Meet The Crew

Three-time Telly award winning filmmaker Sue Vicory has been making films since 2003.  Heartland Films, Inc., her non-profit production company was established to create films that inspire and educate.  Her first film, “Homelessness & The Power of One” premiered in 2005, screening from coast to coast and winning multiple awards, ultimately raising $200,000 for shelters.  Sue’s second film, “Kansas City Jazz & Blues: Past, Present & Future,” aired on PBS.  Sue has spoken on and moderated panels around the world including Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals.  She has been a Producer, Presenter and judge for the San Diego film awards and is a lifelong advocate for female filmmakers everywhere.  Sue has been married for 41 years to her college sweetheart, raising two creative daughters and is now a grandmother.  Sue, through her brand My Power of One, seeks to change the world one word and act of kindness at a time.

Shyla is a recent graduate of Kansas State University with a degree in anthropology, which taught her much on the integral role of stories in the way we are as humans.  Her deep fascination with the sharing of stories drew Shyla to the field of anthropology and now to the world of filmmaking.  She has assisted in the development and production of multiple Heartland Films, Inc. productions and worked with celebrity makeup artist, Katey Denno, on an upcoming industry project.   Shyla is most inspired by the intricacy of human connection and the essential role of stories in our lives.  As many historically marginalized voices make their way to the screen Shyla feels hopeful for the trajectory of the industry and eager to carve her own path in this collective storytelling narrative.

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Taylor Snyder (cinematographer/editor) is a passionate filmmaker and creative storyteller. She owns Taylor’d Weddings, a luxury wedding videography company based out of Kansas City: www.taylordweddings.com. Taylor has spent the past 11 years in the film industry. Her milestones to where she is today include a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcasting, an internship at Fox 4 News Kansas City, Graphics Operator at Niles Media Group and Producer at Rockbox Media.

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Angela K. Holt is a Linn County native, having grown up on her family’s century farm outside of Prescott. Original Jayhawker is her first script manuscript, and she is working on a historical fiction novel.  Angela lives in Mound City with her husband Adam, and their two sons, Daniel, and Jonah.  After graduating from Jayhawk-Linn, she graduated from Pittsburg State University, where she studied history. She has never stopped being a student of history and has a history column in The Linn County News, where she writes about the history of the county and its inhabitants.

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Francesca recently graduated from Washburn University with a degree in Mass Media, concentrating in Film and Video, earning the first ever Outstanding Student in Service award.  She distinguished her skills as a producer in her senior film project which led into into roles such as Vice President of the Washburn Filmmakers Association, Lead Student Director, Director of PR, and moderator for the WIFI Film Festival.  Francesca currently holds the position of Experience Curator at Cyrus Hotel and feels excited to be pursuing her passions in film.

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Clare Carlson is a photographer, videographer and educator. She lives with her husband, Rustin, in Raymore, Missouri. Clare received her Photography Certificate from the Kansas City Art Institute in 2015. She then went on to open her photography business, Carlson Photography, and specializes in family photography, portraits, product photography, and creative photography.

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Anita has been a community-centered eastern Kansas native for all her life.  She began a long and adventurous career in the postal service in 1984 in Fort Scott, Kansas, currently holding a position as an Occupational Health Nurse for the USPS in KCMO.  Anita and her husband, John, have lived on the family homestead in Mound City where John grew up for over 30 years, raising three children in that time.  Anita values the connections she has been able to make in her work, priding herself on having introduced many of the crew members listed here, ultimately leading to the making of this film.

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Lynne has spent nearly 40 years as a film and video writer/producer in Kansas City, her work taking her to nearly every state in the union. She has served as Creative Director at VPR Creative Group, Marketing Director for the American Royal and the Alexander Majors House, Producer at Payless Cashways, and Assistant Director for the first city-wide festival: The Kansas City Spirit Fest. Lynne also worked as a freelance writer/producer and created motivational and educational videos for many major corporations and nonprofits in KC.  She has received numerous awards; most recently received were two Telly’s for her work on the year-long project, Trauma Smart, a curriculum for teachers and staff who work with trauma-inflicted children. 

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Shayna has lived in Mound City with her husband, David, for more than 35 years serving either on the city council or as mayor for 10 of those years.  She even holds the title of Mound City’s first ever female mayor.  Shayna has worked in the insurance industry since 1988, but her passion is cooking.  Shayna has been involved in multiple My Power of One Acts of Kindness over recent years.

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Vicky is a co-owner of the local vintage store Three Chicks and a Pony, but is first and foremost an artist.  Vicky’s work is available for purchase at her store as well as Stone Tree Coffee & Pottery in Mound City.  Vicky was the lead set designer for the sets used to stage interviews for Original Jayhawker and holds a title as Producer on the film.

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A surprise celebrity guest will join us on the evening of the premiere as our Master of Ceremonies.  

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