Team

JOSH TICKELL FILMMAKER, AUTHOR & ENVIRONMENTALIST

Josh Tickell is one of the nation’s leading experts in sustainable biofuels. Growing up near oil refineries in Louisiana, Tickell learned first hand that oil was ruining our planet. Studying the ill effects that his own hometown has endured, he realized something had to change. Tickell went abroad during college, and that is where he discovered biodiesel. When arriving back in the US his outlook shifted and his life would never be the same.

Tickell’s first book, From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank – The Complete Guide to Using Vegetable Oil as an Alternative Fuel, sparked a biodiesel revolution in the 1990’s and jump-started the American biodiesel industry.

This booming industry now produces over 850 million gallons per year and supplies biodegradable biodiesel to commercial fleets including the San Francisco Fire Department, the Navy and NASA.

In 1998, Tickell organized Green Mountain Energy’s “California Tour” and its Pennsylvania concert, which featured James Taylor, Sean Colvin and Kenny Loggins. Over 50,000 people attended the event, which was completely powered by biodiesel.

In 2003, Tickell began making a documentary film that he had been developing for several years entitled Fields of Fuel. The film features appearances by energy experts and cultural icons.

In 2006, as a precursor to his movie, Tickell released a second book titled Biodiesel America – How To Achieve Energy Security, Free America From Middle- East Oil Dependence and Make Money Growing Fuel. The book challenges the status quo of the oil industry, the automakers and the government, and offers a complete energy roadmap to wean the United States from fossil fuels.

At the time of the book’s release, Tickell founded the Biodiesel America Organization, selected by former President Bill Clinton to be part of his Global Initiative on Climate Change. Clinton’s support brought Tickell the resources he needed to mount a biodiesel relief effort to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. His biodiesel-fueled “relief ships” delivered clothing, medical supplies and 20,000 meals to the hardest-hit areas of the disaster zone.

Tickell has consulted with numerous companies and organizations such as the National Biodiesel Board, the Arizona State House of Representatives, Solar Energy International, Quicksilver and Clif Bar. He has spoken at numerous colleges and universities including MIT, Ohio University, Bard College, Vassar College and Colorado College.

Today, Tickell uses his expert knowledge and powerful communication skills to educate policy makers and the public about biofuels, while offering solutions to rising gas prices, global climate change, pollution-related health issues and national energy security.

Tickell has been interviewed by over 200 major media outlets including The Today Show, Dateline NBC, CNN News, The National Geographic Channel, The Discovery Channel, National Public Radio, The Los Angeles Times, The Independent (UK), Smithsonian Magazine, The Science Channel, The Weather Channel, Maxim Magazine and Mother Earth News.

THE ‘VEGGIE VAN’ CO- STAR

Born and raised in Florida, this diesel VW Winnebago was adopted by Josh Tickell and turned into the ‘VEGGIE VAN” in 1997. Shortly thereafter Tickell decorated her with sunflowers and solar panels, and took her on a two-year journey zigzagging across the United States to promote the use of renewable, biodegradable biodiesel and other sustainable forms of energy.

The mission: Spread the word about an incredible alternative fuel made from vegetable oil called “biodiesel.” Ten years, two books and millions of French Fries later, Tickell and the “Veggie Van” sparked a biodiesel revolution, and biodiesel industries in four countries followed.

Today, she is the cornerstone of the “Veggie Van Organization,” a unique educational entity that promotes the adoption of biodiesel fuel and other renewable energy solutions through hands-on demonstrations, school presentations, speaking engagements and road tours.

To date, the “Veggie Van” has driven over 25,000 miles to promote biodiesel to millions of people while running on fuel made from used vegetable oil. Re-emerging into the public eye doesn’t seem to daunt this environmental icon. After all, she gets 25 miles per gallon on vegetable oil-based fuel and her exhaust smells like French Fries!

GREG REITMAN PRODUCER

Greg Reitman is the founder of Blue Water Entertainment, Inc. an independent production company that produces cutting edge documentaries. Reitman directed, wrote and produced Hollywood’s Magical Island – Catalina, currently syndicating on American Public Television (APT), and traveled the festival circuit. His production company, Blue Water Entertainment, produced Fields of Fuel, a feature documentary film on alternative energy with author Josh Tickell that will make its world premiere at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. Reitman is currently in production on his feature documentary film Rooted in Peace and his live TV show, ‘On the Green Carpet’.

