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Jodie Bentley is an actor, writer, producer, and audiobook narrator. She believes storytelling has the power to change people’s lives.
🔥 Has over 170+ credits as an actor in TV, Film, Theater, Commercials and Audiobooks.
💥 Was in projects at TIFF, Cannes, Tribeca, ABC, CBS, Hulu, Netflix, FOX, Apple TV and more.
🎞️ Produced films starring Maggie Siff, Sarita Choudhury, Tyler Mane, Marisol Nichols and Oded Fehr.
🎙️ Is an Audible Approved producer with over 60+ audiobooks under her belt.
🔥 Has over 2300 clients globally through Actor Insider, where she helps other actors leave their legacy.
🏛️ In 2024, was a guest at the White House for the Ford’s Theatre Gala.
Brian Yuran is a writer-director-producer and alumni of the prestigious Newhouse School at Syracuse University where he graduated with the Irene M. Sholkin Award in Screenwriting.
His first film, Bengal, starring Larry Hankin (Friends, Breaking Bad) premiered at the TCL Chinese Theatres in 2021 and went on to win Best Short Film Director at Venice Shorts and The Remi Award at the World-Fest Houston International Film Festival. His second film, Guardian Angel, starring Sufe Bradshaw (Veep) premiered at LA Shorts, an Oscar-qualifying event. He then went on to direct, The Stairwell, a sci-fi proof-of-concept featuring screen legend, Michael Paré (Eddie & The Cruisers, Streets Of Fire). This short garnered numerous awards including Best Drama Short at the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival. His most recent project, Steady, starring Tate Donovan (Argo, The O.C., Hercules), is currently on the 2024-2025 festival circuit and has garnered critical acclaim.
He is currently producing The Heart Brake starring Beverly D’Angelo, Brittany Curran and Joey Lawrence poised to shoot this summer in Franklin, TN.
When not on set, Brian is a talent manager at Luber Roklin Entertainment where he represents an impressive roster of clients.
Alexander Chard is an Indonesian-Australian actor/writer/director based in Los Angeles.
Alexander was born in Australia, raised in Indonesia and eventually moved to London, England to train in contemporary theatre. His multicultural background and upbringing deeply informs his work as an actor and filmmaker. He often explores themes of displacement, identity, loss, spirituality, and cultural overlaps. His desire is to tell stories centered as intimate dramas, and wrapped in extraordinary, genre-bending circumstances.
In 2022, Alexander's feature FIRE OVER THE HILLS won the WeScreenplay Feature competition. X OR (THE ASCENSION OF GOLD MOUNTAIN) was also a finalist in the competition, making him the only writer with two features in the final selection. In the same year he also won the Screencraft Virtual Pitch Comp for his feature MONSTERS ARE REAL.
In 2023, Alexander was selected as one of Coverfly’s Best Unrepped Writers. Alexander's work has also placed in the top 10% of the 2021 Nicholl Fellowship, the Austin Film Festival Semifinals '22, and is currently in the top 1% and on the Red List on Coverfly. His work has also been recommended by The Blacklist, WeScreenplay, and Screencraft.
714, a drama sci-fi, written and starring Alexander marks his directorial debut. In 2024 it was selected for the LA Indonesian Film Festival, as well as the LA Art Film Festival where it was awarded Best Narrative Short and Best Actor. Alex is currently working on several writing projects including a drama/ horror/fantasy (MONSTERS ARE REAL), a drama (PASRAH), a drama/sci-fi (WHO WILL BE THERE WITH YOU?), as well as the feature version of 714.
Hilliard Guess is a busy "assignment writer" in both TV & Film and in the new book on iTunes, "The Top 100 Indie Writers in the World." Through his company Hilldog Productions, he produces TV Pilots, POC's, Shorts, Web Series and Documentaries. Hilliard's office is located on The LOT Studios in the heart of West Hollywood.
Born in Detroit, raised in the 'hood near San Francisco, youngest of five in a family pegged "The Cosby Show in the Ghetto." Hilliard's a former actor/dancer who transitioned to screenwriting over 16 years ago.
He's a fun, ex-80s Mod/Punk with a knack for writing underdog/redemption stories in the bio, horror, gritty, or murder-death-kill world. His knowledge of the craft and instinct for unique, flawed characters have won him attention or awards at Sundance, Nicholls Fellowship, Scriptapalooza, Screenplay Festival, The Page Awards and AOF, to list a few.
