Jennifer A. Haire is a Line Producer and Directors Guild of America Production Manager with over two and a half decades of professional film and television experience. A former 19-year resident of Los Angeles, she is now based in the Indianapolis area, having filmed in over 25% of US states and two countries on projects with budgets ranging from a few hundred thousand to hundreds of millions. Her experience includes feature films, episodic television, documentaries, music videos, game shows, commercials, and other short formats. Jennifer is committed to giving back to the industry and has served on the Board of Directors for the Producers Guild of America and IATSE Local 871. She has launched international production crew training workshops designed for entry level to showrunner, as well as production safety and risk management education for producing team members. She co-authored first-ever film & television production handbook dedicated to production office operations and the role of the Office Production Assistant. “Keys to the Production Office, Unlocking Success as an Office Production Assistant in Film and Television” is being used in universities nationwide. Proud to be a “Fighting Pickle,” Jennifer earned her BFA in the Producing discipline, from the School of Filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Jennifer held a leadership position at The MBS Group as part of their studio consulting team with a focus on production crew training, studio management and sound stage builds. She was the 2nd Assistant Director on the 2004 Academy Award winning short film, Two Soldiers.

Desmond Huey is a dynamic film industry professional and educator with a passion for storytelling and creative innovation. A graduate of Flashpoint Chicago (a campus of Columbia College Hollywood), Desmond has built a versatile career across film, television, and music. Some of his credits include Empire, Power Book IV: Force, The Chi, and Netflix’s Mo, where he has contributed as an assistant location manager and scout. Beyond the screen, Desmond is a dedicated mentor and instructor, having taught and developed curricula for organizations such as SAG-AFTRA, After School Matters, Chicago Filmmakers, and Filmscape Chicago. In 2016, he co-founded the Facebook group Chicago Production Assistants, which quickly grew to nearly 6,000 members and became a key resource for aspiring crew. His commitment to empowering emerging talent continues to shape the next generation of industry professionals.

Jon Silver is an indie filmmaker coming from a comedy background. He is the Co-Founder of ShowPup Productions and has worked with Second City, iO and other comedy troupes to produce comedy sketches, short films, web series, TV pilots, and more. His first feature The Civil Hoax"

Jon Silver is the Co-Founder of ShowPup Productions and a Chicago filmmaker. Jon has worked with Second City, iO and other theaters to produce comedy sketches, short films, web series, TV pilots, and more. His first feature “The Civil Hoax” was called ‘Can’t Miss Indie Cinema’ by the Chicago Tribune and also by a local parrot. His latest feature, ‘The Premiere’, is screening all over the country and won ‘Best Narrative Feature’ at Katra Film Series in New York and the ALTV Movie Awards.

"I’m a Chicago-based filmmaker with years of experience, and I’ve created everything from short films to music videos, from commercials to documentaries. I’ve worked with local businesses, global brands, and industry staples alike. Stop-motion animation is my biggest passion—there’s something about its quirky, nostalgic feel that just clicks with me. I’m also a highly skilled video editor and a bit of a jack-of-all-trades— dabbling in directing, photography, sound mixing and more.

At the core of my work? Stories. Crafting moments that make people laugh, cry, or just plain blow their minds, I always keep the narrative at the heart of every project. From stitching shots together to fine-tuning a performance, or even moving tiny objects one frame at a time, I’ll use any trick up my sleeve to create something that ignites the imagination."

I’m a Chicago-based filmmaker with years of experience, and I’ve created everything from short films to music videos, from commercials to documentaries. I’ve worked with local businesses, global brands, and industry staples alike. Stop-motion animation is my biggest passion. Something about its quirky, nostalgic feel just clicks with me. I’m also a highly skilled video editor and a bit of a jack-of-all-trades, dabbling in directing, photography, sound mixing and more. At the core of my work? Stories. Crafting moments that make people laugh, cry, or just plain blow their minds, I always keep the narrative at the heart of every project. From stitching shots together to fine-tuning a performance, or even moving tiny objects one frame at a time, I’ll use any trick up my sleeve to create something that ignites the imagination.

Jaxi Alegría has been a set lighting technician in Local 476 for seven years and is currently working as a Best Boy. Her credits include FX’s The Bear, NBC’s Chicago P.D., and Apple TV’s Dark Matter. You may also recognize her from Filmscape’s Instagram page, telling you to register for classes. And here you are! So meta.

Erin Grabe is the Executive Director of ESTA, the Entertainment Services and Technology Association, a non-profit trade and professional association that serves the entertainment technology and live events community. Our members are the industry's leading dealers, manufacturers, production companies, rental companies and professional service companies. ESTA's members are responsible for creating some of the most important programs in our industry including the Technical Standards Program, Entertainment Technician Certification Program and Rental Guard. By joining ESTA you are investing in the future of the entertainment technology industry. Membership in ESTA supports: increasing safety through the development of standards and certifications; educating members and providing business resources to increase profitability; representing the interests of the industry to government, regulatory bodies, and related industries; and raising the bar for ethical and professional behavior.

Harold Dennis is an accomplished actor with over 200 IMDb credits. He has trained in different acting techniques for close to 25 years. Harold taught Acting On Camera at The Second City Training Center Chicago and is currently teaching two hour online acting classes weekly.

"Sarah Giroux has 15 passionate years of Cinematography experience, working on diverse projects around the world such as live broadcast shows, commercials, documentaries, and short films. She has collaborated with clients such as Jimmy Kimmel Live, United Airlines, Discovery Channel, Salesforce, A&E, and Navistar, among others.

Additionally, Sarah has in depth experience in business development, branding, as well as project management internally and externally. Through her dedicated pursuit for the human connection, she has curated an expansive and inclusive networking community among film & broadcast professionals around the US through her passion project 'Martini Shot.'

Outside of work, she loves to travel and learn about other cultures. If not longboarding down lakeshore drive or schooling strangers on a pool table, you can find Sarah at a concert, dancing to the beat of the world."

Sarah Giroux has around 15 passionate years of Cinematography experience, working on diverse projects around the world such as live broadcast shows, commercials, documentaries, and short films. She has collaborated with clients such as Jimmy Kimmel Live, United Airlines, Discovery Channel, Salesforce, A&E, and Navistar, among others.

Through her dedicated pursuit for the human connection, Sarah has curated an expansive and inclusive networking community among film & broadcast professionals around the Chicago-land area through her passion project 'Martini Shot.'

