JESSE SPIEGEL
DIRECTOR, Producer
While REWILDING is my first film, I have been fortunate enough to have the continual support and mentorship from many experienced filmmakers throughout the past five years of production. Fortunately, my background in entrepreneurial endeavours has become an essential asset to this project: If I have one strength in business it is organizing a team to bring an idea to life. I have started eight businesses over the last 17 years. In 2007, I was featured as a young entrepreneur on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. In 2012 after selling one of my businesses, I was afforded the opportunity to spend three years traveling around the world and climbing. This path led me to my vision for REWILDING: A philanthropic adventure organization armed with a media division designed to subsidize our nonprofit adventures as well to gain attention and support for our organization. We have already begun development of a subsequent docu-series to follow this film.
Doug Metzger
Producer
Doug was the first member to join our team when we were still in concept development. As a part-time Coloradan and outdoorsman, he refers to REWILDING as his passion project. He has helped with concept development, building our team, planning and executing production, making important introductions, and providing notes throughout the edit.
Doug has been involved in the production of feature films and television for 37 years and was honored with the Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement from the Directors Guild of America for his work on Dances with Wolves. Some of the other films he has been a part of include: The Italian Job, Wonder Boys, City Slickers, and White Fang. Combined, Doug’s projects have grossed over $1B worldwide. IMDB.
Jeff Wilson
editor
An award-winning editor from Denver, Colorado with over ten years experience in reality, commercials, and documentary, Jeffs work has been seen nationwide both broadcast and on the web. Commercial partnerships include such brands as Ford, AMC Networks, Kraft, Ram, and Pepsi.
More than story-boarded ads, Jeff’s passion is to shape meaningful stories from abject chaos. Among his many skills Jeff is a post-production specialist, providing his big-budget finishing skill sets to flush international brands as well as lower budget passion productions.
mATT STAN
fIELD DIRECTOR
Matt Stan is a Denver-based documentary filmmaker. Over the past 15 years, founded his production company, Upend Media, in 2011. Matt's career has taken him to five continents - including Antarctica. He's been commissioned by the National Science Foundation, the Federal Bar Association, major universities, and private companies.
Matt's work focuses on telling compelling stories through first-person interviews. “I love exploring unexpected answers to the question ‘Why?’ I don't think there's a better communication medium for seeing the world from someone else's perspective than documentary film. Getting an audience to really dive into a different point of view is what fascinates me most.”
Ben Schaefer
CINEMATOGRAPHER
Ben is a self made Cinematographer with a passion for outdoor adventure projects. Six years of video production experience have shaped his life as a filmmaker. At the age of 19 Ben co-founded his first production company Composition Collective.
Ben’s lust for adventure has driven him to focus on projects that share the natural world. Ben is also A time-lapse and stock footage guru, with a thirst for cinematic shots.
James Edward Mills
Associate PRODUCER
As a prominent and rare black man in the adventure world, as well as a talented storyteller, James has brought insight and perspective that has helped balance our previously mostly white team. He has contributed to the concept development, production planning, and shaping the story map.
James’s award-winning documentary film, An American Accent, chronicles the journey of the first African American team to summit Denali, the highest peak in N America. James is also the author of the book, The Adventure Gap, which examines the influencing factors of the racial and socio-economic inequality in outdoor adventure. James’s career as a journalist and an independent media producer spans more than 20 years. He is currently a contributor to over a dozen publications including National Geographic Adventure, Rock & Ice, Alpinist, Elevation Outdoors and Women’s Adventure.
Vitek Linhart
Creator, Associate Producer
Originally from the Czech Republic and now a Boulder Colorado resident and is one of the main characters of this film. In addition to his onscreen appearance Vitek has played just about every supportive roles in the production of this film. Once a pro skier, Vitek has a degree in physical education and years’ of experience working as a freestyle ski coach and outdoor educator. With this background and expertise Vitek lead the planning and coordination of all the adventures seen on screen.