DCP - Blog

Fashion Avenue Feature

11/17/2019

Thank you Fashion Avenue News Magazine for the feature in your October issue. Our new ECDC clothing line centered around the short film, MANEUVER was definitely noticed.

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POT CALLING KETTLE

8/12/2019

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Meet the cast of the dramatic web series and pay them a visit on their youtube channel.

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Hoboken International Film Festival

5/23/2019

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With MANEUVER star Mitzie Pratt and supporters/Actors, Eugene Blaise (Crave and Pot Calling Kettle) and Anandi Gangaram (To Love or Not to Love) at the opening night of the Hoboken International Film Festival, May 17th, 2019.

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Night of Caribbean Stars

2/4/2019

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A Night of Caribbean Stars - the work of Saint Lucian filmmaker Demedrius Charles, at The Taipei Cultural & Economic Center on February 1/2019. A successful event full of creativity and stars. Do you want to see more photos, go to Gallery

Gallery

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Handbag Designer, Bobette Reid

12/25/2018

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bOBETTE eIZA, the mere mention of the name breathes an air of luxury into the mindsets of fashionistas everywhere.
A contributor on Demedrius Charles' short film, MANEUVER, Ms eIZA, not only sponsored the use of her exquisite handbags, but came on board as the official stylist for Lead Actress, Mitzie Pratt.
Demedrius Charles Production sits down with the talented handbag designer for a one- on- one.

Who are YOU?

A My Dad named me Bobette Reid, I’m Caribbean born and was raised with primitive principles. I am a woman with a creative mind. I love life, I like to take risks and I value great friendships. Like most women I love fashion, I crave the arts and I’m happiest when I’m being creative.
What drew you into the world of designing luxury hand bags?
A I couldn’t always find what appealed to my taste because I like different and unique things, so I decided to create my own. Being a self-taught artist makes it easy to pen novel ideas and design what I envisioned.
Where do you draw your inspiration for your exquisite designs?
A I’m inspired by many things. Sometimes where or what I’m surrounded by motivates me. But I love what I do. it’s like second nature so my design inspiration comes easy.

What steps are you taking to make your dream a reality?

A I want bOBETTE eIZA to become “THE” Luxury handbag brand customers will love and appreciate.. To make that dream come true, I am expanding the collection and branding my company to meet that goal.

Who inspires you as a person?

A My parents encouraged and inspired me to believe in myself, they shaped the image of who I am today as a woman and a business owner.

It’s a hustle in the fashion industry. bOBETTE eIZA what makes YOU stand out?
A It is a competitive business, but I don’t listen to that noise! Instead, I focus my inner talent on doing what I love. To distinguish my brand, I color outside the lines. I believe that gives bOBETTE eIZA a distinctive, definitive, and unique edge.
Who inspires you as a Designer?
A Life itself inspires me, but my parents, and my positive friends are my greatest inspirations. Visionaries like: James Dyson, (Dyson Ltd,) Oprah Winfrey, (an icon) Nancy Pelosi, (the only female to serve in the highest office in the U.S); Ann Cole Lowe, (the first African American female to become a noted fashion designer) have motivated me,
In which luxury store would you love to see your bags?

A It's very difficult choosing just one luxury store; I would like to see bOBETTE eIZA handbags in all luxury stores.

What do you believe are your best features?

A My thoughtfulness, kindness , and my creative mind.

How do you maintain balance?

To maintain perfect balance takes practice, but when life gets chaotic, spending quiet time alone centers me.

And my most important question. Do you believe in love and describe that perfect date.

A I do believe in love! As for the perfect date, maybe he just might get it right. If not, I might have to wing it… lol

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ALL EYES ON ACTOR QUINCY GILES

10/25/2018

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Our test market on who to feature on Demedrius Charles' Blog all agree on one thing, these eyes and that face will definitely get him in the door but there is more to the up and coming actor that is refreshing to any Director or Casting Agent who has worked with him. He is dedicated, focused and humble. Demedrius Charles Production presents Quincy Giles with ten poignant questions.

