Tony Barracca, President

Tony has been a working member of Local 476 since 1994. In those 27 years, he served the union in a supervising role for 26 of those years. During his tenure, he worked on 23 feature titles and 17 full seasons of episodic TV, adding up to over 300 episodes and 6 pilots. He has been a member of the Executive Board for 12 years and currently serves as the Business Agent/Secretary Treasurer of Local 476.

In his earlier years, Tony attended college, managed two restaurants, and aspired to be a professional musician. He opened a successful restaurant while working for Local 476 simultaneously for 20 years. His decision to sell the restaurant in 2017 was based solely on reaching his goal to Business Agent/Secretary Treasurer of Local 476. According to Tony, “I couldn’t focus on serving as Business Agent/Secretary Treasurer if elected, so I decided to sell the restaurant to better serve the union.

On a personal note, Tony has been blessed with a wonderful marriage of 37 years, 5 daughters, 3 sons, and 9 grandchildren.

Michael Scott Jr., Vice President

Micheal Scott Jr. is the Director Industry and Community Affairs at Cinespace Chicago Studios. Throughout his career, Scott has consistently demonstrated a collaborative, results-driven approach in both the public and private sectors. After serving 12 years with the Chicago Park District, where he held roles including Park Supervisor and Area Manager, Scott turned his focus to public office. He served two terms as Alderman of the 24th Ward, working closely with residents and community organizations to drive economic growth, beautify the ward, and secure over $300 million in capital and human infrastructure investments.

Scott also spearheaded job training programs to empower local residents with new skills and opportunities. Scott graduated from Whitney M. Young Magnet High School and Morehouse College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He was born into a legacy of public service, instilled by his parents, the late Michael Scott, Sr. and Millicent Scott—both prominent leaders in Chicago. This legacy of service has been the cornerstone of his career, with a focus on delivering resources and programs that bring positive change to underserved communities. In 2019, Scott was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Education and Child Development, a role in which he furthered his commitment to the community. He served in this capacity until his retirement from public office in June 2022, continuing to build on his track record of meaningful public service. His dedication extended to the Chicago Board of Education, where he served from August 2022 to August 2023. Now, as Commissioner for Cook County’s 2nd District, he remains focused on creating thriving, resilient communities through collaboration, equity-driven initiatives, and a commitment to delivering tangible results for underserved neighborhoods.

Scott’s unwavering dedication to his community is reflected in every role he undertakes. His focus remains on working collaboratively with constituents and partners to create lasting, positive change.

Mark Androw, Treasurer

Mark Androw is an Executive Producer and partner in the national commercial production companies, STORY and Accomplice Media. He is the former National Chairman and Treasurer of the AICP (Associate of Independent Commercial Producers) and the former President of the Midwest AICP Chapter. He serves on the board of the IPA (Illinois Production Alliance) and is a trustee on the DGA Commercial Qualification List and the PHBP (Producer’s Health Benefit Plans). He has served on the Curatorial Committee of the AICP Show for 4 years.

In recognition of all his accomplishments in 2019 Androw received the AICP’s Jay B. Eisenstadt Award at a presentation held in New York’s Museum of Modern Art. The Award is given for a lifetime of achievement on behalf of the commercial production industry. Mark is a licensed attorney in Illinois and a graduate of New York University Film School and DePaul University’s College of Law.

He is a mediocre tennis player and a horrible golfer.

Zoë Iltsopoulos Borys

Zoë Iltsopoulos Borys is well known throughout the industry, and especially in Chicago, for her tireless support of the creative community and passion for helping filmmakers realize their visions.

Most recently Borys served as the Vice President and General Manager at Panavision’s Chicago office. She has more than 25 years of industry experience — much of which has been spent serving Chicago’s filmmaking community. Borys is an associate member of the American Society of Cinematographers and serves on the board of the AICP MidWest Chapter.

