Faculty

Gideon Directors Lori & Rodney Marett with their gorgeous daughters, Emily, Celeste & Savannah

 

2011 Faculty

Arledge Armenaki

An award-winning cinematographer, Arledge Armenaki has more than 30 feature film and documentary television credits and decades of behind-the-camera experience.

He recently served as Director of Photography for "Wesley," a feature film about the adventures and challenges of religious leader John Wesley. Reviewers have described the historical drama as "beautifully filmed" and the "best film of its type." Wesley is screening at the festival.

He has been the cinematographer on over 30 narrative films and TV shows such as "Club Fed," "Howling V" and "Dennis the Menace," but also on documentaries such as "Focus on Africa," which chronicled photographers' efforts in Tanzania and Kenya to save African wildlife. Film festival awards recognizing Armenaki's work include Best Cinematography for "A Letter From my Father" and the North Carolina Filmmaker Award for "Surrendering in a Champions World."

In addition, Armenaki has helped train many other cinematographers. He
served as head of the cinematography program in the Department of Film at
the Brooks Institute of Photography, where Armenaki himself earned his
Bachelor of Performing Arts in 1974. He completed a one-year fellowship at
the American Film Institute and was a filmmaker in residence and instructor
of cinematography at the North Carolina School of the Arts. Armenaki
currently is an associate professor of cinematography in the Stage and
Screen Department in the Motion Picture Program at Western Carolina University.

arledgearmenaki.com

 

Ben Avery

A believer in the need for positive, all-ages entertainment, Ben Avery created and wrote Zondervan's graphic novel series TimeFlyz and the comic book miniseries ArmorQuest to entertain readers with an exciting story, but also inspire and encourage readers to stand up and make a difference in their world.

Avery also co-founded and serves as editor-in-chief of Community Comics, a Christian comic book studio that produces content, helps connect artists with clients, and helps publishers package and develop graphic novels and comic books. His work has been published by Marvel Comics, Zondervan, Image Comics, and numerous small press publishers. He has also written for the Emmy award winning series Auto-B-Good.

Currently, Avery is working on a webcomic series, Music of the Spheres; finishing up three graphic novel series for Zondervan; and writing a prequel and sequel to the independant comic book hit The Oz/Wonderland Chronicles. He works for Rising Star Studios, where he is developing ArmorQuest into a character building education supplement. In addition to writing, he has been an English teacher, a college resident director, and a youth treatment specialist for sexually abused children. Avery has served for seven years as a children's minister at his church in Mishawaka, Indiana, where he lives with his wife and four children. Learn more about Ben at Ben Avery Online.

Art Ayris

Art is the Executive Pastor of First Baptist Leesburg as well as the CEO of Kingstone Media, a central Florida based company that publishes graphic novels, comics, and cinematic novels for the faith as well as the general trade market.

www.kingstonemedia.com

www.BayForestBooks.com

www.KingstoneComics.com

Angelo Ballestero

We're sorry to announce but Angelo has gotten a new job and will not be able to join us for Gideon 2011. We'd like to ask God's guidance in Angelo's new endeavors.

Shelly Ballestero

Shelly is an extraordinary woman of passion, energy and fun, on a mission to help women see the beauty God created in them, both inside and out.

Her professional experience ranges from mural artist, makeup artist to authoring "Beauty by God, Inside Out Secrets for Every Woman" published by Regal and recently the motivational CD, "Speak Out, I Am Beautiful!...Affirmations for Living Well."

Shelly serves as an inspirational beauty coach, esthetician, speaker and beauty editor for A Distinctive Style Magazine, beauty expert for CBN.com, contributor for Natural Solutions Magazine, HairCut & Style Magazine, Celebrity Hairstyles; Short Hair Style Guide, Woman's World, The Family Grove & OnCourse magazine.

She has also appeared as a beauty expert for Better TV New York, NBC Midday Nashville, NBC Morning Show Orlando, The Today Show NBC New York, Every Day With Marcus & Lisa Atlanta, TBN International- Praise The Lord Show and Better Mornings CBS Atlanta. As a guest Shelly has been on radio stations across the Country and a returning beauty expert for Martha Stewart Radio.

Shelly Ballestero lives in Florida with her husband Angelo Ballestero, and their two (home-schooled) boys Angelo II and Christopher.

shellyballestero.com

Brian Bird

Brian Bird is a writer/producer whose recent credits include "Not Easily Broken" (2009), adapted from the novel by T.D. Jakes, for Sony/Screen Gems; "The Shunning" for the Hallmark Channel and Sony (2011), "Saving Sarah Cain" (2008) and "The Last Sin Eater" (2007) for 20th Century Fox, in partnership with Michael Landon Jr. and their jointly founded production company, Believe Pictures.

