Above the Line Personnel
Writer/Director: Martin Bentsen
Martin Bentsen
Martin Bentsen is an honors graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts’ Film and Television program. He became interested in filmmaking at the age of nine, and ever since has been living his dream of bringing stories to life in movies. He aspires to achieve a career of constant and never-ending growth and improvement in filmmaking. Influenced by some of the blockbusters of the last twenty years as well as the uplifting and escapism of zany comedies, he hopes to bring the thrills, excitement, laughter, and awe that he has enjoyed so much to audiences that he is privileged to present his films to. Martin likens his role of director to that of a conductor charged with bringing the composer’s music to life. Whether it is his own screenplay or one of another writer, he strives to have the cast and crew hit the right notes and their performance end in a crescendo of satisfied audiences.
Rather than take the traditional route of applying for a job in the film industry after he graduated, Martin decided to take his career into his own hands and go the independent route. He currently runs his own media business called MJB Home Entertainment (www.mjbhomeentertainment.com), a company specializing in event and other videography/photography, editing, music video creation, and other media services. Dakota will be Martin’s second feature film, having recently completed a micro-budget guerrilla-style independent feature called Mozart of Rap (www.mozartofrap.com). Having surmounted this very challenging and growth-filled experience, Martin is ready and excited to tackle Dakota.
Rather than take the traditional route of applying for a job in the film industry after he graduated, Martin decided to take his career into his own hands and go the independent route. He currently runs his own media business called MJB Home Entertainment (www.mjbhomeentertainment.com), a company specializing in event and other videography/photography, editing, music video creation, and other media services. Dakota will be Martin’s second feature film, having recently completed a micro-budget guerrilla-style independent feature called Mozart of Rap (www.mozartofrap.com). Having surmounted this very challenging and growth-filled experience, Martin is ready and excited to tackle Dakota.
Producer: Andrew Roth
Andrew Roth
While in the constant pursuit of a full-time career as an actor, director, and producer in film, television, and theatre since his early twenties, Andrew has been afforded the opportunity of working both in front of and behind the camera on over 25 feature films as well as both onstage and backstage for several theatrical productions. Whether it's directing, producing, or acting; Andrew brings an intensity and professionalism to each production in which he takes part. His involvement in both large and small budget productions has taught him to fill various production roles on set and to be flexible and accommodating with a focus on the successful completion of the project.
Believing life to be our best teacher, Andrew learned most of his lessons the hard way by working with his hands, holding down odd jobs, traveling, and encountering individuals that are on a similar path to self discovery. Having studied theatre at Stonybrook University, Andrew appreciates the value of having a strong theatrical background in order to better understand the mechanics of character work. "If one doesn't know, come to learn; should one learn, teach," - Roth.
Since many of his roles have been action related, Andrew spends much of his time at the gym training his body thru the mediums of Martial Arts and weight lifting. Still Andrew prefers to be challenged by characters with a softer side, gentler in nature, and more akin to his true self, but also finds himself identifying with tragically flawed characters that allow the artist to delve deep within oneself for the answers.
Some of Andrew's favorite roles have been; a boxer named Joe in Praxis, Roy, a carpenter turned gangster to avenge his family's murder in Inner Rage, The Australian surfer, Ryan Hastings, in 3 to 5 and Glassy, Eustace, the bungling Scottish hitman in Down Clown, and of course the title role of Macbeth.
www.aroth.us
Believing life to be our best teacher, Andrew learned most of his lessons the hard way by working with his hands, holding down odd jobs, traveling, and encountering individuals that are on a similar path to self discovery. Having studied theatre at Stonybrook University, Andrew appreciates the value of having a strong theatrical background in order to better understand the mechanics of character work. "If one doesn't know, come to learn; should one learn, teach," - Roth.
Since many of his roles have been action related, Andrew spends much of his time at the gym training his body thru the mediums of Martial Arts and weight lifting. Still Andrew prefers to be challenged by characters with a softer side, gentler in nature, and more akin to his true self, but also finds himself identifying with tragically flawed characters that allow the artist to delve deep within oneself for the answers.