DCP: Do you believe in love?
QG: I am a firm believer in love; I have experienced a deep and meaningful love with a woman myself. Love is beautiful, not only as a partnership, but as a means to grow as an individual. While I am admittedly still young, at times selfish, and unsatisfied with the man I currently am, compared to the man I’d like to be for the next woman I am committed to, one of my end goals is to help create a happy family within a beautiful and loving marriage.
DCP:: What do you believe are your best features?
QG:: Well admittedly I leave my physical features for others to decide what they like. I aim to be healthy, so physically I’m often motivated to become healthier (and wouldn’t mind gaining some athleticism back from my days as a college football player lol). But I am also not ignorant; I realize that people tend to physically gravitate towards my eyes.

As a person, I am proud to be generally comfortable with being my authentic self. I aim to always expand my mind and openness to new perspectives and different truths about life. I also have a way of empathizing with others, which has its pros for connecting with others both on and off-screen. As a man I believe myself comfortable with my masculinity, not feeling a need to overcompensate or “prove” my level of “manliness.

DCP: How do you maintain balance?
QG: This is tricky. I will admit that sometimes I can become consumed by my ambition and desire for results, thereafter becoming at risk to self-sabotage. What reels me back in, is faith in following the path I believe myself to be led on, and remembering to be grateful for where I am today. Physical training helps, but something people often skip are steps towards MENTAL wellness.

DCP: Any advice for THE ARTSIT?
QG: BELIEVE THERE IS PURPOSE BEHIND YOUR PASSION! There is a purpose behind your passion, and your passion can lead you to your purpose! Believe in yourself to do whatever it is that you truly would like to do, and ACT ON IT. Realize that if you put something off to the side and only act on it on the sidelines, it is likely that your dreams will REMAIN on the sidelines. Develop a foundational belief in yourself that is within you; you can welcome and feed off of the support of others, but do not become dependent on others to continue to believe in your journey. NO SELF DOUBT!

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Mental Health Awareness

8/10/2018

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In 2015, I had the opportunity to feature my film "Ascension I am not my Mother" at the Piton International Film Festival in St.Lucia; there I had the pleasure of meeting this beautiful personality Dr Mary E May, a woman with a down to earth look on life and the CEO of Butterfly Love LLC.
Demedrius Charles Productions is honored to share her thoughts on Mental health and its growing affect on people in our country; the importance of education and self love.

