Serial Killer: Devil Unchained
Serial Killer: Devil Unchained
INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY
×
director ANDY AWES
Holy Grail In America
HISTORY
×
Holy Grail In America
HISTORY director | editor ANDY AWES
writer | producer MARIA AWES
Night Owls
WESTERN NATIONAL
×
Night Owls
WESTERN NATIONAL director MARCO BACA
our work speaks for itself
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20/20: In An Instant
ABC×
20/20: In An Instant
ABC executive producers ANDY AWES
MARIA AWES
MARIA AWES
director | editor ANDY AWES
writer PAULA ENGELKING
dp BO HAKALA
Toy Story 4
TARGET×
Toy Story 4
TARGET director TODD GRABE
dp BO HAKALA
SERIAL KILLER: Devil Unchained
INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY×
SERIAL KILLER: Devil Unchained
INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY executive producers ANDY AWES
MARIA AWES
MARIA AWES
director ANDY AWES
writer MARIA AWES
editors CURT ASH
ANDY AWES
ANDY AWES
dps BRENDAN HARRIS
BRANDON BOULAY
BRANDON BOULAY
Odyssey Project
SPERRY | MONO×
Odyssey Project
SPERRY | MONO directors BRANDON BOULAY
ANDY AWES
ANDY AWES
dp BRANDON BOULAY
The Swirl Of Life
AMERICAN STANDARD | THORBURN GROUP×
The Swirl Of Life
AMERICAN STANDARD | THORBURN GROUP directors SARA RUBINSTEIN
JEFF STONEHOUSE
JEFF STONEHOUSE
Secrets of Einstein’s Brain
HISTORY CHANNEL×
Secrets of Einstein’s Brain
HISTORY CHANNEL 2015 marks the 60th anniversary of Albert Einstein’s death, and the subsequent disappearance of his brain. After his brain was stolen by the doctor trusted to perform his autopsy, the priceless specimen was examined by scientists whose goal was to try and determine what made this seemingly normal man change the face of science and define the word genius. This documentary follows the path of Einstein’s physical brain and all the places it traveled, while simultaneously telling the story of Einstein the man. It dives deep into Einstein’s life, his theories and not just what we’ve learned about the human brain by studying his, but what we have yet to learn.
executive producers ANDY AWES
MARIA AWES
MARIA AWES
writers MARIA AWES
MICHELLE LAPPIN DAY
MICHELLE LAPPIN DAY
Top of the World
TRAVEL CHANNEL×
Top of the World
TRAVEL CHANNEL Travel Channel™ 2hr special starring the incomparable Mikey Kay.
executive producers ANDY AWES
MARIA AWES
MARIA AWES
Living on Earth
×
Living on Earth
executive producers ANDY AWES
MARIA AWES
MARIA AWES
director | editor ANDY AWES
dp BRANDON BOULAY
My Aloha Dream Home
HGTV×
My Aloha Dream Home
HGTV executive producers ANDY AWES
MARIA AWES
MARIA AWES
editor CURT ASH
The Last Pope
HISTORY CHANNEL×
The Last Pope
HISTORY CHANNEL executive producers ANDY AWES
MARIA AWES
MARIA AWES
director ANDY AWES
Unlock Speed: Capitals
ADIDAS | LATITUDE×
Unlock Speed: Capitals
ADIDAS | LATITUDE director JASON HO
Flamethrower
HORMEL | BBDO×
Flamethrower
HORMEL | BBDO HORMEL + BBDO let us play with fire. Things got awesome.
director BEN KRUEGER
dp BRANDON BOULAY
Bigfoot Captured
HISTORY CHANNEL×
Bigfoot Captured
HISTORY CHANNEL Bigfoot is America's most legendary creature and one that has always inspired more questions than answers. Could something resembling a massive man-ape really be roaming forests and hiding in the shadows undetected? Whether you believe in Bigfoot or not, there's something provocative about the idea that we could co-exist. What if one day we did more than catch a glimpse of one? What if we captured the creature? This two-hour, semi-scripted special, compiled by a director who traveled the world looking for proof Bigfoot actually exists, takes an unexpected turn when a Sasquatch capture is caught on camera. What happens when what most of us think is fiction becomes fact? And what does it mean for us all if the creature really is out there...
executive producers ANDY AWES
MARIA AWES
MARIA AWES
director ANDY AWES
Headliners | Pope Francis
MSNBC×
Headliners | Pope Francis
MSNBC director ANDY AWES
executive producers ANDY AWES
MARIA AWES
MARIA AWES
writer PAULA ENGELKING
Popper
WALMART | MONO×
Popper
WALMART | MONO director ANDY AWES
Superhero Breakfast
GENERAL MILLS + DC COMICS×
Superhero Breakfast
GENERAL MILLS + DC COMICS What's better than directing a spot for the most coveted childhood breakfast? One featuring the Justice League splashed across the front, back and inside of your cereal box.Jason Ho collaborated with BellShop + Ultra Creative on Big G’s latest partnership with Warner Bros., on behalf of DC Entertainment. The spot features four exclusive DC Comics and special edition boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios, Multi Grain Cheerios, Trix, Lucky Charms and Cocoa Puffs with a complete DC Superhero makeover ... needless to say JHO made off with the full collection (nothing shocking given his boyhood aspirations).