During the height of COVID and the lock down, Zoë challenged herself, and started Pilates as well as becoming the first online graduating class sworn in by a Judge to be a CASA representative. Zoe is a proud Mother of two teenage boys, and a dog mom of 3.

Eric Chaudron

For over a decade Eric has served as the Executive Director at SAG-AFTRA Chicago. At SAG-AFTRA Eric has overseen strong growth in union membership with local headcount increasing by close to 25% since 2012. In addition, SAG-AFTRA Chicago started a wave of organizing in public broadcast media that has expanded to public radio stations across the entire country including Boston, Seattle, Los Angeles and Philadelphia.

In addition to serving as President of the Illinois Production Alliance, Eric chairs the Actors Fund Central Regional Council. He is the President of The Kaufherr Resource Center in Chicago, a performer training and education center. In 2017 and 2019 he was named to the New City Chicago Film 50. An avid road cyclist and fisherman, Eric is married to Andrea Sturgeon Chaudron. They have two children, Maddie and Jack.

He also happens to own the smartest Lab in the world named Meadow.

Kenneth Blaine

Kenneth Blaine is the Owner and Co-Founder of Credits and Incentives Corp and has facilitated transferable state tax credit transactions since 2007. He works closely with state tax credit recipients from inception to closing, managing the sale and transfer of tax credit awards while maintaining a professional marketplace. Over the course of his career, Kenneth has established strong relations among state film commissions nationwide, legislators, Departments of Revenue and Economic Development personnel, film producers and various businesses and agencies that support state programs that award transferable tax credits. He is a supporter and contributor of local organizations that provide resources and opportunities for aspiring producers and foster workforce development and diversity inclusion.

In addition to his credits and incentives career, Kenneth is a classically trained pianist and award-winning film score composer holding a B.A. in Music from Beloit College.

Qadree Holmes

Qadree is the Founder/Executive Producer of Quriosity Productions; a minority owned creative diversity boutique specializing in video production, post production and photography. Qadree successfully rose from intern to production assistant to producer and finally to the Founder/Executive Producer of Quriosity.

While line producing, he recognized a significant shift in the market- clients and agencies were seeking integrated creative talent options to represent the different social channels now available. Qadree is also currently a board member for Free Spirit Media, AICP Midwest, Chicago Advertising Federation’s Diversity Thought Leadership Council, and the Advisory Board for the Midwest Independent Film Festival.

Jaime Dawkins

As Premier Camera Systems' owner, Jaime Dawkins has been in the film and television industry extensively for over nineteen years. He began working in the industry while still in school before graduating from Columbia College.

Premier Camera Systems aims to be the standard of excellence in creative camera movement. Their vision is to provide a seamless rental experience and to keep pace with the demand for video content, web series, TV, commercials, documentary and cinema, through the use of a diverse and comprehensive inventory of advanced equipment.

He feels very strongly about the importance of knowledge of craft and looks forward to continuing to build on solid friendships and relationships throughout the community.

Jennifer Jobst

Jennifer Jobst serves as President of the IATSE Theatrical Wardrobe Union #769. Working in the film and TV costume department since the early 1980’s, Jennifer has witnessed the tremendous growth in the Chicago/Illinois film and TV workforce over the past decades.

Interested in sustaining a vibrant business, Jennifer has participated in outreach and training programs and encourages professional development within the Local 769 membership.

Early in the IPA’s history, Jennifer represented #769 on the board and participated on the Diversity committee, she is excited to return to the IPA board.

Veronica Sullivan

Veronica Sullivan is Senior Vice President, Head of Global Production External Affairs and State & Local Government, NBCUniversal which includes Universal Filmed Entertainment, Universal Television and Universal Content Production, and Peacock. She works with governments on economic development policy, production regulations, workforce development, and public affairs initiatives to attract production investment and create jobs across the United States and internationally. As the Head of State & Local Government Affairs for NBCU, she directs government relations and legislative strategy across 50 states in support of all NBCUniversal brands including, NBC Sports and NBC News divisions, in the fifty states and hundreds of municipalities across the United States.

