QUEEN OF SOCA
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago | Film Feature
Drama
Growing up in the United States I was fascinated by Spike Lee's "Do The Right Thing" and John Singleton's, "Boyz in the Hood," as they brought African Americans stories to life. I would like to do the same for the Caribbean by telling stories of women and people of color across all the islands.
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Growing up in the United States I was fascinated by Spike Lee's "Do The Right Thing" and John Singleton's, "Boyz in the Hood," as they brought African Americans stories to life. I would like to do the same for the Caribbean by telling stories of women and people of color across all the islands.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Olivia, a 25-year-old street vendor and lead singer in a church choir must decide whether to pursue her dream of becoming a Soca star competing against her idol Deja, 4 times winner of the biggest soca competition in Trinidad, and risking the relationship with her religious mother who hates soca.
Filming Day 2 with Shari Petti our second AC.
Filming Day 3 with our Script Supervisor Mandy.
Get familiar, you may have seen him before in Green Days by the River, now see him in Queen of Soca Anand Lawkaran.
Venise (H&M) with CFAFF assistant and Kevon (Set Designer) as they await the first take on Dookhan Hill
Get ready for a splash with lead Terri Lyons and her co-star Russell Wilkinson-Taitt in La Canoa
Costume designer Lisa Gittens and the team await the first shot of the day in Sangre Grande
Lead actress Penelope Spencer goes over her lines.
Filming at the Big Black Box, Port of Spain Trinidad.
Host and judges prepare for the Soca Showdown competition.
The Minister of Community Development, Culture & Arts, Dr. the Honourable Nyan Gadsby-Dolly (Middle) with Kevin Adams (writer/director) and Terri Lyons the film's lead actress.
Queen of Soca opens Carifesta and the Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival 2019
Queen of Soca Guardian article featuring producer Christopher Din Chong and writer-director Kevin Adams
BPTT Script in Development Award. 
The nine times road monarch champion Austin "Super Blue" Lyons, father of Terri Lyons, lends support to Queen of Soca.
The Makers of the film Sweet Micky for President Pras Michel (Fugees) and director Ben Patterson an awesome documentary on Haiti politics pose with director Kevin Adams. See their trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHgcOcUYZ9g
Winners of the Take One Film Grant pose with ministry officials. Maya Cozier, Jian Hennings, and Kevin Adams.
Soca Artist and 2014 Carib beer soca break out artist Sekon Sta pose with a few Carib girls and the clapper in support of Queen of Soca.
The girls of Ceasar's Army pose with the Clapper at the first-ever Bachannal Road.
Queen of Soca publicity team promoting the film.
A similar look to the Queen of Soca Finale Showdown called "The Greatest Show on Earth."
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Production Insurance
Costs $1,500
It is best practice to make sure that crew and cast remain safe and will be protected while filming.
Catering
Costs $2,000
To get results and strong work ethics, it's important to feed the cast and crew twice a day.
Crew
Costs $4,000
An experienced team can get costly, but is 100% needed for the movie set.
Actors
Costs $2,500
With an experienced cast, the film can stand up against other independent films and Hollywood movies
Transportation
Costs $2,000
Transportation for crew, cast and equipment is vital. 12 hour days means time is extremely important
Equipment
Costs $3,000
The film will be shot on the Mini Arri camera, and Cooke lens both used by 75% of Hollywood films.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Writer/Director/Producer - Kevin Adams
Kevin began his career with an internship with SONY/BMG Music in video production, marketing, and promotions department in NYC. Not long after, he was hired as a freelance production assistant by some of the top production companies such as Partisan, DNA, FM Rocks working with video and commercial directors such as Gil Green, Diane Martel, Chris Robinson, Davy Duhamel and more. He worked as an assistant to the producers of Fox 5 hit reality series, Trading Spouses, Next Top Model and the casting directors for ABC’s hit game show reality series Show Me The Money.
He returned to T&T in 2008 winning the Trinidad & Tobago (TTFC) Production Assistance & Script Development Programme Award for his reality series Warrior Princess. His first 30-minute screenplay No Soca No Life received a grant from the TT Film Company and went on to win best actress in a film selling out Movietowne on three occasions, Little Carib Theatre on four occasions and went on to be the top-grossing short film on FLOW Video on Demand. Kevin Adams most recently won the Take One Film Grant for Queen of Soca from the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts.