He is currently writing and producing "Captives," the untold story of 2005's Atlanta hostage crisis in partnership with producer Ken Wales ("Amazing Grace") for Fox Searchlight, "The Shunning" for The Hallmark Channel and Sony Home Entertainment, and "Home and Away," a pilot for NBC.

Between 1998-2003, Brian served as co-executive producer and writer on the final five seasons on the series "Touched by an Angel."

Brian's other film credits include the Morgan Freeman-directed "Bopha!" (1993) for Paramount Pictures, the Hallmark Hall of Fame drama "Captive Heart" (1996) (TV), and "Call Me Claus," the highest rated cable film of 2003. He has also written screen adaptations of In Silence for Paramount Pictures, "Trail of Tears: The Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation" for TNT, "Before Time Runs Out" for Fox Broadcasting Company, "The Deaths of Sybil Bolton" for CBS and "A Dirty Business" for HBO.

His TV series producer and writing credits include more than 250 episodes of "Touched By an Angel," "Evening Shade," "Step by Step" and "The Family Man," as well as pilots for ABC, NBC and Showtime.

His blog, www.brianbird.net, is a vibrant, creative exchange serving thousands of new screenwriters on the art of story and the craft of screenwriting with free tools, tips and training.

As a longtime member of Saddleback Church, Brian has also served Pastor Rick Warren in a variety of media consulting roles. Brian's best productions to date are his five children with his wife, Patty, of 30 years.

Lieutenant General William G. "Jerry" Boykin

Lieutenant General William G. "Jerry" Boykin was one of the elite warriors chosen in 1978 to make up the first unit in America's Delta Force. He became commander of the unit, and later, commander of all U.S. Army Special Forces. He has played a role in almost every recent major America military operation, serving in Grenada, Somalia and Iraq. His thirty-six years in the military included a tour at the C.I.A. and clandestine missions around the world.

Jerry retired in 2007 after serving his last four years as the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence. His awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, and the Purple Heart.

He is currently a professor at Hampden-Sydney College, VA and has authored his biography, Never Surrender: A Soldier's Journey to the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom and the novel, Danger Close (co-written by Tom Morrisey).

Katrina Cook

Katrina Cook is a Casting Director and Owner of KatzKasting, a Texas-based casting company. She has cast both principal and extra roles for numerous music videos, television shows, feature films, commercials, and documentary projects, both union and non-union.

Katrina's credits include notable television shows such as "Entourage," "The Bachelor," and "Fast Track to Fame" as well as projects that have aired on networks such as ABC, CBS, HBO, FOX, BET, Lifetime, SYFY, A&E, and SPEED. In addition to casting, Katrina has also assisted various projects as Production Coordinator, including the Live Concert DVD for Grammy-winning artist Israel Houghton which was nominated for a Dove Award.

Katrina is passionate about helping others get started in the movie business and offers various "Getting Started" informational sessions to help point new talent in the right direction and deter them from getting scammed.

If you are in need of Casting assistance, or would like to join the talent database, contact Katrina Cook at Katrina@katzkasting.com or sign up online at katzkasting.com

Jenny Cote

Award winning author Jenny L. Cote developed an early passion for God, history and young people, and beautifully blends these passions together in her two fantasy fiction series, The Amazing Tales of Max and Liz and Epic Order of the Seven. Likened to C.S. Lewis by book reviewers and bloggers, Jenny provides creative writing workshops at schools and universities across the US and abroad.


A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Jenny holds two marketing degrees from the University of Georgia and Georgia State University. Prior to writing her career focused on strategic planning and marketing, specifically in healthcare at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. She now writes and speaks full time and lives in Roswell, Georgia, with her husband Casey and son Alex. Jenny is active in the Student Ministry at Dunwoody Baptist Church, and enjoys reading, research, museums, music, travel, meeting people, fitness and finding any excuse she can to get to the beach.

www.epicorderoftheseven.com

The Amazing Tales of Max and Liz is a two-book prequel series that begins the adventures of brave Scottie dog Max and brilliant French cat Liz through the stories of Noah's Ark and Joseph. Book One: The Ark, the Reed, and the Fire Cloud won the 2009 Gold Award in the Reader's Favorite Awards for Children's Chapter Books. Plans are in the works to produce The Ark as a 3-D animated feature film. Book Two: The Dreamer, the Schemer and the Robe (winner of the 2010 Gold Award in the Reader's Favorite Awards for Children's Chapter Books) brings Max, Liz and friends to work behind the scenes in the life of Joseph in the land of Egypt.

