SYNOPSIS
Leopold Rawlins is a troubled drifter suffering from a bad past and worse present. Living in & out of prison and out on the streets, Leopold winds up being deemed insane by the state and sent to the Milton Way House. Searching for redemption, Leopold uncovers new unlikely friends and an adventure that tests his limits.
PANELISTS BIOS
Matthew Helderman, producer
Matthew began his career as a floor-runner at the New York Stock Exchange before entering the film business as a co-producer at a Paramount Studios based production company. In 2007, Helderman launched Buffalo 8 Productions, a feature film & commercial production company with Luke Taylor. Buffalo 8 Productions has built a library of content, a roster of commercial directors and a full post-production facility. In 2013 Helderman founded BondIt to solve the multitude of financing difficulties found in the entertainment & media business.
Akis Konstantakopoulos, director
Akis is a Los Angeles based Director of Photography who left his hometown in Greece and moved to the United States at the age of 17 to study the art of Cinematography. He graduated with honors in Visual Studies from Harvard University, before attending the American Film Institute (AFI) for a Masters in Cinematography. Akis started his career serving as 2nd Unit DP for Oscar nominated cinematographer Phedon Papamichael, ASC on two films. Akis has served as the DP on over 25 feature films and has photographed such notable actors as JK Simmons, Kevin Bacon, Alan Arkin, Nick Nolte, Clea DuVall, Malcolm McDowell, Ving Rhames, Jane Seymour to name a few. His work has been shown theatrically around the nation; on major TV networks and at various film festivals (Cannes, Tribeca, SXSW) across the world. His cinematography has also garnered a number of awards at film festivals and praise from publications including Variety, The Hollywood Reporter and indieWIRE. His latest project was lensing the 'Late Bloomer' romantic comedy for actor/director Kevin Pollak. Akis made his directorial debut with 'Land of Leopold' in 2013.
Christopher Pinkalla, writer, actor, producer
As a child, Chris started acting with Theatre Under The Stars at the Alley Theatre. He later made in his on-camera debut in a commercial for Reliant Energy. Born in Houston, Texas, Chris is a former high school basketball Texas State Champ, being highly-recruited until sidelined by an injury, forcing him to hang up the sneakers for his re-gained love for acting and filmmaking. While pursuing his dreams he was able to snag a B.A. in Political Science from Austin's, St. Edward's University. He also studied abroad in nine different African and European countries. After graduation, Chris naturally gravitated towards LA, to make his dream a reality. Chris can be seen in the Gravitas Ventures release "Among Ravens" produced by Independent Spirit Award winner Heather Rae ("Frozen River"). Chris plays Jay the younger brother of Wendy (Amy Smart) who brings his odd friend Chad (Will McCormack) to their annual 4th of July weekend gathering. During this reunion, Chad starts to change everyone's life only by one. Joshua Leonard and Johnny Sequoyah also star in the film. Soon after, Chris played lead role in the Independent drama "Land of Leopold" which he also co-wrote and produced.
Drake Shannon, writer, actor
