TRANCE PRODUCTIONS

Director - Writer - Cinematographer

Michael NJ Wright is an Award winning Filmmaker in Writing, Directing and Cinematography. He is the recipient of a Midwest Region Emmy and 7 Telly Awards for his work in Television and Independent Cinema.

Clients have included, WTTW, WSNS, WMAQ, HBO, NAACP, Chicago Blackhawks, MTV, ESPN, Sears, Northwestern Hospital, Indiana Lottery and McDonald’s.

His inventive Motion-Panel Photo Novella is referenced in the University of Salamanca’s “Clasicos Y Contemporaneo En El Genero Negro” (Alex Martin Escriba & Javier Sanchez Zapatero).

Most recently he was the Gaffer on the “Conrad” TV Pilot, Lighting Director of the Invictus Production of “Merchant of Venice” and “A Raisin in the Sun ” and the Writer, Director, DP of the Amazon original Documentary “American Fumble.” Wright currently is an Instructor of Cinema Lighting at Columbia College, Chicago.

A lifelong Chicagoan of Hyde Park as well as an American Film Institute Fellow Wright prefers Rye to Bourbon, is married to Producer Caro Posse and father of Hip Hop Artist, Marcelo Augustus Wright all the while secretly dreaming of owning a Teal and White 1963 Thunderbird Convertible.

Producer - Director - Camera Operator

Filmmaking wasn’t a “flavor of the day” or something to tell everyone you did to make yourself look cool. For Vincent Baran, making movies was about creating a visual element for a two dimensional story in someone’s head. It is about bringing people, places, and situations to light that you wouldn’t necessarily run into on a daily basis. It started with being exposed to various genres of films as a child. Vince watched and re-watched movies that stuck out to him as being “different”. Not to many children would be watching House on Haunted Hill (1959) then popping in a VHS of Free Willy (1993) and then wrapping up the weekend at Blockbuster, renting Once Bitten (1985). At the time, it wasn’t about which actors were in the film, who directed it, or even what the message was. It was a purely innocent love for what was being played out on screen. Naturally, that love stuck with him throughout his life. After attending college and majoring in film production, he set off to work on various Hollywood productions and TV shows. While it was a huge goal to finally work on the movies and shows that started this passion, none of it was offering the opportunity to take an idea from start to finish. He wanted to be there from conception, until it was walking on its own. He decide he wanted to call the shots. What did life have in store? Well... it just so happens that during the same time that he was working on NBC’s Chicago Fire, he connected with Paskal Pawlicki who just so happened to be on the same wavelength. Long story short, we now have the production powerhouse known as Trance Productions creating everything from commercials, music videos and feature films, to equipment rental and production guidance. If you want something special and something “different that the rest”, Vince is your person to go to. He’ll take that idea in your head and build a world around it that everyone will want to be a part of.

Assistant Director - Animator

As a self motivated and skillful individual Richard has been able to work along side of some of the film industry’s best. In the eight years that he has dedicated to a career in film and television, Richard has acquired quite the resume. Having worked on television series such as Chicago Fire, The Chi, and network television’s number one series “Empire” as well as some highly anticipated feature films, his experience is a great addition to any camera crew. In addition to his work on set Richard also manages to pursue his apply his skills off set as well, utilizing his background in media arts and animation to created a multitude of stunning visuals. Driven by his love of the arts, he always puts his best foot forward to ensure quality results.

Director - Writer - Editor

From a very young age, Matthew Weinstein was always drawn to movies and storytelling. A media studies major at Northern Illinois University, Matthew fine tuned his filmmaking craft wearing several hats ranging from director, editor, to cameraman on various short films. Upon graduating, he was able to parlay those skills into a substantial body of work eventually editing several short films, news programs, music videos, and trailers. In 2014, he directed, produced, and edited the short film “The Gun Equation,” which was listed in the Short Film Catalog at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. Following that, he wrote, produced, and directed the short film “A Missed Connection.”

As a director, Matthew is attracted to films with compelling stories, dynamic characters, and provocative themes.

Key Grip - Gaffer

Writer - Director - Producer

Tyler Pistorius is a filmmaker currently residing in Chicago. Prior to moving to the city, he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Acting in 2010 and studied at the Moscow Art Theatre in 2008.

Since his move to Chicago, he has been involved in multiple theatre projects, working with various companies like The Organic Theatre Company, Prop Thtr, Wayward Women, The Right Brain Project, etc. He has also produced two short documentary web series under The Underground Multiplex titled The Lost Marionettes of Ralph Kipniss and The Resurrection of Tristan Meinecke.

He works with Trance Film Productions as a producer, writer, and director. His work with Trance began in 2015 with the production of Path of Egress. Ever since, he has worked with the company on various commercials, as well as producing and directing an upcoming short film Mollusk.

Cinematographer - Steadicam Operator

Austin Vinas is a Chicago Native, Army Vet, Cinematographer, and Steadicam Operator. With his worldly experience and collaborative nature, Austin helps bring synergy and draws out others creativity during productions. He is a hard worker and strives for the best possible looking frame in relation to the narrative.

1st AC - Camera Operator - Grip - Electric

Specialized in production and post-production since 2012. Can attach any size camera safely in the weirdest and most difficult of places to get the shot! Worked with a wide variety of clients including Major League Gaming, Nike, Soccer Bible, Chicago Vodka, Neyah Wine, NBC & Twentieth Century Fox. Dj is our Swiss army knife. He is passionate about every inch of production.

Production Sound Mixer - Boom Operator - Writer

Loren has more than 10 years experience running audio on film and commercial sets. He has a lot of passion for working in film and brings a lot of good energy and teamwork elements to every project he’s involved in. He excels in time efficient trouble-shooting and multi-taking.

Loren has also been involved in writing comedy and dabbled in stand-up comedy in Chicago at open-mics and show-cases. Loren also serves as one of our in house writers.

Producer - Grip - Electric - Special Effects

Costume Builder - On-Set Wardrobe