Regent/Hollywood Connect - School of Communication and the Arts, Regent University, School of Communication and the Arts, Regent University, VA

Regent University seeks to serve as a creative and spiritually uplifting place where people connect with others who are working in media and the performing arts in a learning environment. On the pages below, you will discover a few of the many artists and professionals who have shared their lives and experiences with us. In 1744, Italian philosopher and historian Giambattista Vico offered an apt account of the mission of a story-teller: “Now this is the three-fold labor of poetry (story-telling): (1.) To invent sublime fables suited to the popular understanding, (2.) to perturb to excess (entertain) with a view to the end proposed, (3.) and to teach the vulgar to act virtuously.” As Christians, we join with others to develop our gifts, our talents and our lives in ways that will help make a redemptive difference in the lives of others through the creative and prophetic power of story.

Michael Patrick, Dean

Industry Speakers & Guests


Tim Conway	John Dedakis	Tony Hale	Victoria Jackson	Carol Jaudes	Mary Lou Quinlan

FALL 2009

Broadway Actor, Composer
Jeff Blumenkrantz

Actor - Broadway: Into the Woods (1987), Threepenny Opera (with Sting), Damn Yankees, How to Succeed, and A Class Act. Film/TV: Joseph. Dreamcoat, Will and Grace, all three Law and Order series, and the Great Performances (PBS) telecast of Candide in Concert. Composer - 2003 Tony nomination for his contributions to the score of Urban Cowboy, the musical. Songs recorded by Audra McDonald (”I Won’t Mind”) and Megan Mullally (”Lament”). For more information about Jeff’s songbook and podcast (featuring performances of his songs by Megan Mullally, Victoria Clark, Liz Callaway, Rebecca Luker, Carolee Carmello, Marin Mazzie, Kelli O’Hara, Sutton Foster, and more), visit

http://www.jeffblumenkrantz.com

Actor
Keith Flippen

Keith’s film career credits include The Wire (HBO), American Gothic (CBS), Minority Report, Dawson’s Creek (WB), Surface (NBC), Virus, as well as the Emmy Award winners From the Earth to the Moon (miniseries) and Iron Jawed Angels, both for HBO...altogether over 15 TV movies, 7 feature films, and 15 episodes of major television series. Over the last three years you may have seen Keith in ABC’s Same as it Never Was with Lacey Chabert and Wendi Malik, CBS’s Heartless with Melanie Griffith and Esai Morales, Ruffian for ABC/ESPN starring with Sam Shepard, and on One Tree Hill. In 2008, Keith worked on the Independent film Two Hours in the Dark about Frank Capra, Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal for Lifetime TV, and became the online host for the ”Lowe’s Creative Ideas Online Shop Class.” Those videos can be viewed at

http://www.lowescreativeideas.com/shopclass

Former Exec. VP and Worldwide Head of Television for William Morris Agency
Sam Haskell

Before his retirement in December 2004, Sam rose through the ranks of the William Morris Agency in Beverly Hills to become the agency’s Executive Vice President and Worldwide Head of Television. In his 26-year career, Sam represented some of the biggest stars in the business including Bill Cosby, Ray Romano, Dolly Parton, Whoopi Goldberg, George Clooney, Martin Short, and Lily Tomlin. He also put together the deals that made many of our most popular and successful TV shows possible: Everybody Loves Raymond, The Bill Cosby Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Mad About You, Sisters, Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, Who Wants to Be A Millionaire, Las Vegas, and most recently the series, Lost. Sam has written about his incredible journey from a small town boy in Amory, Mississippi to his years as a student at Ole Miss, to becoming one of the most powerful agents in Hollywood in his memoir, Promises I Made My Mother. Sam has been quoted as saying that he’s just an ordinary guy who has been blessed to have lived an extraordinary life and he gives all of the credit to his mother.

