About Werc Werk Works

Founded in Minneapolis in 2008, Werc Werk Works is a company of like-minded partners based on the idea that success and profit in the film business can be achieved in new ways. We believe that financing, marketing and distribution can be creative, transparent and forward-thinking. We are based on a new economic model that recognizes, champions, honors and rewards artistic efforts.

Werc Werk Works is a company of passionate filmmakers dedicated to real and dynamic collaboration. The illusion and magic of film should be limited to the screen and not in the treatment and compensation of artists and other valued profit participants.

Werc Werk Works is a catalyst guiding distinctive high quality projects. We embrace new and emerging technologies and utilize them to achieve artistic and economic success.

The principals behind this company have diverse talents and complementary experiences, while sharing a lifelong passion and deep love for great film.

And what about our name? Werc - the initials of our founding principals. Werk - our diligent, hands-on process. Works - the results.

About the Team

ELIZABETH REDLEAF

CEO / ProducerElizabeth Redleaf’s love of film and process has led her to co-found and become CEO of Werc Werk Works, a film production company built on a vision of supporting artists and rewarding its profit partners. She is the producer of HOWL, directed by Rob Epstein and Jeff Friedman, THIN ICE by Jill Sprecher, and Werc Werk Work’s latest project, DARLING COMPANION from director Lawrence Kasdan.  In addition, Elizabeth is also the executive producer of LIFE DURING WARTIME a Todd Solondz film, the award winning final feature from Béla Tarr , THE TURIN HORSE, as well as a comedy, NOBODY, directed by Rob Perez (40 Days and 40 Nights). Elizabeth is on the board of directors of the Telluride Film Festival and is a major sponsor of the Walker Art Center’s Women in Vision International Film Festival and First Look Premiere Program (which is where she met Todd Solondz). She founded and co-chairs the Walker Art Center Film Society with Bill Pohlad of River Road Productions and serves on the IFP Minnesota Advisory Board.

 

 

ANDREW PETERSON

Vice President of Production

Andrew is an award-winning filmmaker who has been working in independent film for over 15 years. Along the way he has not only made films, but has taught filmmaking and worked for years as a festival programmer. He brings extensive experience in creative producing, screenwriting, budgeting, production and editing. Andrew began his career as a location manager working with many respected directors including Alan Rudolph, Ted Demme and David Lynch and went on to earn his MFA in Filmmaking from New York University Graduate Film School. At Werks he has Co-Produced LIFE DURING WARTIME, Howl, THIN ICE and DARLING COMPANION.  Andrew is a valued consultant to independent films and film festivals in addition to serving as the Director of Programming for the Provincetown International Film Festival.

 

 

MARK STEELE

Vice President of Production
Vice President of Production
Mark brings an extensive background in media, technology and operations to his position as leader of post-production at Werks. He began his career in engineering but with his life-long passion for film and media became both a core team member of Telluride and Sundance operations as well as a leader in interactive businesses. He eventually became the Director of Operations for Tribeca Film Festival. While there he directed the physical execution of the annual film festival and year-round projects - a multi-million dollar international arts and media brand. He also served as brand ambassador to broadcast and cinema industries, was responsible for physical production of all company and sponsor on-site marketing activation programs, supervised the production and post-production of non-profit filmmaker programs, produced special projects ranging from high-profile global events to quick-turn local programs, and expanded the brand internationally to Milan and Beijing. At Werks, Mark has Co-Produced HOWL, THIN ICE and DARLING COMPANION and served as Associate Producer on LIFE DURING WARTIME.

 

 

DOUGLAS HARRIS

Controller
Doug brings to Werks his longtime studio experience and a genuine interest in helping independent film thrive while looking out for the bottom line. He began his career in accounts payable at the New York offices of Miramax Films, eventually becoming their VP of Production Finance. Doug was then handpicked to co-head the Production Finance department at the inception of The Weinstein Company and worked out of their Los Angeles offices. During his career Doug has managed hundreds of films in development; and up to thirty five films at a time in prep, production and post-production. He has brought his specialized skills, including managing tax credits, international currency exchange, and effective liasing between production and finance, to hundreds of millions of dollars of production finance. Notable films on his watch include The English Patient, Shakespeare in Love, Cold Mountain, The Reader, Nine, Chicago, Kill Bill, Grindhouse, and Chocolat.