Outside of work, she absolutely loves to travel and learn about other cultures. If not longboarding down lakeshore drive or schooling strangers on a pool table, you can find her at a concert, dancing to the beat of the world. Her mission is to show her perspective of life through the lens of a camera, and create engaging and impactful visual stories around the world. Let's collaborate!

Katelyn Henslin is a Chicago-based independent producer who leads with empathy, clarity, and a deep respect for the creative process. She’s worked across formats — from documentaries and music videos to features and commercials — always centering collaboration and human connection as the heart of her productions. After starting her career in network television, Katelyn expanded into a freelance business producing films of her own. She has worked across the country and in recent years has deepened her roots in the Chicago community through her involvement in the Midwest Film Festival. Whether on set, in development, or through mentorship, Katelyn is committed to creating inclusive spaces where both story and crew can thrive. Enamored by the process of bringing a story to life, she hopes to change hearts and minds through stories that are captivating, inspiring, and diverse.

Ellen Kaulig (she/her) joins the RICJ as Chief of Staff. Kaulig managed to turn being a nerd in high school (co-founding ComedySportz on campus, working at the local cable access channel, being the stage manager for the campus theater and the co-Editor-in-Chief of the yearbook) into a career that shockingly works really well for the Reader. After a background in film/TV production, the music industry, software development, business development, community organizing and economic development, she is excited to have found a team to support with her “wacky” resume. An avid consumer of art, culture and food, Kaulig can be found hanging with her dogs, making things, sharing experiences throughout Chicago with loved ones, buying too many books and supporting all of the amazing people who build and believe in Chicago.

Erica Duffy is a dynamic entrepreneur and passionate advocate in the film industry. As the founder of Camera Ambassador—established in 2014—she leads one of only three women-owned equipment rental houses nationwide. Her vision goes far beyond just renting gear—she's building an inclusive, supportive community that empowers filmmakers to bring their creative visions to life.

Under Erica's leadership, Camera Ambassador has evolved into Chicago's most vibrant hub for creativity and collaboration. Strategically located at CineCity Studios, the company has become an essential partner for productions of all sizes throughout the Midwest. From 2019 to 2025, she also served as Executive Director of The Midwest Film Festival, deepening her commitment to nurturing the region's thriving film community.

As both founder and community builder, Erica's heart lies in education and fostering connections within the film industry. Through hands-on workshops, mentorship opportunities, and engaging networking events, she helps cultivate the next generation of storytellers. Her dedication to providing not just top-tier equipment, but also genuine, personalized support and guidance, has established Camera Ambassador as the beating heart of the Midwest film scene.

"Emerson Cole is a production sound mixer with over 5 years in audio and over 10 years of film experience. With experience working on feature films, TV shows, commercials and more.

Joshua Boshell is a boom operator, editor and director. With experience coming from the sound department and others, he brings a lot of perspectives that allow for the sound team to operate in a creative space."

Emerson Cole is a production sound mixer based in Chicago and has about 5 years of professional sound experience and 10 years of professional filmmaking experience. He has worked on many different types of projects such as feature films, TV shows, documentaries, reality shows for the likes lf Netflix, HBO, Amazon, Hulu, and commercials and corporate videos for the likes of NHL, NBA, HP, Chick-fil-A, US Bank, Best Buy, and many more.

Joshua works nationally as a boom operator and sound department professional. Since his entrance into the industry in 2021, he's serviced 5 feature-films, a full season on a tv series, livestreams, and many short films and pilot episodes (many of which were made in partnership with Noise Boys, LLC). As a filmmaker with a diverse background of experience, he strives to tell the best story possible through passion, perseverance, and understanding the filmmaking machine as a whole. When he's not recording sound, Joshua directs and edits award-winning narrative films and music videos in the Greater Chicago Area, and creates content for social media and YouTube. He's currently developing several feature scripts to prepare for his feature directorial debut.

Ellen has a diverse background as a producer and production manager in film and theater, where she consistently drove cost-saving and sustainability initiatives while maintaining artistic integrity. She has taken her leadership experience and unique insight into the community and industry to help pioneer sustainability practices within the Chicago entertainment and events industry through her company, Ecofixr. Ellen is passionate about rescuing leftover resources for the community and finding innovative ways to help companies reduce their carbon footprint. She is an active member of the sustainability community, including the Chicago Sustainability Task Force, Green the Bid, Green Events Alliance, and Green Wedding Alliance. She has enjoyed working with prominent clients, such as Sundance Institute x Chicago 2024, Independent Film Exhibition Conference, and Filmscape Chicago. She has also collaborated on educational environmental advocacy programming with local leaders, including the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Events | Chicago Film Office, Chicago Department of Environment, One Earth Collective, IFA Chicago, and others. Most recently, the Chicago Reader featured her work in the article, The Chicago Film Industry is Working Toward Sustainability.

Ellen has a diverse background as a producer and production manager in film and theater, where she consistently drove cost-saving and sustainability initiatives while maintaining artistic integrity. She has taken her leadership experience and unique insight into the community and industry to help pioneer sustainability practices within the Chicago entertainment and events industry through her company, Ecofixr. Ellen is passionate about rescuing leftover resources for the community and finding innovative ways to help companies reduce their carbon footprint. She is an active member of the sustainability community, including the Chicago Sustainability Task Force, Green the Bid, Green Events Alliance, and Green Wedding Alliance. She has enjoyed working with prominent clients, such as Sundance Institute x Chicago 2024, Independent Film Exhibition Conference, and Filmscape Chicago. She has also collaborated on educational environmental advocacy programming with local leaders, including the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Events | Chicago Film Office, Chicago Department of Environment, One Earth Collective, IFA Chicago, and others. Most recently, the Chicago Reader featured her work in the article, The Chicago Film Industry is Working Toward Sustainability.

Colette has over two decades of experience working with cinematographers to bring their visions to the world through cameras and lenses. Before leading the Chicago branch of Keslow Camera, Colette studied Cinematography at Columbia College Chicago and became a Film Loader and Camera Assistant with Local 600 in Los Angeles. She is passionate about giving everyone equal access to education, which led her to her role as Secretary of Filmscape Chicago and to join the board of Women in Film Chicago. When she's not busy with the film industry you can find her enjoying the outdoors and documenting living on a boat on her YouTube channel "Water We Thinking."

