Faculty and Staff

Instructor – Post Production

A.A.S.

Matt Baxter is a Denver based filmmaker who believes in the positive impact of quality original work. Specializing in post-production, Matt’s work has aired on Rocky Mountain PBS numerous times. Focused on fulfilling his clients’ creative vision, he has collaborated with the National Governors Association, Colorado Office of Economic Development, and the Colorado Secretary of States office. Matt also serves as a Post Production instructor at the Colorado Film School, which has been nationally recognized as one of the top film programs in the country.

Faculty – Acting/Directing

M.F.A

Galina Boulgakova earned her M.F.A. in Theater and Film from the prestigious Moscow Art Theater School, where the world renowned Stanislavski System originated. In 2003, she began teaching at Colorado Film School, where she adapted the original System to contemporary media production. Over the past 20 years Galina has pioneered her own technique. “The most innovative aspect of the training I offer is to disconnect from any character safely. This is called the Disconnection Process”, she says. “By understanding the psychology of the character’s behavior, we can apply this process of reprogramming on our own life. Our own behavior. It makes us healthier and more balanced as humans and as artists”.

Instructor – Post Production Sound

B.F.A.

Jessica Carter is a graduate of Colorado Film School who has returned to share her experiences in film. She received her B.F.A. in Media and Mass Communications from Kansas State University. At CFS, Jessica Carter is an adjunct faculty member teaching Sound for Film and Video. Jess is also the Lead Editor and Sound Designer for Coca-Cola Studios, working with amazing clients worldwide, creating commercials, films, and more.

Faculty – Production, Post Production

M.F.A.

Geoffrey Chadwick holds an M.F.A. in Film Production from the University of Southern California School of Cinema Television and a B.A. in English from Colorado College. The writer, director and/or editor of over one hundred documentary videos distributed nationally and broadcast around the world, Chadwick has also produced and directed a number of Independent short films, exhibited in many film festivals across North America and Europe. Founder and Director of the award winning CFS/DAVA Film Camp for Kids, and the annual Colorful Colorado Film Festival for Youth, Chadwick works as a freelance Producer and Editor in Denver and Los Angeles and has also worked professionally in a wide variety of jobs on the set and in The Business.

Academic Program Support Specialist

A.A.S.

Twich Collins graduated from Colorado Film School with an A.A.S. in screenwriting. He considers himself a lifelong student of the craft and takes every opportunity to pass down the knowledge he has amassed over the 10-plus years of study and writing. He has worked in the industry as a freelance writer and for OpenGate Entertainment as a Story and Development Executive. He believes in breaking down barriers and making the industry inclusive, so it can be diverse and share the widest range of stories. Oh, and before we go, he’s a huge nerd.

Instructor – Cinematography

B.A.

John joined Colorado Film School as an adjunct instructor in 2018. He studied Documentary Film and Broadcast News graduating with a B.A. in Technical Journalism at Colorado State University. In 1988 he formed Non-Stop Productions and continues to freelance as Producer, DP, Director and sometimes editor. John has a strong background in documentary, corporate, non-profit and educational production. He and business partner Nick Mollé have created many wildlife and nature-oriented documentaries for PBS winning an Emmy nomination for The Living Dream a historical documentary about Rocky Mountain National Park. John has worked and filmed throughout the United States, in Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Jamaica, Costa Rica and China.

Student Success Coordinator

M.M.Ed.

Haley is a passionate supporter of the creative arts who started her professional journey as a middle school orchestra and guitar teacher after receiving her Bachelor’s in Music Education with a minor in English from Colorado State University and Master’s in Music Education from University of Northern Colorado.  She joined the Colorado Film School team in 2019 where she continues to focus on helping young artists achieve their dreams.  She continues to upkeep her interest in music by playing in the Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra while also pursuing her interests and skills in graphic design, which she uses to support the college and its students by designing movie posters, logos, graphics for events, and maintaining the CFS website.

Faculty – Screenwriting, Producing

M.F.A.