The Epic Order of the Seven series begins with Book One: The Prophet, the Shepherd, and the Star, where Max, Liz and the gang have their most important mission yet: preparing for the birth of the promised Messiah. Their seven-hundred year mission takes them to the lives of Isaiah, Daniel and those in the Christmas story. Book Two: The Roman, the Twelve, and the King (2012) tells THE story inside of a story: the life of Christ is told as George Frederich Handel composes the most important musical piece ever written-Messiah.

Clarence Felder

Mr. Felder received the Award of Excellence for Leading Actor from the Accolade International Film Competition in California as the star of "All For Liberty" a feature film about the extraordinary but little known hero of the American Revolutionary War in the Backcountry of South Carolina, Captain Henry Felder. Mr. Felder was also the Executive Producer of the film which was based on his play, "Captain Felder's Cannon" and produced by his company, Actors' Theatre of South Carolina and its film division, Moving Images Group.

In his thirty years as a leading actor in film, television and on Broadway, Mr. Felder co-starred in numerous other feature films working with some of the greatest film and Broadway stars and directors of our time including The Last Boy Scout with Bruce Willis, Ruthless People with Danny Devito as well as many others. Mr. Felder co-starred for two years on the highly acclaimed ABC TV prime time comedy-crime series Hooperman with John Ritter, as well as LA Law, Dallas, Hill Street Blues and many others. He also co-starred in The Ride for Billy Graham's World Wide Pictures.

Mr. Felder co-starred in 10 Broadway shows in New York and Shakespeare Festivals in the USA and Canada and has had leading roles in over 160 plays in major regional theatres in the U.S. He has directed numerous productions as well as his own works and is co-founder of Actors' Theatre of South Carolina a professional touring company in our state for the past 14 years. Movie buffs can find a long list of Mr. Felder's credits on the Internet Movie DataBase [IMDB]. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0270948/

Bonnie Johnson

Bonnie Johnson was a secretary for over 40 years but was bitten by the acting bug at a very early age. As a teenager, she watched Billy Graham movies at her church and was inspired to use her acting talent to glorify the Lord. After doing community theatre for many years, she found her true passion in 1986 when she acted in her first feature film, "King Kong Lives" (a blockbuster for sure). Since then, Bonnie has had a principal role in over 50 feature films/TV movies and commercials and has worked with such stars as Denzel Washington, Tommy Lee Jones, Robin Williams and Miley Cyrus. Look for her as TV star, Nana Galloway, in the feature film "Little Red Wagon" scheduled for release in 2011.

Her favorite co-star, of course, is her dashing husband, Ted, and she gives praise to the Lord for allowing them to work together on many projects. In 2008, they were paid to take a Caribbean cruise while shooting a training video for the crew of Princess Cruise Lines. They appeared in the TV series "Wicked Attraction" where Bonnie played convicted killer, Olga Rutterschmidt, and Ted played a homeless man who became one of her victims. They also played Andie MacDowell's parents in the feature film, "The 5th Quarter," as well as Mary and John Payne in the American Experience episode about Dolley Madison.

Bonnie Johnson IMDB

Michael Joiner

As an actor, Michael studied and worked in LA in film and TV for over 8 years before landing the lead role in Sony/Provident's powerful drama, "The Grace Card." Michael's performance has garnished rave reviews, such as The Hollywood Reporter that said, "Actor-comedian Michael Joiner delivers a POWERFULLY INTENSE PERFORMANCE as Mac McDonald in The Grace Card!" and MOVIEGUIDE'S Ted Baehr who said, "Michael Joiner gives a POWERFUL, SEETHING, and COMPELLING performance in The Grace Card!"

As an 18 year stand up Comedian, Joiner has attracted wide praise for his routines that blend a sarcastic edginess with a devotion to clean humor.

Michael was the 1st Place winner of the Hollywood Improv's "Funniest Comic in L.A." in 2008, and nominated for "Comedian of the Year" in the 2010 Christian Music Hall of Fame Visionary Awards.

www.michaeljoiner.com

Erica Lane

Picture a classically trained singer/songwriter fusing contemporary pop with sweeping ballads and romantic orchestral impressions, and you get Erica Lane. Her early influences range from Keith Green to Sarah Brightman, and her songs reveal a poetic expression of faith and vulnerabilities.

