OUR TEAM

Marc Clebanoff — Producer

Marc Clebanoff, a graduate of the prestigious USC School of Cinema-Television, began his career at Twentieth Century Fox Television. He landed a feature-development position at USA Films (now Focus Features) under Neil Labute, the award-winning director of “Nurse Betty” and “In the Company of Men.” In 1999, Clebanoff established his own company, Marathon Films, in which he developed several feature projects with Hollywood bad-boy actor Michael Madsen, and cult filmmaker Larry Bishop. In 2004, Clebanoff renamed his company Odyssey Motion Pictures to make his feature directorial debut with “Unspoken,” a dark drama starring Justin Allen and William Sadler. This project earned Best Screenplay and Best Feature Film nominations at the New Jersey International Film & Screenplay Festival in 2006. Also in 2006, Clebanoff wrote, produced and co-directed the anxiously anticipated star-studded dark-comedy feature “The Pink Conspiracy,” which enjoyed its world premiere at the Cannes Film Market in May 2007.

Currently, Clebanoff is involved with several notable film projects, including James Russo’s drama “Seven Years Gone,” which also marks the directorial debut of the esteemed actor. In addition, Clebanoff is currently consulting for Quentin Tarantino’s indie motorcycle flick “Hell Ride”.

Clebanoff holds a second-degree black belt in traditional Korean martial arts and is an avid distance runner and accomplished marathoner. He is also the grandson of world-renowned musician and composer, Herman Clebanoff.

Anthony Derrico — Screenwriter

Anthony Derrico currently works as a freelance screenwriter and consultant for projects in the Los Angeles area. He has worked as script supervisor and various other crew positions on edgy independent shorts and features as well as motion pictures made for the Disney Channel and ABC Family. He received an MFA from the University of New Orleans and was a screenwriting instructor at Tulane University.

Neil Flowers — Dramatic Structure

Neil Flowers is an award-winning playwright who has worked as a writer, director, and actor in theatre, radio, performance art and film/video. He has coauthored a produced TV pilot, and a teleplay sold to Jim Henson Films that was produced as a feature.
Having written three feature screenplays, Flowers also teaches screenwriting, works as a script doctor and reviews films, books, dance and art for “Feminist Review.” He is currently writing a book based on his travels in North Korea.
Flowers has a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Southern California (USC) in dramatic writing, with a minor in the business of the movie business, and a Master of Arts in theatre and dance from the University of New Mexico.

Thomas C. Gertsch — Cinematographer

Thomas C. Gertsch is the creator, writer and producer of The Young Filmmakers Club^® educational video series. Thomas also served as the producer for a TV pilot called “IN THE GAME,” an instructional sports series using professional athletes to teach kids sports-specific techniques. Thomas has worked on many independent and commercial programs, helping other emerging filmmakers to realize their ideas on screen. His approach to this collaborative work is a hands-on style; he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Based in Los Angeles, Gertsch runs his production company Golden Zah Productions^™, which distributes The Young Filmmakers Club^® series worldwide. Through his company, he creates visual media for both local and national clients. The assistance he has lent to the Hollywood Shorts monthly screening programs, the Slamdunk Film Festival, the technical support for the Los Angeles Film Festival and Film Independent’s Spirit Awards has been significant to these programs’ visibility.

David Goodberg — Editor

David Goodberg developed an avid interested in drawing and cartooning at an early age and was determined to become an animator. Upon discovering the creative aspects of his own camcorder in high school, Goodberg’s focus shifted to film and video, and he began his career by creating animation shorts with G.I. Joe figures and poster putty. Since then, he has received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Master of Science in education from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Goodberg moved to Los Angeles in 2006 and is currently working as an assistant producer in Hollywood. He enjoys writing, shooting and editing his own projects on the side.

Hannah Hempstead — Line Producer

Hannah Hempstead is a filmmaker with many years of experience in the entertainment industry and a career that includes producing films and directing television series and commercials. She has worked on films with such acclaimed directors as Curtis Hanson, Robert Towne, John Badham and Bruce Beresford.

Hannah has directed television commercials for clients that include Heinz Ketchup (Bronze Lion, Cannes Film Festival), McDonald’s, Fortune Magazine, Acura, Listerine and Nike. (Clio finalist, Cannes International Advertising Film Festival finalist).

