Coming Soon ... Heavy Hitters

"Three people…all heavy hitters in their own right, and all three play to win in this battle royal being fought on three fronts—the heart, the bed, and the dance floor." 

A fallen dance icon steps to resurrection over his vindictive former lover. 

Russell Promise—a handsome and prosperous real estate agent—finds himself broke and homeless after the real estate crash of 2008. His passion for dancing leads to his salvation, but lust for his ex-lover may steer him toward damnation. 

In this urban romance set in the world of Steppin', Russell is the King of the dance floor and appears to be a lucky man with Monica Thomas and Lynnette Parker—two of the most gorgeous women in town—both deeply in love with him. He finds himself at a crossroads being pulled in love's opposite directions. Can real love compete with lust and lies, and can Russell tell the difference? 

Steppin’ (also known as Chicago-style Stepping) is an urban dance that originated in Chicago. The dance is defined by its unique style and culture within the larger world of Swing Dance. Just as anyone at the top of their game can be called a Heavy Hitter, so, too, are the steppers who are at the top of their game called Heavy Hitters. They Step when they want to have a good time, but they also compete for recognition in friendly dance battles all the way to competing in organized contests for cash prizes. The steppers challenge and dare each other with unique moves and footwork.  

Steppin’ also includes the addictive aura of music and has its own sub-genre of music known as Steppers Grooves because of the particular beat and tempo of the songs. I’m also committed to showcasing the Indie artists whose music has helped fuel the dance by featuring their music in the film. Most of them don't get radio airplay, but are big stars in the Steppers world. Showing real steppers dancing to their genre of music puts them in their element and will contribute to the authenticity of the film. 

Steppin’ was popular in Chicago and the Midwest, but after the release of R. Kelly’s 2003 mega-hit “Step in the Name of Love,” popularity of the dance skyrocketed and swept across the country. I believe that Steppin’ is a valid aspect of Chicago’s cultural identity. The world of Steppin’ has its own culture, including music, style of dress, and attitude. 

This world is real to the steppers, and I respect that world. Bottom line...I want the steppers to be proud of this film. Our desire is for HEAVY HITTERS to be commercially successful as well as become a cult classic that will endure throughout the years.

AFFILIATED DANCES - Hand Dancing, Swing Dancing, Walking, Bop, Urban Ballroom, Line Dancing, Hustle, Detroit Graystone 

https://youtu.be/kFakEJf3H44 

Cookie Davis had her first taste of domestic abuse at the age of 16. Young and naïve, and because of her boyfriend’s quick contrition, she confuses his jealously with love. This sets the stage for a series of abusive relationships and decades of abuse. When the police get involved, she and her most recent abuser, Vennie Garland, are forced to come to terms with demons that unite them from both sides of the same coin. This situation has us asking the age-old question —should she leave or stay? And dare you ask yourself if you were in the same situation…what would you do? 

The Healing House will be screened in Chicago on August 19 & 20.

Please click the link below

The Healing House trailer

 “It’s Never Too Late” is an open-ended narrative film about a grandmother who has only moments to make a life-altering decision after she discovers treachery in the family. As a young child, Thomas is molested by a visiting relative and has his life turned upside down, going from an outgoing child to a shut-down adolescent.  

Inspired by true events, Thomas’s grandmother tries to heal her family and end the generational curse of molestation. Having never dealt with his past, the once promising young man has become a homeless alcoholic adult who is a shadow of who he could have become. The movie also explores how traumatic experiences can impact not just the victim, but the entire family and extend into the community.   

Everyone gives up on Thomas except his grandmother who has an undying and unconditional love for him. Grandma never gives up on him and won’t let him give up on himself.  

Written by Dee Robinson 

Directed by Jay White

Thank you Roger M. Bobb for incorporating one of my songs in your film "In the Meantime. ''

It was an honor to have "I like It"  playing during one of the scenes in your  movie . . . 

Dee Robinson’s voice has been described as sultry, classy, and sensual. She has a mature delivery, but both the young and old are attracted to her sound. Not fitting neatly into any specific genre, she just goes where the music and lyrics take her. Listeners can decide on their own how to describe it, which decreases confining limitations and increases listening pleasure. She’s a little bit R&B, a little bit Jazz, a little bit Soul, a little bit spoken word. Whatever you consider it, it’s smooth.

Dee considers herself an ‘unexpected’ vocal stylist. Even though she’s been a lifelong music lover, she never saw herself as a singer. Late in life, she realized her ability as a lyricist and began writing songs. She wrote songs for her friends to sing, and was content standing in the background proud to hear her songs being sung by others. She was ‘discovered’ when she recorded scratch tracks for them to hear her phrasing. The scratch tracks brought attention to her voice, but she still refused to step forth. Things changed in 2012 with the release of I Like It. It became a big dance hit in the steppin’ community and was featured in the Roger Bobb film In the Meantime.