Jim Ojala - FX Supervisor/Writer/Co-Producer/Director
Based on the success of My Three Scums, his Duluth, MN horror/comedy cable access TV series, Jim Ojala landed his first film job with Troma Studios in New York on their film, Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger 4.
Upon completing the feature, Jim was offered a position in the special makeup effects dept. of Tim Considine’s Direct Effects where he went on to assist Tim on features, commercials, photo shoots and theatre. While in New York, Jim also attended the Millennium Film Program working with experimental filmmaking pioneer, Michael Kuchar and worked with Larry Fessenden on his film, Wendigo.
Making the pilgrimage to Los Angeles, Jim has worked on the makeup/creature effects for commercials, TV series such as The Shield and Buffy the Vampire Slayer as well as numerous features including Where the Wild Things Are and Pacific Rim.
In 2005, Jim opened the doors to Ojala Productions, which produced the internationally distributed short film, The Incredible Torture Trio as well as co-directing the viral video hit, Marvel Zombies The Movie. The short was also featured as #1 online video to see on cable TV’s G4 channel “Attack of the Show”.
Ojala Productions’ makeup/creature effects continues to be a strong force in the independent film world providing makeup fx for the critically hailed indie hits, DEADGIRL and PROXY, as well as television series such as Tim & Eric Awesome Show and Comedy Bang! Bang! and their upcoming Beef House.
Currently, Ojala Productions wrapped up FX creations and co-producing, co-hosting the Shudder Channel hit show, The Core, their second season of Verizon Go90 sci-fi series, Miss 2059, designing and creating most of the masks for heavy metal band, Slipknot, working with Glenn Danzig on his new feature film, Death Rider, and is now releasing Jim’s debut feature film as a writer/director, eco-thriller - Strange Nature
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1364177/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Director reel: https://vimeo.com/91848557
Based on the success of My Three Scums, his Duluth, MN horror/comedy cable access TV series, Jim Ojala landed his first film job with Troma Studios in New York on their film, Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger 4.
Upon completing the feature, Jim was offered a position in the special makeup effects dept. of Tim Considine’s Direct Effects where he went on to assist Tim on features, commercials, photo shoots and theatre. While in New York, Jim also attended the Millennium Film Program working with experimental filmmaking pioneer, Michael Kuchar and worked with Larry Fessenden on his film, Wendigo.
Making the pilgrimage to Los Angeles, Jim has worked on the makeup/creature effects for commercials, TV series such as The Shield and Buffy the Vampire Slayer as well as numerous features including Where the Wild Things Are and Pacific Rim.
In 2005, Jim opened the doors to Ojala Productions, which produced the internationally distributed short film, The Incredible Torture Trio as well as co-directing the viral video hit, Marvel Zombies The Movie. The short was also featured as #1 online video to see on cable TV’s G4 channel “Attack of the Show”.
Ojala Productions’ makeup/creature effects continues to be a strong force in the independent film world providing makeup fx for the critically hailed indie hits, DEADGIRL and PROXY, as well as television series such as Tim & Eric Awesome Show and Comedy Bang! Bang! and their upcoming Beef House.
Currently, Ojala Productions wrapped up FX creations and co-producing, co-hosting the Shudder Channel hit show, The Core, their second season of Verizon Go90 sci-fi series, Miss 2059, designing and creating most of the masks for heavy metal band, Slipknot, working with Glenn Danzig on his new feature film, Death Rider, and is now releasing Jim’s debut feature film as a writer/director, eco-thriller - Strange Nature
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1364177/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Director reel: https://vimeo.com/91848557
|
Beth Meadows - Producer, Actor
Beth has extensive management and performance experience, including work producing and writing television commercials and serving as creative business manager for New York Advertising Agency, Young & Rubicam. She is a former co-founder of the South Carolina Shakespeare Company and has produced for many theatres, including the theatre program at her alma mater, The University of South Carolina. Beth has produced several projects with Ojala Productions. In addition to producing STRANGE NATURE, Beth also plays the role of Cathy. imdb page: www.imdb.com/name/nm1219113/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 |
Jessica Bergren - Producer
Originally from a rural township in northern Minnesota, Jessica began making experimental short films with Alex Kuznetsov. Their short Do You Like People premiered at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.
