Team
The filmmakers (click on any photo for a bio)
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Director |
Producer |
Producer |
Producer |
Producer |
Producer & Marketing |
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Writer |
Dir. of Photography |
Editor |
Editor |
Music Supervisor |
Composer |
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Composer |
Executive Producer |
Stephen Nemeth Executive Producer |
John Goldsmith Executive Producer |
Robbie Little Executive Producer |
Executive Producer |
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Co-Producer |
Greg McClatchy Co-Producer |
Co-Producer |
Co-Producer |
Laura Martorella Associate Producer |
Jeri Rice Associate Producer |
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Distribution |
Distribution |
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Assistant Editor |
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Our 501(c)(3) |
JOSH TICKELL FILMMAKER, AUTHOR & ENVIRONMENTALIST top
Josh Tickell is one of the nation’s leading experts in sustainable biofuels. Growing up near oil refineries in Louisiana, Tickell experienced first hand the health effects of pollution from oil processing. Tickell first saw sustainable biodiesel while working on an organic farm in former East Germany during a semester abroad.
Tickell’s best selling book, From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank – The Complete Guide to Using Vegetable Oil as an Alternative Fuel, jump-started the US biodiesel movement. The American biodiesel industry now produces over 850 million gallons per year and supplies biodegradable biodiesel to commercial fleets including the San Francisco Fire Department, the Navy and NASA.
In 1998, Tickell organized Green Mountain Energy’s California Tour and its Pennsylvania “Know Your Power” concert, featuring James Taylor, Sean Colvin and Kenny Loggins. Over 50,000 people attended the biodiesel powered event.
In 2000, Tickell worked with Washington D.C. Earth Day event organizers to power the April 22nd Earth Day Event and Concert on the Mall on biodiesel made from used cooking oil. The 200,000 person event was at that time the largest single event ever to be powered with completely renewable fuel.
In 2003, Tickell began work on FUEL, the 2008 Sundance Audience Award winning documentary film that investigates the possible replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy. In 2006, as a precursor to the film, Tickell’s second book was released. Entitled Biodiesel America – How To Achieve Energy Security, Free America From Middle- East Oil Dependence and Make Money Growing Fuel, the book offers a complete energy roadmap to wean the United States from fossil fuels.
At the time of the book’s release, Tickell founded the Biodiesel America Organization (now The Veggie Van Organization), which was selected by President Bill Clinton as an inaugural part of his Global Initiative on Climate Change. The organization mounted a biodiesel relief effort to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. The biodiesel-fueled relief ships delivered supplies and 20,000 meals to the hardest-hit areas of the disaster zone.
Tickell has consulted with companies and organizations including the Arizona State House of Representatives, Solar Energy International, Quicksilver, Clif Bar, Green Mountain Energy, Greenpeace, Volkswagen, Universal Studios, Woody Harrelson’s ‘Go Further’ Tour and The Indigo Girls. He has spoken at colleges and universities including MIT, Ohio University, Bard College, and Vassar College.
His media interview list includes The Today Show, Dateline NBC, CNN News, The National Geographic Channel, The Discovery Channel, NPR, The Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian Magazine, The Weather Channel, Maxim Magazine and Mother Earth News.
He holds an undergraduate degree in Sustainable Living from the New College of South Florida and an MFA in Film from FSU’s School of Motion Picture TV and Recording Arts.
GREG REITMAN PRODUCER top
Greg Reitman is a new breed of filmmaker who combines a background in writing, producing, and directing with tech-savvy business acumen. In 2000, Mr. Reitman founded Blue Water Entertainment, Inc., an independent production company focusing on environmentally conscious entertainment. He recently produced the 2008 Sundance Audience Award-winning feature documentary “Fields of Fuel,” which chronicles the personal journey of best-selling author Josh Tickell, one of the nation’s leading experts on sustainable biofuels The tremendous success and critical acclaim generated by “Fields of Fuel” garnered Mr. Reitman the sobriquet “Hollywood’s Green Producer.”