http://www.samhaskell.com/

Journalist/TV Anchor
Deborah Norville

Veteran journalist Deborah Norville has been anchor of Inside Edition since March 1995. Ratings jumped 15% the week the two-time Emmy© joined the series, which is now the nation’s top-rated syndicated news magazine. As anchor of Inside Edition, she has covered a wide variety of stories and events. She broadcast from Washington DC hours after the terror attacks of September 11th, was in Rome for the funeral of Pope John Paul II, anchored Inside Edition’s coverage of the funeral of President Ronald Reagan and the inauguration of President Barack Obama, and is regularly on the red carpet for Hollywood’s star-studded events including the Oscars and the Emmy Awards. Norville was named news anchor and then co-host of NBC’s Today program, a position she held until the birth of her first child in 1991. Norville resumed her broadcasting career with the ”Deborah Norville Show,” heard on more than 200 ABC Radio Network stations. She joined CBS News in 1993 as a correspondent and later anchor for such programs as ”Street Stories, ”48 Hours,” and the ”CBS Evening News.” She was also hosted of ”Deborah Norville Tonight” on MSNBC.

http://www.dnorville.com/

Entertainment Attorney
J. SCOTT “SKIP” RUDSENSKE

Mr. Rudsenske has been practicing entertainment law since 1989. He represents national recording artists, writers, independent record and film companies. In addition to practicing as an entertainment attorney, Mr. Rudsenske has owned a 300 seat live music venue and personally produced events by artists such as Bush, Oasis, Old 97s, Jewel, Soul Coughing, Jeff Buckley, Bob Mould, Tonic, Better Than Ezra, Goo Goo Dolls, The Toadies, Matchbox 20, ZZ Top and others. Mr. Rudsenske received his bachelors degree at The University Of North Texas and received his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston Texas. He is licensed to practice law in Texas and Tennessee.

http://www.jsrlaw.net/index.php/services/attorney-profile

Actor, Director, Teacher
MARIANNE SAVELL

Marianne received her MFA in Acting from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she graduated with highest honors and was a Guest Artist at the Central School of Speech and Drama, London. She is an alumnus and participant of Directors Lab West, an associate artist with Taproot Theatre Company in Seattle and is on the Advisory Board of Provision Theater Company in Chicago. In 2008 Marianne was invited to the prestigious New Harmony Project to direct Margaret Hunt’s new play AND THE RAVENS FEED US. Professional directing credits include: The critically acclaimed Jeff nominated SOMEONE WHO’LL WATCH OVER ME (Victory Gardens, Chicago), the world premiere and LA Weekly award winner GULF VIEW DRIVE, ANGEL STREET, TRANSLATIONS, the critically acclaimed and multi-award nominated AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A Live Radio Play, THE CRUCIBLE, HAMLET, GOD & SHAKESPEARE, MOLLY SWEENEY, and PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS. Marianne is an adjunct professor at Vanguard University where she directed the American College Theatre Festival finalists THE LION IN WINTER and AS IT IS IN HEAVEN as well as SAINT JOAN, AMERICA’S BROADWAY and THREE SISTERS.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0767544/

Actress
SHERRI SHEPHERD

Whether on stage or screen, Emmy® award-winning talk show host, comedienne/actress Sherri Shepherd never fails to delight audiences with her magnetic personality and hilarious sense of humor, which is showcased in her position as co-host of ABC’s The View. Sherri will star and executive produce her new Lifetime series, SHERRI. The show is loosely based on her life and stand-up comedy, and premiered on October 5, 2009. Also in October, Sherri’s humorous autobiography, ”Permission Slips: Every Woman’s Guide to Giving Herself a Break,” was launched by Grand Central Publishing.

American Idol Top 5 Finalist, Season Six
PHIL STACEY

One of the Top 5 finalists on season six of American Idol, Stacey’s powerful voice caught the attention of more than 30 million television viewers each week, and it’s that musical gift combined with his passionate heart for God that fuels every moment of his Reunion Records debut Into the Light. A “singer’s singer,” Stacey knew from an early age he wanted to use his voice in ministry. “I’ve always wanted to sing Christian music and I almost signed with a label when I graduated from college, but God had a plan for me, and God is anything but predictable,” Stacey says. “There were times along the journey when I was wondering where in the world God was taking me. Now I see why he took me through all the turns and I’m so grateful that he did.”

http://www.philstacey.com/

Christian Teacher and Author
BRUCE WILKINSON

One of the world’s foremost Christian teachers, Bruce Wilkinson is best known as the author of the New York Times #1 bestseller The Prayer of Jabez. He is also the author of numerous other bestsellers, including A Life God Rewards, Secrets of the Vine, and The Dream Giver. Over the past three decades, Wilkinson has founded several global initiatives, including organizations that recruited and trained thousands of Americans to address hunger, AIDS, and poverty in Africa. Bruce and his wife, Darlene, have three children and six grandchildren. They live outside Atlanta.

http://www.brucewilkinson.com/

SUMMER 2009

Effects/Lighting Technical Director
WILLIAM BALL, JR.

