LAURA SAMS JORDAN (SIS) & ROBERT SAMS (BRO)
Laura Sams Jordan and Robert Sams are a sister/brother creative team whose company Sisbro Studios has created award-winning content for over 20 years. They have produced, directed and filmed original content for the Jim Henson Company, the Smithsonian Channel, PBS KIDS, NBC Universal, North Carolina PBS, and CNN’s Great Big Story.
They are known for engaging documentaries and often film stories around the Pacific Northwest. They directed and produced the short documentary series Get Your Feet Wet, for the Jim Henson Company, now available on the PBS KIDS channel on Amazon Prime. This ocean-inspired series is filled with songs, wildlife and stories about children exploring marine life. They also directed and produced the series Mega Wow for PBS KIDS, designed to inspire children to try mind-blowing (and funny) science at home.
DIRECTORS, executive producers
Their work has been honored with over 75 international awards, including a Parents’ Choice Gold Award, a Mom’s Choice Award, and a Wildscreen Panda Award (called the “Green Oscars®”). Their short films My Haggan Dream and The Shark Riddle have screened at over 50 festivals and won awards at the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, BLUE Ocean Film Festival and more.
Laura and Robert are also songwriters who have written original music for Teletubbies, Sesame Street Studios, Hero Elementary, Elinor Wonders Why, Dinosaur Train and more.
Laura and Robert co-host The Happiest Animal Show, a comedy podcast for kids and families with animal clues, songs and special guests from scientists to comedians to kids.
Learn more about them at www.sisbro.com.
Sis and Bro (after filming wild tarantulas in CO)
Sis and Bro (as kids on their Grandmother’s couch)
JP RENDE, COMPOSER
JP Rende is an Emmy Award-winning composer, producer and songwriter. Alongside his wife, Kathryn Raio Rende, he is the co-founder of Earworm Music. They are widely known for composing music for popular children's television programs and producing tracks for major artists. They have composed, produced and recorded with Billy Porter, Michael Bublé, Cardi B, The Jonas Brothers and Ciara.
scott grossman, art director
Scott Grossman is an art director and animator who has worked on numerous films and television projects including Steve! (Martin) A Documentary in 2 Pieces, Ugly Delicious, 20 Feet From Stardom, The Thief Collector, Crip Camp, A Film About Anthony Bourdain, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, Boys State and so so many more. Find him here.
Yolanda ferraloro of music rightz, inc., music supervisor
How do we clear the use of Talking Heads music? With Music Rightz! Music Rightz Inc., is a leader in Music Clearance, Licensing, and Creative Services. With over twenty years’ experience successfully clearing and licensing music, clips, images, name and likeness, our work has earned the respect and trust of the world’s largest studios, networks, brands, agencies and live events. Their Grammy nominated and GMS (Guild of Music Supervisors) award winning team has led everything from single-song projects to full soundtracks. Co-founder, Yolanda Ferraloro established the company’s music publishing and administrative division. Yolanda is fluent in Spanish, a member of NALIP (National Association of Latino Independent Producers) and holds a Master of Public Affairs (MPA) from UC Berkeley.
Live Wire Radio is a nationally distributed public radio show recorded in Portland, Oregon that is broadcast on over 200 radio stations nationwide and enjoyed by over 300,000 listeners every weekend. Live Wire’s mission is to cultivate joy, discovery, and connection by amplifying unexpected and riveting voices to a national audience. The show has often described as "the Tonight Show of radio" and is recorded in front of a live audience at the historic Alberta Rose Theater.
live wire radio, fiscal sponsor
Jessica is a theater artist, producer, dramaturg, arts administrator, creative, and communications professional based in Portland, Oregon. As a dramaturg/mentor/teaching artist, she has worked with a diverse range of artists including professional playwrights, youth, college students, adults with disabilities, women veterans and survivors of military-based sexual assault, and affordable housing residents. She has also co-produced/co-managed two collaborative disability-focused projects supported by the Oregon Community Foundation’s Creative Heights Grant program. Her work with Portland-area arts organizations includes PHAME, The Theatre Company, CoHo Productions, Reed College, Oregon Children’s Theatre, Theatre Vertigo, Boom Arts, Playwrights West, Well Arts, and more.
Jessica dart, executive producer
Jason is a film, stage, television, and voice actor, writer, filmmaker, director, and educator with deep roots in Portland. He spent 7 years as the announcer/writer/associate producer for Live Wire with Luke Burbank (Public Radio International), performing on stages across the US. His screen credits include Lean on Pete, Timmy Failure, Leverage, Angie Tribeca, Little Wing, and Grimm. Along with balancing a busy and varied freelance career, he teaches theater and sketch comedy to teens. He also works with adults experiencing intellectual and developmental disabilities to express themselves through artistic means like podcasting, voice acting, videography, multimedia presentations, and writing.