Mini Biography:

Izabella Zalewski was born in Poland, Poznan. She attended University of Calgary in Canada and received her BA in Psychology in 1996. She is currently residing in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She is married to Darryl Atkins, a talented Travel Photographer and they share their lives with 3 beautiful cats, and loving friends and family. Izabella got her first break when she booked a role on an MOW alongside James Marsden.

Spouse:

Darryl Atkins (21 August 2004 – present)
Shaw Madson (19 May 2001 – 2002) (divorced)

Height: 6′ (1.83 m)

Mini Biography:

Stephen grew up in suburban Baltimore County, enjoying a normal childhood. He never had direct aspirations on becoming an actor but was always a fan of films. In 2004, Stephen was walking by an ‘on location’ set of the HBO series ‘The Wire’ and was asked if he was interested in working as an extra. He said “Sure.” His picture was taken and he was called some six months later. Never working as a background artist, he was nervous, and thought it was a one time deal. Subsequently he was called back multiple times for season 3 & 4, to portray a coroner. In affect, Stephen grew into wanting more work. In 2005 he went to a general casting call for the now defunct ABC/Touchstone Series ‘Commander In Chief.’ Stephen met casting director Jeanne Boisineau, and thats where opportunities budded. About a week later he was called by Jeanne Boisineau and was asked if he was interested in becoming the Military Consultant for the funeral scenes of the Pilot of ‘Commander In Chief.’ Stephen heartily accepted. Through various phone conferences with Jeanne Boisineau, & James Spies (Producer) the task was in order. Cast & wardrobe 30 military men for the funeral scene. He was then asked if he would be interested in doing a supporting role, the ‘Honor Guard Commander.’ Stephen was humbled so early in his acting career. The shoot went as planned, and went off without a hitch. Stephen had made an impact, often running between the first and second unit, coordinating with Rod Lurie (Director & former US Army Officer)and often looking through the camera lense, making sure the picture was perfect. Stephen had learned alot and secured his first contract as an actor. Stephen credits his success to Jeanne Boisineau & Pat Moran.

Trivia:

Is good friends with Aaron Michael Lacey.
Graduated from Overlea High School, Baltimore, Maryland (2000)
Served as an Infantryman in ‘C’ Company, 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry, 29th Infantry Division (Light) (MDARNG)
Recieved the Marine Corps League’s Commandant’s Award for successfully completing the National Youth Physical Fitness Test five times. (1999)
Was a Cadet Master Sergeant in the US Marine Corps Junior ROTC, at Overlea High School.
In April/May 2006, while filming “Evan Almighty” Steve Carrel was injured on set, and Stephen was selected to assist in a stunt, in the congressional chambers, he can be seen dragging “Evan” out of the scene.
Was a promotional 1920′s ‘Newsie’ for Hendrick’s Gin. (2009).

Personal Quotes:

“Most people think I am ‘Buzz Lightyear’”

Zaldivar’s work has exhibited throughout the world, including MOMA in NY and The Palais de Tokyo in Paris. He completed both his BFA and MFA in film studies at New York University’s Film School where he has also taught as an adjunct faculty. His second short, “Palingenesis,” was a regional finalist for a Student Academy Award in the Experimental Category. His thesis film, “The Story of the Red Rose,” premiered at Sundance ’97 and was a Regional Semifinalist for a Student Academy Award; it was also awarded a grant from the Warner Bros. Film Production Fund and a Silver Plaque Award at the Chicago Int’l Film Festival. It aired on Showtime. In 1998, Zaldivar wrote/directed the critically acclaimed Sundance trailers that year. He was elected a Sundance Film Institute Writing Fellow that summer, where he began to develop a feature screenplay entitled “Violenta” about a superhero, whose powers come to full force when he is dressed as a woman. Zaldivar has served on the board of directors for several arts organizations. In 2001, he completed a feature documentary entitled “90 Miles,” which aired on PBS’ Award-winning series “POV” and the controversial “Soldiers Pay,” co-directed with David O. Russell and Tricia Regan, which was aired by the Independent Film Channel (IFC) and is being distributed by Cinema Libre. In 2002, he co-founded a social issue documentary film festival entitled “The Florida Room”, which he still programs. Zaldivar has served as a juror for the Sundance 1998 Short Film Competition; the Miami International Film Festival, the IFP-NY Fledging Award and others. His art work has been exhibited at Scope Miami, Deluxe Arts Gallery, Marina Kessler Gallery, Dot Fifty-one Gallery and Chelsea Art Space in London, and MIX NYC.