Mr. Reitman made his debut as writer, producer and director with the feature documentary “Hollywood's Magical Island - Catalina” (2003) narrated by Peter Coyote. The film first screened at the Temecula Film Festival, winning the Audience Award, and continued to play on the festival circuit including Newport Beach, Pacific Palisades, San Pedro, Ojai, Big Bear Lake, Napa Valley, and Marco Island, Florida.
In 2004, Blue Water Entertainment, Inc self-distributed “Hollywood’s Magical Island-Catalina” to retail outlets on Catalina Island and throughout Southern California, selling some 10,000 DVDs in the first eighteen months. In 2005, the film aired on KOCE as a pledge drive and sales topped $50,000 at the national level. In February 2006, Blue Water Entertainment licensed “Hollywood’s Magical Island- Catalina” to American Public Television (APT) for national syndication.
Mr. Reitman is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, with international studies at Florence University in Florence, Italy; Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan; and Tel-Aviv University in Tel-Aviv, Israel. He later received a Masters Certificate in Creative Producing from Tel-Aviv University He is an alumnus and member of the Hollywood Film Institute, the International Documentary Association, the Travis Directing School, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and a director on the National Board of the Green Energy Council.
Mr. Reitman is currently in production on his new feature film, “Rooted in Peace.” He resides in Los Angeles and practices a “green” lifestyle.
DALE (CHIP) ROSENBLOOM PRODUCER top
Dale (Chip) Rosenbloom, founder and owner of Open Pictures is one of Hollywood’s most active and innovative creative talents. Rosenbloom writes, directs and produces. His independent production company’s slate of family-friendly motion pictures and compelling documentaries on important contemporary social issues are recognized for their consistent quality, content, and timeliness. Through Open, he recently produced the Broadway stage production of August Wilson’s Radio Golf, which recently was honored with a 2007 Tony nomination for Best Play.
Rosenbloom won numerous awards for the documentary film, “Reckless Indifference”, the emotionally charged feature about the accidental homicide of the innocent teenage son of a police officer at the home of a drug dealer, produced with Oscar-nominated/Emmy winning documentary filmmaker William Gazecki.
The Shiloh trilogy is what put Rosenbloom on the map, producing all three films based on the celebrated stories by Newbery award-winning author Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s best-selling novels about a young boy’s attempt to rescue an abused dog. Shiloh, the first film in the Naylor trilogy, marked Rosenbloom’s auspicious directorial debut, which he adapted and produced, and which earned him accolades from many of the nation’s most highly respected critics. The movie went on to win the Genesis Award for Best Feature Film, top honors at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, and several other awards. The film trilogy he created has proven to be one of the most popular family entertainment feature film franchises produced by an independent production company in recent years. Saving Shiloh, the final film in the trilogy, opened last year to critical praise, and the DVD is currently enjoying great success in national distribution. Shiloh II/Shiloh Season, adapted and produced by Rosenbloom was nominated for the Humanitas Prize. All three films of the trilogy were major successes in DVD and video sales, and are distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
Open Pictures currently has several projects in post production including Girl in the Park starring Sigourney Weaver, Kate Bosworth and Keri Russell, directed by Pulitzer Prize-winning David Auburn, Open Graves starring Eliza Dushku and Mike Vogel, Fan-demanium, starring ten passionate soccer fans from all over the world, and Alice, starring Alyson Stoner, Lucas Grabeel, Penny Marshall, and Luke Perry. The company has also acquired the rights to best-selling author Philip K. Dick’s Flow my Tears, The Policeman Said, with producer John Simon, and is in development on The Great Good Thing, based on the novel by Roderick Townle.
