Behind the Scenes with
Blood Sucking Lawyers
Blood Sucking Lawyers Cast Call Recap
Blood Sucking Lawyers is a hilarious new graphic novel by Jank Words & Pictures.
We are currently in production. This graphic novel is the first of its kind. It will feature photo illustrations. The entire collection of images will be photographed panel by panel featuring character models posing for each panel.
We have a total of sixty characters models consisting of six main actors and an ensemble of zany characters.
Blood Sucking Lawyers is a comedy set in the present day. As in previous eras, vampires are part of the power structure -- today they fit right in: they're lawyers.
Vampire lawyer, Gore -- lead counsel for the vampire law firm, Meretrix Domum Associates, represents hemophiliac Henry Barnstable in a lawsuit against the Clean City Hospital after Henry is infected with tainted blood. Henry soon learns that it was, in fact, Gore who infected him with vampire blood as a means to fulfilling the vampire law firm's dream of taking control of the hospital as its own private blood supply.
Gore gets sidetracked, however, by Henry's frumpy wife, Lisa, who is the mirror-image of Gore's long lost love, Imogen, from centuries ago. Things get bloodier when Gore breaks his father's covenant, "thou shall not feed on humans”. Gore drains people -- mostly bankers, corporate executives and pimps -- to feed his mother's voracious drug addiction: snorting dried human blood.
But Gore's major obstacles -- the city hospital is represented by the formidable Blake, Simpson and Spector law firm, which has never lost a case. Gore must also deal with Dr. Landsteiner, a fellow vampire who controls the hospital's blood clinic and who is responsible for Gore's mother's addiction. All parties end up in court where a righteous judge passes his own brand of justice.
Meet Our Main Characters
Joey De Marco
as GORE
Joey De Marco is an actor, model and writer who has contributed to various projects throughout Windsor, Toronto and Los Angeles, bringing with him experience, fresh ideas, enthusiasm and an honest approach.
Growing up Joey was always very active and thanks to great parents was granted different avenues of education and activity through sports and music. Later Joey branched out into acting and landed roles that allowed him to gain experience in auditioning, as well as being on set and on camera.
Through these experiences he gained insight and began believing that this path was possible. Rather than sitting waiting, (because there can be gaps of time between gigs), he took an entrepreneurial approach and expanded his portfolio.
In 2013 he began a career trading Real Estate, along with his writing and acting. This is Joey's first foray posing as a character model for a graphic novel.
Briar Jansons
as LISA
Briar Jansons was born and bred in the Big City of Toronto, and yet has lived some country life as well. Currently coaching horseback riding at Sand Cherry Stables in Essex, she has kept and ridden horses since childhood. Whilst pursuing her degrees in England, she captained the equestrian team, climbed castles, and enjoyed all the foods the European Union had to offer - including 8 different kinds of cream at every convenience store.
Like her husband, Aaron Zimmer (Henry Barnstable), she engages in a variety of medieval and musical hobbies, and is a proud Rotarian. She is excited to add being in a graphic novel to her eclectic resume!
Aaron Zimmer
as HENRY
Aaron Zimmer grew up in a big Italian family in central New Jersey, USA, strutting Soprano-style Jersey Shore summers and skirting traffic jams on the highways. He studied graphic design/illustration and performed theatre and improv in university. He crossed the US in a Prius with his dog, and he lived for a time in a yurt in Washington State with a band of bellydancing urban hippies while he worked towards his masters in Environmental Education & social engagement.
For fun Aaron spends his weekends in armor fighting medieval battles, and plays Egyptian hand drums and the oud. Three years ago he gave up the Cascades, and moved to Windsor to court and marry his amazing wife Briar Jansons (Lisa Barnstable). He is now a personal trainer and small time homesteader, rides his bike to work, and can't seem to stand still. Aaron is excited to be a part of the BSL project!
Ed Hooft
as DRAINOV
Ed Hooft likes to call himself a mature actor, but there is nothing mature about him. He enjoys taking on new and varied projects. He has appeared in many local films, plays and commercials and has one music video to his credit... P4YL with DWW.
Ed began his acting career in 2012 when he was asked to be an extra in the film The Birder. Since then Ed has been in Stillwater and several University of Windsor film projects including Terminii which was selected for the 2016 Idyllwild International Film Festival.