Lane's ability to arrange choral and extended vocal works in her compositions not only stems from her degree in music education but also from an experience that took her to England as a singer in the Texas Tech University Choir, which was selected as the US representative at the British Choral Convention. This cathedral tour gave Lane an insight on mixing excellence in tradition with modern originality.

Besides her formal training, Lane has mastered the art of stage performance, which carried her through three years of competition in Miss Texas while holding such titles as Miss Houston, being featured at Johnny High's Country Music Review, opening for George Lopez at the Moondance Awards Gala in Beverly Hills, and recurring as a special music guest at The Promise at the Texas Amphitheater.

With two independent albums under her belt, one of which is a Christmas collection, Lane has toured across the US and Canada for the last three years. During that time, she starred in a family friendly reality TV series, Inspired Ambition, syndicated on national networks in the US, Canada, Africa, Estonia, Finland, Poland, and others. The DVD box set is distributed in Lifeway Stores by Cloud Ten/E1 Entertainment.

No stranger to the entertainment industry, Lane's music has been featured on eight film and television soundtracks, starring such actors as Ving Rhames, Pat Boone, and Muse Watson. As she continues to produce stunning, imaginative lyrics and melodies, the demand grows for her involvement in cinematic productions.

Entering a new season of music-making, Erica Lane has now completed a studio album called Transcend that matches her ambitious musical nature and songwriting abilities to a powerful message just waiting to burst forth.

Roland Mann

Roland Mann is a writer, editor, and professor. As writer, he is best known for his work on Cat & Mouse, a comic series which ran for nearly two years, garnered critical acclaim, was optioned by Hollywood, and led Roland to other work. Roland has over 500,000 copies of his comics in print.

As editor, Roland is best known for his time as a Malibu/Marvel Comics editor where he edited The Protectors line of comics and many Ultraverse titles.

In 2000, Roland found Christ, and began to seek out new avenues for his God-given talent. God has placed in him the desire to create Godly entertainment that entertains, educates, and encourages believers.

Roland earned a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Spalding University, a Master's degree in English from the University of North Alabama, and a Bachelor of Science in Creative Writing from the University of Southern Mississippi. In addition to his work in comics, he has been a newspaper editor and an advertising flunky. More recently, Roland finds himself acting as a writing mentor and speaking at Writer Conferences where many find his sessions encouraging. He mentors the annual weeklong Fall Hemingway-Pfeiffer Writers Retreat in Arkansas at the once-home of Ernest Hemingway.

Roland's most recent publications are his graphic novel adaptations of the classic novels The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. He also recently wrote a story in the graphic novel anthology Martyrs. Roland currently lives in Oxford, Mississippi with his wife BJ, daughter Brittany, and son Brett, where he is busy working on his next project. He blogs regularly at www.rolandmann.me

Torry Martin

Torry is an award winning actor, comedian and author who originally hails from Alaska. He is a two time Gospel Music Association Grand Prize Winner for both his acting and writing abilities and he writes popular humor columns for On Course and Enrichment, two national periodicals. Martin is also the author of several comedy sketchbooks published by Lillenas Drama Publishers and he additionally writes for a national radio series called "Adventures in Odyssey," where he created the popular character of Wooton Bassett for the program. As a Christian comedian he has performed in hundreds of churches, comedy clubs and festivals throughout the United States. And as an actor, Martin has appeared on commercials and television programs and has starred on stage in a leading role for the Columbia Artists national tour of the musical comedy "Around the World in Eighty Days," which was written by Marc Cherry, the creator of "Desperate Housewives." Most recently Torry has competed in the 48 Hour Film Project where he was awarded the prize for "Best Actor-Nashville" for the second year in a row. He appears annually as a performer and instructor at several conferences across the U.S. Torry won the Holiday Life Lesson Video Commercial Contest for The Learning Channel (TLC) and the network aired his commercial nationally. He is currently working on several screenplays. Torry's website is www.torrymartin.com

Dave Moody (Music Director)

Few music entertainers from North Carolina have accomplished more than Dave Moody (www.davemoody.com). As the driving force behind The Moody Brothers, Dave has led the family band to national recognition and international acclaim. Along the way, the group earned two Grammy Award Nominations and three International CMA Awards as this trio of brothers took their Carolina based folk, gospel and rocking country music to audiences around the world. The Moodys have performed often at such distinguished venues as the Grand Old Opry in Nashville, TN, the White House in Washington, DC, Wembly Arena in London, England and Disneyland Paris in France, where they performed for over fifty million guests.