William Houston Ball has work both in front and behind the scenes for the last 20 years in features films, television commercials, live musical concerts and videos, as well as theater. The last 15 years in Hollywood, he has worked primarily in the field of visual effects and has worked on over twenty-five feature films. His list of credits includes such titles Starship Troopers, Contact, Godzilla, Stuart Little, The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, The Golden Compass (winner of the 2008 Academy Award for Best Visual Effects), The Incredible Hulk, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, and most recently Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. William sits on the educational committee for the Visual Effects Society as well as the Advisory Board for Westwood College’s School of Design. William graduated from Regent University in 2002 with a Master of Arts in Communication. He is currently working as an Effects/Lighting Technical Director at Rhythm and Hues Studios in Los Angeles, CA.

http://imdb.com/name/nm0050346/

President/Creative Director of Cooke Pictures
PHIL COOKE

According to former CNN journalist Paula Zahn, filmmaker and media activist Phil Cooke is rare - he's a working producer in Hollywood with a Ph.D. in Theology. Christianity Today magazine calls him a "media guru" and his blog at philcooke.com is considered one of the most insightful resources on the web on issues of faith, culture, and media. Through his company, Cooke Pictures, based in Burbank, CA, Phil advises many of the largest and most effective non-profit and faith-based media organizations in the world, and speaks at workshops, seminars, and conferences on a global basis. Phil speaks to issues related to faith and the media, and has been interviewed extensively during the controversy surrounding subjects like the release of The Da Vinci Code, Christians who boycott Hollywood, the moral issues surrounding network TV programming, the place of values and meaning in media, and much more. He brings a new perspective to the issues of faith in the media and public square.

http://cookepictures.com/

Star of "Tyler Perry's House of Payne"
CASSI DAVIS

Hailing from Holly Springs, Miss., Cassi Davis brings to the screen a wealth of personality and warmth. She has worked extensively over the years with Tyler Perry on such projects as the stage play and subsequent DVD Madea Goes to Jail, as well as Perry’s theatrical films, Daddy’s Little Girls and Madea’s Family Reunion. Her television credits include Living Single, Chicago Hope and the voice of Hud Woman in the claymation show The PJs, with Eddie Murphy. She has also made appearances in Woman Thou Art Loosed, School Daze, Silent Children and Big Otis Blues Revue. In 2004, Davis was awarded Best Supporting Actress by the NAACP Theatre Award Committee (Los Angeles Chapter).

http://www.tbs.com/

Chief Executive Officer of Tangle.com
JASON ILLIAN

As the Chief Executive Officer of tangle.com (Big Jump Media), Jason Illian seems to defy the need for just one title. His primary focus is guiding the global vision of the social media company, tangle.com, and their family-oriented initiatives. Named the fastest growing website in the world in August 2007, tangle.com is the largest family-friendly and faith based social network in the world and serves over 3 million users per month. Jason is considered to be one of the few experts on technology and interpersonal relationships. Prior to joining tangle’s executive team, Jason was the CEO of El Gato Media, a technology and media firm dedicated to the production of original, family friendly content for books, movies and television. He has authored two published books, including MySpace MyKids, a parent’s guide to understanding the Web 2.0 world and Undressed: The Naked Truth about Love, Sex, and Dating. He served as the co-founder of the Theta Group, an innovative strategy company for high net worth families and as the Vice President of Institutional Finance for a multi-billion dollar investment management firm.

http://tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=fa530b0cc587db36bec8

Christian Rock Band
JARS OF CLAY

Since winning the Gospel Music Association's Spotlight Competition in 1994, Jars of Clay has achieved multi-platinum status and collected numerous awards - including a 1997 Grammy, 4 Dove Awards and 15 career Dove nominations. They have also received extensive radio airplay on contemporary Christian, mainstream alternative rock and alternative pop stations resulting in 10 #1 singles. But what keeps audiences clamoring for more is the group's talent for blending edgy and dynamic sounds with thought provoking and pointed lyrics that challenge listeners to thrive outside of the typical.

