Team

C. Scott Votaw, Georgia Film Academy's New Executive Director, is an entertainment arts and academic industries global expert. With over 25 years of experience working for production companies including Saban, Fox, Lucasfilm Ltd. and others, Scott has a deep knowledge base of film production, 2D/3D animation, special FX, motion capture, and post-production. Through 10 years of education experience, he also holds expertise in current and trending production needs, training and educational circular creation and workforce development. Most recently, as an international consultant with CSV-Consulting, Scott worked for studio infrastructure providers, workforce development and emerging technology companies within the film and entertainment production sectors in the Asia-Pacific region. Prior to this, Scott supported efforts to grow the film and TV production industry in Georgia through maintaining a highly trained and industry-standard workforce by creating/advising some of the most successful educational programs globally. Votaw also served as vice president of production and development for Classic Entertainment for seven years and president of KidzVid Entertainment for six years, overseeing creation of programming for the U.S. and global markets.

Wendy Quinn Guttin is an award-winning Showrunner, Producer, Writer and Project Manager with 20 years of television production experience, including documentary, non-fiction, true crime, scripted drama and reality programming. She began her career as an assistant editor in Washington, D.C., before moving to Los Angeles where she was a network staff producer and freelance producer/writer of more than 50 hours of original content for E! Entertainment Television, WeTV, A&E, USA, Paramount, Bio and PBS. Wendy relocated to Atlanta in 2011 and worked as a senior producer, writer and showrunner on more than a dozen series for Investigation Discovery, Oxygen, Travel, Up and Cooking Channel, among others.

Wendy joined the Georgia Film Academy in 2016 as the Academic Program Manager and now serves as the Director of Academic Affairs. She is committed to GFA’s mission of training and building a sustainable workforce and talent pool for the film industry in Georgia.

Actor. Educator. Filmmaker. Cassandra Hollis was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia and has managed to forge her career in the Entertainment industry with her career in Education.

Cassandra earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Georgia, where her studies were concentrated in Public Administration and Pre-Law. She earned a M.A. in Communication, majoring in Television Production, from Georgia State University. While matriculating in the MA program, Cassandra landed a position as Producer and On-Air Talent at a local TV station. She later formed a production company, subsequently directing, producing and writing 8 films, several of which garnered national and international recognition and best-in-festival awards. Cassandra was invited to teach a 3-Day filmmaking workshop in Barbados, WI, producing an acclaimed documentary about centenarians out of that experience.

While thriving as an independent filmmaker, Cassandra was an Adjunct Professor of Communication at a private university. After teaching over a decade, Cassandra landed a position at another university in an administrative role as Program Coordinator of Film and Digital Media.

Cassandra attended a One-Day Intensive Textual Analysis of August Wilson’s works at The Juilliard School in New York in 2017. In 2018, she was accepted into the competitive Yale Conservatory for Actors, earning an A. A working Actor, Cassandra has appeared in recurring roles on the TV One Network in the true-crime series, “ATL Homicide,” as well as on a true-crime series on the ID Channel. Cassandra has appeared in commercials for Walmart, Verizon, Cobb County Chamber of Commerce, and more, and has been cast as lead in several plays and independent films.
Cassandra joined the Georgia Film Academy as Manager of Consortial Services in the summer of 2021 and looks forward to continued opportunities to contribute to the success of the GFA.

Blair Witte has spent most of her life in Georgia and loves everything the south has to offer. Graduating from Georgia State University with a BBA in Finance, Blair found herself leaning away from that field. She worked for the Board of Regents in the Chancellors Office and Student Affairs while in college. She is now Business Operations Professional for the Georgia Film Academy.

Emma Smith is the Academic Coordinator for the Georgia Film Academy. She graduated from Georgia College with a BA in History and worked for six years in museum education before moving on to the University System. She enjoys working with students and is committed to helping them succeed.