director JASON HO
Cook It
GOLD'N PLUMP | HABERMAN×
Cook It
GOLD'N PLUMP | HABERMAN director JASON HO
America Unearthed
TRAVEL CHANNEL×
America Unearthed
TRAVEL CHANNEL executive producers ANDY AWES
MARIA AWES
MARIA AWES
director ANDY AWES
dp BRANDON BOULAY
Found
HISTORY CHANNEL×
Found
HISTORY CHANNEL executive producers ANDY AWES
MARIA AWES
MARIA AWES
director BEN KRUEGER
Gnometown USA
MN LOTTERY | PERISCOPE×
Gnometown USA
MN LOTTERY | PERISCOPE director TODD GRABE
Blue Monster
BEST BUY×
Blue Monster
BEST BUY director | editor ANDY AWES
Myth or Monster
TRAVEL CHANNEL×
Myth or Monster
TRAVEL CHANNEL executive producers ANDY AWES
MARIA AWES
MARIA AWES
director BEN KRUEGER
Aster-Rick
iWIRELESS | HUNT ADKINS×
Aster-Rick
iWIRELESS | HUNT ADKINS See if you can spot the committee cameo.
director MARCO BACA
Snack Attack Samurai
DORITOS×
Snack Attack Samurai
DORITOS director BEN KRUEGER
editor ANDY AWES
True Monsters
HISTORY CHANNEL×
True Monsters
HISTORY CHANNEL True Monsters is a series that brings the scariest stories from our past and our present to life while delving into the truths that have inspired our favorite legends and fantastical creatures. Through a blend of cinematic re-creations and engaging storytelling by a panel of guests ranging from notable fantasy fiction writers to a criminal profiler, True Monsters is a show that reveals more about our monsters – and about us – than you’ve ever imagined. Touching on traditional myths from countries like Greece and Norway, the series broadens out to include monsters and characters from all kinds of sources, including the Bible and modern day urban legends. Now is your chance to see colossal giants like Goliath fall on the battlefield, man-beasts like the minotaur stalk their prey, a Christmas devil named Krampus cart a victim off to Hell and a scissor-wielding, slit-mouthed stalker in Japan seize upon the most helpless victims of all. True Monsters will entertain you while also explaining what led humans to create and fear such creatures and stories in the first place.©2015 Committee Films, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
executive producers ANDY AWES
MARIA AWES
MARIA AWES
directors ANDY AWES
BEN KRUEGER
BEN KRUEGER
dp BRANDON BOULAY
Leadman Tri [longform]
LIFETIME™ | 3e×
Leadman Tri [longform]
LIFETIME™ | 3e director | dp BRANDON BOULAY
Making of Setu
HERMAN MILLER | MONO×
Making of Setu
HERMAN MILLER | MONO director | editor ANDY AWES
Nostradamus: 21st Century Prophecies Revealed
HISTORY CHANNEL×
Nostradamus: 21st Century Prophecies Revealed
HISTORY CHANNEL executive producers ANDY AWES
MARIA AWES
MARIA AWES
directors ANDY AWES
BEN KRUEGER
BEN KRUEGER
dp BRANDON BOULAY
The Shops
TARGET×
The Shops
TARGET directors ANDY AWES
BEN KRUEGER
BEN KRUEGER
Gone Girls
×
Gone Girls
executive producers ANDY AWES
MARIA AWES
MARIA AWES
director ANDY AWES
dp BRANDON BOULAY
Odyssey – Shout Out Louds
SPERRY | MONO×
Odyssey – Shout Out Louds
SPERRY | MONO director | dp BRANDON BOULAY
In The End
PORSCHE | CARMICHAEL LYNCH×
In The End
PORSCHE | CARMICHAEL LYNCH director | editor ANDY AWES
Odyssey – Eva & Rob
SPERRY | MONO×
Odyssey – Eva & Rob
SPERRY | MONO director | dp BRANDON BOULAY
Dark Side Mom
GENERAL MILLS | BELLSHOP×
Dark Side Mom
GENERAL MILLS | BELLSHOP director JASON HO
Superdad
CHRIST HOSPITAL | TEN ADAMS×
Superdad
CHRIST HOSPITAL | TEN ADAMS director | animator CARI MERRYMAN
Who Really Discovered America
HISTORY CHANNEL×
Who Really Discovered America
HISTORY CHANNEL executive producers ANDY AWES
MARIA AWES
MARIA AWES
director | editor ANDY AWES
writer | producer MARIA AWES
Gimme a Mini
DAIRY QUEEN | SPACE 150×
Gimme a Mini
DAIRY QUEEN | SPACE 150 director | editor ANDY AWES
dp BO HAKALA
Today
BEST BUY×
Today
BEST BUY director | editor ANDY AWES
Science!
DORITOS×
Science!
DORITOS director BEN KRUEGER
Cattle First
BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM | MONO×
Cattle First
BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM | MONOLexi
GILLETTE CHILDREN'S | GdB×
Lexi
GILLETTE CHILDREN'S | GdB director ANDY AWES
Polka Dog
TARGET×
Polka Dog
TARGET director BEN KRUEGER
REENACTMENT REEL
c_f×
REENACTMENT REEL
c_fFields of Gold
sWHEAT SCOOP | BROADHEAD×
Fields of Gold
sWHEAT SCOOP | BROADHEAD director BEN KRUEGER
dp BRANDON BOULAY
Pb & Yay
TARGET | MONO×
Pb & Yay
TARGET | MONO director | animator CARI MERRYMAN
Made With Respect
PRAIRIE VODKA×
Made With Respect
PRAIRIE VODKA Directors ANDY AWES
BEN KRUEGER
BEN KRUEGER
Breakthrough
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | MONO×
Breakthrough
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | MONO director | dp | colorist BRANDON BOULAY
we can do it all
We are Committee Films. And we’ll go to the ends of the Earth to make magic for you. Of course, we mean this figuratively. Well, literally too. (No, not the very non-literal kind of “literally” people literally use these days in every sentence. Wait.)
It’s like this: We’ve shot in dozens of countries, like Nepal, China, Ghana, Turkey, Chile and even Canada. (Oh, come on, Canada. You can take a joke, eh?) We’ve also filmed on six of seven continents. (We’re coming for you next, Antarctica!) We’ve been to Everest, Easter Island, and the driest place on the planet—twice. Which, by the way, is the Atacama desert. Pro tip: Don’t bring pretzels as your snack.