Alexander MacLean is a lifetime Skateboarder, Coffee Aficionado, and award-winning filmmaker. He has worked as a Colourist, Editor, VFX Artist, and Director on Commercials, Music Videos, and Feature Films over the past decade. Although based in New York City; Alex’s passion for filmmaking, photography, and traveling has awarded him a global client base of Advertising Agencies, Technology Companies & Fortune 100 Brands. His work has been seen everywhere from Sundance to the Super Bowl.

Ang Gardner graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2021 with a degree in Filmmaking focusing on Assistant Direction. She was an active member of the Chicago production scene, where she was first assistant director on the feature American Parent and walkie PA on Chicago PD season 10. Her career came to a grinding halt when she received an on-set head injury right before the WGA/SAG-AFTRA strikes. After a full year of recovery, Ang changed courses to focus on teaching and research, hoping to prevent the conditions that keep her from set.

Ang Gardner graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2021 with a degree in Filmmaking focusing on Assistant Direction. She was an active member of the Chicago production scene, where she was first assistant director on the feature American Parent and walkie PA on Chicago PD season 10. Her career came to a grinding halt when she received an on-set head injury right before the WGA/SAG-AFTRA strikes. After a full year of recovery, Ang changed courses to focus on teaching and research, hoping to prevent the conditions that keep her from set.

Colette has over two decades of experience working with cinematographers to bring their visions to the world through cameras and lenses. Before leading the Chicago branch of Keslow Camera, Colette studied Cinematography at Columbia College Chicago and became a Film Loader and Camera Assistant with Local 600 in Los Angeles. She is passionate about giving everyone equal access to education, which led her to her role as Secretary of Filmscape Chicago and to join the board of Women in Film Chicago. When she's not busy with the film industry you can find her enjoying the outdoors and documenting living on a boat on her YouTube channel "Water We Thinking."

Chicago native. Attended Columbia College. Joined camera local 666 in 1982 as an AC. Worked on commercials and films as a 1st AC. Served on Central region council. Retired from Local 600 in 2023.

Clarisse earned her B.A. in Digital Cinema from DePaul University in 2018. Shortly after graduating, she moved to Los Angeles and joined Stray Angel Films, a camera rental house whose clientele includes HBO, Warner Bros., Disney, FOX, and other major studios. In 2021, she returned to Chicago and became a member of IATSE Local 600. Her union credits include Amazon's Paper Girls, HBO's Somebody Somewhere, NBC's Chicago P.D., Chicago Fire, and Chicago Med. During the 2023 WGA and DGA strikes, Clarisse began working as the Digital Content Coordinator at Questar Entertainment, a streaming and distribution company. More recently, she is the Camera Vault Coordinator at DePaul's School of Cinematic Arts. Clarisse remains an active member of Local 600 and serves on the committee for its mentorship program, which helps strengthen the bridge between the union and its members.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0476568/

Paul DeMarte joined Local 666 in 1995 in Chicago. He joined as a film loader and steadily worked his way up to 2nd Camera Assistant and by 1999 was working full time as a 1st Camera Assistant on movies and television. Paul worked in both Los Angeles and Chicago throughout his career and has had the privilege to work with many outstanding Directors of Photography and Camera Assistants.

Gary is a Cinematographer and Musician from Chicago, IL who focuses on telling stories of the average, the mundane. Telling narrative stories with a documentary energy and big budget visuals. His influences stem from 80-2000’s R&B love culture, and the vulnerability and honesty that came with it.

Ben started his career in the influencer marketing space in 2018 to try and help his fiance who was growing her Gibi ASMR Youtube channel. Ben at the time was working a corporate job and going to business school during the evenings, when he was asked if he could help figure out how to respond to some of the sponsorship inquiries Gibi was getting. Seeing this as a way to get involved in her channel, and apply what he was learning in school he dove in and started to learn all he could about influencer marketing and the growing ASMR sector his now wife was working in. Quickly this became a full time endeavor and in 2019, he left his previous job to focus on growing his own agency, Zees Media. The company was serving Gibi and a roster of other ASMR creators, and focused on educating brands on what ASMR was, and how it could be used in their marketing strategy, while also helping content creators better distribute their content through channels like Spotify and Apple Music. After mergers with two other creator owned YouTube marketing agencies, Ben now oversees operations as the COO of MANA Talent Group which represents over 100 exclusive creators across ASMR, Gaming, Hobby, True Crime and Commentary.

Jennifer A. Haire is a Line Producer and Directors Guild of America Production Manager with over two and a half decades of professional film and television experience. A former 19-year resident of Los Angeles, she is now based in the Indianapolis area, having filmed in over 25% of US states and two countries on projects with budgets ranging from a few hundred thousand to hundreds of millions. Her experience includes feature films, episodic television, documentaries, music videos, game shows, commercials, and other short formats. Jennifer is committed to giving back to the industry and has served on the Board of Directors for the Producers Guild of America and IATSE Local 871. She has launched international production crew training workshops designed for entry level to showrunner, as well as production safety and risk management education for producing team members. She co-authored first-ever film & television production handbook dedicated to production office operations and the role of the Office Production Assistant. “Keys to the Production Office, Unlocking Success as an Office Production Assistant in Film and Television” is being used in universities nationwide. Proud to be a “Fighting Pickle,” Jennifer earned her BFA in the Producing discipline, from the School of Filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Jennifer held a leadership position at The MBS Group as part of their studio consulting team with a focus on production crew training, studio management and sound stage builds. She was the 2nd Assistant Director on the 2004 Academy Award winning short film, Two Soldiers.

eorge is a Chicago-based director and screenwriter known for his award-winning short Cottage Grove (now streaming on AMC+) and his experimental film SWITCHIN’, featured on NBC5 Chicago and Open Television. His work has screened at national and international festivals including Athens International, Black Harvest, Micheaux, and Tallgrass. George recently won Best Student Narrative (Cottage Grove) and Best Screenplay (All Good) at the 2025 Lindsey Film Festival. A graduate of Bowdoin College and DePaul University’s MFA program, he brings a steady, reflective voice to Chicago’s evolving indie film scene.

Gary is a Cinematographer and Musician from Chicago, IL who focuses on telling stories of the average, the mundane. Telling narrative stories with a documentary energy and big budget visuals. His influences stem from 80-2000’s R&B love culture, and the vulnerability and honesty that came with it.

