Private Project

Padlock Men

86 yr. old Walter "Posey" Fodrell, shares one of his youthful memoirs of the historically secret band of vigilante civil rights soldiers known as the Padlock Men "Blood for Blood Knuckles Dirty" the Civil Rights movement will never be viewed the same.
A History Never Spoke A Bond Never Broken

  • Lewis T. Powell
    Director
  • Lewis T. Powell
    Writer
  • Lewis T. Powell
    Producer
  • Wayne Witherspoon
    Producer
  • Leslie Wong
    Producer
  • Markell Spivey - associate producer
    Producer
  • Lewis T. Powell
    Key Cast
  • Bobby Reed
    Key Cast
    Suffice it to say that Bobby Reed’s a lifer. From Middletown, New York to Off-Broadway to Hollywood, he’s still at it, in a performing and producing career that spans over 50 years. While beginning on the stage at six years old (Hansel & Gretel), he’s moved into film and television, and of course, the Web. 75+ plays, 100+ films, multiple television appearances and 35 web series and pilots, Bobby keeps cranking out the creative product, year after year. He’s also a well-known marketing coach and advertising agency, teaching his popular SuperMarketing for Actors around Hollywood and New York, trying to teach performers that the only thing that counts in show business is longevity. His many clips and scenes (as well as the whole, long story) are on bobbyreed.com. Enjoy.
  • Jermaine Williams
    Key Cast
    Jermaine Williams is an Los Angeles, California native and veteran in the industry. He's been able to work on some notable and commendable projects throughout his 18 years of work. Such as The Great Debaters, which was directed by Denzel Washington and produced by Harpo Productions. Jermaine also got the chance to work alongside Robin Williams in and independent film called World's Greatest Dad. You may also remember him in the dance blockbuster hit Stomp the Yard and as Mushmouth in Bill Cosby's Fat Albert the movie.
  • Antonio D. Charity
    Key Cast
    Antonio D. Charity is from Surry County, Va. After graduating from Howard University’s theatre department he moved to NYC and performed at St. Luke’s Theatre, Playwrights Horizons, The Negro Ensemble Company, New Federal Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre and many other Off-Broadway, regional and community theatres. His TV credits include “Charmed”, “House”, “The Shield”, “Law & Order”, “Nip/Tuck”, “True Blood”, “Southland”, “Medium”, “Numb3rs”, “Sons of Anarchy”, “Shameless”, “Grey’s Anatomy”, “NCIS: LA” and others, including recurring roles on HBO’s “The Wire”, Showtime’s “House of Lies” and Comedy Central’s “Tough Crowd With Colin Quinn”. He has been directed by such talents as John Wells (Shameless), Don Cheadle (House of Lies), Antoine Fuqua (Allstate), Chandra Wilson (Grey’s Anatomy) and Charles S. Dutton (The Corner). Most recently he worked
  • Alex Weed
    Key Cast
    Alex Weed was born and raised in Menlo Park, CA. After college at UC Santa Cruz, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career. He studied acting at the Beverly Hills Playhouse, and comedy improv at Upright Citizens Brigade, and The Groundlings. Notable TV credits include: CRIMINAL MINDS, LETHAL WEAPON, PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, NCIS: LOS ANGELES, THE MENTALIST, etc. All this and more can be found at his website www.alexweed.com
  • Sade E. Moore
    Key Cast
    Hailing from Philadelphia, Sade’ E. Moore is an African American actress, dancer and model. Classically trained, she has played roles from Shakespeare to Tennessee Williams and Clare Boothe Luce to Lorraine Hansberry. The versatile and fearless actress made her debut in the highly acclaimed 9 NAACP nominated stage play Demeter in the City, as Persephone. She has been seen in the critically acclaimed stage play Nat Turner: Following Faith, directed by NAACP Image Award nominee for Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series, Dan Martin. Critics described Sade’s work as “subtle” and “brave.” Sade’ began her theatre and