We’ve even talked to a serial killer (for real), helped the FBI identify a bombing suspect (for real) and hunted for Bigfoot (for real—even though he very well might not be). And when we’re not chasing down monsters, we’re making commercials for brands like Target, Best Buy, Walmart and Sperry.
Our founders, Andy and Maria, come from two very different worlds: Andy, a film and commercial director and editor. Maria, an award-winning investigative journalist. (Andy wants you to know he won some awards, too.) With these two disparate backgrounds, it’s no wonder one week we’re talking to a serial killer and the next we’re shooting a commercial for Target.
Finally, our mission statement is: We can do it better. This, of course, applies to everything we do (aside from coming up with a new mission statement). And we’d love to do it better for you.
We’ll see you at the end of the Earth. Or Antarctica.
meet the committee
Andy Awes
president | EP×
Andy Awes
president | EP Andy Awes is the President of Committee Films and has been working professionally in film and video production as a director, producer, editor and Tom Hanks’ stand-in for over 20 years. That's 140 in dog years.
In addition to turning the company into a production powerhouse, Andy has been Executive Producer and Showrunner for ABC's hit docudrama series, In An Instant, Travel Channel’s, America Unearthed, Investigation Discovery’s Serial Killer: Devil Unchained and History Channel’s Found and True Monsters. Long before the success of his series work, Andy’s first foray into television came in 2009 when he directed and produced the 2-hour documentary special Holy Grail in America for History Channel. It was so well received, it helped Committee Films launch America Unearthed, H2’s top-rated show – which aired an impressive 39 episodes and was re-booted on Travel Channel in 2019. Andy has also produced multiple specials and pilots for National Geographic, History Channel, Travel Channel, MSNBC and HGTV.
Whew. As if that's not enough...
Andy's television work doesn't stop at successful network and cable programming. He continues to direct and edit national spots, digital content and brand campaigns for companies such as Best Buy, Target, Walmart, Sperry, Dairy Queen, Herman Miller and Alice's Wig Warehouse. (Okay, the last one's a joke. But if Alice were ever to want cool branding, he'd be all over it. But we all know Alice.)
In addition to turning the company into a production powerhouse, Andy has been Executive Producer and Showrunner for ABC's hit docudrama series, In An Instant, Travel Channel’s, America Unearthed, Investigation Discovery’s Serial Killer: Devil Unchained and History Channel’s Found and True Monsters. Long before the success of his series work, Andy’s first foray into television came in 2009 when he directed and produced the 2-hour documentary special Holy Grail in America for History Channel. It was so well received, it helped Committee Films launch America Unearthed, H2’s top-rated show – which aired an impressive 39 episodes and was re-booted on Travel Channel in 2019. Andy has also produced multiple specials and pilots for National Geographic, History Channel, Travel Channel, MSNBC and HGTV.
Whew. As if that's not enough...
Andy's television work doesn't stop at successful network and cable programming. He continues to direct and edit national spots, digital content and brand campaigns for companies such as Best Buy, Target, Walmart, Sperry, Dairy Queen, Herman Miller and Alice's Wig Warehouse. (Okay, the last one's a joke. But if Alice were ever to want cool branding, he'd be all over it. But we all know Alice.)
Maria Awes
SVP | head of development×
Maria Awes
SVP | head of development Maria Awes is Sr. Vice President, Executive Producer and Head of Development for Committee Films. She also holds the title for most titles. Prior to coming on board, she spent 10.2 years (she's very detailed) in broadcast journalism where she won multiple Emmys and the Edward R. Murrow award for her investigative projects. In 2009, after realizing her journalism award shelf had no more room, she decided to turn her talents toward one of her two other passions: producing and writing TV series and specials - or cooking. While she’s been known to make a mean pork slider, she’s even better at cooking up ideas for kick-$*% television shows.
Since the success of her first television special, Holy Grail in America on HISTORY, she's gone on to produce a LOT more content - including the hit docudrama series In An Instant on ABC. She spent three years as the Executive and Series Producer for H2's top-rated show, America Unearthed, oversaw the new HISTORY series True Monsters and was an EP on Top of the World for Travel Channel. Specials she's developed, produced or written include Who Really Discovered America, Bigfoot Captured, Secrets of Einstein’s Brain, and Nostradamus: 21st Century Prophecies Revealed - all for HISTORY - and Mystery of Easter Island for National Geographic/NOVA.
Maria has also done not too shabby of a job overseeing the successful, rapid growth of the company, which now employs nearly 30 people in varying roles. That's a lot more than the 4 it started with!
Is there anything she doesn't do? Yes, get enough sleep. But - on the bright side she does still cook every night for her family while she and her husband Andy prep their two young children to take over the world, or at least the company, someday.
Since the success of her first television special, Holy Grail in America on HISTORY, she's gone on to produce a LOT more content - including the hit docudrama series In An Instant on ABC. She spent three years as the Executive and Series Producer for H2's top-rated show, America Unearthed, oversaw the new HISTORY series True Monsters and was an EP on Top of the World for Travel Channel. Specials she's developed, produced or written include Who Really Discovered America, Bigfoot Captured, Secrets of Einstein’s Brain, and Nostradamus: 21st Century Prophecies Revealed - all for HISTORY - and Mystery of Easter Island for National Geographic/NOVA.
Maria has also done not too shabby of a job overseeing the successful, rapid growth of the company, which now employs nearly 30 people in varying roles. That's a lot more than the 4 it started with!
Is there anything she doesn't do? Yes, get enough sleep. But - on the bright side she does still cook every night for her family while she and her husband Andy prep their two young children to take over the world, or at least the company, someday.
Ben Krueger
director | EP×
Ben Krueger
director | EP Ben Krueger is a dude with a beard in a northern city: Rockin', Livin' and Holdin' Steady (AND keeping the letter "g" off of words ending in "ing"). He's into episodic television playin' rock n' roll, huntin' agates and eatin' wrong. He's also a Producer, Director and all around likable guy.
