2017 Faculty

Justin Bell

Producer

Justin Bell is a film, TV, and commercial producer based in LA, and a graduate of the Peter Stark Producing Program at USC. He’s produced notable independents such as Full of Grace (2015, Cinedigm), A Leading Man (2014, Mance Media), and is co-producer of Elsa & Fred (2014, Millennium Entertainment), starring Academy Award winners Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Plummer. In 2016, Bell produced the TV pilot “Journey to the East.” He associate produced two NBC movies financed by P&G and Walmart in 2011 “Game Time” and “Field of Vision” an experience that launched him into producing commercials for global brands such as CoverGirl, Pantene, Gillette, Vicks, Venus, SKII, Benjamin Moore Paints, and more. Bell is the former Director of Development & Production for Academy Award winning producer Edward Saxon. He helped Mr. Saxon produce Away We Go (2009, Focus Features), and Our Family Wedding (2010, Fox Searchlight). In addition to producing, Bell serves as a creative marketing consultant on studios movies concerning faith, such as: Son of God (20th Century Fox, 2014), and The Shack (Lionsgate, 2017). Bell is the former Director of the Producing & Entertaiment Executive Program at Act One, and enjoys guest teaching at Pepperdine University and Azusa Pacific University. He earned his B.A. from Wheaton College (IL) and Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary.

Kim Dorr-Tilley

Pastor, Former Talent Agent

Kim Dorr-Tilley is an Associate Pastor at Bel Air Presbyterian Church. Among other ministry opportunities, she oversees THE BEACON, a Christian community dedicated to encouraging, equipping and inspiring people of faith working in the Entertainment Industry.

Kim is the former co-owner of Defining Artists Agency. Before moving into full time ministry in 2015, she worked in the entertainment industry, specifically with on-camera talent, for over 30 years. She developed and ran the Casting Department of The Arthur Company, an independent television production company, for nine years. She cast many hours of comedy and drama for cable, syndicated, and prime time programming while also finding and developing talent for the company. She jumped across the desk in 1993, becoming a talent agent at the Bobby Ball Agency where she headed up the Children’s and Young Adult TV/ Film Division and started the Adult Theatrical Department. In 2002, Defining Artists was born with Kim acting as CEO. Kim discovered and began the careers of such actors as Jessica Alba, America Ferrera, Nick Wechsler, Rami Malek, Haaz Sleiman, Sam Witwer and Jamie McShane among others.

Shun Lee Fong

Producer, Director, Greenhouse

Shun Lee Fong is an actor, writer, filmmaker & musician. He is the CEO and Creative Principal of Genuine Productions, LLC, a media & entertainment production company with an emphasis on both original and client-based film, new media, and publishing. He is also the President & Creative Director of The Greenhouse Arts & Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit creative arts organization, and sits on its Board of Directors.

He graduated summa cum laude from Creighton University with a degree in journalism & mass communications. After obtaining a Juris Doctorate at the University of Iowa, he practiced law for five years in Nebraska and Iowa, focusing on civil litigation, corporate transactions, intellectual property, and media law. In 2003, he left his law practice to pursue professional acting, writing, and other creative opportunities. Since then, he has performed in a number of productions in film, theater, commercial, voiceover, and print, and is a member of the Screen Actors Guild-AFTRA. He has spent significant time on stage and in the recording studio as a songwriter and multi-instrumental musician. He has written a number of screenplays, articles, and other works and is an often-requested speaker.
Shun Lee is the author of The Saints & The Poets, a book of essays on creativity, leadership, and faith. He has taught mass media & entertainment law at Creighton University, John Paul the Great Catholic University, Regent University, and Lipscomb University.

Libby Friz

Writer, AMC’s TURN

Libby just finished the fourth season of AMC’s TURN as a staff writer, where she wrote and produced episode 305: ‘Hypocrisy, Fraud, and Tyranny’, and this season’s episode 407: ‘Quarry’, which will air in July.

