MARLENE RHEIN
Born in New York City, Marlene Rhein came equipped with a natural flair for soul, passion, and humor. After turning five and heading out to Long Island where the air was fresher, the swing-sets cleaner, and the kids didn’t wield knives, she decided upon a life of creativity. Patiently waiting to escape suburbia, (by sneaking out to dance in city clubs or writing comedy skits on toilet paper while locked in the bathroom for bad behavior) she eventually landed at Ithaca College where she excelled in the distinguished film program, winning two short film awards and a Rod Serling Scholarship for Film and TV Writing.
After being told she looked like Winona Ryder from ‘Beetlejuice’ for far too many years, she flew to LA to work on her tan. The tan didn’t work out, but directing did. She started her career on credit cards and a demo reel, and has since directed over thirty music videos - including Tupac Shakur’s last, as well as several commercials. According to Tupac, “She is the shit.” Miffed about her tan, her insurmountable credit card bill, and LA in general, Marlene flew to London where again, she sparked success. She turned R&B group Another Level’s “Freak Me” into a number one video and hit on the charts. London became her second home and Marlene Rhein became a household, well, almost household name. The world of UK music video has not been the same since.
Marlene’s nine-minute short film, “Let Me Tell You A Story,” in which she stars as all five characters, has earned prestigious awards at film festivals across the States. She was selected by FILMMAKER MAGAZINE as one of the ‘Top Twenty-Five New Faces of Independent Film’, and has also been featured in Shots Magazine and Promo News. Her style has been described as edgy, sexy, urban, and clever. Ms. Rhein is now developing three feature film scripts and is actively directing music videos and commercials with ADDICTION in London and NOTORIOUS in New York.
THE BIG SHOT-CALLER, an inspirational NYC story about a lonely outsider who rediscovers his self-esteem through Salsa dancing. "Sometimes you have to break down to break through".Released in theaters last year, the film received 4 stars from film critic Kam Williams and was described as "Authentic" by Stephen Holden of the New York Times.
CRAIG ROSS Jr.
Craig Ross Jr. was born in Boston Massachusetts. After graduating high school, Craig attended the film school at New York University. After film school, Craig landed in Los Angeles, where he established his production company Asiatic Associates (ASA), now Asiatic Incorporated. ASA produced such films as Cappuccino and Blue Hill Avenue. In 2006, Craig directed the hit CBS television show Cold Case.
Since then, Craig has gone on to direct a number of high profile television shows such as Crossing Jordan, Bones, and Standoff for the Fox Network. Numb3rs (CBS), Lincoln Heights (ABC Family) and Corssing Jordan (NBC) to name a few.
Craig has several awards. In 2001 he won the Black Film award and Grand Jury Prize for Best U.S. Film, and Best Director for Blue Hill Avenue.
In June of 2006, Craig moved back into Indie features with The Mannsfield 12. He won Best Director and Best Screenplay for The Mannsfield 12. This film marks Craig’s 7th outing as an independent feature director. All of ASA’s endeavors mark the journey of Craig Ross Jr.’s ascent as one of the premiere filmmakers in Hollywood.