My Writer/Director Wish List
by BrendaJoReutebuch | created - 22 Oct 2015 | updated - 7 months ago | PublicWriters and Directors with whom I hope to someday work, in no particular order. As I accomplish this task, these folks will be removed from this list and placed on my list of Writers/Directors/Cinematographers with whom I have already worked.
1. Rich Christiano
Producer | The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry
Rich Christiano was born October 2, 1956, raised in Waterloo NY, and graduated from St. John Fisher College in Rochester NY in 1978. He became a born-again Christian in 1980 at the age of 23 while living in North Hollywood, CA. Rich began his film career along with his twin brother Dave in 1985 ...
2. Dave Christiano
Writer | A Time to Dance
Dave Christiano was born and raised in Waterloo NY and attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He became a Christian at the age of 22 while in Jonesboro. He received a Masters Degree at the University and then taught two years at San Antonio Junior College in Texas. At that time ...
3. Jon Erwin
Producer | I Can Only Imagine
Jon & Andrew Erwin are a directing team that focus on developing and producing unique stories of redemption, faith, and triumph of the human spirit. The duo began their career as teenagers in their hometown of Birmingham, AL, working as camera operators for ESPN. Local games at the university of ...
4. Andrew Erwin
Producer | American Underdog
Andrew Erwin, is a director/ producer who began his career working as a duo with his brother Jon, known as the Erwin Brothers. After many years of directing award winning music videos for artists like Skillet, Switchfoot, Michael W. Smith, and Amy Grant, they went on to produced the award winning 9...
5. Alex Kendrick
Actor | Courageous
Born in Athens, Georgia as the middle of Rhonwyn and Larry Kendrick's three sons. He grew up in Smyrna, Georgia and graduated from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor's degree in Communications. He worked as a Christian DJ for two radio stations before attending New Orleans Baptist ...
6. Stephen Kendrick
Producer | Overcomer
Stephen Kendrick co-wrote and produced the movies: Overcomer, War Room, Courageous, Fireproof, Facing the Giants, and Flywheel and co-authored the books: The Love Dare, The Resolution for Men, and The Battleplan for Prayer. He and his brothers, Alex and Shannon operate Kendrick Brothers Productions...
7. J.J. Abrams
Producer | Lost
Jeffrey Jacob Abrams was born in New York City and raised in Los Angeles, the son of TV producer parents. At 15, he wrote the music for Don Dohler's Nightbeast (1982). In his senior year of college, he and Jill Mazursky teamed up to write a feature film, which became Taking Care of Business (1990)....
8. Tyler Perry
Writer | Diary of a Mad Black Woman
Perry was born and raised in New Orleans, to Willie Maxine (Campbell) and Emmitt Perry, Sr. His mother was a church-goer and took Perry along with her once a week. His father was a carpenter and they had a very strained and abusive relationship, which led Perry to suffer from depression as a ...
9. Sir Michael D. Walters
Producer | My Heart Dies with You: Part 2
Michael Walters is an award winning American director, producer, writer, cinematographer and editor, who's professional experience spans over 1100 productions within 32 years of film and television. His calling for being behind the camera, began at age 12 when he was gifted a portable reel to reel ...
10. M.T. Arnold
Writer | The Colors of Emily
M. T. Arnold is an award-winning sports producer, author, screenwriter, film producer, speaker and entrepreneur. He has also served as a Sunday school teacher, youth counselor and coach. He has three daughters and Six grandchildren. He lives in Evansville, Indiana, where he enjoys reading, writing,...
11. Caleb Johnson
Director | Echo Rhyme
Award winning movie Director Caleb Johnson has been immersed in the art world all his life. Caleb got directly involved when he started painting at the age of 13. His art was sold nationally while being featured in the American Lifestyle magazine along with other child prodigies. The love for film ...
12. George Lucas
Writer | Star Wars
George Walton Lucas, Jr. was raised on a walnut ranch in Modesto, California. His father was a stationery store owner and he had three siblings. During his late teen years, he went to Thomas Downey High School and was very much interested in drag racing. He planned to become a professional racecar ...