Kin Marie is a Chicago-based producer, director, editor and colorist native to the city of Chicago. Named Chicago's Best Filmmaker of 2023 by the Chicago Reader, Marie employs visual media as a tool for critical research and experimentation, probing the intersections of art, mediation, and social space.

Andrea Zile Bish is a director and writer for film and theater. After graduating with a BFA in Directing from the no-nonsense conservatory program at Carnegie Mellon University, she fell in love with film at the all-nonsense comedic powerhouse Second City. She marries these disparate backgrounds, pairing a solid grasp of traditional theatrical technique with an out-of-the-box improv approach to storytelling. During her time at the Second City Film School, she wrote and directed over 25 short films including her thesis comedy, "Last Date." As a writer, she created three original sitcom pilots, including "Needs Repair," a quarterfinalist in the Filmmatic Comedy Screenplay Awards. In addition to her work at Second City, Bish wrote and directed the short films "Tow Zone" and "Conversions" with her personal production company, Cathode Ray Pigeon Productions.

Emily Lape is an award winning filmmaker, artist and actress. Her first written/directed feature film, Mercy's Girl, is available to stream on Apple Tv, Netflix and Amazon Prime. Her latest acting role is playing "Lucy" in Wendy Jo Carlton's feature film Lucy is a Loser, which is currently in post production. She is an Executive Producer on Chicago filmmaker Michael Glover Smith's new feature film Heckla shooting August 2025.

Michael Glover Smith wrote and directed the feature films COOL APOCALYPSE (2015), MERCURY IN RETROGRADE (2017), RENDEZVOUS IN CHICAGO (2018), and RELATIVE (2022), all of which won awards at festivals across the U.S. and were the subject of rave reviews. The Chicago Sun-Times' Richard Roeper wrote that "Smith has a deft touch for creating characters who look and sound like people we know" and RogerEbert.com’s Matt Fagerholm has called him “one of the Windy City’s finest filmmakers.” His films have screened at the American Cinematheque and Rooftop Cinema Club in Los Angeles, Spectacle Theater and Regal UA Midway in NYC and Gene Siskel Film Center and Music Box Theater in Chicago. He was a recipient of the Siskel Center's Star Filmmaker award in 2017 and made Newcity Chicago's "Film 50" list in 2018 and 2020 for being one of fifty individuals who "shape Chicago's film scene." He teaches film history at several colleges and is the author of FLICKERING EMPIRE (Columbia University Press, 2015), an acclaimed nonfiction book about film production in Chicago during the silent era.

Jim is an award-winning, Filipino-American filmmaker whose work frequently explores heartache, longing, liminality, eros, and pathos. He’s a Newcity FILM 50 hall-of-famer, named in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2024 alongside such production notables as Dick Wolf (LAW & ORDER), The Wachowskis (The MATRIX Saga), and Steve James (HOOP DREAMS). Jim was also a 2021 recipient of the 3Arts “Make a Wave” grant, and the grand award winner of the inaugural NewNarratives Program from NewFilmmakers LA and WarnerMedia OneFifty. His recent short, PRETTY PICKLE—part horror, part comedy of manners, and part romance—made thirty-five festival stops in thirteen months, and is currently available online exclusively through Directors Notes. The film had its International Premiere at Fantasia, its West Coast Premiere at HollyShorts, won “Best Short Narrative” at Chicago Underground Film Festival, and was awarded “Best Midnight/WTF Short” at GenreBlast. Morbidly Beautiful calls it “sexy, subversive, and truly stunning,” while Boston Hassle says it’s “a deeply disturbing little piece of cinema—a raw, haunting short that will gnaw at you long after it’s over.” His upcoming, neo-noir limited series, ARGUS (co-created with LeLe Park), is currently in development with WarnerMedia OneFifty, and his feature adaptation of Samantha Kolesnik’s queer body horror novella, WAIF, will begin production later this year.

Lori Felker is a filmmaker, teacher, and programmer. Her films study the ineloquent, frustrating, chaotic qualities of human interaction. She eschews any particular style or genre in favor of letting content and concerns guide the form. She loves every facet of filmmaking and has worked as cinematographer, editor, and/or actor for various artists and directors and has programmed for the Chicago Underground Film Festival and Slamdance. Her award-winning short films and one feature documentary have screened internationally, and she is the recipient various grants and fellowhsips such as a Fulbright, a 2025 Creative Capital Award and a Wexner Center for the Arts Film/Video Residency. She is an Assistant Professor at DePaul University and is currently in pre-production on her first fiction feature film Patient.

John Mossman was raised in Baraboo, Wisconsin, a town known for its unique geology and being the birthplace of the Ringling Brothers Circus where he got his first experience as a performer and filmmaker. He has written and directed numerous award-winning films, earning Best of Fests worldwide and screenings at LA’s DGA, Chinese, and Egyptian theater as part of the American Cinematheque Series. His films include features Good Guy With a Gun and Into the Wake, and the upcoming Nobody Fucking Leaves. Also a documentarian, he received Telly and Voice awards for his groundbreaking work with teens struggling with mental illness. He is co-founder of Chicago’s Artistic Home Theater and Actor Training Center, where he has received acclaim as an actor/director and has taught filmmaking and acting at Northwestern University, Columbia College Chicago and Second City Film School as well as in Dublin and Thailand where he was co-creator of a healing ritual performance for the ghosts of the Death Railway. John is founder of SouthSide Filmmaking Youth Initiative that for 18 years mentored underserved south side Chicago high school students as they take a story from script to screen, garnering the young filmmakers countless worldwide screenings, life skills and two national Emmy Awards. He attended UW-Madison, where he worked with the storied Ark Improv Theater and received degrees in Theater and Film.

Derek Viramontes is an artist and immersive media creator, and co-founder of LOCCOL, a pre-production toolset that brings real-world locations into virtual workflows. With a background in visual effects and virtual production, Derek blends traditional artistry with emerging technology to support new forms of storytelling. Based in Chicago, he is dedicated to building creative communities and fostering collaboration across disciplines, helping artists and filmmakers explore the future of media together.

Scott Lynch is a pioneer in immersive storytelling and the founder of the XR studio VOYRE, and co-founder of LOCCOL a pre-production tool set for filmmakers. As a member of the national Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ Emerging Media peer group, he helps shape best practices for innovative storytelling tools. He also co-founded the Chicago Virtual Production group to advance and educate others on emerging virtual technologies such as game engines, virtual production, 360 video and immersive cinema in the creative industries across the Chicagoland and Midwest regions.

