RICH SAMUELS
Director of Production

Rich Samuels has been a filmmaker since he was eleven years old, and today focuses on youth and youth-oriented programs. His has received three Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards, his first recognizing outstanding programming for Children and Youth, and was nominated for two others. His work has also been honored with recognition at festivals worldwide. Among his accomplishments: Samuels served for three years as the founding producer of “LA This Week,” a political newsmagazine. He was Producer and Editor of “Kafkaesuqe” and the feature documentary, “Prescription: Suicide.” His educational drama, “TekTek,” exploring Internet safety, is distributed to schools nationwide. Samuels served as writer/ producer on several episodes of Robert Stack’s “Lords of the Mafia” historical documentary series, and most recently co-created an experimental comedy short, “Whatever Happened to Andy Tark?” Samuels has also been awarded several screenwriting awards, and is an active freelance writer. Before becoming involved with Freshifilmworx, Samuels created a number of filmmaking workshops, including a program with senior citizens, a workshop at a youth probation camp, and an innovative filmmaking workshop at Pacific Lodge Boys Home in Woodland Hills, using filmmaking to teach teamwork and leadership skills to teenagers addressing emotional and substance abuse issues. Samuels served on the board of the International Documentary Association, where he was instrumental in creating the organization’s youth outreach program, coordinated the IDA’s Student Documentary Awards, and served on the organization’s executive committee. Samuels is also a member in good standing of the Producers Guild of America.

KIM TURNEY
Administrative Director

Kim attended The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio where she earned her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts Degree in Acting in 1986. She acted in regional theater for three years then returned to Ohio State earning her Master’s of Fine Arts Degree in Acting in 1992.Kim made the move to Los Angeles, California to housesit for a friend in Northridge, CA…right before the earthquake in 1994. Figuring that quake was probably the ‘big one’ for her lifetime, she stayed in Los Angeles, and almost immediately obtained a position with the Walt Disney Company. Kim spent eight years at Disney as a Print Production Manager in Corporate Print Services. She worked with different divisions within the Corporation including Walt Disney Theatrical Productions, Imagineering, Educational Productions, the Anaheim Angels, and the Mighty Ducks, spending the last 2 years working with Buena Vista Pictures Marketing and Distribution. In 1996 she became the business manager and an instructor for the Academy of Theatrical Combat, a school for training actors in the art of staged combat. In 2002 Kim had the opportunity to be the Assistant Swordmaster on Hallmark’s mini series, La Femme Musketeer. She resigned from The Walt Disney Company and five days later was working with Michael York and John Rhys-Davies in the beautiful country of Croatia. Kim then became a partner with Privatsky Film Works and began writing and directing short films in Digital Format. Kim created a High Definition Digital Workflow system for the Panasonic HVX200 and has used this system for safely downloading digital footage for a variety of film and television productions since the camera came out in early 2006. She is extremely excited about being a part of FreshiFilmworx and to be able to bring digital technology into schools across the country sharing the joys of filmmaking with the next generations of filmmakers.

CHRISTINA HALL
Director of Special Projects

Christina Hall began her career as a script supervisor with a short film for the 168 film festival, “A Temp For All Seasons.” She had been trained by well- known and respected script supervisor, Robert Gary, who spent over fifty years on the job. His credits include “Friendly Persuasion,” “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” and “Knots Landing” among many others. After having her first project nominated in every category and win five major awards, she knew she had chosen the right path. After “Temp,” she worked on several more short films, gaining experience in the varied world of independent festival film projects before moving into feature films, television and music videos. Now she is living the crazy life working with Freshi Films and the International Family Film Festival.Growing up in a small Alabama town, Christina dreamed of being part of Hollywood. Straight out of UCLA, Christina worked with highly praised casting director April Webster. But at a young age, she chose a more stable career and taught high school social studies for six years. However, that small town girl couldn’t escape her dream, and Hollywood came calling. At the age of thirty, Christina made the decision to follow her passion and leap into the world of filmmaking. She has never looked back

YVONNE FARROW
PR Specialist

Ms. Farrow is a professional actress and vested member of SAG, AFTRA and AEA.  She’s had recurring and starring roles on television, in films and in commercials, as well as leading roles on stage. Also a filmmaker and screenwriter, Yvonne was one of ten in the nation chosen for ABC Talent Development’s Scholarship/Grant Program to write, produce and direct her film, I’d Rather Be Dancing.  Nominated “Best Short” at the Pan African Film Festival and “Special Prize” at FESPACO, IRBD has screened on television and in over thirty national and international film festivals. Yvonne began her career as a concert dancer at the Duke Ellington High School for the Arts in Washington DC, and went on to receive her BA from New York University, while dancing professionally.  Having come full circle, she choreographs movement for classically trained choral groups called “choralography”.  Her ballets have been performed around the world. Ms. Farrow is partner with Yvette Heyliger in TWINBIZ (twins-in-the-business), whose mission is to write, direct and produce original works for stage, television and film, which seek to uplift, educate, entertain and serve.  For more information, visit www.twinbiz.com.