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Deeds Not Words

Through force of will, keen intellect and intractable faith, Robert Madison overcame significant economic and social barriers to achieve the American dream through architecture while also making a commitment to extend that dream to others.

  • Derek Morton
    Director
    Dark Fine Paradigms
  • Derek Morton
    Writer
  • Derek Morton
    Producer
    What Death Leaves Behind
  • Rachel Fraser-Ofori
    Co-Producer
    What Death Leaves Behind
  • Christopher Mann
    Key Cast
    "as Narrator"
    Lovings, The Wire, Michael Clayton
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Documentary, Architecture, Veteran
  • Runtime:
    57 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    September 6, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    30,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    DLSR
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Derek Morton

Derek has been involved with writing screenplays and teleplays and assisting in small independent productions the past ten years. His writing earned him top screenplay honors in the HBO sponsored screenplay workshop at the American Black Film Festival in 2006. Derek chose to pursue filmmaking full time in 2013 with a short-film and a documentary project. The SAG short-film, “Dark Fine Paradigms”, is a multi-cultural romantic comedy. The film was released in August of 2014, at the World Music and Independent Film Festival in Washington, DC where it won awards for Best Director Short Film and Best Actor in a Short Film and also screened at the Capital City Black Film Festival in Austin, TX. His documentary film, titled “Deeds Not Words”, is a based on the life story of African-American architect Robert P. Madison. A man who reached the pinnacle of success in his field, WWII veteran and at one time, as a young college undergraduate, was engaged to Corett Scott.

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Director Statement

This story literally “fell into my lap”, through a chance meeting of Robert’s daughter Juliette at a yoga class, in a manner I see more as providence than happenstance. This was a story I was born to tell. Stories like Mr. Madison's are seldom told. I see this documentary serving as a shining example of the power to achieve through force of will, determination, intellect and courage to people young and old. It is also a true reflection of the civil rights era from its genesis to the current time, that some people might consider it's sunset. So often when we think about African-American success stories it's about great activists, performers or athletes, endeavors beyond the reach of your average person. This is a story about a common man in a common field making his way out of very difficult circumstances to succeed. It is important for the youth of America to see real world examples of what hard work and dedication can provide for any man or woman in this country.