From Local News Cameras to Netflix Screens
How a Baltimore director turned urban storytelling into a cinematic movement
In the landscape of American independent cinema, few voices capture the raw authenticity of urban life quite like Derick Thomas. Also known professionally as Derick Prince, the Baltimore native has spent over two decades crafting films that don’t merely depict city life—they breathe it, bleed it, and ultimately humanize it.
Thomas’s work stands as living documentation of Baltimore’s streets, struggles, and resilience—stories often ignored by mainstream studios, yet embraced by audiences worldwide.
The Making of a Storyteller
Derick Thomas’s journey into filmmaking did not follow a traditional Hollywood path.
After earning his Master’s Degree in Communication Studies from Morgan State University and studying at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Thomas entered the industry through an unexpected door: local news.
Working as a videographer-journalist, he learned how to capture truth as it unfolded—unfiltered, unscripted, and urgent. That discipline became the backbone of his filmmaking style, grounding even his narrative features in lived reality.
In 2001, Thomas made a decisive leap. He founded DA Vision Entertainment, a Baltimore-based production company devoted to telling urban stories that mainstream cinema routinely overlooked. The mission was clear: authenticity first.
Breaking Through: Charm City (2006)
Thomas’s breakout moment arrived with his 2006 feature film Charm City—a love letter to Baltimore that refused to romanticize its hardships.
The film won Best Feature Film at the Urban Mediamakers Film Festival (UMFF) and went on to secure a Netflix distribution deal, a rare achievement for an independent film at the time.
Baltimore was not just a backdrop—it was a character.
“Charm City explored the warmth of community intertwined with the harsh realities of urban life, establishing a storytelling template Thomas would refine for decades.”
The film proved that hyper-local stories, when told honestly, could resonate nationally.
Documenting the Unseen
The Heroin King of Baltimore
Thomas’s journalistic instincts came fully into focus with the 2009 documentary
The Heroin King of Baltimore: The Rise and Fall of Melvin Williams.
The film chronicled the infamous drug kingpin whose life inspired a character on HBO’s The Wire. Rather than glorifying crime or reducing Williams to a headline, Thomas presented a layered portrait of power, addiction, consequence, and survival.
The documentary cemented Thomas’s reputation for gaining rare access—and for telling difficult stories with restraint, depth, and moral clarity.
Building a Cinematic Ecosystem
What distinguishes Derick Thomas from many independent filmmakers is his long-term vision. He didn’t just make films—he built an ecosystem.
In 2012, his feature Raising Wolves reunited talent from The Wire, including Tray Chaney. The film won UMFF’s Best Gritty Feature Film, reinforcing Thomas’s reputation for unflinching urban drama.
His 2017 film Betrayals marked a turning point. Featuring a diverse cast—including Robyn Dixon, Cappadonna (Wu-Tang Clan), Spindarella (Salt-N-Pepa), and Tray Chaney—the film achieved over 2 million streams on Amazon Prime.
It was proof that independent urban cinema could compete in the streaming era.
The Director as Cultural Bridge
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A documentarian who directs narrative features
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An independent filmmaker who works with recognizable talent
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A local storyteller with global distribution
His 2020 film Unplug (credited as Dereck Prince) reimagined the classic crime-drama archetype of a retired gangster pulled back into the life—filtered through a distinctly Baltimore lens.
His most recent feature, Mammon (2026), continues that evolution. Meanwhile, other projects signal bold expansion:
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Time Device — a sci-fi thriller blending time travel and romantic obsession
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King Me — a return to crime drama territory (2027)
Thomas is not bound by genre—only by truth.
The Business of Authenticity
While many independent filmmakers struggle to reach audiences, Thomas built a formidable distribution footprint:
Netflix · Amazon Prime Video · Tubi · Pluto TV · Vudu · Apple TV · Walmart
This success stems from a crucial insight:
Thomas doesn’t make films about urban communities for outsiders—he makes films from those communities for the people who live in them.
Authenticity became both his creative compass and his business model.
A Legacy Still in Motion
At a moment when Hollywood is finally acknowledging the commercial value of diverse voices, Derick Thomas stands as a pioneer who never waited for permission.
He built his own infrastructure.
Developed long-term creative partnerships.
Documented Baltimore across two decades of change.
His films form a living archive of the city—its struggles, music, survival, and spirit. In an industry dominated by franchises and intellectual property, Thomas’s work reminds us that the most powerful stories often come from the streets we walk every day.
Independent filmmaking, for Thomas, is not a limitation—it’s a declaration of creative freedom.
And for Baltimore, a city that has inspired countless stories yet controlled few of them, Derick Thomas remains one of its most important cinematic voices.
Where to Watch
Derick Thomas’s films are available on major streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Tubi, Pluto TV, Vudu, Apple TV, and Walmart.
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