Prior to her work on TURN, Libby served in military intelligence in the U.S. Navy for six and a half years, a year of which she spent studying cryptologic spy-craft. Libby was granted Top Secret (TS/SCI) clearance, and partnered with various intelligence agencies to collect secure and sensitive information for the U.S. She was stationed in Central Australia, Denver, Colorado, and Japan, where she studied Taijitsu with the grand-master. Additionally, Libby has a BA in Biblical studies, as well as an MA in History. She also holds a black belt in Karate. Post-Navy, Libby spent time teaching English to children in Pakistan, Nepal, and China.

Anne Marie Gillen

independent Producer, Consultant, Lecturer and Corporate/Executive Coach

Anne Marie Gillen, CEO of Gillen Group LLC is an independent Producer, Consultant, Lecturer and Corporate/Executive Coach who is extensively experienced in film development, financing and worldwide distribution. Her films have premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, New York Film Festival, San Francisco International Film Festival, and been nominated for Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Independent Spirit Awards and DGA Awards. She is a member of the Producers Guild of America and serves on their Education Committee.

In 2014 – 2016 Mr. Gillen produced Parallel Man animated sci-fi (starring John Cho, Ming-Na Wen and Lance Reddick), the live-action CGI film Oceanus: Act One (Starring Megan Dodds, Sharif Atkins, Bruce Davison and Malcolm McDowell), the comedy-horror film Insectula!, and 7 of 12 episodes of the limited TV series modern opera Vireo with the Kronos Quartet. In 2009/2010 she executive produced Into Temptation starring Jeremy Sisto, Kristin Chenoweth and Brian Baumgartner.

Ms. Gillen is the co-author of the 3rd edition of The Producer’s Business Handbook – published by Focal Press and co-branded by Variety. Her second book The Business of Show Business for Creatives was published by Focal Press and co-branded by American Film Market (AFM). The AFM is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance®

Gillen Group’s entertainment coaching division was established in 2011 and Ms. Gillen is currently a Master Practitioner of the Energy Leadership Index, as well as a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF).

Gillen Group’s consulting division was established in July 2006 after purchasing Entertainment Business Group’s clientele and proprietary models and databases. The division’s motto is “Fusing Business and Creativity”, and offers business planning, script analysis, worldwide distribution consultation and internal greenlighting (project and/or film company cash flow projections) services to independent film producers and investors. Past clients include: Mission Pictures International (The Ultimate Gift, One Night with the King) and Brookwell McNamara Entertainment (Soul Surfer).

From 2002 – May 2006, Anne Marie was President, Development & Production at Entertainment Business Group, an independent motion picture and television funding, global rights sales, research, analysis and business services entity.

From 1996 – 2001, Anne Marie was the Chief Operating Officer of Morgan Freeman’s company, Revelations Entertainment. She led the company in the strategic financing and distribution of Revelations’ projects. During her tenure, Revelations Entertainment produced Along Came a Spider for Paramount; developed and produced Port Chicago Mutiny for NBC Network; and developed, independently financed and Ms. Gillen produced Under Suspicion starring Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman for Sony/Lions Gate.

Prior to her tenure at Revelations Entertainment, Anne Marie was co-founder and CEO of Electric Shadow Productions, and its Chair. Electric Shadow financed, and Anne Marie was the Executive Producer of its first feature, Fried Green Tomatoes which was released by Universal and starred Kathy Bates and Jessica Tandy. This picture was nominated for two Academy Awards and three Golden Globes.

She came to Electric Shadow Productions from Hemdale Releasing Corporation where she was Vice President of Acquisitions and Ancillary Sales. During her tenure, Hemdale was one of the leading independent film companies producing such films as: Platoon winner of Best Picture and Best Director; Hoosiers; and The Last Emperor winner of nine Academy Awards including Best Picture, Director and Screenplay.

Ms. Gillen was Chairman of the Board of Living Literature/Colors United – a non-profit, multi-racial education-based performing arts society for at-risk students in Watts. She was Executive Producer of the feature-length documentary on Colors United entitled Colors Straight Up, which received an Academy Award nomination. Ms. Gillen is the proud recipient of several Commendations from the City of Los Angeles for her outstanding community efforts to improve the youth of Watts.

