Brent Martz
Producer/Writer



Brent Martz brings years of production experience as well as a unique perspective, having served for 18 years as an arts pastor - writing, teaching and ministering in the church. Brent co-wrote, directed and produced an interactive musical-drama based on the last week in the life of Christ. This innovative and creative work involved a cast and crew of over 200. From set design to character development, budget oversight to technical direction, Brent brought this production from concept to the stage in 9 short weeks. The success of this production is noted by its three-year run and over 10,000 in attendance. Recently, Brent has also produced four films, receiving rave reviews and multiple awards at festivals.  Day of Reckoning won 11 awards, including Best Director, Best Production Design and Best Cinematography and DELETES won an Audience Choice Award for excellence.

Chris Bueno
Producer

In 1979, Chris’ first job was as a camera man and later a field producer for Jim and Tammy Bakker.  His experience in Christian television has uniquely equipped him to better understand the needs and concerns of an underserved, faith-based audience.

Over the years he has produced numerous productions including, The Indestructible Book, a four hour documentary co-produced with Cambridge University Press in England, The Scenic Wonders Bible, a 52 episode series encompassing the entire New Testament, and The Good Entertainment Show, hosted by Michael Medved. He executive produced numerous recent documentaries including Prophecies of the Passion, The Case for Christ, The Case for Faith, The Case for a Creator and The Cambrian Explosion.

In 2004, he co-founded Carmel Entertainment which specializes in distribution. As president, he along with business partner Larry Frenzel, were instrumental in securing distribution for numerous films and television series including FACING THE GIANTS, FIREPROOF, DRIVE THRU HISTORY, THE LEE STROBEL DOCUMENTARY SERIES and FAITH LIKE POTATOES.

Forming Ocean Avenue Entertainment with Denise has been the high point of this year. Not only is she a partner, but she is also uniquely qualified to work side by side in the same industry together.

Denise S. Bueno
Producer

Denise’s career began in Los Angeles, where she spent a thriving twelve-plus year career in musical theater, with credits including GLORY OF EASTER at the Crystal Cathedral, WEST SIDE STORY at the prestigious Music Theatre of Wichita, and the world premiere of JUDAH BEN HUR in Singapore. As a featured singer aboard cruise ships, her performing took her around the world to such places as Russia, Europe, and the UK.

In Hollywood, Denise became a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and the Actors Co-op.  She honed her skills to become an award-winning theater teacher, and she expanded her portfolio to include directing and producing theater, as well as becoming an acting coach. Combining her talents with her administrative skills, she became Director of Creative Arts at her local church.
 
In 2008, a new chapter in her life began.  That year, the Church Film Challenge (slated for 2011) was birthed in her heart.   This ground-breaking competition seeks to find and reward the best filmmakers within a church community. Together, Denise and Chris formed Ocean Avenue Entertainment in 2009.  

Today, Denise serves as Vice President of Ocean Avenue Entertainment, Executive Director of the Church Film Challenge, Co-Producer on their first upcoming feature film, NOT TODAY, in association with Friends Church of Yorba Linda and as the Children’s Choir Director at her Carmel church.
 
Denise’s dream of using her talents to glorify God in an artistic way that conveys the message and hope of Christ is being realized by what God is doing in the arts today.  Something new is happening in film.  Together, Chris and Denise are serving the same dream others share through the wonderful medium of film.

Steven Ritchie
Line Producer

In 1997, Steven Ritchie, with help from his father Michael Ritchie, established SPQR Films LLC in order to provide Independent filmmakers with the personalized attention of talented production specialist’s on a per project basis. In his 15 years in the film and television business, Steven has evaluated, analyzed, and developed budgets, schedules, treatments, stories and specs for some 30 Independent feature films and Studio Motion Pictures, 25 Music Videos and Commercials, as well as television shows for NBC, PBS, Fox, The SPEED Channel, the Sci-Fi Channel, and the National Geographic Society.

Steven attended both the University of California at Berkeley and San Francisco State University where he received degrees in both Business and Cinema. Steven also holds a Certificate of Production Management from the University of California, Los Angeles. 