Tobias was raised listening to BBC Radio 4 and had to sneak a transistor radio into his bedroom at night to hear anything else. He started experimenting with sound at the age of 9, mixing dialogue from radio plays, news bulletins and short wave radio with electro beats using 3 tape decks, a microphone, a razor and some sellotape.After a Foundation Course in Art he went to Humberside University to do a degree in Graphic design. However having developed a love for cinema, particularly the films of Hitchcock and Lynch and the rhythms of dialogue in Film noir, he quickly decided to specialize in Film and Animation.Perhaps unsurprisingly Tobias could be found at all hours splicing film and video montages of anything available, thrillers, sci-fi, Hollywood musicals and original footage all became part of an increasing obsession with the magic of editing, and how it could all change with a frame or two.His first chance to cut someone else’s film came when he was approached by Mark Cairnsin the year above who was working on a live action/model animation graduation piece and needed an editor and a composer. In between cutting the film Tobias would dash out and cause some concern by smashing the iron gates of the equipment room with metal bars and then using these sounds for the surprisingly elegant soundtrack to Marks film “Upon The Land”.After graduating Tobias went to London where he quickly built up a reputation for getting the best from the material and leaving nothing wasted. Equally at home with the frantic energy of Spiritualized “Electricity” promo built from 20 hours of hypnotic tour material or with the elegiac “Woman” by Neneh Cherry, an edit based on the movement of characters hands and the sound of strings he soon built up around 200 music video credits.During this time he also worked at a digital televison station, ran a nightclub with friends and recorded four albums with his band “terry nation”, one of which “Amber” was recently re-released.At the end of 2004 Tobias was extremely pleased to be offered the chance to work on a film with Julien Temple having previously worked with the director on a Greenpeace commercial. The film was Glastonbury (2006) and involved editing a staggering 1500 hours of footage seemingly of every format and quality possible.His most recent project is a documentary feature again for Julien Temple about the life of Joe Strummer called Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten (2007).

Birth Name: Vitautas Prano Zalakiavicius

Mini Biography:

Vytautas Zalakevicius was a notable Lithuanian director, best known for his film Niekas nenorejo mirti (1966).He was born Vytautas Prano Zalakevicius on April 14, 1930, in Kaunas, Lithuania. From 1948-1950 he studied to become an engineer at the Kaunas State University. He then went to Moscow and studied directing at the Soviet State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK). His teachers were Mikheil Chiaureli and Grigori Aleksandrov. Zalakevivius was able to develop his own highly original style during the political changes in the Soviet Union after the death of Joseph Stalin. At that time many intellectuals expressed their new ideas, because Nikita Khrushchev initiated the policy of openness and de-Stalinization known as the Khrushchev’s Thaw. Zalakevicius graduated from VGIK in 1956 as director, making his first short film ‘Skenduolis’ (Drowned 1956) as his graduation work.His first independent full-length feature film was ‘Adomas nori buti zmogumi’ (Adam Wants to Be a Man 1959). It immediately became a sensation. Zalakevicius demonstrated his experimental approach as a writer-director and achieved an uncommon result. His work with such actors, as Donatas Banionis and Juozas Miltinis brought him his first big success. His best known film was ‘Niekas nenorejo mirti’ (Nobody Wanted to Die 1965) starring Donatas Banionis, Regimantas Adomaitis, Vija Artmane, Juozas Budraitis, Algimantas Masiulis and other Lithuanian actors. Zalakevicius made a powerful film, it was even dubbed the “Lithuanian Seven Samurai.” It shows dramatic events in a small Lithuanian farming community, where people are split between the Soviets and the “brothers in the woods”, who are fighting to defend their land from the Soviets after the end of the Second World War.Zalakevicius was the winner of the 1973 Gold Prize at the Moscow International Film Festival for ‘Eto sladkoe slovo: Svoboda!’ (That Sweet Word: Liberty! 1973). But the film caused a mixed reaction, being just a mere political propaganda of the Chilean revolution. From 1974-1980, Zalakevicius worked at the Mosfilm Studios in Moscow. His Moscow period was less productive and he eventually returned to Lithuania. During the 1980s and 1990s, Zalakevicius was up to the challenges of the unstable and turbulent years during and after the collapse of the Soviet Union. His later career was devoted to establishing of the newly independent Lithuanian film industry. His last work was a screenplay for ‘Elze’s Life’ (2000), a period film about the history of Lithuanian and German relationship, directed by his student, Algimantas Puipa. It was an artistic effort of reconciliation with the national identity, and partition from the Soviet past. Zalakevicius was one of the most provocative and controversial figures in the Lithuanian film. He usually wrote the screenplays for most of his films. He occasionally did television work as well.Vytautas Zalakevicius was honored with titles of People’s Artist of the Lithuanian Republic (1981) and People’s Artist of Russia (1980). He was artistic Director of Lithuanian Film Studio, and Vice-Chairman of the Lithuanian State Committee for Cinematography. He also taught film directing in Moscow and in Vilnius, and several of his students became established filmmakers. Vytautas Zalakevicius was married to Russian actress Irina Miroshnichenko. He died of natural causes on November 12, 1996, in Vilnius, and was laid to rest in Vilnius, Luthuania.

