Mark Kerins earned bachelor's degrees in chemistry and mathematics from Valparaiso University, then transitioned from science to film after discovering he enjoyed making and watching movies more than working in a lab. He went on to earn MA and Ph.D degrees in film from Northwestern University, and now teaches film production and post-production in the Division of Film & Media Arts at Southern Methodist University. As a scholar, his research focuses on film sound design; his book "Beyond Dolby (Stereo)," on the use of digital surround sound in movies, was published in November 2010 by Indiana University Press and won a Godbey Lecture Series Authors Award. As a filmmaker, he works primarily in editing but has also directed a variety of films and music videos.

Elliot Mayén is a filmmaker with a background in photography, design and music. Originally from Mexico City, Elliot came to the United States at a very early age and quickly assimilated into (and became obsessed with) American culture. He picked up his first camera in high school and has been working with moving images ever since. Elliot’s professional career has spanned various creative fields from stage to screen, with several stops along the way. As a filmmaker, Elliot has written and directed award-winning short films, music videos, and commercial videos for clients across a broad range of industries. His work had focused on exploring the tensions that reside in the space between perceived reality and objective truth. Elliot earned his BA in Film-Video from Southern Methodist University and is currently a Producer at DHD Films in Dallas, TX.