Hannah served for three years as Executive in Charge of Production at Total Film Group, an independent film-production company in Los Angeles. She is a member of the Directors Guild of America.

Hannah has worked with many actors and actresses such as Henry Cusack and Christopher Plummer in “The Gospel of John”; Kirk Douglas, Dan Aykroyd and Lauren Bacall in “Diamonds” and Tom Cruise and Shelley Long in “Losing It.”

Jaime Kalman - Empowerment Coach

Although she has been a SAG actor for many years, Jaime Kalman's passion in life is to help others move out of fear and pain. As a Certified Hypnotherapist, EFT Practitioner and Spiritual Life Coach, she brings a holistic approach to helping artists enjoy their paths while maintaining their authentic selves in the process. Inspired Healing and Awareness is a private practice designed by Kalman to inspire emotional and physical healing, spiritual awareness and personal transformation.

Kalman helps her students to illuminate the blind spots that are at the heart of their issues and supports them in creating access to breakthroughs that allow for extraordinary transformation and healing in their lives. She works with the “whole person”: the spirit; each individual’s unique purpose; the higher, lower and subconscious mind; emotional responses and energetic disruptions in the physical body.

Katrine Lieberkind — Makeup Artist

Copenhagen native Katrine Lieberkind’s passion for beauty and make-up was clearly evident very early in her life. “She was so creative as a child,” her mother recalls. “I just let her wear the experimental make-up she was so fascinated with, even as a young girl.” Katrine later honed and defined her craft assisting many of the top make-up artists in Denmark’s progressive fashion and entertainment industry.

Katrine relocated to Southern California to broaden and expand her skill set, especially in the realm of special effects. Her make-up has been described as being very esthetic. “I attempt to reveal the personality in the face in my work,” Katrine confides. She has worked in every area of the entertainment industry and has always a fresh idea to bring to the table. “I am thrilled to be recognized for my work in fashion, film and the music industry,” she says. “I am so inspired by the professionalism and creativity of all the great people with whom I am privileged to work.”

The list of celebrities and noted personalities she has worked with is long and varied, including Kelly Rowland, Courtney Love, Elton John, Paris Hilton, Kanye West, David LaChapelle, Ne-Yo, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Kylie Minogue. More recently, she has earned accolades working with the hair, make-up and costumes of pop-sensation girl group BitterSweet.

The transformative nature of her work gives Katrine her ultimate satisfaction. “I love it when a job permits me to stretch the limits of my creativity,” she says. “The delight and surprise that others find when I literally transform someone through my work can be groundbreaking and life-changing. To me, make-up brings dreams into reality and makes the impossible possible – and what a thrill that is!”

Manfred Lopez – Producer

Manfred Lopez is an emerging producer with directing, writing and director of photography experience. His credits include two feature films, a documentary series, and many short-form works including commercials, music videos and short films.
In 2004 he successfully negotiated the creation and funding of The CEFILM Agency, a government-financed joint venture with the State Government of Michoacán, Mexico. While in charge of this agency, Lopez had the official task of fomenting the growth of a film industry in the state through the creation of professional training programs, the offering of conference cycles with industry leaders, the development of original literary properties with Mexico’s new and established writing talent, the creation of an extensive National Acting Registry and the direct monetary investment in feature-film productions using both public and private funds. The CEFILM Agency and its accomplishments were covered extensively in Mexico’s media with approximately 150 articles appearing on the topic. During that time, Lopez was also featured in “Variety” as the main independent producer of the region in an article entitled “Region Gains Showbiz Visibility.”

Rod Menzies –Voice Coach

Rod Menzies has trained thousands of successful actors over the past 30 years. His students include Sandra Oh(“Grey's Anatomy,” “Sideways,” “Rabbit Hole”), Emily Rutherfurd(“The New Adventures of Old Christine”),Stark Sands(“Generation Kill,” “Flags of Our Fathers”)and TJ Thyne(“Bones”). He has served as a voice coach for top stars like Patricia Arquette, David Duchovny, Marlee Shelton and Alicia Silverstone forfilm, TV and Broadway, and he is in demand as a dialect and accent coach, including accent elimination.His dynamic, story-centered approach to text interpretation gives actors the tools they need to uncover imaginative character choices and create vivid, authentic performances.
Menzies was recently appointed Program Producer and Repertory Director for the Summer Conservatory Program in New York City. He has written both stage plays and screenplays and has directed more than 60 theatrical productions. In the corporate world, Menzies is a respected communications specialist who coaches top executives at Fortune 500 companies on presentation skills and media appearances.

