JE SUIS ARIEL SHEPHER-OPPENHEIM

Occupation: Writer, Director, Actor

Instagram: Shoppenheim

Where were you born? 
I’m from Los Angeles, and I definitely grew up as a product of the television and film culture here. I studied playwriting at Yale, and then came back to LA to do more theater and film.

In one sentence what is unique about your work?
I think (well, hope) that my work always has a particular kind of playfulness to it. Though there are certainly more dramatic parts, I always try to have fun while I'm working, and I think that really comes out in the pieces. 

Why do you do what you do?
It definitely comes out of a love of storytelling in general. I’ve always considered myself a reader and a viewer foremost (I love consuming TV, film, novels, you name it) and I think my desire to create comes out of a wish to participate, to be in conversation with the pieces I find inspiring or thought-provoking.

What inspires you?
Plenty of great movies and TV shows, but I’m also really influenced by art and music. Luckily LA has had somewhat of an artistic renaissance recently, and we’ve been getting the most amazing exhibits here. James Turrell’s retrospective at LACMA, Cindy Sherman’s recent exhibit at the Broad Museum, just being around a lot of those pieces made me want to rush home and create something.

Describe your personal style.
Tomboy-ish, with a silly edge. I’m almost always wearing very ridiculous socks. I have a rainbow-colored pair with giant pot leaves on them, which I really enjoy wearing. It’s very difficult to take yourself too seriously when you’re wearing rainbow-colored pot socks.

Your ultimate must-have. A book. Or an ebook on my phone. To be caught without that and stuck somewhere, entirely contentless, is a highly unsatisfying experience.

What superpower would you have and why?
I would want the ability to stop time. There are always about 40,000 things I would like to be seeing, reading, and creating at any given time. It would be awesome to have enough time to actually do all those things (for example, I’d love to finish, or more specifically, begin and then finish, any of those big Russian novels sitting on my bookshelf). And to take a freakishly long vacation without anybody noticing.

What is next for you?
Right now I’m writing on a new Netflix show called Llama Llama (which will be out next year). Once that finishes up, the plan is to go full-speed ahead to make the feature version of Fuck You From LA (you can check out the short at fuckyoufromla.com).

Je Suis Jaime Zevallos

Occupation: ACTOR

Instagram: @jaimezevallos

Where were you born?

Lima, Peru

In one sentence what is unique about your work?

I really look at the human element of everything and where my global point of view is in my work. I think my work can appeal to everyone.

Why do you do what you do?

Not sure yet. When I find out the logical why I'll be surprised. It's just something that I can do and feels right.

What inspires you?

People. Good hearted people.

Describe your personal style. As an actor I usually do drama but I love comedy and odd comedy at that. I have not been limited by my look and that's rare in Hollywood.

Your ultimate must-have.

A Paul Newman Vintage Rolex.

What superpower would you have and why?

I would be a cute dog for a day. They have the life.

What is next for you?

I just wrapped a movie called: The Summoning. It's a thriller I did alongside Eric Roberts based on real life events. It comes out this January; I'm very excited about this one.

Je Suis Nancy Spielberg

Occupation: Producer

Instagram: n/a

Where were you born?

Born in NJ, USA, but moved out west to Arizona when I was a baby.

In one sentence what is unique about your work?

I help capture stories of the unsung heroes among us, or those that were never acknowledged for their heroic efforts. Also, I produce films that hopefully will inspire, education, preserve our heritage and history.

Why do you do what you do?

I love story telling. I love the fact that there are so many incredible stories all around us. We just need to listen, open our eyes, and recognize that.

What inspires you?

My father who will be 100 in 2 weeks and always encouraged us to dream and be kind and explore, and my mom who is 97 and who encouraged us to be ourselves and chase our dreams.

Describe your personal style.

I’m a bit funky. Not the typical Jewish mommy! Cowboy boots and jeans are my uniform. i think I’m 18... Then I look in the mirror. Love to hang with my two daughters- Jessy Katz who is a singer and actress living in Tel Aviv, and Melissa Katz who is an equestrian and mixologist living in L.A.

Your ultimate must-have.

My doggy and coffee... and champagne... and nachos... I love nachos.

What superpower would you have and why?

Of course i would fly- I’ve always wanted to fly. Every child wants to fly- Peter Pan syndrome and- I want the superpower to eat whatever I want and never get fat.

What is next for you?

Lots of things: who will write our history is a documentary I’m exec-producing about the secret buried archives of the Warsaw ghetto. Also a feature film and putting together a film fund to help produce a slate of carefully chosen documentaries that help preserve Jewish heritage and culture.

www.aboveandbeyondthemovie.com/

www.whowillwriteourhistory.com

www.onthemapfilm.com