COMPANY BIOS

Princeton E. Holt

CEO

Princeton Holt is an award-winning producer that has produced, written, and directed several projects since graduating from the New York Film Academy in 2000 and launching One Way or Another Productions LLC. They include commercials for Verizon Wireless and music videos for Boston-based rock group Diatribal Revenge. In 2005, he wrote and directed Phish; to date the short film has garnered him “Official Selection” at film festivals including the National Black Media Conference Film Festival in Philadelphia. Princeton, along with Phish, has received write-ups in the New Jersey-based newspaper The Star Ledger, as well as others. He also appeared on the Manhattan-based TV show “Urban Movie Review,” where the film was well reviewed as well as featured on the show.

In Spring 2008, he completed producing and directing his first feature length film Cookies & Cream. The film premiered at many film festivals worldwide, generated glowing reviews, and within a year of its premiere landed a multi-platform distribution deal. In the summer of 2008, Princeton worked in the production office of the hit TV Show “Law and Order SVU (Season 10).” It is there that he used the opportunity to not become a part of an already established system, but instead to intensely observe and study the business from the inside. He regularly picked the brain of executive producer Ted Kotcheff, and learned how to turn out multiple episodes in a short amount of time. Taking notes, Princeton was determined to use this method and apply it to independent filmmaking. After finishing his time he boldly left the NBC show, and like his hero Roger Corman, he began feverishly building a catalog of niche-specific, critically acclaimed, ultra low budget feature films, with the understanding that someday soon, the catalog would be of value to the company. Those films include Brian Ackley’s critically acclaimed debut feature film Uptown, which has won awards and also secured a distribution deal, and Kent Sutton’s short film Miranda which won the audience award at a film festival in Texas, and is now being expanded into a feature. The 10 Commandments of Chloe, his second feature as a director is currently in post production, and he is preparing to direct his 3^rd feature, The Butterfly Chasers this fall.

Monica Trombley
Production Executive/In-House Counsel

Monica can be best described as a renaissance woman. A native of NC who spent her high school years in the theater and receiving recognition for her singing, she graduated from Oglethorpe University in 2003 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. She attended Quinnipiac University School of Law in Hamden, CT, receiving her J.D. in 2006 and earning admission to the NY and CT bars in 2007. She is also an accomplished actress, singer, and writer who had her professional NY singing debut at the Broadway Comedy Club and writes a humorous rant blog called, “The Angry Redheaded Lawyer.” She began working with One Way or Another Productions in 2007 as the assistant to producer Princeton Holt. Today, she is One Way's in-house legal counsel as well as one of the company’s key adhesives. She prides herself as a trailblazer who constantly defies expectations and is proud to be associated with the talented, innovative personnel of One Way or Another Productions LLC. She currently resides in Brooklyn, NY with her husband Tom.

Cassandra Riddick
COO

Producer Cassandra Riddick is a Writer, Director and Producer at One Way or Another Productions, LLC. Cassandra began her career in television producing her own music video magazine show in 1996 and 1997. The show titled “Urban Flava Television” was shown in Jersey City, NJ, Washington, DC and Durham, NC with a viewership of 1 million+ on cable access and public access combined.

In addition, Cassandra freelanced as an independent concert promoter showcasing hip-hop and R&B talent such as Common, The Fugees, Monica, Biggie Smalls, T.I., Brand Nubian, Noreaga, Akinyele, Nas, and many others. She helped to re-launch the career of legendary hip hop and now internationally acclaimed DJ - DJ Biz Markie. Prior to working as an independent promoter, she spent four years in the television field as a studio technician and master control operator at the C-Span cable network. In 1999 Ms. Riddick became the business and tour manager for major recording artist, Akinyele, aided in building his career via various media channels including setting up tour dates around the country, promotional activities for his new website and licensing deals. She also worked for the late legendary Hip Hop DJ Jam Master Jay of the famed rap group Run DMC where multi-platinum recording artist 50 Cent first began his career.

In 2006 Cassandra decided to pursue her film career full-time and produced and directed the documentary Why Not DC? One Nation Under a Groove. The documentary covered the independent music scene, radio, politics and a changing social and cultural landscape of the nation’s capital. The documentary sold over 5,000 units via events, Amazon.com and other social media outlets. Cassandra also worked as a Background PA, Production Assistant, Director of Photography and Producer’s Assistant on several features and shorts in between 2007 – 2010 including her first feature film.