DANIEL ASSAEL PRODUCER top
Daniel Assael was bitten by the showbiz bug when, as a kid, he watched his writer father sprawl across the couch and stare into space. When young Daniel asked him what he was doing, his dad simply said, “I’m working.” Daniel knew at that moment he wanted to be in the same business. He went on to graduate from the University of California Santa Cruz with a degree in Business Management Economics. He associate produced Learn The Game: The Big Football Game, a 30-minute animated ‘how to’ play football for kids. Daniel, currently a Production Executive at Open Pictures, has worked on Saving Shiloh, which Warner Bros. distributed and the film Alice Upside Down. Fields of Fuel is his first producing credit and something he is extremely passionate about.
DARIUS FISHER PRODUCER, POST-PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR and ONLINE EDITOR top
Darius Fisher, president of DNA, was born in London, England. As a child he appeared in TV commercials which planted the seed for a life long fascination with film and video.
Darius is a graduate of Sussex University and earned his B.A. studying French and Italian and European Studies. He got his very first behind-the-camera job with a brief stint working in Chicago as a PA on "Siskel and Ebert." From 1987 based in London he rose from PA to 1st assistant director on music videos, commercials, concert films and TV. Working with The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Prince, Michael Jackson and Princess Stephanie of Monaco among others.
In 1989 Darius joined ARK, an organization founded by prominent environmentalists, film makers and recording artists including Chrissie Hynde, Sir Paul McCartney, Sting and Peter Gabriel. ARK was created to use the power of mass media to promote environmental awareness and ecologically sound products. Darius developed and co-ordinated special events and video projects for ARK that combined his passion both for film making and positive social change. While at ARK Darius worked closely with Kevin Godley, the ground breaking music video director and recording artist.
From 1993 to 1997, Darius made New York City his home base. Darius soon became known to his big apple clients for his unique ability to effectively wear the hats of editor, motion graphic designer and visual effects artist, in addition to being able to network, engineer and troubleshoot the systems he worked on. Clients included Showtime, Curious Pictures, and RGA. Offered the job as Creative director at RGA he chose instead to start his own company and DNA was born.
In 1998 he moved DNA to Los Angeles. After working for clients such as Disney, Mattel and finding a niche doing visual effects work on industrials, commercials and film, in 2003 he decided it was time once again to try to apply he and his company's post production finesse to projects about the environment or social justice. Shortly thereafter the director and activist Josh Tickell showed up at DNA to talk about the feature documentary he was to making called "Fields of Fuel". Over the next few months DNA produced a trailer for Josh written by DNA's in house creative director Johnny O'hara. Johnny went on to write the Sundance winning documentary, 'Fields of Fuel' which DNA in collaboration with thesandbox is co-producing and completing all the on-line post-production.
DNA has boutique facilities in London and LA, has co-produced other award winnings documentaries, been written up in Variety and the Hollywood Reporter and produced hundreds of visual effects shots for major hollywood movies such as 'The Aviator', 'The Last Samurai' and 'Superman Returns'.
REBECCA HARRELL PRODUCER and MARKETING DIRECTOR top
Rebecca Harrell is the genius behind the grassroots marketing campaign that has placed FUEL on the map as 2008’s next big green film.
At the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, Harrell’s marketing strategy took Park City by storm. Using vehicle parades, peaceful street team educators and celebrity studded parties, Harrell garnered the attention of film goers and media. By the end of the festival, over 10,000 attendees (1 out of 5 people) were wearing a FUEL button. Dueto the buzz generated, over 2,000 people were turned away at the FUEL box office. ICM, one of the top Hollywood marketing agencies sent its personnel to study the marketing techniques used in launching FUEL.
In 2004, Harrell co-founded The Eleanor Group, a California-based marketing company that raises money for schools and non-profit organizations. Her client list includes the LA Unified School District and the American Cancer Society. She has spoken to and trained over 10,000 teens and teachers throughout Southern California in the art of fundraising and positioning.
Harrell also has extensive experience in the entertainment industry. She has starred in numerous films and television shows including the Christmas classic Prancer and NBC’s Third Watch. Harrell, who grew up in Vermont, is engaged to Josh Tickell. They travel and work together promoting the use of green energy.
