Project Bios
Director Helmut Schleppi
Director Helmut Schleppi has made documentaries on subjects like Romania's Revolution, Israel and Palestine, and the First Gulf War. His documentary on the former Yugoslavia won the UNICEF award in Amsterdam. He has worked networks like BBC, ABC, MTV, CNN, REUTERS, AP and The Discovery Channel.
In 1999, Helmut produced and directed A Foreign Affair which was selected for the Sundance Film Festival, and was distributed in 89 countries around the world. Ebert and Roeper gave it "two thumbs up".
After producing the web series The Interior, Helmut filmed an on-line documentary series featuring projects for Food for the Hungry in Africa. These documentaries feature projects and needs in the East African region.
Director Helmut Schleppi has made documentaries on subjects like Romania's Revolution, Israel and Palestine, and the First Gulf War. His documentary on the former Yugoslavia won the UNICEF award in Amsterdam. He has worked networks like BBC, ABC, MTV, CNN, REUTERS, AP and The Discovery Channel.
In 1999, Helmut produced and directed A Foreign Affair which was selected for the Sundance Film Festival, and was distributed in 89 countries around the world. Ebert and Roeper gave it "two thumbs up".
After producing the web series The Interior, Helmut filmed an on-line documentary series featuring projects for Food for the Hungry in Africa. These documentaries feature projects and needs in the East African region.
Producer Brittany DeVries
In 2008 Brittany relocated to Panama with her husband and daughter. Soon after she began volunteering at local orphanages and began to learn about the process of family investigations and the challenges children faced in an institutional setting.
In April/May 2012 Brittany produced a short documentary with Voice for the Voiceless and Grassroots News, directed by Samuel Joseph Rich. On May 31st Querido Panama (Dear Panama)premiered in Panama City, Panama and Kona, Hawaii on the same night. Their log line, "defend children's rights to a family". At the Panamanian premiere attendees included Director Gloria Diaz of SENNIAF, the Minister of International Affairs and Sister Lourdes (Director of Malambo Orphanage), Following the premiere Brittany began a social media campaign on Facebook and Twitter to promote legislative reform. The documentary has been viewed on YouTube by over 10,000 around the world. Querido Panama recently won an award for "Film Content" at the International Premio Diva Latin American Film Festival. In July 2013, Law 46 was passed. This law shortens the process of family investigations, establishes a national foster care program and streamlines adoption for those in a state of adoptability.
Archivo Pendiente is a labor of love for Brittany. On a weekly-basis she interacts with several very special "pending files". To Brittany these children are more than a piece of paper and it is her desire and drive to see these children in a loving family that has made her the advocate she is today. Passionate about deinstitutionalization and every child's right to family-based care, Brittany has worked tirelessly to communicate to all who will listen.
Her goal is to see legislative reform not only in Panama but across Latin America & the Caribbean. She believes in the need to find family-based solutions that work in Third World countries and are in compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Currently Brittany works as a Producer at Seedling Media Productions.
In 2008 Brittany relocated to Panama with her husband and daughter. Soon after she began volunteering at local orphanages and began to learn about the process of family investigations and the challenges children faced in an institutional setting.
In April/May 2012 Brittany produced a short documentary with Voice for the Voiceless and Grassroots News, directed by Samuel Joseph Rich. On May 31st Querido Panama (Dear Panama)premiered in Panama City, Panama and Kona, Hawaii on the same night. Their log line, "defend children's rights to a family". At the Panamanian premiere attendees included Director Gloria Diaz of SENNIAF, the Minister of International Affairs and Sister Lourdes (Director of Malambo Orphanage), Following the premiere Brittany began a social media campaign on Facebook and Twitter to promote legislative reform. The documentary has been viewed on YouTube by over 10,000 around the world. Querido Panama recently won an award for "Film Content" at the International Premio Diva Latin American Film Festival. In July 2013, Law 46 was passed. This law shortens the process of family investigations, establishes a national foster care program and streamlines adoption for those in a state of adoptability.
Archivo Pendiente is a labor of love for Brittany. On a weekly-basis she interacts with several very special "pending files". To Brittany these children are more than a piece of paper and it is her desire and drive to see these children in a loving family that has made her the advocate she is today. Passionate about deinstitutionalization and every child's right to family-based care, Brittany has worked tirelessly to communicate to all who will listen.
Her goal is to see legislative reform not only in Panama but across Latin America & the Caribbean. She believes in the need to find family-based solutions that work in Third World countries and are in compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Currently Brittany works as a Producer at Seedling Media Productions.