drama training at The American Musical Dramatic Academy in NewYork. While honing her craft, she studied Jazz dance with Mamma Mia Broadway dancer, Issac Calpito. She moved to California and completed her theatre/drama training at the Hollywood campus. Upon graduation, she received the David Simon Grant Dance Scholarship Award and trained under the direction of classically trained ballet instructor and Westside Ballet choreographer, Caprice Walker. Sade’ expanded her dance training and began modern jazz studies with classically trained Broadway dancer and Artistic Director of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Karen McDonald. Known for her principle dance roles in Duke Ellington’s: Sophisticated Ladies, The Wiz, Purlie and Two Gentleman of Verona, Ms. McDonald has shaped Sade’s understanding of dance through providing a spiritual balance of technique, discipline, skill and creativity. Sade’ earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Literary English (Creative writing emphasis) while continuing her rigorous dance training in Ballet with Sophie Monat, Tap with Steve Zee and West African dance with Nzingha Camara. Making her break into TV and film, Sade’ starred in independent film Next Lifetime. She is known for her guest starring role in the hit web series Black Boots and her co-starring role in Mind of a Single Male, written and directed by Geno Brooks. Sade currently holds the soloist spot running on CBS and KCAL9 for Susan G. Komen: Breast Cancer Awareness. Sade has recently booked a 10 week tour, starting September, 2016, in Milwaukee for "The Royale," where she plays the role of "Nina". In addition she has the starring role in "Mind Of A Single Female," web series, which drops in October.
  • Lewis T. Powell SR.
    Key Cast
  • Eric Ulbrich - Director of Photography
    Key Crew
  • Jennifer Williams - production designer
    Key Crew
  • Yasmine Abraham - costume designer
    Key Crew
  • Rowan Glenn - Editor
    Key Crew
  • Roy Yu Sun - Colorist
    Key Crew
  • Jordan O'neill - sound design
    Key Crew
  • Lewis T. Powell - Original score & Music
    Key Crew
  • Project Type:
    Short, Television
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes 25 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 1, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    27,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital Arri Alexa 2k
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1:85
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Landmark Cinemas Short Film Series
    Westwood, Ca
    United States
    September 16, 2016
    US premeire
  • International Black Film Fesival
    Nashville, Tn
    United States
    October 7, 2016
    Official Selection
  • Black International Film Festival
    Birmingham, England
    United Kingdom
    October 24, 2016
    United Kingdom
    Official Selection
  • Denton Black Film Festival
    Denton
    United States
    January 28, 2017
    'Winner' 'Honorable Mention' Best Short
  • San Diego Black Film Festival
    San Diego
    United States
    April 26, 2017
    'Official Selection'
  • Houston Black Film Festival
    Houston Texas
    United States
    March 25, 2017
    'Winner' 'Best Tv Drama'
  • Charlotte Black Film Festival
    Charlotte North Carolina
    United States
    March 31, 2017
  • First Glance Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    2 Nominations
  • Las Vegas Black Film Festival
    Las Vegas Nevada
    United States
    5 Nominations
  • Hobnobben Film Festival
    Fort Wayne
    United States
    June 17, 2017
    WINNER 'PHILOPHEST' BEST SHORT
  • Langston Hughs AAFF
    seattle
    United States
    April 27, 2017
  • MVAAFF Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival
    Martha's Vineyard
    United States
    August 30, 2017
  • National Black Theatre Film Festival
    Winston Salem
    United States
    July 28, 2017
  • Bronzelens Film Festival
    Atlanta, Ga
    United States
    August 25, 2017
  • BUFF FIlm Festival