http://jarsofclay.com

Writer/Director
CRISTOBAL KRUSEN

Cristóbal Krusen is the award-winning writer/director of Final Solution and First Landing, whose most current work, The Bill Collector, is a feature film comedy slated for release in fall 2009. Cristóbal Krusen graduated from New York University (BFA, Film and Television) in 1976. His filmmaking career began that same year in New York City with a small production company making commercials and industrial films. In the years that followed, Cristóbal worked for other New York-based companies in a range of capacities, including script reader, film editor, writer, and finally director/producer. In 1988, Cristóbal founded Messenger Films and wrote and directed a number of award-winning films, among them Ropa Nueva para Felipe, ¿Con Quién Te Vas? and Final Solution. He is also the co-founder of Moonlit Pictures.

http://messengerfilms.com/biography.html

Executive Producer
KEN WALES

Ken Wales is a devout Christian, and counts the likes of Philip Anschutz, owner of Bristol Bay Productions (Ray, Sahara) and Walden Media (Narnia, Bridge to Terabithia), and Julie Andrews and even Billy Graham among his good friends. He produced 1978's Revenge of the Pink Panther with Andrews' husband, Blake Edwards, and he brought the popular Christy series (starring Kellie Martin) to CBS in 1994. In 2007, Ken produced the film Amazing Grace. Wales co-produced the ABC 8 hour miniseries, Emmy® nominated and Golden Globe® winner John Steinbeck's East of Eden, starring Jane Seymour, and was associate producer of the first season of Cagney and Lacey. He was Vice President of Production for Walt Disney Pictures and has served as production supervisor and consultant for many other features.

http://imdb.com/name/nm0907394/

Singer/Songwriter
KARYN WILLIAMS

Karyn Williams is a singer/songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee, who is quickly making her mark in the country and Christian music worlds. A graduate of the University of Florida, Karyn holds a B.S. in Journalism/Broadcast Communications and held the title of Miss University of Florida 2000. She finished first runner-up in the Miss Florida pageant later that same year. Audiences across the country are raving about the companion song to the book, “I’m Taking You With Me” (available on iTunes or by visiting myspace.com/karynwilliams).

http://karynwilliams.com

SPRING 2009

Former Exec. VP and Worldwide Head of Television for William Morris Agency
SAM HASKELL

Sam Haskell moved from Mississippi to Los Angeles in 1978 to work at William Morris. He became an agent in 1980, senior vice president by 1990, and executive vice president and Worldwide Head of Television by 1999. After a twenty-six year career, he retired in 2004 to pursue philanthropic endeavors. In 2007, he was named one of the 25 Most Innovative and Influential People in Television over the last quarter century by TV Week. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, college sweetheart, and former Miss Mississippi, Mary Donnelly Haskell, and their two children, Sam IV and Mary Lane. He helped produce/ direct shows like "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Murphy Brown," "Roseanne," and "Who Wants to be a Millionaire." He oversaw the careers of 40 top Hollywood entertainers. In addition to his work, Sam Haskell has set up a scholarship foundation in memory of his mother that is available to students that may not be able to attend college but would like to in his home community.

http://www.samhaskell.com/

Journalist/Television Host
KIMBERLEY KENNEDY

Kimberley is an Emmy award-winning journalist and the producer, writer, and anchor of WSB-TV’s weekly news and entertainment show, Hot Topics, which airs in Atlanta, Orlando, and Charlotte. As a former news anchor and reporter in Atlanta, she has covered stories ranging from fires and floods to the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, hosting a daily morning talk show. Kimberley was born in Norfolk, VA, grew up in a tiny town of The Rock, GA and now lives in Atlanta.

http://www.kimberleykennedy.com

Finance Expert/Author/Journalist
LYNNETTE KHALFANI-COX

Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach®, is a personal finance expert, television and radio personality, and the author of numerous books, including the New York Times bestseller Zero Debt: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Freedom. Lynnette once had $100,000 in credit card debt, before paying it all off in three years and turning her financial life around. Since then, she has appeared on such national TV programs as The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Phil, The Tyra Banks Show and Good Morning America sharing her success story and teaching millions about proper money management. Lynnette, an award-winning financial news journalist and former Wall Street Journal reporter for CNBC, has also been featured in top newspapers including the Washington Post, USA Today, and the New York Times, as well as magazines ranging from Essence and Redbook to Black Enterprise and Smart Money. She can frequently be seen as a guest commentator on CNN, FOX Business Network and MSNBC.

