R. Amit Kumar is founder of 69 Productions. He is a media maker and a Doctoral Candidate in Cinema and Media studies. Born in small town North India, R. Amit Kumar grew up in Delhi. He then went to New York where he graduated in Masters of Arts in Cinema and Media Studies from City University of New York (CUNY). After that he did PhD coursework in Cinema Studies from Southern Illinois University (SIUC). He was awarded National Scholarship. Also, he was awarded George Custen Memorial Award for Academic Excellence at City University of New York. He taught Cinema both at CUNY and SIUC. He is currently working on PhD dissertation “Space, Experience, Performance: Neo-Liberal Indian Cinema.” His research focus is cinematic performance and spatial reconfigurations in neo-liberal India. He has earlier published and presented in conferences on the theatrical soft-porn films in India commonly known as “Sleaze” films. He has also presented on Digital implications in Indian Cinema; Middle Cinema; and new audiences and exhibition spaces in India. He wrote Blemished Light and it is his first directorial venture.
Hari Nair is a well-known cinematographer who has won many awards such as Kerela state Award for Cinematography of 'SWAHAM' and 'ENDE SONDHAM JANUKUTTY’ and National Award in the Short Film Section for 'SHAMS VISION’. He has worked on many different projects like The White Elephant; Kerela Cafe (segment "Mrityunjayam"); U, Bomsi n Me; The King of Bollywood; Achante Kochumolku; Paagalpa and Janmadinam.
Wasiq started as an assistant art director on films like Dil Se. His first film as an art director was Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without Women in 2003. Since then he has worked on many films as a art director and production designer. He has done films like Samay, Taxi no. 9 2 11, critically acclaimed Dharm, Shaurya: It Takes Courage to Make Right... Right, Mumbai Cutting, Gulaal, Wanted, Striker, etc. In addition, he has done films like Black Friday, Meridian Lines, Aamir, Victory, Radio, Accident on Hill Road and soon to be released Anurag Kashyap’s That Girl in Yellow Boots, Rahul Dholakia’s Lamhaa and Salman Khan’s next Dabaang as a production designer.
Dara Singh has worked as a location sound recordist and sound designer for various National and International documentaries and fiction films such as Danny Boyle's Oscar winner "SlumDog Millionaire", Vishal Bharadwaj's National award winning film "Blue Umbrella", Rajesh Shera's Internationally acclaimed "Ocean of an Old Man" which was a Pusan International film funded project and was screened at The Museum of Modern Art Gallery, New York City and won the HEJA audience award at Breda International film festival, Holland. His recent film is critically acclaimed hit film, Subhash Kapoor's "Phas Gaye Re Obama" (With Love To Obama) to name a few.
Aftab Asghar is a Film Post-Production Specialist and founder of Senses Films (www.sensesfilms.net), a New York City based production company. Most recently, he edited "9 Eleven" scheduled to hit theaters in late 2011. His other edited films include "Batter Up" which garnered over 24 film festival awards. He also edited and co-produced the feature film, "Where are you Sophia?," a psychological thriller which was screened at the Cannes Film Festival 2009 and premiered at New York's Tribeca. Aside from films, he has worked in commercials and music videos for Cossette Communications, Devito Verdi, McCann Erickson, MTV and Zee TV. Aftab has specializes in RED film productions besides traditional celluloid productions. His expertise also includes: poster design, digital packaging for broadcast and films, composting, color grading, trick photography and digital sculpting.
Roli Chaturvedi started her career in the media industry with the India Today group and was handling Marketing and PR for their music label called "Music Today". She was also actively involved with the events and artist management team. She later worked with Rajshri Media as Marketing Manager and PR for the company and their portal. She is experienced in film PR. She has studied nitty-gritty of film making from the New York Film Academy and has worked for two independent features called ‘LOVE LIES AND SEETA’ and ‘9 ELEVEN’ as the script supervisor and the chief AD respectively and is line producing and casting for BLEMISHED LIGHT.
Damon Taylor has wide variety of interests, experiences and skill set. He is the driving force behind many collaborative works of art that draw mediums such as dance, painting, and music under the cinema lights. He graduated with honors from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL (USA) while organizing and running the film club and one of the largest student run film festivals in the country. He is currently working on his fourth feature length script as well as co-producing/directing a feature dedicated to raising awareness and funds for women shelters. At 69 Productions, Damon initiates and manages projects from the ground up within the U.S.
Navneeta is the alumni from the prestigious college, Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. She graduated as a class valedictorian winning the distinguished scholar award and the honor to deliver a speech in the esteemed hall of Radio City. She had the privilege to intern under the famous brand ‘Donna Karen’ and is currently working with ‘Ann Taylor’. She has been a corporate professional woman, associated with great companies in India in their design teams. A few names include 'Madura Garments; Pantaloons Retail India ltd. Her creative inclination has drawn her towards designing for films, where she can explore her flair by doing costumes for characters. She had the opportunity to be the costume designer for the Bollywood film ‘9 Eleven’. She also has acclaimed credits in costumes in the recently featured crossover film 'Walkaway' .She has been associated with many prestigious ramp shows designing for super models in India.
Vaishali is the alumni from the prestigious college, National Institute of Design New Delhi. Her expertise and passion has been honed by the invaluable experience she has garnered over the last 12 years through her association with the Indian Film and Advertising Fraternity.