13. Steven Spielberg
Producer | Schindler's List
One of the most influential personalities in the history of cinema, Steven Spielberg is Hollywood's best known director and one of the wealthiest filmmakers in the world. He has an extraordinary number of commercially successful and critically acclaimed credits to his name, either as a director, ...
14. Peter Jackson
Producer | The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Sir Peter Jackson made history with The Lord of the Rings trilogy, becoming the first person to direct three major feature films simultaneously. The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King were nominated for and collected a slew of awards from around the globe, with The ...
15. Jack Black
Actor | School of Rock
Thomas Jacob "Jack" Black was born on August 28, 1969 in Santa Monica, California and raised in Hermosa Beach, California to Judith Love Cohen & Thomas William Black, both satellite engineers. He is of Russian Jewish & British-German ancestry. Black attended the University of California at Los ...
16. Steve Harvey
Producer | The Steve Harvey Show
Broderick Stephen Harvey, Sr. is an American television host, actor, writer, producer, and comedian. He hosts The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Family Feud, Celebrity Family Feud, the Miss Universe competition, Family Feud Africa, and the arbitration-based court comedy Judge Steve Harvey.
Harvey began ...
17. Clint Eastwood
Actor | Million Dollar Baby
Clint Eastwood was born May 31, 1930 in San Francisco, to Clinton Eastwood Sr., a bond salesman and later manufacturing executive for Georgia-Pacific Corporation, and Ruth Wood (née Margret Ruth Runner), a housewife turned IBM clerk. He grew up in nearby Piedmont. At school Clint took interest in ...
18. Sam Raimi
Director | Spider-Man
Highly inventive U.S. film director/producer/writer/actor Sam Raimi first came to the attention of film fans with the savage, yet darkly humorous, low-budget horror film, The Evil Dead (1981). From his childhood, Raimi was a fan of the cinema and, before he was ten-years-old, he was out making ...
19. Sofia Coppola
Actress | The Godfather Part III
Sofia Coppola was born on May 14, 1971 in New York City, New York, USA as Sofia Carmina Coppola. She is a director, known for Somewhere (2010), Lost in Translation (2003), and Marie Antoinette (2006). She has been married to Thomas Mars since August 27, 2011. They have two daughters, Romy and ...
20. Jane Campion
Writer | Bright Star
Jane Campion was born in Wellington, New Zealand, and now lives in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Having graduated with a BA in Anthropology from Victoria University of Wellington in 1975, and a BA, with a painting major, at Sydney College of the Arts in 1979, she began filmmaking in the early...
21. Lawrence Kasdan
Writer | The Big Chill
Lawrence Kasdan is an American filmmaker, producer and screenwriter. He directed Body Heat, Grand Canyon, The Big Chill, Silverado and Dreamcatcher. He wrote Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Bodyguard, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Force Awakens and Solo: A Star Wars Story. He is ...
22. Michael Arndt
Writer | Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
Michael Arndt was born on November 11, 1965 in Harris County, Texas, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015), Little Miss Sunshine (2006) and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013).
23. Larry Lieber
Writer | Iron Man
Larry Lieber was born on October 26, 1931 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA. He is a writer, known for Iron Man (2008), Ant-Man (2015) and Avengers: Endgame (2019).
24. Christopher L. Yost
Writer | Thor: Ragnarok
Christopher L. Yost was born on February 21, 1973 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Cowboy Bebop (2021) and Thor: The Dark World (2013).
25. Anthony Russo
Producer | Everything Everywhere All at Once
Anthony J. Russo is an American filmmaker and producer who works alongside his brother Joseph Russo. They have directed You, Me and Dupree, Cherry and the Marvel films Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Endgame is one of ...
26. Joe Russo
Director | Avengers: Endgame
Joseph Vincent Russo is an American filmmaker and producer who works alongside his brother Anthony Russo. They have directed You, Me and Dupree, Cherry and the Marvel films Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Endgame is one ...