 

 

KELLY GILPATRICK

Festival & Events/HR Manager

Kelly Gilpatrick is an actor, producer, marketing professional and more. Her background includes several years of freelance production work on films such as the Independent Spirit Award winner SWEETLAND, Robert Altman’s final masterpiece A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION, and SXSW premiere OLDER THAN AMERICA starring Bradley Cooper and Adam Beach. Kelly’s continued work with famed producer, Christine Walker, led her to a new opportunity in 2008 when she was asked to join the Minneapolis-based film production company, Werc Werk Works.  Serving on all levels to the company’s needs, Kelly has contributed to the Todd Solondz film, LIFE DURING WARTIME, served as Associate Producer on HOWL and THIN ICE, and now manages all festivals, events and human resources for the company. Independently, Kelly has also produced, in collaboration with filmmaker Jake Yuzna, the official selection for Berlin Film Festival 2010 PANORAMA and Teddy Award winning feature film, OPEN.

 

 

AMANDA BECKER

Executive Assistant to the CEO

Amanda Becker is a writer, producer, and director of both documentary and narrative shorts including PETE’S PALACE, a documentary with much success amongst regional film festivals, and her latest narrative short, HOLE IN THE WALL for which she received the IFP Fresh Filmmaker grant. Amanda has achieved a B.A. in Women and Gender Studies from Macalester College as well as diploma in film production from the Vancouver Film School. She also has two years of experience in the Peace Corps where she found herself teaching English language films to Russian film enthusiasts of all ages. This love of teaching continues with the joy of bringing film and video production to youth of diverse backgrounds. Amanda currently fills the position of Executive Assistant to the CEO at Werc Werk Works.

 

 

CHRISTINE KUNEWA WALKER

Consultant / Producer / Co-Founder

One of the original founders of Werc Werk Works, Christine Kunewa Walker is an award-winning producer of artist-driven independent film. She is producer of LIFE DURING WARTIME a Todd Solondz film and the upcoming film HOWL, starring James Franco as poet Allen Ginsberg, and THE CONVINCER with Greg Kinnear and Alan Arkin. Walker also co-wrote and produced OLDER THAN AMERICA starring Adam Beach and Bradley Cooper, produced FACTOTUM starring Matt Dillon, Lily Taylor and Marisa Tomei, and line produced AMERICAN SPLENDOR. Christine’s awards and recognitions include the Producer’s Guild of America Diversity Award, an Independent Spirit Award nomination, and the Sundance Institute’s Producer’s Fellowship.

 

 

JOHN HADITY

Consultant
Werc Werk Works has engaged John Hadity, principal of Hadity & Associates as a business and strategic planning consultant. Mr. Hadity’s experience encompasses all phases of development, production, marketing, and distribution. He has been elected Chair of the Producers Guild of America East. He has also served as the Executive Vice President of Motion Picture and Television Production Finance for Miramax Films. During his 12 years there, he was responsible for a portfolio of production budgets valued in excess of $4 billion. Mr. Hadity also served as production rep on a number of Miramax releases including several Academy Award winners.

 

 

KEN BAILEY

Consultant
Ken Bailey has an impressive 360Ëš range of skills including directing, producing, cinematography and editing. He has won numerous national and international awards including a Cine Golden Eagle, Chris Awards, and WorldFest–Houston International Film Festival Awards. From locations as diverse as Mount Everest, the Amazon River Basin, Northern Siberia and New York City, Bailey has specialized in social, cultural, environmental, and exploratory productions. His style and subjects are eclectic and extreme, his passion for capturing the unexpected and beautiful is relentless and ongoing for nearly three decades.