Awards:
TTFC Script Development Grant (2009)
TTFF Commercial Award (2010)
TTFC Production Grant (2011)
TTFC RBC Pitch (2011) Runner-up TTFF Scriptwriting Award (2014)
Best Actress in a Film (2012)
Take One Film Grant (2019)
Producer - Christopher Din Chong
Christopher Din Chong is the owner of 3 Line Studios, a new Caribbean media brand and digital network that connects Caribbean content with viewers worldwide. He is the chairman of Foward Ever Foundation giving a voice to the youths through storytelling. He is also co-director of C.R.E.A.T.E strategies company limited. The company oversees the production of videos, commercials, feature film and documentaries for high definition streaming on the web. Christopher received a Bachelor's degree in Film Studies and Production at the University of the West Indies.
Co-Producer - Wendy Carrington
Wendy Carrington is a Training Consultant, Broadcaster, Actress and Communications Specialist. She has completed her studies with the University Of Leicester London.
Wendy is also a lecturer with the Institute Of Broadcasting Careers (IBC) where she lectures in voice control, diction, projection, and dialect. She is also a trained Emcee and Stand up comic and has hosted numerous shows ranging from Calypso tents, talent competitions, beauty pageants, weddings and sports days both locally, throughout the Caribbean and in the United States.
Co-Producer - Rudolph Hanamji
Rudolph Hanamji is an experienced Marketing & Communications thought-leader with a demonstrated history of working in the creative, hospitality & financial services industries. Skilled in Event Management, Writing and Public Speaking. Strong innovation and business development professional with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) focused in Business and Marketing/Marketing Management, eCommerce from University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus and certification in International Protocol, Technical Writing, Presentation and Project Management. Practicum stage of M.Sc. in International Business Development & Innovation. Rudolph was the Marketing Manager at the Trinidad & Tobago Film Company from 2010 to 2012.
Actress - Terri Lyons
Terri Lyons has immense musical talent and is the daughter of soca Legend Superblue and sister to the renowned soca star Fay-Ann Lyons. She was runner up in the National Calypso Queen, second place in the Young Queens, fourth in Calypso Monarch, and a finalist in the Soca Monarch.
She is well respected for her vocals in R&B and pop and is the go-to chorus singer for almost everyone in the soca industry including Patrice Roberts, JW and Blaze, Shal Marshall, Machel’Montano, Destra, Swappi Iwer George, Blaxx, Nadia Batson, Devon Matthews, and Bunji Garlin. She’s even done backup for gospel singers and respected for her R&B and pop vocals.
She was in the 2012 Film "No Soca No Life" that premiered at the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival where she won the "Best Local Actress" award.
Actress - Melanie Pantin
Melanie Pantin has been passionate about acting her entire life and started her career with courses from renowned actress Penelope Spencer. In 2012 she studied Acting for Film and Television at the New York Film Academy. Melanie after doing a few student films landed her first major role in the feature Queen of Soca.
Actress - Penelope Spencer
Veteran Actress Penelope was born in “Sando”, Trinidad. At the age of nine, she started dancing with the Arawak Dance Company under the direction of Torrence Mohammed.
With a solid track record from her stage performances in plays such as DEVICES, NORMAN IS THAT YOU, LYSISTRATA, JEAN AND DINAH, MARY COULD DANCE, BEST LITTLEWHORE HOUSE IN GUAPO, WINE OF ASTONISHMENT and a few of 3 CANAL productions, she works with children, teaching creative writing, storytelling, and drama at Newtown Girls and St Andrews.
Filmography:
Home Again (Casting Director) Bazodee (Casting Director)
The Rebel Heart (2009)
Dark Tales from Paradise (2010) The Midnite Affair (2011)
No Soca No Life (2012)
God loves the Fighter (2012) Dubois (2014)
Happy Sad
God Loves the Fighter Home Again
Awards:
• 7 Cacique Awards (Trinidad and Tobago)
Cinematographer - Guillermo Cameo
Guillermo Cameo (Barcelona, Spain) is a director of photography based in New York. Born and raised in Barcelona, Spain, Guillermo began studying film and art at an early age. He is a graduate of Autonomous University of Barcelona and University of Salamanca where he double majored in Media/Film. He moved to the United States in 2013 and he works as a director of photography in New York City, specialized in narrative projects (2016).
