Karina J. Duffy, President/Founder
Karina’s keen eye in capturing the essence of a person and place shows in her outstanding work as a director, producer and camerawoman. At the centre of all her projects is the goal of raising awareness and inspiring viewers to feel with their hearts. It is her life mission to become the bridge between the worlds of western audiences and the untold stories of tribes, revealing the awareness of Oneness that resides in us all.
The early part of Karina Duffy’s career began in the music industry, where she formed “Vibe Records” in her hometown of Manchester, England. At the early age of 16, Karina successfully managed the record label and state-of-the-art studio and worked alongside chart hitting recording artists such as KC and the Sunshine Band, Brotherhood, 808 State and K-Klass.
Karina ventured on to work for the BBC in England before moving to Los Angeles, California where she established Mindstorm Creative. Mindstorm began as a Post Production Studio but has since evolved into a film production company specializing in conscious media, films, documentaries, music videos.
Karina first embarked upon the journey of connecting ancient and modern civilizations in 2002 upon meeting the Maori Healers of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Her fascination with the ancient Maori method of healing initiated her to direct the film The Healers. The footage was so rich and captivating that it sparked a larger vision of global connection, Tahi – The Human Journey. She has spent the last 5 years filming around the world bearing witness to the unfolding miracles and stories of Tahi – The Human Journey.
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Will Philp, Producer, Writer, Editor
As a multi-faceted creative professional, Will Philip balances his love for art and passion for quality entertainment by constantly honing skills in the fields of audio and visual media. After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Cinema from San Francisco State University he spent several years as a crew chief and live sound technician for some of the Bay Area’s premier events and establishments.
In the midst of beginning a career in media and entertainment, he directed and produced a short for Sundance Film Festival in 2002, served a number of independent films and commercial productions throughout San Francisco and Los Angeles, and is currently in pre-production on a feature length film Akua, about a young woman’s mystic travels through a desert underworld.
In addition to a decade of production experience, Will is a talented graphic artist and print designer making him an essential element to any production. With the movement and progression of conscious art at the core of his ambition, Will has joined Mindstorm in an effort to bring community and collective awareness to audiences world-wide.
J.David Prusmack, Producer, Camera, Editor
David’s patience, vision and sense of timing make him a tremendous asset to the Tahi team. His keen eye for composition was developed while studying Fine Arts in Houston, Texas. After moving to L.A., David’s passion for creative expression lead him to develop his natural photographic talent. In the last few years, David has produced, filmed, and edited numerous shorts and music videos around the world for Mindstorm Creative.
David’s dedication and focus is evidenced by his ability to successfully narrow down 500 hours of footage into a succinct rough cut for Tahi – The Human Journey. His ability to focus on details while maintaining the bigger picture make him a reliable producing partner and right-hand-man in the field. When he’s not in the editing booth, David enjoys connecting with nature by enjoying the meditative quality of surfing.
Bjorn Ahman, Producer, Editor
Bjorn, works as a full-time Drama Director, Screen Writer, Director of Photography (DP), Producer and Actor for many independent films and documentaries throughout New Zealand. Bjorn has worked in the position of Camera Operator for Mindstorm Productions on the project Tahi alongside Karina Duffy for many years as part of her production team and was on location shooting in Thailand and New Zealand for Tahi.
Bjorn’s fascination with the film-world sparked at the early age of 12. Once given his first camcorder he set out to fulfill his creative ambitions which gave rise to many short films. This in term lead to his acceptance into South Seas Film And Television School one of New Zealand's highest ranked film schools. Bjorn’s main passion formed in drama directing and screen writing. He is now currently working towards finishing his feature film Between Sky and Space a film that explores the concept of people living inside their minds instead of the reality that surrounds us. Bjorn has recently Directed and Produced a MTV Music Video Drowned for the New Zealand band Kassium.
Bjorn owns an independent production company called OnAMuffen Productions featured in New Zealand which specializes in short films and documentaries. His last position as Online Producer with TVNZ leading major TV station in New Zealand lead him onto being a full time editor and producer with Mindstorm.
Andreea Petruse, Producer, Writer
Andreea was born and lived her childhood in Romania, and spent a lot of her life travelling, in pursuit of deeper self-awareness, and expansion of perception. She has a background in Cultural Anthropological studies, transpersonal psychology, and documentary filmmaking. She has extensive experience in working with children, as well as kids, teens, and adults with Autism and ADHD. She has also participated in developing various projects for improving health around the world. Her entire life she has felt a deep heart connection to all life around her, a strongly empathic and compassionate understanding of people and the natural world. She is honored to work as Producer and Writer, alongside Karina Duffy for Tahi-The Human Journey film, a film which she believes, promises to bring people together through deeper understanding of the bond that exists between all members of the Human Tribe.
