Elevate Films | Team 2014 - Elevate Films

We are ELEVATE, a little production company on a huge mission. We live to the fullest in Ojai CA., pop. 8000. Positioned one hour North of Los Angeles we're just close enough to play in Hollywood, yet far away enough to create our own game. The game we love most is producing filmed works of art that make us feel good about being human. Our portfolio includes features films, record setting network TV specials, viral media, and music videos for multi-platinum artists. We are totally committed to using the awesome power of movies, music and media to activate real and lasting change - to bridge accent wisdom with modern technology - to share stories that deserve a voice - to champion worthy causes - to amplify the good news of the world - and of course… to ELEVATE!

conscious, eco-consciousness, spirituality, non-profit, elevate foundation, leadership, transformational, wellness, award winning, photography, photographer, studio, Elevate Film Festival, film, social movement, media production, tribe, unite, thought leader, documentary, movie, innovators, evolutionaries, creative, art, new paradigm, awareness, bridging the gap, genesis, los angeles, ojai, california, human experience, story, storytellers, alternative, shift, network, web, positivity, elevation, elevate, elevator, sustainability, peace, health, prosperity, activate, filmmaker, prolific, global, evolve. evolution, participation, good news, collaborate, co-create, progressive, change, connection, connected, growth, growing, reality, international, outreach, community, viral video, humanity, technology, cause, inspire, inspiration, action, activism, expression, love, entertainment, motion graphic, direction, editing, team, professional, Akira Chan, Mikki Willis, Nadia Salamanca, Jerad Hobaugh, Gabriel Valda, Tiffany Higbee, Chris Bradley, Patty Yuniverse, be brave, the shadow effect, neurons to nirvana, ayahuasca, devine, esalen institute, birth 2012, playitfwd, the answer is you, eft, uplifting, barbara marx hubbard, don miguel ruiz, jack canfield, marianne williamson, michael bernard beckwith, neale donald walsch, oscar miro-quesado, ram dass, stephan dinan

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Team 2014

Mikki Willis

founder / CEO

As the founder and CEO of Elevate, Mikki Willis has produced over 200 independent productions, ranging from network television shows and theatrical features, to music videos and viral media. Elevate’s initiatives include PlayItFWD, a revolutionary viral distribution platform for transformational movies and media; Elevate Films, a full-service films and viral media production company; Elevate Film Festival, the world’s first international socially conscious filmmaking challenge; theXperience, a new genre of live entertainment designed to elevate consciousness; and Elevate Presents, a live event production/innovation initiative.

9-11, 2001 marked a turning point in Mikki’s life and career. After witnessing the collapse of the twin towers from a neighboring high-rise, he helped to lead a group of civilians who remained in the danger zone for 3 consecutive days in search of survivors. It was atop the rubble of the World Trade Center where his life’s mission was defined. Since then, Mikki has led missions to bring clean water to third-world countries, build homes for the homeless, create schools in Africa, deliver musical equipment to children in war torn territories, support eco-green initiatives, and mentor young filmmakers.

Mikki Willis is the recipient of the 2008 Conscious Life Humanitarian Award. In June of 2011 he was featured on the cover of Ventana Magazine, noted among 5 “progressive thinkers on the leading edge.” He is an active member of the Transformational Leadership Council.

Nadia Salamanca

co-founder

As a competitive gymnast and classically trained dancer, Nadia Salamanca understood the tremendous energy and attention to craft that is necessary to succeed in any artistic venture. After studying acting and writing at Colorado University, Nadia relocated to Los Angeles and was cast in numerous theatrical roles and appeared in a host of independent films and television.

Nadia’s crossover into production began when she partnered with a top casting agent to assist in the casting of major music videos and commercials. Driven by her life’s mission to create socially and environmentally conscious media, Nadia swiftly worked her way into producing. To date Nadia has produced more than fifty award winning short films and documentaries, as well as music videos for Grammy winning, platinum artists. Nadia Salamanca is co-founder of Elevate Film Festival, Elevate Foundation and Elevate Films.