Jason has provided illustrations, storyboards and concept art for publishing, advertising, television and films. His clients include NBC-Universal, Fox, Amblin Partners, HBO, Showtime, Disney, DC Comics, The Wall Street Journal, Scholastic Books, Wizards of the Coast and Dark Horse Publishing among many others. Additionally, he has worked on ad campaigns for everything from Absolut Vodka and Ford Trucks to Precious Moments and Happy Meals.

Agency Director & Talent Agent at SCE Agency in Chicago, IL. Joey is from Amsterdam, The Netherlands and has a background in scouting, talent development, booking actors, dancers & models for commercial print, television and film. SCE Agency is a Mother Agency for models & SAG-AFTRA Franchised Agency for Actors & Models in Commercial Print, VO, TV & Film worldwide. SCE Agency offers personal management tailored to each individual Actor & Model to be suitable to all sorts of projects and that includes knowing how to record the best self-tapes for auditions!

JAY HOLBEN is an independent director and producer in Los Angeles. He is a world-renowned expert in the field of cinematography: an associate member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), co-chair of the ASC’s Motion Imaging Technology Council, in addition to being a member of Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers. He has authored over 600 articles for American Cinematographer and The Hollywood Reporter (among others) on the art and science of filmmaking. He is an international lecturer on filmmaking. He is the author of six books on filmmaking: A Shot in the Dark: A Creative DIY Guide to Cinematic Lighting on (Almost) No Budget, Behind the Lens: Dispatches from the Cinematographic Trenches, Shot Craft: Lessons, Tips and techniques on the Art and Science of Cinematography, Lessons from American Cinematographer: Sharing Nearly Three Decades of Tips and Techniques Learned from the World’s Top Cinematographers, the international best-seller often noted as the “Bible of Lenses” The Cine Lens Manual: The Definitive Filmmaker’s Guide to the Design, Implementation and History of Motion Picture Optics, co-authored with Christopher Probst, ASC and, most recently, The Director's Guide to Everything: A Comprehensive Guide for Motion Picture Directors on Every Aspect of Movie Making. As a filmmaker, Holben has worked his way through all of the trenches serving in every role in production and post with very few exceptions. In the course of his career, he has worked on Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report, Showtime’s Dexter, and Disney Plus’ The Mandalorian. His feature film directorial work includes Before the Dawn, Black Tar Road and The Invoking 2 along with high-profile technology innovations such as the ASC’s Standard Evaluation Material 2.0 (StEM2) film The Mission, a project completed in connection with the ASC, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Amazon Studios, Disney, Sony, Warner Bros. and more. He has also served as additional unit director for HBO/Cinemax and Showtime as well as directed documentary, television, music video, commercial, reality television and shorts.

Actor | VO | CAFM Board President

Award-winning media and development leader with 15 years of experience in video production, marketing strategy, and technology innovation. Proven ability to oversee end-to-end project execution, build high-performing teams, and deliver innovative products that exceed expectations. Exceptionally skilled at building successful projects from the ground up.

Rujanee is an award-winning producer and director known for her proactive cross-functional leadership and serial entrepreneurial spirit with versatility, adaptability, and bold vision. Her diverse background spans architecture, design, fine art, music, teaching, marketing, culinary arts, hospitality, business development, and technology providing her with a unique perspective in the industry. Rujanee's work has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Artistic Achievement Award, and has been featured at festivals around the world. She is the founder of Nebula Creatives L3C (nebulacreatives.com) and Pixquid® (pixquid.com). She's the brains behind the Shortcut 100 International Film Festival (shortcut100.org) and Chicago Film News (chicagofilmnews.com). When she's not working, you might find her enjoying the real Thai food, running by the lake, or cuddling with her 4 cats.

Ethan Stoller is a composer, music editor and producer based in Chicago. He has a longstanding collaboration with the Wachowskis, including V for Vendetta, Speed Racer, Sense8 and Work In Progress. Most recently, he has been co-creating a workplace comedy series called POST with Will Sonheim, which draws upon his experience in post production.

Devin Delaney is a Chicago-based multimedia composer, focused in musical storytelling. He heads up NoiseFloor LTD’s music department and has been instrumental in their growth from scrappy boutique to one of the Midwest’s premiere post-audio facilities. With a decade-plus of film scoring experience; Devin’s composing credits include Hulu’s Reporting for Christmas, Single Car Crashes, Ghosts of the Void, and A Tiny Ripple of Hope. Having a deep songwriting background, Devin has contributed original songs for films such as When Jeff Tried to Save the World as well as songs for brands such as Fanta, Aha!, Lenovo, and P&G.

Filipino-American composer and arts leader Tim Corpus' music has been featured at Carnegie Hall, Auditorium Theater, the Bolshoi Theater, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Ravinia Festival, and the Kennedy Center, as well as BBC Radio3, NPR, and CNN Money. As a composer for film and media, his music has received various awards from film festivals around the country and his 2021 album, “MMXX”, was hailed as “a striking disc” by British critic Robert Hugill. Tim orchestrates and arranges music for international artists including Renée Fleming, Andrea Bocelli, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Milwaukee Symphony, Third Coast Percussion, and others.

Jon Pierre, known professionally as Deciius, is an award-winning composer, producer, and professor with over 20 years of experience creating original music for film, television, advertising, and video games. His signature style merges the emotional weight of orchestral scoring with the raw energy of hip hop, R&B, and electronic music—pulling listeners into stories with precision and power. Based in Chicago, Deciius is the founder of Apex Music and Sound, a music house delivering custom scores and sound design for top-tier clients in the ad, film, TV, and game industries. Under his leadership, Apex is growing into a trusted creative partner for producers, directors and agencies seeking innovative, emotionally resonant sound. Deciius also teaches music production and technology at Prairie State College. Through both Apex and academia, he is committed to elevating the art of music storytelling and empowering the next generation of composers.

Attorney Elaine Wyder is Managing Attorney at Convex Legal LLC. Elaine enjoys helping entrepreneurs and artists accomplish their business goals and safeguard their work through contracts and legal advice. Before her legal career, Elaine was a photographer, a multimedia programmer, and an adjunct instructor in graphic arts. She draws on these experiences every day as she seeks to educate and empower her clients.