Harrell has been interviewed on The Today Show, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and the Washington Post. As well as creating all of the marketing materials for FUEL, she is the creator and designer of this website and also wrote/performed the song “Drive” featured at the end of FUEL.
JOHNNY O’HARA WRITER top
Johnny O’Hara is an award winning writer-producer-director born and raised in NYC. After graduating from Pratt Institute he began his creative career working for legendary ad man Jerry Della Femina as both an art director and copywriter.
After many scandalous years working at major NYC advertising agencies he helped launch a successful internet start-up in the early days of the interwebs. He then decided to focus on writing, film making and the pursuit of interesting experiences.
His screenplay THE YIN YANG BROTHERS was a finalist in both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Nicholl Fellowships Screenwriting Competition and the Austin Film Festival Screenwriting Competition. His short film MAC’S FIRST TIME was a finalist in the 2007 SXSW Film Festival. Johnny is also a published author. His first book ELVIS & YOU was published by Penguin.
Most recently Johnny was nominated for the 2009 WGA documentary screenplay award.
Johnny has several projects in development, both documentaries and narrative features. Among them, a romantic comedy produced by Michael Mailer films and directed by former Sundance winner Hank Blumenthal, a comedy starring William Forsythe, and several documentaries on subjects ranging from a missionary nun to mushrooms to Cuba.
Johnny is also a partner and Creative Director at DIGITAL NEURAL AXIS a VFX, post house and film production company dedicated to developing films and online content that will expedite the comi ng green revolution that must inevitably be our future.
JAMES MULRYAN DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY top
James Mulryan graduated from UCLA Film School in 1982 where he specialized in ethnographic filmmaking. In 1984 he shot and co-produced Navajo Talking Picture, which premiered at the Margaret Mead Film Festival and screened on PBS. Through the 1980’s he worked as a location and production manager on television commercials with directors that included Norman Seeff, Joe Pytka and Ridley Scott.
In 1990, he worked with Peter Sellers on the Los Angeles Festival as a field director/cameraman. Shortly thereafter, he began field directing and shooting episodes for The 90s, on PBS. In 1997 he won the Sundance Film Festival Cinematography award for Documentary for Renee Tajima’s My America…or honk if you love Buddha. Additional 1990’s camera credits include National Geographic, BBC, PBS, and Lifetime.
In 2002, he shot Bravo’s Kris Kristofferson profile. In 2006 he field directed and co-photographed Inside Supermax, a portrait of female prison guards for the Learning Channel. He is currently directing and shooting a profile of Jack LaLanne for the LaLanne family archives. His latest documentary feature is FUEL, which he began shooting in 2005 will premiere at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.
TINA IMAHARA EDITOR top
A California native, Tina Imahara received her MFA from the Editing Program at the AFI (American Film Institute) and was the sole recipient of the Blum Kovler Scholarship, a full scholarship awarded to only one student within the program. Imahara also holds a BFA from the California Institute of the Arts in Art/Graphic Design/Documentary Photography.
Imahara has edited over 40 short & feature films as well as television pilots, an IMAX Amusement Park Ride, music videos, feature film trailers, ‘Behind The Scenes’ and DVD featurettes and commentaries. She was an ongoing editor for E! True Hollywood Stories, Cox/OnDemand and the ABC Family Network. Imahara’s work include the award winning, The Lord of the Rings Extended DVD series; The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King, as well as Gang Tapes, A Lions Gate Feature Film Production, which received 9 nominations at the 2002 DVD Exclusive Awards including BEST EDITING. In addition, Imahara edited the compelling documentary, On Tip Toe, the story of the Grammy Award winning South African Musical Group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and their rise above apartheid. On Tip Toe received an Oscar and Emmy nomination and won the International Documentary Association Award in 2001.
