Zan Gillies’ degree from William and Mary says “Film Studies,” but in reality his passion involves much more than study. While at W&M, Zan gained a reputation as the go-to filmmaker on campus. Some of his credits include a promotional film for the geology department, a feature-length film that premiered at the Kimball Theatre, and numerous promotional trailers for student-theatre troupes. In his four years at W&M, he gained experience shooting narrative films, stage plays and even classes. Outside of Williamsburg, he assisted in shooting and editing Thunder at a Playhouse (2005), a feature-length documentary exploring the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, VA.

Mike Mott loves to tell stories. His first forays into film won him several awards in high school, but he occupied his time primarily in the theatre. His seven years near and around the stage as a director (preceding and during his tenure at William and Mary) have given him an intimate knowledge of the precision and craft required to execute a well-knit yarn. By spanning the Shakespearean spectrum from A Midsummer Night’s Dream to Othello, dabbling in Stalinist-era abstract theatre and directing a play of his own creation based on his experiences as a W&M freshman, Mike has developed an eye and an ear for pacing, structure and characterization – all the aspects that make an effective story.