Film Task Force

Dave Brown

Krista Hoffmann-Longtin
Assistant Director, IUPUI Solution Center
Krista Hoffmann-Longtin is the Associate Director for the IUPUI Solution Center.  Her work focuses on cultivating partnerships between IUPUI faculty and students and Indianapolis’ business and nonprofit organizations.  Prior to the Solution Center, Krista was a lecturer in the Department of Communication Studies where she worked in advising, coordinating, and administering courses, internship programs and civic engagement opportunities.  Krista earned a B.A. in Telecommunications from Ball State University and an M.A. in Communication and Creative Arts from Purdue University Calumet.  Before returning to the university in 2002, she worked as an advertising account executive and as a freelance producer.  Krista is active in a number of professional organizations and is president of the board of directors for the Indianapolis International Film Festival.

Jonathan Blake Huer
Director, Ball State University, Emerging Technology & Media Development
Jonathan is an award winning producer who truly believes in "the right medium for the story." He currently has two feature scripts in development, an award winning interactive movie making the festival rounds, an independent feature in post, and several emerging media projects under construction. His past projects include the award winning 35mm short Looking for My Brother and an interview with John Wooden used at the dedication of the Nell and John R Wooden Court in Pauley Pavilion and exclusively shown at the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame. Jonathan also worked for Fox Television on the pilot Faceless, Icon on the Carrier Project, and at United Talent Agency.  Jonathan earned his bachelors in Design|Media Arts at UCLA where he was a Regents Scholar, Gold Shield Alumni Scholar, and Chancellors Service Award winner. He went on to the top-ranked Peter Stark Producing Program at USC's School of the Cinematic Arts where he earned his MFA in motion picture producing.  Currently, Jonathan is director of the Digital Corps, an award winning group of professional and student media experts at Ball State University. He is also the only certified Apple Master Trainer in the Midwest.

Greg Malone
Producer, Road Pictures

Steve Marra
Producer/Director, Adrenaline Motion Pictures
Adrenaline Motion Pictures is an independent production company. Our goal is to produce feature films and television programs that are imaginative, dramatic and exciting. From concept and script development, through financing, production, post-production and acquisition of a distributor, Adrenaline has been designed to be a complete production solution for providing entertainment content in all media. Adrenaline is helmed by writer, producer, editor Steve Marra. A Los Angeles fugitive and UCLA Film School grad, Steve has been involved in nearly every aspect of film and television production.

Erin Newell
Director, Film Indiana/Indiana Economic Development Corporation
Erin Newell is a production veteran and advocate. From 1998-2007, she worked in Los Angeles as Vice President of Production for Level 1 Entertainment (producers of "Grandma's Boy," "Rendition," and "Strange Wilderness") and with Kopelson Entertainment (producers of Oscar winner "Platoon," as well as "The Fugitive," and "Seven"). Recently, Erin returned to the Midwest as the Director of Film Indiana, the Hoosier state's film Initiative, which works to develop the local film and video production industry. She is determined to advance the Indiana production industry not only for economic benefit, but also to bring attention to everything Indiana has to offer. Erin holds a BA in Telecommunications from Ball State University, and is active in mentoring young filmmakers.

Jessica Petelle-Slagle
Producer
Jessica Petelle-Slagle began her career at Gracie Films as an Executive Assistant on the team overseeing the ancillary divisions of The Simpsons. For her time at Gracie she was awarded an Emmy certificate for her contributions to the Outstanding Animated Program, The Simpsons.After several years in Los Angeles, Jessica returned to her home state of Indiana to produce Drexel Box’s first feature length film, Joshua, during the summer of 2003. The film was distributed by Fangoria Magazine and Hart Sharp and has gained much praise throughout the worldwide horror community.  Following the production of Joshua, Jessica produced the feature length films, 11 Minutes Ago written and directed by Bob Gebert, Sunday written and directed by Travis Betz and Little Big Top, written and directed by Ward Roberts. Little Big Top was an official selection at the 2006 Heartland Film Festival and will have a limited theatrical release in 2008 through Maitland Primrose and Moving Pictures Magazine.   Although her passion is independent filmmaking, she partakes in the creation of commercials, music videos and web content, including a three part internet series for Volkswagen entitled, The Game, and Travis Betz’ The Receptionist for Comedy Central.  Jessica received degrees in Theatre and Telecommunications from Indiana University. In November of 2007 she was awarded the prestigious ‘Outstanding Young Alumni of the Year’ by the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University. Jessica was featured in Screen Magazine’s cover story “Under 30 Something” for her producing ventures as well as for her efforts on promoting independent filmmaking in the Midwest.  Currently residing in Los Angeles, Jessica maintains her Indiana roots as and active member and co-founder of the Indiana Media Industry Network and the Indiana University’s Hollywood Hoosiers. She is a member of LA based The Masses Artist Collective. 

Angelo Pizzo
Writer/Director

Rodger W. Smith
Director, Institute for Digital Entertainment & Education & Associate Professor, Theatre & Dance, Ball State University

Jeffrey L. Sparks
President/CEO, Heartland Film Festival
Jeff is currently the President/CEO and Founding Board Member of the Heartland Truly Moving Pictures. He is married to Denise with two children, Adam (Upland, IN) and Rachel (New York, NY). He received his Bachelor's Degree in Theatre from the University of Evansville and went on to complete a Master of Fine Arts degree in directing from Florida State University in 1975. Since then he has served as Assistant Professor of Theatre at St. Leo College, St. Leo, Florida and the Executive Director of the Indiana Children's Christian Home (ICCH), a treatment center for emotionally disturbed youth. During his time at ICCH he helped found The New Harmony Project - a writer's Laboratory developing new scripts for theatre and film where he served as Executive Director from 1987-1999. Heartland Truly Moving Pictures, where he serves currently, was established in 1991 to recognize and honor filmmakers, whose works explore the human journey, artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life.

Amy Vaughan
Director, Indiana Office of Tourism
Amy Vaughan, CDME, is a seasoned veteran of Indiana’s tourism industry. Before becoming Director of the Indiana Office of Tourism Development in February of 2005, she served as Executive Director of the Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau for more than ten years.  Vaughan graduated from Indiana University with a BA in both Journalism and English. She holds a Master’s Degree in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI). She is past president of the Association of Indiana Convention and Visitors Bureaus and a graduate of the Hamilton County Leadership Academy.  Recognized by Purdue University as a Distinguished Darden Professor, she has also been included in the Indianapolis Business Journal’s Forty under 40 list.  Vaughan resides in Fishers with her husband, Rick, and son, Nicholas.