Attorney Elaine Wyder is Managing Attorney at Convex Legal LLC. Elaine enjoys helping entrepreneurs and artists accomplish their business goals and safeguard their work through contracts and legal advice. Before her legal career, Elaine was a photographer, a multimedia programmer, and an adjunct instructor in graphic arts. She draws on these experiences every day as she seeks to educate and empower her clients.

Attorney Elaine Wyder is Managing Attorney at Convex Legal LLC. Elaine enjoys helping entrepreneurs and artists accomplish their business goals and safeguard their work through contracts and legal advice. Before her legal career, Elaine was a photographer, a multimedia programmer, and an adjunct instructor in graphic arts. She draws on these experiences every day as she seeks to educate and empower her clients.

JAY HOLBEN is an independent director and producer in Los Angeles. He is a world-renowned expert in the field of cinematography: an associate member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), co-chair of the ASC’s Motion Imaging Technology Council, in addition to being a member of Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers. He has authored over 600 articles for American Cinematographer and The Hollywood Reporter (among others) on the art and science of filmmaking. He is an international lecturer on filmmaking. He is the author of six books on filmmaking: A Shot in the Dark: A Creative DIY Guide to Cinematic Lighting on (Almost) No Budget, Behind the Lens: Dispatches from the Cinematographic Trenches, Shot Craft: Lessons, Tips and techniques on the Art and Science of Cinematography, Lessons from American Cinematographer: Sharing Nearly Three Decades of Tips and Techniques Learned from the World’s Top Cinematographers, the international best-seller often noted as the “Bible of Lenses” The Cine Lens Manual: The Definitive Filmmaker’s Guide to the Design, Implementation and History of Motion Picture Optics, co-authored with Christopher Probst, ASC and, most recently, The Director's Guide to Everything: A Comprehensive Guide for Motion Picture Directors on Every Aspect of Movie Making. As a filmmaker, Holben has worked his way through all of the trenches serving in every role in production and post with very few exceptions. In the course of his career, he has worked on Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report, Showtime’s Dexter, and Disney Plus’ The Mandalorian. His feature film directorial work includes Before the Dawn, Black Tar Road and The Invoking 2 along with high-profile technology innovations such as the ASC’s Standard Evaluation Material 2.0 (StEM2) film The Mission, a project completed in connection with the ASC, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Amazon Studios, Disney, Sony, Warner Bros. and more. He has also served as additional unit director for HBO/Cinemax and Showtime as well as directed documentary, television, music video, commercial, reality television and shorts.

Anthony E. Cabral (also known as “ACE”) is a filmmaker and accomplished assistant director with nearly 30 years of experience in film, television, and video production. A graduate of Missouri State University with a degree in Mass Media: Film Studies and Production, he has contributed to a wide range of projects—from independent features to major studio productions, including Disney and Netflix television programs. He is a proud member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA), the Producers Guild of America (PGA), and SAG-AFTRA. Outside of production, Cabral serves the DGA on the Eastern AD/UPM Council and is an active member of the Eastern First Assistant Director Committee, the Chicago Coordinating Committee, the Latino Committee, and the Eastern Diversity Steering Committee. He also regularly gives back to the industry by volunteering with the Sundance Film Festival and teaching Production Assistant Training Programs. He has also spoken at institutions such as Missouri State University, the University of Illinois, Columbia College Chicago, and other film-focused organizations.

Ellen has a diverse background as a producer and production manager in film and theater, where she consistently drove cost-saving and sustainability initiatives while maintaining artistic integrity. She has taken her leadership experience and unique insight into the community and industry to help pioneer sustainability practices within the Chicago entertainment and events industry through her company, Ecofixr. Ellen is passionate about rescuing leftover resources for the community and finding innovative ways to help companies reduce their carbon footprint. She is an active member of the sustainability community, including the Chicago Sustainability Task Force, Green the Bid, Green Events Alliance, and Green Wedding Alliance. She has enjoyed working with prominent clients, such as Sundance Institute x Chicago 2024, Independent Film Exhibition Conference, and Filmscape Chicago. She has also collaborated on educational environmental advocacy programming with local leaders, including the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Events | Chicago Film Office, Chicago Department of Environment, One Earth Collective, IFA Chicago, and others. Most recently, the Chicago Reader featured her work in the article, The Chicago Film Industry is Working Toward Sustainability.

Carolina Posse is an award-winning media producer and educator. She began her career in the non-profit sector as Programming and Operations Manager of the International Laino Cultural Center in Chicago and ultimately served as Interim Director of the Chicago Latino Film Festival. She was co-founder of Mostra: Brazilian Film Series, which she presented in cooperation with Partners of the Americas Illinois-Sao Paulo Chapter. She has guest lectured for numerous educational and governmental institutions and served on juries for the Sundance Institute, Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB), and the Independent Television Service (ITVS). Her film producing credits include Hot Chili (2004), The Quiet (2005), Path of Least Resistance (2006), Little Green Men (2009), The Scary Ham (2018), This is Cindy (2019), American Fumble (2019), The Francis Ellis Mysteries (2024), American Parent (2023), and The Game Camera (2025). Carolina has a BA in Film and a Master’s in Arts Management and is currently an Associate Professor at the School of Film and Television at Columbia College Chicago.

Tim Olson is a Coordinator at the Chicago Film Office facilitating permits and city services for all types of filming projects both big and small. He has nearly 20 years of freelance experience on many sides of filming from production to post-production, casting, art department, and location management.  

Andrea Staley has working in the film industry for over 20 years, working in camera, production and transportation. She is currently contracted with Netflix as a Sustainability Advisor, Mentor

Iftekhar (Ifti) Zaim is Counsel at Irwin IP, now a part of Miller Johnson. His practice focuses on utility and design patent litigation, intellectual property-related customs disputes, trade secret litigation, and arts, music, and entertainment law.

Bailey is an associate attorney in the IP litigation practice group at Irwin IP now apart of Miller Johnson, and has been practicing intellectual property litigation since September of 2024. Bailey has extensive experience navigating complex intellectual property disputes, including matters involving patents, copyrights, and other proprietary technologies. He regularly advises and advocates for both individuals and corporations, from pre-litigation strategy through trial, demonstrating particular strength in managing the critical stages of litigation.