27. Christopher Markus
Writer | Avengers: Endgame
Christopher Markus was born on October 16, 1969 in Buffalo, New York, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Avengers: Endgame (2019), Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). He has been married to Claire Saunders since October 22, 2011.
28. Stephen McFeely
Writer | Avengers: Endgame
Stephen McFeely was born on February 24, 1970 in Walnut Creek, California, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Avengers: Endgame (2019), Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005). He is married to Jennifer Cotteleer.
29. Joe Simon
Writer | Avengers: Endgame
Joe Simon was a comic book writer and artist. He is better known as the first editor of Timely Comics (later renamed to Marvel Comics) and the co-creator of Captain America.
In 1913, Simon was born to a Jewish-American family in Rochester, New York. His father was tailor Harry Simon was from the ...
30. Christopher Shawn Shaw
Producer | Church People
A native of the Buckeye State, Christopher Shawn Shaw attended Otterbein College in Westerville as a Bachelor of Fine Arts Theatre Performance (Acting/Directing) major. Over the years, he found himself enjoying being behind the camera more and more, delving into a variety of genres with redemptive ...
31. Thor Ramsey
Actor | Church People
Thor Ramsey is known for Church People (2021), Thou Shalt Laugh (2006) and Thou Shalt Laugh the Deuce (2007). He has been married to Dinika since July 24, 1993. They have two children.
32. Mike Mitchell
Actor | Monsters vs. Aliens
Mike Mitchell was born in Oklahoma City to parents, Robert Mitchell, and Julia Baker. He graduated from Putnam City North High School, having been deeply involved with their arts programs. He then left behind his hometown and moved to Los Angeles to attend the California Institute of the Arts. ...
33. Andrew Stanton
Writer | WALL·E
Andrew Stanton has been a major creative force at Pixar Animation Studios since 1990, when he became the second animator and ninth employee to join the company's elite group of computer animation pioneers. As Vice President, Creative he currently oversees all shorts and feature projects at the ...
34. Doc Benson
Producer | Seven Deadly Words
Doc Benson started out in the field of railroad management, eventually making the move to media in the late 1990's. Starting as a news producer, Doc later went on to manage a television station, serve as an on-air talent, and produce programming seen across the United States. His first feature film...
35. Brad Podowski
Writer | Redemption Way
Brad Podowski is an award-winning film producer. His debut feature, Redemption Way (2017), which he wrote, produced and co-directed, won the Bronze Crown award for best drama under $250,000 at the ICVM awards.
In addition to producing and writing, Brad has several film credits in the camera and art ...
36. Larry A. McLean
Producer | The Unhealer
Larry A. McLean has worked in the film industry in various capacities for over thirty years. He started his career as an actor and quickly turned to performing stunts and eventually leading to stunt coordinating. This lead to directing second unit on some of the biggest TV series that were airing ...
37. Harold Cronk
Director | God's Not Dead
Harold Cronk is known for God's Not Dead (2014), The Adventures of Mickey Matson and the Copperhead Treasure (2012) and War Prayer (2006).
38. Chuck Konzelman
Writer | God's Not Dead
Chuck Konzelman was born in 1960 in Wayne, New Jersey, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for God's Not Dead (2014), God's Not Dead 2 (2016) and Do You Believe? (2015).
39. Cary Solomon
Writer | Unplanned
Cary Solomon was born on September 7, 1958 in Wayne, New Jersey, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Unplanned (2019), God's Not Dead (2014) and Do You Believe? (2015).
40. Phil Vischer
Actor | Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie
Phil Vischer is an American animator, writer, voice actor and director who is known for co-creating VeggieTales alongside his friend Mike Nawrocki. He is the founder of Big Idea, an animation company that also made 321 Penguins and LarryBoy: The Cartoon Adventures. He voiced dozens of characters ...
