Sevan Mcbride - Young Boy - DASH

Meet the young co-star for Dark Elf's short film "DASH"  Sevan Mcbride.

Sevan McBride started acting when he was 5 years old. He soon realized this was his calling and is booked solid. Sevan has traveled up the east coast where he has worked on Sets of October Road, Japanese Television News, Dr. G Medical Examiner. Sevan has Three Telly Awards for a Running on Empty Feature Film, which was shot in Arizona. Sevan has been trained in free falling by Hollywood's stunt coordinator Grady Bishop from Extreme Stunts. His love for the Industry has him already making his own mini-films and is now in the midst of filming a television show which is in Pre Production and will start filming in January 2010.  He compliments all productions he works on and is one of the easiest child actors to work with!

Dark Elf films newest team member - Stephanie Oukeo

Please welcome the newest member of the Dark Elf Films Team

Stephanie Oukeo was born and raised in Paris, France. She graduated in 3 years from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana with an Organizational  Leadership and Supervision Major. Stephanie has lived in many countries; France, Thailand, China, the U.S.A…. which are the causes to her speaking 5 languages; English, French, Chinese, Thai and Laos. Currently a professional golfer and an inspired actress (training at The Lisa Maile School), she is also a new member at Dark Elf Films as an executive assistant.

The Face Behind the West Coast Blogs

When you talk of a quirky, mystical, romantic, collected, eccentric “Shoujo” girl, creative… these are some of the definitions that describes the face behind the West Coast Blog: Xio… and she is still searching for a word to describe herself. Born from Cuban, French, African hardworking entrepreneurs, Xiomara Ortiz came from a family of seven children, her being the youngest. She grew up on Sommerset Street in Philadelphia, PA. Different sections of her life and family has a history in itself. We will start with her main heart. The reason she came to live in L.A.

So what got Xio into Acting? Well, she is quirky in the sense that she use to believe people lived inside of the TV when she watched Romancing the Stone along with Halloween (yes, Michael Myers… her parents allowed her to watch that as a kid!). At three, she tried to join the people she saw in the box, but could have gotten electrocuted if her mother did not shout at her to not to try to bang her head on the television set. At times off school, she would play with Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog, being different people in a movie on their own… not to mention she would talk to herself in the mirror almost her whole life. It wasn’t until her sister told her about acting that she realized she could actually make a living playing pretend. It was set, she wants Acting for the rest of her life. Tom Hanks, Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Amanda Seyfried, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, Alfred Molina, Jonathan Ryce Meyers, Will Smith, and Paul Bettany are the few that inspires her, and whom she desires to work with in her lifetime.

She is mystical in the sense that her world was open to different mediums of art. Her parents had her enrolled in ballet and piano as a kid. Her sisters encouraged her to be cultured and read Shakespeare, Bronte, Austen, and watch some classics with Gene Kelly, James Cagney, Jimmy Stewart, Bette Davis, and the girl got more inspired to learn about her career. Still a fan of Beverly Hills 90210 and Save by the Bell, she never forgot her brush up on the classics. Xio always wanted to be involved in acting, but considering that elementary and middle school did not offer drama, she took advantage of it once she came to high school and studied her craft. In addition to acting, she got involved in modern dance and has an eye for painting and drawing. She continued to study in college, but an opportunity to be in NY caused her to put school on hold, and ended up doing background for her first film in “The Stepford Wives” (with Nicole Kidman). From then on, opportunities flowed from Community Theater and indie films and TV, like “The Passage” which premiered in both NY Film and Video Festival in NY and LA (won best mystery). She did a supporting role in a Re-enactment on Dr. G. Medical Examiner (episode “The Things Men Do” as Officer Aurelia Hernandez). She started building her resume from featured roles to leading ones, and took classes, studying under Julie Gagne at Valencia Community College, Yvonne Suhor at Art Sake, Lauren O’Quinn, Russ Blackwell, Mark Mullen at The Actors’ School, and Ken Eulo at the Courtyard Playhouse. Her drive got her to move to California, and her opportunities multiplied. She has yet reached two years in Los Angeles, and has been involved in almost 30 projects, including being featured on MTV as a wall flower for “That Girl” (directed by Millicent Shelton), cast in the short film “Unveiled” (directed by Andre Holzendorf) as Zoe, which stars leading veteran actors Frank Ashmore (Martin in Original “V” series) and Ron Hajak  (Richard Moore in “Chips”), and recently cast as a lead in Agua Sangre (her first Spanish film directed by Scott Stubbe). Acting sparked a new inner child as being a writer as well as a singer and face painter.

