Qikfinger films Presents
Andrew Pritzker - Writer, Director
Andrew Pritzker
Writer, Director
A Philly native, Andrew published and edited Punchline Magazine, a comedy trade publication distributed in Boston and New York. Producing Comedy and Jazz concerts, he worked as a substitute teacher in Brooklyn before relocating to LA for a Master’s in Film from USC. Known as a screenwriter and script consultant, he was awarded as a 2007 Nicholl Fellowship Finalist for the feature comedy script, Sweet in the Saddle, Relocating to KC to teach screenwriting, he founded Qikfinger Films LLC, an independent film production company and was awarded Best Director for his sci-fi short, E.P.G..
JJ JOHNSON - Editor, Digital Effects
Schooled in the US and England to study filmmaking, acting, and TV, JJ Johnson graduated with a degree in what was then called Mass Communication. He immediately began work at a production company in Boston and was drawn to post-production. Years of editing commercials, network and syndicated television shows, theme-park videos, press-kits, corporate/industrial videos, films, training video, interactive DVDs, and animations honed his skills as a communicator in visual media. Well versed in a variety of digital tools of the trade, he continues to master new trends as they develop. Working as a “finisher” for several TV series, JJ is known as a “closer” responsible for final color correction ensuring that productions are technically sound and maintain the highest broadcast quality standards possible.
Christopher Commons - Director of Photography
Originally from the Chicago suburbs and now based in Kansas City, Christopher Commons is an award winning cinematographer with a broad portfolio of projects and clients. He has worked on over 100 full-length feature films, documentaries, TV series, short subject productions, and E.P.G.. Chris is also the founder of unCommon Creative Media, an organization that develops highly engaging video programming (documentaries and advertising) for business and non-profit organizations. He is known for his passion for excellence and a diligent work ethic, while providing the flexibility and support filmmakers need for a successful project. He has also recently been nominated for two Emmy Awards for Cinematography.
Daniel Stein - Composer
Daniel Stein graduated from the Berklee College of Music and started his professional career as a studio musician in New York City playing keyboards on records, soundtracks, and jingles. In 1988, he moved to Los Angeles attending USC’s graduate program “Composition for Film and Television.” Working on albums for James Taylor, Joe Cocker, and Bon Jovi, Dan began arranging and co-producing with Robert Kraft on projects for Disney, ABC, Jim Henson, and feature film soundtracks. In 1993 Dan performed and programmed the score for “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective“. Signed to Herb Alpert’s Rondor Music in 1994, he was positioned as a film and television composer among some of the world’s top songwriters.
Arranging for television, Dan composed the orchestral theme for ABC’s “Day One” news, composed themes and underscores for FOX’s “Totally Hidden Video” and “America’s Most Wanted.,” A&E’s “Biography“, and Rysher Television’s “Strange Universe.”He also scored the independent feature “Java Heads.”
Tyler Thompson - Sound Mixer, Sound Design
Best known for his Sound Supervision on the feature films, Matchbreaker and The Tree, and having worked with ESPN, Tyler Thompson formed the independent company, AudioTwins Productions with Phillip Cantrell to service both film and television.
Phillip Cantrell - Sound Design, Sound Effects
Having studied audio engineering, Phillip Cattell has been working in the KC film industry since 2014. Forming the independent company AudioTwins with Tyler Thompson, Phillip enjoys marriage and travel, and is now exploring full stack web development.
Karen Elizabeth - Associate Producer, Script Supervisor
Karen Elizabeth has contributed to nearly 40 film projects since 2014 as a producer, unit production manager, assistant director, writer, story consultant, and script supervisor. Those projects include feature films (Found Wandering Lost, The Sand Dune, Mr. Boo, The Hunt at Camp Friendship) as well as award-winning mini-documentary and short narratives. Known as the "glue that holds us together" on numerous area film sets, Karen expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with the outstanding cast and crew of Devil's Food Cake.
Jenifer Cady - Associate Producer, Still Photographer
An awarded fine art photographer with a knack for behind the scenes photos, Jenifer Cady first applied her filmmaking talents to Qikfinger Film’s E.P.G.. Known for her work as a portrait photographer, she also shoots museum quality art for both appraisals and publication. With a burgeoning reputation as an asset for filmmaking, Jenifer looks forward to future productions
Seth Baskett - Associate Producer, Lead Carpenter, and Electrician
A man of many talents, actor, writer, carpenter, electrician, prop maker, and set design, Seth Baskett appeared in the cast of Devil's Food Cake as well as proving himself to be one of the most valuable assets to its crew.
Michael Lopez - Assistant Director, DIT
Michael Lopez has lived almost his entire life in the Kansas City metro area on both sides of the State line. He has worked in the film industry since 2004 and strives to make entertaining, thought provoking works. He lives with the love of his life and together they rent space in the house owned by their 3 cats and 1 dog.
Heidi Bowles - Hair & Makeup (Lead)
Noted for her work for the popular RomCom feature, The Matchbreaker, Heidi Bowles, a consummate hair and makeup artist for film and television since 2013, was also credited as a Costume Design for the critically acclaimed independent feature, Different Flowers. Working as the key makeup and hair artist for the Emmy Award winning web series, Red Bird, she also travels to warm and exotic places applying her craft to commercials and photo shoots.
