James Crisp
Born in Invercargill, New Zealand, award-winning writer and director James Crisp began his career in 2010 by writing and directing The Good Neighbour. The film was selected for numerous festivals across Australia, America, Asia, and Europe, winning Best Drama at The Blue Mountain Film Festival in 2011 and an audience award at the Sandfly Film Festival in 2012.
​
From 2012 to 2015, James served as the in-house Creative Director for the Southern Institute of Technology, producing national TV commercial campaigns and promotional videos for international audiences.
​
In 2016, he began production on 12.12.12, a film he wrote, directed, and edited. The film premiered in 2018 in Los Angeles at the First Glance Film Festival to high praise and was also screened at the Kansas City Film Festival and the Chicago International REEL Short Film Festival that same year—culminating in an honorable mention at the 2021 Freshflix Film Festival in Sydney.
​
In late 2021, James relocated to Los Angeles to work with Choppy Productions USA as a writer and director on their developing film and television slate. Concurrently, he took on a lead role with corporate client Open Parachute, creating video content vital to their innovative well-being learning programs for K-12 students.
​
In 2023, the TV series concept Bogan Moths, with James attached as writer and director, won the pitch competition at the acclaimed international comedy festival Just For Laughs. In 2024, the animated short film Bogan Moths won a Gold Telly Award, and the documentary Line Rider won a FIPRESCI Critics Prize—projects on which he served as Story Editor and Story Producer. He capped off the year with his script The Last Word receiving an honorable mention in the WriteMovies 2024 Screenwriting Contest.
​
James is a proud member of the Directors & Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand (DEGANZ), the New Zealand Writers Guild (NZWG), and the Australian Academy of Cinema, Television & Arts (AACTA).
Pete Ireland
Peter (“Pete”) Ireland is an award-winning film producer, writer and director from Sydney, Australia.
Since 2010, his films and TV series have been selected for Australian Academy (AACTA) accredited, FIAPF accredited and Oscar accredited film festivals; broadcast on television in Australia and Europe, and screened in many other film/TV festivals in Australia and internationally.
In 2015, Pete’s documentary film ‘Chip’ won at the Australian Academy Awards (AACTAs) ‘Social Shorts’ and he worked for Matchbox Pictures (subsidiary of NBCUniversal) and Screen NSW. In 2019 Pete was one of 250 filmmakers selected (from 3,400 applications from 130 countries) for the Berlinale Talents program as part of the Berlin International Film Festival, and his film ‘Pilè’ won ‘best short film’ at the 37th ATOM Awards.
In 2021, Pete’s film ‘Risen’ won ‘Best Sci-fi’ at the Oscar-accredited LAShorts Fest and he was consulting producer on the AACTA nominated feature ‘Lonesome’. In 2022, Pete relocated to Los Angeles, where he started working for Choppy Productions USA as a producer and writer on their developing film and television slate. Also in 2022, Pete's film ‘Risen’ was nominated for an ATOM Award and ‘Best SciFi’ at the FilmQuest Film Festival, while his comedy series ‘Romp’ was shortlisted for a Rose D’Or Award, and his ‘Children of Laika’ script was one of two winners in a major U.S. screenplay competition.
In 2023, ‘Romp’ won silver at the world-renowned ‘Telly Awards’; and Pete’s TV series concept 'Bogan Moths' in development (a co-production under the Choppy Productions USA banner) won the pitch competition at the acclaimed international comedy festival ‘Just For Laughs’. In 2024 Pete’s animated short film ‘Bogan Moths’ won a gold Telly Award, and his documentary ‘Line Rider’ won a FIPRESCI Critics Prize.
Pete is a member of Screen Producers Australia and the Australian Academy (AACTA).
​​
Alex Rose
Alex, an executive coach and seasoned production coordinator, aspired to make a lasting impact on the entertainment community.
After relocating to Los Angeles in 2016, he dedicated himself to expanding his network within the music and entertainment industries. In June 2017, he assumed the role of Production Lead for a high-production church in Beverly Hills.
Working on set with various production companies, Alex immersed himself in the intricacies of large-scale producing and broadened his international network—collaborating with industry giants such as Disney, MGM, Sony, and Warner Brothers.
Embracing his passion for film production, Alex founded Choppy Productions USA in 2019 to nurture a new generation of storytellers by providing comprehensive production support.
Drawing on his extensive experience—which includes credits on projects such as The Chase, Masterchef, The Weakest Link, Extreme Makeover, The Biggest Loser, Slumberkins, Miracle Workers, Dark Arrows, Peace of Mind, Kevin Hart – What The Fit?, and the Oscar-winning film King Richard—he has successfully built a platform that empowers emerging talent.