Tricia van Klaveren, Executive Producer
Tricia van Klaveren is a film producer and the principal of Fully Loaded Pictures. She has produced or executive produced the following theatrical films and documentaries: Lying, World Premiere Cannes 2006, and Director’s Fortnight; Edmond, World Premiere Venice 2005; The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things, World Premiere Cannes 2004, and Directors Fortnight; I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, North American Premiere, Sundance 2004; The Killer Inside Me, Sundance 2010; and Vanishing of the Bees.
Tricia is on the board of, Herflix.com a new online entertainment portal for women, and Film Angels, the world’s first professional angel investor group for independent film. She is also a founding board member of the International Emerging Talent Film Festival (IETFF), Monte Carlo, which features emerging global film talent. Prior to producing, Tricia was an executive with an international film sales and financing company in Los Angeles, a senior executive/board member of an entertainment technology company and an attorney in New York City. She holds a JD/MSFS from Georgetown University where she graduated with honors. Tricia has been on board Executive Producing with Karina and Mindstorm for several years and has consulted many times on various productions. within Mindstorm.
Elyse Katz, Line Producer, Researcher
Elyse Katz is an independent Producer of features, TV series, documentaries, promotional programming, live events, and DVD content. Her career covers a broad spectrum in the film industry, including producer, production manager, line producer and researcher. As a documentary filmmaker, Elyse has focused on producing issue-oriented, socially conscious films. Her first documentary, The Last Days, was honored with the 1998 Academy Award for Feature Documentary. Produced by Steven Spielberg and the Shoah Visual History Foundation, the film captures the powerfully moving story of five Hungarian Holocaust survivors during the final days of World War II.
As a Producer, Elyse Katz' credits include Trudell. The film Trudell premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival and garnered the prestigious Best Documentary Award at the 2005 Seattle Film Festival. She also produced the documentary films, The Fire Within, Bellyfruit, which premiered at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival in 2004. Elyse also served as the post-production consultant for Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion, a film documenting Tibet’s struggle for independence. Elyse is passionate about environmental issues, which is reflected in her current projects. Redwood Summer is the true story of environmental activists Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney and their quest in saving the Northern California Redwoods. Elyse’s expertise in researching served as a great asset to the Mindstorm team in finding the perfect locations and people to film.
Dan Leftwich, Executive Producer
Dan Leftwich is an attorney in Boulder, Colorado, and he serves as an Executive Producer for Tahi. Dan has a Bachelor's degree in journalism from The University of Texas, and earned his law degree from The University of Texas School of Law in 1989. For nearly 20 years, his legal practice revolved around antitrust class action litigation against some of the world's largest corporations, primarily with his former law firm based in Washington, D.C. As the result of a major spiritual awakening, Dan has developed a new legal practice called Evolutionary Law, in which he promotes the transformation of laws so the rights of Nature and humanity are in balance, through education, legislation, community dialogue and litigation consulting. Dan is also a Oneness Trainer, certified by the Oneness University in India. In 2009, he started a company called MindDrive Ventures, which is involved in projects that shift communities toward unity consciousness values and sustainable living patterns.
Ruth Makuini Tai, Executive Producer, Tribal Consultant
Ruth is from Aotearoa New Zealand and has been part of the Mindstorm & Tahi Team since its inception. Proud of her Maori heritage she weaves the ancient wisdom of her ancestors with modern know for the benefit of humanity and all life. Her multi-dimensional approach to life leads people to describe her as an Holistic Entrepreneur, Maori Language Scholar, Edgewalker, Wisdom Keeper and Ambassador for Peace. Ruth is passionate about Earthcare, Human Potential and Sustainable Living. She recognizes that indigenous people who have retained their close connection to Nature and Cosmos, knowing themselves as Seeds of Greatness, have much to contribute to the modern world.
In 1990 Ruth left her career as a teacher trainer for the state education system and became an entrepreneur. She has grown her entrepreneurial spirit through self publishing, building construction, network marketing, workshop facilitation re whole brain and human potential and hosting spirit journeys. The facilitation and hosting experiences have led to invitations from leading international event organisers to visit their country and participate in or lead human potential or Earthcare events and spirit journeys. Today she is exploring holistic entrepreneurial practices that help people move beyond "earning a living" to "living your passion". Read more at www.arohaeducation.com.
