Crew

Woody Whichard

Woody Whichard, after a succesful run as a real estate investor, decided to set out and pursue more creative endeavors. This lead him to film making and specifically screenwriting.

He founded Dirt Road Production in 2002 and wrote, produced, and directed the short film, "Soul Shine". A chance meeting with Lovinder Gill, of The Gillder Frontier, evolved into the production of the Romantic Comedy, "Chicks 101", a feature length film shot on location in Winston Salem, North Carolina.

"The purpose of Dirt Road Production is to produce meaningful films. Films that have a good story...a story that has a chance at moving people".

"A Mission Statement...Making the world a better place, one story at a time."

Lovinder S. Gill

B.A. Lock Haven University; B.F.A. North Carolina School of the Arts; M.A., M.F.A. Hollins University. Producer of feature film WESLEY, a biopic of John Wesley. Writer/Producer/Director of Award winning feature film CHICKS 101. Screenwriter of feature films LOST STALLIONS: THE JOURNEY HOME [Mickey Rooney] and BALL & CHAIN [Kal Penn]. Head of the production company The Gillder Frontier and has written and produced a number of films, documentaries and commercials. Teaches at his alma mater, The North Carolina School of the Arts School of Filmmaking. On Board of Advisors for the Salem College Center for Women Writers and is the President of North Carolina Screenwriters.

Will Hicks

Award-winning filmmaker Will Hicks heads project development at The Gillder Frontier, LLC. A veteran of over 60 feature films and commercials, Will brings experience in all phases of production and development. Project awards include numerous Addy's, Best Film, Houston Film Festival and Best Screenplay, State of the Arts Screenwriter's Competition. Will also worked at a literary agency as story analyst.

Steven Jones

Mr. Jones is currently an Assistant Dean and Filmmaker-in-Residence at the North Carolina School of the Arts, School of Filmmaking.

His film credits include NOTHING TO LOSE, LET'S GET BUSY, ALMA'S RAINBOW and the critcally acclaimed DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST in addition to many others.

His television credits include THE DIGGERS and THE FOLLOWER, among others. Music videos include "Freedom," "Sarah," "Doug E. Fresh," "XY," and many others.

Awards include NAACP Image Award, Best Picture, and Sundance Festival, Best Cinematography, both for DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST; Golden Eagle Award for DIGGERS; and the Paul Robeson Award for THE FOLLOWER.

Kenneth Wilson

The dangerously curious offspring of a mechanical engineer and an interior designer, a young Kenny began shooting neighborhood fights on his parents' Super8 camera until they refused to buy more film. Forced to practice still photography through high school, he soon landed at the North Carolina School of the Arts School of Filmmaking. In addition to shooting dozens of 16mm student films, Kenneth began shooting second unit on larger films, beginning with GEORGE WASHINGTON, later nominated for an Independent Spirit award for cinematography.

Kenneth photographed the anamorphic feature CONFEDERATE SABRE and several commercial spots for clients including Ericcson/Sony and IBM. Documentary projects include the History Channel's series THE WINGS OF MAN, and more recently THE BATTLE OF SAILOR'S CREEK, directed by DAVID GEORGE. Kenneth then contributed to DAVID GORDON GREEN'S sophmore effort, ALL THE REAL GIRLS.

Kenneth has also lensed the anamophic feature BIOGRAPHY in the rustic Blueridge mountains of Asheville and PLAYDATE, a film about a crime sprees and rich suburban kids.

Kenneth then returned for another second unit bout on David Green's new feature, THE UNDERTOW, starring DERMOT MULRONEY, JOSH LUKAS, and JAMIE BELL. A film produced by TERRENCE MALICK.

David Yewdall

Specializing in conceptual and action sound design for the last 22 years, spanning more than 140 motion pictures. Has structured and supervised numerous editorial teams and post-production protocols to tackle very demanding projects such as THE FIFTH ELEMENT, STARSHIP TROOPERS, DANTE'S PEAK, SPAWN and CHAIN REACTION. A voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since 1986. Author of the book "The Practical Art of Motion Picture Sound." Taught both production sound as well as advanced sound design at UCLA Film School. Additionally, he has lectured at the Sibelius Academy of Music in Helsinki, Finland, and more recently at the A.E.S. Congress in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Steven Gonzales

Steven's Credentials include:

Undertow. Co-editor. Family drama/chase film. A family disintegrates and two boys are on the run, escaping a crazed uncle.
ContentFilm /United Artists, produced by Terrence Malick, Lisa Muskat, and Edward Pressman.
Currently sound editing.

All The Real Girls. Co-editor. Ensemble romantic comedy set in the rural North Carolina mountains. A young man tries to abandon his wild life style after he falls in love with his best friend’s sister.
Official Selection, Dramatic Competition, Sundance Film Festival 2003
Winner, Special Jury Prize, Sundance Film Festival
Theatrical Release February 14, 2003, Sony Picture Classics
DVD Release August 2003, Sony/Columbia

George Washington. Co-editor. Set in the landscape of the rural Southern town, George Washington is a stunning portrait of a group of young kids as they come to grips with a hard world of choices and consequences. The kids struggle to balance their own ambitions and relationships against a tragic lie.
DVD Releases 2002: The Criterion Collection in USA, British Film Institute in Europe

Independent Spirit Awards – Nominee in four categories: Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Debut Performance, and Best First Screenplay
New York Film Critics Circle – Best First Film Award
Toronto Film Festival – Discovery Award Winner
Official Selection – New York Film Festival (one of two American films)
Newport Film Festival – Best Film
Torino Film Festival – Best Film
Top Ten of 2000 Lists, including: Roger Ebert, The New York Times, Joel Siegel (ABC TV), Time Magazine

"In its mastery of style, the film plays notes it seems to be inventing." --Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Rhythm of the Saints. Editor. Coming of age drama set within New York’s Dominican culture, where the mysterious rites of the Santaria religion change the lives of some troubled youths.
Official Selection, Dramatic Competition, Sundance Film Festival 2003

The Rough South of Larry Brown. Editor. Documentary of southern writer Larry Brown woven with short narrative films based on his work.
Grand Prize for Best Feature Film, Savannah Film Festival
Oxford American Magazine "13 Essential Southern Documentaries."

In addition to his editing credits, Steven works as an Adjunct faculty member at the North Carolina School of the Arts School of Filmmaking.