Mary E May MFT
http://butterflylovellc.com/meet-the-owner/

The value of human life can be directed by multiple cultural and spiritual compasses. In society, we are guided in our interactions on how we manage the choices and decisions of life. Our template to manage our relationships and challenges we encounter in our personal, social, and every day community activities are instrumental in our wellness. Our ability to recognize the manifestation of our thoughts is becoming actions is also key. In families of color, most of the values have been developed from experience and exposure along with spiritual rituals which provide expectations and rules.
Let’s examine how life of relationships from the core of the parental structure, our professional life, and community interactions. Trauma has multiple vicarious impact on an individual from moment to moment and day to day. People of color have been exposed to so many layers of trauma just in the general rites of passage that when it comes to mental health they are jaded as to whether the experience is real or that it is something beyond their personal control. As it may be well intentioned to congratulate or offer feedback of well wishes, it can be received as a negative critique. To the degree that the stated comments may resonate with internalized thought and feelings that bring people to a dark thinking emotions that lead to suicide as the resolution. Often, individuals have put up appearances and wearing mask to ‘please others’ and not functioning in their personal space of emotional excellence. When this becomes, prevalent, they often become altered and jaded where the everyday decisions become difficult. This process then sustaining the manifestation of self-doubt and questioning about the purpose or ineffective values of their very existence. Their perception regarding maintaining this life style in the shadow of these manifested thoughts creates conflict. The conflict then raises the experience of anxiety and depressive thoughts. In their interactions with others, loved one’s way comment that they are not strong in their prayer life or not trying hard enough. This can be debilitating and further lead to the continual questioning that if, ‘I am not doing it right in my personal capacity then I must not be relevant to continue to live’. This is where the consideration of “giving up” may come into play and to what extent and plan can one develop their ability to cope. In their scope of the silent bruises of comments that have been made, their thoughts are guided to the ugly word and action of SUICIDE. The value of suicide is that “I can escape and no longer have this burden or be a burden to others with the unrealistic expectations.” In the multiple thoughts that creep into one’s space and emotional energy cause them to see the option of suicide as an intervention of relief. This being solely because they have not sought out the support that would enable the resources and thought process of knowing that they are significant and strong to grow through these stressful moments and have a healing testimony on the other side of this overwhelming challenging experience.
When coping, the skills have not been maintained in the emotional tool kit and or traumatized repeatedly to no avail is when someone would consider the resolution to be the act of suicide. These moments are very critical gateway to the overall ability to accept the change or disappointment as a gift and life lesson. An example of this is perceived failure in their decision
making, change in significant relationships, loss of jobs, finances change, critical feedback from personal/professional performance. However, in effort to not disappoint their audience of family, children, loved ones and professional environment any further causes increased distress. The reality of suicide as a choice and resolution becomes real as the bruises from conversations with expectation become overwhelming. The emotional injury causes the pain from all aspects of putting the puzzle pieces of life together. In the viewpoint of a person considering suicide, their external successes are reviewed in the dark thought space and becomes an internal struggle of their own value of life.
Mental health issues are alive and well within the communities of color. They won’t go away unless we continue finding more ways to talk about the issues and encourage others to seek help. In preparation to conceptualize how the decision of SUICIDE becomes a real thought for many – I consider all individuals that I have worked with that inform my reach about authentic healing. The ability to move out of the depressive thoughts or actions that challenge healing is a mental health process that requires the appropriate outside assistance. In minority families, they may recommend praying more or talking to the matriarch lead in the family. However, the best support is a neutral professional that can help the individual in this state of mind to begin to reorganize their position, goals, and purpose in the events that cause them the increased level of stress.

It is extremely important that the loved ones are aware and willing to support with a shift in their comments and access to items that can implement their choice of suicide. The emotional injury of individuals repeating the bruises through verbal comments cause for the traumatic thinking to result in suicidal ideation. At times, it can be both homicidal and suicidal depending on the triggering thoughts that have welcomed this thought process. We must be mindful that everything said and all interactions can be more repetitive bruises that fuel the manifested thoughts and becoming dismissive of the reality of distress.