After attending film school in Minneapolis, Ben started his career as a Production Assistant – working freelance for many years. In 2009, he submitted a commercial (his first) for Doritos "Crash The Super Bowl" contest and was selected as a finalist. His spot "Snack Attack Samurai" aired in the 4th quarter of the 2010 Super Bowl and was "the most watched ad of all time" by Nielsen ratings. It was also rated "best ad with a samurai" by Samurai Zine, which is not a real magazine. Since then he's kept busy working with Committee Films on all of its projects big and small. He's been all over the world with Committee and hopes to keep doing just that.Ben's trademark is his captain's hat – he is currently on his seven(teen)th. "The Captain stands for quality,” he says, “and being cool with everyone you can, while you can.” He lives in Chaska with his awesome wife, rad sons and odd dog where they have a small garden and a great life.When asked to write a play-by-play fight between his favorite 8Os comedy star and favorite 8Os drama star (this is a standard interview question), Ben wrote about a bout (see how I did that?) between Fozzie Bear and Magnum PI. It speaks volumes about Ben's character that Fozzie won in this scenario.
After attending film school in Minneapolis, Ben started his career as a Production Assistant – working freelance for many years. In 2009, he submitted a commercial (his first) for Doritos "Crash The Super Bowl" contest and was selected as a finalist. His spot "Snack Attack Samurai" aired in the 4th quarter of the 2010 Super Bowl and was "the most watched ad of all time" by Nielsen ratings. It was also rated "best ad with a samurai" by Samurai Zine, which is not a real magazine. Since then he's kept busy working with Committee Films on all of its projects big and small. He's been all over the world with Committee and hopes to keep doing just that.Ben's trademark is his captain's hat – he is currently on his seven(teen)th. "The Captain stands for quality,” he says, “and being cool with everyone you can, while you can.” He lives in Chaska with his awesome wife, rad sons and odd dog where they have a small garden and a great life.When asked to write a play-by-play fight between his favorite 8Os comedy star and favorite 8Os drama star (this is a standard interview question), Ben wrote about a bout (see how I did that?) between Fozzie Bear and Magnum PI. It speaks volumes about Ben's character that Fozzie won in this scenario.
David Mueller
director of post | EP×
David Mueller
director of post | EP You wanna know about “the Mule"?
Neither do we.
But if you do, he has dirty blonde hair, dirty blue eyes, and a dirty personalty. He graduated college in 2 years and moved to NYC to pursue everything dirty. Well, not everything dirty.
For many years, he worked in theatrical film distribution, helping release independent films such as CROUPIER, YU TU MAMA TAMBIEN, PALINDROMES, BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, TARNATION, PASSION OF THE CHRIST, among many others. He worked for Shooting Gallery, IFC films, Newmarket, Wellspring, Tribeca Film Festival & United Artists during his tenure.
David (NOT DAVE - don’t you dare!) made the transition back to television, securing a position on the ABC sitcom Hope & Faith. Once those adjectives wore off, David pursued a producer position with PBS. While at the Twin Cities affiliate, TPT, Mueller wrote, edited and produced a number of local short-form documentaries.
Mueller eventually fell in love with POST and was lured to the other side so to speak. Managing post production on numerous television series for Magnetic Productions in Minneapolis reminded David that he no longer needed to carry pelican cases for pennies and flex his shapely muscles for meals. Please note that flexing his muscles for meals was never required.
In his current Post (get it?!) David leads the post production department, which includes managing personnel, equipment, schedules, budgets and plays Post Supervisor on all projects. He leads a team that is responsible for completing and delivering all projects to television networks and commercial clients.
If that’s not enough, Mueller fights hard to always show that the POST muscle is as fast, strong and as pretty as the production muscle...well, maybe not as pretty. Not that it’s a competition or anything...or is it?!!
Neither do we.
But if you do, he has dirty blonde hair, dirty blue eyes, and a dirty personalty. He graduated college in 2 years and moved to NYC to pursue everything dirty. Well, not everything dirty.
For many years, he worked in theatrical film distribution, helping release independent films such as CROUPIER, YU TU MAMA TAMBIEN, PALINDROMES, BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, TARNATION, PASSION OF THE CHRIST, among many others. He worked for Shooting Gallery, IFC films, Newmarket, Wellspring, Tribeca Film Festival & United Artists during his tenure.
David (NOT DAVE - don’t you dare!) made the transition back to television, securing a position on the ABC sitcom Hope & Faith. Once those adjectives wore off, David pursued a producer position with PBS. While at the Twin Cities affiliate, TPT, Mueller wrote, edited and produced a number of local short-form documentaries.
Mueller eventually fell in love with POST and was lured to the other side so to speak. Managing post production on numerous television series for Magnetic Productions in Minneapolis reminded David that he no longer needed to carry pelican cases for pennies and flex his shapely muscles for meals. Please note that flexing his muscles for meals was never required.
In his current Post (get it?!) David leads the post production department, which includes managing personnel, equipment, schedules, budgets and plays Post Supervisor on all projects. He leads a team that is responsible for completing and delivering all projects to television networks and commercial clients.
If that’s not enough, Mueller fights hard to always show that the POST muscle is as fast, strong and as pretty as the production muscle...well, maybe not as pretty. Not that it’s a competition or anything...or is it?!!
