Category: Filmmaker

Natalie Burn

Posted on by Dr Kamyar Tarigi

A Dynamic Force in Film & Television

Natalie Burn is a celebrated actress and producer known for her dynamic range, formidable action skills, and unwavering commitment to artistic excellence. Of Ukrainian heritage and an American citizen, she is a true global artist, fluent in four languages and a classically trained ballet dancer. A lifetime member of the prestigious Actors Studio and a member of both the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Producers Guild of America, Natalie stands as a powerful and inspirational figure in the entertainment industry.

A Versatile and Acclaimed Actress

Natalie’s career is marked by compelling performances across genres, sharing the screen with some of Hollywood’s most legendary names.

  • Recent Lead Roles: She recently wrapped the action thriller “Foster,” starring opposite Academy Award nominee James Franco and Ron Perlman. She won the Best Actress Award at the Eastern Europe Film Festival for her powerful portrayal of the fearless rebel Diana in the medieval epic “The Last Redemption.”

  • Critical Praise: Her performance as a runaway bride in the thriller “Til Death Do Us Part” (released in AMC theaters nationwide) earned critical acclaim, with outlets like The Hollywood Reporter, CBS News, and the LA Times highlighting her dramatic depth and exceptional ability to perform her own stunts.

  • Blockbuster Collaborations: Natalie’s filmography includes major studio features such as Warner Bros.’ DC film “Black Adam” (with Dwayne Johnson), “The Expendables 3” (alongside Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger), “The Comeback Trail” (with Robert De Niro and Morgan Freeman), and “The Enforcer” (with Antonio Banderas).

Action Star and Stunt Performer

Recognized for her exceptional martial arts prowess, Natalie has established herself as a commanding presence in the action genre. She recently led the thriller “Acceleration” opposite Dolph Lundgren and has worked with iconic action stars including Bruce Willis and Jason Statham. Her dedication to authentic, physical performance sets her apart in every role.

Producer and Industry Leader

Beyond acting, Natalie is a savvy and driven producer. She owns and operates two production companies, 7Heaven Productions and Born To Burn Films, through which she has produced a dozen successful films to date, with several more in active development. This entrepreneurial spirit fuels her mission to create compelling stories and opportunities within the industry.

Television and Diverse Projects

Natalie’s talent shines on the small screen as well. She earned an Indie Series Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Emmy Award-winning Amazon Prime limited series “Studio City.” She continues to seek diverse and challenging roles, recently appearing in the reimagining of “The Island of Dr. Moreau,” titled “Eyes In The Trees,” with Anthony Hopkins, and working on the upcoming feature “The Movers” with Terence Howard and Jena Malone.

A Classically Trained Artist

Natalie’s discipline and artistry are rooted in her classical training. A graduate of the world-renowned Royal Ballet School in London and the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, she brings a unique grace and physical precision to all her work.

A Role Model for Empowerment

Driven by a profound desire to inspire, Natalie Burn is dedicated to empowering women in entertainment worldwide. She sets a high standard as a role model—demonstrating that one can be a successful producer, a fearless action star, a nuanced dramatic actress, and a professional of the highest caliber.

Natalie Burn is not just participating in the industry; she is actively shaping its future with talent, tenacity, and vision.

Timothy Woodward Jr.

Posted on by Dr Kamyar Tarigi

Emmy Award-Winning Director & Producer

Timothy Woodward Jr. is an acclaimed filmmaker whose distinctive visual style and masterful storytelling have cemented his reputation as a leading force in independent cinema. An Emmy Award-winning director, producer, and showrunner, Woodward is celebrated for his work in period pieces, gritty thrillers, and character-driven dramas, drawing comparisons to legendary auteurs while forging a uniquely modern path.

A Filmmaker’s Journey

Born in Georgetown, South Carolina, Timothy’s passion for film ignited early. He began his career on the other side of the camera before transitioning to directing music videos. This foundational experience honed his visual sensibilities, leading to his directorial feature debut in 2013. His rapid ascent is a testament to his sharp directorial instinct and profound understanding of commercial and artistic filmmaking.

Architect of the Modern Indie Western

Woodward made a significant mark on the genre with his first period piece, “Traded” (2015). The film’s great commercial success and critical acclaim established it as a prototype for successful independent westerns. He quickly solidified this reputation with follow-up bio-pics like “Hickok,” exploring the life of the legendary Wild Bill, and the noir thriller “Gangster Land,” a deep dive into the world of Al Capone and his enforcer, Machine Gun Jack McGurn.