Some of Andrew's favorite roles have been; a boxer named Joe in Praxis, Roy, a carpenter turned gangster to avenge his family's murder in Inner Rage, The Australian surfer, Ryan Hastings, in 3 to 5 and Glassy, Eustace, the bungling Scottish hitman in Down Clown, and of course the title role of Macbeth.
www.aroth.us
Producer: Mike Santi
Born in Brooklyn N.Y., Michael now calls Orlando, Florida his home. He is making a name for himself becoming one of Florida's most in demand and respected actors. Having launched his career in 2008 with three films; ‘The Big Blind’, ‘Havana’, and ‘Ladies Night;’ Michael has been pursuing his passion each and every day. He likens acting to “a lifelong process like staying physically fit; you have to make it a lifestyle, not a seasonal thing. You have to always seek knowledge to condition your ‘acting muscle’.” Michael believes that if one is passionate about something, they will find a way to reach their peak. This is what he strives for as he prepares for each role.
Though his career is only at its beginning, he feels privileged to have worked with some excellent directors including Carmen Treffileo, James Hunter, and Emmy award winning Director/ Editor Gerald Godbout III. Other films that Michael has appeared in include ‘In the Blink of an Eye’, ‘Subprime’, ‘Echoes’, and ‘Wayward’. He has also received recognition for his ability to work in the horror genre with roles in ‘Doomsday County’, ‘Legends 2’ and ‘Grave Reality’. He recently wrapped ‘Against the Wall’, a very fast paced action-packed film produced by Left Digital Media, a production company he is affiliated with. In a recent interview with The Arts and Entertainment Magazine, Michael observed that he “works for the audience.” They are his boss; his employer, and he never wants to let them down.
Though his career is only at its beginning, he feels privileged to have worked with some excellent directors including Carmen Treffileo, James Hunter, and Emmy award winning Director/ Editor Gerald Godbout III. Other films that Michael has appeared in include ‘In the Blink of an Eye’, ‘Subprime’, ‘Echoes’, and ‘Wayward’. He has also received recognition for his ability to work in the horror genre with roles in ‘Doomsday County’, ‘Legends 2’ and ‘Grave Reality’. He recently wrapped ‘Against the Wall’, a very fast paced action-packed film produced by Left Digital Media, a production company he is affiliated with. In a recent interview with The Arts and Entertainment Magazine, Michael observed that he “works for the audience.” They are his boss; his employer, and he never wants to let them down.
Associate Producer: Bela Kovacs
Bela Kovacs is a visual effects and 3D artist. He donated his RED Scarlet camera to the film and will be the leading VFX supervisor for Dakota: Dedicated to My Best Friend.
www.kbattila.com
www.kbattila.com
Legal Counsel & Executive Producer: M. J. Bentsen
Martin J. Bentsen, Sr. is an attorney and accountant and has been involved in the financial services and securities industry for much of his career. He brings his understanding of contract and securities laws, and financial budgeting and reporting to his role as an Executive Producer. His 30 + years of experience cover a broad spectrum of financial services activities both domestically and internationally. He has served in ‘C’ Level positions guiding multiple businesses with a keen focus on profitability and legal compliance. He has been active in building new businesses in the United States and Mexico, running the full gamut of business types, from full service banks to limited partnerships, to a New York Stock Exchange listed company as well as a New York Stock Exchange member firm. He will apply his business development and start-up experience for the benefit of Dakota, the Movie, LLC and its investors and cast.
Mr. Bentsen has a BBA in Accounting from Bernard M. Baruch College, and a Juris Doctor Degree from New York Law School. While he has spent most of his working career living in the New York and Denver areas, he has a global perspective from working on projects in Japan, Germany, and living in Mexico. He currently resides in New York City.
Mr. Bentsen has a BBA in Accounting from Bernard M. Baruch College, and a Juris Doctor Degree from New York Law School. While he has spent most of his working career living in the New York and Denver areas, he has a global perspective from working on projects in Japan, Germany, and living in Mexico. He currently resides in New York City.
Composer: Lloyd Moss
Lloyd Joseph Moss is a film composer with a degree in film scoring from UCLA. He plays guitar, piano, bass, and ukelele, among other instruments. He is currently scoring a romantic comedy feature entitled "Last Man on Earth," and has been featured in Indie Slate Magazine (Fall, 2011). Lloyd is looking forward to scoring Dakota because he loves working with passionate directors such as Martin Bentsen who have important stories to tell.