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THE TEAM
We are proud to tell you that, in addition to having a female director at the helm, our production is full of diversity in terms of race, nationality, sex and age. Our cast and crew ranges from babies to senior citizens, includes people from USA, Mexico, Haiti, England, Africa and Japan, as well as of Caucasian, Puerto Rican, Portuguese, African-American, Hispanic and Asian descent. To have such an array of artists coming together to tell a story about the price of freedom is a testament to how universal the message of “Allegiance” truly is.
MANDY BROWN
DIRECTOR / EP / LEAD ACTRESS
Originally from Texas, MANDY BROWN lives in Los Angeles with her husband Jim and her young son (who made his acting debut in “Allegiance”). She is a graduate of the renowned Joanne Baron/D.W. Brown Studio for acting, holds degrees from Penn State in both Film/Video Production and Theatre Arts, and has studied with Diana Castle at The Imagined Life. Acting credits include Longmire, Exeter (Sundance’s scripted podcast with Jeanne Tripplehorn and Ray McKinnon), and the leading role in the indie feature Leaving Limbo. She has directed short films that have premiered at Sedona International Film Festival and LA Shorts Fest. Up next, Mandy is looking forward to playing Amelia Earhart in the upcoming feature film "Spooky Action."
TONY MOTZENBACKER
SCREENWRITER / EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
TONY MOTZENBACKER came aboard when Mandy asked him if he would be interested in writing the script. Mandy and Tony, who met while acting in Romeo and Juliet, have worked together on several films and are looking forward to continued collaboration on "Allegiance." Tony has published short stories in Chariton Review, The Los Angeles Review, Delmarva Review and Eunoia Review. His stage play RAY-KA-PAY was produced in LA and received Dramalogue and LA Weekly awards for best playwriting. Written with Ron Fanning, their screenplay Nuclear Sirloin was a finalist at the Austin Film Festival.
CLARA BENICE
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER / 1ST AD
CLARA BENICE is a multi-platform Writer/Producer/Director with a background in film and video production, on-air marketing promotion, and public relations. For over fifteen years, Clara has worked as an Independent Filmmaker and Television Writer/Producer. She has worked with many television networks, in-house marketing and communications departments, gov-ernment, and non-profit organizations.
Her television credits include on-air promos and campaigns for award winning top rated shows such as: Baby Week, Dr. G: Medical Examiner, I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant, Jon and Kate Plus 8, Deliver Me, Strange Sex and Mystery Diagnosis - just to name a few. She’s worked as a Producer on several short and featured films including Hooray for Mister Touchdown and Ripped. Her very first short documentary Under the Buibui, shot in Kenya, is available at the Penn State University library and has been used by professors in Women Studies and African Studies as part of their curriculum.
SHELLY RO
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER / ACTRESS
SHELLY RO is originally from Tijuana Mexico; currently living in Los Angeles. Graduated from Joanne Baron D.W Brown Studio in 2017, holds a B.A. in Psychology from San Diego State University and a Doctorate in Human Sexuality. She has produced several films recognized in the festival circuit striving to expand the platform for diversity and inclusion in the industry. Acting credits include Runn, Slap Worthy (Best Actress Award from the San Diego Film Festival), and recently as the lead of the film White Ink, among others. She was recognized as one of San Diego Magazines "50 People to Watch" for her work.
JIM WESTRICK
EDITOR / VFX
JIM WESTRICK has worked with Mandy numerous times because... he's married to her. The two met while getting their degrees in Film/Video Production from Penn State. Jim also holds an MFA in Film Directing from Chapman University. He has worked at Panavision Hollywood as the lead prep tech, is an AVID certified editor, and works for 44 Blue Productions as an online editor.
DAIN FUENTES
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
DAIN FUENTES has an MFA in Cinematography from Chapman University, and credits include The Boys and Ten Minutes (with Tony and Mandy), as well as numerous indie/short films, branded content, music videos, and more.