Guillermo has shot Feature Films in the US and around the globe as well as short-films, music videos, and documentaries. He was awarded with the Best Cinematography award in UNOFF and COFF and have been nominated several times in national and international film festivals. Guillermo designed the lighting, in the 2019 Sundance Winner film 'Green'.
Associate Music Producer / Music Rights / Artist Liaison - Kerra Denel
Kerra Denel, founder of Kerra Denel Entertainment and Kerra Loves Kids, is a multifaceted, dynamic entrepreneur. Originally from the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Kerra is well-traveled, spreading her wings across 19 countries.
Her passion for promoting Caribbean culture has guided her to parlay her business management education into a thriving business. As a global ambassador with a meticulous work ethic, Kerra has a decade of entertainment and media experience. She represents the brand Team Soca, an organization promoting Caribbean music worldwide, as well as 365Carnival, a one-stop app for everything carnival.
Kerra is the Editor in chief of “Du Soleil” Magazine a cultural and lifestyle magazine showcasing Caribbean fashion, entertainment, and travel.
Music Producer - Kit Israel
Music Producer
Kit Israel is currently one of Trinidad & Tobago’s top soca producers. He is producer and co-writer of the Groovy Soca Monarch Song Ola by Olatunji in 2015. Kit Israel has been producing music for 10 years and has worked with many other top performing artists in the soca industry. He is responsible for the first-ever hit collaboration Buss Head By Machel Montano and Bunji Garlin and in 2018 the monster hit Hello by Kes.
Editor - Ivan Spee
Ivan was born in Sweden and has edited content ranging from short films, commercials, tv shows, music videos, and feature films. He has edited many international projects including Mapie, Million ways to live, Loreen, My heart is refusing me, Stocktown X South Africa, Kaliffa, Spontanitet, and Naiomi Pilgrim, House of Dreams.
Pre-production engagement conversation
Associate Producer - Jean Prytyskacz
Jean Prytyskacz is a filmmaking professional, who attended the SUC at Buffalo and New York Film Academy.
She has a background in photography and worked on public access cable shows.
She has an interest in VR/AR and is looking to start working on her first immersive project, the near future.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Olivia, a 25-year-old street vendor and lead singer in a church choir must decide whether to pursue her dream of becoming a Soca star competing against her idol Deja, 4 times winner of the biggest soca competition in Trinidad, and risking the relationship with her religious mother who hates soca.
Filming Day 2 with Shari Petti our second AC.
Filming Day 3 with our Script Supervisor Mandy.
Get familiar, you may have seen him before in Green Days by the River, now see him in Queen of Soca Anand Lawkaran.
Venise (H&M) with CFAFF assistant and Kevon (Set Designer) as they await the first take on Dookhan Hill
Get ready for a splash with lead Terri Lyons and her co-star Russell Wilkinson-Taitt in La Canoa
Costume designer Lisa Gittens and the team await the first shot of the day in Sangre Grande
Lead actress Penelope Spencer goes over her lines.
Filming at the Big Black Box, Port of Spain Trinidad.
Host and judges prepare for the Soca Showdown competition.
The Minister of Community Development, Culture & Arts, Dr. the Honourable Nyan Gadsby-Dolly (Middle) with Kevin Adams (writer/director) and Terri Lyons the film's lead actress.
Queen of Soca opens Carifesta and the Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival 2019
Queen of Soca Guardian article featuring producer Christopher Din Chong and writer-director Kevin Adams
BPTT Script in Development Award.
The nine times road monarch champion Austin "Super Blue" Lyons, father of Terri Lyons, lends support to Queen of Soca.
The Makers of the film Sweet Micky for President Pras Michel (Fugees) and director Ben Patterson an awesome documentary on Haiti politics pose with director Kevin Adams. See their trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHgcOcUYZ9g
Winners of the Take One Film Grant pose with ministry officials. Maya Cozier, Jian Hennings, and Kevin Adams.
