Milford Thomas (Writer / Director) was born and raised in the North Alabama foothills of the Appalachians, and made scores of short and feature-length super-8 films as an adolescent. During high school, “Milt” was mentored by award-winning filmmaker Will Hindle of the “3rd avant garde." He studied Mass Communications with a focus on film and theatre at the University of Montevallo, Alabama, then attended Shibusawa International School in Saitama, Japan to study Japanese culture and language. Soon after he worked between Atlanta and Tokyo as a production coordinator for Fuji television. Thomas later settled in Atlanta to make his own films, incorporating a penchant for both Japanese and Southern folklore into his award-winning featurette CLAIRE, an homage to silent film shot with a handcrank 1920s camera complete with multiple exposure effects and a live orchestra at each screening both in the U.S. and Europe. CLAIRE was distributed on DVD by Frameline/Strand releasing. He was named a Hearst Publications GEN-ART “New Cultural Icon” in 2002. Thomas received a 2006 Annenberg Fellowship, and was a 2006 Sundance Institute Writer and Director’s Lab Fellow for another Japan-inspired fantasy, UNCLOUDY DAY. PRETTY LIKE ME is Thomas’ love letter to classic 60s and 70s horror. CLICK HERE for more info on current movie projects.
Linda Burns (Producer) produces, line produces, and production manages national commercials, corporate industrials, still photo shoots, webisodes, microseries, television shows, pilots, and promos. As an independent film producer, Burns is a key player, collaborating with some of Atlanta's best writers and directors, often consulting behind the scenes to nurture emerging talent. Collaborating with Sundance alum Dan Bush since 2004, projects include THE SIGNAL, released theatrically and on DVD through Magnolia Pictures, and the 2012 release THE PROXY. Burns produced David Bruckner's segment of V/H/S entitled AMATEUR NIGHT which premiered at Sundance 2012 and was purchased for distribution by Magnolia Pictures. In 2011 she also produced the award-winning Lovett music video THE FEAR. Other recent credits include Bret Wood's THE LITTLE DEATH, available on VOD via Lion’s Gate and on DVD from Kino Lorber, LAST GOODBYE, starring Faye Dunaway and David Carradine which premiered at Tribeca and released on DVD via Warner Brothers, THE SACRED ARTS OF BHUTAN, a film and sacred art museum exhibit which traveled internationally, and her directorial debut, the award-winning documentary LIVING IS WINNING, released on DVD by Passion River Films. Linda’s independent films screened at Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, Gen Art, FIKE, Sitges, Cannes, Telluride, and Venice, among others. In 2005 she was honored with the IMAGE Award for exceptional contribution to independent film and video in Atlanta.
Marc Dobiecki (Director of Photography) works as a Director and DP for commercials, music videos, television, and film. Owner of state-of-the-art digital and film cameras, motion control equipment, and extensive grip/electric gear, Dobiecki’s contribution to PRETTY LIKE ME goes far beyond his cinematographer’s eye. In addition to camera credits including, among many others, THE THREE STOOGES, THE COLLECTION, THE WALKING DEAD, VAMPIRE DIARIES, AND ZOMBIELAND, Marc has also shot 70mm IMAX projects and hundreds of commercials and music videos. He brings a wealth of experience and a host of connections to PLM well above the typical indie bar.
Blake Myers (SFX Supervisor) has been immersed in bloody special effects since starting to make horror films at age 19. He has provided effects for countless indie features and gory shorts. To expand his skill set he became a set dresser for studio productions and television. Myers credits include HALLOWEEN II, DETROIT 187, THE COLLECTION, CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, and AMC’s current zombie hit THE WALKING DEAD. He provided SPX and MUSFX for the anthology piece AMATEUR NIGHT, part of the 2012 Sundance-premiered V/H/S. Blake also directed and produced the award -wining feature doc DISABLED BUT ABLE TO ROCK! If he’s not making movies, he’s preparing as founding festival director for Atlanta’s THE BURIED ALIVE FILM FESTIVAL.
