LOCAL MOM AND FOUNDER OF
AMAROK PRODUCTIONS FILM COMPANY
WEST SUBURBAN CHICAGO–After many years in Hollywood, DeAnna and her husband Kevin, both studio executives, decided to head back to the Midwest 12.5 years ago to raise their kids in Wheaton and make family films. They produced I Heart Shakey in Naperville/Wheaton in 2012 and Precious Mettle in Naperville in 2013.
Since then, she has produced an Emmy award winning commercial, a television pilot, two feature films, a documentary and three short films – “all of which are burning up the festival trail,” DeAnna proudly shares. “I mentor a summer high school immersion program at Columbia College Chicago for aspiring filmmakers, creating industry experiences for all 25 students.
“This has been a busy year as I’ve been under contract for Fox Studios and commuting back and forth to L.A; however, being in LA has allowed me to push a big budget film into development at another Hollywood studio.”
DeAnna also has other films currently in post-production, including a high profile documentary, Lady Parts Justice in the New World Order she is producing alongside the Oscar winning Kartempquin Films and directed by Ruth Leitman.
Regardless of how many successful films she produces, she values family first and being a filmmaker second. You might spot her kids on set, in her movies, or enjoying Wheaton eateries like fun burgers at The Burger Social, rainbow pancakes at Egg Harbor, and chocolate croissants from Suzettes. They also love watching their oldest son who is a championship swimmer at John Carroll University in Cleveland and is a musician and singer that has performed/written original score in DeAnna’s films. Their middle son currently attends Wheaton Warrenville South High School and has played tennis, baseball and football, while their youngest attends Edison Middle School in Wheaton and loves the creative arts and science.
Although DeAnna loves the creative process and working with eclectic talent to tell engaging stories, she always loves coming home to Wheaton.
PRODUCED PROJECTS
Feature Film Miss Arizona • Directed by Autumn McAlpin • www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhHo423k-ys
Chasing the Blues • Directed by Scott Smith • www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk71OwLyJ-0
Chasing Gold • Directed by Edmon Coisson • www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk71OwLyJ-0
I Heart Shakey • Directed by Kevin Cooper • www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ1nR_hhhps
TV Pilot Vendors • Director by Joel Murray • www.vimeo.com/261584250
Commercial (Won Midwest Emmy) Rockit Ranch Relaunch • Directed by Kevin Hart www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pRAKgKIS1o
Documentary Lady Parts Justice in the New World Order • Directed by Ruth Leitman www.ladypartsjusticedoc.com/
Short Film The Painter • Directed by Kevin Cooper • www.vimeo.com/73383636 The Go Cart • Directed by Kailyne Waters • www.vimeo.com/176745912 Happy Snow Day • Directed by Kevin Cooper • www.vimeo.com/245379801
