Brian Klemesrud, Director/Producer/Editor Brian Klemesrud graduated from Butler University in Indianapolis with a degree in theatre performance. Although Butler University didn't offer classes in film, Klemesrud took the initiative to combine his theatre work with his own personal study to create over 30 short videos. After graduation, Klemesrud set out to create a 16mm black and white short film entitled The Death of Noir. Over a two-year period, Klemesrud worked on The Death of Noir as the producer, director, writer, art director, storyboard artist and editor. He also handled all the fundraising and post-production until the film's completion and premiere showing at the Chicago IndieFest Film Festival in 2003. Shortly after its festival premiere, Klemesrud founded Galatrax Pictures in Chicago with three fellow Butler University graduates. With the aim of honing his filmmaking skills along with building a solid filmmaking team, Klemesrud set out to complete two short digital videos. By 2004, the Galatrax team completed the two shorts, Bloodnog and Two. Both shorts were produced, directed and edited by Klemesrud. When Klemesrud wasn't working on the Galatrax shorts he was busy editing a video he shot in college, entitled Rezko. Using Final Cut Pro, Rezko underwent a digital evolution. Klemesrud took the VHS recording and after 4 years of experimenting with video filters, moving graphics and sound engineering, he created an Andy Warhol-inspired piece entitled Exit. Exit has been seen on-line by viewers who comment on its unique absurdity and colorful visual stimulation. Paul Pogue of Indianapolis' art newspaper NUVO raved: "(Exit) is like Run Lola Run on crack." In 2005, Klemesrud headed up the Galatrax team and worked with cinematographer Jim Timperman to produce Static, a 35mm short film. Once again, Klemesrud worked on every level of the filmmaking process: producer, fundraiser, director, editor, and storyboard artist. Due to the complicated camera angles desired for this film, Klemesrud decided to construct the entire set for the shoot and therefore also acted as head carpenter during the pre-production process. Klemesrud's ambitious vision for this film also called for the use of digital grading which enhanced the overall color scheme of the world of Static that he intended to create. The film was successfully completed in 2006 and is currently touring the film festival circuit. Klemesrud is now working to produce a full-length feature film. He and co-writer Chris Hein recently completed two full-length screenplays entitled Recursion and Annihilation Day, both of which are in pre-production undergoing line budgets, fundraising and storyboarding with Galatrax Pictures. Currently, Klemesrud is working with Hein and Galatrax Pictures on his third feature script, Literally. He is also a freelance producer, director and editor in Chicago, IL. Chris Hein, Writer/Producer Hein attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa graduating cum laude in Computer Science. He then moved to Chicago to get his Masters Degree in Computer Science at DePaul University. After working for 2 years in the computing industry Hein decided to take some time off to help with the production of Static. On set as a Production Manager, Hein helped run the shoot as smoothly and trouble-free as possible. After falling in love with the process of movie making he began writing scripts while helping make decisions in post-production for Static. Hein and Klemesrud finished their first joint screenplay Recursion in February of 2007. They began pre-production on Recursion early in that year setting meetings with financiers and talking with talent. While seeking further options Hein and Klemesrud began writing the next script Annihilation Day in early 2008 finishing it in early March. Currently Hein is working on budgeting and other pre-production tasks for Annihilation Day, a project on which he will act as lead producer. Stephanie Johnson, Actor/Writer/Producer Stephanie Johnson graduated from Butler University in Indianapolis, IN with a B.A. in Theatre Performance. After moving to Chicago, she founded her own company, Vent Elations Ventriloquist Shows, and toured throughout the Midwest with her one-woman ventriloquist programs for children and families. Stephanie also co-founded Galatrax Pictures and through this company, produced and acted in a number of short videos, a 16mm black and white short film entitled The Death of Noir, and a 35mm short film entitled Static which she also wrote. Stephanie is currently working with Galatrax Pictures to produce two full-length features. As an AFTRA actor, Stephanie has appeared in several commercials and industrial videos and has performed as a puppeteer for Nickelodeon's Jack's Big Music Show. She also toured with Robert's Marionettes, performing a one-woman marionette show entitled The Talking Cat. Most recently, Stephanie performed in The Wintress, a short film by Gas Light Pictures. Stephanie is a volunteer for the Refuge for Saving the Wildlife, a non-profit parrot rescue dedicated to the care and well-being of abandoned parrots; a subject which she will feature in a documentary film which is currently in development. John Hammerle, Attorney/Producer John Hammerle hails from Northville, Michigan, but has spent several formative years living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Boca Raton, Florida. He attended Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana where he majored in Telecommunication Arts and Theatre. John is a co-founder of Galatrax