Joseph Castelo - Producer // Director

Castelo is the founder of Coalition Films, where he is currently executive producing, with Mark Burnett, CliffsNotes Films, a series of interactive animated short films based on the CliffsNotes study guides, which are being released by AOL. CliffsNotes was nominated at the IAWTV awards for Best Animated Web Series and Best Interactive Experience.

Castelo is also producing a documentary about death metal Angola, and preparing to direct his third feature film. THE PREPPIE CONNECTION.

Previously, Castelo wrote a screenplay for Columbia Pictures called THE PAWN, and another screenplay called IN THE POCKET.

Castelo co-wrote and directed THE WAR WITHIN, which premiered at the 2005 Toronto Film Festival. THE WAR WITHIN was nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards (Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor) and an International Press Academy Satellite Award for Best Picture. It was distributed by Magnolia Pictures.

Castelo has an MFA in Film from Columbia University. While in film school, he wrote and directed AMERICAN SAINT, starring Kevin Corrigan and Vincent Schiavelli. AMERICAN SAINT screened at the San Francisco and Florida International Film Festivals, before winning awards for Best Film, Best Director and Best Cinematography at the 2001 Hamptons International Film Festival.

Ashley Rudden - Producer // Head of Development

Ashley Rudden joined Coalition Films in 2010, where she is producing CliffsNotes Films, a series of interactive animated short films based on the CliffsNotes study guides, which are being released by AOL.

From 2005 to 2010, Rudden was as a freelance script consultant and script doctor. She was involved in the development of THE WAR WITHIN, co-written and directed by Joseph Castelo, which was nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards in 2006, including Best Screenplay.

From 2003 to 2006, Rudden was Head of Development for Cinemosaic, a production company headed by producer Lydia Dean Pilcher. There she was involved in the development of feature films such as VANITY FAIR, starring Reese Witherspoon, and THE NAMESAKE, directed by Mira Nair.

Prior to that Rudden was a creative executive at This is that Corp, headed by producers Antony Bregman, Anne Carey, and Ted Hope. During that time she was involved in the development and production of THE DOOR IN THE FLOOR, staring Jeff Bridges and Kim Basinger.

Rudden was a script reader for New Line Cinema and assistant to Merideth Finn in Development and Acquisitions for FineLine Features.

Rudden has an MFA in Film from Columbia University and has taught screenwriting and film history classes at Columbia College, Marymount Manhattan College, and New York Film Academy.

Travis Burgess - Associate Producer

Travis Burgess joined Coalition Films in 2010. He brings an eclectic skill set to the company.

After a brief stint at the Academy of Arts University in San Francisco, Burgess began his vagabond journey traveling around the country doing odd jobs from building wind turbine towers to gallery installation to working in commercial video. After completing Michigan State University's video production program, Burgess moved to New York City.

Burgess spent time in Angola, Africa where he was the associate producer on the feature-length documentary ANGOLA DEATH METAL. He is also associate producer for CliffsNotes Films, an interactive series of animated short films based on the CliffsNotes study guides.

John H. Flood III - Counsel

Mr. Flood began working as counsel with Coalition Films in 2008. He has owned OldIron Sports and Entertainment Company since 1994. This company provides consulting services in the digital media, television, licensing and corporate sponsorship areas to entertainment companies and professional sports leagues, teams, sponsors and athletes.

Mr. Flood was the managing partner of the NYC law firm of Flood Donohue Johnston & McShane, from 1994 to 2004. From 1984 to 1994, he worked for NFL Properties, the centralized marketing company of the National Football League, where he served as company President and helped the company grow to over one billion dollars in retail sales.

Mr. Flood received his AB in Psychology from Harvard University and his JD from the University of Virginia School of Law.