Films Imahara has edited are premiering and winning awards in film festivals worldwide including; Cinequest, The Seattle Film Festival, The Taos Talking Picture Festival, The Palm Springs Film Festival, The New York Independent Film and Video Festival, The AFI Dallas Film Festival, The Nashville Film Festival and The Sundance Film Festival.
Most recently, Imahara completed a FOX Network & Langley Productions Television Pilot, Hollywood Vice as well as a feature documentary film based on Napoleon Hill's best selling book, Think and Grow Rich. Currently in post production, Imahara edited the feature film, Under the Knife, featuring the Oscar nominated actress, Sally Kirkland.
MICHAEL HORWITZ EDITOR top
Michael Horwitz is a young, energetic filmmaker with an impressive resume and prolific collection of short films and commercials already under his belt.
With a degree in film production and new media design from the University of California, Santa Cruz, Horowitz has established himself as a highly skilled editor.
Horwitz’s thesis film project was an ambitious World War II romantic drama called "Grand Central", and it was accepted to numerous film festivals and was a finalist for the Student Academy Awards in 2000. He has directed a number of other short films and commercials and currently works as an editor cutting trailers for major Hollywood studio films at Trailer Park, one of the largest creative advertising firms in Hollywood.
FUEL marks Horowitz’s feature editor debut and he is thrilled to be a part of this amazing, creative team. Horowitz is currently developing several feature scripts and looks forward to building on his FUEL feature film editing experience.
RYAN DEMAREE MUSIC COMPOSER top
Originally from San Diego, Ryan Demaree is a Los Angeles based Film Composer who has lent his many talents to film, television, advertising and video games. Demaree earned his degree in music composition at CSU Fullerton, and has worked with some of the industry’s leading music experts.
Shortly after moving to Los Angeles, he worked under Klaus Badelt at Hans Zimmer’s Media Ventures, where he got his first taste of film scoring. A few years later he resided at Todd AO Scoring, which had the largest and most technically advanced stage in the United States until its close in December of 2007. While there, he was fortunate enough to work with many of film’s great maestros including James Horner, Alan Silvestri, James Newton Howard and Stephen Schwartz.
Versed in the Classical and Electronic Mediums, Demaree embraces the traditional way of writing with the new advances of technology. Using sequencers, samplers and a real orchestra, he is passionate about writing scores, which captivate the subtext of a film.
MIKE MEEKER MUSIC SUPERVISOR top
MIKE MEEKER has been working in the field of music since the early 1990’s. He began his career as a musician sharing the stage with Southern California bands like Sublime. Meeker perfected his musical craft and began his music business training at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston where he earned a BA in Professional Music. Meeker’s business experience, includes an international marketing position at Interscope, Geffen A&M, where he worked closely with artists like Sting, Eminem, Black Eyed Peas, Gwen Stefani, Weezer, Snoop Dog, Sheryl Crow, Dr. Dre, Mary J Blige, Queens of the Stone Age, and Robin Thicke.
In 2005, Meeker co-founded the independent hip hop record label Citrus Recordings to produce the full-length album “Citrus Sessions,” featuring the Los Angeles based jazz hip hop icon Micah 9, of the legendary Freestyle Fellowship Crew. Meeker also was the music director for the Citrus Sessions band, and directed musicians Adam McDougal from Nikka Costa, Macy Gray, and Maroon 5, Kamasi Washington and Josef Leimberg from the Snoopadelics, and Tyler Coomes from Raphael Saadique, and Anthony Hamilton bands. Meeker has consulted for companies worldwide like Entak in Japan, in the field of music licensing, marketing, and branding. For Entak, Meeker worked on many projects including the Japanese sensation Dance @ Live!
Currently Meeker is fine-tuning his ear in the field of Music Supervision for Film and TV. Most recently he added the Sundance Award Winning Documentary Film “FUEL” to his credits as Music Supervisor. Meeker also is the Music Supervisor for the Independent Feature Film “Foreign Exchange,” and the VH1 featured TV Show’s “Gotti’s Way (season 2)” and “Glam God featuring Vivica A. Fox” as well as Music Consulting for the MTV show “G’s to Gents.”
