"Change the World with a bullet!"
Deadly Class, Volume 1: Reagan Youth TP - Image Comics About Deadly Class
Rick Remender (Author)
Wes Craig (Illustrator)
Sebastian Girner (Editor)
Buy it Now on Amazon
Introducing my favorite comic book of all time, It could be yours too! Let's just say that it is full of brutal action. After all, they are high school kids; damaged and dangerous. Not old enough to vote or drink?
Welcome to the world of the most brutal high school on earth. Marcus Lopez is not doing so well in school. Not only are his grades horrible or the jocks won't leave his friends alone, he is losing focus in class and failing "Dismemberment 101".
Well, this is not your typical high school in 1987. Kings Dominion School for the Deadly Arts is where the world's top crime families send the next generation of assassins to train them into becoming ultimate murderers and killers. It's their everyday Arts and Craft. The jocks are the children of Joseph Stalin's top assassin, even the teachers are members of an ancient league of assassins, he is smitten by this hot girl with a doubledigit body count. This bunch of damaged and dangerous teenagers is going to take you for a dark ride on graduation day.
Rick Remender (Author)
Wes Craig (Illustrator)
Sebastian Girner (Editor)
Buy it Now on Amazon
Introducing my favorite comic book of all time, It could be yours too! Let's just say that it is full of brutal action. After all, they are high school kids; damaged and dangerous. Not old enough to vote or drink?
Welcome to the world of the most brutal high school on earth. Marcus Lopez is not doing so well in school. Not only are his grades horrible or the jocks won't leave his friends alone, he is losing focus in class and failing "Dismemberment 101".
Well, this is not your typical high school in 1987. Kings Dominion School for the Deadly Arts is where the world's top crime families send the next generation of assassins to train them into becoming ultimate murderers and killers. It's their everyday Arts and Craft. The jocks are the children of Joseph Stalin's top assassin, even the teachers are members of an ancient league of assassins, he is smitten by this hot girl with a doubledigit body count. This bunch of damaged and dangerous teenagers is going to take you for a dark ride on graduation day.
From Comics to Live Action
How an idea turn into a movie is always interesting. Before we finished producing our last film
"Friend Request", Jim and I were pitching to each about ideas for the next venture. How you follow a romantic comedy? We aimed for a contrasting genre by going for dark, brutal, and still fun enough to watch with his kids on the big screen. That's when the search for the perfect comic book came into mind.
Our inspiration sparked from James Sime, who owns Isotope Comics at our neighborhood bookstore. James (who is super awesome by the way) introduced us to one of his top picks. Once we had the Volume 1 of Deadly Class in our hands, we were immensely drawn to the illustration and story line. Marcus character is such a badass along with Saya and Maria. Immediately we became it's number 1 fan. As dedicated filmmakers, we wanted to express our appreciation to the illustration by bringing it into life. To create a fan-based movie for it's fans by it's fans. Adapting the comic book in loyalty as possible. It was ambitious to film the idea, but we could not imagine doing another. The location is right here in San Francisco, illustrating the beautiful golden gate bridge and the rural streets. By the time we put the book down from reading it back to back, we have already set up castings for the lead actors. From there, our dream to doing this comic book into reality just started falling into place. But first, we need badass actors!
"Friend Request", Jim and I were pitching to each about ideas for the next venture. How you follow a romantic comedy? We aimed for a contrasting genre by going for dark, brutal, and still fun enough to watch with his kids on the big screen. That's when the search for the perfect comic book came into mind.
Our inspiration sparked from James Sime, who owns Isotope Comics at our neighborhood bookstore. James (who is super awesome by the way) introduced us to one of his top picks. Once we had the Volume 1 of Deadly Class in our hands, we were immensely drawn to the illustration and story line. Marcus character is such a badass along with Saya and Maria. Immediately we became it's number 1 fan. As dedicated filmmakers, we wanted to express our appreciation to the illustration by bringing it into life. To create a fan-based movie for it's fans by it's fans. Adapting the comic book in loyalty as possible. It was ambitious to film the idea, but we could not imagine doing another. The location is right here in San Francisco, illustrating the beautiful golden gate bridge and the rural streets. By the time we put the book down from reading it back to back, we have already set up castings for the lead actors. From there, our dream to doing this comic book into reality just started falling into place. But first, we need badass actors!
