THE FILMMAKERS
GENE BLALOCK
DIRECTOR / PRODUCER
Los Angeles-based Director, Gene Blalock, is known as much for his touching, heart-warming films as his eccentric horror vignettes. Bringing a decidedly human perspective to each of his projects, Gene’s works reflect our common humanity — reflecting reality back through a mirror of compassion — enabling us to examine and consider ourselves. In every genre, Gene’s work rings true in a thought-provoking way.
Gene Blalock is the founder of the independent film production company, SERAPH FILMS.
PAUL COATES
WRITER / PRODUCER
Having written and produced for the stage throughout most of his career, Paul moves into producing his firs full-length feature film with ALONE TIME.
A graduate of the Los Angeles Theatre Academy and a current member of the prestigious Actors Studio, Paul produced his first play, DESIRE! off-Broadway in 1988, followed by producing and acting in Dennis Deal’s THE BAD AND THE HORRIBLE, which ran off-Broadway for six months.
Returning to Los Angeles he wrote the one-hour drama pilot for Warner Bros TV, OPEN DOORS as a vehicle for Mary Tyler Moore, a feature film O.6 AND FALLING for the Alfred Shay Company (Swingers) and his play KATHY GOOD was optioned as a feature film by Michael Cerenzie (Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead). His stage play, THE END OF IT (with Kelly Coffield Park/In Living Color) enjoyed a successful run at the Matrix Theatre and his subsequent plays have been seen through the west coast and New York, including LUCKY (Hudson Theatre, Cherry Lane Reading Series), THE LONGER YOU WAIT for Theatre/Taste and PAIN, a series of monologues on the subject of pain for various fundraising events.
In 2016, Paul met Tara Emerson and together they produced the short film MY SECRETARY, directed by Gene Blalock. It was during this time and with this fantastic partnership, Paul wrote his first draft of ALONE TIME for he, Tara and Gene to collaborate again on.
They’ve finished a teaser trailer of the film while currently working on several projects. He can currently be seen on SmartphoneTheatre.com with his new play …SO THAT HAPPENED and CHRISTMAS STORIES.
DANIEL BUTTON
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Daniel Button, is a Latin American cinematographer in Los Angeles, California. He moved to California to pursue his dreams of acting in major motion pictures back in 2009.
After getting a taste of what it was like being on set, he knew he had to get on them no matter what. So he picked up a camera in 2012 and hasn’t looked back. He has shot a range of music videos, and branded content, all the way to narrative features including his most recent, Carpe Noctem with director Gene Blalock.
Daniel looks forward to keeping pushing onward in his filmmaking career.
WENDE SLIPAKOFF
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
A talented Design Artist who brings a unique and stylistic approach to the film industry. Her journey through life has taken her across the world where she studied the textures, colors, and shapes of diverse cultures.
Wendelyn's passion for fine arts eventually lead her to open a gallery in Santa Monica, CA, which featured the work of up-and-coming artists from all over the world. One such artist was Jose Da Silveira, the last student mentored by Marc Chagall. Her gallery was innovative because she developed a method of dressing the areas around the displayed artwork with the textures and colorful treasures she brought home during her travels.
Applying her business school education working with independent filmmakers helping them organize and promote their projects. It was only a matter of time before her artistic talents emerged, and soon filmmakers were asking her to lend her design skills to dress their sets. She recognizes that film is art. She works closely with the producers and directors to enhance their art and ensure their vision is brought to the screen. Wendelyn is happy that her journey through life has been full of adventure. She is extremely motivated to work with talented filmmakers.
Wendelyn has worked on independent films, music videos, web series, commercials, and television pilots. One of her commercials was the winner of” Tely” award.
She was privileged to be part of the Del York Film School teaching production design in Lagos Nigeria.
DOROTHY AMOS
COSTUME DESIGNER
Working on projects for clients such as HBO, USA, Showtime (The client List), ABC Lifetime, NBC CBS (Ghost Whisperer), Fox and PBS Dorothy has created work on shows that have both captivated audiences and set the tone for an era of designs. Her work has given her the opportunity to develop her own line of products through DA Designs which was featured in the costume design work of Sal Perez on his award-winning show Mindy Kaling.
The first thing a visitor to Dorothy’s studio notices about her is her inquisitiveness, her intensity, and her love affair with all things weird and wonderful. Any observer would likely also agree that Dorothy is a woman whose creative mind never goes on hiatus, but who is constantly observing, redesigning, and perfecting whatever corner of the world over which she currently holds jurisdiction. This is excellent news for anyone in the film and television community who values energy, vision, and commitment.
DEBBIE RANKIN
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Deborah Rankin is a Los Angeles-based award-winning producer. From a Local Emmy winning On-Air network campaign for KERA in Dallas to Film Festival Laurels for the poignant short Fragile Storm which deals with the extremely difficult subject of Alzheimer’s, Deborah brings to her projects a creative way of thinking about producing and production.
Known for being a very hands-on producer, she has the mindset for creating solutions when others may be intimidated by difficult challenges.