Crew

Sandra Valde-Hansen: Director of Photography/Associate Producer

Sandra is a MFA graduate in cinematography from the American Film Institute. While at the AFI, Sandra honed her craft in the art of visual storytelling, learning from master cinematographers and deepening her knowledge of light andcomposition. She has had the invaluable opportunity to be mentored by Stephen Lighthill, ASC, Steven Poster, ASC, Alan Caso, ASC and Isidore Mankofsky, ASC.

As a camera operator, her clients have included Disney, Hilton, Cartoon Network and ABC. Sandra worked on camera crews of numerous award-winning independent feature films, before becoming the Cinematographer on the film ACTS OF MERCY which is debuting during the 2008-09 festival year.

Sandra's passion for cinematography has lead her to lens award-winning short films and documentaries that have played in numerous film festivals, including Janet Grilloʼs FLYING LESSONS, starring Dana Delany. Two other short films she lensed, DHARINI and THE ONE, premiered at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival.

Most recently she DPʼed auteur provocateur Gregg Arakiʼs new feature, KABOOM, which makes its premiere at Cannes 2010. She also shot GIRL TRASH, produced by Angela Robinson.

Sandra is committed to telling compelling stories through the beauty of the visual language, as she will do in FLY AWAY. It will be her second collaboration with Janet Grillo.

Katie Byron: Production Designer

Katie graduated with degrees in Fine Art and Art History at the University of California at Berkeley and studied Production Design at the Los Angeles Film School. She has been working in Los Angeles as a Production Designer for the past 5 years.

Though her fine art background has played a big role in her development as a designer, Katie believes her time spent traveling and her extracuricular involvements are the biggest influence on her work. She pulls inpiration from literature, music and the people she meets.

Her experience includes music videos, feature films, commercials, photography and shorts. Her clients include Funny or Die, HBO, the Masses, Super Crispy and Draw Pictures amongst others. She has two feature films, PEACH PLUM PEAR and LIKE CRAZY that are set to be completed in 2010.

Recently, Katie received an opportunity from Childrens Hospital LA in May 2009 to design and construct an interactive city block to teach children street safety. The LA Streets Smarts project earned Katie recognition from the City of Los Angeles and also reinforced her belief that imaginative spaces can influence and change lives.

String Theory: Composers/Scoring

String Theory is a collaborative ensemble of musicians, writers and performers that utilize invented instruments and sonic sculpture with traditional instrumentation to create their unique sonic footprint. Lead by composer Luke Rothschild, in collaboration with Holly Rothschild and Joseph Harvey, String Theory consistently creates stunning lush and compelling music for picture. Combining a non-traditional approach to composition with invented and traditional instrumentation, String Theory composes and produces a wide breadth of musical styles.

Recent film projects include:

• “Shadow Billionaire” a BMP feature length doc by director Alexis Spraic
• “Red Sands” a Sony Pictures release by director Alex Turner
• “Cat Dancers” an HBO feature length doc by director Harris Fishman
• “Radiant Child: Jean Michel Basquiat” a feature doc by Director TamraDavis
• “Indestructible” a feature length doc by director Ben Byer

Trayce Field - Costume Designer 

Trayce is originally from Los Angeles, California where she attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. With ten years of experience she resides in New York City and Los Angeles as a Costume Designer and Stylist. A childhood based in Hollywood allowed her creative imagination to run a broad spectrum of ideas which has no boundaries. There is nothing that can’t be created or brought to life. Every character is important and has a life of its own. Whether your medium is commercial, film, television, or print Trayce is inspired to create an original character for each cast member. She always pays special attention to the unique details that make us all individuals! She continues to design costumes for all media in the entertainment industry and loves it!