41. Brian Baugh
Director | Finding You
Brian Baugh is an American director, screenwriter and producer known for his commitment to telling socially relevant and inspiring human stories that span genres. His most recent include the 2021 romantic dramedy Finding You, 2019 drama The World We Make, and 2016's I'm Not Ashamed, which was ...
42. Mike Nawrocki
Actor | Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie
Michael Nawrocki is an American animator, director, writer and voice actor. He co-created VeggieTales alongside Phil Vischer and voiced dozens of characters including Larry the Cucumber, Jerry Gourd, Scallion #2 and Jean-Claude Pea. Nawrocki also voiced Larry in video games, commercials and ...
43. Bodie Thoene
Writer | I'm Not Ashamed
Bodie Thoene is a world renowned author and screenwriter with over 35 million books sold. Her books have been translated into 20 languages. She is a member of WGAa and a member of Film Independent. Bodie is co-writer and co-executive producer of the major motion picture, I'm Not Ashamed, The Rachel...
44. Brock Thoene
Writer | The Last Chance Detectives: Mystery Lights of Navajo Mesa
Brock Thoene is known for The Last Chance Detectives: Mystery Lights of Navajo Mesa (1994), Honor Project Documentary (2019) and Honor Project Documentary: Small Group Study for Men (2020).
45. Kevan Otto
Producer | A Question of Faith
Kevan Otto is known for A Question of Faith (2017), Pardoned by Grace (2022) and My Brother's Keeper (2020).
46. George A. Johnson
Producer | Pulled from Darkness
George A. Johnson is an award-winning writer, director, and producer, best known for Pursuit of Freedom (2022), Thy Neighbor (2018), and Homeless for the Holidays (2009).
Johnson began filmmaking at an unusually young age. As a 3-year-old, he would create stories with toy action figures, and act ...
47. Ray Bengston
Director | To Have and to Hold
Ray Bengston is known for To Have and to Hold (2014), Alone Yet Not Alone (2013) and The Visit (2015). He is married to Barbara Divisek. They have two children.
48. George D. Escobar
Producer | Alone Yet Not Alone
George D. Escobar is known for Alone Yet Not Alone (2013), Come What May (2009) and The Farmer and the Belle: Saving Santaland (2020).
49. James Richards
Writer | To Have and to Hold
James Richards is known for To Have and to Hold (2014) and Alone Yet Not Alone (2013).
50. Bart Gavigan
Writer | Luther
Bart Gavigan is known for Luther (2003), End of the Spear (2005) and Mouth of Hell (2014).
51. Peter C. Spencer
Director | Return to the Hiding Place
Peter C. Spencer is known for Return to the Hiding Place (2013), War of Resistance (2011) and Heroes of the Titanic (2000).
52. John Patus
Writer | Left Behind
John Patus is known for Left Behind (2014), Road to the Ring: A Boxing Journey (2011) and Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist (2023).
53. Mario Azzopardi
Director | ZOS: Zone of Separation
Mario Azzopardi was born in 1950 in Malta. He is a director and writer, known for ZOS: Zone of Separation (2009), Habbilni Ha Nirbah (2018) and RoboCop (1994).
54. Kenneth Branagh
Actor | Henry V
Kenneth Charles Branagh was born on December 10, 1960, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to parents William Branagh, a plumber and carpenter, and Frances (Harper), both born in 1930. He has two siblings, William Branagh, Jr. (born 1955) and Joyce Branagh (born 1970). When he was nine, his family ...
55. Donald James Parker
Writer | Pickleball Princess
Donald James Parker is a native of Madison, South Dakota transplanted into middle Tennessee. He is the CEO of Sword of the Spirit Publishing and has written 19 novels and one non-fiction book. His new focus is screenplays and acting. He hosts the Blogtalk Radio show Wielding the Sword of the Spirit...
56. Daniel Knudsen
Actor | Sky Dog
Daniel Knudsen grew up in a neighborhood just outside of Detroit, MI. When he was 17 he began working as crew in films. From there he began acting and pursuing training in film production. During his film production classes his talent was recognized by fellow students, which opened up doors for ...