Pictures, and serves as a producer and creative consultant on most Galatrax films, including Static. He has also appeared as an actor in Bloodnog and Exit. In addition to his producing responsibilities, John serves as Galatrax Pictures' resident attorney. John attended DePaul University College of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude in 2005, and was a member of the DePaul Law Review. His experience includes a vast array of entertainment law work, such as drafting cast and crew contracts, option agreements, finder agreements, investment memorandums, and business plans. He also has negotiated and secured festival clearance rights and licenses for certain music used in Galatrax films, and prepared and delivered pitches to potential investors. Outside of Galatrax Pictures, John is an associate in the litigation practice group at Freeborn & Peters LLP, and his area of focus includes e-discovery. John's experience there includes both trial and appellate work in a wide array of state and federal commercial matters, including breach of contract, insurance coverage disputes, and shareholder oppression suits. This experience also includes involvement in the prosecution of temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunction cases. Some of the representative clients he has worked for include medium and large corporations, as well as individual corporate officers, directors, and shareholders. Mr. Hammerle joined the firm as a summer associate. As an author, John's published legal works include, "Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America v. Regal Cinemas, Inc.: The Rise of Stadium Seating in Movie Theaters and the Disabled's Fight for a Comparable Seat in the House," DePaul Law Review, Winter 2005, Volume 54 and "How Much Is Your Time Worth? It May Be a Moot Point," IICLE Civil Litigation Flash Points, May 2006. John has also co-authored an article titled "Are You Ready for Discovery of ESI? A Strategic Checklist for Your 'Meet and Confer' Preparation," and is extensively familiar with the strategies and objectives behind "meet and confer" conferences under amended Rule 26(f), litigation holds, and records management. John is an avid filmgoer and movie buff, having previously interned with the television series Ebert & Roeper and the Movies. You can read more about John's thoughts on film, including reviews and recommendations, at http://hammervision.typepad.com Julie Hammerle, Writer/Producer Julie Hammerle was born in Chicago, Illinois. She attended Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana where she double majored in Secondary Education and Latin with a minor in Music Performance. Julie is a co-founder of Galatrax Pictures. She has dabbled in community theater, previously appearing on stage in the Park Ridge Gilbert & Sullivan Society production of Iolanthe. She wrote the Galatrax short, Bloodnog, and is currently working on three full-length scripts: a feature adaptation of Bloodnog, Once, and Killing Spencer Murphy. Julie is also an accomplished singer who performs at weddings and church services, and has a burgeoning career writing about American Idol. You can read Julie's columns at: http://myidol.americanidol.com/blogs/Magistra. Adam Richardson, Artist Adam Richardson grew up in the Cleveland suburb of Avon Lake, OH. He enjoyed college life at Kent State University, majoring in Photo-Illustration and fraternal debauchery. After moving to Chicago in the fall of 2005 to pursue music and the arts, Adam soon befriended BK and the rest of the Galatrax family. During post-production of the short film Static, Adam created the artwork to be featured on the film's promotional T-shirts. Not long after he was called upon again to help begin storyboarding the Galatrax feature Recursion and has since happily become a resident artist and full-fledged member of the Galatrax family. Andy Ahrens, Actor Andy Ahrens was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. Andy attended Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana where he majored in Theatre Performance. Andy has appeared in all five of Galatrax Pictures' shorts. His other acting credits include roles in Romeo and Juliet, The Grapes of Wrath, and Inherit the Wind at the Indiana Repertory Theatre; and Comedy of Errors, MacBeth, and Hamlet at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Andy has also worked with Chicago filmmaker Paul Leurer on the upcoming film Eden Court. Dianne Martin, Writer/Producer Dianne Martin teaches playwriting and screenwriting at Butler University and has been a member of the Department of Theatre adjunct faculty since 2000. In collaboration with department chair Dr. John Green, she is developing a Screen Studies program for Butler, which will allow faculty and students to explore the ever-expanding artistic possibilities of film, television, video and other forms of storytelling via the screen. A freelance writer, consultant and public speaker, Ms. Martin is the author of the nonfiction book, The Book of Intentions (Beyond Words Publishing, 2002). She has also written a privately commissioned memoir. Currently, Ms. Martin is writing a screenplay and is in the preliminary stages of adapting a best-selling novel into a stage play. Ms. Martin earned her B.A. in Theater Arts from UCLA, with an emphasis in writing and producing. Her professional theater experience includes administrative positions at La Jolla Playhouse, San Jose Repertory Theatre and Shakespeare Santa Cruz. A native of California, Ms. Martin has lived in Indianapolis since 1994.