John Cantú
Writer/ Director/ Producer/ Editor/ Composer
John is a Texas-raised import to Los Angeles who became a filmmaker at Florida State University where he graduated in 2005 . His short films have been screened and recognized in festivals across the country. With a musical and editorial background that has him frequently working as director, writer, producer, editor, and composer, he is no stranger to multi-tasking on his films.
John’s inspiration for this webseries came from his girlfriend, a folklorico dancer whose brother has progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Melding the two experiences together, Better was imagined.
By day, John is an editor working in motion picture advertising who has worked with clients at Sony Pictures Entertainment, 20th Century Fox, and Warner Bros. to name a few. He has finished trailers or television spots for such films as Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs, Old Dogs, and Live Free or Die Hard. He’s also done editorial work for Disney Parks’ “Let the Memories Begin” campaign.
Brenda Bos
Producer
Brenda is a twenty year veteran of the entertainment industry. Her career began on the production staff of The Golden Girls and Mad About You, working her way up to unit production manager/co-producer on Suddennly Susan, Nikki and George Lopez.
At St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in North Hollywood, Brenda and John have produced several short videos that have been recognized by congregations across the country. Brenda is currently finishing her Masters of Divinity at the Claremont School of Theology.
BT Jackson
Director of Photography
BT Jackson began her cinematography career shooting documentaries for Fire Escape Films while attending the University of Chicago. In Chicago she spent her spare time lighting fashion shows, circuses, and concerts.
Jackson received an MFA from USC’s Cinema Television Program. She worked her way up electric-side, gaffing a top ranked web series Clean-up Crew as well as the independent feature Detention featuring David Carradine.
As a cinematographer she has shot music videos for a variety of up-and-coming artists and has worked on commercials for Habitat for Humanity, Cedar Sinai Hospital, and Naem Denim among others. She recently completed the short Good Grief, official selection of The Newport Beach Film Festival, Better, and the independent feature, The Forest, official selection of the Bel Air Film Festival with distribution by Lightning Entertainment.
Set Designer
Anita has worked in field of design for over twenty years. She obtained her BFA degree in fashion design from The Otis Art Institute of Design. Her design skills have recently been channeled into the medium of film where she is designing for the feature Born to Race. Upon completion of her production design work on Better, she assistant costume designed the soon to be released black and white feature The Ghastly Love of Johnny X.
Jim Ealy
Associate Producer
Kim Cameron
Assistant Director
Suzana Rupe
Hair and Make-Up
Suzana is a make-up professional whose credits include Hatchet, End of the Spear, and Sleep With Me.
Max Avery Lichtenstein
Featured Music
Max is an award-winning songwriter and film composer whose work has graced several notable indie features including Jesus’ Son, The King, and Far From Heaven. His original music for Jonathon Cauoette’s critically-praised documentary Tarnation continues to generate great public interest. Max also has co-produced records with artists like Mercury Rev, Hopewell, The Silent League and his own bands Timesbold and Camphor.
In 2008, Max was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, but continues to work as a composer and producer. In support of raising M.S. awareness, he has generously provided the filmmakers a selection of his unique compositions. Though composed for other films, his work perfectly captures the bittersweet passions and fraying relationships of Lily’s life throughout Better.
Yuri Batres
Choreographer
Yuri is the creative director of Grupo Folclórico Texometzintli which began in Los Angeles in 2008. Composed of university students, working professionals, and community members, the group has performed at several public, private, and charitable functions in venues such as the Downey Theater and Mi Hacienda Night Club. They received both first and third place in their category for two competition performances at the Las Vegas World Folk Festival in July 2009.
Amy Navarette (pictured with Eva Longoria)
Choreographer
Amy is the director of Ballet Folklorico Mexico Azteca in Burbank, California. Organized in 1987, the group has expanded from six to seventy-five dancers of all ages. Mexico Azteca is routinely booked for major Southern California venues such as Disneyland, Dodger Stadium, and Olvera Street Historical Monument. Their dancers have also been featured in a music video for The Killers.