Tricks
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	DeAara Lewis, Tricks Movie, prostitution, drug abuse, drug addiciton, Deneka Lashea, independent film, indie films, independent films, self distribution, self-distribution, African American film, black film, African-American film, African-American movie, cinema, movie trailer, movie trailers, Indie Memphis Film Festival, Hollywood Black Film Festival, hip-hop, hip-hop music, funk, funk music, women in films, women movies, drug addiction, African-American movies, African-American cinema, African American movies, black movies, female movies, women in film, female cinema, black cinema, hip hop, hiphop, previews, Healling Touch, Hatiloo, Rod Pitts

Film Overview

Directed By: DeAara Lewis	Running Time: 1:57 Content Rating: R18 (Restricted)	DVD Region: All Regions Media Format: NTSC-DVD Aspect Ratio: 4:3 Audio Language(s): English
Genres: Drama >> Crime

Synopsis

She thought she played her cards right, she quietly left the city, and she quietly re-emerged, years later. Opening up a massage parlor and with the business tact she inherited from her late mentor, Doug Sullivan, she knew how to increase her revenue quickly - offer massages with “happy endings.” It was a clever idea that quickly took off, yet still remained secretive enough to only reach the ears of those who understood the language. The parlor also brought in the women, each with her own reasons for wanting to work, each fiercely devoted to Donna in one way or another.
But then there was still Sebastian Crump, once a trusted confidant, now the Chief of the Memphis Police Department who threatens to expose the true nature of Donna's business unless she pays him off.
Now stuck with the burden of having to raise over $200,000 in six weeks, Donna plans an event that is sure to raise the money.
However, as the event approaches, each woman has to make a tough decision. But the decision is not at all about leaving the business, but in her own way, learning how to be loved and accepted with no apologies in the world’s oldest profession.
Tricks tells the story of five Memphis prostitutes, their enterprising madam the struggle of each to not only survive, but thrive in a business that's deemed immoral and taboo.

Cast

Donna: Deneka Lewis | bio
In high school, this native Memphian competed in ACT-SO winning in both classical and contemporary categories. Known for her rich, powerful vocals, she was voted Most Talented in her student body. Deneka had big dreams of pursuing her music career after high school. However, fate had another plans as the then 18 year-old Deneka discovered she was pregnant. “I felt very afraid, confused and alone. I felt like I had to give up on my dream of singing.” Outside “support” didn’t help much, the previous encouragements of studying music abroad and recording an album quickly turned to going to community college and studying dental assistance.

“No one could see both,” Deneka remembers. “Becoming a mother at my age with dreams as big as mine was like a death sentence. Where I am from, nobody thought it could or should be done.” After the birth of her son, Timothy, Deneka tried to get back in the studio, only to be further discouraged by producers who wanted her to “sing more like Janet Jackson.” Deneka recalls. “I tried, but that wasn’t me. I had my own style.” The producers also begin to develop issues with Deneka’s size. “ I wasn’t obese, but I wasn’t skinny either. I didn’t look like Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton or En Vogue – all of the female singers who were out at that time. I looked like me and I sounded like me.” She eventually parted ways with those producers and went back to school.

Over the next few years, Deneka focused on raising her son and begin to teach him everything she could about music. She earned an associates degree in business administration and began working in property management. She also began performing on stage again with Theatre Memphis where she was cast in Ain’t Misbehavin' and The Wiz.

As she started to slowly step back into the spotlight on her own, something else was also happening - the ones that recognized and encouraged her talent, who loved and supported her for who she was, regardless of her size – were growing up.

Her younger sister, DeAara Lewis, begin to produce independent and her son, Timothy “Royal T.” Love was learning how to produce and arrange music. “Everything just naturally came together. My sister and I financed a music studio for my son and myself to make music whenever we choose, and I get to produce music for her films as well as my own projects. My son and I also work together regularly and he has become quite the artist and producer.”

She is so inspired that she is now back in the studio working on her first album and collaborating with her son on his debut album as well as her sister for a number of music projects.