With over a hundred professional credits, Will is experienced in nearly every aspect of motion picture, television and commercial production.   As a working screenwriter and award-winning filmmaker, Will developed projects with the former head of 20th Century-Fox, the president of the William Morris Agency, and numerous producers and production companies.  As a professional educator, Will was voted 2004-2005 Teacher of the Year, 2011-2012 Faculty of the Year, and was awarded the 2015 Bowman Award for instructional excellence and 2018 Vision Award for innovation in education.  In 2021, Will was named to Variety Magazine’s list of Top 50 Film Schools and Instructors From Around the World.  Will is also author of The Screenwriter’s Workout and was a featured guest on the world’s largest screenwriting podcast.  Currently, Will is working on a new book, developing new ways to help aspiring filmmakers explore the art of cinematic narrative, and trying to keep his cat, Flick, off his keyboard.

Instructor – Screenwriting

M.F.A.

Grant Hughes was born and raised in Paducah, KY, where he graduated from Paducah Tilghman High School back in the day. Go, Big Blue! He earned a Bachelor’s in Communication from the University of Louisville in 2011. Go Cards! He received an M.F.A. from Spalding University with a focus on Screenwriting in 2016. Go, Eagles! He’s been a professor at CFS and CCA since 2018. Go, Foxes! In 2022, Grant became the Head of TV & Film at GritHouse Films. Go, Grant!  Grant is a writer. Writing has been Grant’s best friend, therapist, and antagonist. Grant’s goal is to help students become the best version of their creative selves. He believes we can find success if we are open, honest, and self-reflective in our lives and our work. Let’s go. 

Instructor – Film Analysis, Documentary Production

M.F.A.

Justin Jones is a former graduate from CFS who has returned to teach at the school sharing his film experiences and passion for the craft.  His rich life experiences, many gained from serving in the Army and in Afghanistan, contribute to the mature subjects and professionalism he brings to his work. After receiving recognition and awards for his student films that were shown at festivals around the country he moved to New Mexico to work on independent and large-scale Hollywood productions.  In 2008, Jones moved back to the Midwest and worked at Ball State Universities Institute of Digital Entertainment & Education. In a short time, he’s completed a number of projects including a 12-episode documentary TV show, Web media products, and documentaries as well as producing one of the first graduate level video text books for teaching.  While at IDEE he also produced and directed his first feature documentary Changing Gears.  Upon returning to CFS as faculty in 2011 he went back to school for his M.F.A. in screenwriting from Western State Colorado.  He has been teaching at CFS for 11 years in an array of subjects. In 2018 his main focus of the curriculum has been on the documentary program of the school.

Equipment Cage Manager, Production Instructor

A.A.S.

Aaron Koehler is an accomplished documentarian, cinematographer, and CFS alum who now serves the school as its Equipment Cage Manager, as well as a production and film analysis instructor.  He has a deep passion for filmmaking and enjoys exploring humanity with his craft.  Aaron has extensive technical knowledge when it comes to the camera and lighting departments, including industry-standard video packages by RED, Sony, Panasonic, and ARRI.  Despite his technical foundation, Aaron’s approach has always been rooted in story and character development.  Over the years, Aaron has had the opportunity to work on numerous documentary projects as well as several broadcast specials and commercial spots.  He runs the annual Aspen Film film camp, Colorado along with Matt Baxter.  He is the supervisor for the work studies and volunteers who operate the internal rental house, and is affectionately referred to as “Mother of the Cage”.  His passion for learning and helping new students has created a safe environment for all who seek his wisdom and support.  His dedication to the school and its students is evident in his work ethic and contribution to the school as a whole.

Instructor – Acting/Directing

B.A.