Cooper Fiscus-van Rossum serves as the Secondary Schools Coordinator for the Georgia Film Academy. Additionally, he is an Adjunct Professor, teaching classes in the Digital Entertainment and Esports pathway. Cooper earned his BA in Mass Communications with a focus on Copywriting and a minor in Digital Art from Georgia College. In 2019, while serving as the Marketing Coordinator for a private K-12 school in metro Atlanta, he was approached by school administrators to establish an esports team to compete in the newly announced, state-sanctioned varsity esports program. Ever since, Cooper has been actively involved in advancing scholastic and collegiate esports in Georgia. His greatest enthusiasm lies in expanding the existing reach of the GFA into secondary schools and discovering innovative ways to engage and support students, educators, and administrators across all creative disciplines (especially esports!).

Stephanie Oliver joined the Georgia Film Academy as Executive Assistant to GFA's new Executive Director, Scott Votaw, in March 2023. Stephanie has over 7 years of experience in Higher Education. Her most recent role was that of Executive Administrative Assistant to the Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Morehouse School of Medicine. She also provided administrative support to all the teams under Institutional Advancement (fundraising), including: Alumni and Constituent Engagement, Development (Major Gifts Officers), the Assistant Vice President of the Comprehensive Campaign. She also provided transitional support to the President and CEO of Morehouse School of Medicine. She assisted with the advancement department’s success of raising over $250M in less than three years during COVID. She has a very successful track record with engaging with donors and partners and working across institutional departments to help leverage communication for institutional needs, specifically scholarships and endowments.

Prior to Stephanie’s HigherEd experience, she was a paralegal for 15 years in some prestigious firms in Atlanta, working in the following areas: medical malpractice, toxic torts, insurance defense, and social security disability. She has experience both on the plaintiff’s side and the defense.

Stephanie is a native of New York. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and history from the University at Albany (SUNY Albany). She acquired an American Bar Approved Paralegal Certificate from The National Center for Paralegal Training (Atlanta) and has a certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace from University of South Florida, Muma College of Business.

Megan O’Neill is the newly appointed Asset & Facilities Supervisor for the Georgia Film Academy. She has served with the facilities team for the last two years which has provided her with an advanced, specialized knowledge of the inventory and film equipment required to best facilitate the needs of the students and faculty. She brings a unique blend of skills and expertise to her role with a Master's degree in Egyptology from Georgia State University and years of experience in a wide variety of leadership roles in academia and in the retail and service industries. She aims to continue her contribution to the success of the GFA and its overall positive impact on Georgia’s film industry workforce.

Chelsey Willoughby, originally from North Carolina, specialized in Communications and Broadcasting at NC State University. Since 2022, she has been committed to her role at the Georgia Film Academy, particularly within the facilities and inventory team, ensuring students and instructors are equipped for success. Chelsey is recognized for her diligent work ethic and dedication.

Logan Welch is the logistics team member on site at the OFS facility in Norcross. He has worked with GFA for almost 5 years and has a diverse work history in several different areas of the film industry. He is a 479 Union member who brings experiences from gripping on set, working as a service technician for Chapman Leonard Studio Equipment, Assisting Camera for NHK, and more.

Born, raised and still live in Atlanta, GA. I entered the film business after graduating from college in 1979. I worked perhaps twenty five movies as a member of the set lighting department. Then about two years as the best boy of the set lighting department. Then, many, many years as a Gaffer, which is the department head. The Director of Photography and I devise an approach for the lighting of the film, always aware of our need to support the script.

I was the Gaffer on about forty five movies. Some are: "Sweet Home Alabama," "Remember the Titans," "Pink Panther 2," "Diabolique," "October Sky," "Get Low," "RoboCop 3," "The War," "The Mothman Prophecies," "The Strangers," etc.

The last four years or so I worked in the Camera department as a camera operator and Director of Photography. Some movies: "Anchorman 2," "The Blind Side," "Last Vegas," etc.

In 2016, I accepted a job with the Georgia Film Academy where I teach Motion Picture Set Lighting and Cinematography in conjunction with the Film Masters Program at the University of Georgia.

