Faculty
Rue is the Director of the film program and is a graduate of Pepperdine University. After graduation she started on CBS Schoolbreak Specials and later worked as a production manager on countless industrials and commercials. She came to the film school from Los Angeles, where she worked in advertising and corporate communications. Rue is currently serving on the Arizona Department of Education committee for Multimedia Technologies standards for High School Programs. In addition, she continues to work on feature films and volunteers locally to support independent film.
As Director of the Film School, she is focused on providing all students with the opportunity to pursue their educational goals in film and television. Her passion is to continue to provide affordable educational options in this industry, while maintaining high standards and accountability. Becoming a successful filmmaker requires creativity and organization, students have the opportunity to refine both at the film school. Her motto is, “Dream big, then make a schedule!”
Jeremy J. Hawkes has been involved in the film industry for over a decade, his experience beginning in 2000, when he started editing 30-second shorts for the Public Community Access channel. This introduction sparked his interest in film, and Hawkes enrolled at the Sedona Film School, in 2001. After graduating with his certificate in Narrative Filmmaking, he worked at NBC News as a commercial director and cinematographer. Hawkes later took the roles of location manager and production assistant for an array of national commercials, working with corporations such as Conoco and Asahi Beer.
Hawkes became a film instructor at the Sedona Film School in 2005. He currently teaches the Narrative Program, guiding students through every aspect of producing a short film, from pre-production to post. Hawkes particularly enjoys watching the growth and collaboration of the students, as well as being part of the excitement of the unknown as each semester unfolds with the unique challenges and thrills that are native to the world of filmmaking.
His passion for directing and cinematography has led him to involvement in several independent feature films, his most recent role as key grip and gaffe on the film, Wrenched, directed by M.L. Lincoln and set for release in Spring 2013. He also worked as director of photography for the films Vanquished (2007) and Kiddush Hashem (2008). He later produced and co-wrote the 2008 documentary film, Reality Check, directed by Bryan Reinhart. Creative choice is paramount for Hawkes as a primary and powerful tool for self-expression, a tool he intends to wield with glee for the next several decades.
Bryan Reinhart teaches documentary filmmaking, as well as master seminars in editing with Final Cut Pro. An active editor and documentarian, he finds it just as important to take the time to teach.
A native of Northwest Indiana, Reinhart was raised in a theatrical family and was on stage at the age of six. By the age of 13 he was making short films. He worked in the entertainment industry in a variety of positions including producer, director, and editor for both film and television.
Reinhart’s first Hollywood experience was producing a documentary on the feature film Hoosiers. Reinhart went from film to television and produced the nationally televised American Highways for Public Television. In the 1980s, Reinhart started his own television production company and produced corporate and industrial projects for Fortune 500 companies as well as documentaries. Several of his documentaries were aired nationally on public television. Classroom Under The Canopy, filmed in Costa Rica, was produced in cooperation with Indiana University and the Indianapolis Zoo. The Eyes of Nepal aired in Australia and the US.
Adjunct Faculty
Daniel Dubiecki
Daniel Dubiecki produced his first feature film, Waiting For Mo, at the tender age of 18 with Zaki Gordon. Since then, Daniel has produced countless award-winning short films directed by Jason Reitman. In all, he has produced over 20 shorts and five features, which have played at over 100 film festivals, winning over 30 awards around the world, including at Sundance, Aspen Shortsfest, Toronto, Cannes, LA Film Festival, New Directors/New Films (MOMA), ShortShorts (Tokyo), Edinburgh, Melbourne, Sydney, and US Comedy Arts.
Since 2000, Dubiecki has also produced many award-winning commercials through Tate USA for clients such as Heineken, Honda, BMW, Wal*Mart, GM, Nintendo, Kyocera, Time Warner, and Miller Lite.
Dubiecki produced the 2006 feature film Thank You For Smoking. Directed by his partner Reitman, the film was purchased by Fox Searchlight at the Toronto Film Festival and went on to to earn many accolades including a Golden Globe nomination in 2007 for Best Comedy.
Dubiecki and Reitman partnered to develop their own production company, Hard C, based at Fox Searchlight. Dubiecki produced Juno, directed by Reitman and written by Diablo Cody. Juno received the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and was nominated for or won an additional 50+ awards!
Dubiecki and Reitman had great success with their film, Up in the Air, starring George Clooney. Nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award in 2010. Dubiecki has a myriad of films in various stages of production.
Jim Behnke (left) with the Spacecam rig.
Jim Behnke began his career in post-production for film and television. He graduated from the DGA-Producers Assistant Director Training Program in 1982.
Once in Hollywood, he worked his way up through the ranks as assistant director, production manger and producer. He worked on films directed by Rob Reiner, James Milius, and Frank Darabont. Behnke has worked in every aspect of the industry including major motion pictures. His credits include ‘Drive,’ ‘Knight & Day,’ ‘Stand By Me,’ ‘Bridges of Madison County,’ ‘The Salton Sea,’ ‘The Majestic,’