Anne Merrem — High-Performance Coach

Anne Merrem is a High-Performance Coach to private clients, corporations, nonprofit organizations and elite Olympic athletes. Born in South Africa and raised in Germany, she has been a resident and citizen of the U.S, for the past 20 years. She earned a Masters degree in education and completed a four-year High-Performance Leadership Training at Sage University.

As Arnold Schwarzenegger’s assistant, Anne excelled as his liaison for everyone involved in the creative production process of filmmaking, and in his public-service activities. After five years, Merrem joined Sony Pictures Entertainment’s International Film Department where she worked in the corporate world of international film sales.

The High-Performance Coaching Program she developed has made her one of the most sought-after experts in her field. She meets the needs of clients of very diverse backgrounds through being a skilled facilitator and an expert in communication.

AWARDS: 2007 - together with her team-member Khadevis Robinson, she has been awarded the prestigious Kenneth Doherty Fellowship Award.

Gary Milton — Director of Photography — Emmy Winner

Gary Milton has had over 30 years of experience as a cinematographer in the film industry. His background experience ranges from helicopter aerials to action second units to on-stage television series and feature films. He is “at home” on stage, on location, in a helicopter and on water! He has also served as the Director of Photography (D.P.) on regional and national television commercials, music videos and second-unit work which has included car chases and stunts. He worked for Heritage Productions in Europe as a D.P. on an English travel/cooking show made for television.

Gary has shot two feature films for Wenger Productions. Under his expert supervision and direction, these full-length feature films included classroom education, as well as “hands-on” training for young international film students.

AWARDS: 1989 – Gary was awarded an Emmy and International Monitor Award for a TV documentary, “Desperate Passage.” 1991 – Gary received an Emmy nomination for “Maiden Voyage.”

Michael Nankin — Director

Michael Nankin has worked in the film business for 30 years as a writer, director and producer. A Los Angeles native, he attended UCLA film school where his student films caught the attention of Disney Studios. At the age of 22 he directed his first film and has been working on features and television ever since. His projects include “Life Goes On,” “Picket Fences,” “Chicago Hope,” “Eureka” and “Battlestar Galactica.” He is currently writing and directing a miniseries for AMC.

Joey Nibras - Comedy Instructor/ Stand-up Comedian

Joey Nibras began performing stand-up comedy in his hometown of Detroit, MI. His comedy takes on a unique flavor like peanut butter and falafel, due to his Middle Eastern heritage and charismatic personality. He is particularly skilled at taking controversial subjects and turning them into humorous situations. His animated face and spirited personality shine while on stage, as his goal is to entertain and educate audiences through laughter. He gives thanks to his dysfunctional family for their comedic inspiration. The multitalented Nibras also works as an actor, stand-up comedian, photographer, videographer, writer and filmmaker.

Jennifer O’Kain — Actress/Acting Coach

Jennifer O’Kain’s most recent work is playing the role of Mrs. Post in the feature film "I Know Who Killed Me." Jennifer moved to L.A. in 2001, to complete her first film, entitled "Finding Home". Since moving here from her home state of Oregon, she has acted in several commercials including MasterCard, Jaguar, Tide, Sprint and several others. As well, she has continuously worked in most faculties of film production, from casting and preproduction through editing and distribution. In Oregon, she worked as a production coordinator on several commercials and documentaries. In Los Angeles, she independently produced her first documentary, "Target Iraq" and her first theatrical play, "Sad Happy Sucker", which will also be staged in New Mexico and Chicago. Working as an actress herself has greatly expanded her ability to successfully work with actors and directors alike.

Noel Olken – Producer and Director

Noel Olken is a producer, director, writer and actor who studied film production at Columbia College in Chicago. Olken worked his way up from a production assistant to location scout and finally, location manager on films such as “The Visitors,” “Save the Last Dance,” “On The Line,” “Roll Bounce,” “Dirty Work,” “The Ice Harvest” and Robert Altman’s “The Company.”