Xio is collected when it came to hardships in her life. No matter whom one prays to, being spiritually grounded is what keeps her reminded to keep her head up. For her, praying to Jesus is what kept her going when things got rough, and rolled with the punches when she would be tested. In order to grow, she had to fall and learn how to get back up again.

She is an eccentric “Shoujo” girl in the sense that she loves to live in the world of Sailor Moon, Kingdom Hearts, and Vampire Knights… just to name a few of Japanese anime. Her boyfriend introduced the art to her years ago, and she became a huge fan of Naoko Takeuchi, Tetsuya Nomura, Matsuri Hino, Hayao Miyazaki, and the late great Satoshi Kon. One reason why we are mentioning these anime, it got her a new desire to do voice over for Japanese anime. In addition to watching anime, writing fan fictions of Sailor Moon, and being involved in the community, she co-hosted a podcast called “KEYCAST”, based on the video games Kingdom Hearts, with her partner and boyfriend, Peter Evan Geoghegan, as the main host. The podcast successfully premiered worldwide online for a year. Due to financial hardship in this economy and tough decisions that had to be made, it had to put it on hold.

Creative is one word she makes sure to live by each day, even if she has other obligations to attend to, she has to be creative, do a little something each day as she moves towards her goal to be a full time working actor. It’s been tricky with her busy schedule, but she wants to finish the project she started a while back with Crossroads Productions (Executive Producer Valensky Sylvain) a documentary on her father’s life (Amelio Ortiz Silot Terrero) as a former political prisoner. This is a piece of other stories they plan to build called “Above and Beyond”. Annie Rodriguez is mentoring the project. Brent Solomon is the DP of the documentary and plans to edit it.

What’s next for Xio? She’s keeping a lid on it until she has “the cat in the bag”. In the meantime, Xio keeps herself busy auditioning, assisting with the live streaming events at the Screen Actors Guild Foundation. She knows this upcoming year to be wonderful. As for those who desires to move forward in life with their goals and dreams, whatever it may be, she will only advice to push for it, jump in the air and go for it. If you are one of those people that need an extra guidance to do that push, whatever you believe in, she recommends keeping yourself spiritually and mentally grounded. It will move you quicker in life. She also suggests checking out “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne, and “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. Dreams are beautiful, stunningly beautiful. It doesn’t hurt to try it out, right? J

“Your Choice is Yours, and Yours Only, for there is Only One Life”

                                                                                           Xio

                                                                 (Actor, writer, singer, Shoujo onnanoko)

IMDB credited. 

Navid Namazi - BTS - Dark Elf Films

Navid Namazi grew up in New Hampshire where at the age of eight he used a camera for the first time. From that moment he fell in love with cameras and the art of filmmaking. He was part of the television club in high school, but once he graduated he traveled down to Florida to Start the Film Program at Full Sail University. In Full Sail, Navid learned the many aspects of filmmaking but the areas Navid has the most interest in are Cinematography, Directing and Producing. Navid has 5 years experience with Film and Television. He has been a DP for multiple short films and has worked on many productions as a camera operator or gaffer.

Ken Lemons - Sound Op - DASH

Ken fell in love with audio after being asked to boom on a student film. With that Ken found a new love, and has spent all his time since learning and doing what he loves. After countless films, Ken has become a good audio guy with a fever to learn everything he can about audio. 