EDGAR ROTHERMICH COMPOSER top
Born in Germany, Edgar Rothermich studied music at the University of Arts and sound engineering at the Technical University of Berlin and graduated 1989 with a masters degree in piano and sound engineering. He worked as a composer, music producer and sound engineer in Berlin and moved to Los Angeles in 1991 where he continued his work on numerous projects in the music and film industry (The Celestine Prophecy, Outer Limits, Babylon 5, What the Bleep do we know.)
JANET MORROW EXECUTIVE PRODUCER top
Janet Morrow is a native Chicagoan who is now living in Whitefish, Montana where she is pursuing her spiritual journey by pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Illumination Sciences from The Jwalan Muktika School of Illumination. The path that brought her to this place included a lifetime in the non-profit world as a volunteer, a professional, a fundraiser and a philanthropist. She began her professional career and passion for the environment as the volunteer chairman for the books and literature committee for The First National Congress on Optimum Population and Environment which was held in Chicago in June 1970. The following January, she became it's Executive Director and the organization shifted it's focus to the urban environment and, several years later, changed it's name to To Reshape Urban Systems Together or TRUST, Inc. It's purpose was to serve as a catalyst for cross interest group communication and cooperative problem solving through a collaborative process involving all the stakeholders in the formulation of public policy recommendations. Among other accomplishments, their studies resulted in several bills passed by the state legislature and a constitutional amendment passed by Illinois voters. It was a remarkably successful formula and the organization had profound influence during her tenure which lasted until 1985 when she retired to marry the chairman and CEO of a major oil company. The organization is now called The Chicago Council on Urban Affairs.
In the mid nineties she was diagnosed with the auto-immune system disorder called fibromyalgia, which led her to alternative medicine practitioners, the beginning of her spiritual journey, divorce and her involvement with the JMSI school through which she was introduced to Josh Tickell which has proven to be a mutually significant relationship resulting in the film FUEL.
JOHN PAUL DEJORIA EXECUTIVE PRODUCER top
John Paul DeJoria’s rags-to-riches biography exemplifies the American dream – he is a first-generation American turned entrepreneur, philanthropist, government servant, and pillar of the business community. John Paul DeJoria has struggled against the odds not only to achieve success, but to share this success with others. DeJoria is the co-founder and CEO of John Paul Mitchell Systems, a top manufacturer of salon-only professional hair care products that has been serving the professional beauty industry for 25 years.It all began in 1979, when John Paul DeJoria and Paul Mitchell first decided to launch their professional hair care system around a revolutionary new styling method – hair sculpting, and a revolutionary new styling product – Hair Sculpting Lotion By 1980, they had established a partnership with a borrowed $750.00 which eventually became known as John Paul Mitchell Systems
The company currently produces over 90 products (including the brands Paul Mitchell, Modern Elixirs™, The Tea Tree Collection, Paul Mitchell LAB™, Paul Mitchell Pro Tools, PM SHINES™ and Paul Mitchell the colorblack ™).John Paul Mitchell Systems products are sold through 25 distributors within the United States to approximately 90,000 hair salons. Internationally, John Paul Mitchell Systems works with distributors in 65 countries that supply thousands of hair salons. The company does not test its products on animals nor has it ever tested its products on animals. In accordance with John Paul DeJoria’s motto, ‘Success unshared is failure,’ John Paul Mitchell Systems has a strong commitment to giving back, supporting a wide range of philanthropic causes both domestically and internationally.
