BIOS
Caleb Foote ACTOR
Senior | Acting | NY
My name is Caleb Foote and I'm a senior acting major from my mamas belly (which was in Ypsilanti Michigan on my birthday). I've worked on a number of film and stage productions through out campus but I'm very excited about Present Day and the enthusiastic team that's apart of it.
Meredith Starkman ACTOR
Senior | Acting | MI
Jillian Slade ACTOR
Senior | Musical Theatre | IA
Jillian Slade is a senior pursuing her BFA in musical theatre. Some favorite roles at Michigan include: Miranda (The Tempest), Ilse (Spring Awakening), Kayleen (Gruesome Playground Injuries), and Lulu (Cabaret). She has also had the honor, this year, of being the first recipient of the Keenan-Bolger Creel Endowment Scholarship for Activism in the Arts. This is her first SAC 423 film she has had the privilege of being a part of, and is beyond thrilled to share this incredible work and with the world. Go Blue!
Will Branner ACTOR
Senior | Musical Theatre | NC
Will Branner is a Senior at the University of Michigan studying Musical Theater. Born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. He has worked in theater and film all over the country.
Ryan McDonough DIRECTOR
Senior | Screen Arts and Culture | NY
Ryan grew up in Rockville Centre, New York. He served as director/co-writer of the musical comedy Ukelost which is currently in post-production. Ryan has interned for Comedy Central and is the co-head ambassador/writer for Funny or Die University of Michigan. Ryan was the writer and composer for Almost Not Ready, a film that won an Award of Merit at the Nappa Valley Film Festival.
Ryan is a senior in Screen Arts & Cultures and studied screenwriting under Jim Burnstein.
Carly Keyes SCREENWRITER
Senior | Screen Arts and Culture | MI
Carly Keyes is from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. After playing Division I soccer and studying business at the University of Pennsylvania, she transferred to the University of Michigan where she currently studies Screen Arts & Cultures and Psychology with a Sub-concentration in Screenwriting and a Minor in Writing. Carly’s written and directed three shorts through U of M's M-agination filmmaking group, and she interned for Will Smith’s production company, Overbook Entertainment, during the summer of 2015. Carly is also an ASCAP Foundation distinguished singer-songwriter with the Carly Keyes Band.
Billy Offer HEAD PRODUCER
Senior | Screen Arts and Culture | CA
I am co head producer with Laura. I grew up in Los Angeles. Have produced a couple shorts. And worked on Ninja Turtles 1 & 2. I'm a film major.
Laura Davis HEAD PRODUCER
Senior | Business | CT
I'm a senior from Wethersfield, CT majoring in Business Administration. I interned in production over the summer and am very excited to continue my experience as a producer for Present Day!
Roni Stein PRODUCER
Senior | Screen Arts and Culture | CA
I'm a senior from Los Angeles majoring in Screen Arts and Culture and Communication Studies. My past experience includes PAing on a TV pilot in Los Angeles the summer of 2015. I'm super excited about working on Present Day and getting the opportunity to work with some of the best students at the University of Michigan.
Jack Springgate PRODUCER
Junior | Communications | IL
From Libertyville, IL, this is the first film for which I have been a part of the production team. However, I am an active producer for Sportsnite, a sports news show on WOLV-TV. I have also produced a number of packages relating to a variety of sports topics. I also work with Big Ten Student U, broadcasting Michigan athletic events.
Jin Kim ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Junior | Screen Arts and Culture, Business | MI
Jin is a Screen Arts & Cultures and Business Administration dual degree from Rochester Hills, Michigan. Outside of being an Associate Producer on "Present Day", Jin enjoys spending with her friends from Filmic Productions and 58 Greene A Capella. As a person who constantly plans for the future, Jin feels a personal connection to the main themes of "Present Day" and hopes the film carries individual meaning for its viewers as well.
Jacob Kennelly ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Senior | Organizational Studies | WA
Jacob Kennelly is a senior majoring Organizational Studies with a focus in video production. He's excited to be the Assistant Director on this film and hopes to continue to work on films in his hometown of Seattle, Washington. His favorite move is Children of Men, but he could watch Super Troopers every day and not get tired of it.
Yuri Ramocan DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Junior | Screen Arts and Culture | MI
I’m Yuri—the wackest dude east of the Mississippi and a self-proclaimed sensei in the art of living. Currently, I am pursuing a dual-degree in Computer Science and Screen Arts & Cultures and I plan to run against Kanye West for the presidency in 2020.
When I’m not a cinematographer, I’m most likely thinking about how I can be a better cinematographer. I’m also a DJ, for what it’s worth. You can catch me playing music at your local party almost every weekend if I’m not shooting a short film or recording music in the audio studios.
Karen Hua PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Senior | English and Psychology | MA
Originally from Boston, Karen is third-year senior double majoring in English and psychology at the University of Michigan. After gaining experience as art director on a dozen M-agination Films, she has since produced and directed a couple of shorts. The short film she wrote and directed last year, "Three," is currently touring North America with Art with Impact to educate schools about mental health. Now, she is excited to return to her artistic roots as head production designer on "Present Day."
Kyle Weber SUPERVISING EDITOR
Senior | Screen Arts and Culture | MI
Kyle Weber is from Clawson, MI. He is majoring in Film with an emphasis in German Studies. His work focuses on sound embodiment and metaphor ecology. Previous work: Regarding Others (2015), Unnecessary Myth (2014), Radio Station (2012).
Erich Eberhard CAMERA OPERATOR
Junior | Screen Arts and Culture | MI
I'm Erich! Reared be the riverside in sunny St. Clair, Michigan, my ascent to the Present Day team has been a true Cinderella story. I'm currently studying Screen Arts & Cultures, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, and Environmental Science. Follow me on tinder!
Lizzie Vana GRIP
Senior | Communications | MI
Lizzie is in her last year at the University of Michigan studying Communications. Her interest in film production began during her college career and has become a passion ever since. While her main intrigue lies within edit and creative, she is thrilled to be immersing herself in the lighting aspect of shooting.
Tahmid Chowdhury PICTURE EDITOR
Senior | Screen Arts and Culture | MI
My name is Tahmid Chowdhury. I am a Bangladeshi-American from Hamtramck, Michigan. I am majoring in Screen Arts & Culture, and am one of the Picture Editors on Present Day. I have held marketing positions in three different South Asian student organizations, intern at the University Musical Society, and I love making and editing videos! I would love to go into the film and/or television industry one day. Some would say I dream too big, but I say they don't dream big enough.