Cate Honzl
producer×
Cate Honzl
producer INT. COMMITTEE FILMS – DAY At a desk sits CATE HONZL — whip smart, accomplished screenwriter, and mother of two bright-eyed babes. She is tapping away at the keyboard of her computer, writing something amazing. Her blond hair and blue eyes make her seem Midwestern, but there is something extra in them — not literally in them like dust – more like… dreams. INT. STUDIO – DAY – BEGIN FLASHBACK SEQUENCE Cate as a young college age girl who has left everything behind to come to New York and be right here, assisting big directors — not literally big as in super tall or chubby, more like… famous. She takes notes as the director speaks in flourishes to actors. INT. APARTMENT NIGHT - FLASHBACK CONT The light of a computer screen illuminates Cate’s face as she writes into the night. INT. A SECOND STUDIO – NIGHT – FLASHBACK CONT Cate delivers a coffee to the director of McFLY vs. VADER: A BATTLE STORY. She is elated to be here watching this epic cinematic battle between her favorite movie hero and favorite movie villain. INT. APARTMENT NIGHT - FLASHBACK CONT The light of a computer screen illuminates the back of Cate’s sleeping head, she is surrounded by books she is trying to keep up with. An empty wine glass and bottle sit on the counter. INT. PROP WAREHOUSE – DAY - FLASHBACK CONT Cate, now a bit older, rushes through a warehouse. She is wearing not-at-all-on-the-nose T-shirt with the shape of the state of Minnesota on it. Her arms are full with a lamp, an oversized taxidermy and two rakes. ART DIRECTOR (O.S.) Grab that chair too! This is, after all, a Coen Brother film! CATE Right away, non-expositional Art Director! INT. CHURCH – AFTERNOON – FLASHBACK CONT Cate is wearing a white gown. She’s getting married to some guy with too many consonants in his last name. They kiss and get totally married. END FLASHBACK SEQUENCE INT. COMMITTEE FILMS – DAY A small smile crosses Cate’s face as she comes out of her memories – not literally out of them like a room, more like… stops thinking them. A co-worker is walking by but stops. CO-WORKER Cate. Your journey is so crazy. Like how you were a quarterfinalist in the Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting... twice! Or like how you love Cinema Paradiso, which came out the same year you were born, or how you have six siblings. So. Crazy. Cate looks at her co-worker. She removes a long sword from the sheath at her hip and slices him in half. So many screams. INT. CATE’S HOUSE – NIGHT The light of a computer screen illuminates Cate’s face. She is reading this bio, which she quickly closes. CATE That was garbage. She opens a new, blank document and begins to type: CATE HONZL’S BIO – DECENT VERSION.
Cari Merryman
director | animator×
Cari Merryman
director | animator Cari is a director, animator, puppeteer, baker, candlestick maker and all around artistic genius. She actually pointed out that her bio is sort of “stop-motiony” with its one-letter-at-a-time-making-a-sentence thing.
Before working at Committee, Cari had an oddly large number of jobs (her resume was 12 pages) including but not limited to: lifeguard, GAP employee, DNR employee, real estate mogul for Victoria’s Secret, clothes dryer, and ammunition sorter. Only after all that did she decide to get her masters in animation over in Bristol. It’s actually a common path for animators.
When she’s not at work or making art project after art project, Cari is planning her next Halloween party – they are legendary! I kid you not. Her kitchen table is surrounded by 6 handmade corpses; there is a 12ft papier-mâché shark hanging in her basement; and currently at least two frozen cave people effigies reside in her garage (although only one of which has an alien popping out of its chest cavity). Point is, her creativity knows no bounds. And she brings that to each and every project.
Oh, and if that's not enough, she’s also a scuba diver and co-captains charters to Isle Royale.
Before working at Committee, Cari had an oddly large number of jobs (her resume was 12 pages) including but not limited to: lifeguard, GAP employee, DNR employee, real estate mogul for Victoria’s Secret, clothes dryer, and ammunition sorter. Only after all that did she decide to get her masters in animation over in Bristol. It’s actually a common path for animators.
When she’s not at work or making art project after art project, Cari is planning her next Halloween party – they are legendary! I kid you not. Her kitchen table is surrounded by 6 handmade corpses; there is a 12ft papier-mâché shark hanging in her basement; and currently at least two frozen cave people effigies reside in her garage (although only one of which has an alien popping out of its chest cavity). Point is, her creativity knows no bounds. And she brings that to each and every project.
Oh, and if that's not enough, she’s also a scuba diver and co-captains charters to Isle Royale.
Brandon Boulay
director | DP×
Brandon Boulay
director | DPBrandon Boulay is Committee’s resident Director / Director of Photography. His approach: be wildly passionate and always reach beyond (or around, or inside, or on top – or all of the places you didn’t think of) the status quo.
We are here to sing our DP’s praises because he won’t – even though he is one of the driving forces behind the amazing Committee Films aesthetic you’ve grown to love and expect. The “20-something Caucasian male” points to his mediocre cooking and affinity for bikes (with a motor, or not) when characterizing himself. His favorite smell: the ocean. His favorite place: the ocean. His favorite sound: [this bio brought to you by THE OCEAN].
But that’s why we like him – he’s a humble dude with genuine talent, who loves everything about saltwater and, even so, chooses to reside in Minneapolis. He began his career immediately after graduating high school and spent seven months on the road directing two films, both involving motocross. The experience provided him an arena to explore new avenues of storytelling in action sports and this is where he made bold moves as a fresh, young director – moves that would help him refine his craft and prove his talent.
Even though he’s led a life amongst thrill seekers, Brandon wants you to know he has a softer side. Think Humane Society photos and Sarah MacLaughlin songs. Things that cause him to ask deep rhetorical questions like, “How many dogs could I bring on the road? What if I covered the airfare? Why Sarah, why?!”
Not to worry, it’s nothing a little Arrested Development can’t fix (the television pleasure for which he feels no guilt).
Sergio M. Rapu
producer | development×
Sergio M. Rapu
producer | developmentSergio M. Rapu, known to some as “The Surge,” was born on the remote island of Rapa Nui, like all great producer/writers. Easter Island, as you may refer to it, is the most remote, inhabited place on Earth, but even distance didn’t stop this guy from coming to Committee Films.
