THE OVERLOOKERS PRODUCTION TEAM

Christopher Warre Smets was born and raised in Canada, and has since lived in both Toronto and New York City. In addition to penning numerous screenplays, he's written for the New York stage, worked as a rock critic, lugged grip equipment on a variety of film and TV productions, directed and edited music videos, and developed projects with such producers as Gary Goldstein (Pretty Woman, Under Siege) and Academy Award Nominee Barry Mendel (Rushmore, The Sixth Sense). His comic short, Best Foot Forward (starring future Overlookers performer Ophira Eisenberg), screened at NYC's Midnight Moviemaking Madness Film Festival in 2002. The Overlookers is his first film as a writer-director.

STENNAR STROM PRODUCER

Based in Antelope Valley since 1988, Stennar Strom was able to parlay his experience in the twin worlds of advertising and marketing into a financial boon for The Overlookers, securing product placement from and striking deals with such diverse companies as Time-Life, Budget Rent-a-Car, and Dark Horse Comics. A true Renaissance man, he also found time to travel to New York to appear in the role of Oswald and contribute an original song to the soundtrack. He currently has several independent films in development.

DAMON MIDDLETON PRODUCER

New York City native Damon Middleton began his career at Propaganda Films, eventually becoming a production coordinator and production manager on videos for such major label artists as Willie Nelson, Mary J. Blige, The Roots, Mos Def and Matchbox Twenty. As a producer, he's shepherded several smaller projects, including The Story So Far, a long-form DVD from the band Sick Of It All.

JENNA RICKER PRODUCER

As assistant to the head of production at Villains, Orange County's own Jenna Ricker worked on commercials and music videos by such directors as Phil Joanou, Ken Fox and Brett Ratner. At Carl Forsberg and Associates, she represented ILM, Bug Editorial and the Duotone Commercial and Film Music Company. In addition to directing several one-act plays with David Mamet's Atlantic Theater Company, Jenna recently wrapped production on her Plan B, her first feature as a writer-director.

MATTHEW PENN PRODUCER

Born in Nyack, New York, Matthew Penn is the youngest member of The Overlookers production team, although his family has been involved in the entertainment industry for several generations. His father Chuck has been an editor of TV commercials for many years, while his grandfather Maury Penn was a producer for several live TV shows in the golden age of television, and worked with Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, and Imogene Coca. Growing up, Matthew learned hands on from his father and grandfather, who taught him what matters most in editing and production. In addition to producing and supervising post-production on The Overlookers, Matthew has worked on Tribute to the History of Carnegie Hall, CitiGroup 100 Years in Asia, and the upcoming TV pilot Broadway Party.