Ms. Sullivan served as Chief of Staff for two New York Members of Congress including U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer for whom she continues to serve as an informal advisor.

Previously, Ms. Sullivan served as Vice President of Federal Government Affairs at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), where she led its government affairs strategy during the transition of NYSE-to-NYSE Group Inc. and its merger with the pan-European exchange, Euronext, creating the world’s first global marketplace – NYSE Euronext.

Before joining NBCU, Ms. Sullivan was a member of the senior management committee at St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Centre responsible for corporate and internal communications, media strategy, public affairs, and government relations.

Ms. Sullivan has been named to several industry and business groups in the United States and internationally, including NYC Mayor Adams’ Film & Television Industry Council, British Film Institute, and the Advisory Board of the Association of Film Commissioners International. She is also a Trustee of the Drumthwacket Foundation in NJ. In 2022 the Spanish Film Commission appointed Ms. Sullivan as Ambassador of Film for her contributions to positioning (promoting) Spain as a destination for international production. In 2016, she championed the launching of NBCUniversal, and New York State’s PITCH NY-a program designed to encourage diversity in the entertainment industry.

James McAllister

James McAllister, a Unit Production Manager, has been an active member of the Chicago film community for over 30 years, and a member of the DGA for 25 years. He has experience working as a location manager and unit production manager on over 40 film & TV projects in Chicago as well as locations spanning three continents. His projects have included many of Hollywood’s biggest films and working with some of the industry’s top directors, including Michael Mann, Ron Howard, Gore Verbinski, David Fincher, Chris McQuarry, and most notably working with Christopher Nolan on “Batman Begins”, “The Dark Knight”, and “Tenet”. As a member of Christopher Nolan’s directorial team on the 2008 feature The Dark Knight, James was included in the 2009 Director’s Guild of America Award nomination.

James moved from Central Illinois to Chicago for an internship at the Chicago Film Office at the start of his career and credits his success to the knowledge shared by his early mentors. He continues to be proud making Illinois his home base.

Shawn Papazian

Shawn Papazian recently partnered with Knickpoint Ventures to form Knickpoint Studios and will oversee all their studio related endeavors as the COO and President. He has been involved with the design, development, operations and management of Motion Picture and TV Studio facilities for over 25 yrs.

Prior to joining Knickpoint, Papazian co-developed and was President & COO of Crimson Studios Group. CSG owned and operated two independent studios in Los Angeles and had LBA Realty’s Studio 1 under management. He also co-designed and created the business plan for Studio1 located at One Culver, which is currently the home base for Apple Content and other major media tenants. In 2021, Shawn was instrumental in bringing both Crimson Studios and Valencia Studios to an off-market deal to LPC West and GEM Realty Capital.

Papazian got his early start in the studio business at 20th Century Fox TV to run Ray Art Studios and soon after became Ray Art’s Vice President & GM until it was sold to Archstone Realty. He moved on to Sunset Gower Studios, where he was instrumental with GI Partners in executing the development and leasing strategies for the Technicolor HQ building as well as the executive oversight of the day-to-day activities and redevelopment of the studio lot. Upon SGS’s sale to HPP, Shawn became the Vice President of the historic Culver Studios Lot owned by Lehman Brothers which was eventually acquired by Hackman Capital Partners. While at Culver Studios, Shawn spearheaded and supervised the entitlements on the lot which has now been developed into the Amazon Studios HQ.

Papazian is also an accomplished Emmy-nominated Producer and who has had a multi picture Producing deal with Warner Bros and Raw Feed in his past. In addition, he developed and produced the feature films Under the Bed 1 & 2 with Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way and Ted Field’s Radar Pictures which were bought by A+E Studios.

Papazian is a graduate of LMU’s School of Film and Television and is a member of the PGA, DGA, and WGA. He is an avid foodie and is a minority investor in Ospi Venice.