Upon retuning from Cannes, Jessica became a volunteer with Minneapolis Saint Paul International Film Festival and then went on to become their Hospitality Coordinator in 2012. She has been working with the festival’s founder, legendary Al Milgrom, in completing his documentary The Dinkytown Uprising.
Also in 2012, Jessica returned to the Iron Range as Associate Producer/ Production Manager of Karl Jacob’s narrative feature Pollywogs. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Screenwriting from Metro State University in 2013 and quickly headed back to Northern MN to produce the feature Here There Be Monsters directed by Mercies May and slated for release late 2014.
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4501381/
Originally from a rural township in northern Minnesota, Jessica began making experimental short films with Alex Kuznetsov. Their short Do You Like People premiered at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.
Upon retuning from Cannes, Jessica became a volunteer with Minneapolis Saint Paul International Film Festival and then went on to become their Hospitality Coordinator in 2012. She has been working with the festival’s founder, legendary Al Milgrom, in completing his documentary The Dinkytown Uprising.
Also in 2012, Jessica returned to the Iron Range as Associate Producer/ Production Manager of Karl Jacob’s narrative feature Pollywogs. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Screenwriting from Metro State University in 2013 and quickly headed back to Northern MN to produce the feature Here There Be Monsters directed by Mercies May and slated for release late 2014.
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4501381/
|
Jeff Miller - Executive Producer
Jeff has written and/or produced 18 feature films to date, all of which have gotten international distribution. Inoperable (starring Danielle Harris) received a limited theatrical release in December 2017. Kill 'Em All (starring action superstar Jean-Claude Van Damme) was released by Sony in 2017. Ouija House (starring Mischa Barton, Tara Reid, and Dee Wallace), The Russian Bride(starring Corbin Bernsen and Kristina Pimenova), and The Toybox (starring Mischa Barton and Denise Richards) are all in post-production and will be released in 2018. *Honored at the 2017 FearNYC festival with a "Producer of the Year" award. imdb page: www.imdb.com/name/nm0588577/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 |
Alec Schwandt - Cinematographer
Born in Peru, Alec has long pursued a love of filmmaking since the third grade. He recently graduated from Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), concentrating on cinematography. From short films and music videos to features, Alec enjoys working in different genres with directors to achieve their visual vision for the film.
Alec's reel: https://vimeo.com/64181700
Born in Peru, Alec has long pursued a love of filmmaking since the third grade. He recently graduated from Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), concentrating on cinematography. From short films and music videos to features, Alec enjoys working in different genres with directors to achieve their visual vision for the film.
Alec's reel: https://vimeo.com/64181700
Jeffery Passero - Casting Director
For the past thirty years, Jeffery has been a casting director, beginning with two seasons at the Roundabout Theatre, where he cast LOOK BACK IN ANGER with Malcolm McDowell, THE BLOODKNOT with Danny Glover and A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY with Boyd Gaines, Tammy Grimes, Amanda Plummer & Kelsey Grammer among other plays. Mr. Passero has cast over 50 feature films, including POISON IVY with Drew Barrymore; THE SASQUATCH GANG with Justin Long for Kevin Spacey's Trigger Street Films and SONNY, Nicolas Cage's directorial debut starring James Franco, Mena Suvari and Brenda Blethyn. Other films include FRANKIE AND JOHNNY ARE MARRIED written and directed by Michael Pressman; BLACK DOG with Patrick Swayze; KULL THE CONQUEROR with Kevin Sorbo; THE HUNTER'S MOON with Burt Reynolds and Keith Carradine; THE BALLAD OF LITTLE JO with Suzy Amis and Sir Ian McKellen; LAST EXIT TO BROOKLYN with Jennifer Jason Leigh; TWO SMALL BODIES with Fred Ward and Suzy Amis; TRADING MOM with Sissy Spacek and FLYPAPER with Robert Loggia, Lucy Liu and Craig Sheffer. He did the New York casting on BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES, THE DOCTOR and PET SEMETARY. imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0664872/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 |
David Mattey - Role of Joseph/Stunt Coordinator
David “Big Dave” Mattey is an actor/stuntman/creature who has guest-starred on a host of prime-time television shows, includingHow I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, Supernatural, Reno 911!, Numb3rs, According to Jim, Charmed, Star Trek: Enterprise and a bunch of soaps and other shows. Younger viewers recognize him from Wizards of Waverly Place, iCarly, Zeke and Luther, Supah Ninjas, I'm In The Band, and Pair of Kings, and the films Jack and the Beanstalk and The Spy Next Door with Jackie Chan. Some of his other film roles include R.I.P.D., Thor, Get Smart, Strange Wilderness, and the Troma cult classic Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger Part IV, to name a few.