Brent Reynolds - Director of Photography - DASH

Growing up in a military household, Brent and his two brothers, Kevin and Glenn moved around quite a bit, though spending most of their childhoods in Texas and on the tiny island of Guam.  Brent’s early life was centered around music and sports, he played baseball, football, ran moto-cross, was an avid hiker and spelunker, as well as, pursued his interest in the martial arts of Judo, Kenpo, and Jui-Jitsu. In junior high, he discovered pole vaulting and eventually earned a partial scholarship from Christian Abilene in the sport. It was, however, his love for music that won out. 

Some of Brent’s earliest memories are of his father’s band practicing in their living room. And though his father, Stephen, spent 26 years in the Air Force, he continued to play in bands and perform with the USO and Tops in Blue. As a result, Brent was exposed to a wide variety of music and first picked up a guitar at the age of 7. It wasn’t until high school, however, that he started his first band. Unfortunately, he only enjoyed local and regional success as he decided to enlist in the military and finish his college degree. Brent’s passion for film was ignited while taking a Film Appreciation class as an elective. 

After 4 years in the Military as a specialist in flight simulation weapons systems, Brent spent another 8 years as a Field Engineer in the defense field culminating in managing the F-16 trainers for the 56^th Tactical Training Wing at MacDill AFB, FL.

Film School was next, whereupon Brent found a niche lighting and shooting films for other students, with a total of 8 films in his two years at the University of Central Florida. Later he returned to teach Cinematography at UCF and film production at Full Sail.

Brent went on to spend 10 years in retail television at the Home Shopping Network in such positions as Production Knowledge, prepping hosts and guests for their presentations, and Supervising Producer in the Electronics, Toy and Entertainment categories, responsible for all aspects of the live show broadcast in these areas.

All the while he continued to produce and DP everything from award winning short films, to b-rolls for National Brands, to infomercials and commercials under the banner of his company, August Moon Productions.  Not to mention that Brent still continues to write and perform music both on his own and in a band setting.

Ben Rowe - Stunt Coordinator - Dash

Born on October 27, 1972, in Newport News , Virginia, Ben’s obsession with film and the martial arts began at the age of seven when is father's love of Bruce Lee films sparked a fire in the youngster's mind that would never extinguish.  Subsequently, he trained in the martial arts, specifically Chin Woo; a style of Kung Fu that traces its origins in the traditions of the Shaolin monks of Northern China. Ben moved on to master various other styles, most notably Wushu.

Soon becoming a regular fixture at martial arts exhibitions and tournaments, the now defined athlete topped America’s martial arts championships before traveling to China to refine his skills, eventually taking numerous championships worldwide and winning multiple medals. Ben realized a personal dream when he competed in the Martial Arts World Championships in 1989.

It was during one of his frequent visits to Wilmington that he was approached to audition as a stunt man for 1991's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze. This conjured memories of his youthful cinematic martial arts passion. And even though he majored in Biology in college, Ben couldn’t shake his renewed passion for film making.

As chance would have it, Ben was contacted by stunt coordinator Artie Malesci, who asked him to move to Florida and jump back into the stunt world at the time it was supposed to be Hollywood East. Ben did jump, performing stunt work in feature films and television shows filming in and around Florida. With his new found opportunity to indulge his passion for film, Ben devoted himself to learning as much as possible about the process of film making, everything from P.A.  to producer. Putting his knowledge to practice, he produced and directed his own short films, quickly gaining recognition and wining several awards for his efforts. Even though Ben has over 20 years of experience in the film industry, he feels as if he is just getting started. 

Lindsi Jeter - Dark Elf Co-Founder/ Board Member

Born and raised in Orlando, FL, Lindsi has had a passion for the arts from a young age. Working in the theatre realm through high school and college, she has recently ventured into film within the past two years. She is currently working on her bachelor's degree in business management and theatre performance and is slotted to finish in fall of 2011. Currently, she is the drama director at Dayspring Community Church, on the board of directors for Crossroads Film Productions, and assisting with Dark Elf Films. There is no slowing down within the near future, and she hopes to continue along with her passion for performance and behind thee scenes work.