Tracy has grown exponentially as an artist since landing her first paid commercial acting gig at the tender age of nine. With over 30 years of acting experience in film, television, commercials, and Off-Broadway theatre, Tracy can easily slip into playing any role with ease and loves to teach her students the art of establishing unique and memorable characters. She holds a B.A. in Acting and Directing from the University of Northern Colorado and has worked in a variety of film production roles, both, in front and behind the camera, including stints on the sets of Machete, Friday Night Lights, and, most notably, as an award-winning director of narrative shorts. When she’s not acting in local productions (I Put the Bi in Bitter web series), she can be found planning productions for her own company, Crone Fables Media.

Technology, Systems, & Space integration Specialist , AVID Instructor

B.A.

As our Technology, Systems & Space Integration Specialist, Jordan brings over 20 years of Post-Production experience to the college. Having moved his way up through the ranks of the Post world while working at an award winning Hollywood post-production agency, he collaborated on & designed campaign post workflows for hundreds of films, including Toy Story 3, The Muppets & No Country for Old Men. Now having been at CFS for over a decade, Jordan brings an industry perspective into the education environment and is thrilled to be able to merge the two together to provide a Hollywood Post-House experience to the Colorado Film School.

Instructor – Production, Acting, Producing

B.F.A.

A B.F.A. graduate of Naropa University focusing in Somatic Psychology and Performance Arts, Greg started his film career as an actor but his love for the craft moved him towards film production in all its various stages and forms.  Over the last 15 years, he has been 1st Assistant Director for 3 feature films, dozens of short narrative films and assorted commercials while educating at Colorado Film School. Respect, safety, and communication are his key attributes on set. Bringing together the worlds of film production, performance, education, and content marketing is gratifying work… but nothing makes him happier than being on set, even with bad craft services and cold coffee.

Instructor – Film Analysis, Directing

B.S.

Dirk Olson is an award-winning producer-director with network distribution on PBS, BBC, A&E, HDNet & Bravo. His industry work spans television specials, documentaries, narrative films, commercial production, and studio management. Prior to CFS, Olson taught a film & TV acting intensive course for masters-level students at the former National Theatre Conservatory. He has been honored by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Heartland Chapter for distinguished service as a past program chairperson & board member. Dirk enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with motivated students who are ready to collaborate with others to create unique, compelling stories for our world.

Instructor – Production

B.F.A.

Faculty – Cinematography, Lighting

B.Sc.

Kyle Steinbrinck has over 30 years of experience in Film and Video production and 25 years of experience working as a Cinematographer. He joined CCA in 2015 as an instructor and has taught Intro to Film, Camera Techniques, Film/Video Lighting and Cinematography. After graduating from the University Wisconsin-Madison, he worked at a prestigious regional production company until relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area. There he worked as a videographer and cinematographer on nearly 200 commercials, documentaries and corporate image pieces. He also gained valuable real-world experience in narrative visual storytelling working on independent feature films as a Gaffer and 2nd Unit Director of Photography. Once he and his family relocated to Colorado, Mr. Steinbrinck worked as a gaffer in the local market, using his experience as a Cinematographer to provide fundamental assistance to young cinematographers in the Denver metro. As head of Cinematography for CCA and the Colorado Film School he has developed and teaches an “upside-down” curriculum that allows for more hands-on exercises and collaboration in the classroom. He is also dedicated to helping the students of CCA gain experience and industry connections through strategic partnerships and workshops.

Director

M.S.

Brian Steward is a graduate of Indiana University (M.S. 2013, B.A. 1984) and has served as Director of Colorado Film School since 2016. His first job in the film industry was as a Production Assistant at Amblin Entertainment during the production of Back To The Future, The Color Purple, The Goonies, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit. He went on to a career as an Assistant Director and worked on films directed by David Lynch, Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall, Alan Parker, Robert Rodriguez, and F. Gary Gray. Brian’s credits include The Italian Job, Wild At Heart, Spy Kids, and Always.  Working with the students, staff and faculty at CFS has been the highest honor of Brian’s career, and it gives him great satisfaction to see CFS students utilizing their skills to pursue meaningful careers and achieve their dreams.