But since 2002, Dave's accomplishments as a solo artist, producer, and songwriter have been equally impressive. Winning two GMA Dove Awards (the Christian Music Grammys) in 2005 and 2006, and earning 15 other Dove nominations for his music, Dave has emerged as a major Christian music industry professional. His wins and nominations as artist, producer and songwriter have placed him in good company when you consider some of the past Dove Award winners in the categories he's been recognized, such as Glen Campbell, Dolly Parton, Andrae Crouch, Alison Kraus, Randy Travis, Chris Tomlin, Ricky Skaggs, Shirley Caeser, George Jones, Charlie Daniels, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Oak Ridge Boys, David Crowder Band, Blind Boys of Alabama, and others.

Now, Dave has turned some of his attention to directing motion pictures and scoring music for film/television. His first endeavor into movies was to write and score the musical motion picture Stuck In The Past produced by Uplifting Entertainment. In the summer of 2007, he and his son Josh Moody, started Elevating Entertainment, producing and directing their first family Christian motion picture, Praise Band: The Movie, based on a story they had written. The company finished its second film Much Ado About Middle School, featuring Hollywood veteran Bill Cobbs and Golden Globe Nominee Lee Meriwether in the Spring of 2009.

In just a short time, Dave and his son have emerged as award winning filmmakers, capturing the "Best Musical Award" at the Creative Arts Film Festival in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada for the music and score of Stuck In The Past. In 2008, Praise Band: The Movie won "Best Music Film" at the International Christian Film Festival in Irvine, CA and was nominated for "Best Premiere Production" at the Sabaoth Film Festival in Milan, Italy.

Jayce O'Neal

Dr. Jayce O'Neal, has published four books including Tyndale's "No Girls Allowed", and a children's book, "Crazy Circus World." This professional actor, writer, personal and organizational consultant, public speaker and instructor, who received his B.S. in drama/television/film, has also earned two master's degrees in Communication and Counseling and holds his doctorate in strategic leadership.

He has acted on the set of the CW's One Tree Hill and has appeared on nationwide networks such as ABC Family, The Discovery Channel, TLC, National Geographic and The History Channel.

Some of the theatrical productions O'Neal has participated in include All My Sons, Death of a Salesman, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Enemy of the People and Tears of Soy.

In addition to acting and writing Dr. O'Neal has been involved in casting and is a former talent agent. Currently, Dr. O'Neal is a professor at Regent University. For more information, visit www.jayceoneal.com

Erica O'Neal

Erica O'Neal is the modern Renaissance woman. Erica is an actress who enjoys being in front of the camera and on stage. She has been in Beauty and the Beast and Imaginary Invalid to name a few. When she is not acting she also poses as a model and is currently teaching at Theatrix Productions. She also has worked in costuming, makeup, directing, and plays a mean game of Dominoes when time allows. Erica holds her Masters in Theatre and resides in the Hampton Roads area with the best husband in the world!

Ken Raney (Graphics Director)

Ken Raney's illustrations have appeared in Highlights for Children, National Geographic Traveler, Campus Life, Christianity Today, Virtue Magazine, and Step-By-Step Graphics. His first children's picture book, Stick Horse, was published by Medlicott Press. It's Probably Good Dinosaurs are Extinct followed from Simon & Schuster, and has been translated into Japanese, and republished in a textbook from Harcourt Brace. Raney currently is freelancing as an illustrator and designer in the Christian publishing industry as well as publishing an entertainment website for Christian teens and tweens at http://www.ClashEntertainment.com

John Rees

John Rees owns and operates GodsChild Records, a Gospel music recording label aimed at generating airplay from radio, television, film, internet, and live performances. John began on guitar at age 8 and moved to piano the next year, playing in bands of R&B, folk, jazz, Country, and Gospel styles, with original music a driving force of them all. Although playing mostly by ear, John received a Bachelor of Arts from Guilford College, studying Music Theory and Composition, plus 2 years of more advanced study of Classical Music Composition. Moving to Nashville, TN in 1978, John spent 2 years as a touring musician with Donna Fargo, and has performed in 48 states and well over a dozen foreign countries. The next step was to a position as pianist/musical director for pop singer Skeeter Davis on the Grand Ole Opry, an association that lasted over 25 years. 20 of those years were also spent as musical director for the Grand Ole Gospel Show, a live radio show broadcast on WSM. As a recording musician, John has worked thousands of sessions, in most cases as a "session leader" who carries the added responsibility of overseeing the entire process. 