Whereas it is well intentioned, some of the rituals and expectations of some religious practices fuel many levels of mental health distress. It is human nature to comply and live up to the standards of our values, beliefs and teaching. However, as life is impacted with more intense stressors in the work place, finances, interpersonal relationships, social situations, and accomplishments – the challenge becomes more traumatic. Therefore, the external professional would be the best positive resource for an individual who is considering suicide.
There is safety planning and strategic conversations that should occur when working with individuals who consider suicide as an option. There are various levels of the healing space as the packages come in different sizes. There is no assignment to ethnicity or cultural background that has one mental health concern over the other. The level to which we engage in vicarious trauma has been magnified with great intensity daily. Therefore, we need to pull the mask off that value and belief and begin to confront what we stuff and hide. Communities of color have endured many layers of distress and victimization and in some cases, we have ignored the manifestation and hope that it will just go away. Unfortunately, it will not disappear without true work to resolve the underlying challenges that create the existence of its validity. Mental health is not a secret and it is not a dark place. It is a safe space that is in place to provide
resources to identify, assess, and develop skillful steps to decrease the repetitive nature of stress to continue to have influence in your day to day lives. The reality is that the age of influence the most for suicide begins as early as the age of 8 years old with prevalence through teen age development. Then it begins again as young adults purging and maintain independent adult life from 18 -26 years old. We then again see the manifestation of suicide from 35-45 span of life. Lastly, there is a spike in senior suicide as well from 60-65 as they are transitioning with medical issues and friends/family losses. In each life cycle, there are various goals and external development that impact the decisions and challenges that make mental health treatment and wellness a realistic opportunity to consider. There are key words that individuals state when in this process that are key to take note as well:
Children will state: “They just want to go to sleep and not wake up”
Teens: “No one will miss me when I am gone”; “They don’t value my opinion or thoughts anyway” Young adults: “I am a failure anyway” “He/She doesn’t love me anymore; I may as well be gone”
As a lay person, if you are dismissive to the direct call and request for assistance with life decisions be mindful that some bruises bruise blind. The key is to be a resource even if this is an area that is not comfortable to you then acknowledge and work with them to identify someone that can assist you and them into a healing space. Therefore, telling someone that they should just pray without action and external support of talking to a skillful professional is not fruitful to their overall healing. Mental health and the area of Suicide do not manifest in vacuum or isolation. We can begin to recognize the vicarious exposure to stress in our lives through our thoughts, traffic, interpersonal interactions, parent-child decision making, ability to accept and process delayed incentives all call for new application of healing and realistic conversations. The reality and misperception of how stress enter our emotional space can be surprising. It comes as a surprise, because not recognizing the emotional injury in our dismissive actions of thoughts further encourages the negative thoughts that creates the ideation of suicide. What is simple to cope with for one person is a challenge to others. Engaging in the investment to love yourself during the stressful moment can be best demonstrated by investment in professional counseling for additional support. This is the best gift that can be given to you and person to heal from emotional injury and all of whom would be impacted by you not receiving the support.
As a family therapist, it common to work with individuals who choose to ignore what is pressing and put it up on a shelf. The signs of our challenges are always present. The priority of your personal goals and values may need to be re-scripted to ensure that you are walking in the space of excellence that is truly in your space of calling. There are professionals that practice with both professional and spiritual values in their core concepts that are available to guide you individually and as a family. Resiliency grows through the gift of authentic and non-judgmental spaces of healing. Invest in yourself and that or your loved one’s around you.

Mary E. May, CEO/Founder of Butterfly Love, LLC
www.butterflylovellc.com – www.facebook.com/butterflyloveconsult

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SPOTLIGHT ON MHEGAN LEE

7/1/2018

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Stunning black beauty, Mhegan Lee has set her eyes on becoming a well rounded actress in stage and screen while balancing work, earning a Masters in Business and maintaining a quality way of life. Demedrius Charles Productions has ten poignant questions for the budding actress and model.

DCP:
Who are YOU?
ML:
I’m a classically trained actress pursing a degree in business, an influencer, and entrepreneur woman.
DCP:
If you were given a choice as an artist, Film, Music or Modeling, which one would you choose and why
ML
One of the greatest parts. about being an artist touches on all aspect of film, model, and the music industry. So I would continue acting as an artist which will allow me to branch out to all parts of the entertainment industry.
DCP
How are you pursuing that dream
ML
Pursing acting has become a part of my lifestyle like working, eating, sleeping, and breathing air. I must always be ready as a business woman for an opportunity for my career and as an artist to be able to deliver my work.
DCP
It's a hustle in the entertainment industry Mhegan, what will make you stand out
ML
I believe the fact that, I’m first generation out my family to be pursing my dream career goals. I have a love for the arts that keeps the fire burning inside from within my soul to keep going and never give up.