Hilliard serves on the following WGAW Committees: Vice Chair - Committee of Black Writers, Vice Chair - LGBT Committee as well as the Latino, Genre and Education Committees. In 2007, Hilliard won the Guy A. Hanks, Marvin H. Miller Fellowship at USC.
Hilliard's a busy "assignment writer" in both TV & Film and in the new book on iTunes, "The Top 100 Indie Writers in the World." Through his company Hilldog Productions, he produces TV Pilots, POC's, Shorts, Web Series and Documentaries. Hilliard's office is located on The LOT Studios in the heart of West Hollywood.
A partial list of Hilliard's produced projects are: The Providers a drama pilot POC, Architects of Crime a sci-fi movie POC, Full Circle - Story of The New Dimensions a 60s music/bio documentary, Don't Date The DJ a comedy pilot, iCommit a crime pilot,Tainted a supernatural teen pilot POC, Faux Show a comedy pilot, Mouthpiece a comedy feature, The Unwritten Rules a hit Comedy web series, Blackout an indie horror film that sold internationally, Troublesome a critically acclaimed drama short, The Last Girl an award-winning martial arts action short and 4Closure a hilarious short dramedy.
Hilliard hosts the hit Podcast series "Screenwriter's Rant Room" which can be heard all over the world on iTunes & Stitcher!
- By: Scott Campbell
Robbie Ryde is an actor, educator, and filmmaker. Born in Melbourne Victoria, Robbie was formerly a semi professional footballer (Australian Rules Football 'AFL') and a contract carpenter. In his 'second act' he has shifted his entire focus to follow his intoxicating passion of the arts.
Today, Robbie is the visionary force behind Ryde Entertainment and our esteemed American Arts Film & Television Academy, which he is co-owner alongside his partner Jessica Orcsik. Under his leadership, this institution is fast becoming synonymous with excellence, nurturing emerging talent and fostering creativity on a global scale.
Robbie’s impact as a mentor and coach at AAFTA is undeniable.
Under Robbie’s tutelage, aspiring actors have blossomed into veritable stars, with standout performances in acclaimed projects such as “God Is A Bullet,” where Chloe Guy shared the screen with industry icons (Game of Thrones Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Jamie Foxx and January Jones) under the direction of Nick Cassavetes. Robbie’s dedication to his craft and his students success is evident in the myriad triumphs that have unfolded under his guidance.
In the past year, Robbie and AAFTA have produced a cadre of rising stars, each with a tale of triumph that speaks to their resilience and talent. Our students have graced the silver screen alongside some of the biggest names in the industry, bringing their passion and craft to life in feature films that have captivated audiences globally.
With a commitment to storytelling excellence and a passion for empowering others, Robbie Ryde continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. His journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring creatives everywhere, reminding us all that with dedication, perseverance, and a steadfast belief in one’s dreams, anything is possible.
Tristan J Shuler is a bicoastal writer/actor/director who has coached dozens of writers and actors towards selling scripts to the likes of Hallmark, Tubi, & Amazon and booking roles on AppleTV+, BET, ABC, Broadway, National Tours, and more.
He's directed a handful of Tony and Emmy-winning actors in his time developing new works for the stage, and after being featured in YesBroadway's 40 Under 40 alongside Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose and Tony-winners Adrienne Warren & Alex Newell, Tristan J created A Night of Play NYC, a board-game-infused playwriting incubator of new works from emerging playwrights and went on to coach even more writers towards landing literary representation as a pitching consultant and Director of Brand Management at Roadmap Writers.
There's nothing Tristan J loves more than new voices & board games! An advocate for queer creators of color, Tristan J works to elevate & honor the creative process alongside our collective journey towards enlightenment. Repped by Cartel Entertainment and Kreativ Media Partners.
Leah Knauer is a Writer, Actor, Comedienne, and a multi-medium Artist who tweeted at Kevin Smith 278 consecutive days in a row to get a part in "Jay and Silent Bob Reboot".
Leah Knauer is a multi-talented comedic and musical force to be reckoned with. Leah performs all over the world and has been featured on Comedy Central, After Midnight, the Adam Carolla Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and more.
Leah often goes viral on TikTok for her celebrity impressions and comedy sketches - follow her on IG & TikTok @LeahKnauer.