He currently runs Waitergonebad Productions, producing films, videos, industrials, commercials and PSAs. His first feature, “Meditations on Trafficking” (2002), which he wrote, directed and produced, premiered at The Cannes Film Market in 2003 and will be released on DVD later this year.

His feature film “Cup of My Blood” (2005), directed by Lance Catania, received limited theatrical distribution and a worldwide DVD release. Olken is the associate producer on the upcoming film "The Return of Joe Rich" starring Armand Assante and Talia Shire, and due to be released in 2011.

Noel is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild and a member of the Directors Guild of America.

Steven Christopher Parker – Actor/Acting Coach

Steven Christopher Parker was born in the suburban town of Littleton, Colorado. He moved to Los Angeles when he was 12 years old to pursue his childhood dreams of becoming an actor. After three years of auditioning without much success, Steven finally booked his first big role. As the lead in a 20th Century Fox film entitled “Rebound,” he took on the role of a nerdy band geek named Wes Borcher. Over the next several years, Steven booked roles in 15 television commercials, 17 feature films and several guest-star spots on popular television shows, including a series-regular role on a 2005 ABC pilot. His most notable credits include cameos in Fox Searchlight’s Juno, and Dreamworks’ Blades of Glory. Most recently, he played Dr. Harold Zelinsky in a recurring role on NBC’s ER. Steven continues to maintain a stable body of work and couldn’t be happier. Look for Steven in his upcoming projects, many of them premiering in late 2008 and throughout 2009.

Dionne "Dee Dee" Pickard – Singer/Vocal Trainer

Dionne “Dee Dee” Pickard has been singing professionally for the last 15 years. When she began in her hometown of Phoenix, Arizona, she performed with the Apollo Vocal Ensemble for four years, The Arizona Arts Chorale and as a background singer for Patty Lynch and John. After moving to Los Angeles in 2005, she attended Musicians Institute where she earned an Associate of Arts degree studying voice. Dionne currently performs with an a cappella group called Five Carat, and fronts her own original band. She has performed background vocals for various L.A.-based artists. She has shared the stage with legends such as Stevie Wonder, John Mayer and John Legend, and worked as a background vocalist for Grammy nominee Sophie B. Hawkins and Louis Price of the Temptations. She currently works in the Los Angeles area as a lead and background vocalist, session singer, songwriter, arranger and lyricist. Dionne teaches private lessons in vocal technique, theory, ear training, vocal harmonies and stage performance. Her diverse vocal styles include (but are never limited to) blues, funk, R&B, rock, jazz, folk, country, gospel and reggae.

Martin Pitts - Producer, Director

Martin Pitts holds profound practical and theoretical knowledge in all aspects of documentary as well as narrative television and motion pictures. From Tulane University PhD graduate work in Economics in New Orleans, Pitts came to writing and acting for stage. Then he moved to Miami with CBS and the Wometco Theater Company, and he later founded his own independent production companies. Pitts directed feature length documentary shows and documentary segments for all major networks in the USA, in the UK and Japan. He directed "Jockey" broadcast on NBC, and nominated for a National Sports Emmy. For the seminal BBC show "The Old Grey Whistle Test," he produced and directed music videos and long form concerts. Pitts originated and produced "The Full Moon Show" music documentary series about American music with host Robbie Robertson for Japan Satellite Broadcasting in Tokyo. He produced the dramatic short "Final Stage" for director Barry Primus, and he workshopped Primus's motion picture "Mistress." Pitts wrote and produced satellite live television events for all major studios with appearances by actors and directors Robert DeNiro, Billy Crystal, Harold Ramis, Amanda Peet, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Matthew Perry, Michael Clark Duncan, Christopher Nolan, McG, Cameron Crowe, and many others. He staged and directed original plays with the Writers and Directors Unit of the Actors Studio. Pitts taught for UCLA Extension, the USC film school, the American Film Institute, and for the IAFT in Cebu, Philippines. This year he wrote a pilot documentary project for Castle Creek Productions about the impending crisis in the world's oceans. Recently Pitts was chosen to present his stage play "The Dream Lady" for the Calarts Redcat theater at the Disney Hall in Los Angeles.