“Even though things didn’t take off the way I wanted, they seem to be even better because I get to do what I love most with my family.”
Jean: Joanne Brown | bio
“I’m just now started to live my dream,” is a phrase one could hear Joanne say on the set of “Tricks.” A New Orleans native, Joanne is the poster child of perseverance and determination. Although her life long dream was to act, her life took a different path that involved drug abuse and depression. However, determined to turn herself around and face her life long emotional demons, Joanne joined Narcotics Anonymous on June 11, 1990. She has been drug and alcohol free ever since.

In 2000, Joanne relocated to Memphis, TN where she met the love her life. Encouraged by him, her family and her own self discipline; she took the necessary steps to recapture her life long dream of acting. “The character of Jean was actually written for another actress.” Joanne recalls. “I didn’t care what part I got, I just wanted to be a part of it. And when the other actress could not do the role, I auditioned and got the part. I was both afraid and excited, my dream was finally coming true!”

Joanne currently teaches drama to elementary students at the Marcus Garvey Institute.

“I always wanted to be like Mary Tyler Moore.” Joanne reflects. “ Mary Tyler Moore was an actress, so I wanted to act. She was a journalist, so I wanted to write. She threw her hat up in Times Square, and I can’t wait to go back to New York so I can do that too, because through all of the things I’ve gone through – I still made it after all!”
Tina: April Hale | bio
A native of Memphis, TN, April Hale has been a thespian for over a decade. She started out in plays and local talent competitions. With a minor in Theater from the University of Memphis, April has utilized the skills she has obtained along with her natural ability to not only broaden her techniques but also encourage those aspiring to act. April developed a love for film and theater at an early age with the influence of her mother, Dianne Hale, who has written a number of films and plays in the Memphis area. With close to ten films and six plays under her belt, including the indie film “N-Secure” and a lead role “Living for Myra” where she plays the role of two characters. She believes this role tested her creativity and versatility as well as helped her develop a unique connection with the camera and her audience. She currently resides in Los Angeles, CA while she continuously develops her skills as an actress.
Natalie: Tracee Lashea | bio
Tracee LaShae, a native Memphian, graduated from Princeton University and the New York University Tisch School of the Arts where she became an award-winning Off Broadway playwright. Beginning her career in television as the host of a local NBC affiliate’s News Emmy-winning magazine show “Fast Forward”, Tracee went on to become a red carpet correspondent for the Los Angeles area cable television show “D’Scoop”, interviewing celebrities such as Bruce Jenner, Scott Hamilton, Alan Thicke, Bai Ling and Jasmine Trias of “American Idol”. Tracee made her national television debut as a special guest on a “Dr. Phil” segment about Hollywood Hopefuls and makes her independent feature film debut in the gritty urban drama, TRICKS, as villainess seductress Natalie. Recently, Tracee began filming the role of manipulative Mary Truman, on the web soap opera “On the Edge of Happiness”.

Crew

Director: DeAara Lewis | bio
DeAara Lewis has been acting and writing since the age of five. She became interested in filmmaking when she was sixteen to learn how to create the roles she wanted to portray. DeAara became a professional actress when she portrayed Beneatha in A Raisin in the Sun with the Blues City Cultural Center earning her rave reviews. Also, during this age, she began competing in Dramatic Competitions becoming a State-Champion in Dramatic Interpretation and Duet Acting three years in a row.

DeAara earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications with a concentration in Film Production in 2001 at the University of Memphis. Her first independent short film, The Forgotten Ones, screen in many festivals around the country, including New York in the Women of Color Film Festival, where she earned an honorable mention. Due the film’s powerful and blunt message about psychological wounds, the University of Denver purchased it and now uses it in conjunction with their Psychology curriculum.

In addition to shooting independent films, she also worked at the CBS-Affiliate WREG-TV and at the City District’s Television station as an Editor and Videographer and is currently a Television Producer with Memphis City Schools’ Cable-19 TV.

Tricks has played repeatedly to sold out audiences. It received warm reviews from the Memphis Flyer, Tri State Defender and The Commercial Appeal.

Bonus Features

Behind the Scenes
Music Videos
Director Commentary
Outtakes
Scene Selections
Theatrical Trailers

Accolades

Press Reviews

The Commercial Appeal | show/hide snippet
"Tricks" could be a hit...a filmmaker with commercial promise."