ARMANDO ZUNIGA / Founder & Executive Creative Director
Born in Mexico City, Armando is a multi-awarded Creative Director. He has spent his life working in different countries and traveling around the world making music and working on various photography and film projects.
His multiple interactions with different cultures and love for what the world has to offer prompted him to create the Dangerous Beauty Project. He believes in equality of cultures and aims with this to break with stigmas and change negative perceptions of certain nations.
ERIC MACHIELA / Producer
Eric Machiela is co-founder of Gorilla, a Grand Rapids, Michigan and Los Angeles-based film and production company. He has created award-winning commercial work in over 30 countries. He has co-wrote three feature films — Beautiful Prison, Pirate’s Code: The Adventures of Mickey Matson (starring Christopher Lloyd), and the upcoming feature film Camp Manna, which he also directed. He is the Executive Producer of the Australian feature film, Arrowhead, distributed in over 40 territories. He also executive-produced the outdoor reality series Exploring Kaman, which was acquired by Mark Cuban for AXS TV. His passion lies in storytelling which elevates the human condition.
ALEX STUESSY / Communications & Outreach Director
Alex is an experienced strategist and storyteller, earning accolades for his campaign work on brands such as Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Miller Lite, among others. He has also written, performed, and produced a number of theatrical experiences on stages across Chicago, including The Second City de Maat Studio Theater and iO.
In his work, art and travels, Alex explores the nature of human connection, seeking provocative ways to break down the borders--real or imagined--that we create in life. Alex is excited to support The Dangerous Beauty Project for its potential to do just that.
JULIE SMYTH / Art Director & Researcher
Julie is a Senior Art Director from Chicago with over 10 years of experience having worked on a variety of different projects for brands such as Gatorade and Hyundai amongst others. Her strength lies on making concepts come to life in the form of beautiful visual expressions.
Her passion and love for discovering cultures and travel is what makes her a great asset for the project. She believes that every cultural interaction can be a tremendous learning experience, that connects the world one person at a time. Her addition to this project will help the mission and propagate the endearment that we should have for one another. She joined Dangerous Beauty in February 2017.
MAX EMANUELSON / Photographer
Norwegian photographer with vast experience in lifestyle and commercial, Max has photographed everything from some of Norway´s largest industrial companies to biggest pop Scandinavian artists Marcus and Martinus, .
Ever since he was young, human equality and the wellbeing of others has been a big part of his essence. Being surrounded by a large culturally diverse community, he has always had the urge to create images that could change the perception the world has on certain groups of people and nations. This project is his endeavor to accomplish that.
CHARLOTTE CARR / Editor & Post Production
Charlotte is a Senior Editor with over a decade's industry experience. Both a skilled technician and a collaborative creative, she has worked on award winning title sequences, commercials, promos and music videos for some of the world's biggest brands including Nike, MTV and Jack Daniels.
Originally from London Charlotte has worked for The Mill Group across three of their main offices in London, New York and is currently based in Chicago. Outside of her enthusiasm for storytelling through editing, Charlotte loves to travel and meet people from around the world.
JEFF SUKES / Cinematographer
Jeff is an American cinematographer currently based in Michigan. As a cinematographer he has worked on countless projects ranging from national television commercials, to music videos, documentary films, and feature films.
Jeff has had the opportunity to shoot multiple projects abroad in countries such as, China, South Korea, Denmark, France and the United Kingdom. This has fueled his passion to experience, explore, and to tell the stories of people around the world.
SCOTT MCCAMBRIDGE / Editor
Scott is an editor of independent and commercial films with eight years of professional experience. As an editor, he has had the privilege to traverse the globe working with a vast client list that includes Riot Games, Lexus and Uniqlo amongst others. His work has been recognized with numerous accolades including national Addy awards and Vimeo Staff Picks. He recently edited the beautiful film ‘Father The Flame” and the comedy “Camp Manna”.
LAURIE ADRIANOPOLI / Post Producer
A native Chicagoan who enjoys being a patron of the arts and helping others. Laurie went to college at DePaul University where she studied Digital Cinema & Computer Science. She's naturally curious about people and is passionate about telling interesting stories that open people's hearts and minds.
She is the Sales & Marketing Executive Producer for The Whitehouse Post & Carbon VFX in Chicago. She brings with her over a decade of experience in Post Production. Her background includes collaborations on campaigns for high-profile clients including Guinness, Prada, Netflix, and HBO.
Her addition to our team brings a deep sense of care for the work as well as consistently ensuring the team delivers premium quality creative from the onset through to the final delivery.
LINDSEY MAZUR / Colorist
Lindsey is a colourist working at The Mill Chicago. Her work ranges from music videos for artists such as Post Animal and Jamila Woods; branded content for the likes of Nike and Shinola; and an eclectic mix of narrative work. She's established strong relationships with local creatives in both the advertising and film communities. She loves building and cultivating relationships by collaborating in the suite.
Lindsey is also an avid photographer and sees it as a visceral way of documenting memories of her travels. Lately, she’s been really into yoga and mood rings, but that might change tomorrow.
JOHN "JOAO" FERREIRA / Sound Engineer
John is a Portuguese music producer born in South Africa who founded Genuine Music in Chicago. John creates and produces sound tracks for films and commercials in the USA, Thailand, Indonesia and others in the SE Asia region.
John’s passion for music comes from the early days in SA being amazed at the rich and unique music culture of South Africa, especially the rhythms the beats. The incredible energy created by these moments has been a source of inspiration since childhood till this day.