Jeff Austin - Director / Cinematographer

Jeff Austin has made a living as an actor performing on both stage and screen for the past 22 years. Some of Jeff’s more recent theatre credits include Warbucks in “Annie” for the La Mirada CLO, Ernst Reuter in the New York premiere of “Berlin,” and Peron in the last European tour of “Evita.” Jeff’s TV Guest Star credits include “Bones”, “Navy: NCIS”, “NYPD Blue”, “JAG”, “HBO’s Carnivale”, “X-Files”, “Dharma & Greg” and “That 70’s Show”. His more prominent feature film credits include “Armageddon” and “L.A. Confidential”. For the past couple of years Jeff has also earned notoriety as a private acting coach and teacher in Santa Monica, California where he now resides. Along with a couple of producer friends Jeff developed a production company recently and found himself primarily behind the camera. Directing along with photographing his last two promo/documentary projects became a newfound passion. “An Excellent Choice” will mark Jeff’s narrative short film directorial debut.

Bess Fanning - Executive Producer / Writer / Actress "The Businesswoman"

Bess Fanning is a versatile actress whose roles have ranged from sweet comic ingénues to
no-nonsense, sharp professionals.

Since moving to Los Angeles, her television roles have included a female wrestler on NBC's MY NAME IS EARL, a harried HMO doctor on PROMISED LAND, a hapless bridal customer on CAROLINE IN THE CITY, and a recurring role as Karen’s sassy assistant on the critically acclaimed ONCE & AGAIN on ABC. She played the gentle mother in “Life’s Priorities,” an independent film directed by Tim Hughes. In the film short "The Recipe," she played a wife who exacts revenge on her philandering husband by adding a special ingredient to the lasagna. Some of her commercial appearances include Pravachol, Singulair, Special K, and Hardees. New additions to her theatre resume include Nadine and Juanita in DEARLY DEPARTED, Maggie in the farce LEND ME A TENOR, and Lovey the Fairy Godmother in LOVE IN PIECES at Actors Workout.

Bess has written several one woman shows and performed them locally in Los Angeles.
“An Excellent Choice” is her writing debut for the screen.  www.bessfanning.com

Gretchen Koerner – Producer / Actress “The Saleswoman”

As an actress, Gretchen has performed in theatre, television, film and commercials in New York, Los Angeles, and points in between. She trained in the classics in London and New York, and honed her adept comedic skills with the New York City improv company, Gotham City Improv.  A versatile actress, some recent roles have included:  a competent nurse (“Strong Medicine”), a harried mother of nine (“Pitstop”), a life affirming minister (“Banking on Love”), Southern spinster (called “mesmerizing” by the Tolucan Times), a news anchor, and a clueless, scattered wife.

Since producing “An Excellent Choice,” Gretchen has produced the indie feature comedy “Banking on Love” (currently in post-production) and is in pre-production on the dark comedy “Guardian Devil”. Contact – Manager, MC Squared Entertainment (818) 386-2278 Agent – Arlene Thornton & Associates (818) 760-6688

Paul Hartel – Associate Producer

Paul Hartel works as an actor, editor, writer & producer. He is currently producing a history documentary, and in post production of the film, The Accident.

Christian Glawe - Editor

Christian has over 15 years experience editing and designing graphics for television and film.  Throughout his career, he’s worked on projects for Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, Lifetime Television, WB Network, G4 Television, TV Guide Channel, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Jerry Springer Show, Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures, J. Walter Thompson, Leo Burnett, and DDB Needham, among others.

Christian believes that he made an “excellent choice” by choosing to work on this short film, and would like to thank Bess, Gretchen, Jeff, Ellen and the rest of the cast and crew of “An Excellent Choice” for the opportunity to work on the film.

www.ChristianGlawe.com

Eric Hester, Music By

Eric Hester is a multi-award winning film and television composer, songwriter, producer and music supervisor. Known for his melodic hooks and unique orchestrations, Eric’s television and film scores have garnered him an Aurora Award, Omni Award, Axiem Award, Accolade Award, Telly Award, John Lennon Songwriting Award (twice) and an ASCAP Award. As a composer he has also contributed to an Emmy winning score as well as two Emmy nominated scores.

Eric’s film score credits include, JACK, THREE BLIND MICE, BOLLYWOOD & VINE, ANA, CLIENT 3815, THE MONKEY’S PAW, REVELATION, THE FOUNTAIN, ALTERED SPECIES, A NIGHT AT SOPHIE’S, FUTURE MURDER and MARCUS APPLE, among others. He has also composed the company themes for Paia Pictures, Pink Cat Productions, Little Acorn Films and the Beverly Hills International Film Festival.