Carla Michelle Aymat - Make up artist for Dash

I was Born in San Turce, Puerto Rico in May 9, 1984.  My family and I moved to Florida in January 1988 where I still live now.  I graduated from high school and went through a few years of college.  I also graduated at the top of my class from a Professional Makeup School here in Orlando. I received a diploma in Advanced Beauty Makeup Artistry. I have always been a crafty and artistic person since I was a child.  The main type of art that always caught my eye was makeup.  I was always duplicating different styles and trying them on myself and others.  I like to try all sorts of styles of makeup from period makeup to runway to wedding, etc.  Being able to work with other makeup artists along the way has helped me immensely and will continue to do so.  I am not afraid to learn from others whether they are a makeup artist or not and to take in as much information as I possibly can.  I have worked with Dark Elf Films in the past and can’t wait to continue to do so.  I have also done body paint for Runway shows, makeup for several weddings, zombie makeup for different occasions, and other eclectic types of makeup depending on what is needed.  I am a versatile and open-minded person and I love life!

Armando Pompa - Wardrobe Assistant for Dash

The first time I interned for wardrobe I knew that I had found my department. I was just lucky enough that the department loved me back. I'v been steaming cloths and stressing out over continuity since the early 2000's. I have been lucky enough to be apart of great shows like; Bait Shop, Endure, Letter to God and most recently Cassadaga. Now I can't wait to start this project, Dash, and get to know my new family.

Rachael Thompson - Lead Actress (Terra) - DASH

Rachael Thompson, an Orlando native, has studied and worked at many things before she realized she was an actor.  After training at Art's Sake Acting Studio and Wah Lum Kung Fu & Tai Chi, she has fallen in love with the performance arts, and throughout her training she recognizes the importance of acting as the most human art form she has been challenged with.  She sees the responsibilities of being true to her characters, and she hopes to "wake up" her audience so that they begin to fully see the perspective of another human, no matter what their personal experiences.

Mind, body and spirit, Rachael continues to work at her craft, while moving forward with her career. She has been busy working on many film projects in the Orlando area over the years, playing villain, hero and everything in between.  Most recently, she is finishing production on "Mekka Blade," an anime action film directed by Wellington Chinsee, and "Tears of Remedy," a film based on a short story by Qi Bai, directed by Lee Thongkam.  She can be seen in "Never Back Down" as a featured fighter in the battle-of-the-exes of the backyard fight scene. Rachael is currently in Art's Sake's production of Play de Luna as Rose-Marie in "Bingo and Rose-Marie," a one-act play by David Lavine.

Rachael is always looking forward to future projects, continuing her training, and enjoying life with her husband and best friend, Hunter.  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2621272/resume

Beverly Safier - Costume Designer for DASH

Beverly Safier has been a costume designer for television, live stage and feature films for thirty five years. Her love of history is the driving force behind her designs. Her designs are a place where the past meets the present and the future. She loves to travel and incorporates ethnic looks and fabrics into her designs. Her advice to everyone is to forget your birth year….become timeless. That way, you never get old. www.beverlysafier.com

Angela Bush - Wardrobe Assistant for Dash

I was born in Miami, FL & raised in the Cayman Islands. I moved to Central Florida a couple of years ago to go to college. I attended IADT Orlando and worked on several local projects including the Chef’s Challenge, Speak Out TV and the Dr. G Medical Examiner Show. After graduating, I was hired by the Dr. G Show until the show was put on hiatus. Most recently I was given the opportunity to work in the wardrobe department on an independent horror film titled Cassadaga. I love all aspects of film but I have a passion for wardrobe because of my recent experience.

SFX/ Make up for Dash

Adrian Chappell is a special effects makeup artist, director, writer and editor who currently lives in Jacksonville, Florida. He was born and raised in Northern Virginia and moved to Florida in 1993. After a tour in the United States Marine Corps, he returned to Jacksonville to permantly set roots. Adrian has been a horror/sci-fi movie fiend since he was a young lad and his father took him to see the classic "Aliens" in the movie theater. From that point on, he strived to one day leave his impression on the horror/sci-fi world. Many Fangoria magazines and nightmare riddled evenings later, he finds himself constantly developing his next effect and editing the next film under his own "Withered Films and Fx" banner or teaming with other like minded artists under their flag in an effort to make the monsters come alive. "It's all about the MONSTERS baby!!"

