The Creative Team

Kuang Lee was born in Taipei, Taiwan and raised in southern California. He has a BA in English Literature from UCLA and an MFA in Film Production from Loyola Marymount University.

Kuang's documentary film, Eastside, had its world premiere at Los Angeles Film Festival, and aired on Showtime Networks.

Kuang's first feature script, Language Lessons, was a IFP Film Market Emerging Narrative project and a semifinalist in the Sundance Writers Lab. Kuang’s drama pilot Figueroa Boulevard was optioned by FOX Television Studios.

Originally from Chicago, Emil has appeared in various roles as an actor, including Nickelodeon’s iCarly movie iGo to Japan, Alias, ER, Dysmorphia (Showtime), Surrender, Dorothy with Diane Keaton, Opening Night of the Living Dead, and 50 Cent: Bulletproof (videogame).

In recent years he has been increasingly involved behind the camera, directing the documentary My Dinner with James Hong, editing a children's cooking show, producing a documentary on the housing crisis caused by condo conversions via the Ellis Act Evictions, and working as the assistant editor on the feature film HIT LIST, starring Joey Lawrence.

Chris's writing credits include senior book editor for National Lampoon Press, interactive content for NBC and CBS, and a nationally-syndicated humor column. He has also produced stand-up comedy nationwide, including regular shows at the Hollywood Improv and Laugh Factory. A graduate of USC, he currently works for the Hollywood Reporter.

Shalena hails from the beautiful, river valley of Sacramento, California. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in African-American Studies and received her MFA (Producing, 2007) from the American Film Institute.

Her credits include the feature Bloodshed, Dysmorphia (Showtime), and the short films Opening Night of the Living Dead (2008), The Perfect Date (2007), CU@8 (2007), Dead Man's Hour (2007) and Driftwood (2006). She is constantly looking to find new ways to Scare the Dickens out of people, make them laugh and bring Sci-Fi back.

A native of Michigan, Daniel's body of work is indicative of his ability and desire to move seamlessly through a variety of genres. He strives to collaborate on projects that are both technically and emotionally challenging, and connects to themes that encompass the diversity of the human experience. After completing his Bachelor of Arts degree at Columbia College Chicago, Daniel served as Director of Photography on a number of narrative and documentary films, music videos, and commercials. Thereafter, he received his Masters of Fine Arts from the American Film Institute Conservatory in Los Angeles, where he currently resides.

Rachel Payne is a native of Alabama where she attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham wherein she received a BA in Criminal Justice with a minor in Chemistry. After getting involved in a few local films, she discovered her love for Production Design. Subsequently, she attended the American Film Institute to pursue a MA in Production Design. At AFI, Rachel learned to visually and physically create a realistic environment to enhance a story. Upon graduating, Rachel continues pursuing her love for design and has designed 5 features, 2 commercials, a show for Showtime, a web series for Fox Atomic and numerous award-winning shorts. Her latest feature film American High School will be released worldwide in March/April.

Karoliina Manela Rajapaksa-Yapa Tuovinen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Ohio State University, with a focus on creative writing and film studies. While attending the American Film Institute, she worked as assistant editor on SKID ROW, a documentary about homelessness in Los Angeles and SPOONER, a feature starring Matthew Lillard (Slamdance 2009). Karoliina was also awarded the Women in Film Scholarship and the Swedlin/Cort Scholarship. Since completing her M.F.A. she has edited numerous shorts, montage tributes, feature film behind-the-scenes, and commercial projects. She also worked on the AFI Life Time Achievement Award Tribute to Warren Beatty and most recently was an additional editor on the feature film comedy, HIT LIST, starrying Joey Lawrence.