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Cast / Crew / Characters
JOHN WATSON (Mentor) was born and educated in England, graduating with a Classics MA from Cambridge University. In his early filmmaking career, based primarily in Toronto, Watson teamed with Pen Densham to write, produce, direct, and edit more than a hundred films over a ten-year period. These included short subjects, documentaries, educational films, television dramas and specials, which garnered over 70 international awards, including 2 Oscar nominations. |
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MONICA SURRENA (Writer/Director) like her characters, is from the back woods of Western PA. Growing up, she was too young to drink, too small to cow tip, and didn't own a tractor. With neighbors few and far between, she had to rely a lot on her imagination for entertainment. When she graduated high school and went to college, she continued to explore, embracing art, literature, and music. At the University of Pittsburgh she focused her efforts on film studies, film production, and graphic arts as well as literature and ancient language. In 2005, she joined the production program at the University of Southern California where she has performed a multitude of roles including writing, producing, directing, cinematography, editing, production design, and casting. Though her true heart lies with writing and directing, she understands and appreciates the importance of every role and what it takes to achieve a successful film.
ANTHONY BUSHMAN (Producer) grew up on the seven hills of Cincinnati, Ohio. As an only child, he kept himself amused by concocting epic adventures for his teams of action figures, a fondness for storytelling that has continued to this day. His interest in the arts really took off at the age of nine when he picked up a trumpet for the first time and discovered the allure of music. He continued playing in marching, symphonic, and jazz bands throughout high school and college where he befriended many like-minded folks. This ultimately led him to a university filmmaking club, of which he became president his senior year. He graduated from The Ohio State University in 2003 with degrees in both Psychology and Film and Video Studies. In his time since graduating, Anthony has worked in television and the hotel audio/visual industry, all the while pursuing his filmmaking interests on the side. Now at USC, his focus is on directing and producing to propel himself forward in his career.
KAREN ARMSTRONG (Producer/Mentor) has spent twenty years in Television and Film production, earning countless credits. She is most grateful for the friendships with her colleagues and the diversity of life experiences this endeavor has afforded. Whether in the spotlight as a speaker or visiting cancer patients in hospitals, Karen’s compassion and integrity are evident. Within her company she sets high standards of quality never losing sight of courtesy towards others and a keen sense of humor in the midst of challenge. She frequently casts feature films with an average of forty cast members, most of which are notable celebrities, accomplishing this by her relationships, with both the celebrities themselves and their agents. In addition, she takes great pride in giving unknowns and celebrities alike the opportunity to tackle challenging roles in the field of film and television. 
JONATHAN ARKIN (Producer) is a graduate of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and Columbia University in New York. He spends his time on both coasts, writing, acting and directing short documentaries and plays. Jonathan also teaches and mentors children in disadvantaged areas of both Los Angeles and New York. Most recently, he produced Carry Me Home, a festival-bound short doc about African-American funerals and is planning to begin work this Fall on a feature-length film centering on the demolition of Yankee Stadium. He has a daughter, Sophia, who is 9.
RYAN DE QUINTAL (Production Manager) is a Radio, TV, and Film graduate from California State University Fullerton. Over the past five years Ryan has spent a great deal of time doing a variety of jobs in the industry and has worked in nearly every aspect of production. He has directed and produced several short festival films for his university, many of which he wrote himself. He has also worked as an assistant director, production manager, and casting director for a variety of festival and student films. In addition to this, he has built up a strong resume as an actor working on many different independent films and student shorts including Pirates of the Caribbean At Worlds End, Superbad, and the television series Medium in which Ryan had a Co-Star role.