By Mark Ambrogi
Demetrius Witherspoon was involved in the rhythm and blues and pop music industry when he found his calling.
“After I shot my last music video, I thought, ‘This is what I wanted to do,’” Witherspoon said.
He then asked actress, Erin Moore, if she wanted to do an action film.
“It was inspired by a homeless lady I would see who was asking for money at 38th (Street) and Michigan Road and just wondered what it took her to get to that point and what if she was put in a situation where she comes out stronger on the other side. That’s how the series started. So I came up with the character of Ni’re, who was thrown in a multi-universe and found her way out and was trying to find her daughter.”
The first film was “Submerge: The Chronicles of Ni’re.” Witherspoon has written, produced and directed the series. He founded his production company, DV Entertainment in 2013. Witherspoon, 40, describes his fourth film, “Submerge: Echo 51” as a soft reboot of the series so new viewers can jump right in.
The VIP screening of “Submerge: Echo 51” will be at 8 p.m. June 29 at Keystone Art Cinema, 8702 Keystone Crossing, Indianapolis. There will be a meet-and-greet with the cast and crew at 7:30 p.m. The 20-minute film will be followed by a question and answer session with Witherspoon and actress Shonna Bedford, actors Brad Clark and Bishop Stevens, along with the rest of the main cast.
Bedford plays Lyte in her first lead role. Lyte believes she is the lone survivor of an attack by alien forces on the planet Echo, but find outs differently.
Witherspoon is finishing up the script of the follow-up feature film called “Submerge: Galaxy of Subversion.”
Witherspoon, who lives in north Indianapolis, filmed two of his earlier films in Carmel’s Coxhall Gardens.
The Submerge Weekend continues at InConJunction, a science fiction convention set from June 30 to July 2 at the Marriott East Indianapolis hotel. Those who attend “Submerge: Echo 51” premiere will can use their ticket sub for $5 off a one-day pass or $10 off a weekend pass to InConJunction.
Stevens, a former pro wrestler who has appeared in “The Walking Dead” and “Empire” will be a featured guest.
The show will also be shown at the Gen Con Film Festival in Indianapolis Aug. 17 through 20.
Screening tickets are $10 and VIP tickets are $25. For more, visit dventertainmentpictures.com.
