Movies, especially those involving the martial arts, had a profound influence on Choice Skinner when he was growing up. Little did he know as a child who was abused and a teen who was bullied that he’d find a career involving both of the things that helped him escape.
On Saturday, the Grovetown resident was inducted into a special class — Al Dacascos and Ron Van Clief’s Ultimate Warriors Hall of Fame. The awards ceremony was a virtual event.
“Movies kept me inspired to learn the martial arts,” said Skinner, who was born in Brooklyn, N.Y, but moved to the Augusta area at 18.
Others might call him a victim, he said, but he doesn’t see himself in that light.
“I was sexually abused as a child when I was 2 and when I was 7,” said Skinner.
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Movies with Van Clief, whose nickname is The Black Dragon, were among the many that Skinner watched as a child. He also admired Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Sonny Chiba and Jim Kelly.
To be recognized by one of his heroes was an honor, he said. The award is mentioned on Van Clief’s website, ronvanclief.com.
Among his favorite films are “The Last Dragon” and “Enter the Dragon.” And he has a soft spot for “The Karate Kid” as well.
Skinner studied various types of martial arts.
“I’m an eclectic combination,” he said.
Choice Skinner was named to the Ultimate Warrior Hall of Fame. Photo courtesy Skinner’s Instagram
That eclectic mix of martial arts he learned he owes to the military and Fort Gordon. People who moved to the area had studied various disciplines. They’d lived in other parts of the world and were exposed to karate, kung fu, Muay Thai.
He opened his own martial arts studio called D And D Martial Arts in the area.
But movies and music also called him, and he headed west to Los Angeles, where he racked up many film and television credits. Not only did he act, but he did stunts and fight choreography. Through his Darkan Entertainment Co., he’s also produced, written and directed.
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One of the pieces he’s most proud of is the 2017 superhero short called “Black Lightning: Tobias’s Revenge.” The film received the best fan film award at the Urban Action Showcase and Expo, the exceptional emerging artist directing award from the Hollywood Film Festival. It was nominated for several additional awards including best short film at the Hollywood Film Festival and best short action/sci fi at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival.
He spent 23 years in Los Angeles until the pandemic hit.
Film making was hit hard, as was personal training, so Skinner moved back to Georgia.
While he still trains people in the martial arts, Skinner particularly focuses on the bojuka self-defense style. He believes people should be able to protect themselves. He plans to have some upcoming workshops on that front.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/e5RoiSY2w5o
And film making is also still in his sights.
He sees the Augusta area as being ripe for additional movie making in the future.
“Augusta is the epicenter,” he said.
He and longtime friend Rege Lewis, an Augusta native currently living in Las Vegas who has appeared in numerous television shows and films, are endeavoring to establish a sound stage and film studio in the area. They are talking with officials involved in Augusta’s film community.
Find Skinner on Instagram @darkan2000.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the managing editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
