Richard Polite
Richard made his broadcasting mark by winning five television Ace Awards for a signature network music series. Richard then segued from production to management, while pursuing his Master’s in Film at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA.
Richard has produced for CBN Network's highest-rated programs at the time, shows such as the Emmy-award winning Scarecrow and Mrs. King and Remington Steele.
Richard and his work have been profiled on the Family Channel, The BET Network, Bravo, and MTV. Richard Polite comes to us with over 30 years of creative television and film experience.
Richard Polite is the Managing Director of TFI responsible for the day to day operations of the institute.
Chey Sanders
Chey Sanders has been teaching, directing, coaching, writing and producing for over 30 years. She served as the Education Director at Creative Arts Theater & School as Head Acting Consultant.
Her undergraduate degree is a BA in Secondary Education Drama/Theater from the University of Hawaii. She has two masters, one in Communication Radio, TV, Film and an MA in Marriage/Family Counseling, both from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Chey loves teaching people of all ages and is passionate about her faith.
LeeAnn Barna
Leann Barna holds an M.A. in Cinema and Television/Script and Screenwriting and an M.A. in Biblical Studies from Regent University.
She has worked as a story analyst for studios, production companies, and screenwriting competitions, including PureFlix, Disney, Mar Vista Entertainment, BlueCat Screenplay Competition, Goldcrest Films, and Eclectic Pictures. She has extensive experience in all aspects of film festival production, including judging/programming for the DTLA Film Festival, NYC Independent Film Festival, and the Artemis Women in Action Film Festival.
Tad Newberry
Mr. Newberry is a 25-year veteran in film production, communications, and the visual arts. Multi-Telly Award winner, he has made a niche for himself working in reality television, and he has also done commercials, music videos, and short films.
As head joke writer, director, and editor for several long-running cable sports television shows, his work has aired on the Bravo Network, NBC Sports Outdoors, Destination America, and others.
His education includes a B.A. in Business Admin. and an M.A. in Film Communications.
Mark Keuthan
Doctor of Philosophy, Communication Studies, areas of concentration: Theology, Theory, History, Critical Studies in Literature, Film, and Television, Script and Screenwriting; Experience as both classroom and online university instructor at Regent University.
Experienced researcher and published writer in Communication Critical Studies, seasoned and dynamic communicator with teaching, logistic, production and writing abilities. Award Winning script and screenwriter, story consultant, actor, director.
Bruce Marchiano
Marchiano was born in Orange County, California. His first role was in a 1985 episode of Murder, She Wrote, which was followed by appearances in LA Law, Columbo, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital to name a few.
Marchiano has portrayed Jesus in more films than any actor in history; a distinction he holds as a great honor. A Hollywood actor, Bruce came to Jesus as Lord and Savior in 1989. In 1993 he was cast to portray Jesus in The Gospel of Matthew, widely considered one of the most landmark Jesus films ever made.
The experience was life-changing, and Bruce turned from his secular career to Christian films, ministry and writing. Bruce's many Christian films are numerous including the Pure Flix hit The Encounter.