Akira Chan

producer | cinematographer | editor

Akira Chan a multi race filmmaker from Southern California.

For over 10 years, his passion for arts and culture have been expressed through the process of documentary and creative filmmaking.

After completing a film degree in San Diego, CA, Akira began to work independently to shoot and edit films in the action sports and health and wellness industries.

During this period, Akira also co-created and taught several youth media summer workshops in the non-profit sector, and produced dozens of videos for organizations and individuals focused on social justice, eco-consciousness, spirituality, and health.

It was within the past few years that Akira’s creative work began to shift into a more collective and collaborative approach to filmmaking – a mirror to his personal interest in community living and conscious social movement.

In 2012, this journey led him to join Elevate Films, where he now serves as a director, producer, cinematographer and editor.

Chris Bradley

director | producer | photographer | editor

Chris Bradley is an award-winning comedy/ documentary director, producer, photographer, and editor. He has completed multiple feature-length films, various reality and scripted television programs and web series as well as several short films. Chris is currently producing and editing the feature-length documentary Be Brave, an Elevate Films production.

Chris produced, wrote, shot and edited the feature-length documentary, Beauty is Embarrassing, about Los Angeles based artist and Pee Wee’s Playhouse puppeteer, Wayne White. The film stars among others, Paul Reubens, Matt Groening and Mark Mothersbaugh. The film premiered at the SXSW Film Festival, and went on to Hot Docs, the Los Angeles Film Festival, Full Frame, Atlanta, Silver Docs, Cleveland, (Jury Award for Best Documentary), Nashville (Audience Award) and it was nominated for the WGA Documentary Screenplay Award as well as the Cinema Eye Honors Audience Award.
www.beautyisembarrassing.com

Chris’ Director credits include: PITTSBURGH (Starz/Anchor Bay), a feature length mockumentary which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and stars Jeff Goldblum, Ed Begley, Jr., Illeana Douglas and Moby; FIRED! (Showtime/Shout Factory) a comedic documentary starring Tim Allen, Harry Shearer, David Cross, and others.

Chris has also directed several shorts including, A Day in the Light, Meet The Funkmeyers and It Ain’t Over ’Til It’s Over, a documentary short staring Shelley Berman and Lillian Adams, winner of 4 Elevate Film Festival jury awards including: Best Documentary, Best Directing, Best Cinematography and Best Editing.

Tiffany Higbee

executive assistant

Tiffany Higbee began her career in film and television production accounting in 1996. During her film career, Tiffany has been blessed to be a part of the production teams of 16 films, including the Oscar winners “Crash”, “You Can Count On Me”, and “In The Bedroom”. She has also been a part of the corporate production finance management team at Lions Gate Entertainment and Sony Imageworks.

More recently, Tiffany embarked on a personal spiritual journey, delving into her love of Kundalini Yoga by studying at Golden Bridge, becoming a certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher with gong meditation emphasis. Her love of the entertainment industry and her spiritual journey came full circle when she became a part of the team at Elevate Films.

Gabriel Valda

motion graphics artist | photographer | editor

Gabriel Valda is a multi-talented graphics artist, film editor and electronic music producer.

After completing a fine arts degree in interrelated media arts at Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, has been working for over 10 years as a freelance motion graphics artist and film editor for documentaries, commercials, action sports t..v shows and featured films.

Inspired to help raise global consciousness and spirituality through music, media and art.

Jerad Hobaugh

photographer | production assistant

Jerad Hobaugh studied visual journalism at Brooks Institute of Photography with the aspiration of beginning a career in documentary storytelling. Shortly after moving to the beautiful Ojai valley, he formed a connection with the Elevate team.

With the aligned purpose of spreading truth through conscious media, Jerad is devoted to his role in sharing the stories of the collective visionary culture.