Kyle Saylors (Film School Director)

Kyle along with his brother, Kenny Saylors, aka the Saylors Brothers, are currently producing/directing the network television mini-series for Red Bull, entitled "Game Breakers." Their credits include national level music video, animation, motion picture, TV, and documentary projects which have been featured on Fox News (Greta Van Susteren), Newsweek, Time Magazine, NY Times, Variety, LA Times, Hollywood Reporter, Huffington Post, Indie Wire (Top 5), BBC, and more.

Recent projects include, Firestone Presents: My Finish Line, an exclusive inside the Indy 500, with special guests Mario Andretti and Eric Close. The theatrically released "Kimjongilia", co-produced with Academy Award nominated Mike Figgis (Leaving Las Vegas) & NC Hieken, which was finalist at Sundance Film Festival where it had its World Premiere, followed by over 30 major festivals, including winning "Best Film of 2010" at One World Festival.

The Saylors have worked on projects airing on: PBS, MTV, BET, NBC Sports, FOX, Family Net, Documentary Channel, TBN, screenings at US Capitol/ European Parliament, and syndicated to Africa, India, Asia, Europe, Canada, South America.

View reel and full bio at: SaylorsBrothers.com

Vonda Skelton (Intern Co-Director)

Life is truly a stage for Vonda Skelton. Whether she's writing books for kids or keynoting at conferences, real life is always front and center. You just can't make this stuff up! Vonda is the author of The Bitsy Burroughs Mysteries for tweens and a women's non-fiction, Seeing Through the Lies. She has an active speaking schedule, sharing her wit and wisdom at Christian women's events, business functions, public and private schools, and writers conferences. She is director of the Christian Communicators Conference, co-director of the NCompass Writing Retreat, and owner of The Christian Writer's Den blog. Vonda is also a lyricist, playwright, and occasional actress and has a screenplay floating around in her head. Maybe one day she'll actually get it down on paper!

www.VondaSkelton.com

Brian Stewart

Brian Stewart is a self-confessed uber-geek, who loves to harness technology to help people. A graduate of the Air Force Academy, Brian served as a computer engineer in the Air Force, and then as a software engineer specializing in high performance 3D graphics for various defense contractors and software startups. This past year, Brian was named Inventor of the Year by Lockheed Martin. Brian now has his own company, Playful Platypus, which is focused on applying technology and creative media to help young people and children with autism. Current projects include an iPad math game for autistic children, and an interactive web video series featuring puppets, that helps young people with Asperger's Syndrome to discover their passion, and develop it into a fulfilling career.

Sarah Anne Sumpolec (Intern Co-Director)

Sarah Anne Sumpolec began her career in the theatre by playing Alice in Alice in Wonderland and has been hooked on the arts ever since. She was active in both her school and community theater and had the privilege of working with a retired Broadway director and attending North Carolina School of the Arts. Though she never made it to Broadway herself, Sarah stays active in the arts as a Director for her local Christian Youth Theater and Christian Community Theater. (In fact, the summer show had to be moved just so she could attend Gideon 2011!) Sarah has also enjoyed performing in several film roles that have given her a chance to continue acting.

Sarah has been featured on The 700 Club, Janet Parshall's America and The Tyra Banks Show where she was able to share her testimony from living her life as a teen witch to a becoming a Christian during college. She speaks to teens and college students about both her testimony and the lure of the occult in our culture today.

Sarah is the author of the Becoming Beka series, a five book YA series with Moody Publishers and is writing a non-fiction book for teens and college students. She continues to write YA novels but is also a screenwriter. She has experience in script development and critique and enjoys teaching about screenwriting and novel-writing. She is also an alumnus of the month long screenwriting program, Act One: Writing for Hollywood.

Sarah, along with Vonda Skelton, oversees our Gideon Teen Intern Program where teens are invited to apply to participate at the Gideon Film Festival in unique and exciting ways.

Sarah lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters and a menagerie of animals.

For more about Sarah, visit www.becomingministries.org

Gary Voelker

Gary Voelker is an award-winning filmmaker who has held many titles in his career, including Writer, Director, Producer, Director of Photography, Editor, Motion Graphics Designer, Visual Effects Designer, and Film School Instructor. Since starting his own production company (Experience Studios) in 2005, Gary has produced two documentaries, three short films, and scores of commercials and videos. His most recent film, BREAKING (Writer, Producer, Director), was nominated for 8 awards (including Best Picture and Best Screenplay) at the 168 Film Festival in L.A. Gary has taught filmmaking courses in Washington for the past 6 years. His classes cover the entire filmmaking process from pre-production through post-production and distribution.