Before he arrived at c_f, he migrated to Hawaii – the most isolated archipelago on Earth – and then went on to Loyola Marymount University in LA – the least isolated place on Earth – where he earned a degree in Film/Television Production. One of his first TV gigs was working on the hit show LOST as a production assistant and he moved up quickly from there – and on to projects of his own. He’s won a boatload of awards and grants for his work, mostly pertaining to the topic of Polynesian culture.
Committee contracted him to AP their first NOVA / Nat Geo project about Easter Island because they figured hey, this guy can help us get access to the sites we need to film! But what Committee Films got was so much more. Sergio proved to be an invaluable collaborator, levelheaded producer and aficionado of great restaurants, which he likes to frequent with other c_f staffers and his lovely wife. Naturally we brought him on full-time and he was one of a tight-knit team of folks who made Committee Films’ series, America Unearthed, a hit on H2. Now, he’s trying his hand producing material for our development department, bringing fresh ideas and a new perspective in our approach to content creation.
Brendan Harris
director of photography×
Brendan Harris
director of photography bio coming soon
Curt Ash
senior editor×
Curt Ash
senior editor Normally we take the time to write up a bio for someone, but we think Curt’s answer to the question “What’s your background?” is pretty good by itself:
I was born in Fargo, ND and I'm half Canadian. When people make fun of Canada in front of me, there are repercussions. I went to film school to avoid sitting at a desk all day. Ironic, eh? Also, I joined the Army after High School but didn't pass my physical. I was voted most likely to win an Oscar in high school. I dig the outdoors. I'm an Eagle Scout, how's that for all-American (but half Canadian)?
That sums it up, except for one thing. Curt is just ridiculously tall.
He’s as tall as any two other Committee employees combined.
We say 6’10”.
This allows us to constantly shower him with praise puns: “If you left we’d have big shoes to fill,” or “You take editing to new heights,” or “You’re super tall Curt." Wait, that last one isn't quite the same…
Despite his stature, he’s crap at basketball and has a tiny dog - a 6lb Chihuahua named Paco. He is, however, a fantastic editor despite the small keys.
Outside of work Curt likes to be outside in the woods. He may be solely responsible for 1/5 of the sasquatch sightings in North America.
In the past, Curt has been a cart pusher at Target, a truck driver and a homebuilder. He was also once a door-to door meat salesman – a common path for editors. Whatever the path he took to get here, we’re happy he’s here now. He was a huge hire for Committee Films. There we go again…praise punning.
I was born in Fargo, ND and I'm half Canadian. When people make fun of Canada in front of me, there are repercussions. I went to film school to avoid sitting at a desk all day. Ironic, eh? Also, I joined the Army after High School but didn't pass my physical. I was voted most likely to win an Oscar in high school. I dig the outdoors. I'm an Eagle Scout, how's that for all-American (but half Canadian)?
That sums it up, except for one thing. Curt is just ridiculously tall.
He’s as tall as any two other Committee employees combined.
We say 6’10”.
This allows us to constantly shower him with praise puns: “If you left we’d have big shoes to fill,” or “You take editing to new heights,” or “You’re super tall Curt." Wait, that last one isn't quite the same…
Despite his stature, he’s crap at basketball and has a tiny dog - a 6lb Chihuahua named Paco. He is, however, a fantastic editor despite the small keys.
Outside of work Curt likes to be outside in the woods. He may be solely responsible for 1/5 of the sasquatch sightings in North America.
In the past, Curt has been a cart pusher at Target, a truck driver and a homebuilder. He was also once a door-to door meat salesman – a common path for editors. Whatever the path he took to get here, we’re happy he’s here now. He was a huge hire for Committee Films. There we go again…praise punning.
Bill Hurley
associate producer×
Bill Hurley
associate producer Bill Hurley. If that sounds like a shepherd’s name to you then, you’re right, and I’m not sure how you knew that. Yes, Bill was raised on a sheep farm, which is at odds with his set nickname “Ham Tray” (because ham=pigs, an alternative livestock) given to him for his flawless circulation of a tray of ham to crew members on multiple occasions. This is, he says, his proudest production moment, but most of us here would say he’s just a super hard worker with a great attitude and should be more proud of the fact that we all see him as such.
Still, that ham though…
Originally from New Hampshire Bill came to Committee through an internship after having seen our work on TV and writing in with a letter entitled “Bill: Intern Extraordinaire”. We called him up and liked his voice and the faint “bahs” in the background. So, he came to Minnesota where we fell in professional, HR-compliant love with him as he worked on back-to-back TV specials. Knowing he had to be ours, we made him an offer he could refuse, but didn’t – Production Assistant #2.
But Bill was so much more than a number two. He’s the shit so we made him an Associate Producer! In his short time at c_f he has become a well-rounded employee capable of taking on any task he’s asked to do and providing comic relief in the spaces between.
In his spare time… well, I guess all the time… he is a nerd of the highest order. He loves to play video games, go to the Renaissance Festival (who doesn’t?), play something called “Catan” or whatever, play Magic The Gathering, and watch Lord of the Rings (his favorite movie) or Game of Thrones (his favorite show). As nerdy as this all is, he somehow makes it cool and we love him for that. Surprisingly, he also just got married… to a lady not a sheep!
Bill is also about 5’11”.
Still, that ham though…
Originally from New Hampshire Bill came to Committee through an internship after having seen our work on TV and writing in with a letter entitled “Bill: Intern Extraordinaire”. We called him up and liked his voice and the faint “bahs” in the background. So, he came to Minnesota where we fell in professional, HR-compliant love with him as he worked on back-to-back TV specials. Knowing he had to be ours, we made him an offer he could refuse, but didn’t – Production Assistant #2.
But Bill was so much more than a number two. He’s the shit so we made him an Associate Producer! In his short time at c_f he has become a well-rounded employee capable of taking on any task he’s asked to do and providing comic relief in the spaces between.
