Leah Rae Kmosko – Writer/Director
Leah Kmosko is a senior studying Film Studies with a minor in Journalism at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Originally from New Jersey, she now lives in Wilmington, NC, where she started off working as a tour guide at EUE Screen Gems studios. This past summer, she was awarded the Television Academy Foundation internship and worked as a development intern at Valhalla Entertainment in Los Angeles. She recently directed the documentary short The Last Time (2016) and is writing another short narrative film to be directed this fall. She has worked on other short films in various positions such as 2nd Assistant Camera, location scout, and catering director.
Riley O’Dell – Producer
Riley O’Dell is a senior at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, majoring in Film Studies, and minoring in both Leadership and Entrepreneurship. In addition to being a producer, she has previously worked as a first assistant director, a second assistant director, a script supervisor, and whatever else was needed at the last minute. Her most recent project, One Summer Night (2017), was her first ever feature that she both produced and assistant directed. Other productions she has worked on include: Father (2016), Shit, Man (2015), Deadbeat (2015), andAmateurs (2015), as well as many more. With her love of people, filmmaking, and spreadsheets, she is truly excited to bring her knowledge to Exquisite Corpses, and to continue to learn more.
Juan Esandi – Director of Photography
Juan Esandi is 22 years old, and he has been doing Photography for about 10 years. This led him to become interested in cinematography and to major in Film Studies at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. He has worked on several other film projects within the Camera Department as a Director of Photography (Even Cats), Camera Operator (One Summer Night), 1st Assistant Camera (Resilience), and more. Last summer, he flew to Los Angeles, California, to complete his internship with Alcon Entertainment, the production company in charge of the next Blade Runner movie. He is really looking forward to working with this amazing crew and working hard to make Exquisite Corpses look as great as possible.
Daryl Blackwell – 1st Assistant Director
Daryl Blackwell started her academic career at Weber State University in her home state of Utah. After earning a Bachelor’s in Medical Laboratory Science, she longed for a change of scenery and accepted a position at New Hanover Regional Medical Center all the way in North Carolina. Surrounded by filmmakers and productions, her long time love of film reignited in a big way and she decided to jump right in. Now pursuing a career in the film industry, she has become involved in many projects such as directing her own documentary and a short-film, Ghost Ship(2015) and Trails (2015), as well as being an assistant director on the pilot ofSenses (2015).
Matthew Rivera – Production Designer
Matthew Rivera is an aspiring film actor with substantial experience in both film and theater. He has been involved in both industries for over 8 years professionally and has taken design classes at the University of North Carolina Wilmington where he majors in film with a minor in theater. He has designed sets, costumes, textures, and more and is a perfectionist when it comes to the projects he works on.
Julia Dent as Rachel
Julia Dent is an aspiring actress who has been performing since she was in grade school. She has been in several short films since attending the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Now in her final year at school, she is excited to be working with the talented cast and crew of Exquisite Corpses.
Leland Reese Crawley as Nate
Leland Reese Crawley is a fourth year student at UNC Wilmington majoring in Creative Writing and Theatre. He has been featured in Adam Kritzer’s upcoming short film entitled WIT(H)NESS, and has made multiple appearances in CBS’sUnder The Dome Season 3, TNT’s upcoming series Good Behavior, and The History Channel’s upcoming series Six.
Ryan Doerr as Jake
Ryan Doerr is a senior at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. He is currently taking some time off school but plans to go back to UNCW to finish his accounting degree. He has no previous experience with film, but acting has always been a passion of his. He hopes to stay involved in film and and one day have a career in the industry.
Matt Barkman as Matt
Matt Barkman is a senior at UNCW studying English and Theater. He is currently halfway through his first show on the UNCW MainStage titled Punk Rock. His previous acting experience includes the Stage Company show titled “Laugh Out Loud (Cry Quietly)”, directed by Chris Wagner. After graduation, Matt hopes to attend graduate school to study literature.
Your contributions will go into five different areas that we have decided need the most attention in our production: production design, locations, food, transportation, and equipment. You can take a peek at our budget breakdown below!
And to show you how much we appreciate your help, here are some perks for our wonderful donors!
$1 – Our sincerest thanks!
$5 – A thank you email from our crew!
$10 – A thank you email from our crew, as well as updates throughout production and post production!
$25 – A thank you email from our crew, updates, a link to the short once it is complete, and an IMDb credit as special thanks!
$50 – A thank you email from our crew, updates, behind the scenes pictures, a link to the finished short, an IMDb credit as special thanks, and behind the scenes pictures!
$100 – A thank you email from our crew, updates, behind the scenes pictures, a link to the finished short, an IMDb credit as associate producer, and behind the scenes pictures!
$200 – A thank you email from our crew, updates, behind the scenes pictures, a link to the finished short, an IMDb credit as executive producer, behind the scenes pictures, and stills from the finished short!
As it is our senior thesis film, we are so excited to extend our talents and increase our knowledge with this production! We have been working towards this opportunity and are ready to take full advantage of it.
Our goal is to create a short film with meaning, that will reach audiences far and wide, in a way that showcases the talents of each and every one of our amazing cast and crew members.
As with any film production, there are certain risks and challenges. Be it adverse weather or the common cold, we are more than prepared to overcome each situation that we face. Every production has it’s problems, and combined we all have had our share of problems that we have solved over the years.
If you’re unable to contribute financially, please help by sharing our page so we can reach as many people as possible!
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THANK YOU!!