TODD SALI CO-PRODUCER top
Todd Sali is founder of thesandbox, a solar powered post & production facility in Venice, CA. Equally influenced by his background in visual anthropology, love of wilderness, and respect for technology to open boxes, Todd gravitates towards cultural and environmental issues in his work. At the same time, he looks to broaden the reach of these issues with his music hinged approach, dynamic cinematography and editing style. An overarching theme of thesandbox is that storytelling is as important for the tellers as it is for the listeners in a healthy culture. His body of work as an editor, DP, and producer has evolved towards that goal, with each project widening the network of 'doers' and 'dreamers of dreams'. In an effort to "live the world we desire" the sandbox is solar and biodiesel powered...with a little espresso.
Current and past projects range from Museum Installations to Documentaries, and Feature Films. After 5 years of creating video and audio installations for museums, including LA:light/motion/dreams, and Jared Diamond's, Collapse?, Todd expanded his collaboration with Peter Kirby (MediaArtServices) to create original films and books including Conversations:LA/LEIDEN, and a 3-part HD series about Biodiversity. Preferring to align itself with socially and environmentally conscious projects, thesandbox feels it natural to contribute original 2K and HD time-lapse cinematography to Who Killed the Electric Car, among other films. In addition, thesandbox collaborated with DNA on the award winning documentary, FUEL (winner Sundance 2008, winner Sedona 2008). The team co-produced Fields of Fuel and completed the on-line post-production, managed the main title and graphic look of the film, contributed time-lapse vistas and macros of the natural world, among other roles. thesandbox is currently producing a unique and potent environmental feature film called Paper or Plastic?.
While originally from the great pacific northwest, Todd now lives in Venice, CA with his wife Birgitte and two magnificent children, Una and Emile.
HANS W. PAUSCH
CO-PRODUCER top
Since 2006 Hans Pausch is CEO at CONTEXT TV GmbH a renowned Berlin-based production company producing award winning non-fictional content for clients such as ZDF, ARD, BBC, WGBH, National Geographic and Discovery.
He also develops and produces fiction films with his outfit SYNERGY PRODUCTIONS. Before that Mr Pausch was responsible for international co-productions and became Executive Vice President of the COLOGNE GEMINI Group (Gemini Film) and CEO of one of its subsidiaries. Among the feature films he was involved as a producer are Boat Trip (Cuba Gooding jr, Roger Moore, Roselyn Sanchez), Triggermen (Donnie Wahlberg, Neil Morreissey, Adrian Dunbar, Claire Forlani, Amanda Plummer, Pete Postlethwaite), Baby (Festivals San Sebastian, Berlin etc), Marlene Dietrich – Her Own Song, feature doc (Festivals: Berlinale, Edinburgh, and 40 others), All About Bob (Martina Gedeck, Gregor Törzs).
For the non-fiction series and films his credits include Fat Machines (Discovery show starring Juergen Vogel), Wildlife Nannies (Wildlife series for ZDF&VOOM, sold in over 10 territories so far), Between Gandhi and Hitler, Return to Bismarck, Bikini – Paradise Lost.
Mr. Pausch holds an M.A. degree in Political Science, Spanish Literature and Drama from the University of Cologne and Sevilla. He was also selected as Robert Schuman Scholar of the European Parliament.
KEVIN VICKERY CO-PRODUCER top
Kevin Vickery provides strategic communications and resource development support for the renewable energy, corporate and eco-tainment sectors. Companies he has recently worked with include CHANEL, Abengoa Solar, Plug-In Partners, Biodiesel America, Arizona Public Services (APS), Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF), Solazyme, Emerald Energy, Tri-State Biodiesel, Showtime Networks and Paramount Pictures.
He began his communications career at Fleishman-Hillard in New York City where he worked on projects for Mass Mutual, MasterCard and Novo Nordisk. His public relations experience is spread across the corporate-consumer, entertainment and not-for-profit sectors, and he has successfully implemented national and international media campaigns.
As Communications Director at the UCLA AIDS Institute he worked with national AIDS service organizations to de-stigmatize HIV testing, created a partnership with the Magic Johnson Foundation to develop a peer-to-peer educational program, and helped bring focus to women living with HIV disease through his support of The Well Project.
