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Film Task Force
Dave Brown
Director of Film Marketing, Inland Sea Productions
Dave Brown is a start up and turn-around specialist with extensive experience in broadcasting, shopping centers and the leisure entertainment industry. While much of Mr. Brown’s background is in the commercial world, he has spent the bulk of the last 20 years focused on educational and cultural projects for which he has the greatest passion. He has successfully worked on projects for top names including the IMAX Corporation, The Henry Ford Museum, The Smithsonian Institution, Simon Group, General Growth Properties, Brewer Broadcasting, International Theme Park Services and others. Mr. Brown is a (CMD) Certified Marketing Director by International Council of Shopping Centers and a (CRMC) Certified Radio Marketing Consultant by the Radio Advertising Bureau. His undergraduate study was at Ball State University and he has an ICSC/CMD through Michigan State University. He is has an associate’s certificate for broadcasting from Career Academy in Columbus, Ohio and is a graduate of U.S. Navy A School for Rapid Deployment. Dave served in the United States Naval Reserve for eight years with a secret security clearance. Mr. Brown has received several national and international awards for marketing excellence working on national and international projects for over 30 years. Among many marketing challenges, Dave was selected to introduce Jim Davis’ comic cartoon character Garfield The Cat to Mainland China. Dave has been an active and contributing member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, American Zoos and Aquariums, International Council of Shopping Centers, Radio Advertising Bureau and Giant Screen Cinema Association. Dave’s background includes extensive work in both profit and not for profit organizations and he was one of the founders of Mid States Living History Association, Inc., a 501 c 3 organization that provides services to museums, historic sites municipalities and others who present living history. He loves the outdoors and enjoys camping, playing music and auto racing for leisure activities.
Krista Hoffmann-Longtin
Director of Programs and Evaluation for the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) Office of Faculty Affairs and Professional Development.
Krista's work focuses on developing programs, policies, and research to increase the awareness and effectiveness of IUSM’s nearly 1,500 faculty members. Prior to IUSM, Krista was the Associate Director for the IUPUI Solution Center, cultivating internships and class projects with Indianapolis’ business and nonprofit organizations. Since 2002, she has served as a faculty member in the IUPUI Department of Communication Studies, teaching courses in interpersonal communication, media and society, and the history of television. Before returning to the academy, Krista worked as an advertising account executive. She earned a B.A. in Telecommunications from Ball State University in Muncie, IN and an M.A. in Communication and Creative Arts from Purdue University. Krista is also currently a doctoral student in Education Leadership and Policy at Indiana University.
Jonathan Blake Huer
Director, Ball State University, Emerging Technology & Media Development
Jonathan is an award winning producer who truly believes in "the right medium for the story." He currently has two feature scripts in development, an award winning interactive movie making the festival rounds, an independent feature in post, and several emerging media projects under construction. His past projects include the award winning 35mm short Looking for My Brother and an interview with John Wooden used at the dedication of the Nell and John R Wooden Court in Pauley Pavilion and exclusively shown at the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame. Jonathan also worked for Fox Television on the pilot Faceless, Icon on the Carrier Project, and at United Talent Agency. Jonathan earned his bachelors in Design|Media Arts at UCLA where he was a Regents Scholar, Gold Shield Alumni Scholar, and Chancellors Service Award winner. He went on to the top-ranked Peter Stark Producing Program at USC's School of the Cinematic Arts where he earned his MFA in motion picture producing. Currently, Jonathan is director of the Digital Corps, an award winning group of professional and student media experts at Ball State University. He is also the only certified Apple Master Trainer in the Midwest.
Denise Jaeckel
SAF/AFTRA
Greg Malone
Producer, Road Pictures
Steve Marra
Producer/Director, Adrenaline Motion Pictures
Adrenaline Motion Pictures is an independent production company. Our goal is to produce feature films and television programs that are imaginative, dramatic and exciting. From concept and script development, through financing, production, post-production and acquisition of a distributor, Adrenaline has been designed to be a complete production solution for providing entertainment content in all media. Adrenaline is helmed by writer, producer, editor Steve Marra. A Los Angeles fugitive and UCLA Film School grad, Steve has been involved in nearly every aspect of film and television production.
Erin Newell Schneider
Director, Film Indiana
Erin is a production veteran and advocate. From 1999-2007, she worked in Los Angeles as Vice President of Production for Level 1 Entertainment (producers of "Grandma's Boy," "Rendition," and "Strange Wilderness") and with Kopelson Entertainment (producers of Oscar winner "Platoon," as well as "The Fugitive," and "Seven"). Recently, Erin returned to the Midwest as the Director of Film Indiana, the Hoosier state's film Initiative, which works to develop the local film and video production industry. She is determined to advance the Indiana production industry not only for economic benefit, but also to bring attention to everything Indiana has to offer. Erin holds a BA in Telecommunications from Ball State University, and is active in mentoring young filmmakers.
Angelo Pizzo
Writer/Director
Jeffrey L. Sparks
President/CEO, Heartland Film Festival
Jeff is currently the President/CEO and Founding Board Member of the Heartland Truly Moving Pictures. He is married to Denise with two children, Adam (Upland, IN) and Rachel (New York, NY). He received his Bachelor's Degree in Theatre from the University of Evansville and went on to complete a Master of Fine Arts degree in directing from Florida State University in 1975. Since then he has served as Assistant Professor of Theatre at St. Leo College, St. Leo, Florida and the Executive Director of the Indiana Children's Christian Home (ICCH), a treatment center for emotionally disturbed youth. During his time at ICCH he helped found The New Harmony Project - a writer's Laboratory developing new scripts for theatre and film where he served as Executive Director from 1987-1999. Heartland Truly Moving Pictures, where he serves currently, was established in 1991 to recognize and honor filmmakers, whose works explore the human journey, artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life.
Staff Sgt. Brad Staggs
Location Manager, Muscatatuck Urban Training Center
Staff Sgt. Brad Staggs has been in the U.S. Army Public Affairs field since entering the National Guard in January of 2001. He is dual qualified as a 46R (Broadcast Journalist) and 46Q (Print Journalist) and currently serves with the 76th Infantry Brigade Public Affairs office. Prior to joining the National Guard, Staff Sgt. Staggs worked in Logansport, Indiana, for MagicHouse Productions as a staff writer and actor. He also worked for WHZR 103 and WSAL 102 in Logansport as on-air talent, starting on the graveyard shift and working his way to a morning show time slot. From 2003-2008, Staggs worked for the Chief of Army Public Affairs at the Pentagon as the Deputy Chief of the Electronic Imaging Branch, responsible for video production and archiving. He also assisted the Executive Communications Branch in training general officers and SAS-level civilians on how to speak to the media effectively. Staggs is currently the MUTC Public Affairs NCOIC.
Amy Vaughan
Director, Indiana Office of Tourism
Amy Vaughan, CDME, is a seasoned veteran of Indiana’s tourism industry. Before becoming Director of the Indiana Office of Tourism Development in February of 2005, she served as Executive Director of the Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau for more than ten years. Vaughan graduated from Indiana University with a BA in both Journalism and English. She holds a Master’s Degree in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI). She is past president of the Association of Indiana Convention and Visitors Bureaus and a graduate of the Hamilton County Leadership Academy. Recognized by Purdue University as a Distinguished Darden Professor, she has also been included in the Indianapolis Business Journal’s Forty under 40 list. Vaughan resides in Fishers with her husband, Rick, and son, Nicholas.
Isaac Wilkins
Line Producer