Assistant Director

After studying Biology at Colorado College and working seasonally as a field ecologist and photographer, Jim combined his passions for environmental advocacy and visual storytelling in Montana State University’s M.F.A. program in Science and Natural History Filmmaking. He has worked for the BBC, Disney Nature, the Discovery Channel and many other clients. In 2013 Jim joined Colorado Film School as Equipment Manager and Cinematography Instructor. In 2017 he transitioned to his current position as Assistant Director. More recently Jim has produced over 20 Toyota Spots for Saatchi & Saatchi with the CFS Commercial Production class and directed several documentaries that have aired on PBS.

Instructor – Film/Video Business

M.B.A.

Originally from Detroit, Michigan (USA) – Arthur O. Thomas is an award-winning producer who earned his M.B.A. in International Business (Marketing) at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California. Concurrent with forming his production company – Main Man Films LLC, he logged over 20 years with two Fortune 500 firms and traveled to over 43 countries and 49 U.S. States, giving him a unique perspective on the nuances of navigating through a variety of cultures. His professional career started in the international logistics arena and evolved to include both international / domestic television and film production. He held the position of Executive Vice President of Programming with CoLours TV, America’s first multicultural cable channel for nearly a decade. He has co-produced projects in the United States, Japan, Belize, Uganda, Singapore, Germany, Jamaica, Zimbabwe, Bahrain, Nigeria, England, Jordan and South Africa. His film ‘producer credits’ include Hush Money which is streaming on Amazon Prime and The Shadow Walkers which was distributed worldwide by Lionsgate and Netflix. In 2019, he was an executive producer on Infrared Dreams, a sci-fi feature. In 2021, he was an executive producer on Katakata and in 2023 he is on track to produce two features, A Candle for Ursula and Singletrack The Movie. Since 2011,  Art has shared his expertise with students at the Colorado Film School and is also a member of CFS’s advisory Board. His IMDb credits can be accessed at:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1964470/

Instructor – Screenwriting

M.A.

Keith Thomas wrote and directed the critically-acclaimed film The Vigil (IFC, 2019) and directed Firestarter (Universal Pictures/Blumhouse, 2022) and the “Pickman’s Model” episode of Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities (Netflix, 2022). He lives in Denver. 

Instructor – Production, Commercial Production

B.Sc.

From Baltimore Maryland, Carlos moved overseas at the age of 6. Growing up in the Caribbean and in South America he was exposed to many different cultures and languages (fluently speaks English, Spanish, Italian and French). He had his first 16mm movie film camera at the age of 14, and from then on, he has never been able to put it down. Back states side, Carlos had instructors of the caliber of Eugene Clark as an undergraduate student and Dian Fossey as a graduate student, both National Geographic sponsored explorers and he could not resist at the first opportunity to go back to South America and film documentaries, and so it started with Jacques Cousteau in 1979 and after graduation for National Geographic from 1988 until 1994. Later in life, he moved to Europe and worked for RCTV, later TVE / Spain, RTL PLUS in Germany, Thalassa/France, Discovery Channel/Latin America and Discovery Networks. Carlos has shot many TV commercial for brands like Rolex, Samsung, Toyota, Pepsi, Maybelline, Revlon, Chevrolet, Ford and many others, winning prestigious awards for best cinematography by the National Association of Advertisers, Latin Grammy and Banff. Carlos taught Camera Operation & Cinematography at the National School of Cinematography for 2 years and taught Cinematography and Camera Operation as a full time professor at CNM in Albuquerque, New Mexico before moving to Colorado.

Instructor – Film Analysis

M.A.

Kent returns to CFS as an instructor this year after a 10-year break. He’s taught film and video production courses for the last 15 years at University of Colorado at Denver, UCLA Extension, Rocky Mountain School of Art and Design, and the Art Institute of Colorado. Professionally, Kent has worked in the industry for over 30 years in almost every aspect of production you can imagine – feature films, series (scripted and reality), commercials, network promos, music videos and documentaries. He earned his Master of Arts in Film & Television at the University of Denver and received his Bachelors in Radio/TV/Film from Colorado State University.