J.T. O’Neal • Screenwriter/Director/Producer

J.T. O’Neal graduated from the University of Kansas with an honor’s degree in history of art. He received his MD from KU and completed his residency training at Harvard, where he also received an MPH (Masters of Public Health.) In 2004, Dr. O’Neal received an MFA (Masters of Fine Arts) in screenwriting from UCLA (considered the top sceenwriting program in the country). While a graduate student in film school, he won the prestigious UCLA Screenwriting Showcase (considered the school’s top screenwriting award), the Alfred P. Sloan Award (the school’s highest endowed screenplay award), and the Carl David Award, with three different scripts. Also an award-winning director, his short films have played at over 80 festivals around the world. Dr. O’Neal is the co-writer of Casino Rez, is a co-partner with Thomas Carmody in Carmody-O’Neal Workshop Productions, and is the producer on the feature film Alien Game, currently in post-production.

James Cisneros • Screenwriter/Author/Producer

James “JB” Cisneros was born in Kansas City, Kansas. He was raised on the Kickapoo Reservation in Horton, Kansas from the age of 10. JB is a member of the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas. He is the author of Moccasins, Money and Murder, (2001, Publish America) and director of Grandma and the Raven. Other script projects include The NAJGA Boys – Cole’s Story, and The Walk On. He is a graduate of Haskell Indian Jr. College and is currently studying Communications at The University of Kansas. He is the Founder of the Native American Junior Golf Association, (“NAJGA”). JB’s goal is to outreach to Indian country and serve as a role model for other Native Americans in film production.

Thomas L. Carmody • Screenwriter/Producer

Thomas L. Carmody graduated from the University of Kansas with both a B.S. and Master’s degree in Business Administration. For over twenty years, Mr. Carmody held various trading and management positions in the energy industry. Mr. Carmody is the co-writer of Casino Rez and has written two other sports-themed screenplays, both of which won awards in various national screenplay competitions. Mr. Carmody has invested in several recent film projects and is President of TLC Films, L.L.C. and a co-partner in Carmody-O’Neal Workshop Productions L.L.C.

Marjorie Tanin • Casting Agent

Marjorie Tanin is of the Pueblo (Tewa), Hopi, and Kiowa tribe. She was born and raised on the Santa Clara Pueblo Reservation in New Mexico. She still maintians her strong traditional ways and is fluent in the Tewa language. Marjorie became involved in the Motion Picture Industry in 1987 as an actress. Besides her acting career, she also does casting for Native American Indian roles and consults on projects. She is an active member of the Native American sub-committee at SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). From 1994-1998 she served as their Vice-Chair, and was a steering committee member of the Ethic Women's Group. Marjorie was also the main force behind the Native American Talent Directory.