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Christine DeFalco
Co-Founder & Director of Operations
Christine is an accomplished business executive and nonprofit leader with more than 25 years of experience in strategic leadership, organizational development, marketing, and operations. Her career has spanned both national and international organizations, including serving as Global Head of People Operations for companies in the United States and India.
She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Paula Takacs Foundation, where she leads the strategic advancement of sarcoma research, patient and family support, fundraising, community partnerships, and awareness. Christine is also the founder of the Young Writers Academy, where she helped young writers develop creativity, confidence, and storytelling skills through innovative educational programs.
As Director of Operations for "ALL IN" CREATIVE™, Christine oversees business operations, marketing, strategic growth, and the overall client experience. Her expertise in leadership, communication, organizational strategy, and brand development helps ensure every aspect of the company reflects its commitment to excellence.
Helene Benign0
Director of Script Development & Theater Arts
Helene is an award-winning actress, director, playwright, educator, and published author with more than 30 years of professional experience in the performing arts. Originally from New York City and now based in Arizona, her career has spanned film, television, radio, voice-over, commercial work, and live theater, with professional credits in New York, Boston, and Arizona.
A dedicated educator for more than 20 years, Helene has helped actors of all ages develop their craft through personalized instruction, mentorship, and performance training. As a writer, five of her original stage plays have been professionally produced, and she is the published author of dozens of articles, short stories, and poems.
Helene has received numerous honors throughout her career, including more than a dozen AriZoni Award nominations and an EMACT Award for Best Actress. Her passion for storytelling, combined with decades of professional performance and teaching experience, provides students with an engaging and supportive environment to build confidence, strengthen technique, and grow as performers.
At "ALL IN" CREATIVE™, Helene leads our Virtual Theater Training program, offering live one-on-one coaching and classes for performers seeking to expand their theatrical skills and artistic range. In addition, Helene develops original scripts for demo reel scenes, short films, and other "ALL IN" creative projects, helping actors showcase their unique strengths with authentic, compelling material.
Mike Mechanick
Director of Editing & Production
Mike is a two-time Emmy Award Winning Producer, Editor, Actor, and Director. After receiving his Masters in Film /Video Production in Los Angeles, he started his career at Warner Brothers Studios, and eventually found his way to the world of TV. Becoming a Creative Producer/Director for FOX Television and CBS in Sacramento, Mike wrote and directed countless commercials, promotions, PSAs, and short form videos. He worked for 8 years as an on-air movie critic, and spends lots of time on stage both acting and directing.
Currently, Mike is the Media Coordinator for a city in Northern California, and continues to edit productions from social media, to business marketing, to corporate branding, and much, much more.
As Director of Editing & Production for "ALL IN" Creative, Mike oversees all post-production, transforming raw footage into polished, compelling content. From demo reels to short films and promotional projects, he ensures every production meets the highest creative and technical standards while helping performers showcase their very best work.
Tyler Hobbs
Director of Photography
Tyler is a director of photography specializing in feature films, documentaries, and commercial productions. His work combines cinematic storytelling with technical precision, helping bring compelling stories to life on screen.
His credits include the feature films My Other Half, I Want Him to Want Me, and the upcoming The Jealous Wife, along with documentaries for Real American Freestyle and projects highlighting education, agriculture, and motorsports. Throughout his career, he has worked with productions and organizations including HGTV, ESPN, Google Fiber, Amazon Prime, Tubi, PBS, Netflix, UNC Basketball, and Real American Freestyle.
As Director of Photography for "ALL IN" Creative, he oversees the visual look of each production, creating professional, cinematic content while helping students and clients look their very best on camera.
Joel Russell
Director of Lighting & Sound
Joel is an accomplished photographer, videographer, and production professional with a passion for visual storytelling and years of experience bringing creative projects to life. As the owner of JRuss Films, LLC, he combines technical expertise with an artistic eye to produce cinematic, high-quality content across film, television, streaming, and commercial productions.
Throughout his career, Joel has served as a Director of Photography (DP), Gaffer, and Production Sound Mixer, contributing to a wide range of productions. His work includes the acclaimed web series My People; Thorns and Rose, directed by Joy Lane and streaming on Netflix and Hulu; and Feminine, directed by Tailiah Breon and featured on Lifetime. His commercial work has also appeared nationally on Spectrum TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Tubi.
At "ALL IN" CREATIVE™, Joel oversees lighting and sound for demo reels and original productions, helping create a professional filming environment where actors can perform with confidence. His attention to detail and commitment to production quality ensure that every project reflects the high standards of the "ALL IN" Creative brand.