Reitman earned his Bachelor of Arts from University of Massachusetts at Amherst (1993), holds a certificate in Film & Television, Marketing & Distribution from UCLA and has studied internationally at Tel-Aviv University (Israel), Hokkaido University (Japan) and Florence University (Italy).

He received a master certificate in Creative Producing in Tel Aviv University; he is a graduate of the Travis Directing School; an alumni of HFI (Hollywood Film Institute), AIPAC (American Public Affairs Committee) and served as a board member for the Jewish Federation Entertainment Steering Committee.

DALE (CHIP) ROSENBLOOM PRODUCER

Dale (Chip) Rosenbloom, founder and owner of Open Pictures is one of Hollywood’s most active and innovative creative talents. Rosenbloom writes, directs and produces. His independent production company’s slate of family-friendly motion pictures and compelling documentaries on important contemporary social issues are recognized for their consistent quality, content, and timeliness. Through Open, he recently produced the Broadway stage production of August Wilson’s Radio Golf, which recently was honored with a 2007 Tony nomination for Best Play.

Rosenbloom won numerous awards for the documentary film, “Reckless Indifference”, the emotionally charged feature about the accidental homicide of the innocent teenage son of a police officer at the home of a drug dealer, produced with Oscar-nominated/Emmy winning documentary filmmaker William Gazecki.

The Shiloh trilogy is what put Rosenbloom on the map, producing all three films based on the celebrated stories by Newbery award-winning author Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s best-selling novels about a young boy’s attempt to rescue an abused dog. Shiloh, the first film in the Naylor trilogy, marked Rosenbloom’s auspicious directorial debut, which he adapted and produced, and which earned him accolades from many of the nation’s most highly respected critics. The movie went on to win the Genesis Award for Best Feature Film, top honors at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, and several other awards. The film trilogy he created has proven to be one of the most popular family entertainment feature film franchises produced by an independent production company in recent years. Saving Shiloh, the final film in the trilogy, opened last year to critical praise, and the DVD is currently enjoying great success in national distribution. Shiloh II/Shiloh Season, adapted and produced by Rosenbloom was nominated for the Humanitas Prize. All three films of the trilogy were major successes in DVD and video sales, and are distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

Open Pictures currently has several projects in post production including Girl in the Park starring Sigourney Weaver, Kate Bosworth and Keri Russell, directed by Pulitzer Prize-winning David Auburn, Open Graves starring Eliza Dushku and Mike Vogel, Fan-demanium, starring ten passionate soccer fans from all over the world, and Alice, starring Alyson Stoner, Lucas Grabeel, Penny Marshall, and Luke Perry. The company has also acquired the rights to best-selling author Philip K. Dick’s Flow my Tears, The Policeman Said, with producer John Simon, and is in development on The Great Good Thing, based on the novel by Roderick Townle.

DANIEL ASSAEL PRODUCER

Daniel Assael was bitten by the showbiz bug when, as a kid, he watched his writer father sprawl across the couch and stare into space. When young Daniel asked him what he was doing, his dad simply said, “I’m working.” Daniel knew at that moment he wanted to be in the same business. He went on to graduate from the University of California Santa Cruz with a degree in Business Management Economics. He associate produced Learn The Game: The Big Football Game, a 30-minute animated ‘how to’ play football for kids. Daniel, currently a Production Executive at Open Pictures, has worked on Saving Shiloh, which Warner Bros. distributed and the film Alice Upside Down. Fields of Fuel is his first producing credit and something he is extremely passionate about.

JOHNNY O’HARA WRITER

Johnny O’Hara is a writer-producer-director born and raised in NYC. After graduating from Pratt Institute he began his career working for legendary Ad Man Jerry Della Femina as both an art director and copywriter. After many scandalous years working at major advertising agencies and internet start-ups, he shifted his focus to writing and film making.

O’Hara’s screenplay the Yin Yang Brothers was a finalist in The Austin Film Festival Screenwriting Competition, The Nicholls Fellowship Screenwriting Competition, and The Slamdance Film Festival Screenwriting Competition. His first short film Mac’s First Time was a finalist in the SXSW Film Festival.

Johnny is also a published author whose first book Elvis & You was published by Penguin. O’Hara also penned the feature film, Roleplay, a sordid romantic comedy being produced by Michael Mailer Films and scheduled to start shooting spring 2008 in NYC.

