CREW
The Grizzly Creek Films crew is a talented group. We’ve come together from diverse backgrounds: filmmaking, wildlife biology, graphic design, new media, non-profit organizations, philanthropy, and publishing. Our strength is the unique sum of these parts united by a shared commitment to original, innovative storytelling.
THOMAS WINSTON
Executive Producer/Director of Photography
Thomas is committed to producing innovative, entertaining, and thought-provoking non-fiction films that showcase inspiring people and the natural world. Based in Bozeman, MT where he’s pursuing an M.F.A. in Science and Natural History Filmmaking, Thomas has worked extensively in the film and television industry as a producer, director of photography, and editor. Broadcast credits include work for The Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Times, PBS, Outdoor Life Network, and CBS. His films have been screened at The Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and The International Wildlife Film Festival, among others. Recently, he was nominated for the BBC Newcomer award at the Wildscreen Festival in Bristol, England for his thesis film “The Mongolian Marmot.”
LESLIE M. GAINES
Executive Producer/Producer
Leslie splits his life between Montana and Florida and is a veteran filmmaker, producing non-fiction films since 1990. His multiple Emmy award winning original series, “Expedition Florida,” is currently distributed by American Public Television to over 110 PBS stations nationwide, and is a recipient of the Edward R. Murrow Award for feature reporting and a finalist in the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival. His short film, “Ways of the Glades,” was an official selection of the Sundance Film Festival in 1999. Leslie has worked with numerous broadcast and institutional clients including The Mandan-Hidatsa-Arikara Tribe of Indians, The Florida Museum of Natural History, The History Channel, The Wyoming Outdoor Council, Enzymedica, Inc., NOW with Bill Moyers, and The Draper Museum of Natural History at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming.
BECKER HOLLAND
Executive Producer/Production Manager
Becker Holland (B.A., Duke University, 1974, M.A.T., Duke University, 1976), of Gainesville, Florida is an active member of the philanthropic community. Becker serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Jr. Leagues International and Children’s Home Society. Her recent film production, “Every Child Deserves A Happy Childhood,” raised over $175,000 for the Children’s Home Society. She is the business manager for the Emmy award winning original series, “Expedition Florida,”produced in association with the Florida Museum of Natural History as well as productions for The Mandan-Hidatsa-Arikara Tribe of Indians, Enzymedica, Inc., Florida Home Grown, and The Draper Museum of Natural History at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. She brings her numerous organizational, creative, and management talents to Grizzly Creek Films.
CASEY ANDERSON
Presenter/Associate Producer
Casey is a fifth generation Montanan who was born and raised in Helena, Montana. He has been involved in film and television production for over 14 years. As a wildlife naturalist, host, actor, and animal trainer, Casey has worked on numerous feature films, television wildlife documentaries, and non-profit educational programs. Casey led two expeditions to Botswana’s Okavango Delta for the HD natural history series Untamed. His acting resume includes the television series Wild Wacky World and a role in the upcoming feature film, Iron Ridge. Casey is the host of the National Geographic Channel series Expedition Grizzly produced by Grizzly Creek Films. Casey is the trainer and best friend of Brutus the Bear and the owner and operator of the Montana Grizzly Encounter in Bozeman, Montana.
RICK SMITH
Cameraman/Still Photographer
Rick creates award winning work that has been featured in numerous fiction and documentary films. He has worked as both producer, cinematographer, and photographer for a variety of non-profits, governmental agencies and broadcast entities including, The Nature Conservancy, Yellowstone National Park, and National Geographic Television. His passion for image-making, conservation, and adventure has resulted in work that aims to contribute to the effective communication of science based issues to the general public. His films have been the official selection at dozens of film festivals and his film 2006 short film Fish & Cow was a both a newcomer finalist at the 2007 Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival as well as a recipient of the 2008 International Wildlife Film Festival Montana Filmmaker Award. His unique background in both the sciences and the arts puts Rick in a unique position to utilize the power of visual media to tell stories about the world we live in.
ERIC BENDICK
Writer/Associate Producer
Eric is former Series Producer of the Webby award winning video podcast “TERRA: The Nature of Our World” at lifeonterra.com. Based in Bozeman, Montana, “TERRA” was the first-ever online science and nature film series. Eric has presented and consulted on “new media,” environmental filmmaking, and emerging digital platforms for institutions such as the National Science Foundation, Earth & Sky, Bioneers, the National Geographic Society, PBS, Harvard University’s Center for Health and the Global Environment, Patagonia, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. His producing, directing, and writing credits include over sixty science and nature documentaries. Eric is a graduate of Brown University and holds an M.F.A. from Montana State University in Science & Natural History Filmmaking. His recent feature film, “Division Street,” is on theatrical tour with the 2009 Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival.
SARAH MARIUS
Editor/Graphics Artist
Sarah hails from Loganville, Georgia. She's always immersed herself in the arts and holds a BFA degree in digital video from the Atlanta College of Art. She also attended the Experimental Television Center in Owego, NY. An accomplished motion graphics designer, Sarah is also a fine editor and has facility in a wide variety of software systems. She’s edited both short- and long-form commercials; created graphics for numerous documentaries, corporate and public awareness videos; written, produced and directed her own short films; and designed logos, DVD menus and DVD promotional materials. This versatile, wildly-talented artist is passionate about her craft in particular and the film and video profession in general. She brings freshness and dedication to every project she touches.
BRUTUS THE BEAR
Brown Bear(!)
Brutus has worked along with his trainer and pal Casey Anderson on acclaimed feature films, television shows, educational programs and commercials. Casey rescued Brutus at birth and built him a home at the Montana Grizzly Encounter in Bozeman, Montana. This grizzly bear rescue and education facility is Brutus’ permanent home. When not at work helping to protect and educate the public about grizzly bear conservation, Brutus enjoys wrestling in the grass, hearty pieces of salmon, and a good scratch behind the ears.