Ms. Gillen is a lecturer and panelist and gives seminars for such organizations as: American Film Market; Bloomberg BNA; Puerto Rico Film Commission; California Lawyers for the Arts; NALIP (National Association of Latino Independent Producers); International Institute of Film Financing (IIFF); Pratt University; UCLA Film School; USC Film School; Chapman University; Century City Chamber of Commerce Entertainment Symposiums; Show Biz Expo; Screenwriters Expo; Independent Feature Project; Women In Film; Act One Producer Program; and Playback.

Ms. Gillen is a native Minnesotan and originally hailed from the Twin Cities where she was an actress, dancer and choreographer having worked at the Guthrie II, Children’s Theatre Company, Mixed Blood, Chimera and Minnesota Jazz Dance Company.

Amy Heidish

Writer

A native of Huntsville, Alabama, Amy Heidish earned a BFA in Motion Picture, Television & Recording Arts at Florida State University.

Heidish attended the Act One Writing Program in 2006. Her feature film credits include 2 MILLION STUPID WOMEN (2009 Cinequest Film Festival, released on DVD in November 2010), A STAR FOR CHRISTMAS (Ion Network, December 2012 & 2013) and THE TRUTH ABOUT YOU, (released on DVD and streaming platforms in January 2015.)

She created the webseries BECKY & KATE: WORKS IN PROGRESS in 2015, writing all six episodes and directing two of them. The webseries has screened at film festivals across the country.

Her feature contained thriller screenplay SCARED LITTLE GIRLS, was a Grand Prize Winner in 2016’s Stage 32 Happy Writers Feature Screenplay Contest.

Heidish currently works in the Warner Bros. Story Department and enjoys in no particular order: dogs, aerial fitness, horror movies, airplane turbulence and tequila.

RJ Hume

Producer

RJ Hume’s career has been a stepping stone towards producing. RJ started his film and video career in the Midwest in the mid 80’s after graduating from the University of Wisconsin as a Communications major. Starting with a production company as a Grip, Electrician, Camera Operator and Stage Manager for four years, he then went on to operate camera for broadcast sporting events for baseball, basketball and hockey. After working on his first feature film, “Major League”, and utilized as an Assistant Director, though not credited, he moved to Los Angeles in 1989.
Upon arrival, RJ started working as a 1st Assistant Director on the top ten television show, “Unsolved Mysteries” for the primary productions with Robert Stack. He continued Assistant Directing on commercials, videos and Sam Raimi’s cult classic “Army of Darkness” as well as other features. RJ then moved into the production office on the hit feature “Stuart Little” and the TV pilot for “Judging Amy” before being hired as the Production Coordinator for the CBS show “The District” with Craig T. Nelson for the four year run.

Features have always been his passion and made the move to Coordinate Fox’s “Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties” and the Sony/Columbia film, “Reign Over Me” with Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle. In the summer of 2007, he served as the Production Supervisor on the independent children’s adventure, “The Rainbow Tribe” and finished 2008 with two Sony TV movies in Detroit. He wrapped 2009 with two shows for CBS and in 2016 finished the 7th and final season of the hit TV show “Pretty Little Liars” and first season of “Famous In Love” for ABC Family/Free Form.

As a co-founder of Circle Of Friends Productions, LLC, RJ has been working closely with co-founder and talented Writer/Producer, Danelle Hand. Through the writing talents of Ms. Hand, their company has an impressive library of award winning scripts which have gained great recognition in the industry among producers, actors, crew members and executives alike. RJ has been striving to produce features that will certainly entertain but also provide a message of social conscious while enlightening the audience in the cause for which each film represents. They are presently putting together a children’s educational series which has also garnered a lot of interest.
RJ has been a member of the Producers Guild of America since 2001 and has served on their nation board of directors and AP council as well as presently serving on the board and a delegate for IA Local 871.

Donovan Jacobs

Script Consultant/Grant Writer

Born and raised in Southern California (Malibu, to be specific – if you ever saw “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”, I can tell you on whom my real-life high school classmate Sean Penn based Jeff Spicoli. Not that I’m into name-dropping or anything.).

Graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Communications Studies and a M.F.A. from the Producers Program in the School of Theater, Film and Television. (Also tried law school there in between undergraduate studies and film school. Gave me a pretty good idea of what most circles of Hell are like.)