A Distinctive Cinematic Vision

Frequently compared to western filmmaking legend Sergio Leone for his expansive framing and tense, character-focused narratives, Woodward’s visual signature is crafted in close collaboration with acclaimed Director of Photography Pablo Diez. Together, they create visually stunning and atmospheric pieces, whether in the sun-bleached landscapes of a western or the shadowy corridors of a horror film. Their first foray into independent horror, “The Final Wish,” premiered at the prestigious ScreamFest in 2018, showcasing their versatile artistry.

Emmy Award-Winning Excellence

In 2021, Timothy Woodward Jr.’s exceptional work was recognized with an Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited Drama Series for “Studio City” on Amazon Prime. This prestigious accolade highlights his skill as a showrunner and director in the television landscape, proving his mastery extends seamlessly from feature films to serialized storytelling.

A Prolific and Evolving Career

As a prolific director and producer, Woodward continues to push boundaries and explore new narratives. His body of work demonstrates a consistent ability to attract talented casts, execute high-concept genre films with precision, and connect with audiences seeking substantive, beautifully-crafted cinema. He stands as a dynamic creator who not only understands the legacy of classic filmmaking but is actively defining its contemporary evolution.

Timothy Woodward Jr. is more than a filmmaker; he is a dedicated storyteller whose award-winning vision continues to shape the landscape of independent film and television.

Marlin McDarragh

Posted on by Dr Kamyar Tarigi

I came from a modest-of-means family in Eugene, Oregon – one that couldn’t really afford much in the way of travel, and certainly not to countries abroad. Sure, we had the family road trips now and then to the Pacific coast, to visit relatives in central Oregon, and up to Seattle. I loved it all. But I think our most exotic trip when I as young was a family car journey to Banff. My mom has never been on an airplane, and the only travel my dad experienced was as a radio officer on a ship during WW II’s Pacific Theater. A harsh kind of travel experience, let’s say. It didn’t really seem that travel was in the family genes. However, I had a keen interest in collecting foreign coins, stamps and poring through National Geographic magazines and the World Book encyclopedia my folks invested in.

When I was 12, my dad won an 8mm camera – a booby prize at some local contest. I became fixated with that little camera, and started making short films. These were action-packed, shot-in-the-neighborhood tiny adventure stories, starring friends, like Gary Zenzen. I’d been playing piano since age 8 and I believe that background aided me in filmmaking, giving me a sense for the rhythms of editing films. Then I won an “Oregon Young Filmmaker” award and a couple of other prizes in high school, and a screening on the Oregon PBS channel, of a short I made, A Child’s Vision. There was no looking back from there.

My first foray outside of North America was when I was 16, as I played trombone, and my high school concert band managed to spend about eight weeks touring various cities in Europe. Fantastic. That was the lodestar first travel experience, the one that cast the die for the rest of my life. I always tell audiences at my travel-film lectures that they should get their kids and grandkids to travel now, when they’re young. If you travel when young, your curiosity about the world will stay with you for the rest of your life. My daughter Maya (22) has three passports (US, Japan, and Brazil), and has already been to about 30 countries, and I know that her thirst for knowledge and world experience will be with her forever.

Making travel-adventure films, documentaries, and feature films over the past many decades has given me a laser-like focus on “the project” at hand, on the specific productions I’ve been commissioned to make, or films that I’ve funded through private equity.

My wife Lin Zuo is also a producer and contributing writer on our films, and we both wish we had more time during productions to linger in the locations, and talk in more depth with the local people.

Other specific challenges I’ve had during productions. The physical challenges of getting myself, the crew and the equipment through the run of production in the swamps and forests of tribal lands in New Guinea.Sitting through dinners with cold-blooded assassins in the Tribal Zone of Pakistan, trying to bend your mind around the juxtaposition of the hospitality offered and the fact they’ve brutally killed dozens of people. Being knife-attacked in an open market by an old woman in China – never knew exactly why. And obviously, filmmaking draws a lot of attention! There have been significant challenges to film topics that might embarrass the dictates of certain strong-arm governments. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been stopped or questioned or harassed by local authorities in communist, Muslim or dictator-driven countries.