Brett Burns

Brett Burns is the Vice President of Operations and Sales at Manhattan Beach Studios and has more than 20 years of industry experience. He is originally from the Midwest and moved back to Chicago in 2012 after many years in Austin, TX. He was charged with opening one of the largest rental facilities in the US for Grip, Lighting, Props, and Truss/Motors in Illinois to support the ongoing growth of the local Film/TV industry.

Brett is also a founder and board member of Filmscape Chicago. Filmscape is a non-profit trade show that focuses on training and provides resources and education for all areas and all levels of production.

Bob Reiter

Bob Reiter is the President of the Chicago Federation of Labor. Chicago CFL is the third largest central labor council of the national AFL-CIO. He previously served two terms as Secretary-Treasurer of the CFL from July 2010 to May 2018. Bob is a third-generation member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, and his parents instilled the values of solidarity and social justice in him from a young age.

Throughout his career, he has worked as a labor attorney, an organizer, a negotiator and a lobbyist. While each union has its own unique successes and challenges, the broader issues and struggles are universally the same. Bob’s role as President allows him to be the voice of every CFL-affiliated union on these big picture issues. His primary responsibility is to represent the interests of labor throughout Chicago and Cook County. Through his work on the Cook County Health and Hospital System’s Board of Directors, Bob works to protect the vital services the Health System delivers to the working people of Cook County. His involvement with various community organizations, including Chicago Jobs with Justice and Arise Chicago, allow him to fight for the rights of workers through education, organizing and shaping public discourse. As a member of the Citizen Action/Illinois Policy Council, Bob influences the organization’s public policy positions, the legislative agenda and any candidate endorsements for public office. Bob holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in political science from Eastern Illinois University, and a Juris Doctor degree from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Staff

Christine Dudley, Executive Director

Christine T. Dudley served as the Director of the Illinois Film Office from 2015-2019, overseeing a historic growth in revenue, jobs and programming. Her work cemented Illinois’ spot as the Midwest destination for film production and one of the top states for film and television production overall. In her role with IPA, she spearheaded a coalition of industry stakeholders in the development of, and advocacy for legislation that expanded the Illinois Film Production Tax Incentive program and established an industry supported Workforce Development Fund. The legislation was signed into law in 2022.

Beyond those achievements, Dudley is frequently called upon by the media, universities, and industry organizations to share her public policy expertise on film incentives and opinions regarding leadership roles for women.

Christine currently serves on the Boards of the Illinois Governor’s Mansion Association, Arts Alliance Illinois and Elevated Films. Previous board service includes the Illinois Arts Council; Shattered Globe Theatre; the Government Assistance Program (GAP); Chicago Women in Government Relations and the Indiana University Chicago Advancement Advisory Council.

Erin Moreland, Executive Assistant

Erin Moreland is an Independent Producer and Impact Campaign Coordinator working in Chicago’s film and documentary industry. She works on films that aim to make an impact through their stories - films that want to shift cultural norms, affect policy and create a more equitable world. Most recently, she was the Associate Producer of With This Light (2023), a documentary about the courageous and expansive humanitarian work of one small nun in Honduras. The film had a successful theatrical run in both Honduras and the U.S. and also won several awards, including Austin Film Festival’s Best Feature Documentary Award.

Erin is also the Executive Assistant for the Illinois Production Alliance where she happily indulges her passion of constantly telling everyone that Chicago (and Illinois) is the best place to live and work for anyone in the film industry. Her favorite collaborative accomplishments in this role include the passing of Illinois' updated, expanded and extended film tax credits and the recent opportunity to work with Governor JB Pritzker and his team to market Film in Illinois in LA.

Outside of work, you can find Erin enjoying one of Chicago’s many parks with a picnic basket and some friends.

Want to support our work? Check out our Membership & Sponsorship opportunities or contact us at illinoisproduction@gmail.com.