Angela Walker

Angela Walker is a writer and executive editor for ChristianCinema.com, the largest faith and family film website on the planet, and a voice for independent Christian filmmakers. When not watching movies and eating popcorn, she spends her time reviewing films, interviewing filmmakers and writing about the intersection of film and faith.

Last year, Angela and her colleagues were the online marketing team for the award-winning independent feature film LIKE DANDELION DUST, which stars Mira Sorvino and Barry Pepper.

Before joining ChristianCinema.com, Angela worked for an airline, traveled the world as a musical missionary, and served on the staff of a local Rescue Mission. During that time, she worked with Christians of all denominations - Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox - which helped her understand (as much as possible) the Christian culture.

A native Texan currently residing in California, Angela lives in the San Joaquin Valley.

Jacob Walker

Jacob Walker is a multimedia designer at WinePress Publishing. He manages all stages of production, from shooting to editing. He enjoys taking today's messages to a new level through sight and sound. Jacob develops top-notch video trailers, commercials, and promotional shorts for a variety of clients.

Chris Weatherhead

Ms. Weatherhead conceived the idea for the feature film, All For Liberty late in 2004, then shot for over two years on 31 locations and was in post-production for almost three years, but began winning awards before the film was completed. She has stayed with the project for quality control and manages the marketing of the film. She recruited long-term friend and top Hollywood story analyst and screenwriter, Ron Mangravite, to produce with heavy input on story and editing. They, with executive producer/leading actor/writer husband, Clarence Felder, harnessed a team of amazingly talented actors, designers, crew and seven historical consultants to achieve the final product, which was officially released on Independence Day, 2009.

The 82 minute feature has since received nine international film fest awards, three national US historical society awards, a distribution deal with John McLean Media in Seattle and shipping off website to 42 states, Germany & Switzerland. Producing, directing and marketing this feature project as well as a number of video projects in California prisons, commercials and running a film festival in South Carolina for 5 years, has taught Ms. Weatherhead some valuable lessons she wants to share with Christian filmmakers.

Ms. Weatherhead is also a actress [14 years leading actress in NY in theater and daytime series, 10 years guest star on various prime-time TV series in Hollywood - SAG.AFTRA/EQUITY - SEE IMDB listings], screenwriter [a produced screenwriter & story analyst work in Hollywood] and Acting Coach [10 years NYC, 10 years Hollywood, 7 years in SC]. She has also completed a novel, Kumakani: Against the Wind, based on her epic screenplay about the Hawaiian kingdom in 1790. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0915743/

Callan White-Hinman

Callan White is presently the head of the Theatre Arts Program and Director for the Professional Theatre Series at Montreat College. She has had twenty-five plus years experience in theatre, television, and film. Ms. White starred on ABC's LOVING for 6 years as Ann Alden and was known to television audiences in the United States, Europe, Australia, and South Africa.

Among her guest starring roles are: Star Trek, Crossing Jordan, Strong Medicine, The Practice, JAG, Murphy Brown, LA Law, and the Profiler. Film credits include roles in Time Traveler, Rockford Files, Donor Unknown, Wild Card, and The Tempest. Callan has been a long-standing member of the ACTORS CO-OP,an Award Winning Christian Acting Company in Los Angeles where she has served in leadership positions, performed, and directed. She received a Dramalogue Award for her performance in STEEL MAGNOLIAS, and was nominated for an LA Weekly Award for Best Performance as The Bakers Wife in INTO THE WOODS. She has played leading roles at Berkeley Rep, A.C.T., Cal Rep, The Pennsylvania and New Jersey Shakespeare Festivals, The Longwharf Theatre, Clarence Brown Theatre, and the Kennedy Center. Callan was also in the premier performances of the Apollo Theatre in Chicago, and The Harlequin Theatre in Atlanta. She has had the honor in working with many notables over the years: Larry Shue, Bobby Lewis, Len Cariou, George Grizzard, Richard Kiley, Irene Worth, James Garner, Glynis Johns, John Ireland, and Tammy Grimes among them.

Callan is a voting member in the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. She has also served as a voting judge for the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Los Angeles Ovation Awards.

Rusty Whitener

Rusty Whitener won Gideon's 2010 Adaptation Screenplay competition for "Allah's Fire", a novel with the same title written by author Gayle Roper, and Gideon's 2008 Original Screenplay competition for "Touched" which also took Second Place in the 2009 Movieguide Awards in Beverly Hills. A movie of this screenplay, now called "A Season of Miracles" is in pre-production with Elevating Entertainment Motion Pictures. Whitener's first novel, "A Season Of Miracles", is a Finalist for the 2011 Christy Award in two categories: Contemporary Standalone and First Novel.

