I Can Change

JIM JENKINS (WRITER & DIRECTOR)

Jim’s first short film may only be 15 minutes long, but it has been 40 years in the making. It started with the dozens of stop-motion animation films he made as a teenager, took a brief pause while he taught history to high school students, but has continued as Jim has sharpened his filmmaking skills over the last two decades, becoming one of the industry’s most respected commercial directors. In that time, Jim has developed a knack for creating work that gets remembered. When he shot Martin Scorsese for the second time (in a Cannes Gold Lion-winning commercial for AT&T), Scorsese told him that more people repeat lines to him from their first collaboration for American Express than they do from Scorsese’s own movies. Jim found this to be profoundly sad, believing that Goodfellas is deserving of considerably more cultural impact than a 30-second commercial.

Jim has had the good fortune to direct some of the industry’s most talented actors including Adam Driver, Sigourney Weaver, Jason Bateman, Steve Buscemi, and Willem Dafoe. Jim’s enormously popular re-imagining of Groundhog Day for Jeep in the Super Bowl starred Bill Murray.

He has been a Director’s Guild (DGA) nominee, but Jim is less proud of that than he is of his family, including his two newly adopted children from Latvia.

Jim lives in New York and has no desire to ever live anywhere else.

JOHN HOOGENAKKER (JOHN)

From drama to comedy, film, acclaimed television series, and on stage, John Hoogenakker has made a name for himself over the years bringing vivid, dynamic character to life on screen. This year Hoogenakker can be seen appearing on Amazon’s hit drama series “Jack Ryan”, opposite John Krasinski, as well as on Castle Rock (Hulu), opposite Lizzy Caplan.

Hoogenakker became an actor at an early age, appearing in local shows at the Children’s Theatre in Charlotte, North Carolina. A two time state and district champion in Humorous Interpretation, a High School Debate event, he went on to attend The Theatre School at DePaul University, in Chicago. Hoogenakker found his calling on stage, appearing in many of the city’s illustrious houses including turns in shows at The Goodman, Writers’ Theatre, Court Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater and the renowned Steppenwolf Garage. His varied stage work ranges from Chris Smith in Tracy Letts’ Killer Joe to the role of Hamlet at The Illinois Shakespeare Festival. At the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York he received excellent reviews as the tragic alcohol addled Willie Oban in the acclaimed remounting of The Iceman Cometh, alongside Nathan Lane and Brian Dennehy.

Hoogenakker has also appeared in homes across the country on the commercial front. His work with Bud Light as the Bud Light King has helped introduce the nonsensical phrase ‘Dilly Dilly’ into the cultural lexicon, and his work for Avocados of Mexico, Hyundai, and even for Santander, with Robert De Niro, have brought smiles to the faces of millions.

LUCY CUDDEN (BLAIR)

Lucy graduated from the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Her debut stage role was in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ for the Birmingham REP and she has since performed with many prestigious theatre companies playing other iconic roles including the leading roles in ‘Antigone’ on London’s Southbank, and ‘The Woman in White’ on a UK No.1 tour. Lucy also performed in ‘Time and the Conways’ at the National Theatre in London under the direction of Rupert Goold (Judy). Lucy has worked extensively in TV and Film, playing a regular in the BBC series ‘The Wrong Door’, directed by one of Britain’s most exciting emerging film directors, Ben Wheatley (High Rise/Kill List), as well as leads in the award winning ‘Judas Ghost’, ‘Chemical Wedding’ and in the Emmy nominated movie ‘Collider’.

KIMBERLY DOOLEY (SAMANTHA)

Kimberly Dooley is an L.A. native who graduated from the prestigious UCLA Theatre Conservatory, with honors. Theatre is Kimberly’s ﬁrst love and she always returns to it. She was last seen on stage playing Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie, in the iconic play Steel Magnolias, which was nominated for a NAACP Theatre award. She also performed on the Kennedy Center stage in the captivating play, Slavery. Kimberly has booked numerous national commercials and represented such brands as AT&T, McDonalds, Hyundai, Walmart, Dr. Pepper and Bud Light. Kimberly has also been successful on the small screen, appearing on several television shows including Dear White People, S.W.A.T, Days of Our Lives, CSI:NY and a series regular role on Beauty and the Baller. You can see Kimberly in the upcoming ﬁlm Deadly Cyber Bully releasing later this year. Kimberly has also started her own production company, Big Spirit Productions. The Dreamers series is the ﬂagship project for the company, which was written, produced, directed by and starring Kimberly. Dreamers will be released in the Fall of 2020 . Kimberly understands that being a working artist is truly a gift and she would like to thank God and her family for their unwavering love and support.

