Filmmakers
Michael Z. Wechsler
Writer - Director - Producer - Editor
Michael Z. Wechsler is an accomplished filmmaker, writer, and director known for his work in both independent cinema and television. His films often explore complex psychological themes, offering deep dives into human emotion and intricate character development. Michael co-wrote and co-directed the feature film Slaves of Hollywood (1998), a satire about life in the film industry, which gained recognition for its witty commentary and unique perspective. His second feature film, Altered Minds (2015), is a psychological thriller that starred Judd Hirsch, C.S. Lee, and Jaime Ray Newman. The film delves into the complex relationship between a father and son and tackles themes of memory, identity, and the unraveling of deep-seated family secrets. Altered Minds was widely praised for its strong performances and suspenseful narrative.
Michael’s upcoming projects showcase his continued passion for storytelling that meshes the human experience with the natural world. He recently wrapped the short,, A Wood’s Tale, a dramatic coming-of-age fable based on an anthology streaming series he is developing, which combines magical realism within nature. He is also in pre-production on several feature films, including Serenity, a love story that weaves mythology, romance and past lives, and Hemlock, about a group of everyday people who become protectors of a state park, fighting a developer in a battle between the spirits of the woods and humans.
Lynn Kressel
Producer
Lynn Kressel is an Emmy Award-winning producer and casting director based between New York and Los Angeles. In 2008, she transitioned into producing and has since worked on several acclaimed independent films. Notable producing credits include All Relative (Executive Producer, Netflix), a beautiful now (Producer, LA Film Festival), and Get Lost(Producer), a coming-of-age film inspired by Alice in Wonderland.
She also produced Emulation, an elevated sci-fi A.I. thriller, and The Alternative, a compelling custody battle drama.
Earlier in her career, Lynn gained recognition as a casting director, working on films such as Spider-Man, Nights in Rodanthe, The Invention of Lying, and The Rundown, as well as the Law & Order franchise, for which she received an Artios Award. Additionally, Lynn casted Michael Wechsler’s second feature, Altered Minds, starring Judd Hirsch, C.S. Lee, and Jaime Ray Newman.
Terry Keefe
Producer
Terry Keefe is a filmmaker and producer who attended film school at the University of Southern California. He recently produced the feature film 18 1/2, directed by Dan Mirvish, starring Bruce Campbell, Jon Cryer, and others. Terry's film career began as a development executive at Orion Pictures, where he co-wrote and directed Slaves of Hollywood (1998). He also created the comic book series Supernovas and co-created Tesla with David Lawrence and Gregory Weinkauf. Terry was Editor-at-Large of Venice Magazine from 2001 to 2011 and has written and directed several short films, including Brace Yourself and Young Seinfeld. In 2013, he co-produced Altered Minds, starring Judd Hirsch and C.S. Lee.
Shawn Singh
Executive Producer
Shawn Singh most recently executive produced the award-winning documentary, Checkpoint Zoo, as well as the maritime documentary, The Loneliest Whale: The Search for 52. In 2013, he produced the feature psychological thriller, Altered Minds. Mr. Singh is a seasoned financial services, legal, compliance, fintech and business professional with over 31 years of experience and a provenack record of building integrated, solutions-oriented teams at global asset managers across the U.S., Europe, Asia and Canada. He's the founder and CEO of Clear Sky Solutions, a hedge-fund that supports clean energy investments.
Eunah Lee
Director of Photography
Cinematographer Eun-ah Lee has emerged as a young talent in independent cinema, expressing the core emotion of every story through her atmospheric style and dazzling camera work. She is known for her work on "Blackbird" starring Oscar winner Mo'Nique, released theatrically on IMAX and featured on CNN, "A Song Still Inside", winning the Best Cinematography Award at the Gene Art Film Festival in New York, Milcho Manchevski’s "Thursday", which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, and "Sea Is All I Know", starring Melissa Leo, which was an Oscar semi-finalist. Her works have screened worldwide, including at the Cannes, Sundance, Venice, Pusan, Hong Kong and Los Angeles film festivals.
Josh Caso
Production Designer
Josh Caso is an imaginative fine artist turned production designer with over thirteen years of experience in the film industry. With a strong focus on fantastic realms and creature design, Josh brings a unique visual identity too his work. Known for creating rich textured intricacies and visually stunning environments emphasized by natural design elements, Josh worked on a variety of projects, from music videos/commericals to major studio productions nationwide.