DCP
Who inspires you as a person?
ML
I believe brave acts throughout life obstacles and experiences, towards bettering yourself and others inspires me.
DCP
Who inspires you as an artist
ML
Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, & Johnny Depp.
DCP
Do you believe in love
ML
I believe in true love. Love that’s so passionate, wild, respected, appreciated, cherished, faithful and valued, and customary between one another.
DCP
What do you believe are your best features
ML
My facial expressions, gestures, and original physical appearances on camera. My funny personality and warm touch of happiness I unconsciously share to myself and the world.
DCP
Any advice for THE ARTSIT
ML
Rule number 1: Nobody owes you anything yet don’t give up fighting for what you deserve, just prove it to yourself that you will and you can.

https://mheganlee.com
https://www.instagram.com/mheganlee/

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The Awakening ... I have a voice Part 2

5/26/2018

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Written by: Keturah Charles
For: Demedrius Charles Productions
All rights reserved

The piercing sound of the alarm clock woke me up. I gingerly reached for it, and as I squinted to see the time, I realized that sleep had indeed announced its presence for it was now 8:08 in the morning and I was late for an appointment. I quickly dashed out of bed, jumped into the shower, got dressed and was out the door half an hour later. As I drove down the highway taking in the lush scenery I couldn’t help but smile as the memory of my husband re-entered my mind, because to be quite honest, it wasn’t always bad, especially the first two years.
Ah! My husband! He was one of them alright…. a man in uniform. I had always been attracted to them. I don’t know what it was, but there was something about the uniform that just did something to me. I remember vividly how he was dressed; stark white shirt starched to perfection, the silver buttons that glistened in the sun, a pair of neatly pressed black pants, with white piping on the sides and to top it off, a black cap pulled low just enough to partially shield his eyes.
He strode over to me and asked me my name to which I reluctantly answered. He introduced himself as Derrick and immediately started a conversation. I gradually warmed up to him because he gave off this air about him that made me all warm and fuzzy inside; not to mention the fact that I was already charmed by the uniform. His smile was so captivating, revealing, every time he smiled, a set of pearly white teeth and that spaced tooth that literally sent shivers titillating down my spine.
The sudden honking of a car horn behind me stirred me from my reverie and I realized that I was holding up traffic for the light had turned green. I quickly sped away and took the next corner on the right which would take me to my destination. I drove up the driveway, parked in the closest spot to the building and got out of the car.
The room had a faint smell of pine sol. The walls were freshly painted in yellow and white, colors specifically chosen to lift the most sagging spirits. The grand mahogany desk was parked right in the middle of the room, with shelves of books lining the back wall from ceiling to floor. On the left wall was a huge bay window that overlooked the scenic waterfront. She was seated at her desk intently poring over an article of some sort.

She must have been deeply engrossed in whatever she was reading because she was seemingly startled by the knock on the door. Surprise turned into a broad smile as she stood up to welcome me in.
Joanie and I had quickly become good friends because of her warm and easy-going personality and over the years our friendship deepened. She made it so easy to open up about my deepest feelings, a trait that did not come that easily to me. I stood at the door and stared at her with a pained expression on my face.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, concern carved all over her face. She quickly walked over to the door, took me by the hand and led me to the couch under the window: a couch she had spent a fortune on.
“It’s Corinthian leather for goodness sake, plus it’s cherry red,” she had remarked jokingly.
I sat on the plush leather and nervously wrung my hands together. Joanie sat next to me and held my hand in hers. “What is it?” she asked softly. My eyes immediately clouded and as I struggled to maintain composure I replied in a barely audible voice, “I was at that place again!” She gently squeezed my hand then hugged me tightly.
“So tell me what happened,” she continued.
“Same scenario,” I answered.
“Can you tell me what happened when you finally came to?” she gently pressed on.
And with a heavy heart, I proceeded to unravel my heart one more time. When I finally became conscious again it took me a while to realize that I was on the bedroom floor. My body felt like lead and my head throbbed to the drumming of tin soldiers. The house was deathly quiet. After lying there for a few seconds, I crawled my way to the door and with trembling fingers, I reached for the knob and cautiously turned it. The hallway was empty and the light turned down low and, still feeling wobbly, I inched my way down the hall. As I was about to enter the living room I caught a glimpse of him standing on the balcony. I was about to make my way into the kitchen when suddenly he turned and saw me.
At that point I mustered up all my remaining strength and I made a mad dash towards the kitchen and grabbed a knife. I pointed the knife at my stomach, and with a look of wild terror in my eyes, I screamed at him, “If you touch me one more time, I swear I will kill myself, right here, right now!