Soca Artist and 2014 Carib beer soca break out artist Sekon Sta pose with a few Carib girls and the clapper in support of Queen of Soca.
The girls of Ceasar's Army pose with the Clapper at the first-ever Bachannal Road.
Queen of Soca publicity team promoting the film.
A similar look to the Queen of Soca Finale Showdown called "The Greatest Show on Earth."
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Production Insurance
Costs $1,500
It is best practice to make sure that crew and cast remain safe and will be protected while filming.
Catering
Costs $2,000
To get results and strong work ethics, it's important to feed the cast and crew twice a day.
Crew
Costs $4,000
An experienced team can get costly, but is 100% needed for the movie set.
Actors
Costs $2,500
With an experienced cast, the film can stand up against other independent films and Hollywood movies
Transportation
Costs $2,000
Transportation for crew, cast and equipment is vital. 12 hour days means time is extremely important
Equipment
Costs $3,000
The film will be shot on the Mini Arri camera, and Cooke lens both used by 75% of Hollywood films.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Writer/Director/Producer - Kevin Adams
Kevin began his career with an internship with SONY/BMG Music in video production, marketing, and promotions department in NYC. Not long after, he was hired as a freelance production assistant by some of the top production companies such as Partisan, DNA, FM Rocks working with video and commercial directors such as Gil Green, Diane Martel, Chris Robinson, Davy Duhamel and more. He worked as an assistant to the producers of Fox 5 hit reality series, Trading Spouses, Next Top Model and the casting directors for ABC’s hit game show reality series Show Me The Money.
He returned to T&T in 2008 winning the Trinidad & Tobago (TTFC) Production Assistance & Script Development Programme Award for his reality series Warrior Princess. His first 30-minute screenplay No Soca No Life received a grant from the TT Film Company and went on to win best actress in a film selling out Movietowne on three occasions, Little Carib Theatre on four occasions and went on to be the top-grossing short film on FLOW Video on Demand. Kevin Adams most recently won the Take One Film Grant for Queen of Soca from the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts.
Awards:
TTFC Script Development Grant (2009)
TTFF Commercial Award (2010)
TTFC Production Grant (2011)
TTFC RBC Pitch (2011) Runner-up TTFF Scriptwriting Award (2014)
Best Actress in a Film (2012)
Take One Film Grant (2019)
Producer - Christopher Din Chong
Christopher Din Chong is the owner of 3 Line Studios, a new Caribbean media brand and digital network that connects Caribbean content with viewers worldwide. He is the chairman of Foward Ever Foundation giving a voice to the youths through storytelling. He is also co-director of C.R.E.A.T.E strategies company limited. The company oversees the production of videos, commercials, feature film and documentaries for high definition streaming on the web. Christopher received a Bachelor's degree in Film Studies and Production at the University of the West Indies.
Co-Producer - Wendy Carrington
Wendy Carrington is a Training Consultant, Broadcaster, Actress and Communications Specialist. She has completed her studies with the University Of Leicester London.
Wendy is also a lecturer with the Institute Of Broadcasting Careers (IBC) where she lectures in voice control, diction, projection, and dialect. She is also a trained Emcee and Stand up comic and has hosted numerous shows ranging from Calypso tents, talent competitions, beauty pageants, weddings and sports days both locally, throughout the Caribbean and in the United States.
Co-Producer - Rudolph Hanamji
Rudolph Hanamji is an experienced Marketing & Communications thought-leader with a demonstrated history of working in the creative, hospitality & financial services industries. Skilled in Event Management, Writing and Public Speaking. Strong innovation and business development professional with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) focused in Business and Marketing/Marketing Management, eCommerce from University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus and certification in International Protocol, Technical Writing, Presentation and Project Management. Practicum stage of M.Sc. in International Business Development & Innovation. Rudolph was the Marketing Manager at the Trinidad & Tobago Film Company from 2010 to 2012.
Actress - Terri Lyons
Terri Lyons has immense musical talent and is the daughter of soca Legend Superblue and sister to the renowned soca star Fay-Ann Lyons. She was runner up in the National Calypso Queen, second place in the Young Queens, fourth in Calypso Monarch, and a finalist in the Soca Monarch.
