Entertainment with a purpose!
This film displays various healthy and unhealthy relationship patterns. Once you've viewed the film, click to take the assessment and join one of our live relationship workshop presentations.
About the Film
Synopsis
Dushon is down on his luck and is always bailing out his cousin, Kenneth, who has serious baby momma drama. He is also always covering for his best friend James, who is an arrogant successful music producer that constantly cheats on his wife. Everything changes when the beautiful songstress next door, Jasmine, moves into town. Dushon quickly falls head over heels for Jasmine giving her all of his time and attention. Emotions erupt when Kenneth suspects Jasmine is only using Dushon to help her land a major music deal with James. All the drama forces Dushon to make a tough decision to choose between Friends, Family & Lovers.
Meet the Writer & Director
Michael D. Ballard has been writing and producing independent films and television shows for over 16 years. He's now moving into the major box office arena with the release of the number one urban comedy "I Got the Hookup 2" as a Co-Writer. With plans of several other box office releases with Master P as Co-Writer. He plans on making major noise with the releases of his own projects starting with Friends, Family & Lovers.
Meet the team
Executive Producer- Shavon Ballard
Chicago native Shavon Ballard has over 15 years in the Arts and Entertainment industry. In 2004, she began her career as a model which later open doors for her in the acting world. Shavon has led roles in multiple feature films, short films, and documentaries. Now she is expanding her skills and passion with producing her first feature project, Friends Family & Lovers.
Executive Producer - Margaret James
Margaret James has over 20+ years’ experience in Arts and Entertainment including Writing, Directing, Acting, and Producing. She grew up on Chicago West side and took interest in the entertainment industry at an early age.
In 2005, Margaret started the company Sharing Unique Visions and Co-Wrote her first stage play Ain't I A Woman. Margaret also co-directed the stage play Battle 4 My Soul and has written several other plays and skits like Who’s Covering You and The Resurrection where she has performed locally and in Indiana, and Michigan.
In 2012 she Joined with Michael D. Ballard writing, directing and producing independent films like Ugly Girl, Geometry & Chiraq. 2015 they started Kingdom Business Builders, Inc. to house all their events and productions. Margaret wrote and directed her first short horror film Fetch and premiered it In 2017.
Executive Producer - Fa' Darryl Brown
Wearing multiple hats in a wide variety of industries, including music production and entertainment, as well as training and development, Fa'Darryl Brown represents the future of media entertainment and artist development. As the Founder and President of Fa’Darryl Music of FCEB Enterprises,
Fa'Darryl has combined his love and passion for performing arts and his professional expertise in business management and training and development, by founding and incorporating several organizations that provide a variety of unique resources and services for anyone interested in the arts and/or professional or personal development. These organizations include, The Paint the World Project, a nonprofit that specializes in performing arts and youth mentorship, and Misfitz Musik Productions, a music production company offering a wide variety of services from music production to artist development and management.
Fa’Darryl Brown is also Co-Executive Producer of the “Friends, Family, and Lovers” Movie and Soundtrack, based out of Chicago, including artists and musicians that are nationally and intercontinental renown.
For more information on Fa’Darryl Music visit www.fadarrylmusic.com. Also, visit www.pwproject.org for more info on The Paint the World Project.
Production Team
DP/Editor-DonJuan Ibitayo
I'm a what I would consider a hybrid shooter being that I love to do both videography and photography. My method is to focus on the energy of the overall production. Because when the vibe is right everything falls into place. With that being my main philosophy I’ve done 6 indie films to date, countless photo shoots and a hand full of music videos.
Don'Ya Mattison/Camera Operator
I’m from Matteson, Illinois. My passion for the camera led me to photography and videography. I started making music videos in High School, 6 years ago, that led me to pursue a degree from Michigan State University majoring in Media Information. I had the opportunity to travel to India through study abroad for a month. During this time I had a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a Bollywood film at the Ramoji Film City. My motto is a picture can last a lifetime but you can’t!!!
Production Assistant-Sarah Rico
“Fairly new to the film making scene, FFL was Sarah's first involvement in a feature-length film production. Filling various roles as needed, she gained valuable experience as a Production Assistant, Extra, and part-time Script Supervisor. Off set, Sarah is a movie fanatic (duh) and a Licensed Holistic Health Practitioner who loves to cook, dance, and make too many forms of art to mention here.”