He is a member of MENSA, holds several patents and three engineering degrees from Virginia Tech, has been performing Shakespeare, sketch comedy, and improv on stage from coast to coast for 15 years, and has trained with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Second City/Burn Manhattan, and The Groundlings.
In spite of all that, he is still best known as the guy who gets a head shoved up his ass by Will Smith in Hancock.
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0559869/?ref_=nv_sr_1
David “Big Dave” Mattey is an actor/stuntman/creature who has guest-starred on a host of prime-time television shows, includingHow I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, Supernatural, Reno 911!, Numb3rs, According to Jim, Charmed, Star Trek: Enterprise and a bunch of soaps and other shows. Younger viewers recognize him from Wizards of Waverly Place, iCarly, Zeke and Luther, Supah Ninjas, I'm In The Band, and Pair of Kings, and the films Jack and the Beanstalk and The Spy Next Door with Jackie Chan. Some of his other film roles include R.I.P.D., Thor, Get Smart, Strange Wilderness, and the Troma cult classic Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger Part IV, to name a few.
He is a member of MENSA, holds several patents and three engineering degrees from Virginia Tech, has been performing Shakespeare, sketch comedy, and improv on stage from coast to coast for 15 years, and has trained with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Second City/Burn Manhattan, and The Groundlings.
In spite of all that, he is still best known as the guy who gets a head shoved up his ass by Will Smith in Hancock.
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0559869/?ref_=nv_sr_1
Lisa Sheridan - Role of Kim Sweet
This alluring Georgia-born actress studied acting in Moscow and appeared in London fringe theater before moving to Hollywood. After graduating with a BFA in Theatre from Carnegie-Mellon University she landed a role on the TV drama Legacy. In 2000, a part in the indie film Beat introduced her to the big screen. A few years later, Sheridan landed a lead role on the ABC Sci-Fi series Invasion, playing a pregnant, alien-plagued reporter. Sheridan has since kept herself on the Hollywood map with guest appearances on a number of popular crime dramas, including CSI: Miami, The Mentalist and NCIS.
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0792209/?ref_=nmbio_bio_nm
This alluring Georgia-born actress studied acting in Moscow and appeared in London fringe theater before moving to Hollywood. After graduating with a BFA in Theatre from Carnegie-Mellon University she landed a role on the TV drama Legacy. In 2000, a part in the indie film Beat introduced her to the big screen. A few years later, Sheridan landed a lead role on the ABC Sci-Fi series Invasion, playing a pregnant, alien-plagued reporter. Sheridan has since kept herself on the Hollywood map with guest appearances on a number of popular crime dramas, including CSI: Miami, The Mentalist and NCIS.
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0792209/?ref_=nmbio_bio_nm
Jonah Beres - Role of Brody
Jonah Beres is an actor, known for Brightwood (2012), Different Drummers (2013) andA Bad Summer for Tomatoes (2014) and most recently guest starred on ABC's Splitting Up Together (2018).
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4904810/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Jonah Beres is an actor, known for Brightwood (2012), Different Drummers (2013) andA Bad Summer for Tomatoes (2014) and most recently guest starred on ABC's Splitting Up Together (2018).
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4904810/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Bruce Bohne - Role of Chuck
Bruce Bohne is a Minnesota based actor, known for Fargo (1996), Dawn of the Dead (2004) and Man of Steel (2013) and recently on Netflix's Lady Dynamite.
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0092118/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Bruce Bohne is a Minnesota based actor, known for Fargo (1996), Dawn of the Dead (2004) and Man of Steel (2013) and recently on Netflix's Lady Dynamite.
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0092118/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Stephen Tobolowsky - Role of Mayor Paulson
Stephen Harold Tobolowsky is an American actor and author. He played annoying insurance salesman Ned Ryerson in the Bill Murray film, Groundhog Day, as well as such television characters as Commissioner Hugo Jarry in Deadwoodand Bob Bishop in Heroes. He has had recurring roles as Sandy Ryerson on Glee, and as Stu Beggs on Californication.