A glimmer of light to guide you through those dark moments.

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SPOTLIGHT ON

5/17/2018

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With a name like Art Jones, it seems like this New Jersey born, New York based ARTIST is destined for stardom. DCP sits down with the up and coming artist and gets personal.

Ten Poignant questions.
DCP
Who are YOU?
Art
I am an Artist; I sing, write, model, act and create. I’m a very motivated person who embraces all positive spectrums of the Arts.
DCP
Art Jones, the name, very stage appropriate, given or altered?
Art
My actual name. Is Arthur, Art for short.. i was raised in a single parent household. I did'nt like my name at first because It was my father's middle name. I did not want to be associated with him and was embarrassed by it. But as I got older and more spiritual, I realized that the name actually embodies who I have grown to be. I started to look at it as more of a purposed name instead of an embarrassment.
DCP
What was it like growing up in a single parent house hold?
ART
Challenging but I had a great Mom who found ethical ways for me to do anything I was interested in growing up. I’ve played tennis, I am a martial artist, i boxed, sang, and played all brass instruments eventually specializing in the trumpet throughout high school and my early 20s. I eventually got more involved in entertainment, focusing on singing, modeling and now acting. So ART JONES transitioned from a negative into a positive. God knew what he was doing.
DCP
If you were given a choice as an artist, Film, Music or Modeling, which one would you choose and why?
Art
As an artist I would do it all. Music is my first love. It was a way to escape and still is. Film and Modeling are also ways to become someone else but I would still do it all.
DCP
How are you pursuing that dream?
Art
It’s been a long journey but it’s worth it. I’ve been writing and hoping to finish with my single soon. I stopped recording for a while due to a disappointment in my younger years but now is the right time.

DCP
It's a hustle in the entertainment industry Art, what will make YOU stand out?
Art
I’m no better than anyone else but so I remain true to who I am. I don’t apologize for being ME. It took a lot to become who I am today and I’m proud of it. So if I stand out, it’s because people see the real me and not me portraying to be anything other than that.
DCP
Who inspires you as a person?
Art
I draw inspiration from the world. A good deed being done by a stranger, or Obama becoming president. However, If I had to choose a person it would be my mother. She embodies strength and getting through.
DCP
Who inspires you as an artist?
Art
I’m really into a lot of artist for different reasons. Definitely old school like Donnie H, and Stevie W for their creative soulful sounds to name a couple. I’m in love with the 90’s music. A lot of my inspiration comes from that era.
DCP
Do you believe in love?
ART
lol ... I do, whether or not I believe it’s for me is still up for debate but I do believe in it and believe it’s a beautiful thing.
DCP
What do you think are your best features?
Art
As a creation of God I’ve grown to love all of me and continue to work on myself. But if i had to choose a feature I would say my eyes.
DCP
Any advice for The ARTSIT?
Art
Just to never give up. Stay true to what you love. Fall in love with yourself and your art. Embrace it and stay positive thinking. Every no does not mean it’s over. Just means not yet or something greater is coming.

Photo Credit @photochase

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Fashion Avenue Feature

POT CALLING KETTLE

Hoboken International Film Festival

Night of Caribbean Stars

Handbag Designer, Bobette Reid

ALL EYES ON ACTOR QUINCY GILES

Mental Health Awareness

SPOTLIGHT ON MHEGAN LEE

The Awakening ... I have a voice Part 2

SPOTLIGHT ON

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