With over two decades of experience at the intersection of media arts and educational leadership, Bryan W. Castle, Jr. serves as a bridge between high-level technical innovation and the classroom. Throughout his career, he has been a vocal advocate for "technical courage," a philosophy centered on empowering students to master complex storytelling tools with confidence and agility.

Bryan’s tenure at Avid Technology spanned nearly 20 years, culminating in his role as Senior Director of Global Learning Partners. In this capacity, he oversaw a network of over 600 active training partners across 43 countries and spearheaded the Avid Learning Academy, expanding industry-standard media education to high schools nationwide. As a premier workflow consultant and instructor, Bryan has defined and trained enterprise-level post-production workflows for some of the most notable names in broadcasting, including ABC News, The Rachael Ray Show, MTV News, Fox Sports, America’s Most Wanted, the White House Communications, and more.

An accomplished author and subject matter expert, Bryan has written foundational texts for the Avid Learning Series, including 'Media Composer Fundamentals' and 'Color Grading with Media Composer and Symphony'. His professional background is rooted in hands-on production, with a decade of experience as a producer and director for live-to-tape broadcasts and promotional content for diverse clients.

Bryan holds an Associate of Science in Digital Media Production and a Bachelor of Arts in Religion.

Bryan Krass grew up in Clarksville, Tennessee. He earned a BA in History from University of Evansville and an MFA in Film and Television Production from Savannah College of Art of Design. Following his schooling, Bryan moved to Los Angeles and worked as a grip, electric, best boy electric, and dolly grip in that market as well as Louisiana. He is most proud of his work as the gaffer of the TV game show “The Catch: Costa Rica” and documentary “Mayan Blue.” He has been an educator since 2011. In his spare time, Bryan enjoys studying history and playing mini-golf.

Casey Richards is an Emmy award-winning storyteller, marketer, public speaker, and educator.

With over 20 years of industry experience from Hollywood to Atlanta, his career spans roles across top-tier film studios, television networks, professional sports, advertising agencies, technology companies, streaming services, and higher education.

His work has been seen around the world with credits that include: Warner Bros. Discovery, NBCUniversal, Comcast, HBO Max, Food Network, HGTV, CNN, TNT, tbs, truTV, E!, MLB, NBA, NCAA, NASCAR, Avid, and Deutsch.

Casey joins the Georgia Film Academy serving as Post Production Instructor. His classroom trains students for successful careers in storytelling by fusing creative arts with technical skills using real industry experience.

I’m Chuck, a seasoned industry professional with 24fps years of experience across film, television, and theme park industries. Originally from Miami and now based in Georgia, I serve full-time with the Georgia Film Academy, where I proudly lead as the Lead Instructor.

While I’ve worn many hats throughout my career — consultant, production designer, art director, scenic carpenter, prop master, set dresser, storyboard artist, gaffer, best boy, stagehand, craft services, and more — my greatest passion today is teaching. I love guiding the next generation of filmmakers, helping students discover their strengths, develop practical skills, and build confidence both on set and in the classroom. For me, education is not just about technique — it’s about mentorship, leadership, and preparing students for real-world success in this industry.

Working in this field has always been deeply personal to me. I thrive on collaboration with creative professionals who share a love for storytelling and craftsmanship. I’m also a proud member of I.A.T.S.E., IBEW, and PADI.

I look forward to the opportunity to create, collaborate, and teach alongside you soon.

I am from the Atlanta area and received a B.A. from Emory University, though I did attend the University of Southern California for film studies as well. I interned at Jayan Films, a leading commercial house at the time. I worked my way up as a grip and gaffer, eventually transitioning to director of photography. Initially shooting small commercials, then music videos and table tops. With the film tax incentives coming to Georgia, I had the opportunity to work on a number of films and episodics, as well as shoot some small feature films.

