Meet the Team « Crystal Creek Media Crystal Creek Media

Core Operations Team

MARK & MICHELLE KNUDSEN as Executive Producers

Combining filming with flying, Executive Producer Mark Knudsen has worked in the airline industry for more than 25 years. Captain Knudsen currently works for Delta Airlines and flies an A330 aircraft. Venturing into the media business, Mark and Michelle launched Crystal Creek Media in 2005. The company started with several short films, some promotional media, and even a “how to” video on basic construction concepts.
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DANIEL KNUDSEN as Project Director

American born director, actor, and film producer, Daniel Knudsen wanted to direct movies from a young age. Since 2005, he has actively worked on films around the country. His directing debut came with the family comedy Late For Church, winner of a Jury Award at the annual WYSIWYG Film Festival. Daniel also directed a promotional video for the Titan Sentry 5000, a disaster relief unit that was marketed to the Department of Homeland Security. Filmed summer 2010 and currently in post-production, Creed of Gold was Daniel’s first feature film as director. Creed of Gold already has distributor interest from as far away as Australia. A homeschool graduate himself, in Daniel’s own words, “Film Camp will be an amazing opportunity to do what I love: teach students to have a passion for Jesus and apply that to multimedia.”
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KATHLEEN KNUDSEN as Director of Operations

Homeschool graduate, author, and speaker, Kathleen Knudsen completed her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Thomas Edison State College through accelerated learning by the age of 20. In December 2009 Kathleen began working with Crystal Creek Media as Producer and Director of Operations for the forthcoming movie Creed of Gold. From recruiting cast and crew to coaching the press team, Kathleen provided tactical support for the film.
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An Incredible Team

Over the years we have worked with an incredible group of people. A few who worked with us on our recent project CREED OF GOLD are listed below:

MICAH LAWRENCE as Assistant Director

With experience in film, graphic design, and animation, Micah Lawrence, joined the CREED OF GOLD team as Assistant Director. From a young age he has pursued theatrical acting with performances before audiences as large as 2,000 people. In 2006, Micah worked as a graphic artist for the Institute in Basic Life Principles at their headquarters in Chicago, IL. While there he learned many of the initial design concepts which he has used in the years since. From there, Micah moved on to Studio 125 in Hartselle, Alabama where he worked as a 3D modeler. It was here that he learned to run sound equipment and was able to participate in live action television shoots.As a student at Verity Institute (Indianapolis, IN), Micah worked as a student intern in the graphics department. While there, he designed and created numerous brochures, pamphlets and other materials for the school. Since graduating in 2009, Micah has worked as a Freelance Graphic Design and 3D Artist doing 3D Modeling, Texturing, Animation, Effects, and Rendering. Additionally he teaches at Calhoun Community College as an Adjunct Instructor for Graphics and Animation. For Micah, working on the production team of CREED OF GOLD was the experience of a lifetime. In Micah’s own words, “Tons of people talk about making a film. I am so glad I had the opportunity to be in on a project that went beyond talking and planning to actually putting a story on the screen.”

CHARITY CLARKE as Director of Performance

Charity Clarke made her debut at just 12 years of age with her short play The Nutcracker Suite. The Sander’s Community Church congregation gave it ‘rave reviews.’ Growing up on a small ranch in Northern Idaho did not give Charity many opportunities to participate in theatrical performances but this did not stop her and her family and friends from writing, directing, and performing many skits, short movies, and plays of their own. In high school she participated in a homeschool drama group performance of Hinds Feet on High Places, giving her an opportunity to work with acting coach Sandra Wilder.Charity earned a B.A. in English from Thomas Edison State College in 2007 and currently works for Verity Institute as the Curriculum Development Coordinator. This allows her to teach classes in areas such as English Literature, American Literature and, her favorite, Shakespeare’s Comedies and Tragedies. In 2009, Charity directed an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Working with college students in that production was a definite thrill for Charity.