57. Mark A. Knudsen
Producer | Courageous Love
Mark A. Knudsen is known for Courageous Love (2017), The King's Messengers (2017) and Creed of Gold (2014).
58. Rian Johnson
Producer | Knives Out
Rian Johnson was born in Maryland and at a young age his family moved to San Clemente, California, where he was raised. After graduating from high school, he went on to attend the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. His first feature film, Brick (2005), was released in 2005 ...
59. Kimberly J. Richardson
Producer | Can You See Me?
Kimberly J. Richardson is an accomplished actress, producer, screenwriter, and casting director. Known for her versatility and impressive emotional range as an actress, Kimberly has brought a variety of characters to life in over 50 film, television, and stage productions.
With a passion and ...
60. Steve Shermett
Actor | The Chosen
Steve Shermett is known for his recurring role as Rabbi Josiah in the award winning, hit TV series "The Chosen", as well as his work with Ted Danson and Holly Hunter in NBCs "Mr. Mayor".
Steve began his acting career in High School. He quickly moved to local community theater and shortly landed his ...
61. Patty Jenkins
Director | Wonder Woman
Patty Jenkins is a writer/director best known for directing Wonder Woman, the Warner Bros./DC Comics blockbuster of 2017, and her debut feature Monster. Patty also works in television where she is best known for the pilot and finale episode of AMC's hit show The Killing.
Patty began her career as a ...
62. Jacob Dufour
Actor | Andy's Rainbow
Jacob Dufour is a multi-award winning Christian actor and screenwriter based in Southern Indiana. He is most well known for his work in "Andy's Rainbow" (2016), "To Be a Soldier" (2017), and "Timbertown" (2019).
Jacob also co-owns and operates Amor Domini Productions LLC, a faith-based film company,...
63. Adam Dufour
Director | To Be a Soldier
Adam Dufour is known for To Be a Soldier (2018), Andy's Rainbow (2016) and Timbertown (2019).
64. Demetrius Witherspoon
Director | Submerge: The Chronicles of Ni're
Demetrius was born in Louisville, KY and went on to be an RnB Singer and in 2013 film screenwriting, cinematographer, producer, Director, Editor. He has always loved films since he was 5 years old. Inspired by George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, JJ Abrams. Demetrius wants to take the Audience on a ...
65. Andrew Blake Doyle
Producer | Eden: Where Love Wasn't Supposed to Be
A Detroit native, with over 14 years of experience in the film & television industry, Andrew Blake Doyle is an accomplished and award winning Producer & Director. He is a member of The Producers Guild of America, and was awarded the "Producer's Mark" for his work on the feature documentary film "...
66. Laura Mae Poore
Casting_department | The Farmer and the Belle: Saving Santaland
Laura Mae Poore is known for The Farmer and the Belle: Saving Santaland (2020), First Lady (2020) and Don't Say My Name (2022).
67. Jonathan Banks
Actor | Mudbound
Versatile veteran character actor Jonathan Banks was born in Washington, D.C. in 1947. While growing up he always had an interest in acting and stage work, so decided to pursue a career in entertainment. To this day he is a very accomplished stage actor. While acting in film, he usually plays ...
68. Kyle Saylors
Producer | His Only Son
Kyle Saylors was born in Greenville, Texas, USA. He is a producer and director, known for His Only Son (2023), No Vacancy (2022) and Red Bull: The Gamebreaker (2012). He has been married to Layza Saylors since January 2024. He was previously married to Erica Lane.
69. Kenny Saylors
Producer | His Only Son
Kenny Saylors was born on April 24, 1976 in Nocona, Texas, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for His Only Son (2023), No Vacancy (2022) and Veil of Tears (2014).
70. Josiah McMiller
Writer | Seeking Counsel
Josiah McMiller, a college graduate of 2013; who studied at the same Alma mater as David Letterman and obtained his BA in Telecommunications and Video Production, is the CEO and Founder of McWhit Productions LLC. With Mr. McMiller's talents for the arts and multimedia he started this company from ...