Matt Davies
Sound Designer & Re-recording Mixer
Matt is a Freelance Sound Designer, Foley Artist and Composer based in New York. His work ranges from studio television productions, to art-house documentaries and Triple A video games. Using a holistic approach to sound design, he employs anything from field recordings, Foley performance, synthesizers and handmade instruments to bring sound to life. He loves birds, dissonance and the pursuit of empathetic audio.
James Bernard
Composer
James Bernard is a composer whose work spans concert, film, chamber, vocal, and orchestral music as well as pop and hip-hop, balancing accessibility with expressive depth through rhythm and groove. He studies composition at Juilliard under Dr. Melinda Wagner, having also studied with Daron Hagen, Manuel Sosa, Mary Kouyoumdjian, David Dzubay, and Martin Amlin. His music has won First Prize in the Ruth Crawford Seeger Prize. Outside composing, he enjoys walks through Central Park and music of all styles.
Joshua August Mhoon
Composer
American pianist Joshua Mhoon is an emerging talent in classical music, celebrated for his exceptional artistry, technical brilliance, and expressive performances. A Chicago native, he began studying at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music at age 15 and continued his training at The Juilliard School, where he is pursuing his master’s degree under renowned pianists Emanuel Ax, Yoheved Kaplinsky, and Julian Martin. His numerous accolades include top prizes at the DePaul National Concerto Competition, Walgreens National Concerto Competition, and Emilio del Rosario Concerto Competition, as well as the Silver Medal at the inaugural Nina Simone Piano Competition in 2023. A Young Steinway Artist, Mhoon has performed internationally and continues to distinguish himself as one of the most promising pianists of his generation.
Syed Arshad Ali Shah
Visual FX Artist and Digital Compositor
Syed Arshad Ali Shah is VFX Artist & Digital Compositor with 15+ years of experience creating photorealistic, cinematic visuals for films, commercials, and brands. Specializing in seamless CGI/AI integration, advanced compositing, and Unreal Engine environments to elevate visual storytelling without artificiality.
Cast
Bebe Neuwirth
Miriam the Maple
Bebe Neuwirth is a celebrated, multi-talented American actress, singer, and dancer who has achieved extraordinary success across Broadway, television, and film. Renowned for her crisp technique, versatile comedic timing, and commanding stage presence, she has earned two Tony Awards, two Emmy Awards, and a Drama Desk Award over a career spanning more than four decades.
On television, her breakthrough role was as Dr. Lilith Sternin, Frasier Crane's wife on the sitcom Cheers, as well as guest appearances in its spin-off Frasier and the 2023 Frasier revival. The role earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Neuwirth was cast as Bureau Chief/ADATracey Kibre in NBC's Law & Order: Trial by Jury which ran for 2005 to 2006. She starred as Nadine Tolliver on the CBS political drama Madam Secretary from 2014 to 2017. She also appeared in recurring roles on Blue Bloods (2013–2019), The Good Wife (2012–2014), The Good Fight (2018–2021), and Julia (2022–2023).
In film, she portrayed Nora Shepherd in the original Jumanji (1995) and Jumanji: The Next Level (2019). Other film roles include Say Anything... (1989), Green Card (1990), Bugsy (1991), Celebrity, The Faculty (both 1998), Summer of Sam (1999), and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003).
Eamon O'Connell
Jacob
Eamon Patrick O'Connell is an experienced actor with over 5 years professional experience (i.e., nearly half of his life). Most recently Eamon completed filming in Mother’s Instinct directed by Olivier Masset-Depasse and starring with Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain in the role of Theo (Jessica Chastain’s son). Eamon has played the lead role in multiple independent films in NYC and loves being on set. Eamon is currently focused on being a theatre major as well as being a highly competitive swimmer and chess player, most recently winning first place with his school’s team in the 2023 national chess championship in Washington D.C. Eamon is represented by Stewart Talent and lives in Brooklyn with his parents and three siblings, including his twin sister Grace who pushes him to be his best every day.
Marlena Holman
Lenora
Marlena can next be seen in the Universal feature THE CATCH, starring Emma Stone and Chris Pine. She regularly records for the SADISTIC podcast, and her television credits include SCORNED: LOVE KILLS. On the theatre side, Marlena originated the role of Nurse in Lady Capulet (Barefoot Shakespeare) and played Lord Burghley in the all-female cast of Mary Stuart (Pigeonholed) and Thomasina in Plucker (Company of Fools)