The McPassion • Crew

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(last updated January 2007)

Rik Swartzwelder
Writer, Producer

Benjamin Hershleder
Director, Producer, Editor

Rik Swartzwelder is an award-winning writer, director and producer whose work has screened at over 145 film festivals, internationally, and garnered over 50 major awards—including the Crystal Heart Award from the Heartland Film Festival for his multiple award-winning 35mm short, The Least of These, and the “Student Emmy” for his highly acclaimed graduate thesis film, Paul McCall. Other honors include two CINE Golden Eagles plus one CINE Special Jury Award, four ITVA-DC Peer Awards, and the Sprint PCS Filmmaker of the Future Award.

Coming from a strong background as a director and actor in traditional and experimental theatre, Rik learned and developed his film craft with wide-ranging production experience on over 50 narrative film and video projects. In addition, he has also sold two feature film scripts, Something Else and Old Fashioned, and one film treatment, Third Down & Forever—the Life and Times of King Corcoran.

While still in college, Rik founded the central Florida sketch comedy troupe Studio 13 which played exclusively to sold-out audiences for the entire two years he was the show’s chief writer-director-producer and lead cast member.

Rik earned his M.F.A. in Motion Picture Production from The Florida State University Motion Picture Conservatory; his B.S. from Columbia Union College; and, his A.A. from Lake-Sumter Community College. A strong supporter of education, Rik served the State of Florida as a member of the Florida Institute for Film Education and as a gubernatorially-appointed member of Florida’s State Board of Community Colleges. Rik has taught at the collegiate level and continues to teach an occasional workshop and present keynote addresses around the country.

Benjamin Hershleder is an award-winning Producer, Director and accomplished Editor. Benjamin has produced and/or directed a variety of projects for such companies as Shapiro-West, The Spark Factory, Old Fashioned Pictures, and Green Productions. Benjamin recently set-up two television concepts with Freemantle Media based Syd Vinnedge Productions and was later brought on to participate in the development of several other projects with them.

His work includes producing, directing and editing The Bronx Boys – Hosted by Carl Reiner for Seinfeld producers George Shapiro and Howard West. This heartwarming documentary film about the reunion of 15 Jewish men from the Bronx who have been friends for an astounding 65 years was purchased by HBO/Cinemax and aired as part of their Reel Life documentary anthology series. In addition, it was acquired by PBS and aired around the country in Fall 2004. The Bronx Boys received a Telly Award, a Silver Remi Award, was a Winner in the DV Awards and screened theatrically as part of the prestigious HBO Frame by Frame showcase in New York, as well as Laemmle Theatres’ Bagels and Docs film series in Los Angeles. The subjects of the film were subsequently the focus of a TIME magazine story in 2004.

Other credits include Producing and Directing the pilot of Spoilers, serving as a Consulting Producer on comedian Andy Kindler’s concert film I Wish I Was Bitter, as a Producer on comedian George Wallace’s concert film Large And In Charge, and as Producer-Director of the pilot presentation for French tennis pro Jean-Christophe Huttepain. Benjamin has also produced, directed and edited several other award-winning short films and documentaries. [ continued shameless self-promotion ]

Brian Hoodenpyle
Director of Photography

Nick Kitinski & Gabriel Kitinski
Production Audio

Below is an older bio of Brian's from a couple years ago (which hopefully we'll update soon). Since then he has D.P.'d a variety of projects including Benjamin Hershleder's documentary The Bronx Boys, and the feature film The Almost Guys, starring Robert Culp. Click here for Brian's IMDB listing.

Brian moved to Los Angeles in 1996, after graduating Florida State University’s Graduate Film Conservatory, to pursue his passion for cinematography.

His director of photography credits include Bring Him Home (2000) starring Ed Asner and Sharron Glasse, Scream at the Sound of the Beep (2001) starring Kate Towne and Chad Lowe and several award winning short films including the recent Hollywood buzz short Herb Zipper, How to be a Cyber Lovah.Brian has also shot 2nd Unit on several independent features, including Six String Samurai (1998) winner of the 1998 Slamdance award for Best Cinematography, The Heist starring Luke Perry and Ice T, Partners starring Casper Van Dien and Naked in the Cold Sun starring Darren Burrows. Outside of the feature film world Brian has shot for such companies as SONY, SKI-DOO, SPANGER CANDY COMPANY, MITSUBISHI, and HARMON-KARDON.

He has most recently been shooting music videos for acclaimed director Marc Klasfled including Bad Ronald’s "LET’S BEGIN" and The Handsome Devil’s "MAKIN’ MONEY."

Below is a bit of temporary info on Nick and Gabriel until we can get their latest information.

Nick and Gabriel, along with their brother Peter, are the force behind Kitinski Sound Corporation, based in Burbank, California. Their wide-ranging audio work includes music videos, feature films, television, and DVD behind-the-scenes content.Check out Nick's IMDB listing, Gabriel's IMDB listing, and Peter's IMDB listing for more information.You can reach The Brothers Kitinski at 818-260-9778, and they have a new web site that's being constructed at www.kitinski.com


Brock Nicol Illustrations		Jenny Suzdaltsev 3D Animation
"Working on The McPassion was both a thrill and an honour. I hope that somewhere Leonardo is looking down with a with a big smile on his face while feasting on a big burger and large fries." Brock has been an illustrator since 1987. During this time he has created illustrations for advertising, children's and adult publishing, television, sports, magazines, museum displays and greeting cards, as well as many private commissions. You can see more of Brock's work at www.childrensillustrators.com (opens in a new window) He can also be reached at 613-526-0381.		Jenny Suzdaltsev has been working in animation for over 10 years. Her work can be seen in such films as Space Jam, Quest for Camelot, Iron Giant, Osmosis Jones (WB Feature Animation), Dilbert, Eight Crazy Nights (by Adam Sandler), Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (DreamWorks SKG) and others.Her interest in 3D animation started in 2001. Since then she has participated in TV commercials and also worked on Zenon - 3 for Disney Television.Jenny is currently working as a Dimentionalist (3D artist) for the new, rapidly growing company In-Three, Inc.As a traditional artist, she is a member of VIVA Gallery and the LA Municipal Art Gallery Associates. Her work has been displayed at A Stuart Gallery, Lankershim Art Gallery, Art’n’Soul, Orlando Gallery, The Petite Louvre Gallery and in a variety of other venues. You can contact Jenny at: jennysu (at) socal.rr.com Her web site is: www.40times.com

John Carta
Music

Nathan Huber
Sculpted Props

John has been composing music for a long time but has focused primarily on television for the last several years. He's composed music for such shows as Sabrina the Teenage Witch (WB), State of Grace (ABC Family), The Bachelor (ABC), and recently, John was the Composer on the series Hanna Montana for Disney.

Contact John through his web site:
www.johncarta.com (opens in a new window)
or through his agent:
Linda Kordek at The Agency Group
310-385-2846

"I am amazing!.. and humble. Boy am I ever humble... you should just see how meek I am."

You can get in touch with Nathan using the email link on this web site's Contact page.