Thanks to the efforts of #OperationMakeAMovie (a crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe). and other campaigns afterward, I was able to shoot my very first short film.   

It's called Siren Song, and it's the story of a caged songbird named Raven. 

Raven is a natural beauty with a raspy voice who spends her weekends entertaining the patrons at a jazzy music venue called Blue J's.  Raven is a powerful singer who idolizes great vocalists like Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald.  

Raven started off at Blue J’s as a cocktail waitress and eventually replaced the house vocalist after meeting Q.  He took to her and decided to manage her, asking Mama Blue to put her on stage. 

Since then she and Q have been inseparable and she’s seen his loving and extremely dark side.  Though Q has become more of a boyfriend to Raven than a manager, he still keeps watch over her career, and asserts his dominance in their relationship through manipulative mind games.   

Though Raven is completely loyal to Q, Raven is being pursued by Jay, who is far from a kingpin and much less flashy than Q.  Jay became a fan of Raven’s after coming to the club and has been wooing her, and angering Q in the process.  Raven only sees him as a friend, but his persistence is slowly wearing her down. 

When an opportunity of a lifetime comes about, Raven has a chance to free herself from the gilded cage Q has her trapped in, but Q is blocked her freedom ... and Jay is more than ready to come to her rescue.  

Now that you know the story ....

MEET THE CAST: 

Blythe Dennis

RAVEN

Raven will be played by Blythe Dennis, a soulful singer/songwriter based in Dallas, TX.  The Louisiana native and GSU alum has performed in music venues and at music events in both states.  Her musical influences include Musiq Soulchild, Erykah Badu, Marvin Gaye and Billie Holiday. Blythe has a few acting roles under her belt, but this will be her first film role.  We are excited to have her aboard because we are sure of her amazing talent.  Blythe will be entertaining you both on-screen and off, as she will be penning original music for the film's soundtrack!  

Follow Blythe on twitter @BlytheDennis or on IG @manyarecalled (she has videos of her singing talent there).   

Devin "DC" ChretienDevin "DC" Chretien

Q

Q will be played by Devin "DC" Chretien.  DC is a rap artist and Louisiana native. A former college athlete, he is now in pursuit of a music career. Under the BNM/YEI affiliation, DC has released several mixtapes and performances at events in the region.  Film is a logical next step to extend his artistic platform.  DC has performed in plays in his younger days and now wants to take on this role as his comeback performance.  DC will also be contributing to the film's soundtrack, adding his lyrical skills to the project.  You can follow him on IG @dc_bnmyei. 

AJ Hall as JAYEncouraged by his mother, Louisiana/Texas native AJ HALL attended a performing arts school when he was younger and he attributes the experience to his artistic talents, and ability to communicate effectively in any environment. Over a decade later, AJ is now a poet/lyricist, author, songwriter, musician and motivational speaker ... who now wants to try his hand at acting. Blowing the director away with his audition for the role of Jay, we are sure AJ will bring this part to life on screen and impress (and possibly surprise) the viewer. You can follow AJ on IG or Twitter @saelahunplugged.

JAY 

The character of JAY will be played by AJ Hall.  Encouraged by his mother, the Louisiana/Texas native attended a performing arts school when he was younger and he attributes the experience to his ability to communicate effectively in any environment.  Over a decade later, AJ is now a poet/lyricist, author, songwriter, musician and motivational speaker ... who now wants to try his hand at acting.  Blowing the director away with his audition for the role of Jay, we are sure AJ will bring this part to life on screen and impress (and possibly surprise) the viewer.   You can follow AJ on IG or Twitter @saelahunplugged. 

Angelique Feaster-Evans as BLUEPlaying the role of (Mama) BLUE is the amazingly accomplished, multi-talented Angelique Feaster-Evans.

Angelique is an award-winning actress, director, success coach, speaker, creative educator, cultural arts and community worker.

She is a “phenomenal” woman who shares her gifts and life’s journey to touch, move, and motivate others to be their greater selves. She not only captures hearts with her “warm and inviting” personality, but she touches lives through candid and powerful mediums of expression. Her distinctive blend of spirituality, sensibility, and self-expression draws an audience and captures their spirit.

Here's just a snapshot of her many roles, accomplishments and accolades:

• Angelique has been featured in television, print, and internet media including the nationally distributed Belle Magazine, Lifetime Television, Definition Magazine,Urban Faith Magazine, and CBS, ABC, NBC news affiliates, was the spec model for the National Lottery of the United Kingdom.

• Angelique has received awards from the American Association of Community Theatres, Phi Delta Kappa-Beta Alpha Chapter, the Shreveport Greater Chamber of Commerce-40 Under 40 Honoree, Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce-Chairman's Award, Caddo Parish Schools-Teacher of the Year Nominee.

• Angelique is the Founding Producer of the Southern Black Theatre Festival, established in 2008.

• Angelique is Founder, President, & CEO of APLUS Artist Group-an artist marketing, development, and management company, a division of Amply Figured Productions, 2006.