Screenwriter Guillermo Machado
Guillermo was born in Montreal, Canada to Venezuelan parents. He has lived in many parts of the Americas, including Canada, the United States, Mexico and Venezuela. His knowledge of both Spanish and regional vernacular/customs together with Guillermo's screenwriting acumen bring a rich level of authenticity and story-telling competence to Archivo Pendiente.
Since 2000 Guillermo has written 12 feature-length screenplays and 4 television pilots. He studied under both Phil Guidry and Dov Simens. Skidboot, a feature film co-written by Guillermo, is currently in development with a novelization of the screenplay by acclaimed author Cathy Luchetti to be released in 2013. In addition to writing screenplays, Guillermo is a children's book author and is currently working on a series illustrated by Christina Leal. To date Guillermo has written three feature screenplays involving orphans and disenfranchised children in various parts of the world. Archivo Pendiente marks his fourth and most personal undertaking.
Guillermo was born in Montreal, Canada to Venezuelan parents. He has lived in many parts of the Americas, including Canada, the United States, Mexico and Venezuela. His knowledge of both Spanish and regional vernacular/customs together with Guillermo's screenwriting acumen bring a rich level of authenticity and story-telling competence to Archivo Pendiente.
Since 2000 Guillermo has written 12 feature-length screenplays and 4 television pilots. He studied under both Phil Guidry and Dov Simens. Skidboot, a feature film co-written by Guillermo, is currently in development with a novelization of the screenplay by acclaimed author Cathy Luchetti to be released in 2013. In addition to writing screenplays, Guillermo is a children's book author and is currently working on a series illustrated by Christina Leal. To date Guillermo has written three feature screenplays involving orphans and disenfranchised children in various parts of the world. Archivo Pendiente marks his fourth and most personal undertaking.
Casting Director Melanie GilpinThis Los angeles actress was born in Cleveland and was on stage by the age of six. She spent her teen years working in community and professional theater. Her move to Chicago at 21 gave her the opportunity to be on stage with Second City Chicago, choreograph and compete for Arthur Murray Dance Studio and work in theaters such as the Apollo Theater Chicago.
She was able to continue her career in Los Angeles, California and work in many commercials, TV shows and movies. Melanie's varied work experience includes Casting Assistant for commercial, TV and film casting. She worked for Danny Goldman casting for commercials, Shaner/Testa Casting in Cold Case and Kimberly Foster McCollum Casting for the John Cusack feature film The Factory as well as with The Wayne Brady Show in Clearance.
Now in Panama she continues to work on stage at the Theatre Guild of Anconand provide workshops and coaching to the talent of the place she now calls home.
She was able to continue her career in Los Angeles, California and work in many commercials, TV shows and movies. Melanie's varied work experience includes Casting Assistant for commercial, TV and film casting. She worked for Danny Goldman casting for commercials, Shaner/Testa Casting in Cold Case and Kimberly Foster McCollum Casting for the John Cusack feature film The Factory as well as with The Wayne Brady Show in Clearance.
Now in Panama she continues to work on stage at the Theatre Guild of Anconand provide workshops and coaching to the talent of the place she now calls home.
Production Designer Rick Willoughby
Rick Willoughby was born in Toronto, Canada. Initially studying furniture design he soon opened his own studio. Rick began his career in film as sculptor and set builder for CBC's Kids in the Hall. He moved to Vancouver, B.C. continuing his passion for filmmaking and design working on acclaimed TV series such as X files and Highlander in addition to several feature movies.
Rick's appreciation of world culture has drawn him to travel and it's these experiences he brings to his work in film. Projects such as Human Cargo, a film about world refugees shot in Vancouver and South Africa, and Murder Unveiled shot in Vancouver and India respectively winning Leo and Gemini Awards for Production Design. Rick has taught Set Design courses at Vancouver's Emily Carr University of Art & Design.
Establishing himself in Panama Rick has in addition to his design work, begun Airframe Productions Panama, a aerial filming & photography business, and is excited to be part of Panama's growing international community.
Rick Willoughby was born in Toronto, Canada. Initially studying furniture design he soon opened his own studio. Rick began his career in film as sculptor and set builder for CBC's Kids in the Hall. He moved to Vancouver, B.C. continuing his passion for filmmaking and design working on acclaimed TV series such as X files and Highlander in addition to several feature movies.
Rick's appreciation of world culture has drawn him to travel and it's these experiences he brings to his work in film. Projects such as Human Cargo, a film about world refugees shot in Vancouver and South Africa, and Murder Unveiled shot in Vancouver and India respectively winning Leo and Gemini Awards for Production Design. Rick has taught Set Design courses at Vancouver's Emily Carr University of Art & Design.
Establishing himself in Panama Rick has in addition to his design work, begun Airframe Productions Panama, a aerial filming & photography business, and is excited to be part of Panama's growing international community.