Julio Saldarriaga is a two-time EMMY Award-winning filmmaker, director, editor, and Local 600 Digital Imaging Technician with a distinguished career across feature films, television, and live broadcast. He holds a degree in Advertising from the Pontifical Bolivian University in Medellín, Colombia, and a certificate in Producing and Directing Film and Television from UCLA. Julio’s credits include editing the acclaimed film Yellow (directed by Nick Cassavetes), working as editor and colorist on Bullet starring Danny Trejo, and serving as Dailies Colorist on The Menu (2022) and Emperor (2020). His work spans over 40 productions, including Paradise Highway, The Poison Rose, Southern Gospel, A Savannah Haunting, STARZ’s VIDA, and the Golden Globes’ live digital broadcasts. He also directed, co-wrote, and co-produced his original feature film The Shifting, showcasing his dedication to bold storytelling and independent filmmaking.

Currently, Julio leads the Savannah Hub of the Georgia Film Academy, where he mentors and trains the next generation of filmmakers, focusing on workforce-ready training that bridges education and direct entry into the film and television industry.

A native of the Chicagoland suburbs, Michael A. Wells has been a resident of the Atlanta metro area since graduating from Southern Illinois University in 1994, when he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Radio and Television Broadcasting. While a student, he worked for the local PBS station as an Associate Producer and Student Producer, where he produced a ground-breaking, award-winning documentary, Not In Our Town, a documentary perspective revealing the simmering dangers of gun violence in American schools long before it became the current crisis it is today. Mr. Wells has had the fortune of being honored with other awards over the years, including the International Golden Philo Award, 2 Peabody Awards, multiple Telly Awards, and a Christian Acapella Music Award in the category of Best Music Video.

Michael has worked as a writer, producer, director, and editor for media organizations such as Paramount Television Networks, CNN, Legacy Worldwide Media, and others on numerous productions for both film and television. He currently is focusing on screenwriting in his personal time and is developing several personal scripted television and film projects while teaching full-time for the Georgia Film Academy located in Fayetteville, Georgia, at Trilith Studios.

Philip Bergquist received a BA in Drama, and an MFA in Dramatic Media from the University of Georgia. He has designed and built sets for features, shorts, commercials and theatre. Notable credits include ESPN, EA Sports, Epic Games, Storyville Coffee, and Telly Award-winning commercials for Full Sail University. He has taught at the Academy of Art University and Full Sail University. He has achieved awards in Community Involvement, Risk Management, and an ESPN Game Ball. He currently teaches production design and set construction for undergraduate and graduate classes with the Georgia Film Academy.

Screenwriter and filmmaker Dan A. R. Kelly earned his BFA from the University of North Carolina - School of the Arts for Film Directing in 2001 and his MFA from Hollins University for Screenwriting in 2014.  Currently, he serves as Associate Producer on the film Signing Tony Raymond, starring Academy Award-winner Mira Sorvino, which premiered at the 2025 Austin Film Festival before a nationwide theatrical release in 2026.  His previous feature narrative film Susie's Hope (Writer/Producer) was broadcast nationally on Hallmark Channel/UPtv and received a Dove Family Award.  He was also the Producer and a Cinematographer on the music documentary film Athens, GA Inside-Out 2. A proud member of the Writers Guild of America, Dan penned the script El Medico for Cafe' Oscuro Films and The Liberator for Historia Pictures, both of which have been slated for production.  He co-wrote the screenplay for Ocean Drive, which was optioned by Fred Roos Productions (The Godfather II, The Beguiled), and Dan’s original spec script Chattanooga was an Academy Nicholl Fellowship quarter-finalist and Big Break Contest finalist. Before moving into features, Dan's short films earned national awards and recognition. His work screened at Cannes International Film Festival, Miami International Film Festival and on NBC/Universal's ChillerTV. Dan was one of the founding Instructors for the Georgia Film Academy. He served as the Manager of Production Accounting for Storyboard Financial Services, overseeing more than two dozen film and television productions, including Queen of the Ring, Vampires of the Velvet Lounge, Send A Scare, Watchful Eye, Popular Theory and OMG Fashun. Dan’s expertise spans the creative, technical and business aspects of filmmaking.