ANNIE SERTICH (LAURI)

Annie’s credits include a recurring role on GREY’S ANATOMY, HBO’s SILICON VALLEY, SHAMELESS, COUGAR TOWN, and CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM. She was most recently on GOOD GIRLS, THE LOUD HOUSE, HOTEL DU LOONE, THE NEWS TANK, MIKE TYSON’S MYSTERIES and BUNK’D. Feature credits include Lionsgate’s DIRTY 30 and THE BOUNCE BACK. Annie was a two-year correspondent on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno during the final run.

Annie is a main company member of the Famed Groundlings Theater in Los Angeles, CA where she writes, performs and directs regularly. During her time at Groundlings, Annie has performed with and directed Kristen Wiig, Jim Rash, Nat Faxon, Jordan Peele, TJ Miller, Ike Barinholtz, Taran Killam, Cheri Oteri and Paul Feig.

Her one-woman show, “HOW TO NOT KILL YOURSELF FOR 30 DAYS… AND THE NEXT 330,” directed by Michaela Watkins, is enjoying sold-out runs in Los Angeles and New York. She is currently adapting the show for television.

MATT NEWELL (STEVEN)

Matt Newell is an actor, writer, and improvisor from Youngsville, NC. He started his training at Comedy Sportz in Chapel Hill, NC before moving to LA to study at The Groundlings, and later, The Upright Citizen’s Brigade, where he also teaches. Acting credits include; Adam Ruins Everything, Grandfathered, Comedy Bang Bang as well as several Super Bowl Commercials! If you’re in Los Angeles, you can see him perform Fridays at Outside Dog Gets One Star and the first Saturday of the month at I’m Too Effing High, both at UCB.

CHRIS FRANKLIN (EDITOR)

Chris Franklin began his career as an editor over 35 years ago, although his fascination with film and music began long before. He started as a radio DJ at 16, and transitioned into radio programming and audio engineering. At 25 he switched into film as an editor’s apprentice, and quickly found his passion. He founded Big Sky Edit in 1992. He has edited thousands of commercials for, among others, American Express, Verizon, Mastercard, Nikon, Nespresso and Nationwide. He has won numerous awards and recognition for his work, including AICE, AICP, HPA, The Hollywood A-List, Cannes Lions, the Webby Awards and the Emmy Awards. He also cut two Oscar Nominated Shorts – “Asad” (2012) and “Saria” (2019) – for director Bryan Buckley, as well as 2 features – The 2002 documentary “Comedian” with Jerry Seinfeld, and “The Independent” (2000) with Jerry Stiller and Janeane Garofalo.

NATHAN KANE (VISUAL EFFECTS SUPERVISOR & ANIMATION)

Nathan Kane is a Creative Director at the The Mill, based in New York.

Born in Dublin, Ireland. Nathan started his VFX career in London working for boutique VFX company Absolute Post. After nearly 8 great years and helping Absolute’s transition to the US market he joined The Mill’s New York studio. With over 15 years experience as a lead 2D artist and VFX supervisor, collaborating with highly respected clients and brands creating high end visuals for commercials.

He has spearheaded some of the company’s most highly acclaimed projects and in recent years he has worked with a number of the industry’s most revered directors and has led iconic and award-winning projects such as Playstation, Under Armour, Snickers and Bud Light.

STUART DRYBURGH (DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)

Stuart Dryburgh is a British born, New York based cinematographer.

His credits include ‘The Great Wall’, ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’, ‘Bridget Jones’ Diary’, ‘The Painted Veil’, ‘The Piano’ (AAN 1994) and ‘An Angel at my Table’.

FULL CAST & CREW

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