Production Team
Jeremy Lynch
Jeremy Lynch is a film production jack of all trades with over 12 years of
experience in film production. His directorial debut short film, 'The Scavenger' is available for viewing on Amazon Prime Video.
On the set of 'Friends Family and Lovers' Jeremy filled in where needed, serving as a gaffer, B camera operator, cast and crew recruiter, sound recordist, preliminary editor, and various other jobs. For one production day, he even filled the shoes of the
first assistant director.
Jeremy is currently in development for his next film, 'Grandpa' which will involve collaboration with Michael Ballard
Meet the cast
Abimbola Osundairo as "Dushon"
Abimbola aka Bola was featured in spike lee chiraq. He was also featured as a costar on Chicago pd. His studies are in bio and theater. He's a health and wellness advocate . He loves reading in his spare times and he understands 4 languages. He's also an undefeated golden gloves boxing champion.
Logan L Parks as "Jasmine"
Logan Parks is an actress, singer, and model born and raised in the West Side of Chicago. She studied Theater Arts at Kalamazoo College and Improv at Second City in Chicago. Logan is a Television major currently studying at Columbia College Chicago with a concentration in producing and writing. She has worked with Chicago Directors such as Cassandra Bell and has had a feature role on the FOX TV show Empire. Shortly after being signed to Talent Group, Logan landed her first print job with United Airlines. Before her teenage years, she starred in her first musical and debuted in her first televised commercial in 2018. For her, this is just the beginning.
Darius White as "Kenneth"
Always putting God first in everything I do. I am very grateful to have parents that pushed me to pursuing my dreams. I'm thankful to Director Michael Ballard for trusting me and believing in me to partake in his vision. Growing up there were very few resources available to me. That curse was a blessing because, it taught me hardword and devotion to the craft. Having experience in many stage plays. I find myself at home when the cameras are rolling.
Corey Brooks as "James Banner"
A actor from Chicago, IL. Corey has been acting for over 10 years, He's been in six independent films, one stage play, and extra work as well.
Briana Morris as "Keisha"
Briana Morris is an actress, producer and content creator hailing from the Windy City of Chicago, IL. She has a foundation in theater that lives for the core of storytelling and probing the discoveries of
life. Her creative curiosity has taken her to the South of France, Italy, Jamaica and the Cannes Film Festival, twice! She has an
ambiguous relationship with fashion, travel, tacos, television and the universe at large. She spends most of her days planning how to combine her love of adventure and creativity
Shavon Ballard as "Tiana"
Chicago native Shavon Ballard has over 15 years in the Arts and Entertainment industry. In 2004, she began her career as a model which later open doors for her in the acting world. Shavon has led roles in multiple feature films, short films, and documentaries. Now she is expanding her skills and passion with producing her first feature project, Friends Family & Lovers.
meet the cast
Aubry Wood as "Princess"
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Aubry Wood is a Chicago based actress and model. She started her formal acting training at Indiana University when she was 18, and has worked in a variety of comedic and dramatic films. Check out her IMDB for a full list of her work.
Edward Williams III as "Eddie"
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Originally from San Diego, California, Edward moved to Chicago during his teen years to embark on a stint in clean comedy performance lasting well into his early 20’s. Edwards comedic escapades would later evolve into his signature Ray Charles impersonations which then opened up doors into the world of acting for him in the form of stage plays throughout the Chicagoland area. With Destiny at his back and a little luck, Edward eventually landed at the doors of Michelle Hayes of Hayes Talent Agency. Together, Edward and Hayes Talent have been an unstoppable force. Michelle would get him auditions & he would book them. Hence the nickname “book’em”. Edward has shown acting range in Dick Wolf productions such Chicago P.D and Chicago MED to name a couple as well as Finish line and Lowe’s commercials coupled with Comedy Central’s hit tv show South Side. Finally embracing his natural born talent, Edward has truly become a force of nature within the acting community while adopting the Southside of Chicago as his home away from home.
Production Stills
