Valentina

Araeia Robinson.

Director. Associate Producer

Araeia (A-ray-uh) Robinson was born and bred in the beautifully raw melting pot of Philadelphia where her love for the visual arts took root at an early age. Her passion for storytelling and ultimately filmmaking, was born while studying theater in high school.

While earning her Bachelors in Film and Media Arts at Temple University, Araeia began directing music videos for eclectic emerging artists that would later influence her narrative style. Upon graduating, she migrated to Los Angeles to pursue writing and directing. She earned her stripes coordinating and production managing commercials for companies like The Directors Bureau, Wondros, Green Dot Films and Prettybird- while also directing music videos for artists like Amanda Blank and Def Sound.

Araeia continues to write and direct films, music videos and fashion stories that reflect her unique sensibilities and cultural curiosities — ranging from urban magical realism to experimental dramas. Her latest endeavor is the new short political horror film, "Val-en-tina".

Jaquita Ta'le.

Writer. Executive Producer

Her writing credits include "Val-en-tina" (Executive Producer, Co-Writer), "Word?! I Didn't Know (_________) Could Get Down Like That!" (Producer, Co-Director), and "A Rude Gal's Guide To..." (Co-writer, Actor). Acting credits include, Castle, Shameless, Criminal Minds, Roswell and ER.

A native Angeleno and lifelong cinephile, Jaquita Ta’le first discovered her passion for storytelling as a child actor (credits include "Hanging With Mr. Cooper", "ER", and "Roswell"). After graduating from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA double major in Theatre and Dramatic Writing, Jaquita embarked upon a life-changing journey throughout South Africa and Western Europe that resulted in a co-directed travelogue-cum-documentary about Global Hip Hop and urban youth culture. The documentary film, "Word?! I Didn't Know (________) Could Get Down Like That" was a 2008 official selection of the Pan-African Film Festival, and firmly cemented Jaquita's desire to shine a light on often marginalized and underserved communities.


Composer: Tim Kvasnosky

Producers: Jaquita Ta'le, Carlton Byrd, Cady McClain, Jerry Ford

CREW

Unit Production Manager -Abraham Amkpa

First Assistant Director - Sam May
Script Supervisor- Osayande Ta’le-Sekani
Steadicam- William Walsh

First Assistant Camera- Marissa Deal

DIT- Simon Hayes

Sound Mixer- Paul Losada
Boom-Op- Stephen Harrod
Property Master: Julian James
Special Effects Makeup and Hair- Jennifer Thrasher Thrasher Makeup
Gaffer- Kevin Castro
Key Grip- Ryan Hueter, Keelan Carothers
Best Boy Grip - Oscar Matute
Still Photographer: Garrett Mercer
Visual Effects by: PIKE FX

Guitarist: Adam Levy

Sound Editor: Matthew Polis, Cody Ball
Additional Sound Editor: Damien Curry
Production Intern- Rebecca Tessier

Craft Services- Robin Green

Carlton Byrd.

Writer. Executive Producer.

Writing credits include, “Valentina” (Executive Producer, Co-Writer), Slow (Co-writer, Actor), Close. (Co-Writer, Actor), Train (Co-Writer, Actor), and A Walk in the Park (Co-Writer, Actor). Acting credits include, Holding Patterns, Woodlawn, Life of a King, Castle, Major Crimes and Blue Bloods.

An immense talent and passionate storyteller, Carlton Byrd’s work in TV and film has gained him the universal respect and admiration of audiences and colleagues alike. A Ron Howard Foundation Scholarship recipient and graduate of New York University’s Tisch School for the Arts, Carlton has produced, Co-written, developed, and performed in numerous award winning films and theater productions. In an effort to bring more diverse voices to the Los Angeles theater community, Carlton is a literary consultant and founding member of the Ammunition Theatre Company, and a frequent collaborator with the legendary Center Theater Group.