Burns Unit Crew

Angie Johnson-Schmit - Co-writer/Producer/Director

Angie is an independent filmmaker and freelance writer who lives and works in Prescott, AZ. She co-wrote and produced the horror/comedy short, Dead Votes Society, and was co-writer/producer/director of the web series Diary of a Mad Scientist’s Assistant in 2014. She’s crewed on several shorts shot in Arizona and worked as Production Designer for the AZ location shoot for the feature, Ride the Thunder.

Forrest Sandefer - Director of Photography

After graduating from the Art Institute of California, Los Angeles in 2004, Forrest lost no time getting to work in film and television. With over 50 credits on IMdB for his work in Camera and Electric, Cinematography, and other crew positions, Forrest brings a full set of skills to Witch Child. His film credits include work on a number of horror features, including Underworld: Evolution, Bad Blood and stoner/horror fave, Evil Bong. After moving to Arizona in 2009, Forrest worked in television and the small but dedicated local indie film scene.

Forrest Sandefer - Director of Photography

Andrew Johnson-Schmit - Co-writer/Producer/Director

Andrew has directed commercials, co-written and directed shorts (Dead Votes Society), was co-writer/producer/director of the web series, Diary of a Mad Scientist’s Assistant and crewed on several local indie productions. He was Line Producer for the 2014 AZ location shoot of the feature, Ride the Thunder. Andrew has mentored for student film projects through Prescott College, volunteered for 5 years with the Prescott Film Festival and was Executive Director for Tsunami on the Square Performing Arts and Culture festival for 4 years. His Northern AZ radio show, Prescott Arts Beat, is now in its 11th year on local radio station KJZA. Andrew founded Coyote Radio Theater in 1999, directing and writing for the group throughout its 8 year run.

Dave Chontos – Production Designer

Dave lives and works in New York City as a theatrical designer, film technician, Production Manager, and Theatrical Technical Director. Recent credits include: Wardrobe Supervision on the theatrical and film versions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Julie Taymor (2013); Resident Costume Designer for Brooklyn Children’s Theatre (2012-present); Production Coordinator, Stage Manager, and Wardrobe Supervisor for The New Victory Theater (2008-2012); Assistant Technical Director for Theater Row Studios (2007-2011); Design credits include, Costume Design for Cinderella, Literally Alive Theater Co., as well as Set, Light, and Costume Designer for the original off Broadway show Numbers, Savage Rose Productions.

Steve Hollingsworth – VFX/Editor/Colorist

With over 15 years experience in video production, and extensive experience in Broadcast Television and still photography, Steve is no stranger to visual effects and editing. He has been the Floor Director for local television station K-AZTV’s morning show, The Morning Scramble, since 2011. Steve also works as an Aerial Photographer/Videographer/Editor for AZEvent Video and Guidance Aviation Helicopter Flight School. He is also drummer/songwriter for local metal band, Storm of Perception. The band is distributed internationally via Fontana/Universal Music group.

Matt Jackson – Music Supervisor/ Composer

Matt is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger and music educator. He has performed at the Prescott Jazz Summit, the Chandler Jazz Festival, Sedona Jazz on the Rocks and his big-band charts and dance scores have been heard on three continents. He has composed original music for several short film projects (Dead Votes Society, An Honest Man, Diary of a Mad Scientist’s Assistant) and is the owner and chief engineer at Stone Temple Studios in Prescott, AZ.

Jerod MacDonald-Evoy – Sound Recordist

Jerod wrote and directed his first short film at the age of 19 and his first documentary short a year later. Jerod has worked on projects ranging from feature horror films to short documentaries, including the critically acclaimed and award winning short doc, Sweet, Sexy Ocean. He is also a multi-media journalist and is currently enrolled at Arizona State University, majoring in Journalism and Mass Communications.

Rachel Soumokil – Executive Producer

Rachel is a seasoned arts fundraiser, artist, dancer, full-time student at Northern Arizona University (NAU), foster parent and all around whirling dervish of creativity. She ran a successful small business for several years before turning her time and attention to fundraising for Tsunami on the Square Performing Arts and Culture festival in Prescott, AZ. There is no one who can rock fundraising and organize structure like she can.

Sean Souva – Producer/Digital Imaging Technician

Sean is a writer, musician, computer nerd, movie fanatic and self-described geek/fan-boy of all things cool. Sean’s first film crew experience came with the short movie, Dead Votes Society as Script Supervisor. He next worked as Digital Imaging Technician (DIT) on the web series, Diary of a Mad Scientist’s Assistant and as a Production Assistant for the AZ location shoot of Ride the Thunder.

Christian H. Smith – Co-writer

Christian is a novelist and screenwriter living in the corn-fed heart of the Midwest. His screenwriting credits include co-writer for the horror/comedy short movie, Dead Votes Society, and the web series, Diary of a Mad Scientist’s Assistant. Christian’s debut novel, The Black Monkey (Permuted Press), is a rural horror tale slated for release in 2015.

Ryker Wells – Assistant Camera/Grip

Ryker studied video and broadcast television at Bradshaw Mountain High School in Prescott Valley, AZ where he is currently a senior. His first on-set experience was on the web series, Diary of a Mad Scientist’s Assistant, which he followed up with his first solo project, the short satirical movie, Peace at War. Ryker gripped on the short, Pendulum, and for the Arizona location shoot for the feature film, Ride the Thunder.

Robyn Bryce – Script Supervisor/Art Department

Robyn teaches Broadcast Media and English at Prescott High School in Prescott, AZ. She also works as a freelance media designer and mass media marketing maven. Her first on-set experience was working as Script Supervisor for the dramatic short, Pendulum, shot in Prescott, AZ. Robyn loved being a “scripty” and jumped at the opportunity to work in this capacity again for the Arizona location shoot for the feature, Ride the Thunder.

Francisco Ortiz y Davis – Executive Producer

Cisco studied Media Arts at University of Arizona and has produced event video with his company, J Bar O Productions. He is a graduate of University of Phoenix, where he is currently enrolled and working on his second Business degree with an emphasis in Marketing. Cisco writes and performs as a member of the Mile High Comedy Theater in Prescott, Arizona.