Local filmmaker sets crime drama in OTR

Lee Zellars, a local filmmaker who often turns his lens on Cincinnati and its people, will soon debut a gritty, creative crime drama set in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.

Zellars, who also directed four-edisode The Spot, which airs on cable access and focuses on friends who frequent a local bar, says “O.T.R: Over-the-Rhine” is along the lines of shows like Law and Order. Shot in black and white, O.T.R features a sister and brother on different sides of the law.

“The sister is a serious-minded detective and the brother is on other side of the law as a notorious drug dealer. The sister knows he’s doing illegal activity, but doesn’t know what he’s doing or exactly how he’s doing it. They are as close and brother and sister should be, but she would not let family stand in the way if she could catch him doing what he’s doing,” said Zellars, also a photographer who lives in Avondale. He directed, produced and edited the episodic series.

Zellars worked as a photographer at The Taft Museum, YMCA Black Achievers Program, Executive Studio and The Cincinnati Herald. His photos have been in Jet Magazine, The Final Call and Applause Magazine. This isn’t Zellars first attempt at filmmaking: his movie 'Nattyville' was his first feature film in 2004, followed by 'Justifiable Romance' which won 2nd place for best action drama at The Indie Gathering Film Festival in 2006. His third movie 'Dick' won 2nd place for best crime drama in 2007 at The Indie Gathering.

OTR features local actors, including three who starred in The Spot. The 30-minute show could be reformatted to a more typical one-hour drama, Zellars said. Writers Kole Black and Brent Bridges developed the script. So far, eight 30-minute episodes have been shot.  Zellars is working to get a local broadcast of the show, possibly on My64 WSTR-TV.

The series was shot in different parts of the city, including Over-the-Rhine , Avondale and Corryville. Catch the first three episodes Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. at The Showcase Cinema in Springdale. For more information, including upcoming info on ordering tickets to RozMary Basement TV.

Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Lee Zellars director, producer, editor of O.T.R.