• Angelique is Founding Artistic Director of Mahogany Ensemble Theatre, resident community theater of the M.E.C.C.A. (Mahogany Expressions of Culture & Creative Arts) Foundation established in 2005..

Angelique is a Detroit, MI native and was raised in Haughton, Louisiana. She resides with her family in Webster Parish. This Centenary College graduate holds a B.A. in Speech, minor in Theater and a Masters in Education Administration.

We are ELATED to have her as part of the cast and look forward to her bring her veteran skills to the project through the role of BLUE.

To learn more about Angelique, visit www.angeliquefeaster.com

BLUE 

Playing the role of (Mama) BLUE is the amazingly accomplished, multi-talented Angelique Feaster Evans. 

Angelique is an award-winning actress, director, success coach, speaker, creative educator, cultural arts and community worker.

She is a “phenomenal” woman who shares her gifts and life’s journey to touch, move, and motivate others to be their greater selves.  Her distinctive blend of spirituality, sensibility, and self-expression draws an audience and captures their spirit.

Here's just a snapshot of her many roles, accomplishments and accolades:

• Featured in television, print, and internet media including the nationally distributed Belle Magazine, Lifetime Television, Definition Magazine,Urban Faith Magazine, and CBS, ABC, NBC news affiliates, was the spec model for the National Lottery of the United Kingdom.
• Received awards from the American Association of Community Theatres, Phi Delta Kappa-Beta Alpha Chapter, the Shreveport Greater Chamber of Commerce-40 Under 40 Honoree, and Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce-Chairman's Award.
• Founding Producer of the Southern Black Theatre Festival, established in 2008.
• Founding Artistic Director of Mahogany Ensemble Theatre, resident community theater of the M.E.C.C.A. (Mahogany Expressions of Culture & Creative Arts) Foundation established in 2005..

Angelique is a Detroit, MI native, but was raised in Haughton, La. She resides with her family in Webster Parish. The Centenary College graduate holds a B.A. in Speech, minor in Theater and a Masters in Education Administration.

We are ELATED to have her as part of the cast and look forward to her bring her veteran skills to the project.

To learn more about Angelique, visit www.angeliquefeaster.com

Ophelia James as SHAEOphelia "Ophy" James is no stranger to the stage, as she is a talented musician (she plays piano, trombone and guitar ... and also sings) and studied drama in the Caddo Parish Talented Arts Program. Ophy is currently pursuing her acting and modeling career under the Michael Turney Agency, but still finds time for music as part of a local all-female band --Bad Mamma Jamma. She also makes time to teach music to local elementary school children. Though Shae is a small part in our film, we are sure Ophy will be an amazing energy to the role and secure her way to future opportunities. Be sure to follow this rising star on IG/Twitter@Ophy_Jae.

SHAE 

In the supporting role of SHAE, Blue's surrogate daughter and a server at Blue J's, will be Ophelia "Ophy" James.  The Shreveport native is no stranger to the stage, as she is a talented musician (she plays piano, trombone and guitar ... and also sings) and studied drama in the Caddo Parish Talented Arts Program.  Ophy is currently pursuing her acting and modeling career under the Michael Turney Agency, but still finds time for music as part of a local all-female band -- Bad Mamma Jamma. She also makes time to teach music to local elementary school children. Though Shae is a small part in our film, we are sure Ophy will be an amazing energy to the role and secure her way to future opportunities.   Be sure to follow this rising star on IG/Twitter @Ophy_Jae. 

LaBroderick Wilson ... as LEELaBroderick Wilson (aka Capo LB) is a Shreveport native and rap artist. He has been buzzing about the regional music scene since 2011 and is now branding his company --- RedDollaGang Music Group --- to take on the music industry as a whole. LB rounds out our cast of novice/unknown actors but just like the rest he's known for giving 150% and may even steal a scene so keep an eye on him! You can find LB on IG/Twitter/Facebook and most music sites under @CapoLB.

LEE

In the supporting role of LEE (Q's friend/sidekick) is LaBroderick Wilson (aka Capo LB).,  LB is a Shreveport native and rap artist.  He has been buzzing about the regional music scene since 2011 and is now branding his company --- RedDollaGang Music Group --- to take on the music industry as a whole.  LB rounds out our cast of novice/unknown actors but just like the rest he's known for giving 150% and may even steal a scene so keep an eye on him!  You can find LB on IG/Twitter/Facebook and most music sites under @CapoLB. 

Our cast is mostly unknown/undiscovered talent just waiting for a chance to show what they really have --- and we can't wait to be the catalyst for their debuts.   So stay tuned!!!

Make sure you follow ALL of our cast on social media ... and LIKE the official Facebook page for Siren Song at www.facebook.com/sirensongfilm. 

You can also DONATE to our crowdfunding efforts and help us continue making films via the MM Filmmaking Fund.  Donate at www.gofundme.com/mmfilms

Also, if you are interested in being an Extra for the film, be sure to check out the CASTING page.