    September 11, 2017
  • Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival
    Cleveland Ohio
  • Baltimore International Black Film Festival
    Baltimore, Md
  • Urban Media Makers Film Festival
    Atlanta, Ga
  • Great Lakes International Film Festival
  • Connect Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    December 18, 2017
    Apollo Award
  • 42nd Cleveland International Film Festival
    Cleveland
    United States
    April 5, 2018
  • Micro Film Project
    New York
    United States
    April 27, 2018
  • Orlando Urban Film Festival
    Orlando, Florida
    United States
  • Cosmic Film Festival
    Orlando, Florida
    United States
    June 9, 2018
    Best Short, Audience Choice, Best Lead Actor
  • Dc Black Film Festival
    Washington DC
    United States
    August 24, 2018
  • Gary International Black Film Festival
    Gary, Indiana
    United States
    October 12, 2018
  • Southeast Film Festival
    Southeast, Michigan
    November 2, 2018
    SemiFinalist
Distribution Information
  • AM
Director Biography - Lewis T. Powell

Marking his 15th year in Hollywood Lewis, originally a native of Washington, DC is a Master Barber by family trade, his father a barber of 47 Yrs. along with 17 barbers in his extended family, started off as a sweeper at his family's barbershop at age 5.

Doubling throughout the years as a Master Barber with coast to coast experience from Washington DC to South Central Los Angeles working with every walk of life. He's cut over 50 celebrities from 50 Cent, Wale, Outkast - Big Boi, Andre 3000, (trivia – He cut Andre’s signature braids off for Idlewild) when they won their Grammy for Album of the year), Stevie J, John Singleton, Chris Paul, CP3, Soldier Boy etc. His cuts can be seen in Bloomberg Business week, Source double XL, Black Enterprise, GQ Magazine, The Jay Leno Show and a slew of others.

He graduated from Howard University, on a writing scholarship with Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration & Management and has studied at UCLA taking the Feature Film Development class under former Paula Wagner’s Paramount-based company executive Sebastian Twardosz.

Powell as an actor has been training over the years starting in college with various teachers and techniques in Washington DC from Howard's theater dept. to the Los Angeles area; training with Ivan Markota / Van Marr Academy, Judith Weston, Actors Comedy Studio, AIDA - Australian Actors Institute and the Beverly Hills Playhouse. Achieving over 25 plus Broadcast Television & Film acting credits from a recurring Guest Star role as Officer Norman on NBCʼs CSI Las Vegas to appearing on shows Dexter, Bones, MOM, ER and Director Martin Weisz Sony released film Squatters. He also has several national and international commercials under his belt from clients such as Nike, Subaru, Quickbooks, Modelo beer and more.

Powell also worked as Head of Development for 4 Yrs. with Comedian Affion Crockett at the onset of his of his FOX debut show ‘In The Flow’ developing under Affionʼs banner Lejan Entertainment. Pitching projects thru various producers and agents at CAA ranging from sitcoms, reality shows, and gaming properties. Powell also served as a producer consultant to Ellene V. Miles that co-produced the hip-hop feature documentary film ‘This is the Life’ that was written and directed by Ava DuVernay.

Lewis has Produced, Directed and Produced several feature films, shorts, and music videos. His last feature film was acquired by Vanguard Cinema a mockumentary entitled How 2 Build A Rapper ‘ The JP Mclean Story’ which featured artist and producers such as Big Boi of Outkast, Jazze Pha, Zukhan Bey, Badboys Chucky Thompson and more. Powell’s most noticeable music video produced starred comedians ‘Pierre’ and Oscar award winner Mo'nique.

His entertainment career initially began in music as a musician and artist; producing and releasing albums under his independent record company Col'Beast Entertainment working with various Artist such as E-40, Too Short, Scarface, Born Jamericans Edley Shine, B-Legit and Nonchalant.

He was listed in The Source's Independence Day Celebration of Hip Hop's National Underground Artists. The single release "How We Do" featuring Nonchalant stayed on the Billboard charts for over 18 weeks, peaking at #2 on the Hot Rap Singles chart. His music has been placed on the hit shows from America's Next Top Model, Puffy's Making the Band, to 50 Cents' "making of” as well as several other film and television shows. He has been featured in Source, BBL, Billboard, Vibe and Impact Magazine for his various accomplishments.

Currently, his award-winning Short Film ‘PADLOCK MEN’ which he wrote directed, produced, starred and composed is making its way around the film festival circuit nationally an internationally with 27 Official Selections 2 of which were Oscar qualifying to the project to date has a total of 16 wins and nominations. He can also be seen as an Actor in his latest role playing the character ‘Quinn’ in'“KINGS' leading the 92 LA Riots starring Halle Berry and Daniel Craig.
His favorite quote is “THE JOURNEY IS THE EXPERIENCE & THE EXPERIENCE IS THE JOURNEY” They call me LEW!

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

My wish is that anyone who views this film will experience the utter pure joy I had creating it. On so many levels my soul was fed and full. Thank you for consideration #gratitude

Lew
"the journey is the experience the experience is the journey"
lewistpowell.com