President, Johnathan Brownlee

Johnathan Brownlee is an international talent with credits in the film, television, theatre and video industries. He has worked extensively on 3 continents and in many cities including New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Vancouver, Toronto, Philadelphia, London England and many others. As a dual citizen (Canadian/American) he enjoys the benefits of cross border and co-productions. His training includes an MFA from Brandeis University in Boston and BA from Hofstra University in New York with degrees in Theatre, Music, English Literature, Communications, Film and Television Productions.

Johnathan has over 20 years professional experience in the industry. His production background includes:

• Artistic Direction - Film, TV, Live Broadcast, Corporates, Theater
• Executive Producer - Sponsorship, Traditional Funding Models, Media Sales
• Producer - Schedules, Budgets, HR, Casting
• Technical Direction and Design - Lighting, Sound, Scenic
• Fight Director and Theatrical Violence Consultant
• Actor - Performed in over 100 live productions-Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regional and on the International stage

Johnathan's hosting experience is broad ranging and includes live broadcast, live to tape, lifestyle and How-To shows.

Until recently, Johnathan was the Los Angeles Representative for The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television and continues to be extremely active as a jury chair for the Gemini, Genie and Leo Awards. He also holds seminars to increase ACCT membership with students and serves the Golf Tournament Board benefiting the Western division of ACCT.

Johnathan has taught classes on both the creative and business aspects of the entertainment industry at many prestigious universities in Canada and the United States. These include, University of Toronto, Harvard, NYU, MIT, Brandeis, Hofstra, Wellesley College, University of Connecticut and Vancouver Film School.

Consulting Producer, KaZ

Quoted as being somewhat of a wunderkind, KaZ began performing professionally in New York at the age of twelve, predominantly in musicals. She choreographed her first professional musical, also in New York, at 15, directed her first play at 16 and at 18 joined her first rock band. Her training includes study at the State Universities of New York at Fredonia, Brockport and Purchase. While attending SUNY/Fredonia, KaZ taught modern dance while still in University.

Shortly after beginning graduate work, KaZ was scouted by the Sea World Water Ski Team and employed to ski professionally. Simultaneously, Ringling Bros., Barnum and Bailey Circus World hired KaZ as a show singer where she then trained as an aerialist on the Spanish Web.

KaZ toured the U.S. with three bands: Alcazar, Impulse VII, and The Tell. She settled in New Orleans where she was profoundly influenced by the culture & music. While in New Orleans, KaZ performed at The Riverwalk, on television, and starred in Forbidden Broadway. She was also Artistic Director of the New Orleans Theater and Dance Company. KaZ was voted one of the Top Ten Performers in New Orleans and received two Maxi Awards for her commercial work.

KaZ's work sent her to San Francisco to perform at the popular club, Kimball's, and work on a radio project with Francis Ford Coppola. KaZ has performed in over 75 live industrials for companies such as the NCAA, Searle, Paramount, Universal, Disney, Pressman Toys, Ross and Planters. KaZ has performed in over 50 musical comedies either in off-Broadway, regional, repertory, touring or dinner theatres throughout the United States.

To add to her eclectic background, KaZ performed at Universal Studios/Orlando, as the Bride of Frankenstein in the Beetlejuice Rock Revue, and as Ma in the Wild West Stunt Show. KaZ also appeared in the international commercial for Universal Studios. In Florida, KaZ & John Medlin were two of the first vocal coaches for the BACKSTREET BOYS. John was the stunt coordinator for BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. While in Florida, KaZ was the Artistic Director for the Full Moon Theatre Company and a founding member of Gang of Four Productions. KaZ considers herself very fortunate to have worked with such luminaries as, country singer Tracy Bird, and musical improv genius, Wayne Brady, right as their careers began to take off!

KaZ spent a year in New York (where she was raised) and stunt doubled for Susan Lucci on ALL MY CHILDREN under the tutelage of Danny Aiello III. The fall she did for Ms. Lucci was voted Soap Opera Digest's #1 STUNT in the history of daytime dramas. Over the next few years Toronto and Los Angeles were home, where she sang on the soundtrack, Millennium, co-starred in the sitcom, PAULY, and worked in several independent films, including My Father. After a performance at the famed CINEGRILL in Los Angeles, KaZ was reviewed as "soulful, with wonderful technique, control and expression".

KaZ has recorded at Race Horse Studios in Culver City, California with Duncan McFarland, with Vancouver's Colin Nairne and Simon Kendall, and with L.A. producer Rogers Masson. Her third CD The Blonde Leading The Blonde received rave reviews for the single Morning Light. She can be heard on scores of online radio stations and podcasts worldwide. It has also won several music competitions in the last few years.

KaZ cut her teeth in casting by assisting some of the top casting directors in Los Angeles, and used that experience as in-house Casting Director for several independent Los Angeles production companies.

KaZ is Creative Director, Consulting Producer and Head of Casting for Torfoot, Inc., based in Vancouver, BC and LA, which produced 2 lifestyle series - Johnathan Brownlee's atHome on HDNet, On Course - a golf and travel series on InDemand and the documentary series Village Life. She also co-produced the pilot Guest House, which focused on Bed and Breakfasts worldwide. KaZ serves as the director of the consulting arm of Torfoot, Inc. and 2 the Point Consulting, which consults on all facets of entertainment production.

She has been a guest speaker for Women In Film and Video Vancouver, The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television LA and Vancouver, Colour TV, City TV, and CHUM TV. KaZ appeared in a documentary for the British Columbia provincial government and BC Film commission supporting the film industry in Canada. She is the also consulting producer for "No Numbers" a documentary on eating disorders.

KaZ has adjudicated competitions in acting and musical theatre for Universities and theatre companies throughout the United States.

Heavily involved in charity work, KaZ was the Chairperson for the Parent's Advisory Council and Vice Chairperson for Community School Association at her son's school, she works with Street Angels, International Pet Rescue, World Wildlife Fund, Foster Parents plan, Amnesty International and Panda, to name a few.

KaZ has had short stories published in the book "How to Survive a Move", and for the World Trade Center Memorial.

She was featured in MORE magazine in the article Mentor Manual.

KaZ is a guest blogger for defineyourself.ca.

KaZ has owned 2 restaurants, and a cinema in British Columbia.

KaZ has her personal trainer certification and specializes in training men and women 40+ and those in recovery from eating disorders. She spent over a year as the personal trainer for the eating disorder recovery Center, Beau Cote (www.beaucote.com). She is gaga for health and fitness, as it ties directly into her professional careers in stunt work, dance, circus arts and water skiing! It was a no-brainer for her to take her passion for fitness and pass it on to others!

If that wasn't enough for you - the production company KaZ co-owns is in negotiations to produce its first feature film - a coming-of-age, on the road, family film, working title Flight to the Alamo (www.torfoot.com).

visit KaZ's website