Jeremy Wood - Producer/Partner

Born in Edmonston, New Brunswick, Canada, Jeremy has spent the last 8 years in international communication and business in the world markets of Great Britain, Australia, Singapour, Taiwan, Mexico and South Africa in which he worked exclusive deals with multiple fortune 500 companies. He has also amassed a lengthy resume of acting and directing credentials in the Orlando theater and commercial market including multiple performances with the Empty Spaces Theater Company. Jeremy will also launch the new "Howler's Theatre" in February of 2011. Jeremy will be covering multiple aspects at Dark Elf including: Project Management, Investor Relations, Location and Equipment Scouting and Event Coordination.

Director/Producer - Nathan McMahan

Director / Producer – Nathan McMahan

Nathan McMahan is a freelance Director / Producer based out of Orlando, Florida who has worked over 17 years in the television and film industry. He is the recipient of multiple Crystal Reel Awards for directing and editing and his films have played in the Edison Film Festival, Tambay Film Festival, Jacksonville Film Festival and the Orlando Showcase Shorts Festival.
Born and bred in the wide open red clay and sandstone prairies of Central Oklahoma, Nathan holds a Bachelors of University Studies in Theatre and English with a minor in Journalism from Oklahoma State University, a Masters in Psychology from Oral Roberts University and a Bachelors in Motion Picture Production from the University of Central Florida.
Before settling in Central Florida, he spent thirteen years as a Water Park supervisor, fifteen years in the restaurant industry as a waiter, bartender, service director and the costumed character Kaptain Kaos, and three years touring and playing drums/percussion with the Christian music group "Rescued".
After an internship in the camera department on the Amblin Production "seaQuest" and an extended stint as a Producer's Assistant on the Disney/MGM backlot, Nathan moved full time into a freelance career in production. Over the years he has worked in varied capacities from Producer, Director, Writer, First AD, Camera Operator, Production Manager, Production Coordinator, Location Scout, Location Manager, Transportation Captain, Craft Service and the ubiquitous Production Assistant.
He has directed projects for Walt Disney World, Cambridge Homes, Lynx Transportation Authority, Edgewood Children’s Ranch, performance Artist Craymo and Space Walk, as well as producing and directing the last half of the fifth season of “Ron Hazelton’s Housecalls” after completing 3 seasons as the UPM/AD for the nationally syndicated, traveling home improvement television series.
Additionally he has produced video segments for such clients as Darden Restaurants, ADP Total Source, Women’s Cancer Coalition, Artist Kathryn Flocken, Pets First International and Peter Spindel, Attorney-at-Law.
With his partner Brent Reynolds, a Producer/DP from his UCF days in August Moon Productions, they have done considerable work for a wide range of clients that includes Westinghouse, Nokia, Nextar, DXG, Euro-Pro, Gateway, Lexmark, Ezonics, Nutrius, Mustek, Summit Marketing and the Home Shopping Network.
Universal Studios, Walt Disney World Broadcast Operations and WDW International Marketing, Sea World, Turner Television, Good Morning America, BBC, ESPN, and ABC are just a few of he companies with which he has an association.
The former managing editor of the Florida Performer, a local industry trade newspaper, he has written several screenplays and his currently developing several features and web serials.
An avid snow skier, skydiver and scuba diver, who lists horses and rappelling among his hobbies, Nathan is a published playwright. He keeps house with his wife, Barbara, two beagles, Wasabi and Sake and a 10 pound Sulcatta tortoise named Lebowski.