She is well respected for her vocals in R&B and pop and is the go-to chorus singer for almost everyone in the soca industry including Patrice Roberts, JW and Blaze, Shal Marshall, Machel’Montano, Destra, Swappi Iwer George, Blaxx, Nadia Batson, Devon Matthews, and Bunji Garlin. She’s even done backup for gospel singers and respected for her R&B and pop vocals.
She was in the 2012 Film "No Soca No Life" that premiered at the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival where she won the "Best Local Actress" award.
Actress - Melanie Pantin
Melanie Pantin has been passionate about acting her entire life and started her career with courses from renowned actress Penelope Spencer. In 2012 she studied Acting for Film and Television at the New York Film Academy. Melanie after doing a few student films landed her first major role in the feature Queen of Soca.
Actress - Penelope Spencer
Veteran Actress Penelope was born in “Sando”, Trinidad. At the age of nine, she started dancing with the Arawak Dance Company under the direction of Torrence Mohammed.
With a solid track record from her stage performances in plays such as DEVICES, NORMAN IS THAT YOU, LYSISTRATA, JEAN AND DINAH, MARY COULD DANCE, BEST LITTLEWHORE HOUSE IN GUAPO, WINE OF ASTONISHMENT and a few of 3 CANAL productions, she works with children, teaching creative writing, storytelling, and drama at Newtown Girls and St Andrews.
Filmography:
Home Again (Casting Director) Bazodee (Casting Director)
The Rebel Heart (2009)
Dark Tales from Paradise (2010) The Midnite Affair (2011)
No Soca No Life (2012)
God loves the Fighter (2012) Dubois (2014)
Happy Sad
God Loves the Fighter Home Again
Awards:
• 7 Cacique Awards (Trinidad and Tobago)
Cinematographer - Guillermo Cameo
Guillermo Cameo (Barcelona, Spain) is a director of photography based in New York. Born and raised in Barcelona, Spain, Guillermo began studying film and art at an early age. He is a graduate of Autonomous University of Barcelona and University of Salamanca where he double majored in Media/Film. He moved to the United States in 2013 and he works as a director of photography in New York City, specialized in narrative projects (2016).
Guillermo has shot Feature Films in the US and around the globe as well as short-films, music videos, and documentaries. He was awarded with the Best Cinematography award in UNOFF and COFF and have been nominated several times in national and international film festivals. Guillermo designed the lighting, in the 2019 Sundance Winner film 'Green'.
Associate Music Producer / Music Rights / Artist Liaison - Kerra Denel
Kerra Denel, founder of Kerra Denel Entertainment and Kerra Loves Kids, is a multifaceted, dynamic entrepreneur. Originally from the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Kerra is well-traveled, spreading her wings across 19 countries.
Her passion for promoting Caribbean culture has guided her to parlay her business management education into a thriving business. As a global ambassador with a meticulous work ethic, Kerra has a decade of entertainment and media experience. She represents the brand Team Soca, an organization promoting Caribbean music worldwide, as well as 365Carnival, a one-stop app for everything carnival.
Kerra is the Editor in chief of “Du Soleil” Magazine a cultural and lifestyle magazine showcasing Caribbean fashion, entertainment, and travel.
Music Producer - Kit Israel
Music Producer
Kit Israel is currently one of Trinidad & Tobago’s top soca producers. He is producer and co-writer of the Groovy Soca Monarch Song Ola by Olatunji in 2015. Kit Israel has been producing music for 10 years and has worked with many other top performing artists in the soca industry. He is responsible for the first-ever hit collaboration Buss Head By Machel Montano and Bunji Garlin and in 2018 the monster hit Hello by Kes.
Editor - Ivan Spee
Ivan was born in Sweden and has edited content ranging from short films, commercials, tv shows, music videos, and feature films. He has edited many international projects including Mapie, Million ways to live, Loreen, My heart is refusing me, Stocktown X South Africa, Kaliffa, Spontanitet, and Naiomi Pilgrim, House of Dreams.
Pre-production engagement conversation
Associate Producer - Jean Prytyskacz
Jean Prytyskacz is a filmmaking professional, who attended the SUC at Buffalo and New York Film Academy.
She has a background in photography and worked on public access cable shows.
She has an interest in VR/AR and is looking to start working on her first immersive project, the near future.