Meet The Crew
Derek Braasch
Owner/Director
Derek grew up in South Holland, IL and lived there for most of his life. He gained a love for films at an early age, particularly films containing gore and nudity. Late night HBO & Cinemax provided for Derek's very early film education. At age 10, Derek picked up his first camcorder (his Dad's VHS Sears brand camera) and began making short films.
Derek took his first film class as a Junior in High School, Mass Media, which was the class that inspired him to make films. His instructor, Bernie Jablonski taught Derek the fundamentals of what goes into making a film. He learned the basics in lighting, shot composition, music and score.
Derek went on to attend Community College for his Associates Degree, and later attended film school at Columbia College, Chicago. Film school gave Derek the tools and knowledge to make films, but he gained most of his hands-on knowledge and experience by creating his own films.
Derek received his first on-set experience working for Cool Movies Productions under director Tom Vollmann. Under Tom's guidance, Derek was able to experience acting, writing, directing, lighting, sound, and cinematography. Derek will never forget this experience, or Tom. May he rest in peace.
The second filmmaker and mentor Derek worked for was Kevin Mukherji of Magnum Independent Pictures. Derek as well, learned the fundamentals of filmmaking and is grateful that he continues to learn from Kevin today.
Derek and his wife Nina have produced/written/directed/shot short films for Phil Herman and Joel D Wynkoops's Horrortaless 666 part 2&3. These films are SLAY RIDE which is available to watch and DEATH IS THE ONLY OPTION being released in July. Derek has A BROKEN PROMISE written by Derek and Nina as well for Phil Herman's Doomsday anthology which is to be released in October. Also, get ready to see the release of FLESH FIRE in Spring of 2025 for 6 PACK OF HORROR anthology. Story by Nina Trader and written by Derek and Nina. Derek directed and shot this horror/comedy short and is in post production now.
Derek's third feature TORTURE THE FLESH, written, produced, and directed by him and had it's premiere October 30, 2024.TORTURE THE FLESH focuses on a string of grisly murders that brings law enforcement to their knees as two cops try to take down this serial killer who may or may not be their own...or is he? Starring Darin Howard Bowman, Joe Debartolo, Myles Valentine, and Lillian Lamour.
Cheevies Film Productions has teamed up again for Phil Herman's Unearthed Anthology. Derek Braasch directed THE TIES THAT BIND, which is one of the stories in the anthology. It was written by Nina Trader and Derek Braasch. It stars Joe Jauch, Lillian Lamour, Dave Cook and Heather Harlow.
Spring 2025 is the release of I WISH I KNEW, a heartfelt drama written by Nina Trader and Derek Braasch. It is directed by Derek and stars Nina Trader, Michael Holub, Daryl Anisfeld, Jimmy Shay and Joyce Porter.
The Cheevies Team is in preproduction for THE CLOWN DIES AT MIDNIGHT 2: CLOWN HARDER. They plan to shoot that in the summer of 2025. This will be directed by Derek Braasch and written by Michael Dietz. Starring Jimmy Shay, Darin Bowman, and Joe Debartolo.
Check out Cheevies Film Productions films at:
https://www.youtube.com/user/cheeviesfilms11
www.facebook.com/cheeviesfilmproductions
Nina Trader-Braasch
Owner/Makeup Artist/Actress/Singer/Writer/Production Manager
Nina has always been a theatre kid and started singing and performing at an early age. She began working on film sets when she met her now husband, Derek, and has worked many jobs on set including Unit Production Manager, Makeup Artist, Special FX Makeup Artist, Producer, Script Supervisor, Writer, Boom Operator, Sound Recordist and more.
In her free time, Nina loves to sing and act. She has been in countless theatre productions and concerts and recently has added some on camera roles to her repertoire including roles in Mutilation Massacre, Eyes of Deception, Guardian Angel, Chicks with Scripts and Slay Ride. She and her husband both wrote the script for the powerful drama Guardian Angel and their next heartfelt piece called I Wish I Knew. She and her husband are currently in preproduction for their 3rd feature Torture the Flesh, a gory and grisly horror/cop thriller. Nina is doing makeup, assisting with Special FX makeup, producer and unit production manager. They currently have a Gofundme page set up for the film.
Nina and her husband run 5 successful film festivals - Reel Comedy Fest, Reel Horror Fest, Reel Cinema Fest, Reel Doc Fest, and Hardcore Horror Fest.