These films included The Messenger (October 2009) starring Woody Harrelson, The Graduates, Lalo winner of The Best Comedy (Short Competition) at the HBO Latino Film Festival and the Los Angeles Film Festival, One Hour 2 Live, Sweet Revenge and Miranda. She has also directed and produced several independent music videos and local commercials. In addition, Cassandra was a Top Ten Finalist, for the RAP-IT-UP BET/Kaiser Permanente AIDS Short Film Screenwriting Competition. Currently in postproduction, Cassandra recently produced and directed her first narrative feature film Shining Star which was adapted from her award winning short film idea in 2006. She will have the film completed in time for the 2011 and 2012 festival circuits. Ms. Riddick holds a B.S in Communications from Bowie State University.

J.L. Menzel
Art Director

J.L. Menzel, first name Jenny, is a true artist expressing the unique combination of free-hand and graphic illustrations. As a midwest native, J.L. first displayed her talent in fine arts at an elementary age. With practice, she became an established graphite portrait and realistic artist by age 17. After moving to California, she decided to further her artistic experience; as a result in 2005 she graduated with honors from Platt College with an Associate's degree in Graphic Design. Her first circulated artwork publication came in 2006 with a CD cover for West Coast rappers Mitchy Slick and Messy Marv's collaborated album, "Messy Slick". While living in Florida, she decided to quit her formal job lifestyle in 2007 to fully pursue her dream with a career in art. Currently, she is involved in multiple projects with One Way or Another Productions including art and set design for feature films Cookies & Cream and The Butterfly Chasers. J.L. eagerly works towards accommodating an assorted target audience because of her natural grasp of human diversity. Therefore, her aim is to continue producing statement-making artwork that gives an eye-catching existence.

Brian Ackley
Producer

Writer, Director and Producer Brian Ackley studied film production at Brooklyn College where he excelled at Cinematography and Directing under the tutelage of Professors Bill Hornsby and Robert Tutak, respectively. In addition to his credited roles on various student projects as Director of Photography, Gaffer, Grip, Actor, Prop Master, Co-Writer, Script Supervisor, Producer, and Production Assistant, Brian has written, directed, edited, produced and acted in several short films of his own; most notably, the pre-Faculty Selected crime-fiction-comedy, Hostage Person, and the Faculty Selected feminist-inspired melodrama, La Fleure Sans Vie. Brian became a video instructor for an after school program in Far Rockaway, NY where he developed lesson plans in screenwriting, editing and video production for grades K-5. Brian also wrote, produced, directed, and edited a number of short subject videos starring elementary students for the program.

In 2008, Brian made his feature film acting debut in 2008's Cookies & Cream, directed by Princeton Holt, which Brian also produced with One Way or Another Productions. The following year Brian directed his first feature, the award-winning, critically acclaimed Uptown, which he co-wrote and also produced. During this time Brian free-lanced as a videographer and editor for Sing 2 School and joined PFI Media, a NYC-based media and production company specializing in sports entertainment and commercial marketing, as a writer and creative consultant. In 2010, Brian co-produced and assisted editing on the award-winning One Way short, Miranda. Also that year, Brian teamed with the NYC-based non-profit Windows of Opportunity – WOO Films to produce the short documentary, Rethinking Beauty. Brian is currently developing feature film projects with WOO Films, PFI Media, and One Way or Another Productions.

Crystal Glass
Head of Hair/Make-up/Wardrobe

With an extensive background in the performing arts Crystal majored in Film/Theatre Arts and received her BA degree at New JerseyCityUniversity. She has graced the stage with the Rockettes at RadioCityMusic Hall--Easter Show, Dance Africa at Brooklyn Academy of Music and performed with the late Gregory Hines. Her film/TV credits include New York Undercover, Law & Order, Sex in the City, The Bedford Diaries, Copland, Once in the Life, US Marshals, Just My Luck and The Thomas Crowne Affair. Crystal has toured around the world as a dancer/choreographer for R/B and Pop artist Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Shabba Ranks and Black Box just to name a few. Crystal has been an entrepreneur for many years; up until three years ago she finally has a photography studio to call her own. All of her many talents has won her a permanent title Director of Makeup/Hair/Wardrobe for One Way Or Another Productions. She will also work on the feature film The Butterfly Chasers shooting in Spring 2008, of which she also has a role as .Marcella. Presently, Crystal will be launching her new cosmetic line of makeup Crystal Glass Cosmetics - "Faces of Color." Also, in stores by November 07 is her first wedding planning book publication "Today's Bride & Groom For Couples." Crystal will continue on in the late fall on tour with the Gospel Play "The Soul of a Man" written and directed by Ronnie Johnson.