Castings
Being in front of the camera has given me an advantage when it comes to casting actors. I failed hundreds of auditions myself (ok, maybe thousands). The ratio is 100:1 realistically in LA or New York market. It takes 100 auditions to land one lead role. In this case we were looking for a male actor of Latin background.
MARCUS Lopez, A troubled youth is being played by Henry Lee, who is the first choice as soon as he walked into the audition. He understood the script and read well. Other than having really short hair, he was suited for Marcus. He sold us by being a good actor. The only compromise we had to make is finding the right hair piece. Thanks to Nan Pierce (Production Designer) for bringing in what she noticed to be a "handsome fella" from the crowd. Nan met Henry while outsourcing for our cast and crew from Scary Cow Community. Sometimes, I'd like to think we just got lucky. Below is a snap shot of the first scene as Henry embodies Marcus.
MARCUS Lopez, A troubled youth is being played by Henry Lee, who is the first choice as soon as he walked into the audition. He understood the script and read well. Other than having really short hair, he was suited for Marcus. He sold us by being a good actor. The only compromise we had to make is finding the right hair piece. Thanks to Nan Pierce (Production Designer) for bringing in what she noticed to be a "handsome fella" from the crowd. Nan met Henry while outsourcing for our cast and crew from Scary Cow Community. Sometimes, I'd like to think we just got lucky. Below is a snap shot of the first scene as Henry embodies Marcus.
| Let's Talk about the Hot Chicks ! Meet Saya and Maria The foxy girls in crazy love triangle with Marcus. Other than killer sex appeal, they carry weapons of brutal destruction. Who does not want to see them fight and make out?
|  Myra playing Saya |
Myra playing Maria
Working with Jim Skinner (Director)
Cast and Crew (Left to Right) Heren Patel (Actor), Ren Long (Lighting/Actor), Jim Skinner (Director), Nan Pierce (Production Designer), Henry Lee (Lead Actor), Jim Oppenheimer (PA)
Jim Skinner is a family man with a beautiful wife and two awesome kids. They are the biggest fan of Deadly Class. You can count on them to be involved with creating props. It's such a beautiful thing to see a family being creative together.
Jim is a brilliant director. After numerous years of filmmaking and consistently working, he takes pride in his work. He specializes in Cinematography. At the same time he is humble to share with you what he knows. You can ask him specific questions and he will find the time to answer them. With his great energy, the set is never boring. He never fails to motivate you to do good work. He leads you to be better at your role. In simple terms, this guy knows what he is doing. That is why I take on every opportunity to learn from Jim. In many years of my journey as an artist, I am always challenged by something new and interesting. Being a Co Producer has given me the back end exposure of the business such as negotiating finances, managing crew, and overall operation of production. Jim is the Executive Producer and director of Green Screen Cinema and he took me under his wings to learn the big ropes in this venture. That alone is an achievement in my career and not easy to come by in this business. I thought I wanted to be an actor forever until I was exposed to other valuable aspects of filmmaking. Here I am mastering a new craft and it's quite addicting. Thanks Jim!
Special Thanks
To every cast and crew who took part in this production.
We love Deadly Class Comics!
Special Thanks to: Nan Pierce (Production Designer), Danishka Esterhazy (Assistant Director), Colin Bishop (Actor),
Ren Long (Lighting), Ian August (Production Assistant), Jade Acosta (Sound), Allen Scott (Sound)
Ren Long (Lighting), Ian August (Production Assistant), Jade Acosta (Sound), Allen Scott (Sound)
 Cast an Crew (Left to Right) Jade Acosta (Sound), Ian August (PA), Allen Scott (Sound), Myra Borja (Producer), Henry Lee (Actor), Colin Bishop (Actor), Heren Patel (Actor)  |  What's next for Deadly Class? |
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