Our Team
Executive
Andrew Nibbi
Chief Executive Officer
Andrew Nibbi is a cinematographer, producer, writer, director, and musician from the San Francisco Bay Area. With a background in independent filmmaking and musical theatre, Andrew strives to unite cast and crew to create beautiful and meaningful art, telling rich stories from fresh angles. Through his production company 178 Blank Productions, he also seeks to elevate unheard voices in media and create opportunities for first-time filmmakers.
Bryce Stephens
Chief Creative Officer
Bryce Stephens is an actor, writer, director, and musician from the San Francisco Bay Area. He is currently pursuing a BFA in Acting from the University of Southern California. Before 178 Blank, he co-wrote and directed Audible Chaos with XMX Productions in 2019 and has since devoted his time to helping other starting filmmakers in bringing their visions to life.
Brandon Ah Tye
Chief Operations Officer
Currently studying business and theatre at Chapman University in Southern California, Brandon is a passionate performer and creative. He thoroughly enjoys telling unique stories and providing platforms for voices that aren’t typically heard. Outside of stage and screen acting, Brandon enjoys music, cooking, long boarding and mixology.
Sarah Stampleman
Chief Marketing Officer
Sarah Stampleman is a writer, director and current chief of marketing for 178 Blank Productions. In the fall, she will begin pursuing a degree in English at Tufts University, in hopes of one day writing for the screen or stage full-time. In addition to 178 Blank, Sarah worked on Audible Chaos with XMX Productions in 2019, and is currently working on a live-action spin-off of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Aside from her pursuits in film, Sarah is an avid language-learner, skateboarder, and banjo player.
Madelyn Levine
Associate Creative Director/Casting Director
Madelyn Levine is an LA-based actor and writer with a BFA in Acting for the Stage, Screen, & New Media from USC. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Madelyn is thrilled to be part of the 178 Blank team. In addition to acting, Madelyn enjoys pre-production - specifically casting and writing - and recently worked as a scripted casting intern at NBC Entertainment. Madelyn likes to think of herself as “178 Blank’s biggest fan” and loves collaborating with this team of artists.
Writing Team
Talitha Cargill
Writing Chair
Talitha Cargill is a screenwriter, producer, and all-around cool dude. They’re based in and work between the San Francisco Bay Area and Chicago. They are currently studying Media Communication, Screenwriting, and Irish History at DePaul University. Outside of 178 Blank Productions, Tali performs long-form improv at Second City and other locations around Chicago and also bakes breads and cakes.
Ben Van Der Meer
Staff Writer
Ben Van der Meer is a writer, producer, and actor from the San Francisco Bay Area. He also attends California State University Long Beach where he majors in Narrative Film and Television Production. He loves movie trivia, comic books and pretending like he knows how to read. His favorite kind of style is Cluttercore and while he really does enjoy art museums, he wishes people didn’t have to pay to get into them.
Kiersten Edwards
Staff Writer
Currently studying biomedical engineering at Syracuse University, Kiersten balances her life between the practicals of biology with her love for writing and drawing. She’s an avid creator and believes that everyone has a story they deserve to tell. Outside of medicine and the arts, she loves animals, baking, and looking at the stars.
Pre-Production
Bekah Lazar
Pre-Production Manager
Bekah Lazar is pursuing a BFA in Theatre Design and Production at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC. She focuses on stage and production management as well as lighting and sound design for theatre. Her proudest projects include stage/production managing multiple 3-show festivals and organizing lighting crews as a head LX. Other than theatre, Bekah is trying to learn as many instruments as humanly possible (even though she sucks). In her free time, you can find Bekah sleeping or tweeting.
Ava Barganier
Lead Costumer and Makeup Designer
Ava Barganier is an actress and the current head of costumes and makeup. Before joining 178, Ava worked on Audible Chaos with XMX Productions. In the Fall, she is attending Foothill College for an Associate's Degree in Horticulture. On her free time, Ava enjoys longboarding, theater, baking literally anything, and is always excited for new film opportunities!
Maddy Redlawsk
Movement Coordinator
Maddy Redlawsk is a dancer, activist, and artist from the Bay Area currently studying Dance Science and Women’s Studies at Cal State Long Beach. She is interested in exploring movement as a way to portray a message and create change, and recently founded her company, madmovements, in light of this goal. She has worked with 178 in multiple ways already, but hopes to soon spearhead a movement project in conjunction with her own company. Aside from dancing, Maddy also loves drawing, sewing, and cats!
Arthur von Wronski
Location Scout
Arthur von Wronski is pursuing an associate's degree in Psychology at Cañada College. Arthur also is a resident writer, performer, and audio recordist. A professional with everything borderline illegal, Arthur has training in improv, sleight of hand, and lock picking. All for a hobby, of course.
Production
Chase Okimura
Cinematographer
Chase Okimura is a cinematographer from the Orange County area. Attending Golden West College for marketing, Chase is pursuing freelance video as a career full-time. Working with clients and directors, he prefers narrative shorts over any commercial project and embraces the lighting process. Besides the love for film, Chase likes cars, overly competitive video games, and long walks to the mickey and friends parking lot.
Ethan Stoneham
Production Sound Mixer
Currently studying theatre at Chapman University in Southern California, Ethan is a multi-talented creator, performer, and story-teller who strives to develop and share engaging, entertaining stories that are relevant to current social issues in hopes to educate viewers and gain momentum for change. Outside of theatre and film, Ethan is an an award-winning a capella beatboxer, photographer, and hardcore gamer who loves freshly baked bread and listening to music.
Fiona Baquerizo
Producer
Though Fiona may be listed as “producer,” she also finds her passion in acting, directing, and above all… storytelling! She will be graduating from the University of Southern California in 2022 with a degree in Theatre and an Emphasis in Acting. When she’s not on set, you can find her curating Spotify playlists, water coloring her inspirations, or conducting philanthropic research in USC’s Price School of Public Policy. While this all may sound intense, don’t be fooled… there’s nothing Fiona loves more than binge-watching her favorite SNL skits!
Post-Production
Ian Peterson
VFX Supervisor
Ian S. Peterson is an actor and artist originally from the Bay Area and now in Los Angeles. As an actor he values collaborating with other artists and the freedom to experiment in every storytelling opportunity. Especially interested in beautiful, messy, or political human stories. More at ianspeterson.com
Emily Azzaria
Editor
Emily Azzaria is a Bay Area and LA based editor and cinematographer. She is pursuing a degree in film with a track in cinematography from California State University, Long Beach. Emily is very excited to join the 178 Blank team. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, listening to music, writing and baking cookies.
Marketing
Jaskiran Singh
Social Media Producer / Editor
Jaskiran Singh is a filmmaker and multimedia journalist who's recently graduated from Saint Louis University where she studied Journalism and Film. She's formerly interned at National Geographic with the video team, has directed several student documentaries, and has supervised her university's film studio. Jaskiran is currently pursuing a career in film and journalism while also advocating for diversity and representation both on-screen and behind the scenes. During her free time, Jaskiran loves cooking, traveling, and exploring new coffee shops with her friends.
Nicole Garcia
Tiktok Manager
Nicole Garcia is a creative editor and aspiring filmmaker. She is currently studying Film and Marketing at Boston College. She believes in the power of sustaining a creative angle in society. She enjoys making videos for fun and helping to create music videos for her roommates who are releasing original songs.