Chelsea Austin is an Associate in Miller Johnson’s corporate group, where she advises athletes, entertainers and social media influencers on legal issues in connection with their brand protection and promotion. Chelsea also represents clients locally and nationally on business law matters including commercial contracts, corporate governance, strategic matters and intellectual property rights. Sports and Entertainment Law Chelsea counsels athletes, artists, entertainers and social media influences in a wide variety of matters, including contract negotiation, advertising and promotion, endorsements and general legal advice. Particularly, using her knowledge of trademarks and IP law, Chelsea is well-versed in name, image and likeness (“NIL”) issues and can provide training and advice to individuals and teams on these topics. Business & Corporate Law Chelsea uses her expertise in business and transactional affairs to advise and assist clients on a range of matters from commercial contracting and negotiation to commercial dispute resolution. Her experience as outside counsel for a diverse spectrum of clients such as publicly traded companies to start-up entrepreneurs has allowed Chelsea to advise clients on corporate governance matters, regulatory compliance issues, and business development and growth opportunities. Intellectual Property Law Chelsea works with companies and individuals on a diverse range of intellectual property legal matters. Her expertise in “soft IP” matters, including trademark and copyright registration and protection, personal brand protection and opportunities, and intellectual property maintenance.

Andrea Staley has been working in the film industry in some capacity or another since she graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2003. She has worked in almost every department on short films, commercials, indie films, tv shows and films. Currently she is contracted to support the sustainable efforts with Netflix.

IATSE Local 476 Vice President and IATSE Local 476 Women's Committee Co-Chair

Attorney Elaine Wyder is Managing Attorney at Convex Legal LLC. Elaine enjoys helping entrepreneurs and artists accomplish their business goals and safeguard their work through contracts and legal advice. Before her legal career, Elaine was a photographer, a multimedia programmer, and an adjunct instructor in graphic arts. She draws on these experiences every day as she seeks to educate and empower her clients.

Attorney Elaine Wyder is Managing Attorney at Convex Legal LLC. Elaine enjoys helping entrepreneurs and artists accomplish their business goals and safeguard their work through contracts and legal advice. Before her legal career, Elaine was a photographer, a multimedia programmer, and an adjunct instructor in graphic arts. She draws on these experiences every day as she seeks to educate and empower her clients.

CPA Doreena Towner is the Chief Operations Partner of Emerging Business Solutions Group, where she leads its Film & Media Services Practice. Doreena has over 25 years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant working in accounting, finance, tax, and business advisory services. Her practice focuses on film and media, professional services, retail, manufacturing, and banking. Before founding EBS, Doreena worked for Ingredion (formerly Corn Products International, Inc.), Northern Trust Bank, Sears, and Northwestern University Technology Group. She is a proud Roosevelt University graduate (go Lakers!) “Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment” – Oprah Winfrey.

Tamarra Campbell is the founder of Tmedia Impact Solutions LLC. She is a seasoned, award-winning Producer and Impact Producer from West Michigan, currently serving as the President of the Film & Media Alliance of West Michigan. With over a decade of experience in the creative industry, Tamarra has cultivated a remarkable portfolio that includes films featured on Gooddocs, Black Public Media, BET, and Amazon Prime. Tamarra has successfully secured over $500,000 in grant funding. Tamarra  serves as a judge for Nourishing Narratives Mosaic 2025 and Open Projector Night. Her work recently has been published in  GIPA Impact Materials and Voyage Michigan Magazine.Tamarra's influence extends beyond production; she is a sought-after speaker and facilitator, having engaged audiences at BGDM, Mosaic Film Experience, Mezcla Media Collective, Music Econ Summit, Telluride Film Festival, Tribeca 2025 and more. Her leadership, innovative approach, and commitment to uplifting marginalized communities continue to inspire and empower those around her, solidifying her status as a transformative force in the field.

Jennifer A. Haire is a Line Producer and Directors Guild of America Production Manager with over two and a half decades of professional film and television experience. A former 19-year resident of Los Angeles, she is now based in the Indianapolis area, having filmed in over 25% of US states and two countries on projects with budgets ranging from a few hundred thousand to hundreds of millions. Her experience includes feature films, episodic television, documentaries, music videos, game shows, commercials, and other short formats. Jennifer is committed to giving back to the industry and has served on the Board of Directors for the Producers Guild of America and IATSE Local 871. She has launched international production crew training workshops designed for entry level to showrunner, as well as production safety and risk management education for producing team members. She co-authored first-ever film & television production handbook dedicated to production office operations and the role of the Office Production Assistant. “Keys to the Production Office, Unlocking Success as an Office Production Assistant in Film and Television” is being used in universities nationwide. Proud to be a “Fighting Pickle,” Jennifer earned her BFA in the Producing discipline, from the School of Filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Jennifer held a leadership position at The MBS Group as part of their studio consulting team with a focus on production crew training, studio management and sound stage builds. She was the 2nd Assistant Director on the 2004 Academy Award winning short film, Two Soldiers.

Jason Chiu is a Director of Photography based in Chicago. His work as a DP includes eight feature films, including Henry Gamble's Birthday Party (Criterion Channel & Mubi), Let's Start a Cult (Hulu), and The Year Between (Peacock); seasons 1 & 2 of Adult Swim's Joe Pera Talks with You; and many commercials. His most recent feature, The Travel Companion, premiered at 2025's Tribeca Film Festival.

Michael Cross got his start at NFL Films as an intern in the camera department and was quickly promoted into a number of new roles from Dailies Telecine Assistant, Film Technician, Clapper/Loader to Camera Operator.

He also worked the Greater Tri State Area (NY, NJ, PA) for 10+ years freelancing on Feature Films, TV, Commercials, Corporate Training Videos and Youth Program/High School Football Highlight Reels.

In addition, Mike worked at Full Sail University as a Lab Instructor in the Film Bachelor's Program. In his time with the school, he added over 100 short film and events credits to his resume.

He started working for Airstar as a Balloon Technician in 2014, and in April of 2017 he was promoted to Operations Manager for Airstar's Atlanta location.

Over the course of his career, Mike has worked on multiple Super Bowls, NCAA March Madness Events, the NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall, the Mummers Parade on New Year's Day in Philadelphia, over 25+ major music festivals all over the US, and countless commercials in various roles.

He's really passionate about sports, especially teams from Philadelphia. When asked, he said, The Eagles winning the Super Bowl on my birthday is the single greatest moment of my life.