JAMES MULRYAN DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

James Mulryan graduated from UCLA Film School in 1982 where he specialized in ethnographic filmmaking. In 1984 he shot and co-produced Navajo Talking Picture, which premiered at the Margaret Mead Film Festival and screened on PBS. Through the 1980’s he worked as a location and production manager on television commercials with directors that included Norman Seeff, Joe Pytka and Ridley Scott.

In 1990, he worked with Peter Sellers on the Los Angeles Festival as a field director/cameraman. Shortly thereafter, he began field directing and shooting episodes for The 90s, on PBS. In 1997 he won the Sundance Film Festival Cinematography award for Documentary for Renee Tajima’s My America…or honk if you love Buddha. Additional 1990’s camera credits include National Geographic, BBC, PBS, and Lifetime.

In 2002, he shot Bravo’s Kris Kristofferson profile. In 2006 he field directed and co-photographed Inside Supermax, a portrait of female prison guards for the Learning Channel. He is currently directing and shooting a profile of Jack LaLanne for the LaLanne family archives. His latest documentary feature is Fields of Fuel, which he began shooting in 2005 will premiere at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.

JESSICA BERMAN-BOGDAN ARCHIVAL PRODUCER

Jessica has worked as a stock footage professional for over 25 years and has extensive knowledge of all major network, newsreel and specialized archives throughout the world. Working on features, documentaries, entertainment specials, commercials and industrials, her expertise covers all areas of acquisition management, rights and clearances.

Recent credits include Chicago 10, CSNY: Déjà vu, The Kid Stays in the Picture and My Kid Could Paint That among others. Jessica is now President and Owner of Global ImageWorks, a full service company providing stock footage library sales, research and clearance services.

Global ImageWorks represents independent filmmakers, cinematographers, journalists and production companies’ footage providing deep content, unique views of the world we live in across a variety of high profile categories and was cited one of the “Top 40 Indy Film Friendly Businesses of 2007” by MovieMaker Magazine.

TINA IMAHARA CO-EDITOR

A California native, Tina Imahara received her MFA from the Editing Program at the AFI (American Film Institute) and was the sole recipient of the Blum Kovler Scholarship, a full scholarship awarded to only one student within the program. Imahara also holds a BFA from the California Institute of the Arts in Art/Graphic Design/Documentary Photography.

Imahara has edited over 40 short & feature films as well as television pilots, an IMAX Amusement Park Ride, music videos, feature film trailers, ‘Behind The Scenes’ and DVD featurettes/commentaries. Some of Imahara’s work includes the award winning The Lord of the Rings Extended DVD series; The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers (two of her commentaries received BEST COMMENTARY OF THE YEAR nominations at the 2003 DVD Exclusive Awards), Gang Tapes, A Lions Gate Production, received 9 nominations at the 2002 DVD Exclusive Awards including BEST EDITING, On Tip Toe, received an Oscar and Emmy nomination for BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT and was a Supervising Editor for The Return of the King Extended DVD.

Films she has edited are premiering and winning awards in film festivals worldwide including; Cinequest, The Seattle Film Festival, The Taos Talking Picture Festival, The Palm Springs Film Festival, The New York Independent Film and Video Festival, The Nashville Film Festival and Showtime’s Black Filmmaker's Showcase.

Currently, Imhara is editing, Millionaire: Awaken Your Secret, a documentary based on the Best Selling Book, Think & Grow Rich.

Upcoming projects include two thrillers, Darius, an MTV Production, and Scavenger, a Beacon Pictures feature film.

Fields of Fuel marks Imahara’s top notch editing skills a first at the Sundance Film Festival.

MICHAEL HORWITZ CO-EDITOR

Michael Horwitz is a young, energetic filmmaker with an impressive resume and prolific collection of short films and commercials already under his belt.

With a degree in film production and new media design from the University of California, Santa Cruz, Horowitz has established himself as a highly skilled editor.

Horwitz’s thesis film project was an ambitious World War II romantic drama called "Grand Central", and it was accepted to numerous film festivals and was a finalist for the Student Academy Awards in 2000. He has directed a number of other short films and commercials and currently works as an editor cutting trailers for major Hollywood studio films at Trailer Park, one of the largest creative advertising firms in Hollywood.

Fields of Fuel marks Horowitz’s feature editor debut and he is thrilled to be a part of this amazing, creative team. Horowitz is currently developing several feature scripts and looks forward to building on his Fields of Fuel feature film editing experience.

