STAFF

Thomas Deason (Executive Director)
Thom Deason is a pilot, aircraft mechanic, and executive management consultant who never considered a film career until he nearly froze to death working as an extra on an overnight shoot for the 1999 movie, Random Hearts. In the months that followed, he appeared in several films and television commercials; but he quickly discovered his true passion on the other side of the camera. In 2005, he left his position with Alaska Airlines' management team to pursue an entertainment industry career. In addition to work with Grammnet Productions (a Paramount Pictures subsidiary) and Hero Pictures, his production credits include a number of commercials and short films like Mosca Amor (2004 Seattle International Film Festival official selection), Conspiracy (2005), Jaded (2006 Angelus Film Festival semi-finalist), and Saturation (currently in pre-production – Glenville Foundation grant recipient). He also co-authored the book, Winging It. Deason also enjoys mentoring others who share his passion for quality, thought provoking entertainment. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Act One, Inc. and is a member of the Biola University Studio Task Force and the Azusa Pacific University Film Advisory Board, as well as a guest lecturer and panelist at high schools, universities, conferences, and film festivals nationwide. A graduate of LeTourneau University and the Act One Executive Program, Deason currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and professional partner, Lauri, with whom he co-founded Fool's Errand Films.

Monica Jimenez-Grillo (Director, Executive Program)
Before becoming a filmmaker, Monica Jimenez-Grillo dreamed of a career in music, training to be an opera singer for nearly eight years. Her successful transition into film and television production has afforded Monica several once in a lifetime experiences in some of the world's most unique locations, from autopsy rooms to aircraft carriers. On dry land, she has worked primarily as a field producer and assistant director for episodic television (The New Detectives, FBI Files), feature films, and music videos. Monica left her beloved Dominican Republic to study music in Belgium, and later earned her BA in Communications from Trinity International University, where she developed her passion for film. Continuing her training, she earned an MA in Directing and Editing from Regent University. Monica is a graduate of the Act One Executive Program in Hollywood, the Producer of the renowned City of the Angels Film Festival, and the President of Cricket Films.

Chris Riley (Director, Writing Program)
Riley is a screenwriter whose first film, After The Truth, an award-winning courtroom thriller written with his wife and professional partner, Kathy, sparked international controversy in 1999 when it was released in Germany. Other credits include 25 To Life, a dramatic thriller for Junction Entertainment and Touchstone Pictures; The Other White House, a political thriller for Sean Connery’s Fountainbridge Films and Intermedia; Aces, an action-adventure romance for Paramount Pictures; and a screen adaptation of the book Actual Innocence for Mandalay Television Pictures and the Fox television network. A veteran of the Warner Bros. script department, Riley is the author of The Hollywood Standard: The Complete and Authoritative Guide to Script Format and Style.

Jack Gilbert (TV Track Coordinator)
As the Director of the Warner Bros. Writers' Workshop - the entertainment industry's most prestigious and successful television writing program – Jack helped launch the careers of some of Hollywood's top TV scribes.  These days, he uses that expertise to mentor tomorrow's rising stars through the Act One Alumni Programs and Script Consultant Service. An expert story analyst in his own right, he has worked as a freelance reader for the William Morris Agency, NBC, and MTM Productions, consulting on projects ranging from Batman Forever to The Addams Family. Jack crisscrosses the country as an instructor for Act One Weekend Seminars and Learning Labs, and divides his time in Hollywood between Act One and his teaching post in the Theater, Film & Television department at Azusa Pacific University.  He is also a sought-after guest lecturer and consultant at schools, writers' retreats, and conferences throughout North America.

JoAnna Dias (Executive Assistant)
JoAnna comes to Act One from Azusa Pacific University, where she received her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance in 2006.  As a student, she honed her considerable public relations and multi-tasking skills in a variety of part-time jobs; and if you think her phone voice is incredible, just wait until you hear her sing!  Her impressive resume includes performances of the national anthem at multiple presidential events, partnering with the Walk Thru The Bible Ministries worship team, and playing Susanna in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro.  When she isn't keeping a watchful eye on Act One's staff and students, you'll find JoAnna working to launch her music career, singing at fundraisers for her alma mater, enjoying a good romantic comedy, or relaxing with her family in Northern California.

Jessica Urven (Programs Coordinator/Accounts Manager)
Jessica draws on her wide range of experience in business, ministry, and the arts in her dual roles at Act One.  In addition to her work in the accounting department of the Enterprise Rental Car Company, she spent several years on staff at Heritage Wesleyan Church in Illinois, coordinating and supervising all technical and creative aspects of their live drama, video, and media presentations. Since moving to Hollywood, she has shifted her focus to film production, working as a script supervisor (Marked) and production accountant (Pie 'N Burger, Saturation).  She is also the artistic director for the upcoming live production, Creative Christmas.  An accomplished flautist with a Bachelor of Arts in Church Music and Performance Studies from Indiana Wesleyan University, Jessica also arranges music and offers private flute instruction.  In her very infrequent spare time, she enjoys running, spoiling her dogs, and indulging her addiction to ESPN with Lonnie, her college sweetheart and husband of ten years.

Lauri Deason (Regional Programs Coordinator)
Lauri, a screenwriter (FooL4LuV, Conspiracy, Nowhere Montana), script consultant, and documentarian (Revolution of Hope), developed and launched the Act One Weekend Seminars and Learning Labs.  She currently serves as a consultant to Act One for new and ongoing program initiatives and public relations strategies.  A former journalist and producer for FOX and CBS news, she co-founded Fool's Errand Films with her husband, Thom, and works with him to develop new film and television properties.  Lauri holds degrees in Journalism & Public Relations and Biblical Literature, and is a graduate of the Act One Writing Program.

Andrea Nasfell (Editor/Website Administrator)
Andrea is a screenwriter, a partner in the film/TV production company Sodium Entertainment (Breaking Dawn, The Last Dispatch), and a proud graduate of the inaugural class of the Act One Writing Program, as well as the Act Two Advanced Writing Track.  She serves as the editor of the quarterly newsletter, Only Connect, and the administrator for the Act One website.  Andrea received her Bachelor's degree from Asbury College with an emphasis in film studies from the Los Angeles Film Studies Center.