In his spare time… well, I guess all the time… he is a nerd of the highest order. He loves to play video games, go to the Renaissance Festival (who doesn’t?), play something called “Catan” or whatever, play Magic The Gathering, and watch Lord of the Rings (his favorite movie) or Game of Thrones (his favorite show). As nerdy as this all is, he somehow makes it cool and we love him for that. Surprisingly, he also just got married… to a lady not a sheep!
Bill is also about 5’11”.
Zak Hanson
associate producer×
Zak Hanson
associate producer Bio coming soon.
Cindy Barber
office manager×
Cindy Barber
office manager Cindy Barber is like the big sister of Committee Films. She takes care of us, gives us advice, gives us her old clothes, and is always there when we need her. This is how she is in all aspects of her life: devoted wife, loving mother, great friend, and guinea pig saver. That sounds like an attempt at random “cleverness”, but it’s not - Cindy once saved her family’s male guinea pig from breast cancer.
I’m going to let that sink in for a second…
…just one second longer…
While not saving largish rodents from ravaging diseases, Cindy is into interior design and home décor. She once worked as a custom furniture designer AND as a buyer for Nordstrom where she was both buyer of the month and buyer of the year. At first I thought – how much did you spend!? – but then I read it again. Pretty cool.
All of this is aided by Cindy’s meticulous nature. She loves cleanliness, organization, even numbers, and symmetry. The perfect person to help organize a sometimes cluttered, random, and odd group of TV and Commercial makers!
In short, we would be lost without the unanimously voted MVP of Committee Films! There is also a high probability that without Cindy in this world, guinea pigs would be extinct too.
I’m going to let that sink in for a second…
…just one second longer…
While not saving largish rodents from ravaging diseases, Cindy is into interior design and home décor. She once worked as a custom furniture designer AND as a buyer for Nordstrom where she was both buyer of the month and buyer of the year. At first I thought – how much did you spend!? – but then I read it again. Pretty cool.
All of this is aided by Cindy’s meticulous nature. She loves cleanliness, organization, even numbers, and symmetry. The perfect person to help organize a sometimes cluttered, random, and odd group of TV and Commercial makers!
In short, we would be lost without the unanimously voted MVP of Committee Films! There is also a high probability that without Cindy in this world, guinea pigs would be extinct too.
Courtney Reistad
assistant producer×
Courtney Reistad
assistant producer bio coming soon
Devin Meierding
post coordinator×
Devin Meierding
post coordinator Before working at Committee Films, Devin Meierding was in college. Literally, that's where we hired him from. There is a rumor that he literally drove from graduation at the Art Institutes International Minnesota to {c_f} and literally sat down at a computer to start work. At the time, he was the youngest person ever to join the Committee. Why? Because awesomeness knows no age or bounds!
Officially, Devin is the Media Management Coordinator, but in reality he’s the Catch-All-Guy Extraordinaire. When he’s not helping to keep the media nice and tidy, driving gear around, making our calendars run smoothly or simultaneously troubleshooting fifteen random office tech issues, Devin can be found unwinding by taking selfies. You know, pictures of yourself, I mean himself, I mean yourself , if you’re Devin, or if even you’re just you… forget it.
At any rate, you should see his selfie collection – its amazing.
Devin's mastery of selfie snapshots stems from his general love of photography, film and images and that's why he's a great member of our team. Bottom line, we’re glad to have him on board and don’t think we could live without him. We're not sure if he feels the same about us, but he definitely can't do without the TV shows Glee and Heroes.
Officially, Devin is the Media Management Coordinator, but in reality he’s the Catch-All-Guy Extraordinaire. When he’s not helping to keep the media nice and tidy, driving gear around, making our calendars run smoothly or simultaneously troubleshooting fifteen random office tech issues, Devin can be found unwinding by taking selfies. You know, pictures of yourself, I mean himself, I mean yourself , if you’re Devin, or if even you’re just you… forget it.
At any rate, you should see his selfie collection – its amazing.
Devin's mastery of selfie snapshots stems from his general love of photography, film and images and that's why he's a great member of our team. Bottom line, we’re glad to have him on board and don’t think we could live without him. We're not sure if he feels the same about us, but he definitely can't do without the TV shows Glee and Heroes.
Jen Blanck
head research librarian×
Jen Blanck
head research librarian When Committee Films decided we needed somebody to manage our research library, we went out and got an actual librarian. That’s how we roll. Jen Blanck is not just an example name you’d see in a mobile app tutorial on how to consolidate your friends into one easily accessible group, it’s also the name of our rock star Head Research Librarian.
Jen is schooled in anthropology, airplane runway taxiing, hand modeling, camp counseling and fancy coffee drink making – though she’ll tell you herself she’s the worst barista ever. She also happens to have an MLIS degree. That’s the part that makes her a real deal librarian. After an eight-year stint working in a hospital library, she decided it was time to do something that made more use of all of her various skills and that’s when she started heading up Committee Films’ research department. It’s a place where she can both do research and do a little hand modeling from time to time. But, she’s not allowed to touch the coffee, except the Keurig.
Jen spearheads our many research needs, managing all of the information from that research and loves it almost as much as we love her. When she has free time, she doesn’t read nearly as many books as you might think a librarian reads. She loves to travel and spend time with her friends and family. Any other free moments are spent uploading and organizing all of her photos of her travels, friends and family.
If she could have a superpower, she’d love to make more of those moments. “I would like to be able to stop time. I would use this power for two purposes. First, during the best days, I would stop time to revel in the moment. Additionally, I would stop time to do stupid tasks like dishes and laundry.”
We’ll remember to not add dishes and laundry to the, er, laundry list of everything else she does for us.
Jen is schooled in anthropology, airplane runway taxiing, hand modeling, camp counseling and fancy coffee drink making – though she’ll tell you herself she’s the worst barista ever. She also happens to have an MLIS degree. That’s the part that makes her a real deal librarian. After an eight-year stint working in a hospital library, she decided it was time to do something that made more use of all of her various skills and that’s when she started heading up Committee Films’ research department. It’s a place where she can both do research and do a little hand modeling from time to time. But, she’s not allowed to touch the coffee, except the Keurig.