In 2016 Ed made his stage debut and in 2017 was in Better Living, a play by George F Walker. The play won Best Production in the Western Ontario Drama League.
Ed looks forward to working on the Blood Sucking Lawyers project and "sinking his teeth” into character modelling as Drainov.
Mark Lefebvre
as DR. LANDSTEINER
Mark Lefebvre's notable stage roles include the title character in the world premiere of “Brebeuf’s Ghost” by Daniel David Moses, Lee in Sam Shepard’s “True West”, Gandalf in “The Hobbit”, and Frank N. Furter in “The Rocky Horror Show”. Mark has worked extensively with dance theatre choreographer Gina Lori Riley, sings with Ian Smith’s vocal group Spectrum, and has appeared in independent feature films by Gavin Booth and Otto Buj.
He produced Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”, “Tooth of Crime” by Sam Shepard, George F. Walker’s “Zastrozzi”, and “Waiting for Godot” by Samuel Beckett. In 2005 he created two sculptures for the international exhibition CarTunes on Parade. Formerly a clown doctor with Fools for Health he also taught at the University of Windsor and St. Clair College. Since 2004 he has delighted audiences at festivals and events as one half of the Stilt Guys, and in 2016 founded Walkerville Buskerfest.
Noelle Morgan
as REGINA
Noelle Morgan is a locally grown creative spirit with an eclectic range of interests spanning everything from Hello Kitty to hockey. She enjoys running, retail therapy and expressing herself through her prize winning costume designs and cosplay experiences, most notably at the annual Witches Night in Windsor where she releases her inner witch.
While this is Noelle's first foray into the graphic novel realm, she is excited about the opportunity to work with Jank and is enjoying getting to know Regina. She looks forward to seeing what this talented group can create together.
Introducing our supporting character models
Ashleigh Atkinson
Kyle Atkinson
Kaley Beecroft
Shawna Beecroft
Rajesh Bejankiwar
Elisha Bencich
Dan Benson
Danielle Loft
Rose-Marie Beaudoin
Kristen Binder
Ett Bounket
Sarah Bounket
Leo Campeau
Tina Campeau
Rosalina D’Angelo
Mario Dibartolomeo
Rocco DiPierdomenico
Lena Donatelli
Pasquale Donatelli
Zak Dunn
Stacy Fawn
Jim Graveline
Rachel Gray
Ted Hayes
Kim Hillman
Cathy Hucker
Niko James
Jack Jobin
Mariette Jones
Michael J. Krym
Sarah Lachance
Kristy LeBlanc
Robbie Lees
Samantha Lillian
Bernie Martin
Nick Metivier
Nadine Monroe
Tom Parent
Demitri Pindus Michael Pindus
Pat Ryan
Stephen Richards
Aidan Robertson
Joel Robinson
Michelle Seguin
Melissa Scott
Debra Sharp
Steve Tunks
Kitu Turcas
Vinodh Venkatraman
Chris Waldron
Jim Winter
Rachette Young
Olessia Zakharko
Stephan Zmijak
Meet our Collaborators
Rodney L Denis
Photographer
Rodney L. Denis is a photographer from Windsor Ontario. He has worked in major centres such as Toronto, Halifax and Detroit. For the past 35 years Rod has shot everything in his path, from medical procedures to high fashion, commercial products to classic cars and motorcycles.
His skill as a photographer and his eye for the dramatic bring his images to life and lend an artistic dynamic to his shoots. At a moments notice you'll him grabbing his camera bag and hitting the road.
Ever the protectionist, Rod doesn't hesitate to go the extra mile to get the perfect shot. His creativity and high-level technical skills, offer a unique approach to the graphic novel Blood Sucking Lawyers.
Matt St. Amand
Co-Writer
Matthew St. Amand is a freelance writer, playwright, and novelist. His latest book-length work is Gas of Tank: A Canadian Law Enforcement Odyssey 1979 – 2019.
His theatrical productions include an adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray, and original plays: Shine On You Crazy Diamond, The Uncanny Valley, Moon Over Endor, Shelter in Place, and Negatunity.
He co-wrote Blood Sucking Lawyers originally as a film script. It is his first graphic novel.