In addition to acting, Tobolowsky does an audio podcast about once a month of autobiographical stories of his acting and personal life. He has also authored The Dangerous Animals Club, Cautionary Tales and My Adventures With God based on these original stories.
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0864997/?ref_=nv_sr_1
Stephen Harold Tobolowsky is an American actor and author. He played annoying insurance salesman Ned Ryerson in the Bill Murray film, Groundhog Day, as well as such television characters as Commissioner Hugo Jarry in Deadwoodand Bob Bishop in Heroes. He has had recurring roles as Sandy Ryerson on Glee, and as Stu Beggs on Californication.
In addition to acting, Tobolowsky does an audio podcast about once a month of autobiographical stories of his acting and personal life. He has also authored The Dangerous Animals Club, Cautionary Tales and My Adventures With God based on these original stories.
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0864997/?ref_=nv_sr_1
Carlos Alazraqui - Role of Greg
Carlos Alazraqui is the "World's 1,247TH Most Interesting Man" Currently Carlos is the breakout voice of El Chupacabra in the Disney Toons Film, "Planes." El Chu will also be appearing in the Planes sequel coming out July 2014.
Starting out as a stand up Comic and winning the San Francisco Comedy Competition in 1993 and then moving to Los Angeles to start his voice over career as the voice of Rocko, on Nickelodeon's "Rocko's Modern Life". Soon after he was Mr. Weed on Family Guy and then on to The Taco Bell Chihuahua. On camera Carlos is best known for his super accurate portrayal of law enforcement officer, James Garcia on Comedy Central's "Reno 911!". Since then Carlos has guested on CSI, Pushing Daisies, Big TIme Rush, Las Vegas, and appeared as Nestor in both "Happy Feet" and "Happy Feet 2."
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0016141/?ref_=nv_sr_4
John "Nitro" Hennigan - Role of Sam
John Randall Hennigan is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring names John Morrison and Johnny Nitro.[3]
After signing with WWE, MNM was called up to the SmackDown! roster and on their debut in April 2005, Hennigan and Mercury went on to win the WWE Tag Team Championship. When their third and final reign ended in May 2006, Hennigan and Melina turnedon Mercury. Hennigan and Melina were let go from the SmackDown! roster and debuted on the Raw brand. During his time with the brand, Hennigan competed in singles competition and won the WWE Intercontinental Championship twice. In June 2007, Hennigan was drafted from Raw to the ECW brand. During that time, he won the vacant ECW World Championship once; Hennigan went on to headline multiple pay-per-views for WWE, occasionally in world championship contention. In 2009 Hennigan returned to SmackDown, where he won the Intercontinental Championship for the third time. In 2011, Hennigan left WWE, and began wrestling overseas, on the United States independent circuits and pursuing his acting career which includes El Rey Network's Lucha Underground.
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1320717/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
John Randall Hennigan is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring names John Morrison and Johnny Nitro.[3]
After signing with WWE, MNM was called up to the SmackDown! roster and on their debut in April 2005, Hennigan and Mercury went on to win the WWE Tag Team Championship. When their third and final reign ended in May 2006, Hennigan and Melina turnedon Mercury. Hennigan and Melina were let go from the SmackDown! roster and debuted on the Raw brand. During his time with the brand, Hennigan competed in singles competition and won the WWE Intercontinental Championship twice. In June 2007, Hennigan was drafted from Raw to the ECW brand. During that time, he won the vacant ECW World Championship once; Hennigan went on to headline multiple pay-per-views for WWE, occasionally in world championship contention. In 2009 Hennigan returned to SmackDown, where he won the Intercontinental Championship for the third time. In 2011, Hennigan left WWE, and began wrestling overseas, on the United States independent circuits and pursuing his acting career which includes El Rey Network's Lucha Underground.