Kathleen Lewis, Co-Producer, Quantum Consultant
Kathleen Lewis, D.C., accesses the quantum field of possibilities to assist you in consciously connecting to Source. She holds a space for you to clear blocks at any dimensional level of your being that keep you from fulfilling your spirit’s purpose. Her classes, such as The Seven Rays, Spinning Light™, Quantum Quickening, and Meditation Made Easy, create spiritual activation and shepherd spiritual development. She had a year-long radio show on www.bigmedia.com, combining quantum physics principles with spiritual information and meditation. She has a multidimensional practice as a chiropractor, quantum biofeedback technician, spiritual activator and teacher in Los Angeles, California. She graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Cleveland Chiropractic College.
As a Co- Producer of Tahi- The Human Journey, Dr. Lewis created a morphic field for Tahi to be brought into manifestation and for those who resonate with the energy and message of Tahi to be drawn to the project. She can be reached through her website, www.spinninglight.com.
Michelle McGregor, Co Producer, Researcher
An established documentary director and producer, Michelle McGregor grew up in Dunedin New Zealand and attended Otago University. Realizing she was much more inclined towards film’s practicalities than its historical or theoretical side, she attended the South Seas Film and Television School in Auckland in 2001. Her latest award winning film, The Return Home, documents the late legendary Maori Poet, Hone Tuwhare, as he journey back to his homelands of New Zealand. The film became a huge hit amongst audiences in New Zealand.
Michelle, a lifelong friend and producing partner with Karina, has an incredible eye for films with an indigenous nature. Often she ‘held down the fort’ and even in the most difficult situations, such as shooting in remote tribal lands, Michelle remains calm and collected. A native New Zealander she understands Maori culture, the Indigenous of her country so her assistance was imperative with productions with Mindstorm.
Omar Gonzalez, Post Production Supervisor
As a student at the University of California at San Diego, Omar Gonzalez directed, shot, and edited over 20 short film and video projects, several of which screened in festivals throughout North America. Since graduating, he has taught filmmaking at the Lee Strasberg Institute and the New York Film Academy; served as the Assistant Director of the San Diego Latino Film Festival; worked as an assistant at New Line Cinema; and was a development associate for the production company that co-produced The Others. More recently, Omar found and developed stories for Teens, a prime time documentary special for the WB network, was a Film Independent (IFP/West) Project Involve honoree, and was a finalist for the prestigious Sundance Writers Lab. He currently freelances as a documentary videographer and editor, teaches video production at the Art Institute of California – Los Angeles, and continues to develop his own personal projects.
Hitoshi Inouet, Special Effects, Director of Photography
Hitoshi Inoue brings more than eight years of artistic, creative and technical expertise to the Tahi team. As a 2-D artist, Hitoshi specializes in compositing, wire, harness and crane removal tasks for films, commercials, music videos and television programs. His visual artistry credits include Vendetta, Desert Heat and Inspector Gadget. His other experiences include shooting a miniature model of a ship and decorating it to achieve a photo-realistic appearance in HBO’s Vendetta, and using visual effects make-up techniques to transform an actor’s skin texture in A Stir of Echoes.
Hitoshi has also been an in-house visual effects supervisor and has experience working in sound design on several projects including: The Others, The X-Files, Some Like It Hot, and The Last Patient, Golden Blaze. For Men In Black, Hitoshi assisted in creating and editing alien language. Previously, as a visual effects editor, he worked on Starship Troopers, The Jackal, Titanic, Deep Rising, Paulie and Dr. Dolittle. Hitoshi also edited a spot for Mitsubishi cars and an opening teaser for the 2001 season finale of The X-Files. Began his career in the entertainment industry working as an intern at James Cameron’s company Lightstorm Entertainment.
Tahi –-The Human Journey tells a story of global connection by following the lives of people in both ancient and modern civilizations.
It threads together themes of love, hope, separation, survival, community and celebration into an elegant tapestry of the human experience. Filmmakers draw from the fields of psychology, sociology, anthropology, communications and sustainability to craft a powerful message that inspires the audience to connect to their own emotions, to their fellow humans, and to the planet as a whole.
See More at: www.tahithehumanjourney.com
The Healers film , takes us on a journey with The Maori Healers, that heal with a traditional Maori Healing from New Zealand.
Chants, intense healing, maori wisdom and knowledge unfolds upon the journey as the remove cancer and other illnesses, emotional and physical blocks from the body and balance our mind, body and spirit connecting us to the core of ourselves once again.
This film is still in Post Production and will be coming out soon as a short film.
For more information about these incredible healers and if they are coming to heal in a city near you.. See: www.maorihealers.com
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