2008 Film Task Force
Teresa Bennett
Director, IUPUI Solution Center
As director of the IUPUI Solution Center, Teresa assists in the economic development of Central Indiana by connecting the university's intellectual capital to the pressing demands of business, government, and the nonprofit sector. Drawing on the strength and talent of IUPUI's faculty and students, the Solution Center facilitates partnerships with Indiana's leaders designed to build human capital, respond to external challenges, and retain the best and brightest baccalaureate and graduate degreed professionals in Indiana.
Dave Brown
Director, IMAX Theater
Mike Chrysler
Director, Legislative Policy, IEDC
Jenny Guimont
Director, Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission
Originally from Mishawaka, Indiana, Jenny Guimont moved to Indianapolis in 1992 to attend IUPUI. After graduating with a BA in Communications, she recognized that she had a passion for community service and found her way into the nonprofit sector. In 2002 she joined the Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission. As director, Jenny works to develop and promote the city as a cultural destination through programs including Public Art, Cultural Districts, Marketing/PR, and Grants. She also manages the day-to-day operations, develops and executes program strategies, and works closely with community partners including the Arts Council of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Downtown, Inc., and the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association.
Brian Hasler
Beebe, Scherer, & Associates, LLC
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
Director, Film Indiana/IEDC
Erin Newell is a production veteran and advocate. From 1998-2007, 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
Rodger W. Smith
Director, Institute for Digital Entertainment & Education & Associate Professor, Theatre
& Dance, Ball State University
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.
Kim Roderer
Business Development Coordinator, IEDC
Stephen Wolff
Legislative Liaison & Policy Analyst, IEDC