His television credits include Rodney (ABC), The Pretender (NBC), Star Trek Enterprise (UPN), 20 Things To Do Before You’re 30 (UPN), Nash Bridges (CBS), Flatland (Showtime), Zoey 101 (Nickelodeon),Sworn To Secrecy (History Channel), Fun With Dick and James (Spike TV), Mr.  Chi Chi’s Guide to the Universe (Discovery) and American Almanacs (History Channel), among others. Eric Hester is exclusively represented as a film and television composer by The Jeff Kaufman Talent Agency, (818) 506-6013.

Dan McCann - Actor "The Shoplifter"

Contact Arlene Thornton & Associates (818) 760-6688

Adam Bobrow - Actor "Security Guard #1"

Adam received a BA from the School of Theatre at The University of Southern California and has been acting on camera and doing voice over ever since. Adam was a DJ for 4 years on KSCR Revolutionary Radio and after singing a duet and performing a dance with Wyclef Jean in concert he became the Head On-Air Personality. Adam also represented the USA in an international table tennis competition.

Scott Metzger - Actor "Security Guard #2"

Contact Arlene Thornton & Associates (818) 760-6688

Tracy Mapes - Casting

Tracy Mapes began her prestigious career as a child actor. Having spent most of her life, “growing up in the business,” it would only be a matter of time before she would find herself on the other side of the camera. From production assistant to casting, this native Californian went on to become one of Hollywood’s most respected talent agents. Tracy Mapes is a proud member of THE ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS AND SCIENCES. Her experience and expertise has made her an asset to the entertainment industry, and there is no telling what she will do next.

Ellen Gould-Silcott - Line Producer

Ellen Gould-Silcott has had a widely varied career in Entertainment and the arts. In New York City, Ellen was the Production Manager in the Dept. of Theatre at Sarah Lawrence College. She lit at least 4 shows a year, acted as Master Electrician, supervised the technical process of over 20 shows a year, and trained and mentored Stage Managers, as well as managing the Work Study and Tech Credit programs for over 200 students.

Ellen was the consultant for the North Hollywood Church of Religious Science, designing the lighting system for their newly renovated church building, as well as creating all of the cueing for all the events in the church. Recently, she designed the lighting for “Two Rooms”, directed by Victor Williams at the Secret Rose Theatre in N. Hollywood, and was Lighting Director for the Red Nation Celebration: Warriors Against Aids fundraiser at the House of Blues in Hollywood.

Ellen’s forays into film production include co-founding Gratitude Works Production Company and co-producing the short film, “Brothers,” which was nominated for Best Short Film at the Damah Film Festival. She was Line Producer for “The Gentle Barn…Thomas’ Story”, their second production, in collaboration with International Spiritual Entertainment of Los Angeles. “An Excellent Choice” is Ellen’s third film experience.

Johnny Cho - Camera Assistant / Publicity

Johnny Cho is a Los Angeles-based screenwriter, playwright and filmmaker whose short films include The Recipe and Blytheville, both starring Bess Fanning. His stage work includes co-writing, producing and co-directing Love in Pieces at the Actors Workout Studio in North Hollywood, for which he has written and directed numerous short plays.

Akinlana Burrowes – Boom Operator

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York Akinlana received her formal technical training at The John H. Johnson School of Communications of Howard University. While majoring in radio production and sound engineering, she served as producer, director, and editor on numerous radio, television, and film programs at both WHUT-TV and WHUR-FM. Simultaneously Akinlana hosted a prime time radio show while gaining real life experience as an intern at a commercial recording studio. Postgraduate Akinlana made her professional debut as an assistant engineer on projects for award winning artists like Mya, Aaliyah, and Montell Jordan. She furthered her interests in the music industry by completing the Music Business program at Musician’s Institute. Akinlana currently resides in Los Angeles where she freelances as a recording/live sound engineer and audio technician serving on both production crews as well as in audio post for film and television.

Andrea Monroe - Costumes

www.Andreamonroe.com

Katie Soyka - Hair & Makeup

Katie Soyka has been living in LA for 5 years now. Originally from New Jersey, she came out to LA for acting. And being the sensible girl that she is needed something else to fall back on, so she went after her other passion, making people look pretty. She has done hair and make up for theatre as well as film. Her most recent project was on the film “Christmas on the Beach,” which will be airing this winter. Katie wants to thank Bess for having her on this great project and she has high hopes for this film.

Christine Hartman - Craft Services

Meet Christine Hartman--by day, a mild-mannered independent meeting planner with a commitment to communication and efficiency; by night, a ravenous foodie with a passion for film and theatre. "An Excellent Choice" marks her first foray into the world of craft services and she loved every moment! When she isn't feeding hungry movie crews (or her editor hubby and their 2 cats), she keeps busy studying Chinese, running 10ks and practicing yoga. With her theatre production background and corporate experience, she also plans and executes killer meetings so contact her if you need to bring your vision of the perfect meeting to life. If you're nice, she might even throw in a pan of her legendary Sinful Cinnamon Coffee Cake. Christine.Hartman@yahoo.com