I grew up in Atlanta, near what is now the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library. After finishing High School, I attended Georgia State University for the next four years, bouncing around between being an English major and a Philosophy major. In my rambling, I tried out a photography course and was immediately hooked.  Finally I had found something that interested me enough to devote serious effort.  I took five photography courses back to back. Although I did not graduate from Georgia State, it had shown me a path where I could possibly do something I enjoyed and make a living doing it.

I started calling every production house in the yellow pages every two weeks. After six months of pestering, a Mom & Pop company, Atlanta Film Equipment Rentals (AFER), took pity on me and gave me a job as a rental clerk. It was at AFER that I was first introduced to professional film equipment and the technicians that use that equipment. After two years, I went freelance as a movie technician, working as a Grip, Gaffer, Carpenter or Assistant Cameraman...whatever paid.

In 1979, I got work on a John Huston film as a Grip and that had considerable influence on my choice of crafts. In 1983, I Keyed my first film and have Keyed more than 80 films since then. I have been working as an instructor for GFA since 2020. My last job as Key Grip was in 2022.

Lighting Director (Gaffer) | Certified Dive Master | Pool and Spa Operator 
Gerónimo’s interest in the art of lighting began in sixth grade, at the age of 12, when he joined the stage crew at Colegio San Antonio’s school theater in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, where he was born. In 1989, as he began his telecommunications and film studies at the University of The Sacred Heart in Santurce (the leading communication program in Puerto Rico) he simultaneously began his professional career working with two renowned directors, scriptwriters and filmmakers, Luis Molina Casanova (documentaries and movies) and Francisco “Paco” López (stop motion classic animation,) this last, the owner of Taller de Animación Boricua animated cartoons studio. In 1991, he worked on his first movie, "La Guagua Aérea" with Professor Molina Casanova. In 1992, Gerónimo won 1st place in the film category and Best Animation of the Year at the 2nd Puerto Rican Production & Media exhibition presented by APPACS (Puerto Rican Association of Academic Social Communication Programs) with his 2½ minutes, 16 mm, clay animated short, "Ay Jalisco No Te Rajes," that raised awareness on animal abuse. Since then, he’s been involved in the film and TV industry, specializing in the Electric and Lighting Department.

He has worked in more than 50 motion pictures, including well-known companies such as Universal Pictures, Warner Brothers, Miramax Films, Sony Pictures, United Artists and Disney Pictures. He’s also worked for cable television networks like Showtime, Lifetime, USA Network, Animal Planet, Disney Channel, E! Entertainment, HBO and more. Geronimo has also worked in over 200 television commercials; a few well-known artists' music videos and a couple reality shows.

One highlight of Geronimo’s career is the fact that he is a NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors) Certified Dive Master that allows him to work underwater in movies and TV productions. He also has taken specialized training in rappelling that also allows him to work in cave settings.

As part of his professional development, Gerónimo participated in the Basic, Advanced, Leadership Program and LP PHD 2 training courses offered by Momentum Transformational and Redesign, Inc. in 2001, where he became a leadership training facilitator acquiring people management skills, very helpful when leading crew members.

In July 2013, Gerónimo was hired as Director of Studio Operations and Maintenance at Pinewood’s Dominican Republic Studios during the last stage of its construction. During his 1-year contract, he was responsible for certifying that all aspects of the horizon water tank and sound stages construction followed the International Film Standards. In fact, he was certified as a Pool and Spa Operator by the NSPF (National Swimming Pool Foundation).

Gerónimo, who is fully bilingual (English and Spanish) and has over 35 years of experience as Lighting Director (Gaffer), is an excellent resource for any production. He is a member of IATSE Local 479, where he has continued his education taking the following trainings: Safety Pass A (General Safety/IIPP), Safety Pass A2 (Environmental Safety/IIPP), Safety Pass HP1-HP2 (Harassment Prevention), OSHA 10 (General Film Industry Safety and Health), AWP/MEWP (Condor and Scissor Lift Training), Covid-19 General Prevention and Grip & Electric Covid-19 Compliance. Currently, he resides in Lawrenceville, GA, and is available to work in the United States and the Caribbean as a freelancer.

