Production Staff and Crew of Marrakech

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PRODUCTION STAFF AND CREW

OF

Marrakech

The force behind Marrakech is the production staff and crew, small in number, but hard-workers, skilled, and devoted to making a film well above the norm, finely tuned, and one of which they could all be proud. Budget limitations had no effect on the quality of work performed by each member of the production staff and crew. Instead, they accepted the challenges, pulled on extra imagination and creativity, stretched their vistas, and achieved what they strived to accomplish. Among those behind the scenes are the following:

HARRY BURRUS (writer/producer/director): Born in Denver, Harry Burrus grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. As a tennis pro in Des Moines, Iowa, he hosted his own television show, "Tennis Tips With Harry Burrus." At one time, World Tennis Magazine ranked Harry and his father number two in the United States in Father & Son Doubles. As a teacher of creative writing, film, debate, and English and American literature in Galesburg, Illinois, he created the Media Arts Festival that brought filmmakers, poets, actors, writers, painters, and photographers to Galesburg for a week-long celebration of the arts which included presentations, workshops, and seminars. During his tenure at Galesburg, he directed theatrical productions. Harry has advanced degrees in Broadcasting and Film from the University of Iowa. During film school, he wrote, produced, and directed 16mm films. Harry also has a Master of Fine Arts degree in writing, with a concentration on poetry, from Vermont College. He had a one-man exhibition at Houston's International FotoFest in which dozens of his photographs were displayed. His photographs and collages are in private collections in this country and abroad. Some of his photographs have been on the covers of collections of contemporary poetry. He has published seven collections of poetry, written a novel, five plays, and twelve screenplays. Harry Burrus is the editor-publisher of O!!Zone, an international literary-art magazine. Marrakech is his full length feature film directorial debut.

JON DARBONNE (director of photography/editor/sound design): Born in Houston, Texas, Jon Darbonne grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana. He attended the University of Louisiana and majored in journalism, but found himself drawn into the strong creative writing program there which ultimately led to his deep appreciation of storytelling. In 1995, he moved back to Houston and interned at Red E Productions which specialized in commercials. Through the contacts he met there, he ventured out into the freelance market and worked as a grip electric. In 1996, he shot the award winning feature film Fifth Ward. His appetite whetted, from that point forward, he continued as a full time cinematographer. Since then, Jon has shot seven feature films, numerous commercials, music videos, and shorts. Prior to his involvement with Marrakech, he shot The Post Modern Man which won first place for best experimental short at the 2002 Houston World Fest and was shown at the DGA in Los Angeles by the Texas Filmmaker's Showcase.

SCOTT SZABO (composer): A graduate of the High School of Performing and Visual Arts, Scott Szabo began his career as a location sound mixer in 1988. As a sound mixer, Scott has worked on feature films, documentaries, commercials, and corporate videos. His client list includes Disney, IMAX, MGM, and HBO. Scott has also developed a career as an accomplished songwriter and composer of music for film, television, and multimedia with a wide range of writing styles, from world/afro-pop to electronic to symphonic orchestra. He has composed the music for four feature films, three TV series, numerous short films, and nearly 100 commercials and marketing CD-ROMS for such clients as BMW, Shell, Time Warner, and Continental Airlines.

TROY WEBB (gaffer): Born in Texarkana, Texas, Troy Webb was educated at Sam Houston State University and has lived and worked in eight states and in Mexico. He has been involved in over 50 feature films (i.e., Any Given Sunday, Apollo 13, Michael, Tin Cup, Oh Brother Where Art Thou?, Independence Day, Gone in 60 Seconds) as well as television, commercial, and music video projects. Two projects Troy has been involved in have been nominated for and received an Academy Award. A proud Texan, Troy loves to fish and hunt in his spare time.

TEDDY HALLARON (sound mixer): Veteran film and video producer Teddy Hallaron was born in Jennings, Louisiana, spending his early years in New Orleans before moving to Houston while in the 5^th grade. His career is multi-faceted. He has been a professional musician, a recording engineer, and has worked with live bands doing live mixing. From there, he expanded into film and video production, joining Feature Enterprises as a staff producer/director during which time he honed his skills in electronic cinematography and field production with a variety of well-known commercial clients. In the early 90s, he produced an award winning feature film, The Marianao Kid, through his own film production company. During the last several years, Teddy has worked on over 9 feature films and with many international production and broadcast companies in a variety of creative capacities. Like Brer Rabbit in the briar patch, Teddy professes to be making a living doing what he loves.

KELLEY DARBONNE (art director): A native Houstonian, Kelley Darbonne graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a major in journalism and a theatre minor. Kelley has over 15 years experience acting and working behind the scenes in theatre. In 1996, she began working in various departments of the film industry, including production managing, art department, and make-up. Kelley’s true passion is art directing and production design. She has art-directed numerous commercials, music videos, and several short and feature length independent films. With the goal of expanding her horizons as well as her resume, Kelley moved to Los Angeles in the fall of 2000. She continues to live there and work in television and independent films. But, Kelley's heart still belongs to Texas and she travels back home to work on many projects.