About our Team
SARA NESS - Producer and Director
Sara is a member of Royal House co-op in Austin, Texas, and executive producer and director of the film "Year of the Cooperative". This is her first major film, and she's really excited about her great team and all the work they've done so far. Sara has lived in cooperatives for two years. She bakes, bikes, dances swing, and fosters kittens. She wants to show the world that just by changing your housing, you can have endless opportunities for joy; and that no matter how much or little you know, anybody can create something beautiful.
JOSEPH HASSAGE - Director of Photography
Joseph is such a talented director it's not even funny. He likes to eat meat, shop at urban outfitters, and make friendship bracelets. He also doesn't want you to know that his favorite movie is Spice World. He still owns the VHS.
IVY DAVILA - Associate Producer
Ivy's carefree days of using any one of her 14 siblings to film parodies and short films as a child have turned into a passion for film and tv production. An RTF grad and alumni from the producing program of New York Film Academy has led Ivy to working behind the scenes as casting director to production manager on Tze Chun's Silver Sling, Andrew Bujalski's Computer Chess, and a stint on Fearless Music TV where you could have found her operating the camera. She will always have film on her brain.
SARAH KOLB - Associate Producer
Sarah is a film student and cooperative resident that couldn't be more excited about being apart of this project. In her spare time she likes to watch Dr. Who and takes full advantage of buffets.
IAN NEEBURMEN - Associate Producer
Ian is one creative fellow. He might be young but this kid does everything from editing, logo designs, and probably some mad DJing if you're lucky.
GRIGOR KEZELE - Cinematographer
Grigor Kezele has a BA in theatre and media communication from Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi. His main focus is writing/directing with a background in technical theatre and camera operating. He has attanded Motovun Film School twice and was screened during the Motovun Film Festival. He has worked for IATSE for over 5 years, and IFilms for 4 years on various positions and events. In the past, he was an apprentice/study for the Croatian National Puppet Theatre, and invited as a full time cast in Split Youth Theatre. His most significant recognition was at the Kenedy Center American College Theater Festival as a regional nominee both 2007 and 2008. Most importantly, Grigor is a passionate member of House of Commons co-op, which made him fall in love with cooperative living. He currently serves his second term on Inter-Cooperative Council board of directors as a facilities coordinator.
JULIE COOMBES - Researcher
Julie is a professional writer, editor and researcher. She has over 15 years' experience developing educational and promotional exhibits, brochures, videos and web content on topics ranging from history and literature to science and medicine. For fun, Julie makes art, blogs, and occasionally performs improv and spoken-word essays. For the Year of the Cooperative Project, Julie is researching co-op interview and location sites, and whatever else they ask her to do.
