MICHAEL S. OJEDA
Director/Screenwriter
“Lana’s Rain” marks the
feature film directorial debut of Michael
S. Ojeda. Michael’s extensive studies
in Motion Picture Film at the prestigious
Columbia College in Chicago only accentuate
his 10-year film experience. As co-founder
of Mindlight Films, his production company
specialized in music videos and commercials
done exclusively on film. National spots
for W.W. Granger and Chapman Vehicle Alarms
were enhanced by his skillful imagination
and direction, as well as music videos for
recording artists Villian, Attraction, and
many others.
Ojeda was born in Chicago and raised in
Des Plaines, Illinois. He was the cinematographer
on a number of independent films in the
90’s including “The Ride,”
“Three Days,” “Language
of Love” and “Eden.” His
talents have been recognized as far away
as China, where he earned himself a nomination
for Best Cinematography on a dramatic TV
series entitled “From the New World.”
Michael is also featured in a new book with
producer Joel Goodman called Hollywood On
Lake Michigan.
JOEL GOODMAN
Producer
As a founding partner in Reigning Pictures,
“Lana’s Rain” is Joel
Goodman’s first feature film as a
producer. Born in Chicago and raised in
Des Plaines, Illinois, Joel honed his movie-making
skills by attending the highly respected
Columbia College in Chicago. Since then,
he has worked in many capacities on an array
of projects including: Michael Jackson’s
music video “Jam” (casting);
The Ryme Poet’s music video “Talking
That Bull” (producer), featuring the
Chicago Bulls; and the Slick Boys music
video’s “Ain’t It A Shame”
and “Whatcha Gonna Do?” (Director/editor),
which captured the attention of millions
of viewers worldwide.
Goodman’s directorial work has been
showcased both nationally and internationally
on shows such as Oprah, Turning Point with
Dianne Sawyer, America ‘s Most Wanted
and Passengers (Germany). He was also an
on-camera interview for the national show,
Heroes (aired on ABC)
JEFFERY DILLARD
Executive Producer
Jeffery Dillard is the third partner in
Reigning Pictures, as well as a partner
in the law firm of Dillard & Noel, where
he specializes in entertainment law. He
has represented clients in sports, such
as the NBA’s Shawn Kemp and William
Bedford, and has served as general council
for the Chicago Twisters Women’s Basketball
Team.
His music experience has led him to negotiate
on behalf of several recording artists with
major record companies, such as Sony/Columbia,
Jive and Death Row. The most recent talent
Jeff has worked with is the new recording
artist, Kevin Ford, for whom Jeff negotiated
a recording agreement with the record label
Flyte Tyme/Universal, which is owned by
superstar producers, Jimmy Jam and Terry
Lewis. Kevin’s song “Dance With
Me” was featured on the soundtrack
of the motion picture “How Stella
Got Her Groove Back”. In addition,
Jeff has managed the career of two-time
Grammy nominated gospel artist, Vanessa
Bell Armstrong.
GENNADI BALITSKI
Director of Photography
Gennadi Bahtski was born in Moscow, Russia
and later when on to study engineering at
the Moscow Technical University. His interest
changed to film and in 1990 he left Moscow
to pursue new opportunities. Gennadi moved
to Chicago and entered an internship program
at Panavision while attending film classes
at Columbia College Chicago.
To gain much needed expenence, he worked
on numerous independent productions. His
feature credits include “25 and Holding”,
“Mantrap”, “Blessings
from the Food Court”, “Texas
Daybreak”, and “Only Hope”.
Gennadi is now based in Los Angeles where
he continues to work on independent films
as well on commercials.
RICHARD SHAVZIN
Casting Director
Richard Shavzin has been the casting director
for both of Poya Pictures feature films,
“Three Days” (1998 Chicago International
Film Festival) and “The Language of
Love”. He is also Casting Director
for First Read at Second City, a collaborative
screenplay development project cosponsored
by CineStory, Performink newspaper and Second
City. In addition to casting all of the
readings, Mr Shavzin has directed several,
including Danny Rubin’s “Proof
of Life on Mars” with Tim Kazurinsky,
and Jay Stapleton’s “Big Blue”
with Martin Mull.
For the last five years Richard has served
as the Artistic Director for the Straw Dog
Theatre Company, where he received the 1996
Joseph Jefferson Award for directing “Burn
This” as well as directing the Jeff
Nominated productions of “Criminal
Hearts,” “Cat’s Paw”
and “The Big Funk”. A veteran
of the Chicago theatre scene, Mr Shavzin
is the chairman of the City Arts Theater
Peer Review Panel for the City of Chicago
Department of Cultural Affairs.
ROBERT MAX KUHAR
Co-Producer/Bosnian Consultant
Max Kuhar was born in Cakovec, Croatia,
where he was admitted into the Educational
Center of Art and Culture in Zagreb, Croatia
Later, he worked at the Zagreb Film Studio
and for Croatian National Television. Max
left Croatia in 1994 and came to America
where he relocated in Chicago.
For the last four years, Max has been working
with Reigmng Pictures on various productions
in addition to his work on “Lana’s
Rain.” He also designs web sites for
small businesses and runs a studio that
specializes in animations and special effects
for TV and film productions.
CARLTON BROWN
Associate Producer
Canton Brown’s career in television
and film began in 1985 after attending New
York’s Center for the Media Arts.
He graduated at the top of his class and
went into producing and directing local
commercials for television. In 1989 he became
involved in motion picture film where he
worked on several projects, most notably
“Join the Click,” a national
educational film, featuring Kid & Play
and Salt and Pepper, the famous R &
B group. Since then, Mr. Brown has found
success in producing and directing music
videos and numerous corporate films.
WILLIAM BROWN
Music Composer
William Brown graduated from San Diego
State University in 1981 with a Bachelor
of Music in Composition and has been composing
for independent movies and television series
since the mid80’s. He has composed
music for the films “A Kilhng Frost,”
“Illusions,” “Billy Badd”
and “Burglar.”
William has also orchestrated music for
the television series’ “Dynasty.”
“Hotel” and “Glitter.”
In addition to the above work, he composed
music for “Dare to Care,” a
documentary about the Guardian Angels and
“Sortie for String Orchestra,”
which was recorded by the Israel Philharmonic
on Crystal Records.
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