Jon Van Dyke
Director/Producer/Writer

Jon Van Dyke has spent his entire adult life working on film and television sets with highly trained animals for some of the best directors the business has to offer. His unique perspective and skill behind the camera have set him apart. His ability to guide and effectively motivate as a leader, especially working with talent, is a proven commodity in the production world. One of his films, UNNACHGIEBIGE, was an audience favorite at the LA Film Festival and was used by Sony as an excellent example of High Definition filming and shown at the Director’s Guild of America in Los Angeles and Hong Kong.  His background in efficiently orchestrating these types of productions into successful and entertaining films, will allow them to reach the audience with fun and exciting stories that contain solid foundational value sets.

Joth Riggs
1st Assistant Director

Joth Riggs received his Bachelor's degree in Film & Television Production and has made a career out of making movies for over 17 years.  After working on his first studio film in 1992, Joth began working on the television series Coach before working for Steven Spielberg's production company, Amblin Entertainment.  It was only after being accepted into the prestigious Director's Guild training program that he left Amblin to become an Assistant Director.

As a member of the Director's Guild of America, Joth has racked up scores of credits from all of the major motion picture studios on feature films such as Starship Troopers and End of Days to television series' such as Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and C.S.I.  In 2002 Joth was nominated for a DGA Award honoring outstanding directorial achievement in movies for television.

Joth considers himself blessed to be able to use his abilities to help bring hope to those suffering in our world through this unique project.  He currently lives with his wife and two young daughters in Westlake Village, California.

 
Abraham Martinez
Director of Photography

As a child, Abraham Martinez loved the storytelling of images through the frame.  It was while watching the movie THE KILLING FIELDS in middle school, that the idea of traveling and photography intersected as an adventurous career. 

After graduating with a film degree from the University of North Texas, Abraham moved to NYC to continue working and assisting with film cameras.  Soon after, he met Cinematographer Ralf Bode, ASC, and assisted on his first feature film. That experience would lead him alongside some of the world's leading Cinematographers for more than 20 movies, such as ALI, FLIGHT PLAN, POSEIDON, SPIDER MAN 2 & 3 and FAST AND FURIOUS.  In addition to these studio films, Abraham worked alongside acclaimed Director/Cinematographer, Scott Duncan, in which Abraham acquired invaluable experience, traveling to nearly 20 countries and helping lens a diverse range of images, landscapes and adventures.  Since then, Abraham has emerged from the foundations of Hollywood and varied global terrain to gain his own visual traction on music videos, documentaries and commercials. 

Abraham currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife Amy, and two sons, Elijah and Tzuriel.  He and his wife are presently starting a non-profit company in Kenya where he will develop relationships with emerging Kenyan filmmakers.

Don Harper
Composer

Don Harper composes music for film, television and the stage.  Don composed the score for Disney’s Lion King 1.5 DVD release; for the animated television series, The Legend of Tarzan; and the film, Atlantis II: Milo’s Return.  Don’s work can also be heard in feature films such as National Treasure & National Treasure 2, The Guardian, Texas Rangers, Auggie Rose (aka Beyond Suspicion), Armageddon, Broken Arrow, The Rock and Assassins; in the TV film Houdini; and in the television series The Magnificent Seven.  An accomplished orchestrator and conductor, Don has contributed to such films as Jack Frost, Twister, Speed, Moll Flanders, Money Train and Disney’s animated feature, Tarzan.

Don is the founder of Discovery Arts, a non-profit organization promoting the arts as a means to heal, teach, and enrich the lives of children with life threatening illnesses.  Discovery Arts provides weekly creative arts programs to the children hospitalized at Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center, Miller Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

Stephen Martin
Composer

Stephen Martin has composed numerous works for symphonic orchestra and served as the composer for several films, including the award-winning film, DELETES.  His works for orchestra include Untouchable, Earth Tremors, Transformation, Procession of the Faithful, A Psalm and Isaiah 40, and Hope.  One of his recent compositions, “Further Up, Further In,” was performed by the LA Collaboration.  He has served as musical director and conducted for multiple orchestras and ensembles, and done extensive work as an orchestrator and arranger.  Stephen currently serves as a church music director and adjunct music professor.   He is happily married to his wonderful wife, Shannon and has three amazing kids – Hannah, Rayna, and Micah

Allan W. Hagan
Unit Production Manager

Allan was born in San Diego and raised throughout southern California. Before he came to Hollywood to pursue an acting career, he ran his own advertising Agency in San Diego. In 2002, he transitioned from acting to working behind the camera. Allan started at the bottom as a Production Assistant, working with Warner Brothers, Jerry Bruckheimer and any independent project he could.  Over the past twelve years, he has worked on many films, music videos, commercials and syndicated television shows.  He has had the pleasure of working on independent projects, as well as with studios such as WB, NBC, Universal, HBO and Paramount.