STEPHEN HIGGINBOTHAM as Director of Photography

Stephen Higginbotham is a gifted artist, cinematographer, and photographer. After receiving his first video camera when he was only eight years old, he was deeply inspired to pursue both photography and cinematography. Since then Stephen has had experience as a videographer for weddings, specialized classes, and conferences in addition to working on post-production, color correction, and motion graphics for a documentary on Haitian relief, entitled: Glory and Hope in Haiti’s Tribulation. He also was the cinematographer for an instructional film which is currently in post-production. Working on CREED OF GOLD gave Stephen the opportunity to enlarge his experience in cinematography to include a major feature film.

SAMUEL JOSHUA as Score Composer

Having worked with Daniel Knudsen as the score composer for Ultimatum, Samuel Joshua is joining the team once again. At the age of nine Samuel began music study on violin. It was not until his second year of college that he considered music as a career. He switched his major from business to music, and decided to study piano at Eastern Michigan University with Steinway Artist, Dr. Gary Pedersen. He has since been the recipient of several music scholarships and awards. Samuel currently composes and records music for film and arranges music for church. He holds a degree in music, as well as film and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in piano pedagogy at Eastern Michigan University.

STACIE GRABER as Production Designer

Passionate about film, faith, and family, Production Designer Stacie Graber played an important role in this film as she ensured that each set had the proper look and feel for the scene. A native of Texas, Stacie has worked broadly both in film and stage drama. She leads her own production organization, Morning Star Productions, and has produced a number of film shorts. Her experience in this industry is invaluable as she brings many unique talents and ideas to the team. Along with her work in film, Stacie also serves at the Hope Pregnancy Center, which assists women in crisis. She has a Bachelor of Arts in History from Thomas Edison State College.

TABITHA DAVIS as Make-up & Hair Designer

As the primary make-up and hair design artist, Tabitha Davis played a vital role in the success of this film. She was passionate about this film because on a personal level it provided her with valuable work experience and yet also presented a powerful message to the culture about moral relevance. A high-school senior, Tabitha plans on pursuing profession training in cosmetology.

GRACIE SHEPHERD as Wardrobe Designer

When not working with Crystal Creek Media, Gracie Shepherd is a journalist for the Augusta Chronicle in Augusta, GA. Originally considered for the press team, Gracie jumped at the chance to shop professionally once she learned that the position of wardrobe designer was open. Since she was to graduate from college less than a week before the film shoot began, she opted for more clothes and less writing as a change from her life as a communications student at Verity Institute. In her own words, “To go from writing 10,000 words a week to just shopping, organizing and ironing all day long was incredible. This was the job of a lifetime.”

REBECCA FRANKS as Regional Public Relations Coordinator

As a native of central Indiana, Rebecca Franks was thrilled to help coordinate locations in Indianapolis. “It was a great way for me to learn more about my community, meet some awesome people, and at the same time develop my professional skills,” she noted. “Seeing God open so many doors and put His blessing on the project was incredible!” As a graduating high school senior, Rebecca will be working in finance and marketing alongside her father developing their family company. Recently, Rebecca has been assisting the strategy team to publicize CREED OF GOLD.

TAYLOR LINDSEY as Adam Smith

Star of the film, CREED OF GOLD is Taylor Lindsey’s first movie production experience. As a child, Taylor, the first born son in his family, enjoyed watching movies such as Robin Hood by Disney. Growing up near the Dallas, Texas area, he developed an avid interest in photography as a teenager. Currently, a sophomore at Verity Institute, Taylor is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in photojournalism. He has already been able to use his proficient skills in photography while participating in mission trips to places such as New Zealand and Pakistan. Twenty-year-old Taylor attained a new level of experience with cameras as he makes his debut as “Adam” in CREED OF GOLD. Taylor is enthusiastic to be a part of this new adventure with Crystal Creek Media as he anticipates the positive, affirming impact that this film will have on the culture around him.

