The Filmmakers
James T. North
Director / Writer / Producer
James T. North, born and raised in the South Bay of Los Angeles, is a director, producer, and writer whose journey in cinema reflects both passion and dedication. A natural cinephile, James's love for film was evident early on, leading him to study film production and media studies at El Camino College. There, he directed several short projects and began honing his craft. James's cinematic debut came with his feature film Filthy Animals, which he wrote and directed. Despite starting his career as a personal trainer, it was clear that James's true calling lay in filmmaking. His transition to the set revealed his deep-seated passion for storytelling, collaboration, and connecting with others. Following his time at El Camino, James expanded his expertise by working in various roles—Producer, Assistant Director, and Production Assistant—across features, short films and music videos. This hands-on experience was instrumental in developing his skills and understanding of the industry. During this period, he wrote his first feature screenplay and co-wrote a second edgy script. James is now eagerly anticipating the next chapter in his career, with plans to direct and produce his second feature. His notable ability to build relationships, communicate his vision, and lead collaborative teams positions him as a compelling and innovative force in the world of filmmaking.
Kendra Gage North
Producer
Kendra Gage North is a producer based in Los Angeles, known for her work on the independent feature film Filthy Animals (2024). Prior to venturing into the world of film and attending UCLA's producing program, Kendra built a solid career in technology and real estate, demonstrating her versatility and business acumen. Her unique background has given her a distinct perspective in producing, blending analytical skills with creative vision. Kendra's passion for storytelling and commitment to independent cinema are evident in her work on Filthy Animals. Kendra is married to filmmaker James T. North, and their partnership has fostered a shared love for the art of storytelling. Together, they continue to push boundaries and explore new creative horizons.
Elyusha Vafaeisefat
Producer
Elyusha Vafaeisefat is a distinguished producer, filmmaker, and educator with a diverse and impactful career in the film and media industry. A graduate of California State University Long Beach and UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television, Elyusha has made significant contributions as a director, writer, and producer across a wide range of projects, including feature films, short films, documentaries, commercials, and music videos. His academic career is equally impressive, having taught filmmaking and media studies at UCLA, Long Beach State University, and several other colleges throughout Southern California. Elyusha's teaching reflects his deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers. Notably, Elyusha served as a producer for the independent feature Filthy Animals (2024), collaborating on the project with one of his former students, James T. North. This role underscores his dedication to supporting emerging talent and his ability to bring creative visions to life. In addition to his creative work, Elyusha has extensive experience in story development, marketing, international sales, and distribution. He has collaborated with major studios and production companies, including Universal Studios, Revelations Entertainment (co-founded by Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary), and J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot. His expertise also extends to consulting and co-developing projects for Netflix and ESPN's acclaimed 30 for 30 series. Elyusha’s multifaceted career showcases his dedication to the film industry, combining his passion for filmmaking with a profound ability to educate, develop, and innovate within the field.
Nathan Baldonado
Director of Photography
Nathan Baldonado is a highly regarded director of photography and gaffer with a growing reputation for his exceptional work across a range of projects. Known for his striking visual style, Nathan has made significant contributions to films such as Filthy Animals (2024), Dangerous Methods (2022), Debt Collectors (2020), and Fourth Grade (2021). A graduate of California State University Long Beach, Nathan's education laid a solid foundation for his career in cinematography. His expertise in lighting and camera work has earned him acclaim in the industry, showcasing his ability to bring compelling stories to life through innovative and dynamic visual techniques. Nathan's portfolio reflects his versatility and skill, demonstrating a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the art of cinematography. His work continues to resonate with audiences and contribute to the success of the projects he collaborates on.
Collin Hegna
Composer
Collin Hegna is a Portland, Oregon based musician, composer, and recording engineer. Hegna founded the Spaghetti Western themed psychedelic rock combo Federale and remains the principal songwriter. In addition, he has played bass with The Brian Jonestown Massacre since 2004. As owner of Portland’s Revolver Studios, Hegna has produced releases from The Shivas, Roselit Bone, Jenny Don’t & The Spurs, Joel Gion, Matthew J. Tow, and David J. His songs, both with and without instrumentation by Federale, have appeared on a variety of film and television soundtracks including A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night, The Bad Batch, and The Lego Movie. He oversaw the music for the Emmy-nominated Super Bowl commercial “Halftime in America“.
Robby Ngai
Editor
Robby Ngai is an editor and assistant editor known for his exceptional visual storytelling across a range of notable projects. His impressive filmography includes the critically acclaimed “Where the Crawdads Sing” (2022), the independent feature “Filthy Animals” (2024), and the compelling documentary “The Great Wall: From Beginning to End” (2023). Robby’s work is distinguished by its meticulous attention to detail and a profound ability to capture the essence of each story. His contributions have been instrumental in shaping the visual narratives of these diverse projects, showcasing his versatility and creative vision.
Joel McWilliams
Colorist
Joel McWilliams is a colorist based at Company 3 Hollywood. A native of the Sacramento area who majored in Film Studies at UCSB, he has been working in post production in Los Angeles for nearly two decades. His color credits include Mayor of Kingstown, 1883: A Yellowstone Prequel, and the humanitarian award winning film Lost Birds. Recently he graded the winner of the Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival Best Independent Film - Filthy Animals!
James Parnell
Supervising Sound Editor & Re-recording Mixer
James Parnell is a Supervising Sound Editor & Re-Recording Mixer based in Los Angeles, California. James began his career at Coda Post Production in London, where he developed his skills in sound editorial and mixing for terrestrial television. James moved to Los Angeles in 2015 to pursue a career in film sound. While working at WSM Post Production in Beverly Hills, James had the opportunity to work on several high profile projects including Academy Award winning films like "Get Out" (Universal) and "Moonlight" (A24), as well as "Gerald’s Game" (Netflix) and "Happy Death Day" (Universal/Blumhouse). Since 2017, James has mixed and supervised the sound for a variety television and feature films, such as "PEN15" (Hulu), Netflix’s Original Series "Dolly Parton's Heartstrings", “Trinkets” (Netflix), “Die Hart” (Quibi), “Twisted Metal” (Peacock), Filthy Animals (Freestyle) and most recently, Netflix’s documentary “The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping” James is a member in good standing of the Motion Picture Editors Guild Local 700, the Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE), and the Cinema Audio Society (CAS). - IMDb Mini Biography By: Impact24 PR
Shun Muroyama
Associate Producer
Born and raised in Kurashiki, Japan, Shun Muroyama is a cinematographer, editor, colorist and graphic designer. Shun earned an A.A. Degree in Film Production at El Camino College, and has shot and edited a number of music videos. He most recently worked as an Associate Producer on the feature “Filthy Animals” and as a cinematographer/editor on the feature “Ayu, Fly to the Rainbow.”