Soheir Zaki was born in the Egyptian town of Mansourah. When she was 9 years old, her family moved to the city of Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast. Eventually, she moved to Cairo, where she joined the thriving entertainment industry as a dancer who performed at weddings and nightclubs. She rapidly became popular with male audiences because of her beautiful hourglass figure, and she was much admired by men and women alike for her sweet smile.In the 1970s, Zaki became the first Oriental dance artist to do a performance to a song that had been made popular by the great singer Oum Kalsoum. Following her lead, every Oriental dance artist today is expected to have at least one Oum Kalsoum song in her repertoire.

Birth Name: Maciej Gracjan Zakoscielny

Height: 6′ 0¾” (1.85 m)

Mini Biography:

Born on May 7th, 1980 in Stalowa Wola, Maciej first felt the call of the stage already in elementary school. As a young boy, he participated in talent shows, and won third price for his Shakin’ Steven in the Minilista Przebojow children’s contest!He studied at the School of Performing Arts for thirteen years, majoring in music – his instrument was the violin, but also piano and lately, African drums. One of his major hobbies, which he dedicated five years of his growing-up life on was karate. All this helped him into University of Performing Arts in Warsaw, where he wanted to study drama.As for every exam to enter a Polish institution of higher learning, he had to do a series of tests – in this case, in performance. What tipped the scale in his favor was a recital of a monologue, while fighting an invisible enemy. Never once loosing track of a line, Maciej jumped, kicked and karated his way across the stage. When he was done he… sat down, picked up his violin and played a piece to which he sang.Considerably a mature man with a set goal, Maciej enjoyed his teens. He wanted to travel, so he earned his way through Europe by playing on the streets of various cities. Chased by the French police for playing on the streets, he hid out in various trains, playing for the passengers…His first major on-screen role came in 2005, as he won the male lead in the romantic comedy “Tylko Mnie Kochaj” (Just love me). But that wasn’t his first brush with the acting world – fans know him well from the TV screens. Maciej was a keen actor, participating in many polish productions, such as the series “Plebania”, “Sfora” or “Samo Zycie”. He also starred in a supporting role in the historical “Stara Basn” (2004), showing early Polish history.For the moment being, he enjoys his popularity in the widely loved show “Kryminalni” (Homicide Unit), as lieutenant Marek Brodecki – as well as his many performances on the old stage of Teart Współczesny in Warsaw.

Birth Name: George Vitetzakis

Mini Biography:

Georgios Vitetzakis (Producer), a native of Montreal, Canada from Greek immigrants he began his career producing and arranging music tracks for local garage bands by the age of fourteen. At seventeen, he ventured to Los Angeles to pursue further opportunities in the entertainment industry, working as roadie/stage hand on stadium tours with bands such as GnR, Motley Crue, Elton John, Depeche Mode, and Eric Clapton.His first part of his producing career is comprised almost exclusively of his collaboration with producing partner Vin Diesel and helping him establish their home of One Race Films shingle at Revolution/Sony Studios. However George’s first office was from a pay phone from which he made his calls on Ventura Blvd from which he produced Strays, Diesel’s directorial debut that premiered in competition at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. He went on to provide instrumental support for films such as Pitch Black, The Iron Giant and The Fast and the Furious. More recently, George served as producer on this years (2006) Find Me Guilty directed by Life time achievement Oscar winner Sydney Lumet (one of the most important figures he’s ever had the pleasure of working with), he also was executive producer on both the 2002 summer blockbuster XXX and the hit Disney comedy The Pacifier. His credits include a co-producer on New Line’s A Man Apart and executive producer of Universal’s The Chronicles of Riddick. REPLACE WITH: Georgios Vitetzakis (Producer), a native of Montreal, Canada from Greek immigrants he began his career producing and arranging music tracks for local garage bands by the age of fourteen. At seventeen, he ventured to Los Angeles to pursue further opportunities in the entertainment industry, working as roadie/stage hand on stadium tours with bands such as GnR, Motley Crue, Elton John, Depeche Mode, and Eric Clapton.His first part of his producing career is comprised almost exclusively of his collaboration with producing partner _Vin Diesel_ and helping him establish their home of One Race Films shingle at Revolution/Sony Studios. However George’s first office was from a pay phone from which he made his calls on Ventura Blvd from which he produced Strays, Diesel’s directorial debut that premiered in competition at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. He went on to provide instrumental support for films such as _Pitch Black_, _The Iron Giant_ and _The Fast and the Furious_. More recently, George served as producer on this years (2006) _Find Me Guilty_ directed by Life time achievement Oscar winner _Sydney Lumet_(one of the most important figures he’s ever had the pleasure of working with), he also was executive producer on both the 2002 summer blockbuster XXX and the hit Walt Disney comedy _The Pacifier_. His credits include a co-producer on New Line’s A Man Apart and executive producer of Universal’s The Chronicles of Riddick.