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1320717/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
|
Tiffany Shepis - Role of Tina Stevens
Tiffany Julia Shepis born and raised in NYC. She got her start in James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy)Tromeo and Juliet when she was just 16 years old. Since then Tiffany has made over 100 independent films. Most notably the SYFY hit Abominable, the late night fan favorite The Hazing, After dark horror fests Nightmare Man, Sundance' The Violent Kind, as well as The multi award winning The Frankenstein Syndrome and the mega cult hit Sharknado 2! Tiffany continues to work as an actress, host and producer and is constantly on fan favorite lists such as Playboys top sexiest scream queens. imdb page: www.imdb.com/name/nm0791898/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm |
Chalet Lizette Brannan - Role of Michelle
Chalet Lizette started out with modeling at age 6. At age 7, she was asked to read lines for a feature film. She has performed in westerns, drama, psychological thrillers, horror, comedy and many more. Having worked with major talent gives her the edge needed to land bigger and more productive roles in both television as well as theatrical presentations.
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5192551/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Chalet Lizette started out with modeling at age 6. At age 7, she was asked to read lines for a feature film. She has performed in westerns, drama, psychological thrillers, horror, comedy and many more. Having worked with major talent gives her the edge needed to land bigger and more productive roles in both television as well as theatrical presentations.
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5192551/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Faust Checho - Role of Trent
Realizing his passion for acting at Hartwick College, Faust graduated with a B.A in Theatre Arts. In NYC Faust spent a year training under the tutelage of Mike Nichols and George Morrison at the New Actors Workshop. He later went on to earn a M.F.A in Acting from the New School for Drama (New School University). In 2009 Faust co-produced and starred in the film, The Fields, with Academy-Award Winner Cloris Leachman, and Tara Reid. PROXY, an official selection of the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival is Faust’s second film as actor and producer.
Faust works as a Development Executive with Evergreen Media Group (THE CONJURING) and continues to hone his craft working with renowned acting coaches Larry Moss, Patsy Rodenburg, and Jean-Louis Rodrigue.
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2963206/?ref_=nv_sr_1
Realizing his passion for acting at Hartwick College, Faust graduated with a B.A in Theatre Arts. In NYC Faust spent a year training under the tutelage of Mike Nichols and George Morrison at the New Actors Workshop. He later went on to earn a M.F.A in Acting from the New School for Drama (New School University). In 2009 Faust co-produced and starred in the film, The Fields, with Academy-Award Winner Cloris Leachman, and Tara Reid. PROXY, an official selection of the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival is Faust’s second film as actor and producer.
Faust works as a Development Executive with Evergreen Media Group (THE CONJURING) and continues to hone his craft working with renowned acting coaches Larry Moss, Patsy Rodenburg, and Jean-Louis Rodrigue.
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2963206/?ref_=nv_sr_1
Angela Duffy - Role of Judy
Angela Duffy is a classicly trained actor with a BFA in theatre from Wayne State University. She played roles from Shakespeare to Lorca. While in Michigan she appeared in commercials, shorts films and indie movies. She currently resides is Los Angeles where she has worked on commercials (Nokia, Footlocker), webisodes (paranormal Burbank, Marvel Zombies, Harvest) and movies (Dire Wolf, Dead on Arrival). Angela just finished shooting a web series called "How to Kill your Roommate." In addition to acting, she is a professional puppeteer.
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0240490/?ref_=nmbio_bio_nm
Angela Duffy is a classicly trained actor with a BFA in theatre from Wayne State University. She played roles from Shakespeare to Lorca. While in Michigan she appeared in commercials, shorts films and indie movies. She currently resides is Los Angeles where she has worked on commercials (Nokia, Footlocker), webisodes (paranormal Burbank, Marvel Zombies, Harvest) and movies (Dire Wolf, Dead on Arrival). Angela just finished shooting a web series called "How to Kill your Roommate." In addition to acting, she is a professional puppeteer.
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0240490/?ref_=nmbio_bio_nm
Justen Overlander - Role of Larry
Justen Overlander was born on September 6, 1976 in Minnesota, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Horror House (2008), The Bequeather (2014) and Two Tents(2006). Justen is a former teacher and basketball coach. He started his acting and screenwriting careers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he worked on a number of award winning productions.
He is passionate about a number of charitable causes and advocates mentorship for children who need positive male role models.
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2099668/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Justen Overlander was born on September 6, 1976 in Minnesota, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Horror House (2008), The Bequeather (2014) and Two Tents(2006). Justen is a former teacher and basketball coach. He started his acting and screenwriting careers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he worked on a number of award winning productions.
He is passionate about a number of charitable causes and advocates mentorship for children who need positive male role models.
imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2099668/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