Geronimo is a Film Instructor with the Georgia Film Academy teaching Introduction to Film & TV and Grip & Rigging since May 2023. He is also a certified Substitute Teacher in the Gwinnett County Public School System since September 2024.

Gregory Irwin recently retired as a veteran First Assistant Cameraman, who specialized in feature film production based out of Hollywood, California. His experience spanned over 40 years with numerous major studio, feature length motion pictures that are recognized world-wide. He is a member of the International Cinematographers Guild and The Society of Camera Operators, who honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence behind the camera in 2016. He also serves on the Industry Advisory Board for the School of Cinematic Arts at California State University, Long Beach. In 2023, CSULB’s College of the Arts honored Greg with their prestigious Distinguished Alumnus Award for his outstanding service to the College of the Arts and for the mentoring of numerous film students over the years.

In 1989, Greg founded and still leads as President of Latitude 33 Motion Picture Services that provides motion picture camera technology and related services to the motion picture industry. Clients include Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Disney, Marvel, HBO, CBS, Sony as well as Panavision, Otto Nemenz International and Keslow Camera. L33 MPS also offers industry education and career advancement and sustainment through their FOCUS ON CAMERA program.

I am a sound designer, audio engineer, and musician with an accomplished background in film, music, and multimedia production. In terms of my education history, I received a BA in Journalism from the University of Georgia and an MFA in Sound Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design. I have spent many years working at both audio post-production facilities and recording studios, gaining valuable skills and insight within the media industry. I am currently employed as a foley artist, sound effects editor, and music composer, working on both short and feature-length narrative and documentary films. I possess three professional level certifications in Avid Pro Tools audio recording software: Specialist, Professional, and Dolby Atmos. In my spare time, I enjoy collecting vinyl records and listening to 1960's/1970's music; I am a huge fan of The Beatles!

Kerry graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications Arts. After graduation she began as an intern at Georgia Public broadcasting. She was able to work on multiple different aspects of production and post-production throughout her time there. She discovered her love of editing and won an Emmy editing the documentary “Music Masters & Rhythm Kings.”

After freelancing around Atlanta for multiple years, editing for clients such as Coca-Cola, UPS, TNT, HGTV and many others, she worked for Turner Studios/WarnerMedia Studios for over 20 years. She worked on shows such as Cartoon Fridays and also was the lead editor for on-air promotions for shows such as Regular Show and Adventure Time, winning multiple awards throughout her tenure there.

Recently she has been freelancing again and also teaching for the Georgia Film Academy.

Creative production professional with over 20 years of experience of professional programming and media production. A consistent high-performer who has provided leadership and oversight to numerous demanding weekly and feature shows largely focused on freelance, professional sports, client based, and weather content. An adept developer of innovative programming for clients and companies who delivers unsurpassed results from conceptualization to final product.

Recipient of five National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Sports Emmys: Outstanding Live Event Turnaround Category (2006, 2007, 2009, & 2011), Outstanding Social TV Experience (2017); Nominated eight times.

Kevin Resnick is an award-winning writer, director, actor and film instructor who served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and flew airplanes as a C-130 Navigator. After moving on from the military, his innate flair for comedy allowed him to make a successful living as an actor in New York, where he starred in several acclaimed films on the national festival circuit, receiving Best Actor Nominations for his work on four different occasions, and winning once for Best Male Actor at the All the Laughs Film Festival.

As a writer/director, his films have screened in festivals worldwide, to include the Cannes Film Festival, and have won many awards, including multiple Best Film and Audience Choice Awards. His short films, On Becoming A Man and Doodles, have been distributed by Shorts International.

Kevin teaches Intro to Film & TV Production at the Georgia Film Academy.

Michael Bolger is an editor, filmmaker and content creator currently based in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael currently teaches post-production at Georgia Film Academy while also creating content through Boarding Pass Productions, a family business co-founded by him and his wife, Natasha.

