– FILMMAKING TEAM –
Meet the
DAVID J RUCK
Director/Producer
David has spent two decades exploring environmental and science-based issues through video storytelling. After several years working for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, he started his own production company, Great Lakes Outreach Media, and routinely works with government, non-profit, and the private sector exploring stories about environmental issues to create public awareness.
ZACH PASSERO
Producer/Animator
Zach is a veteran editor with numerous Sundance and SXSW appearances, as well as numerous films he’s finding wide distribution for. From the horror genre, to political documentaries, and now The Erie Situation, Zach is comfortable and right at home shepherding almost any genre of film across the finish line. He’s also an incredibly awesome human being, father, and all-round creative.
JULIE ANDERSEN
Producer
Julie is the CEO of Plastic Oceans International. She is a lifelong public health advocate focused on the communication of science and disruption of societal barriers to protect human health and the environment from the negative effects of industrial development. She has produced several documentary films and co-leads film development at Plastic Oceans.
TOD HARDIN
Producer
Tod is the COO of Plastic Oceans International, where he co-leads film and content development. He offers over 25 years of senior level management experience in the marketing and communications field. He has written and produced a variety of award-winning short films and recently made his directorial debut with the feature-length documentary AGAINST THE CURRENT.
WILLIAM PFEIFFER
Executive Producer
William is Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Globalgate Entertainment, and a Senior Advisor to Lionsgate. He is a pioneer of local-language film and television content production, distribution and TV channels.
GRACE EGGLESTON
Editor
Grace was brought on board to edit THE ERIE SITUATION as her MFA thesis project at American University. She has a passion for learning and the environment and is involved in a growing number of environmental films, both behind the camera and in the editing suite.
ANDREW SMETEK
Sound Design
Andrew is a Southern California-based - by way of Detroit - sound designer and mixer. His sound design credits include Robert Krzykowski's THE MAN WHO KILLED HITLER AND THEN THE BIGFOOT, along with several Lucky McKee films including OLD MAN, KINDRED SPIRITS, as well as THE WOMAN trilogy. Smetek is currently completing sound design on Zach Passero's hand-drawn feature film THE WEIRD KIDZ.
RYAN "DR. RYAN" BUSCH
Cinematographer
Ryan is a graduate of Northern Michigan University. After receiving his BFA in Digital Cinema, he set out on a journey with his camera and friends to explore Lake Superior and learn something about himself at the same time. Being curious about the past and current conditions of the Great Lakes has helped Ryan tell stories with a purpose and he has a passion for pushing himself to use his camera to bring meaningful change.
MATT MCINTOSH
Graphical Animator
Matt has impressive credentials in visual science communication and environmental storytelling. He can easily take boring data and turn it into something visually fun and engaging. Matt has vast experience as an artist, animator, photographer and videographer, holds a commercial FAA drone license and is a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-certified professional working SCUBA diver.
SEAN SPILLANE
Film Composer
Most known for his soundtrack for the Sundance Film “The Woman” in 2011, Sean has composed and performed film scores for several feature films, short films, and documentaries. He also has the honor of having his music being played in low earth orbit on the International Space Station as it was the score for the documentary “I Want To Be An Astronaut” which was requested and viewed by one of the Astronauts spending time up there. As a surfer he is particularly proud of his musical work on NOAA videos that chronicle their efforts to educate the public and protect vital marine habitat.