Nina is also a freelance Makeup Artist, specializing in weddings, events and photo shoots. Find her on Facebook to book her for your upcoming wedding or event: www.facebook.com/ninatradermakeup or email her at ntmakeup12@gmail.com.
Joe DeBartolo
Actor/Producer
Actor, producer, director most recently known for Torture the Flesh and Cellar Secret.
Seasoned veteran of over fifty years of film making. A native Chicagoan whose D-Bar Film Productions formed in 1969. Spent the next 15 years honing his craft as director, writer, producer, editor and of course actor in over 200 feature and short films and videos, including the award winning Massacre 1970 and Rubber Soul 1978 as well as fan favorites Borcca Morcca 1978, Star Stuff 1981 and Beyond the Edge 1986.
Joe was a member of iO (at the time improvOlympics) in 1985/86 and trained under improv guru Del Close.
In 1990 Joe took a 20 year hiatus from film making to raise a family. He returned to acting in 2010.
Joe became a member of the Cheevies family with his portrayal of Marbles the clown in 2017’s The Clown Dies at Midnight. He has since appeared in 12 more Cheevies short films and the feature, Torture the Flesh 2024.
Justin Bower
2nd AD / Location Scout
Justin has been a lifelong film (especially horror) fan for most of his life. A long time musician that even dabbled in stage a little bit, he finally got in the film making scene thanks to Willy Adkins. Justin helped Willy as a PA on his film Working Out the Kinks. As a result, he met Derek and Nina of Cheevies and served as an executive producer on Haunted Lenore. He is currently working on Slay Ride as an actor and boom operator but is tackling his biggest film to date on Torture the Flesh as a 2nd AD and a location scout. He hopes to continue his passion in any way he can whether its writing, producing, directing or acting. He plans to go back to school in 2021.
Freddie Robinson
Actor/Assistant Director/PA
Starting out as a background actor and stand-in on Chicago based Tv shows, Chicago Med, Chicago PD and Chicago Fire sparked a crave in me to see what's more in the filming industry. Coming from being a frequent bowler and member of the United States Bowling Congress (a hobby I love) to the big screens, who would have guessed. That crave launched me into many independent film projects with director names like Christopher Nolan, Mark Harris, Aretha Tatum, Tyrone Tappler and Billy Ray Valentine.
I stepped on the scene with Derek Braasch, Cheevies Production in late 2018. I had my first debut as an extra in Cheevies Film, short film- drama " Guardian Angel". After taking a liking to Cheevies set experience with this crew, I seeked out more opportunities with Derek film family. I landed a spot on Cheevies roster as a Assistant Director on two of their full feature film projects, "Torture the Flesh" and A Clown Dies At Midnight 2: Clown Harder. They're professional, organized and most importantly, extremely fun to be around. I am honored to be given the opportunity to help on the Cheevies set.
Becky Lange
Grip/Gaffer/Assistant Director
Becky has been a part of the Cheevies family since 2007. Her film debut was as Art Director and Gaffer for Murder for Pleasure. Past lighting credits include Hernandez, T is for Tentacles, The Clown Dies @ Midnight, Mentis, Mutilation Massacre, Guardian Angel, Chicks with Scripts, and Haunted Lenore. Becky will be working as a grip in the upcoming film from Cheevies Film Productions Torture the Flesh. Becky helps Cheevies in various fundraising and film festival events. Whenever she is not working on films, Becky is active backstage in her local theatre.
Bobby Thompson
Composer / Music Producer / Sound Editor / Mixing Engineer / Guitarist
Bobby Thompson is a composer, music producer, sound editor, mixing engineer and guitarist. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Business from Elmhurst College along with a mixing engineer certification. He also received his Avid Pro Tools Operator Certification in Post Production while studying in Santa Monica California.
Bobby has worked on several projects with Cheevies films which include the following; “Foot Steps” (composer, post sound mixing), “Chicks With Scripts” (composer, post sound mixing), “Cruising Through Time” (composer, post sound mixing, sound editor), and “Torture The Flesh” Trailers (composer, post sound mixing). Bobby is happy to work with Cheevies Films and all of the crew and is looking forward to future productions.