Michael has worked in the industry in a variety of ways. He has edited for multiple companies like Full Lock Media and WITH Agency, cutting projects for clients like Marriott Bonvoy, Booking Dot Com, Corning, Kaiser Permanente and Piedmont Bank. He has also worked on set for multiple projects including A Different World (S1), Black Mafia Family (S4), The Cube (S1), Clean Hands, and multiple Reel Short productions. In regards to content creation, Michael has worked on various weddings, travel videos, and has worked with companies like the College Football Hall of Fame and Alumni Hall. Michael’s edited works have been viewed around the world through various film festivals, some even earning awards.

Outside of film, Michael enjoys traveling the world with his wife and singing and playing guitar. His goal is to continue to grow as a director, editor, musician and educator. He hopes to continue gaining experiences and sharing them with the next generation of filmmakers.

Nick boasts 15 years as a professional IATSE 479 filmmaker with a body of work streaming across all sorts of screens. From his humble beginnings at a literary management firm in LA, he returned to his hometown of Wilmington, NC, to join the proverbial circus and began his career in the art department on the feature film "Arthur Newman" starring Colin Firth and Emily Blunt.

Fast-forwarding a bit, he has spent the last decade in Atlanta in woods with zombies, launching rockets into space, crafting futuristic devices, and solving the latest crime.

Always willing to lend a hand or a piece of learned knowledge, Nick continues to mentor the creatives that supply the magic to movie-making.

Nigel Thomas is a GFA Instructor with over 30 years of comprehensive experience in the film industry. His journey through the industry has included working on many projects, including Shark Tank, Hell’s Kitchen, and BET’s SOURCE Awards. He is a member of I.A.T.S.E. Local 600 Guild of Cinematographers. During downtime, Nigel enjoys writing and creating his own projects. He also enjoys Biblical Studies, Martial Arts, and Unsolved Mysteries.

Paige Jarvis is a Best Boy Grip with 25 years of film and television experience.
 
An Atlanta native, gifted photographer, and proud member of IATSE Local 479 for 19 years, Paige was elected to the Executive Board in January 2022 as the AFL-CIO, Labor Delegate. In May of 2022 she was asked to chair the 479 Pride Committee and in January of this year was named chair of the IATSE District 7 Pride Committee. She is also a member of the Local 479 Women's Committee as well as the Constitution Committee.

As one of the state’s few female grips, Paige excelled in all aspect of her role. Within a short time this industry professional became one of the first female Best Boy Grips in Georgia. She is also a small business owner, renting specialty grip gear to productions across the state.

Tamara Matthew is a dynamic finance executive with over 20 years of experience bridging the worlds of high-stakes finance and award-winning creative production. Known for her sharp analytical acumen, Tamara has managed multimillion-dollar budgets, optimized global operations, and delivered executive-level financial strategy across the entertainment, media, and technology landscapes.

Her remarkable journey spans from Receptionist to Assistant Controller at It's Showtime at the Apollo—thanks to the opportunities provided by Chuck Sutton, his family, and teams—to leading Production Accounting roles for Discovery, USA Network, and Food Network. As Head of Production Finance at Notional, she helped shape the fiscal direction of Food Network hits, and later pioneered production finance transformation at Paramount.

Tamara is also deeply committed to cultivating the next generation of finance leaders. She has mentored and developed numerous production finance professionals, championing growth through hands-on training, strategic guidance, and a collaborative leadership style that empowers others to thrive.

A seasoned negotiator, legal strategist, and financial architect, Tamara brings a rare combination of legal training, deep financial expertise, and operational tenacity.

Her superpower? Translating creative ambition into financial reality—turning vision into viable, scalable ventures. Tamara brings clarity, rigor, and innovation to every challenge.

She is based in Atlanta and thrives at the intersection of business, technology, and storytelling.

Zachary Stephens is an Atlanta-based filmmaker with over a decade of experience in producing, directing and writing films. He also loves teaching and has a long history of working in education, teaching in the US as well as at universities abroad. He has been an educator for more than 15 years and is delighted to work at the intersection of his two passions, education and film.  He currently teaches the Introduction to Film and Television Production course.