Matt Steffanina - Hip-Hop Dancer & Choreographer

Matt Steffanina has trained around the country with choreographers such as Nappytabs, Shane Sparks, Dave Scott and Marty Kudelka. He began teaching hip-hop and break dancing in 2004 and became the head choreographer of the VA-based dance crew, Xtasee in 2008. Over the last six years, he has taught at studios across America, choreographed for competitive dance crews and danced in music videos. Steffanina recently moved to Los Angeles and is currently represented by Clear Talent Group.

Diana Theocharis - Artemis - Makeup Artist

Artemis has worked with numerous photographers, runway models and theatre actors. With a background in theatre arts, she brings to the table a thorough understanding of the effects of lighting as well as her various other skills as a hair and makeup artist. She considers the face her canvas and hair, her sculpture, and thrives on the creative process of her work. Her love affair with makeup began at an early age, when she would fantasize about old Hollywood and its starlets. She has worked with recording artists such as Annet Artani in Greece and Rainer Maria here in the States. She is currently the beauty editor for PLUS Model Magazine. Artemis has found her passion in the art of makeup and hair.

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Jack Valero — Writer/Dramatic Structure

Jack Valero studied and worked with Alexander Mackendrick at California Institute of the Arts during the period of time that Mackendrick was experimenting and formulating his teaching methods. In later years, Jack applied Mackendrick’s technique in a Movie of the Week production for television, developing properties for CBS and independent producers. Jack also conducted an in-depth seminar of the Mackendrick Method at the Intercontinental University in Mexico City, sponsored by the largest television network in Mexico.

Kerry Wong — Stunt Coordinator/Fight Choreographer

Kerry’s martial-arts training has included Kyokushin Karate, Shotokan Karate, Taekwando, Wushu, Capoeira, and Chinese Boxing. In 1998, Kerry co-founded ZeroGravity, a martial-arts stunt team. ZeroGravity was created to pair the most innovative style of “fight choreography” with unique martial-arts encounters. Because of his vast knowledge of various martial arts, the “fight choreography” offered by ZeroGravity is a unique style they can call their own. He is based in Los Angeles, leading the ZeroGravity South Division. Most recently, Kerry served as a stunt coordinator on “Pirates of the Caribbean 3”!

A few of his other credits include: “World’s End,” “Entourage,” “The Last Sentinel,” “Monk,” “Baby,” “Fast Money,” “Shadow,” “National Geographic: Science of the Bible” and “Epoch of Lotus.”

Roman Wyden –Producer/Director

As a producer/director, Roman Wyden has worked on projects such as the Eleanor Roosevelt award-winning documentary “Ageless Wisdom” and the short film “Obstacle.” He holds a BFA from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA, where he produced and directed several PSAs including “Human Dignity” for the United Nations; “Diabetes” for C.H.A.I., Los Angeles and “Choices” for Planned Parenthood.
Wyden has played an essential role in the development of projects like “Hollywood Dreams” (optioned by Paramount International Television in 1998), “Hollywood Boulevard,” “Money Rules,” “Mea Culpa” and “The Dreamers.” “Deface,” a short film that he produced in 2006 has recently qualified for consideration for the 2009 Academy Awards.
Currently, Wyden runs Creable Films, a Los Angeles-based production company focused on creating innovative, powerful and effective content for corporate clients with online and on-air needs.
Wyden was born and raised in Switzerland, and speaks fluent English, German, French and Italian. Now, at age 40, he resides and works in downtown Los Angeles, with his wife Tatiana Redin Wyden and his son Khai.

Jonathan Zadok - Improv Instructor & Performer

Jonathan Zadok is a graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He has studied with Carolyne Barry, Westside Comedy Theater and The L. A. Connection Comedy Theatre. He has an extensive background as an improv teacher and performer. He has taught, directed and hosted dozens of shows performed by his students. Zadok is also a spontaneity coach for The Odyssey of the Mind program. He currently performs in both improv and mystery-dinner-theater shows all over California for children and adults.

Keith David Langston - Assistant 

Keith Langston is a newcomer to Los Angeles and currently attends Loyola Marymount University. Keith is also establishing a career as a model for both runway and print.  Keith has recently taken part in Los Angeles Fashion Week and has more events on the way!  During your time in L.A. Keith will be guiding, helping, and assisting you with any of your needs and questions.