Mark Lesser
Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Mark Lesser is an artist and screenwriter living in Los Angeles. After attending an artist residency in Morocco, Mark began painting and writing daily. He wrote the comedic short, "A Bathroom on Drake" which won Best Short Film at the 2020 Big Apple Film Festival. Mark’s autobiographical "Mumbly Peg" is a feature screenplay that is planning for an August 2021 production.
Presently, Mark is writing a novel that will be adapted for the screen. Along with writing, Mark has 20 years of film and television production credits to his name, including one of his first credits, "Spaceballs"! Mark has been an exhibited artist & painter for 25 years and has a doctorate in clinical psychology. He is married to Shellie, has an adult daughter Taylor, and a dachshund named Pablo.
Victor Mathews
Director, Producer
Victor Mathews is a member of the Directors Guild of America working within TV & Film in the USA & globally. Working for major networks, cable, commercials, music concerts, & talk shows, documentaries, corporate, serials, series, sports, news, and still going!
He is an Emmy award-winning camera operator. Working on JIB, CamMate, Handheld, Ped, Steadicam, Crane, Robotic camera systems. Union member of IATSE, ICG, NABET, IBEW.
As a Director he believes in diving into the minds of each character. Mis-en-scene! Frame by frame designing to bring characters, talent, story, imagination to screen. Any idea Dream it, Visualize it, and Bring it to Life! Always keeping in mind budget, logistics, and planning. Pre-production is key! Know your parameters...
Jonathan Burkhart
Line Producer / Unit Production Manager
A little too early in his youth, 13, Jonathan worked at a television station on Nantucket Island where he operated a camera for the 5:30 pm news, then he was promoted to technical director at age 15, then director of news. After college, Jonathan worked on dozens of television shows and feature films. Some feature film credits include Do the Right Thing, Mo' Better Blues, Mountain View, A Better Tomorrow, and Dazed and Confused.
Jonathan went on to produce independent film, television, and theater. He is the co-founder and president of the Nantucket Film Festival, dedicated to honoring screenwriters and their craft. The festival is Jonathan’s only source of fun. Though he is a certified trimix scuba diver and has dived all over the world to depths as deep as 250’.
Lawrence Wolfberg
Production Designer
Lawrence Wolfberg has been creating physical environments and experiences for Fortune 500 companies for over 30 years. His accomplishments included store design and visual merchandising for GAP, the Times Square sign for The Coca-Cola Company, as well as their branded attraction - The World of Coca-Cola. His most recent work has been for CNN’s world headquarters in New York City and Turner Classic Movie Cruises aboard the Disney Cruise Line. Currently, he is working with Facebook to create photo ops in their corporate offices.
Lawrence brings all of his previous knowledge and experience of creating genuine environments that evoke an emotional response to the world of film and television.
Mark Sparrough
Director of Photography
Mark Sparrough, SOC is a Director of Photography and Steadicam/ Camera Operator with over 20 years of experience in the film and television industry. His work has taken him through the White House with then-President Barrack Obama for NBC, ABC, and CBS News, into flooded sewers for National Geographic, and on location for numerous feature films and scripted television shows. As a director of photography in the studio, live and field settings, Mark’s experience is extensive and varied. Equally comfortable crafting scenes on location for a feature film or shooting live music and comedy, he is constantly testing his skills and evolving his craft.
Mark has a creative eye for compelling shots and continually tests his camera skills on both narrative and documentary projects. He is dedicated to achieving the vision of directors and producers with whom he works. He brings to each shoot fresh ideas and the experience that comes with shooting many different types of projects. Mark has worked on projects for HBO, Showtime, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, STARZ, PBS, MTV, and Apple+.
He is a member of the International Cinematographer’s Guild (IATSE Local 600), Steadicam Operators Association (SOA), and the Society of Camerapersons (SOC).
Jose Del Carmen Martinez
Director of Photography
Jose Del Carmen Martinez, Director of Photography, Gaffer, is an accomplished filmmaker, camera operator, screenwriter & Director.
