Tia Cherie Polite

Tia is a wearer of many hats. Her most prominent is that of CEO & owner of Black Rose Dagger Films, LLC, a small independent film production and visual effects company based in the Washington DC area. At Black Rose Dagger Films, Tia functions in many roles including film director, screenwriter, producer, VFX generalist, cinematographer, editor, actor, costumer and prop maker. Tia has been involved in some form of creative arts for many years, but it wasn't until 2008 that things formally began taking shape. During 2008, Tia received a certificate in 3D Animation and Visual Effects from the 3D Training Institute. Also in 2008 Tia began performing as a costumed stage combat performer for the Guardians Performance Group (formerly the Jedi Guardians) where she performed and later choreographed Kenjutsu routines dressed as a Star Wars character using a stunt light-sabers. During her time with the GPG, Tia performed in a dozen live charitable events and conventions. She was elected CEO of the GPG in 2011 and served in that role until retiring from stage combat in 2013. Although Tia was no longer an active stunt performer she continued to dress up in various costumes and attend conventions as a "Cosplayer" and began using the moniker "MzTiyah Cosplay". Tia began making some of her own props and costumes to use in her cosplay. In 2011, Tia began blending her various talents and interests together and began her foray into film-making by acting, writing and producing several independent short films, including an entry in the 2012 Washington DC 48 Hour Film Project called "To Wrong A Right". In 2015 Tia entered into directing via the Star Wars inspired film "Dark Awakening", which also wrote and acted. The film also served as her first as a visual effects artist and editor. Tia followed up in 2016 with the release of the short films "The Interrogation" and "The Journey of Tia", both of which successfully screened at a variety of film festivals. She kicks off 2017 with the release of her latest short film "Age of the Warrior", a grind-house throwback to the Shaw Brothers martial arts films of the 60's and 70's. Tia is completing post-production work on the sequel to "Dark Awakening" called "Dark Awakening II: Battle of Krotanna" and is in the development stage of several short films, including "Age of the Warrior II" and her first full-length film, the action adventure thriller "Syn".