Worked as a Story Analyst and Script Consultant for many years. Formerly covered scripts for Disney/ABC and Warner Bros. (As part of the Warner Bros. job, did a chapter-by-chapter annotation of the books on which the David Fincher movie “Zodiac” was based, allowing the screenwriter and producers to easily access the facts of the story, not to mention making me a terrible person to watch the movie with.)

Currently providing coverage for Disney Channel, Lifetime and STX Entertainment. (I could tell you what the sequel to “High School Musical” will be about, but I have literally signed a non-disclosure agreement. Development is serious business.)

Also work seasonally for several writing competitions and internships, including the Disney/ABC Writing Program, the Nickelodeon Writers Program and the Humanitas Prize. (Reading multiple “Rick and Morty” spec scripts every week is not a job for the faint of heart.)

In addition, work as a grant writer and in research and development for several production companies in the reality TV genre, including Pitch 5 Productions. (Currently working on a documentary series about a sailing expedition through the Northwest Passage to document climate change. With all due respect to our president and certain members of Congress, it’s real. )

Live in Sherman Oaks with my wife Astrid (a therapist), my daughter Vanessa (a teenager) and cats Buggy and Misha (making them teenagers with even more attitude and less common sense).

Korey Pollard

First Assitant Director, Mentor Lecturer

Korey Pollard is a DGA first assistant director, mentor and lecturer. His previous television and film credits include, Jack Ryan for Amazon, The middle for ABC, Salem for WGN, The Player for Sony Pictures Television & NBC Television The King of 7B for ABC Family with Craig Ferguson, directed by David Frankel, Kevin From Work for ABC Family with McG, A to Z for NBC, Stephen Bochco’s show Murder In The First for TNT, The ABC series Nashville, TNT’s television series Rizzoli & Isles. TBS television series The Wedding Band. FOX’s LIE TO ME, Life on NBC, critically acclaimed USA television series Monk, HBO’s Deadwood, FOX’s House, ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, NBC’s Boomtown and CBS’ CSI, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Spy Kids 2, And Starring Pancho Villa As Himself, Thirteen Days, Waterworld, Clear & Present Danger, Eye For An Eye, GI Jane,That Thing You Do and Stand By Me among many others.

He co-produced his first film in 2006, an independent adaptation of Robert Whitlow’s novel, The List.

Korey has been a guest lecturer at University of Texas, Austin, Branford College-Yale, New Haven, Belmont University-Nashville, Lipscomb University-Nashville, Eastern University, Lakeland Fl., Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts-Chapman University, Vanguard University, Orange County, Compass College of Cinematic Arts, Grand Rapids, Biola University, La Mirada, Los Angeles Film Studies Center (L.A.F.S.C.); he is on the Advisory boards of Compass College of Cinematic Arts-Grand Rapids, Hollywood Connect-Los Angeles, Belmont Motion Picture Dept.-Nashville, College of Entertainment & the Arts-Lipscomb University-Nashville. He. He has recently joined the Board of Directors of Green House, Hollywood and holds a position on The First Assistant Director/Unit Production Manager Committee at The Directors Guild of America.

Korey lives in Sherman Oaks with his wife of over twenty years in a half empty nest.

Dan Rupple

Producer, Media Strategist

Dan Rupple, a 35+year entertainment industry veteran, has worked within the highest ranks of network television and on the forefront of digital media. Dan’s unique strength lies in his ability to integrate the cultural insights of a media professional with the visionary voice and inspirational heart of a pastor.

Dan was the founding member of the pioneering Christian sketch comedy team Isaac Air Freight, spent over 10 years as a Supervising Producer for CBS Television (The Price Is Right, Late Show with David Letterman, 49th Emmy Awards), served as head of programming and development for 5 Internet TV companies, and was a media consultant to numerous global organizations and universities. Dan also has many years of experience in Christian ministry, serving on 4 pastoral staffs as an ordained minister.

Currently Dan is the CEO of Mastermedia International, a Christian organization that connects with the leading media executives world-wide on behalf of the Christian community.

