Roger Nygard

Director / Producer / Editor
Roger@ExistenceFilm.com
http://www.rogernygard.com

Roger Nygard was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and grew up along the shores of Lake Minnetonka. His father, Roger Nygard, Sr., was an executive at General Mills in charge of buying the trainloads of grain used to make Wheaties and Cheerios. Nygard graduated from Orono High School, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Speech-Communications from the University of Minnesota in 1984.

Nygard has extensive credits in film and television as a director, writer, producer and editor. He made his foray into the movie world in 1991 when he directed the low budget indie, High Strung, starring comedian/actor Steve Oedekerk, Fred Willard, Denise Crosby, and a very young Kirsten Dunst. The tagline reads: “The story of a guy with a few too many hang ups.” The movie has achieved cult status.

Lots of television and film directing and editing credits followed like Back to Back, which may be best known for having blown Bobcat Goldthwait to bits. It was during this time he that he was developing a reputation for working on quirky and unique projects. He realized he could combine what intrigued him with his “day job” and so Nygard the documentarian emerged as part of the overall package.

Trekkies was the first project to allow Nygard to explore his interest in human nature; people dressing up as fictional characters and extraterrestrials fascinated him. His partner in the project, Denise Crosby, first pitched Nygard the idea. He said, “I couldn’t believe nobody had done it yet, it seemed so obvious.” Trekkies has been described as “affectionate, nonjudgmental” (Hollywood Reporter & Daily Variety), or “terrifying, unsettling” (National Post), depending on who you ask.

He also produced and edited a compelling and offbeat look at UFO enthusiasts (which included writer Whitley Streiber, and nuclear-physicist & ufologist Stanton T. Friedman) called Six Days In Roswell. The film was called “…pants-peeing funny!” by Film Threat Magazine. The car salesman subculture also fascinated Nygard, and he co-wrote (with Joe Yannetty) and directed the outrageous cult favorite, Suckers. The movie stars Louis Mandylor, Lori Loughlin, and Daniel Benzali as one scary sales manager from hell. Suckers is often used as a training film at car dealerships. The Minneapolis Star Tribune said, “…Roger Nygard’s exhilaratingly cynical car salesman film Suckers has the macho punch of a David Mamet drama.”

While tackling feature interests like Trekkies 2, and sometimes lending support to a colleague’s project as an editor or producer, Nygard has directed or edited for an array of television series like: The Mind of the Married Man, The Bernie Mac Show, The Office,  The League, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Zoey 101, Zeke and Luther, etc., as well as directing commercials for such companies as Kia, Boost Mobile, DisneyXD, CBS, TBS, and others. For Nygard it comes down to whether a project is intriguing, funny, or challenging. In the case of his latest film, The Nature of Existence it’s all the above.

Paul Tarantino

Producer / Editor
Paul@ExistenceFilm.com
http://www.paultarantino.com

Originally from the great state of New Jersey, Paul Tarantino started in Los Angeles working with the improv comedy group The Groundlings. His unique gift for comedic writing, editing, and direction lead to his award winning indie feature COURTING COURTNEY, which starred such notable comedy talents as: DANA GOULD, KATHY GRIFFIN, IAN GOMEZ, JULIA SWEENEY, RYAN STILES, TAYLOR NEGRON, and ANA GASTEYER. The film premiered at the prestigious ROTTERDAM I NTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL in Europe and appeared on the Sundance Channel, among others networks.

Tarantino worked with ESPN to Produce/Edit the documentary series ESPN REEL CLASSICS UNCUT – as well as a series of award winning comedy shorts starring SAMUEL L. JACKSON, JOE THEISMANN, and CHRIS KATAN, which aired during the ESPY AWARDS. He has also written and edited episodes of the SYFY CHANNEL documentary series DESTINATION TRUTH, and the VERSUS documentary series SPORTS JOBS WITH JUNIOR SEAU. Paul’s work in television includes producing, directing, and editing GRACIE, TELLY, and PROMAX AWARD WINNING promos for Twentieth Television, TBS, and other high profile clients.

Tarantino’s work as a playwright hit the stage in Los Angeles with the production of GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE. Paul is also part of the Internet entertainment revolution having edited SONY PICTURES TELEVISION’s original comedy series THE WRITERS ROOM, produced the IFC internet seriesPUSHING TWILIGHT, the BROADBAND series MOMLIFE WITH JEN & BARB, and produced/directed a web series for BRAVO that ties in with their hit showMILLIONAIRE MATCHMAKER.

Billy Sullivan

Composer / Co-Producer
Billy@ExistenceFilm.com
http://www.sullystone.com

Billy Sullivan writes music for Film, Television, and Commercials and currently has over 45 albums, films, and soundtracks to his credit. Most recently he scored the network series RUNNING WILD FROM TED NUGENT, and the 25th ANNIVERSARY SALE FOR PETCO Commercial. He has also scored the films: WE LOVE YOU MRS.BEVINS, FEELING FAT, and RUNNING OUT OF TIME IN HOLLYWOOD, TREKKIES, TREKKIES 2, SIX DAYS IN ROSWELL, and SUCKERS

Sullivan often works with composer David Newman, performing drums and percussion on movies such as: MY LIFE IN RUINS, CRAZY ON THE OUTSIDE,SPY NEXT DOOR, ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS, and SCOOBY DOO. Sullivan has recorded, performed, and produced hundreds of recordings for artists all over the country and recently produced the debut album for recording artist ANNA MENKEN.

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