While attending INTEC which is the Santo Domingo Technological Institute he received the System Engineer title, where he met Arturo Rodriguez Fernandez who was one of the most acclaimed film critics in Latin American and started to work at the Cine Club. Winning a scholarship to take the General Production Course/TV at RNTC (Radio Nederland Training Centre) Hilversum, Holland, along with various film courses eventually establishing in New York, USA.
Jose has worked in the music business working with people like Sean Puffy Combs, Mad Lion, & Notorious B. Likewise on feature films in his native Dominican Republic with renowned DP’s and Directors like Sidney Lumet, Wes Craven, Sergei Franklin, Igor Sunara, Rolando Hudson, and Maria Betty. “JC” as he likes to be called 30 plus music videos, 25 plus feature/short films, and 25 plus commercials.
Emmeline Nicole
Set Decorator / Art Director
At heart, I am a creative artist as much as an innovative designer. A Jackaline of all trades and tools, so to speak. I have the rare ability to take something of low cost and make it look like a million dollars.
I began working as a Set Decorator for the TV and Film industry, because I enjoy the faster pace and that no two productions are ever alike. It is a great opportunity to push myself creatively while allowing me the platform to design spaces that may not work for real-life but look fantastic on the big screen. I love to be part of a creative crew, I believe in commending others on work well done.
I would repeatedly be hired for my competence to work under pressure effectively and efficiently while delivering a high-quality design. My ability to get the job done and overcome any obstacles that may arise is a characteristic quality. I have repeat clients for TV commercials and film sets.
Born and raised in England, began my career as a freelance Interior and Exterior Designer whilst traveling through Europe. I finally settled in New York City 15 years ago with my husband of 20 years and together we have two wonderful children. Line Producer / Unit Production Manager.
Rita Powers
Casting Director
Rita Powers began her career in entertainment in 1987 at Little Stars, a boutique children’s talent management firm in New York City. Ms. Powers left to become a SAG agent with the A+ Agency. This allowed her to develop strong business contacts and build exciting relationships, providing her with the resources and confidence needed to open her own business. Rita Powers Management was an immediate success.
Having worked in the industry for many years Ms. Powers has placed talent in everything from Broadway to national commercials, films, television shows, voice-overs, and print advertisements. Rita Powers Management has been working on casting projects for principle, featured, and background talent.
Rita has worked on casting critically acclaimed Half Nelson and 2011 Musical Chairs with Academy Award-winning Director, Susan Seidelman. Working with prominent Bollywood producers Karan Johar and Adiyta Chopra, Ms. Powers continues to develop international casting expertise. Most recently, Rita was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with renowned Director Derek Cianfrance on the HBO series, I Know This Much Is True, with an Emmy award-winning performance from Mark Ruffalo.
Heidi K. Eklund
Casting Director
Heidi K. Eklund began her career on stage, mostly in Shakespeare, in her ingenue years. While living in NYC she acted in countless Off-Broadway theaters, and primarily as an ensemble member of the Irondale Ensemble Theater where she joined the Actor's Equity Association. After a transition as a skydiver in Upstate NY, she found herself at Vassar College as the Casting Coordinator. Heidi is now the owner of Hudson Valley Casting and has served as the casting director for numerous films and other commercial and industrial projects. A love of Heidi's is helping others (which is why casting is so appealing, having the opportunity to be creative and connect actors to meaningful projects). Heidi has also studied Yoga, Shiatsu and is now training to be a well-being coach through Anthropedia.
Amy Hutchings
Casting Director
Amy Hutchings is known for her work on The Dead Don't Die (2019), I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020), and Cold in July (2014). Amy was privileged to be part of the original production crew of 'Sesame Street' during the first 10 years of the show's production. She then went on to work as Associate Director for Nickelodeon's 'Eureeka's Castle', again working with Jim Henson's Muppets.
For the next two decades, she cast upwards of 80,000 photography shoots, along with writing 20+ children's non-fiction books (8 for Scholastic, Inc.). During the past ten years, Amy has evolved into casting talent for feature films. She relishes matching terrific talent with roles and with helping directors achieve their vision.