Jen spearheads our many research needs, managing all of the information from that research and loves it almost as much as we love her. When she has free time, she doesn’t read nearly as many books as you might think a librarian reads. She loves to travel and spend time with her friends and family. Any other free moments are spent uploading and organizing all of her photos of her travels, friends and family.
If she could have a superpower, she’d love to make more of those moments. “I would like to be able to stop time. I would use this power for two purposes. First, during the best days, I would stop time to revel in the moment. Additionally, I would stop time to do stupid tasks like dishes and laundry.”
We’ll remember to not add dishes and laundry to the, er, laundry list of everything else she does for us.
Ryan Soule
designer×
Ryan Soule
designer Ryan started at Committee Films as "the intern." He'd come in sort of whenever and do whatever and then go to his real job at Canterbury Park as a camera operator. We have no idea how long he'd been showing up, as no one really talks to the intern.
Turns out, Ryan is actually an extremely talented designer and master of Photoshop, so the execs at Committee decided he should be paid before it started to look like the company was in violation of labor laws. In addition to making his own films in his spare time, Ryan is an avid snowboarder, jazz connoisseur, and tree-fort builder. Seriously, you should see his tree fort.
Now that he's on board at Committee and lending his creative brain to all things design, we actually talk to him. We found out his favorite television guilty pleasure is Wife Swap, which he calls "excellent social experimentation." He also likes the Planet Earth documentary series, Misfits, NewsRadio, Rocky and Bullwinkle, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
We've all stopped talking to him again.
Turns out, Ryan is actually an extremely talented designer and master of Photoshop, so the execs at Committee decided he should be paid before it started to look like the company was in violation of labor laws. In addition to making his own films in his spare time, Ryan is an avid snowboarder, jazz connoisseur, and tree-fort builder. Seriously, you should see his tree fort.
Now that he's on board at Committee and lending his creative brain to all things design, we actually talk to him. We found out his favorite television guilty pleasure is Wife Swap, which he calls "excellent social experimentation." He also likes the Planet Earth documentary series, Misfits, NewsRadio, Rocky and Bullwinkle, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
We've all stopped talking to him again.
Paul Hunter
assistant editor×
Paul Hunter
assistant editor Bio long-overdue.
Kari Kloster
director of operations | EP×
Kari Kloster
director of operations | EP There is one critical thing to know about Kari Kloster – other than the fact that she is Committee's Director of Operations and Executive Producer of Television Production. That is, she doesn’t smell.
By this we concurrently mean that she specifically doesn’t have any sort of objectionable smell and that she actually can’t smell well. This is entirely due to what she calls a “freak childhood mishap.” Having a “freak childhood” mishap is super tough in and of itself, but check this out: Kari’s first job in television was covering sports – The NFL, MLB and NASCAR. She would never have actually gotten that job if she could smell. Have you ever been in a locker room?
Her sports gig ultimately led her to work for John Madden’s crew where her amazing production talents came face-to-face with her then very un-amazing football knowledge base. But with a great attitude, awesome skills and “Football for Dummies,” she went to the Super Bowl.
After that adventure, she boarded a plane to check out what to her was an even bigger matchup than the Super Bowl – figure skating at the 2002 Olympics! This fulfilled a lifelong dream for Kari, as she is an avid figure skater herself. Lifelong dream fulfilled, Kari thought, “Why not move back to Minnesota?” I mean, it is the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," and lakes become ice in the winter – perfect for her to skate on.
Turns out, Minnesota is the land of 10,000 other things too, meaning television series, and all of them wanted a Kloster. She started show running, and she ran fast.
She ran like 3 shows, was VP of a production company, and developed countless programs. In 2013, she fell in with Committee because we needed an awesome Show Runner ourselves! Since then she's moved on up and had a hand in all of our success, including ABC's hit docudrama series In An Instant, Travel Channel's Top of The World, the new HISTORY series True Monsters and upcoming specials Secrets of Einstein’s Brain, Nostradamus: 21st Century Prophecies Revealed, and Bigfoot Captured also for HISTORY.
All of this, just because Kari doesn’t smell.
By this we concurrently mean that she specifically doesn’t have any sort of objectionable smell and that she actually can’t smell well. This is entirely due to what she calls a “freak childhood mishap.” Having a “freak childhood” mishap is super tough in and of itself, but check this out: Kari’s first job in television was covering sports – The NFL, MLB and NASCAR. She would never have actually gotten that job if she could smell. Have you ever been in a locker room?
Her sports gig ultimately led her to work for John Madden’s crew where her amazing production talents came face-to-face with her then very un-amazing football knowledge base. But with a great attitude, awesome skills and “Football for Dummies,” she went to the Super Bowl.
After that adventure, she boarded a plane to check out what to her was an even bigger matchup than the Super Bowl – figure skating at the 2002 Olympics! This fulfilled a lifelong dream for Kari, as she is an avid figure skater herself. Lifelong dream fulfilled, Kari thought, “Why not move back to Minnesota?” I mean, it is the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," and lakes become ice in the winter – perfect for her to skate on.
Turns out, Minnesota is the land of 10,000 other things too, meaning television series, and all of them wanted a Kloster. She started show running, and she ran fast.
She ran like 3 shows, was VP of a production company, and developed countless programs. In 2013, she fell in with Committee because we needed an awesome Show Runner ourselves! Since then she's moved on up and had a hand in all of our success, including ABC's hit docudrama series In An Instant, Travel Channel's Top of The World, the new HISTORY series True Monsters and upcoming specials Secrets of Einstein’s Brain, Nostradamus: 21st Century Prophecies Revealed, and Bigfoot Captured also for HISTORY.
All of this, just because Kari doesn’t smell.
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