained with Andre Glodzinski for almost 2 years until the closing of the first Sacramento gym.  Eliot is currently training with World Champion Professor Marcos Torregrosa.

 

“I wish to teach the Jiu-Jitsu technique and skills I know while emphasizing some of the fun and  unique cultural elements I have experienced in my training.  Please ask me about my experiences, I would love to share them with anyone!”  – Eliot Kelly

 

Prior to his experiences in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Eliot was a Division 1 Wrestler at UC Davis under the legendary coaching of Lennie Zalesky and Mark Munoz.  At UCD he became a two time Pac-10 place winner, Open Freestyle State Champion and earned medals at many other College Open tournaments.  Eliot has wrestled and beaten some cream-of-the-crop wrestlers from BIG 10 and BIG 12 schools, including the University of Iowa, Iowa State, Northern Iowa University, Oklahoma State and Oregon State.  He also has experience working as a counselor at a few of the toughest, most renowned wrestling camps in the nation, including J Robinson’s Intensive Wrestling Camp, Camp of Champs Ironman Training Camp, The Eternal Warrior Wrestling Camp and West Coast Wrestling Camps.

Eliot graduated from UC Davis in 2007 with a double major in Japanese and East Asian Studies and a minor in Education.  His Japanese knowledge has come in handy during his journeys to Japan, where he has had a unique coaching experience.  He worked with the freestyle clubs in Shiga Prefecture alongside former Olympians and National Champions, and at Ritsumeikan University alongside a 2 time Olympian.

 

After returning from Japan, back to the Sacramento area, he arrived again at UC Davis to help the team as an Assistant Coach and to train in order to make the Freestyle national team, for which he competed in the Dave Schultz Memorial and Asics Nationals.  Unfortunately, in 2010 the UCD Wrestling team was cut from UCD Athletics.  But Eliot is looking to stay involved in wrestling as he continues to develop the Jiu-Jitsu program in El Dorado Hills.

It was through wrestling Eliot met his longtime friend, creator of Fight 4 Your Life, Bryan Bachar, with B being one of his teammates at UCD.  B says a few words about his friend,

 

“You can’t ask for a better person to know than El Dog.  He’s a genuinely good human being.  And it makes me a better person just to know him.  Like everyone in his life I’m sure, I’m very proud of the man he has become and continues to strive to be.”

 

Eliot has been a supporter of Mr. Bachar’s creative endeavors since college, having helped out regularly as an extra hand, or, more recently, having provided his dojo as a location for F4YL.  In fact, Eliot has a small role in the film as well!  Keep an eye out for him.

And please be sure to check out his business site for his Jui-Jitsu school El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  What a great place!  You can find out more about Eliot and his business on:

Google+

Facebook

Twitter

 

– The one studios crew