To learn more about Bobby and his audio production services you can contact him at: bobbyaudioproduction@gmail.com and visit his website: https://www.btaudioproduction.com
Jimmy Shay
Actor
Jimmy Shay is the kind of guy you don't want to read a bio about. Rather than simply listing where he trained and some notable credits, he's going to try to break the mold and try to make it interesting. See, he is already doing it in this lame, sort of meta rant kicking things off.
Acting since the age of 10, Jimmy has always enjoyed performing in any capacity. Whether it's acting in film or on stage. He has become known around Chicago for writing and performing his unique brand of solo sketch comedy as “The Meaty Bits of Jimmy Shay.” Jimmy is a graduate of the comedy programs at The Second City and Improv Olympic. He also plays drums, but honestly who cares. His wife Tray is his anchor. They create and write together, and she doesn't mind when he disappears for entire weekends shooting movies, or when he pretends to be an old southern lady in the mirror for an hour.
Simply put, Jimmy never stops performing. He is thrilled to be a part of a film crew like Cheevies. Actors like Jimmy could not do what they do without the drive and hustle of companies like Cheevies, who never ever stop creating opportunities for people to perform.
Pat O'Sullivan
Writer/Assistant Director/Producer
Pat has been working with Cheevies since 2003 on various projects. He was a production assistant on The Icing, helped produce Murder For Pleasure, The Clown Dies @ Midnight & Mutilation Massacre, wrote Hernandez & Tentacles and has acted in Hernandez, She's a Doll, Web of Death & Mentis. Pat will also be working on our upcoming projects, Chasing The One and Guardian Angel.
Mike Miller
1st AD/Writer/Boom Operator
Chicago native Michael Miller first began his journey in Film Making back in 2009 after meeting filmmaker and friend (Derek Braasch). The love of watching movies and reading deeply disturbing books have been a driving force in mikes life since the early 80s. After having a multitude of conversations with Derek about the movie he was filming, (The Icing)...michael realized he was very interested in becoming part of Dereks filmmaking crew. From that chance encounter back in 2009 til today, Michael is credited with helping cheeviesfilms in multiple departments : Boom operator on multiple cheeviesfilms. Also...(Murder for Pleasure) Writing credit , (Clown dies at Midnight)/ (The Lazy Werewolf) Acting credit/ and background work in multiple cheeviesfilms.. including, (Guardian Angel) and the latest Horror film from Cheevies: (Torture the Flesh) , were he also took a position as one of three 1st ADs.
Sheila Wheatley
Still Photographer
"Sheila is a still photographer born and raised in the south suburbs of Chicago. Sheila attended Columbia College Chicago for two years majoring in photography and switched up that plan to major in operations management. After moving around the country for a bit she returned to the burbs to start a family and focus her career on photographing eyes and running an ophthalmology clinic.
Sheila first started working with Cheevies Film Production back in 2003 during the production of The Icing. Most recently she was the photographer for the Guardian Angel and her work became the cover and poster artwork for this film. Sheila will be working with the crew on their next project Torture the flesh."
BILL BAILEY
Actor
Bill Bailey is an American actor known for his versatility as he is for his handsome face. His most widely recognized role may be Detective Lock in Lock & Load. However he got his big break with speaking lines in a film called Murder for Pleasure that was directed by Derek Braasch and made by Cheevies Film Productions. He has been in numerous movies and television shows. He continues to work with Cheevies having a small role in Mutilation Massacre and and big role for Guardian Angel which has won many festival selections and awards. And here he is again working with Cheevies in the upcoming film Torture the Flesh.
LILLIAN LAMOUR
Actress/Writer/Producer/Director
Lillian started out in local theater as a teenager, and eventually moved into acting in independent film productions, of which she has over 50 films and TV series to her name. She has also hosted local film events such as the Crown Point International Film Festival, the Chicago Horror Film Fest and Chi City Film Shorts Festival. Some of her awards are for best supporting actress in the Prairie State Film Festival for her role as Tess Aubrey in psychological thriller "Gordon Finn" along with the Geek Out Film Fest as Bethany in the comedy, "What In the Sam Hill?" Most recently, Lillian has written, directed and produced her first feature film, "Derange."
She has been working with the incredible Cheevies team for years now, acting in several Cheevies productions, with her most recent being horror film, "Torture the Flesh" and police drama, "The Ties that Bind." She is also an interviewer for Chicagoland media company, Tribe 3 Productions, at local film screenings and conventions like "Days of the Dead." In addition to that, she has a film review blog called "Lillian Likes."