71. Angela Bassett
Actress | Strange Days
Captivating, gifted, and sensational, Angela Bassett's presence has been felt in theaters and on stages and television screens throughout the world. Angela Evelyn Bassett was born on August 16, 1958 in New York City, to Betty Jane (Gilbert), a social worker, and Daniel Benjamin Bassett, a ...
72. Ryan Coogler
Director | Black Panther
Ryan Kyle Coogler is an African-American filmmaker and producer who is from Oakland, California. He is known for directing the Black Panther film series, Creed, a Rocky spin-off and Fruitvale Station. He frequently casts Michael B. Jordan in his works. He produced the Creed sequels, Judas and the ...
73. Bruce Beresford
Director | Driving Miss Daisy
Bruce Beresford was born in Australia and graduated from Sydney University in 1962. He served as Film Officer for the British Film Institute Production Board from 1966-1971 and as a Film Advisor to the Arts Council of Great Britain. Beresford has also directed several operas including Girl Of The ...
74. John Ridley
Producer | 12 Years a Slave
John Ridley is the author of seven published novels, the most recent, What Fire Cannot Burn from Warner Books and The Drift from Knopf. His first novel, Stray Dogs, was made into the feature film U Turn (1997) directed by Oliver Stone and starring Sean Penn, Jennifer Lopez, and Nick Nolte. ...
75. Clint Eastwood
Actor | Million Dollar Baby
Clint Eastwood was born May 31, 1930 in San Francisco, to Clinton Eastwood Sr., a bond salesman and later manufacturing executive for Georgia-Pacific Corporation, and Ruth Wood (née Margret Ruth Runner), a housewife turned IBM clerk. He grew up in nearby Piedmont. At school Clint took interest in ...
76. Ron Howard
Producer | Arrested Development
Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard is one of this generation's most popular directors. From the critically acclaimed dramas A Beautiful Mind (2001) and Apollo 13 (1995) to the hit comedies Parenthood (1989) and Splash (1983), he has created some of Hollywood's most memorable films.
Howard ...
77. Ric Roman Waugh
Director | Shot Caller
Ric Roman Waugh was born in Los Angeles, California, USA. Ric Roman is a producer and director, known for Shot Caller (2017), Angel Has Fallen (2019) and Greenland (2020). Ric Roman has been married to Tanya Ballinger since September 24, 2005. They have two children.
78. Andy Rodriguez
Producer | Exodus of the Prodigal Son
Andy Rodriguez is known for Exodus of the Prodigal Son (2020), A Father's Journey (2015) and Kill Kapone (2014).
79. Matt Cook
Writer | Triple 9
Matt Cook is known for Triple 9 (2016), The Duel (2016) and Patriots Day (2016).
80. Peter Berg
Actor | Chicago Hope
Peter Berg is an American actor, director, writer, and producer. His first role was in the Adam Rifkin road movie Never on Tuesday (1988). He went on to star in the World War 2 film A Midnight Clear (1992). Roles in Fire in the Sky (1993) and Cop Land (1997) followed, and the Tom Cruise films ...
81. Stark Howell
Director | Mayberry Man: The Series
Stark Howell was born on August 7, 1958 in the USA. He is a director and writer, known for Mayberry Man: The Series, Mayberry Man (2021) and All Grown Up! (2003).
82. Darren Aronofsky
Writer | Pi
Darren Aronofsky was born February 12, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York. Growing up, Darren was always artistic: he loved classic movies and, as a teenager, he even spent time doing graffiti art. After high school, Darren went to Harvard University to study film (both live-action and animation). He won ...
83. Antoine Fuqua
Producer | The Magnificent Seven
Antoine Fuqua is an American film director, known for his work in the film Training Day as well as The Replacement Killers, Tears of the Sun, King Arthur, Shooter, Brooklyn's Finest, Olympus Has Fallen and The Equalizer.
He has directed music videos for such artists as Arrested Development, Prince, ...
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