He was part of the national environmental communications team for the film Arctic Tale from Paramount Classics. As Co-Producer on FUEL, Vickery created strategic partnerships with some of the most innovative renewable energy leaders and companies in the world.
Currently, Vickery runs the eco-consulting firm Vickery Associates in Los Angeles. Lovingly nicknamed “consultants with a conscience,” Vickery Associates works with companies to identify and develop sustainable resources (human, capital, energy) through all levels of growth. Rooted in the vision put forth by the client, these resources dictate the direction and scope of a client’s greening initiative through all phases of growth, from drafting a business model to implementing a successful exit strategy.
Vickery received his education at The Julliard School in New York City and is based in Los Angeles, California.
BETSY CHASSE & MELISSA HENDERSON INTENTION MEDIA top
Intention Media handles the distribution of feature films and documentaries to theatrical venues around the United States and Canada, as well as DVD distribution to retail outlets.
But Intention Media doesn't represent just any old film. True to its name, the company has a purposeful intent, which is to both create and distribute films which awaken people to their personal power. The films and documentariesIntention Media handles are all about giving people hope, as well as vital knowledge about the world around, and within, them.Intention Media films and DVDs deliver inspiration through stories of personal courage and spiritual endeavor, powerful examples of social activism and change, the examination of environmental issues, as well as breakthroughs in scientific understanding of our physical and metaphysical universe. Through these types of messages, Intention Media focuses on giving people the opportunity to realize they have the capacity to uplift both themselves and the world around them. Headed by filmmaker Betsy Chasse (co-creator of the hit film What the Bleep Do We Know?!), and Internet businesses marketing and operations expert, Melissa Henderson, Intention Media was developed following the incredibly successful grassroots marketing, sales and distribution campaign they created for "The Bleep." Three years operating the highly trafficked online sales outlet BleepStore.com gave Chasse and Henderson access to films with messages and information they felt deserved much great public attention and wider distribution. Using their extensive contacts in both the theatrical world, and online and as well as regular retail outlets, they have developed an effective, streamlined film and DVD distribution system throughout the United States and Canada.
NEAL SICKLES ASSISTANT EDITOR top
Neal Sickles is a talented producer, director and editor who is happy to be able to bring as many of his skills to the projects he commits himself to. Neal is grateful for the opportunity to have worked on FUEL, a film that has the power to change the world.
In FUEL, Neal is credited as a motion graphic designer, assistant editor and a post production supervisor. Most recently, he designed the visual graphics for
A Film About Love, and produced, co-directed, and edited a series of commercial spots for HotelPlanner.com.
He is also founder of iSickles Media, a multi-media production company producing content for film and television in both the entertainment and advertising industries.
THE ‘VEGGIE VAN’ CO- STAR top
Born and raised in Florida, this diesel VW Winnebago was adopted by Josh Tickell and turned into the ‘VEGGIE VAN” in 1997. Shortly thereafter Tickell decorated her with sunflowers and solar panels, and took her on a two-year journey zigzagging across the United States to promote the use of renewable, biodegradable biodiesel and other sustainable forms of energy.
The mission: Spread the word about an incredible alternative fuel made from vegetable oil called “biodiesel.” Ten years, two books and millions of French Fries later, Tickell and the “Veggie Van” sparked a biodiesel revolution, and biodiesel industries in four countries followed.
Today, she is the cornerstone of the “Veggie Van Organization,” a unique educational entity that promotes the adoption of biodiesel fuel and other renewable energy solutions through hands-on demonstrations, school presentations, speaking engagements and road tours.
To date, the “Veggie Van” has driven over 25,000 miles to promote biodiesel to millions of people while running on fuel made from used vegetable oil. Re-emerging into the public eye doesn’t seem to daunt this environmental icon. After all, she gets 25 miles per gallon on vegetable oil-based fuel and her exhaust smells like French Fries!