Dan has been married to the love of his life Peggy, for over 38 years, and together they celebrate three married children and six wonderful grandkids.

Brian Chan

Professor, Lecturer, Author

Brian S. Chan founded and directs Creativity Catalyst, which cultivates creativity for the good of human flourishing.  He is a professor at Biola University, teaching “Beauty and Spirituality” and “Theology of Heroes and Villains.”  He authored The Purple Curtain: Living Out Beauty in Faith & Culture from a Biblical Perspective and Not Easily Broken (a novel).  He wrote his thesis on “The Beauty of God and the Art of Worship” for his master of theology and his dissertation on the worldviews of heroes and villains in film for his doctor of ministry.  As an exhibiting visual artist, he creates with oil, acrylic, charcoal, and ink.  He instructs a Wing Chun Kung Fu club in Burbank, CA, training actors and stuntmen.  Married to Ellen for 17 years, they fostered two baby boys and adopted their beautiful son, Josiah.  His creative portfolio is carried by a passion to create beauty out of brokenness as a redeemed creative steward of God.  Brianschan.com

Andrea Nasfell

Screenwriter

Andrea Nasfell is the screenwriter of THE RESURRECTION OF GAVIN STONE (2017) and MOMS’ NIGHT OUT (2014), which won a Dove award for Inspirational Film of the Year. She also wrote the Christmas movies SILVER BELLS and CHRISTMAS ANGEL, the most-watched movie on UP TV in 2012. Her movies CHRISTMAS WITH A CAPITAL C and WHAT IF… were nominated for Epiphany Prizes in TV and film. WHAT IF… was selected by Movieguide as one of 2010’s “Ten Best Films for Family Audiences” and CHRISTMAS WITH A CAPITAL C won their Faith & Freedom Award. As a an alum of Act One: Writing for Hollywood, Andrea frequently serves as a script consultant and screenwriting professor. She is a graduate of Asbury University and earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Spalding University.

Jimmy Duke

Producer, Lecturer, Act One President

James Duke is an accomplished filmmaker, pastor, educator, and communicator. As an independent filmmaker, James has almost twenty years experience in film, television, and video production. His credits include writing, producing and directing over a hundred award-winning short films, documentaries, and theatrical productions. He has produced several feature films including The Least of These starring Isaiah Washington and Robert Loggia, and Ragamuffin about the life of Christian singer/songwriter Rich Mullins. James’ passion for developing filmmakers led him to found the Inspiration Film Fest as well as serve as the executive director of the Damah Film Festival.

Recently, he served as the president and CEO of Updog Studios, a production company in Florida that seeks to create provocative, thought-provoking entertainment and commercial cinema. James is a successful team builder with strong leadership skills and who enjoys collaborating with other creatives.

As a pastor, James served on staff at his church, Mosaic LA, for 10 years where he oversaw several ministries including film, live production, and family ministries. He’s also served as pastor in communities of faith in Tennessee and Florida.

As an educator, James’ passion for investing in and mentoring the next generation of filmmakers and storytellers has led him to create high school and collegiate-level curriculum taught and fully accredited in schools both in California and Florida.

As a communicator, James has been privileged to speak to thousands of people around the world on the topics of film, faith and culture.

James received his B.A. in Communications from Union University in Jackson, TN. He is also a graduate of the Los Angeles Film Studies Center, and the Act One writing program.

He is madly in love with his wife, Samantha, and their two young children.

Sam Curphey

Entertainment Attorney

Sam Curphey is a Los Angeles-based entertainment attorney.

He represents producers, writers, directors, actors, rights holders, and on-screen and new media talent covering a large scope of legal matters. Mr. Curphey enjoys collaborating and strategizing with clients and values his ability to advocate forcefully and fairly.

His clients consider him a collaborator and general business advisor who provides counsel not only on the law, but also on marketing, branding, and strategic planning.

He is personally invested in his clients’ ongoing success and approaches all deals with an eye for his clients’ reputations and their long-term careers in the industry.

Mr. Curphey is a guest lecturer on entertainment legal topics at Act One and at Biola University.

Rich Peluso

Executive Vice President, AFFIRM FILMS/Sony Pictures Entertainment