Vaishali has the ideal ensemble of education and experience that grants her the ability to undertake the costume designing for an entire film, from conception to completion thus breathing life into the characters.
She has worked with directors like Shyam Benegal, Mani Ratnam, Subhash Ghai and many more veterans in the film industry.
She has designed for many leading actresses like Urmila Matondkar, Manisha Koirala, Amesha Patel. Vaishali has acclaimed credits for designing for films like Dil Se, Mann, Taal, Jungle, Gadar, Strings, Yahaan and many more.
She bagged the filmfare award for best costume designing for Firaaq in 2009. Along with designing for films and television, Vaishali is also a guest lecturer at NIFT Mumbai.
Alex Mercado is a New York based artist, writer and filmmaker. A graduate of Fashion Institute of Technology, he's honed his craft in illustration, character design, curating and fine art. Eventually his visual style propelled him into the world of film. Along with his arts background, he directs, produces, writes screenplays, story boards, handles camera duties and tackles all other aspects integral to film. He's delighted to be apart of the "Blemished Light" production and is grateful for the opportunity to work on such a fantastic project. http://www.vimeo.com/midnightpatrol
http://www.alexmercado.blogspot.com
http://www.coroflot.com/amercado
Sri Saripalli is a filmmaker from India based in U.S.A. After doing his bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering in India, he got his M.F.A. in film making from New York Film Academy, Universal Studios L.A. Where he managed to put a talented and hard working crew together and produced several short films out of which a few won accolades at several international film festivals. He has over 10 short films in a variety of genres to his credit as a director. He worked on several feature films and shorts at various crew positions and is currently working on Blemished Light as Unit Prod. Manager. He is also planning to direct his first feature in the near future.
Writer/Director/Producer/Editor, was born on October 23, 1971 in Cracow, Poland. At the age of 20, he immigrated to New York City where he worked at film studios and freelanced on several independent films. His first short films, Unfortunate Coincidence and AntideMediaant were shown at several independent screening houses throughout the city. In 2004, with a BA in film from the City College of New York, Piotr co-directed a short called Catching Up, which was shown several times on public television. In 2005, his short, Saturday Night in New York City was screened at the City University of New York’s Annual Arts Gala, recognizing each year’s best student films. Subsequently, it was also broadcast on NYC public television. In June 2006, 6 AM, a short film produced by Piotr, won the STUDENT ACADEMY AWARD in Hollywood. The same year, Piotr earned an MFA in Narrative Film Writing and Directing at CCNY. In 2007, his fiction thesis film, When They Could Fly, was selected for over 40 major film festivals in the US receiving eleven awards.
Gautam Kadian was born in Belgaum, India. He spent his childhood traversing the length and breadth of the country with his father who was an officer in the Army. He finished his higher education in Delhi and always had a keen interest in cinema. He worked as a Assistant Director in documentary films for the National Knowledge Commission before moving to New York to pursue a career in filmmaking. He has been busy working in the independent filmmaking circuit in New york for the past year including two feature films as a Gaffer and one as the Camera Operator. He has also worked on production design in various commercials, music videos and short films.
With roots in home brewed Super 8 films and B&W still photography, Joe Taylor is a filmmaker who crafted his skills directing and photographing short films which led to working as Cinematographer & Second Unit Cinematographer for award winning independent Films, Commercials, Music Videos, and Documentaries.
Danielle Williamson is a third-year film student at Southern Illinois University of Carbondale, USA. With a focus on experimental films, she has started playing with time and space in its relation to memory and relationships. In her first two years at SIU, she has also been involved with a collaborative film project with students in Mumbai, India. Her other relevant work experience includes VP Film Alternatives, a registered student organization, The Big Muddy Film Festival (Student Co-Coordinator), and line production for a handful of student films.
Monica loves searching and designing objects that tell a character's story. While attending Parsons School of Design, she combined her design training and her passion for film to start a career in the Art Department. As a Production Designer, she has created sets for music videos, web series and commercials- but designing for film is her greatest passion.
Ajayender Loka is a Film Maker born & Brought up in Hyderabad , INDIA . He grew up watching films which inspired & drove him towards Film Making. He made it to
US to attend a Film School in New York to Pursue his Dreams of being a Successful Film Maker, He Produced & Directed couple of Short Films & also has several Credits attached to his Resume for working in different Crew Positions in Feature Films made in US . He is planning to Direct to his Feature Film in the Near Future.
Resul Pookutty is a sound designer who has most recently been awarded an Oscar at the Academy Awards for his work on Slumdog Millionaire. He is a graduate of FTII, Pune, and soon after he left Pune, made his mark by working on a film called Private Detective: Two Plus Two Plus One which was directed by Rajat Kapoor. Since then he has worked on such films as: Traffic Signal, Zinda, Dus Kahaniyaan, and Saawariya.
Sandesh is a film composer, musician, and a singer. His music guru is Ustad Sultan Khan. Sandesh became an independent music composer in 1997 after working as an assistant under Surender Singh Sodhi. His memoable albums include Piya Basanti with Ustad Sultan Khan and Chitra, Pyar Ke Geet with Shubha Mudgal and I Love You with Udit Narayan. His claim to fame, though, has been through Bollywood. He recently did music for Yamla Pagla Deewana, Road to Sangam. Notably, he scored music for Jab We Met, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Chameli. Some more films are Sikander, Socha Na Tha, Ek Chaalis Ki Last Local and Agni Varsha.