Board of Directors
Gary Kout
Founder/Executive Director
Gary is a Producer, Line Producer and Production Manager, with experience in nearly every aspect of the industry, including feature films, commercials, music videos, documentaries, PSA's, industrial films and internet media. After getting a degree in film production from the University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television, he started as a production assistant in New York City, working his way up the ladder over the course of 12 years in New York City, Hollywood and many cities and states. In 2003, Gary relocated to Southern Oregon, seeking a better quality of life. After managing a feature film shot in Ashland and Medford, "Conversations with God" in 2005, (shortly followed by Line Producing "My Name is Bruce" and the upcoming "Calvin Marshall), Gary experienced first-hand what a great destination Southern Oregon is for production thanks to the qualified crew base, deep talent pool, incredible locations, and great support from local and state authorities. He founded SOFaT in order to bring all of the region's resources together to attract interest from outside producers as well strengthen the local industry from within. Gary lives in Ashland with his two daughters and the family of deer that dine on his garden and fruit trees.
John Foote
Vice-President
John is an accomplished Art Director and runs Land Mind Productions, a local production company and stage facility. He started his career fresh out of high school as a trainee on the independent film "Martial Marshall" shot in Jacksonville, OR. After moving back to Los Angeles where he was born, John delved deeper into filmmaking by focusing on the art department, a perfect match to his visual and organizational talents. He amassed credits as a Set Dresser, Propmaster, Leadman, Set Builder and Art Director on such notable shows as Fox's "Mad Tv", the movie "Stargate", and Jim Jarmusch's classic indie film "Dead Man" starring Johnny Depp. In 1995, John decided to return to Oregon to pursue his own filmmaking interests. He transformed a 70,000 sq. ft. pear packing facility into Southern Oregon's premier independent film production facility, Land Mind Productions. Very active in the Southern Oregon community, John has served as the board chairman to Kids Unlimited, and founded the Expanding Horizons Youth in Filmmaking enrichment program. Land Mind Productions is an active participant in many mentoring and job shadow programs with several of the local high schools. John and his wife Naiobi enjoy a nice community-based lifestyle in Southern Oregon with their two beautiful daughters.
Patricia Snyder
Secretary
Patricia is a writer with experience in marketing, nonprofit organization and development, and film festival facilitation. Born in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, she has lived in the Rogue Valley since 1996. She first became involved with film production as co-writer and script supervisor for an independent film shot in Medford and has gone on to assist with short film and webisode production, casting, and media relations. She is one of the founders of the nonprofit Josephine Community Libraries and continues to help that organization develop fundraising and operational strategies and produce promotional materials. Patricia lives in Grants Pass, where she works for the daily newspaper as a print and video reporter, photographer, graphic designer, and substitute editor. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from the University of Montana.
William Pecchi
Treasurer
Bill has extensive experience across the technical fields of filmmaking, having worked as a grip, electrician, 1st AC, studio manager and DP/operator. Starting in the 70's with a national spot for Panasonic starring Earth Wind and Fire, and up through the 80's and 90's, Bill kept busy shooting TV commercials. Alongside director Colin Chilvers, Bill shot scores of effects-laden spots for toy companies and auto makers; in-camera and special effects, rear screen, front screen, 8-perf Vista Vision, all became a specialty for Bill. He had the rewarding opportunity to shoot effects-driven videos for Prince, Michael Jackson and Luther Vandros, and his work on promos and title sequences led to an operating job on The Wonder Years and many big-budget features. Camera rigger, fabricator, welder and inventor have been interests. The WFP camera tilt plate is in hundreds of ditty bags. In 2000, Bill developed the LEDTHEREBELIGHT system - an LED light system which started the trend for small battery powered LED systems that could be color corrected. Throughout a career that has taken Bill from Dallas to Los Angeles to Southern Oregon, in his own words, "Film is my life."
Ray Robison
Education and Membership
After graduating from Montana State University with a degree in Film and Television Production Robison produced and directed TV commercials for television stations in Montana and Oregon before establishing his own production company, Bison Video Productions in 1994. Projects have run the gamut of production from marketing videos, event videos, game shows, music videos, and television commercials. From 1999 to 2004 he taught two electives in Video Production for Ashland High School students. More recently Robison has directed two low budget features and two narrative short films winning 10 awards at film festivals across the country including "Best Feature" at CineFest 2009 in Louisville Kentucky, "Northwest Emerging Artist Award" at the Salem Film Festival and "Best of Show" at DIVA OpenLens in Eugene Oregon. Robison is currently a Multi-media Production Specialist for the Southern Oregon Education Service District.