We believe in a diverse range of personnel to bring creative skills, thoughts, and ideas to the table.
Ted Allen
CREATIVE DIRECTOR / CINEMATOGRAPHER
Theodore Allen is an award winning filmmaker based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has worked for the past 20 years as a cinematographer, creative director, editor, and animator on projects all around the world. He loves both the creative and technical aspects of his work and strives to use his skills to push the envelope of independent filmmaking. In an ever changing media world he quickly adapts to new digital technology, but never forgets the essentials of traditional film-making. When not working commercially, he dedicates much of his time to working for non-profit organizations. Using his creative and technical abilities, he strives to promote positivity in the media, telling real stories about human compassion and adversity.
Franz Erian
Lead Director / Writer
Franz Erian is an award-winning director and screenplay writer from the San Francisco Bay Area with a passion for cinema and its ability to have a cultural impact. From his 6 years of training in the theatrical arts to his 2 years of radio, and 4 years of formal cinematic training, his unique background has given him a diverse set of tools from which he is able to draw from as a filmmaker. Throughout his over 6 years as a director and screenplay writer, he has completed several shorts, commercials, music videos and his first feature length film. Using his unique style, perspective and with an eye toward social issues, he continues to strive to reinvigorate the San Francisco Bay Area as a prolific cinematic destination.
Melissa Camacho
Lead Producer / Art Director
Melissa Camacho is a Bay Area producer who has been working with Polar Productions since the beginning. Melissa didn’t come into film so much as film came to her- when approached by Franz and Ted to produce their feature film, “Life Without”, she dove right in, bringing in top quality locations, talent, and investors. With her degree in Sociology from UC Berkeley, she brings a unique style of producing to the film-making world. Her method is to work with quality people and make mutually beneficial business agreements in order to cultivate strong, lasting relationships that benefit all parties involved. Networking seems to be a natural skill for her, and she prides herself on making sincere, meaningful connections with good people.
Aaron Townsend
Lead Animator / Compositor
Keen eyes for design and a thirst for experience-building trials are not the only developments he’s made since working in both San Francisco and Manhattan as a motion graphics artist. A firm understanding and practice of the Visual Effects pipeline now supplement his arsenal of creative tools. Beyond hard skill, Aaron understands the importance of not only working with good artists but good people as well. His “dream job” is not a destination, but an experience he crafts each and every day.