http://www.themoneycoach.net

Chairman/ CEO of Max Media LLC
GENE LOVING

Gene Loving is Chairman and CEO of Max Media LLC, a Virginia Beach media company that owns and operates television, radio, and alternative media. In 1991, he co-founded Max Media Properties. The company grew to 17 different radio and television stations in ten states and was sold to Sinclair Broadcast Group in July 1998. Gene began his career as an on-air personality in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia in 1958. He served as music or promotion director and maintained his daily radio show during the 1960's at WGH, Norfolk, Virginia. His interviews with the Beatles in the 1960's were syndicated across the United States and other countries. Additionally, from 1964 to 1969 Gene co-hosted a popular dance party television show on the Norfolk NBC affiliate. Gene Loving is a former president and director of Operation Smile, an international children’s health organization.

http://maxmediallc.com/Index.asp?SectionID=2

Founder/Josh McDowell Ministry
JOSH MCDOWELL

For over 40 years, the Josh McDowell Ministry, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ International, has focused on serving and equipping churches, pastors, families and people everywhere in raising generations of purpose-driven Christians who know what they believe, why it is true, and how to live out their Christian faith. Through the production of live events, ministry resources, electronic media and training, the Josh McDowell Ministry seeks to share the essentials of the Christian faith in everyday language so that the global church and individuals of all ages are prepared for the life of faith and the work of ministry.

http://josh.org/site/c.ddKDIMNtEqG/b.4023555/k.BE5B/Home.htm

Executive Producer/Franklin Springs Family Media
STEVE MORALES

Steve’s role is the business side of film; providing financing for upcoming projects through a network of investors and philanthropists; and expanding domestic and international distribution with companies interested in expanding their inventory of family-friendly films. Steve is a faithful husband and father, and has seven beautiful children. Steve is also an accomplished businessman with many entrepreneurial endeavors to his credit. Franklin Springs produces movies and DVDs that encourage, inspire, and motivate individuals and families. Nestled in the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee, on the town square in the creative haven of historic Franklin, we’ve established Franklin Springs Family Media to provide families with top-quality DVDs that encourage the building and strengthening of God-honoring family life.

http://franklinsprings.com/

Founder/Total Living Network
JERRY ROSE

Television has been Jerry Rose’s passion and calling for over forty years. This broadcast veteran serves as President and CEO of Total Living International (TLI). TLI has owned and operated stations in California, Illinois, and Nevada, and an affiliate group of over sixty Christian televi¬sion stations nationwide. It produces and delivers biblically relevant and compelling programs via broadcast, cable, digital, and satellite. TLI’s pro¬gramming also airs in many foreign countries, in regions including Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Jerry is also the host of a compelling inter-view program called On Screen, which features film and television celebri¬ties candidly talking about their fame, fortune, family, and faith. Jerry and his wife, Shirley, cohost Significant Living, a series oriented toward a fifty-plus viewing audience.

http://tln.com/

FALL 2008

Screenwriter, Executive Producer & Chair of the Department of Film & Television at Savannah College of Art & Design
CHRIS AUER

Chris Auer of Savannah, GA, is a seasoned screenwriter. He adapted The Legend of the Candy Cane for video. He has numerous scriptwriting credits, including “More True Stories” from Touched by an Angel with CBS. He was the creator-executive producer for the half-hour series Big Brother Jake from 1990 to 1994 and also worked for NBC's The Cosby Show. Chris currently serves as chair of the Department of Film & Television at Savannah College of Art & Design. He graduated from Regent University in 1981 with a Master of Arts in Communication.

Founder/CEO of 1019 Entertainment
TERRY BOTWICK

Terry has had an outstanding career in television and now motion pictures. As SVP at CBS Entertainment, he helped the network rise from third to first place and oversaw all primetime series programming (developing three successful series) and special events (Grammy Awards, Tony Awards, Emmy Awards, etc.). His eclectic resume of broad-ranging successes includes: President of Worldwide Television Distribution and Production for Hearst Corporation, Founder/CEO of e-learning company Spongelab, President/COO of Big Idea Productions (VeggieTales). He is currently the President of Vanguard Animation & Film in addition to being the founder and CEO of 1019 Entertainment, a new feature film & finance production company.

Regent/Hollywood Connection