Rudy Hypolite – Director / Producer / Writer
Trinidadian-born and Boston-bred, Rudy is an American Film Institute and Henry “Eyes on the Prize” Hampton award recipient. After graduating from Boston University’s Television and Film Program, Rudy has worked for Harvard University as a Content Producer and Multimedia Specialist, Cambridge Community Television, WFNX-FM Radio and “The Big Easy” television series in Los Angeles. Rudy started KreateAbuzz Documentary Films LLC in 2010 to represent Black Boston on film. Rudy directed and executive produced PUSH: Madison versus Madison, the acclaimed basketball documentary nationally broadcast on ESPN Classic and PBS' World America Reframed series. “This Ain’t Normal” is Rudy’s fourth, independent feature film garnering North American film distribution streaming rights with Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios in 2020. The film humanizes the stories of gang-involved youth and the team of social and street workers who transform their lives.
Oriel Danielson - Digital Film Editor / Writer
Oriel is a Swedish-born, Israeli-raised documentary filmmaker. After earning his BFA from the Stockholm Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2013, he worked on various non-fiction television programs and documentaries in Sweden, both in front and behind the camera. In 2015 Oriel relocated to NYC and shifted his focus to editing, working for major media companies such as Spotify and CNN's Great Big Story. In 2020 Oriel won an Emmy with his Great Big Story team in the Short Format Daytime Category for the web-series "The Brave." Oriel's collaboration with Rudy Hypolite began in 2016 when they worked together on the feature documentary This Ain't Normal. Neighborhood Oasis will be his second feature film with KreateABuzz. Today Oriel lives in the Catskill mountains of New York together with his wife Kaitlyn and their dog Penny, where he continues to develop and create documentary content and work as an editor.
Mike Pecci – Director of Photography / Lighting Director
Mike has made a name for himself as a director and photographer with over 20 years of film, music video, and photographer experience. Rudy is one of the few directors that he will jump back behind the camera for, “I love working on Rudy’s films…I’ve been living in Boston my whole life, but on “This Ain’t Normal” it was like I got to see the city I love with fresh eyes and fall into a deeper appreciation of the people that I call neighbors.”Mike recently relocated with his girlfriend Gina to Los Angeles to pursue feature film directing and photography opportunities.
Ralph Griswold – Lead Camera / Director of Photography
Ralph is a Videographer/DP in the TV Broadcasting industry for over 3 decades. His credits include shooting many topics for Major Broadcasting and Cable Networks: Documentaries, Children’s Programming, Pro Sports and PSAs. His achievements include winner of 7 NATAS Emmy Awards, the New England Chapter, in 3 different categories: Videography, Audio and Lighting. Other awards include an Iris Award and Black Achievers Award.
Dennis G. Wilson – Co Producer
Coach Wilson is a retired Boston High School History teacher and Dean of Discipline for thirty years. Dennis received his Masters Degree in Education Administration from UMass-Lowell. Dennis is a co-producer and the main character in PUSH: Madison versus Madison, the acclaimed basketball documentary film, nationally broadcast on ESPN Classic, Magic Johnson’s Aspire network and PBS' World America Reframed series. Dennis is co-producer of “This Ain’t Normal,” independent feature film garnering North American film distribution streaming rights with Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios in 2020.
Malik Williams – Music Producer
Malik Williams is a platinum selling composer/producer whose work has appeared in records, film, television shows, and in national advertising campaigns. His successful work as a composer, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, and his ability to work in many different genres, has made Mr. Williams an in-demand producer.
Tony Fernandez – Second Camera / Lighting
Tony has been working as a co-producer at McFarland & Pecci for over 5 years. He has been trained on set extensively as an assistant camera operator/DIT, and on the edit room as both an editor and a digital colorist. Fernandez also comes from a background in improv comedy and is the first guy you want with you on set. Tony currently works as an audio sales specialist with Talamas Audio Systems.
Plamen Petkov – Field Sound Engineer
Plamen is a Bulgarian-American filmmaker, published author of best-selling books and award winning documentaries. Plamen created more than 20 documentaries for the largest broadcast company in Bulgaria (bTV/News Corp) and produced a primetime TV business show. His 10-episode series The Bulgarians aired on bTV (2007) is still the most watched documentary sequel in Bulgaria. Petkov’s newest documentary 49,172 (2017) was screened in Europe, United States, Australia and Russia and is now part of the permanent exhibition at the Los Angeles Museum of Tolerance. A TV journalist and a former adjunct professor of Mass Communications at New Bulgarian University, Plamen holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Visual and Media Arts from Emerson College in Boston and is currently with Harvard University’s Media and Technology Services.
M. Meredith Westropp – Publicist
M. Meredith is a writer, editor, publicist, educator, professional musician and composer. Previously, she was Vice President for Communications for New Directions, Inc. in Boston and taught Political Science and English Composition at Northeastern University and Political Science at Wheelock College. She earned her B.A. in Spanish from Boston College and holds an M.A. in Political Science from Northeastern University.
David P. Thomas – Distribution Entertainment Attorney
David is an entertainment attorney licensed in New York and Ohio. He received his law degree from Case Western Reserve University. Currently, David represents such luminaries as Academy Award winning producer Veit Heiduschka of Wega Films (Amour). David also represents and advises other film producers, musicians, actors, writers, band labels, playwrights and Tony award-winning Broadway producers as part of his entertainment law practice. David also produces, directs, acts and writes for feature film productions. David resides in Cleveland with his wife and three children.
Ashlee Hypolite – Research Producer
Raised in the city of Boston with Trinidadian roots, Ashlee is passionate about creating opportunities for underprivileged communities to be seen, heard and empowered. Ashlee currently works at the intersection of social impact and entertainment for a talent agency. During her time, she has contributed to initiatives like TIME’S UP and Amplify. She also served on the Assistant leadership team organizing community events and fundraisers to support Communities in Schools LA. Ashlee studied politics, sociology and legal studies at Brandeis University.
Roger Hypolite, SR
Roger has over 30 years of marketing experience in various business organizations. Roger was born in Trinidad, and later migrated with his family to the USA (Roxbury MA) in the early 70s. With a demonstrated passion and commitment for helping and connecting others, Roger is an energetic and compassionate advocate for several philanthropic causes including youth mentoring and domestic violence prevention. Roger was instrumental in all media outreach efforts for “PUSH: Madison versus Madison”, eventually securing a TV deal partnering with Snag Films.