Mike got his start at NFL Films as an intern in the camera department and was quickly promoted into a number of new roles from Dailies Telecine Assistant, Film Technician, Clapper/Loader to Camera Operator. He also worked the Greater Tri State Area (NY, NJ, PA) for 10+ years freelancing on Feature Films, TV, Commercials, Corporate Training Videos and Youth Program/High School Football Highlight Reels. In addition, Mike worked at Full Sail University as a Lab Instructor in the Film Bachelor's Program. In his time with the school, he added over 100 short film and events credits to his resume. He started working for Airstar as a Balloon Technician in 2014, and in April of 2017 he was promoted to Operations Manager for Airstar's Atlanta location. Over the course of his career, Mike has worked on Super Bowls, NCAA March Madness Events, the NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall, the Mummers Parade on New Year's Day in Philadelphia, over 25+ major music festivals all over the US, and countless commercials in various roles. Mike lives in Atlanta with his wife Camille and he's really passionate about sports, especially teams from Philadelphia. When asked, he said, "The Eagles winning the Super Bowl on my birthday is the single greatest moment of my life."

Attorney Elaine Wyder is Managing Attorney at Convex Legal LLC. Elaine enjoys helping entrepreneurs and artists accomplish their business goals and safeguard their work through contracts and legal advice. Before her legal career, Elaine was a photographer, a multimedia programmer, and an adjunct instructor in graphic arts. She draws on these experiences every day as she seeks to educate and empower her clients.

WELCOME TO THE CYPHER

eorge is a Chicago-based director and screenwriter known for his award-winning short Cottage Grove (now streaming on AMC+) and his experimental film SWITCHIN’, featured on NBC5 Chicago and Open Television. His work has screened at national and international festivals including Athens International, Black Harvest, Micheaux, and Tallgrass. George recently won Best Student Narrative (Cottage Grove) and Best Screenplay (All Good) at the 2025 Lindsey Film Festival. A graduate of Bowdoin College and DePaul University’s MFA program, he brings a steady, reflective voice to Chicago’s evolving indie film scene.

LaTaryion Perry “LT” is Born & Rasied in Gary IN, he joined the film industry his senior year of high school as a background actor & production assistant on various sets getting the tools and resources to becoming the award winning film maker & Sag-Aftra Actor he is today. LT is currently a co-partner & the Head of TV & Film for Development & Production with MissedTurn Productions. As well as a Creative Associate and Producer with Creative Cypher & XL Festival. LT has various tv & film credits from BET, FOX, Disney, Netflix and more.

Patrick Wimp is an award-winning biracial, Black American screenwriter, director, and producer from Chicago. Patrick is a member of the Writer’s Guild of America, and his feature and short film work has been awarded in prestigious film festivals around the world, including Chicago International, Cannes International, New York Television Festival, Austin Film Festival, SeriesFest and HBO’s Urbanworld. Patrick’s was the writer and director of Brothers from the Suburbs, which sold to Warners Bros TV, and received pilot order from HBO Max. He also recently directed the documentary Mister Abbott that aired on AMC+ in 2025. Patrick was listed as #7 on NewCity’s Chicago Film 50 in 2021, and named to Austin Film Festival's 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2020. Pat has also worked as a cinematographer for A-list music artists like Jennifer Hudson, Billie Eilish, and the Chance the Rapper. He also holds an academic appointment as an Associate Professor at the University of Iowa.

Cortlyn Kelly is a film and culture critic, personal essayist, art appreciator, avid baseball fan, and forever student. During her undergraduate years, she studied psychology and studio art and later completed a Master of Arts in Humanities from the University of Chicago, where she created the first iteration of her publication, The Art Idiot. Since the first grade, her approach to all endeavors is: “There is so much to learn.” With this mindset, Cortlyn Kelly is continuously making connections across all artistic and cultural mediums with the aim of producing a deepened understanding of creative interdependence. Accessibility and archival practices are also key components to her development as a critic and programmer. When she’s not watching, writing, or articulating about movies, she serves as a co-host of Kaveh & CK’s Screening Room, sits as the Co-Chair for the Black Harvest Film Festival Community Council, sometimes teaches, goes for walks around Chicago, and giggles with her friends and family.

McKenzie is an award-winning writer, director, and actor based in Chicago. Driven by a revolutionary sensibility, her work uses rich imagery and an intimate lens to explore complex characters and stories of personal transformation and liberation. She is a 2023 SFFILM Rainin Grant Fellow, and a 2021 Sundance Screenwriters and Directors Lab Fellow with her upcoming feature A Real One, currently in development. The short film and proof-of-concept of A Real One won the Gold Hugo for Live Action Short Film at the 2023 Chicago International Film Festival, long-listing the film for Academy Award consideration, and won the Grand Prize at the 2024 Midwest Film Festival. Her 2018 indie feature Olympia (writer, producer) won the audience award at Geena Davis’s Bentonville Film Festival, after which she became the inaugural recipient of the festival’s See It, Be It Filmmaker Grant via NBCUniversal. She was named IFA Chicago’s inaugural Breakthrough Voice Award recipient in 2022, and received a 2023 Black Excellence award for her poetry music video First You Need A Body. As an actor, her on-camera credits include recurring and guest star roles on the FOX series The Big Leap, ABC's Will Trent, CBS’s The Red Line, and others. Onstage she has worked with Yale Repertory Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Goodman Theatre, The Second City, Woolly Mammoth, The Studio Theatre, Congo Square, and others. She made her stage directing debut in 2023 with ALAIYO at Chicago’s Definition Theatre. Her poetry has been nominated for multiple awards including a Pushcart Prize. She is part of Growing Concerns Poetry Collective which premiered the lead singles on its second album, BIG DARK BRIGHT FUTURES, in AfroPunk and Essence Magazine. She holds an MFA from The Theatre School at DePaul.

Stephen Ellison has been working in the Industry since receiving a BFA from NC School of the Arts in 1979. He has worked as a Rental Technician, Rental Manager, Service Manager, Fog Machine Designer, System Sales, Production Lighting Designer, Systems Designer, Technical Director, Technical Sales. He is ETCP Certified in Theater Rigging and Entertainment Electrician. He now works for The Light Source as the Technical Sales and Trade Show Manager. His favorite lighting is modern dance, or musicals, a designer has so much freedom to be creative in those art forms. Prior to joining The Light Source he spent over 15 years specializing in designing Lighting Systems for the HOW market.