SARAH ROSE BERGMAN CO-EDITOR

Sarah Rose earned an academic scholarship to attend the University of Iowa where she graduated with honors, double majoring in Communications Studies, with her emphasis in Media Studies/Film Production, and was also accepted into it’s prestigious School of Journalism, where she focused on photojournalism. While at the University, Bergman worked at the City Channel in Iowa City as the Director of Programming for the 24-hour station, directing, producing, and editing footage on various events in the surrounding area.

After graduation, Bergman moved to Los Angeles, California and began working on commercials and independent shorts as a Second Assistant Director. She also attended Jim Pasternak’s school of Directing (LA Film School instructor).

Bergman worked with Jeff Dowd, an independent Producer’s Representative and Marketing Consultant (Blood Simple, Hoosiers). She served as his Creative Executive and Producing Partner, handling screenings, marketing, and press on a number of projects, including: Metallica: Some Kind of Monster, Easy, Duma and Paul Reiser’s The Thing About My Folks at film festivals, including Sundance and Tribeca. Moreover, she has worked with Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, and Reese Witherspoon on the political fundraising event featuring Going Up River: The Long War of John Kerry. She also coordinated a three-city tour for Get Out the Vote for Sean Penn, Lawrence Bender, and Callie Khouri, and worked on Neil Young’s Greendale at the Los Angeles Film Festival.

Additionally, Bergman has utilized her skills as a writing consultant, developing a number of scripts. Notably, she worked with Paola di Florio, an Academy Award Nominated Filmmaker (Speaking in Strings, Home of the Brave), developing TV shows as an editor, camera-person and creative executive. Furthermore, Sarah Rose edited television shows for Bravo, TV Land, and Comedy Central.

Recently, she was the story editor and co-editor for Fields of Fuel, featured in the documentary competition at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.

Currently, Bergman is both the writer/director of her first feature film, Bluff Park, which she plans to begin principal photography in the Fall of 2008.

RYAN DEMAREE MUSIC COMPOSER

Originally from San Diego, Ryan Demaree is a Los Angeles based Film Composer who has lent his many talents to film, television, advertising and video games. Demaree earned his degree in music composition at CSU Fullerton, and has worked with some of the industry’s leading music experts.

Shortly after moving to Los Angeles, he worked under Klaus Badelt at Hans Zimmer’s Media Ventures, where he got his first taste of film scoring. A few years later he resided at Todd AO Scoring, which had the largest and most technically advanced stage in the United States until its close in December of 2007. While there, he was fortunate enough to work with many of film’s great maestros including James Horner, Alan Silvestri, James Newton Howard and Stephen Schwartz.

Versed in the Classical and Electronic Mediums, Demaree embraces the traditional way of writing with the new advances of technology. Using sequencers, samplers and a real orchestra, he is passionate about writing scores, which captivate the subtext of a film. Demaree is currently working with critically acclaimed composer, David Torn at his studio in Pasadena.

MIKE MEEKER MUSIC SUPERVISOR

Mike Meeker has been working in the field of music since the early 1990’s. Meeker began his career as a musician sharing the stage with Southern California bands like Sublime. Meeker perfected his musical craft and began his business training at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston where he earned a BA in Professional Music.

Meeker’s business experience, includes an international marketing position at Interscope, Geffen A&M, where he worked closely with artists like Sting, Eminem, Black Eyed Peas, Gwen Stefani, Weezer, Snoop Dogg, Sheryl Crow, Dr. Dre, Mary J Blige, Queens of the Stone Age, and Robin Thicke.

In 2005, Meeker co-founded the independent hip hop record label Citrus Recordings to produce the full-length album Citrus Sessions, featuring the Los Angeles based jazz hip hop icon Micah 9, of the legendary Freestyle Fellowship Crew. Meeker also was the music director for the Citrus Sessions band, and directed musicians Adam McDougal from Nikka Costa, Macy Gray, Maroon 5, Kamasi Washington and Josef Leimberg from the Snoopadelics, Tyler Coomes from Raphael Saadique, and Anthony Hamilton bands. Meeker has consulted for companies worldwide like Entak in Japan, in the field of music licensing, marketing, and branding. For Entak, Meeker worked on many projects including the Japanese sensation Dance @ Live!

Lately Meeker has been fine-tuning his ear in the field of music supervision for Film and TV. Working closely with music supervisor Paul Stewart, he has placed over 50 compositions in TV and Film including Gotti’s Way (VH1,) and Frankenhood (Lions Gate.)