Having studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, Whitener enjoyed acting last year in such movies as "Decision" (with Natalie Grant), "Alone Yet Not Alone" and "Stubborn Journey."

Rusty's love for stories that announce God's fearsomely beautiful Kingdom feeds his hunger to see good Christian novels and ideas made into movies that reach a wide audience for the King.

Cheryl Ariaz Wicker

Cheryl Ariaz Wicker is a multi-faceted media professional of 12 years-an award winning film producer, media personality and publicity expert. She recently produced the film "Flag of My Father," starring John Schneider, Gigi Erneta, and William Devane. The film garnered the Best Narrative Feature Award at the 2011 GI Film Festival and is available on DVD. It has aired on Trinity Broadcast Network and has been receiving much national media exposure.

Wicker's previous film "Desires of the Heart," is also on DVD. Her film and television career includes credits in a variety of roles in programming for CBS, ESPN, BET, PAX, and Disney.

Wicker is also an award winning video producer-in addition to producing commercials and promotional videos, she also produced her own Christian music video show for 4 years and a 30 minute TV special entitled "Abortion: Why the Controversy" which has aired regionally and on SkyAngel.

Her first media job was as a TV news reporter which later opened the door to working in publicity. As a publicist, she covered the gamut of Christian entertainment, including the arenas of publishing, music and film-Howard Publishing (now Howard Books with Simon & Schuster), Here to Him Music, and R-Squared Productions. She now owns a Christian entertainment marketing company, Premier1 Studios, which specializes in branding, publicity and social media.

Wicker writes for Examiner.com as the National Christian Movies Examiner and is soon to launch Christian Movie Connect, a video podcast which she produces and hosts. The broadcast quality podcast features interviews with top Christian filmmakers, actors and industry professionals.

As a media personality over the past 10 years, she has interviewed countless national celebrities, including recording artists, authors, speakers, political leaders, filmmakers, and actors-Dove Award-winning recording artists, Steven Curtis Chapman, Third Day and Mercy Me; television’'s Judge Joe Brown; actor John Schneider; Michael Flaherty of Walden Media, Stephen Kendrick of Sherwood Pictures, Phil Cook of Cooke Pictures, and many others.

Wicker, a true entertainment lover, was born and raised in Music City USA (Nashville, Tennessee), home of the Grand Ole Opry, but now makes her home in Louisiana, a state that has recently become known as "Hollywood South."

Josiah Williams (Marketing Director)

As Executive Director of Notation Group and WinePress Publishing, Josiah Williams leads a team of professionals in creating effective promotional solutions. His experience in providing successful strategies gives him unique insights into overcoming today's marketing challenges. Josiah delivers presentations across the country that assist businesses, organizations and individuals leverage their potential and expand their markets. Practical and effective, his workshops are always well received and provide useful techniques for today's leaders. His focus is to provide responsible marketing through efficient marketing integration. Josiah also has entrepreneurial experience by assisting his brother in managing Book Brew Coffee, providing retailers exciting coffee solutions. Josiah constantly looks for innovative ways for communicators to successfully market their work to contemporary audiences and build successful brands.

Kent C. Williamson

Kent C. Williamson is the owner of Paladin Pictures, Inc., a film and video production company in Charlottesville, Virginia. He is also the founder of the Community Films Foundation, a non-profit that connects filmmakers with mission organizations who need help telling the stories. He produced and co-directed the non-controversial feature film When Love Walks In, directed the highly-controversial documentary Rebellion of Thought and is currently in post on the extremely-controversial documentary Stained Glass Rainbow. He lives with his bride and six kids along the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

www.CommunityFilmsFoundation.org

www.PaladinMediaGroup.com

Gary Zelasko

Gary Zelasko has been blessed with the experience gained through an eleven year broadcast television sales and management career at Blair Television, Cox Communications, Hearst Broadcasting and CBS Owned and Operated Stations and was a founder and CEO of the industry-leading Luminescence Catalog.

Gary is currently the Director of Harvest Resources, a ministry within Greg Laurie's Harvest Ministries, which develops and provides enduring curricula, original music for worship ministry, successful evangelism tools for outreach, Bibles and established Bible studies (including new believers' studies), substantive material on marriage, multimedia content and all of Pastor Greg's books through www.HarvestResources.org. Gary has led the distribution effort behind Greg's biographical documentary film Lost Boy: The Next Chapter, which has won eight international film festival awards.

 


Gideon Director Lori Marett and Script Guru Linda Seger