Today, Allan works as a Production Manager. It is a rewarding position that allows him to utilize his talent, as well as with amazing people on remarkable projects. Having experienced many different aspects of the entertainment industry, Allan feels blessed to make his passion his profession.

Beverly Holloway
Casting Director

Beverly Holloway has worked in LA as a Casting Director for TV and feature film projects for almost 15 years.  Focusing primarily on independent films, Beverly has had the opportunity to work with some of the best actors in the industry.  Her credits include the David Zucker comedy An American Carol (starring Kelsey Grammer, Jon Voight, James Woods, Dennis Hopper, Kevin Farley), The Ultimate Gift (Starring James Garner, Abigail Breslin Drew Fuller, Brian Dennehy), Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (Starring Jim Caviezel, Claire Forlani, Malcolm McDowell, Jeremy Northam), and the soon to be released award winning film Like Dandelion Dust (Starring Mira Sorvino, Barry Pepper, Cole Hauser).

In addition, Beverly is responsible for casting the children's video series Hermie & Friends with amazing talent such as Tim Conway, Don Knotts, Richard Kind, Judge Reinhold, John O’Hurley, Fred Willard, Tahj Mowry and Vicki Lawrence among others.  She was also responsible for casting a completely new and never-been-done-before audio version of the New Testament featuring a cast of young talent, including some of today’s hottest young actors such as AnnaSophia Robb, Emily Osment, Corbin Bleu, Cody Linley, Alyson Stoner, Jordin Sparks and Andrew Lawrence, with narration by Sean Astin.   Beverly has several more projects on the horizon and continues to look for great stories to tell, which in her opinion has everything to do with casting great actors!  Beverly lives in Southern California with her husband Douglas and "wonderdog" Oscar.

Heather Askew
Script Supervisor

After moving from Washington State to Los Angeles, Heather Askew's production career  began as a production assistant in commercials. She quickly found her niche as a script supervisor and began working on both commercials and feature films.

Her projects have found her filming everywhere from Salt Lake City, Utah to Amman, Jordan and she is looking forward to working in the beautiful country of India on Not Today. Past productions include Bob Funk, the web series Angel of Death and the soon to be released The Stoning of Soraya M.

Cristi Lamb
Wardrobe

Cristi Lamb began interning at a local television station at the age of twelve, and before she was fourteen years old was producing her own Christian radio show, directing cable news programs, and interviewing celebrity guests such as Oscar de la Hoya and the cast of Party of Five.

In high school, Cristi spent four years directing and editing student films, which earned her several student film festival awards and helped her land her first paid gig at seventeen years of age: directing a documentary for the town of Apple Valley, California.

After interning at both Clear Channel Radio and Time Warner Cable, Cristi worked on several feature films, including Universal Picture’s Jarhead, Disney’s Herbie Fully Loaded, and Pure Flix Entertainment’s Like Dandelion Dust.

Cristi currently attends California State University Fullerton majoring in Radio-TV-Film. Her interests lie in working with Christian filmmaking and in the documentary market.
 

Jessica Brockardt
EPK/PR

Bali David
Prayer Coordinator

Bali was born in a Christian home with four siblings in Southern India. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior when she was seven years old. When Bali was seventeen, the Lord challenged her lukewarm relationship with Him and renewed her love for Him. The Lord has been graciously drawing her closer to Him day by day to stay closely connected to him. Currently, Bali is privileged to be used by the Lord through different ministries including teaching a class called Learning to Pray, at Friends Church in Yorba Linda, California.

Her educational background includes a B.A. in History & M.A. in English Literature from Universities in India and M.A. in Christian Counseling from Biola University, La Mirada, California.

Bali enjoys reading, writing, gardening and connecting with people.