Production
Writer/Director » Hank Isaac
http://authors.home.mindspring.com/
I come to film and television from a visual background. Trained as an Industrial Designer, it took me nearly half a century to finally find my passion – creating stories for moving images. I grew up in the entertainment world. My father was an MGM executive, then later with Cinerama. My mother was a dancer. When I'm not inventing worlds, I teach others to do it at the college level. I feel both privileged and anxious about this project. The former because of the unbridled dedication shown by everyone working on "317" and the latter because they're all here as a result of this one idea – the notion of bringing a unique and thought provoking TV series for children and their families to the small screen.
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Director of Photography » Manfred Reiff
http://www.manfredreiff.com/
I've been shooting commercials, music videos and features for 15 years. I started my career as Director of Photography with many creativity driven commercial directors, such as Kevin Godley, Rene Eller, Mark Story, Paul Meyer and Ernest Dickerson, which allowed me to establish a unique style and aesthetic. I also worked with most of the preeminent special effects houses in the U.S., such as Rhythm and Hues, Blue Sky, Greenberg Associates and Mass Illusion, which enabled me to acquire a thorough amount of knowledge about the potential and problem solving solutions cinematography can offer for special effects shoots. While pursuing special effects, I also focused on fashion and beauty advertising, shooting commercials for the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Nautica and Macy's. I've shot several features. Most recently I photographed 'Glow Ropes - The Rise and Fall of a Bar Mitzvah MC' with Judy Reyes of NBC's 'Scrubs'. I also shot 'Under Heat' with Lee Grant and 'The Suitors', which was an official selection of the Cannes Film Festival.
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Composer » Charles-Henri Avelange
http://www.kmaproduction.com/
I am a French film composer and I spent the past two years in the United- States. I've known what I want to do in life since the age of 9 and focused on my goal since then. At 22 years old, I was already compared by my fellow composers in France to people like Hans Zimmer or John Williams. My first contact with American people inspired me a CD dedicated to all kinds of American heroes named "The Age of Heroes". I am now a B.M.I and distributed artist, and a member of the Seattle Composers Alliance. My CD is now a fundraiser for the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters and help those who for me are true heroes. My music is made for big pictures and help to enhance the emotion that are coming through them, as I believe in strong theme that people will remember and sing even long after they watched the movie. That is why I think destiny made me becoming part of such a big project like "317".
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Script Supervisor » Stephanie Isaac
Born in a toy store. Raised on a boat. Avid film viewer. Always the first to laugh at the funny bits. I've always loved math, the ocean, and the movies. I've got a B.S. and an M.A. in mathematics and currently teach at the college level. I've always had a nose for detail and have often been accused of having a photographic memory. When I was two I demanded of my parents that they send me to school. They paid me back by sending me to a school where they spoke only French.
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Makeup/Hair » Dawn Tunnell
http://dawntunnell.com
I always wanted to paint, but I never had the courage. Growing up with a mother that is an amazing painter made the medium intimidating to me, so I avoided it. However, my fascination with colors and textures continued, and eventually, despite the fact that I rarely wore makeup myself, I fell into a position with MAC cosmetics as a makeup artist. I immediately began freelancing on the side as much as possible, working in as many different mediums as I could. I gained experience in everything from beauty, print, and fashion to videos and commercials. Now I am purely freelance, and over the last 8 years I have learned that what I do is pretty much a different realization of something I always wanted to do. Makeup is after all, using a pigmented medium, brushes, and a canvas. I've realized that I am a painter, and people are my canvas.
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Post-Production - On Screen
VFX Supervisor » Paul Ehreth
http://www.paulehreth.com
I have been working with CG for the better part of the last decade and have always had a passion for both graphics and film. I started with video games when I was still in High School. At the same time I started working professionally for Microsoft, testing the Xbox. From there I attended Henry Cogswell College in Digital Arts to earn my BA of Digital Arts. Since then I have done 3D and digital work for commercials, television shows, and feature film. My most recent project has been working as an environment modeler for "Barnyard the Movie" from Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Films (in theaters 2006). "317" is an awesome opportunity to do what I love doing with a team of passionate artists.
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Visual Effects Artist/Audio Designer » Stephen Eilers
http://stepheneilers.com
I was born and raised in western Michigan on the shores of Lake Michigan. It was here where I first became interested in being a part of the entertainment industry. From building film sets with blocks to producing plays in the backyard, I had an idea of what I wanted to do but had yet to determine a definite goal. After seeing E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial several times in the movie theatres, I realized the magical hold films can have on an audience and I knew I wanted to be a part of that magic by becoming a filmmaker. After graduating from high school, I made the big move to Hollywood. There I worked in the business offices of some of the biggest entertainment companies including MGM/UA and Twentieth Century Fox. However, after getting married, the desire to start a family in a more laid-back environment was too strong, so my wife and I moved to the Seattle area. At the time, I thought I had to give up on my filmmaking aspirations. However, with the downturn in the economy in 2001, I soon found myself back in school working towards being a filmmaker. Now, armed with the experience of several short films under my belt, I will be bringing my own brand of magic to audiences.
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3D Modeling/Animation » Richard Gingras
I am originally from Canada, but for the last few years I have been living in the Northwest where I completed my studies in 3D modeling and animation. I moved to Washington from Sparta, Tennessee after living there for about 12 years. I have always loved the arts, whether it be music, sculpting, or painting, thanks to my nurturing mother who is also a great illustrator. After delving into the world of 3D I discovered that there are huge amounts of talent in the field that are both inspiring and have something that I can always learn from. I enjoy every aspect of 3D and I enjoy challenging myself to improve, and maximize my workflow. "317" has posed several challenges that have been overcome and several that are on the horizon that are sure to develop my skills even further.
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CG Artist » Sean Kraft
I am a junior at Henry Cogswell College and am working on a Digital Arts degree with a combined Film and 3D animation concentration. Prior to college I spent years making short films with my friends and producing various video projects for my church. Currently I work at a small production studio as the lead editor and effects director. Because of my experience with 3D and effects, I have also filled the role of technical director on several independent films. In my free time I enjoy photography, playing music, and outdoor activities.
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Post-Production - Off Screen