Notable awards:

“The Challenge” Best Student Film Edison Film Festival
“Student Loan” Best Offbeat Film Orlando Shorts
Director Crystal Reel Award
“Space Walk Recruiting Video” Director Crystal Reel Award
Editing Crystal Reel Award
“A Killing Season” Feature Film Trailer Crystal Reel Award
Director Crystal Reel Award

Director- Corey Beauregard

Corey Beauregard was born in Waltham, MA. He started making films at the age of 11, but didn't start making films professionally until he graduated from Full Sail University in 2002 with a Bachelors in Film-making and Computer Animation.

He currently teachers Digital Cinematography at Full Sail University to support his Directing ambition.

Victoria Lynn Rosa - Marketing/PR/Social Networking

Born and raised in Bridgeport, Conn., Victoria Lynn Rosa has years of experience performing on stage. It's no surprise that theater is her first love, but she has recently ventured into the new land of film and is embracing the new style of acting.

A graduate of the University of Connecticut in Journalism and Communications, Rosa has an array of experience in marketing, fund raising, editing, public relations, writing, sales, administration and advertising. Her resume includes working with a fashion public relations company named Funky Lala in NYC, copy editing for Bridgeport's local newspaper The Connecticut Post and was on staff for former Congressman Christopher Shays (R), Conn., as the front office coordinator in Connecticut's district office. She is a humanitarian at heart, who dedicated a year to the mission field in places like India, Thailand and the Dominican Republic.

Rosa has been in productions like Anything Goes, Once Upon a Mattress and Antigone. She is also a choreographer and song writer who is pursing her career in Orlando. She is the coordinator of the Children's Performing Arts Ministry at Bethel Christian Church in Orlando, and believes that her calling is to teach the arts and bring its healing power to people in need. Her outlook on life is simple, "Life is a stage, and God is my director."

You can find out more information on Rosa at her blog: Click Here

David Coalter – SPF Supervisor / Compositor

New to the film game but not graphic design, David Coalter is the VP of Silverton Studio, a full graphic design house. For four years Coalter has created designs, websites and collateral for all types of companies. He has also been the graphic artist with the novel series “Nick and Slim” for his entire tenure.

Coalter has been involved with the entertainment business for over 22 years, primarily performing in musical theatre or on a theme-park stage. With countless numbers of shows and over eight years of Disney service (including Tokyo Disneyland) under his belt, nothing surprises him.

Although Coalter has never been trained in the art of compositing or post production, he feels this is his best quality. He will not be constrained by a school’s theory of what should be done, which allows him to create whatever his clients need without any resistance. "That is why they call it 'art direction' not 'art opinion,'" Coalter says.

Calvin Simmons - Producer / Stunt Coordinator

Producer, actor and stunt coordinator Cal Simmons, a native of Detroit, began his career in theater. During his college career he landed major roles in Shakespeare’s Measure For Measure and Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon. In 2002, he was the first black actor to portray a major literary character at the Michigan Renaissance Festival as Aramis of The Three Musketeers. From 2001-2006, Simmons trained with The Knights of Iron Stage Combat Team under the direction of L. Dale Walter. Here he learned an array of weaponry and stage combat for stage and film and portrayed heroes and villains alike with a special flair.

His first film project came in 2006, when he helped with fight choreography in a commercial for the Silverleaf Renaissance Faire. Simmons also stunt-coordinated for an indie sci-fi project called InZer0 by Thoughts Collide Productions. In 2007, he was recruited by director Matt Dean and producer Tara Cardinal to fight direct for the fantasy/adventure film Legend of the Red Reaper.

After moving to Florida, Simmons joined the cast of Pirate’s Dinner Adventure and currently works there as both a stunt performer and choreographer, specializing in martial arts and sword fighting. In 2009, he directed stunt choreography for Craig Alarie’s sci-fi film MERC: Shadow Knight Origin and an experimental action/comedy short called Feather Babes, Inc., featuring a nearly all-female cast, with Dark Elf Films.

Currently, Simmons is being sponsored by stunt coordinator second unit director, Grady Bishop, to join the Extreme Stunt Team and has been chosen as stunt coordinator for the completion of Legend of the Red Reaper. He is also co-writing the web series, Brotherhood of Steel.