Trish Stoecker, Managing Editor
The golden age of cinema met the grit of the American West on Monday, September 22, as Tampa’s historic Tampa Theatre rolled out the red carpet for the Gatsby-themed premiere of Velvet Hammer, the newest faith-based western drama from CAP Studios. The event drew cast, crew, and fans alike into a world of sequins, fedoras, and 1920s elegance as they gathered to celebrate a film that blends classic storytelling with spiritual depth — and may soon ride onto television screens as a full-fledged series.
Produced and directed by Hollywood veteran and respected acting coach Ian Stevens, Jonah (Shane Thomas), Connie Manzi, and Donald St. John as executive producers, Velvet Hammer is more than just a Western. It’s a layered narrative of redemption, forgiveness, and rebirth — set against the backdrop of a small, struggling town changed forever by the arrival of a mysterious drifter. Stevens has expressed that the project is envisioned as the start of something larger, with the potential to evolve into multiple seasons of a television series.
The film was shot on the sprawling Florida ranch of Les McDowell, who also appears in the production and welcomed the cast and crew to transform his property into a cinematic frontier town. The authentic setting gives the story a distinctly Southern character, grounding the drama in real-world textures while highlighting Florida’s growing role in film and television production.
The premiere itself was a true Hollywood-style affair, complete with camera flashes, interviews, and roaring-’20s flair. Many of the film’s stars walked the red carpet and shared their excitement about the project and the depth of the story they helped bring to life.
Among them was Salem Adia, who portrays Carole Brown and discussed the importance of the film’s themes of resilience and renewal. Alexis Baca, who brings Amy to life, reflected on the complexity of the relationships and the message of forgiveness woven throughout the narrative. Zachary Vazquez (David Thomas) and Faith Dickinson (Florence Thomas) both emphasized how the film parallels timeless Biblical stories — including Cain and Abel, the Prodigal Son, and Lazarus — in ways that feel relevant and deeply human.
Donald St. John, who also portrays Bill Monroe, spoke about the balance the film strikes between entertainment and meaningful storytelling. Savannah Grace Elmer (Norma Brown), John Patch (Sheriff Carl Phillips), Joe Cook (Herbert Eastwood), Brandon Yates (Isiah Thomas), and Steven T. Smith (Scooter Williams) all noted their enthusiasm for being part of a project that explores faith, redemption, and transformation in a fresh and engaging way.
The film’s three principal cast members — Jamil Winston (Travis), Brie Burke (Eliza), and Kimm Mauceri (Alice Thomas, the town’s self-appointed “know-it-all”) — also stood out for their compelling performances. Each brought depth, authenticity, and emotional resonance to their roles, anchoring the story and enriching the dramatic arc of Velvet Hammer. Lilly Dorton (Claudette Phillips) delivered a particularly memorable portrayal as a teenage girl grappling with a stutter brought on by the traumatic loss of her mother a year earlier, capturing both the vulnerability and resilience of her character with remarkable sensitivity.
A special acknowledgment goes to the Hole in the Head Gang, a dedicated troupe of modern-day actors and cowboys whose authentic performances and attention to period detail added depth and vibrant realism to the film’s depiction of the Old West, enriching the atmosphere and bringing the era vividly to life on screen.
The film’s tagline — “A drifter comes across a one-horse country village and lends hope to a hopeless town” — captures the heart of the narrative. Yet Velvet Hammer is more than a simple story of a stranger’s impact. It’s a deeply spiritual journey for the townspeople, a story that mirrors humanity’s timeless struggles and triumphs. Through betrayal and reconciliation, despair and renewal, the film invites viewers to reflect on their own paths to redemption.
Behind the camera, the project truly came together through the skilled work of director of photography and editor Tammy Roebuck, whose vision and technical expertise helped shape Velvet Hammer into the powerful and visually compelling story audiences experienced on premiere night.
As the credits rolled, the audience responded with enthusiastic applause, signaling not just the end of a screening but the beginning of what many hope will become an ongoing series. Stevens indicated that this premiere is only the beginning and that more chapters of the story could follow.
For those eager to hear more from the stars themselves, exclusive red-carpet interviews with the cast — including Salem Adia, Alexis Baca, Zachary Vazquez, Faith Dickinson, Donald St. John, Savannah Grace Elmer, John Patch, Joe Cook, Brandon Yates, and Steven T. Smith — will be available on the Tampa Bay Sports & Entertainment website and Facebook page.
With its blend of faith-infused storytelling, richly drawn characters, and cinematic authenticity, Velvet Hammer stands as a testament to the power of hope and the enduring appeal of redemption stories. If the energy and enthusiasm of the premiere are any indication, this is just the beginning of a much larger journey — one that could soon bring the soul of this small-town Western to screens nationwide.