ELLEN LAWRENCE as Kirsten Stanford

Ellen Lawrence loves acting. Growing up as the fourth child in her family, one of her favorite movies was The Sound of Music. Now, at the age of nineteen, Ellen has her own acting repertoire that consists of voice acting, involvement in her brother’s movie projects, and dramas with her church. Ellen is beginning her professional portfolio with her work co-starring as “Kirsten” in CREED OF GOLD. What did Ellen most enjoy about the new venture? “Spending time with all the incredible people involved, and getting to enjoy acting while doing something meaningful.” This fall Ellen is enrolling as a freshman at Verity Institute, majoring in nutritional science, while continuing to look for further acting opportunities.

NICHOLAS WILLEKE as Cody Williams

As a child, Nicholas Willeke acted in church dramas and went on to compete for four years in debate and speech in high school. There he won first place awards in Debate Speaker Awards, Impromptu Apologetics, and Extemporaneous. Nicholas always thought it would be fun to act in a movie. It took the first 17 years of his life for the opportunity to present itself. During lunch break at a debate tournament in Cleveland, Ohio, Director Daniel Knudsen asked Nick if he would be willing to try out for a film that Daniel was shooting over the summer. According to Nick, “the filming experience was filled with great memories – sharing smiles (and tears) with new friends, devouring the delicious meals of Crystal Creek’s kitchen team, and perfecting scenes into the early hours of the morning.”

VANESSA EWING as Jenell Sloan

For Vanessa Ewing acting comes naturally. Involved with acting since a young child, she participated in church dramas and community theater productions such as Tom Sawyer and Peter Pan. From there Vanessa got involved with Neighborhood Youth Theater (NYT) and continued with them into high school because she enjoyed it so much. In her own words, “I loved how in most of their productions you had an opportunity to act, sing, AND, dance!” Major productions Vanessa has been in are “Annie,” “A Christmas Carol,” and “Music Man.” Some of the more major roles she has had are: Fern in “Charlotte’s Web,” one of Annie’s siblings in “Annie Get Your Gun” Bofur, and a dwarf in “The Hobbit.”

ALEXANDER GANAHL as Byron Tackitt

From Jamestown, Indiana, 19-year-old Alexander Ganahl has been extensively involved in volunteer projects and organizations to benefit his community. Participating in 4-H clubs, disaster response teams, and political campaigning, this summer was his first foray into film-making. A senior at Verity Institute and majoring in English, Alexander is continually striving to develop his communications skills, actively seeking new channels to proclaim truth. “Working on a film such as this, with the goal of delivering a message of truth, is a step toward my life goal of telling the truth to the world.” Alexander is seeking to become a journalist, focusing on government communication and media as an outlet to fulfill his life goal.

DR. WILLIAM GREENE as Stuart Wornwall

Dr. William Greene started acting during his senior year of high school when he was cast as the Professor in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”. He took to it quickly and landed the lead male role in his second play. In college, Dr. Greene acted in plays every semester, ultimately winning the Drama Award after his second year there. Later he studied political science and eventually ending up in academia and political consulting. However, Dr. Greene never lost his love for acting. So when he was invited to audition for CREED OF GOLD while teaching a class at Verity Institute, he put his heart into it—and ended up as one of the “big bad guys” of the movie. Commenting on the experience, Dr. Greene said, “I have to say – I loved it! I was so impressed with everything about this movie – the writing, the directing, the professionalism of both actors and staff.”

DR. JAY WILE as Gerald Steinburg

Dr. Jay L. Wile is a published playwright and a veteran of the stage. Early in his adult life, he pursued a career in acting but eventually decided to look for more stable work. He then took the next logical step and went to The University of Rochester to earn a PhD in nuclear chemistry. His favorite stage roles include El Gallo in “The Fantasticks,” Maurice in “Beauty and the Beast,” Lancelot in “Camelot,” and Harold Hill in “The Music Man.” He also has experience in film, including roles such as the Regis Philbin character in General Motors training film “Who Wants To Be a Better Engineer?”

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