MEET THE SALAMANDERS
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Ryan Love
Producer/Writer/Director
and …
Always Waluigi
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Emily Reas
Producer/Writer/Director
and…
Coffee Addict
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James Herrera
Producer/Writer/Director
and…
Nerfherder
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Riley Songer
Producer/Writer/UPM
and…
Aristotle’s Ancient Grandson
Ryan Love
Ryan has always wanted to make movies, being drawn to them in a way few others could relate to. Growing up in grapevine Texas, Ryan got his hands on an old Sony camera that he soon realized he could put his imagination to the test. With h
is competitive spirit and passion for the craft led him to start creating his original content, all while studying and analyzing whatever stories he came across. After graduating Texas State, he packed his bags and moved to LA to acquire his MFA in film production. Ryan aims to use his talents to guide others toward creating the best version of their own passion projects. Sometimes you’ll find him holding a flashlight to his face in the Amazon Rainforest’s yelling into the abyss, “Is cereal soup?! Is cereal soup?!”
Emily Reas
Emily has a passion for championing independent filmmakers and producing fresh stories for a variety of audiences. Originally from Texas, she has been fortunate enough to work with creatives including EP John D. Beck, Actor/Director John D’Aquino, EP Jack C. Tomas, EP Lisa Lew, and many more. Emily has been apart of Women in Film LA’s Peer Mentoring Group (2020) and was a second-rounder in Sundance’s Producer Lab & Fellowship (2024). Currently, she works as a Production and Operations Manager at John D’Aquino’s Actor’s Workshop. She loves cheese, but is lactose intolerant… she likes to live on the edge.
James Herrera
James has always loved everything about movies, but didn’t develop a specific passion for filmmaking until he first watched JAWS. Growing up, he wrote and directed plays for his church, and studied the craft through college. It was only after graduating from Texas State that he met Ryan Love, and the two subsequently worked together on numerous shorts around San Marcos. On top of writing and directing, James is also the co-host of two podcasts: Movie Stuff, which is all about movies, and Star Wars Stuff, which is all about Star Wars. James is happily married to his wife Nicole, and the two have recently moved to California with their dog, Kit.
Riley Songer
Riley grew up outside the Los Angeles Area where he developed a fervent appreciation for all stories from his parents. After moving to Texas near the end of his high school tenure, Riley spent the next decade studying psychology and mythology, all while working a variety of jobs in an effort to understand humanity. He is dedicated to inclusivity and is a passionate believer in the ability for stories to champion those who have often been marginalized. He hopes one day to be able to create a space where everyone can bring their unique talents together to create great art. On moonless nights you can find him staring beyond infinity.
Photos taken by Daniel McGowan