Faculty
Asad Butt
Asad Butt has more than two decades of experience working in startups, investing, and media. For 10 years he managed global accelerator programs in education technology and pet tech. In 2020, Butt launched Rifelion Media to elevate diverse voices in podcasting and film. His work as a producer has been recognized by the Webby Awards, the Asian American Podcasters Association, and the AVA Digital Awards. Butt serves on the board of The Capital Network.
Lydia Cedrone
Lydia Cedrone is experienced in both studio and independent filmmaking and producing. Under her company banner, Tidal Wave Entertainment (TWE), she champions cinematic storytelling across a variety of genres. In addition to her motion picture producer credits, Lydia has served as advisor on numerous films both in the U.S. and abroad. Prior to forming TWE and on pictures ranging from $1.5 million to over $100 million, Lydia managed production operations for Forward Pass Productions; development and production at The Walt Disney Co. and Trimark Pictures; and marketing and distribution at Savoy Pictures. Her foray into producing began in the mid 1990s with a comedy filmed at the historic Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. In New York in the early 1990s, she worked for veteran film producer Nancy Tenenbaum and at Robert De Niro’s newly formed Tribeca Film Center. She kicked off her career on the set of his directorial debut film, A Bronx Tale. Lydia holds an MBA from New York University and a BA in Economics from Boston College. A Boston native, she enjoys old Hollywood history and cares deeply about preserving early films.
Mike Gaines
Mike Gaines is a visual effects producer and artist in Los Angeles, specializing in invisible effects work for film & television at his company, InvisEffects. A COM ’04 graduate, Mike has over 15 years of post-production experience, working for projects including Modern Family, This Is Us, andBetter Call Saul.
Brian Herskowitz
Brian has worked as a TV writer on THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS OF HERCULES, BLOSSOM, DREAM ON, and TOUR OF DUTY. He directed ODESSA OR BUST with Red Buttons, Jason Alexander, George Wendt, and Jason Schwartzman, MURRAY GHOST (short content series), JOANNE (starring Gina Hect from DAVE and MORK & MINDY), SNOUT (short film), IT TAKES BRAINS (short film), and the feature-length documentary 1736 SOMEWHERE TO TURN. He has also directed stage plays, including CIRCLE OF WILL, SHUFFLE OFF THIS MORTAL BUFFALO, and CONFESSION AND AVOIDANCE, based on his play adapted from the book by his father, Mickey Herskowitz. Brian Line Produced Candace Bushnell’s BROADROOM (web series, Jennie Garth, Jennifer Esposito).
Features include MUSICAL CHAIRS (producer), TIO PAPI (writer/producer), THE PHOTOGRAPHER (writer), BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT (writer/producer), ZBurbs (Exec Producer), STAR LEAF (Co-Exec Producer), BUCKY AND THE SQUIRRELS (Producer). He will be directing his feature script BEFORE MOONRISE in 2023 or early 2024.
Brian has taught screenwriting at Writer’s Bootcamp, UCLA Extensions, Lifton Institute, and Stage 32. For 19 years, he has led the Boston University Writer in Hollywood Program. Brian’s first book was a textbook on screenwriting, PROCESS TO PRODUCT. His second book, CONCEPTUS, is an award-winning novel that grew out of one of his screenplays.
In his spare time, Brian teaches and competes in Judo and Brazilian Jiujitsu.
Yasmin Karimi
Yasmin was most recently Counsel in Netflix’s Original Film group, focusing on structuring, negotiating, and drafting deals across all aspects of film development. Prior to joining Netflix in 2021, Yasmin was at Imagine Entertainment, where she worked across all of the company’s divisions, including feature films, scripted television, documentaries, and kids & family programming.
She began her career in the Entertainment and Advertising group at the law firm Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP after several years working in politics in DC and Washington State. She attended NYU and Vanderbilt Law School, and is originally from Seattle, WA.
Tim Kashani
Tim unites technology and the arts, driving humanity forward through shared stories. He recently co-founded Humani3, a venture studio that harnesses the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Extended Realities (XR), and Web 3.0 (W3) to incubate and accelerate innovative technology solutions and stories that uplift humanity. Through empathy-driven action, Humani3 tackles three vital challenges to our future: climate, wellness, and community.
Tim merged his passion for theater and technology, co-founding THEatre ACCELERATOR, an innovative incubator for new musical development that applies the methods, processes, and mindset of the startup world to the performing arts. The program explores data-driven decision-making, brand definition, growth hacking, AI, and most importantly, a call to rethink the entire developmental and distribution cycle of new stories using XR.
On Broadway, Tim produced the Tony Award-winning productions of HAIR, Memphis, and An American in Paris. He directed the filmed stage musicals Emma and No One Called Ahead, expanding new development and distribution models for existing and emerging voices. Along with his wife Pamela, Tim recently co-wrote and directed Winter Lights: A Musical Spectacular, which debuted at Discovery Cube OC in 2022 and continues to delight audiences of all ages.
As the founder of IT Mentors, Tim architects and designs technology training solutions, helping major corporations like Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse, and UBS strategize and adopt training and technology to cultivate a human-centered culture. In 2019, IT Mentors launched a partnership with the Shubert Organization called Broadway Tech Accelerator, an environment for entrepreneurs in technology to accelerate early-stage startups in the live entertainment sector.
Tim graduated from the University of California at Irvine with a Bachelor of Science degree in Information and Computer Sciences, later returning to complete his MBA there. He also holds an MFA in Film Production, with a specialization in Directing from Chapman University.
Lawrence Mott
A seasoned creative executive and Washington, DC native, Lawrence’s educational journey began at Columbia College Chicago, where he honed his skills and fostered his passion for storytelling.
His professional journey in the entertainment industry commenced as an intern and assistant at State Street Pictures. Lawrence contributed to noteworthy films such as “Barbershop 3” and “The Hate U Give.” Following his tenure at State Street Pictures, Mott transitioned to 51 Minds Entertainment. As an associate producer, he demonstrated his leadership abilities and creative vision on the film “Beats,” starring Anthony Anderson.
Returning to his roots, Lawrence took on a role as a creative executive at State Street Pictures. Lawrence has worked on films and TV series such as “On the Come Up” and the series, “The Crossover” at Disney+. Lawrence will be serving as Executive Producer on the upcoming feature films, “Action” with AGC Studios, “The Thanksgiving Text” at Netflix, and the animated series “Primus 7” with Sony TV. His responsibilities include identifying compelling stories, managing project development, and collaborating with writers and directors to produce innovative and engaging content that resonates with diverse audiences.
Randi Siegel
Randi Siegel is an experienced executive and Talent Manager in the entertainment business, specializing in comedy. Known for launching and developing the career of Jimmy Fallon, Siegel currently manages a select roster of talent, including writer/director legend David Zucker and YouTube influencer YOU SUCK AT COOKING. Siegel is an EP and is hired for skills in contract notes, social media strategy, script notes and development, casting, lectures & workshops, and developing standup material. She recently marked her 15th year as an adjunct professor for Boston University (BUinLA), teaching “Talent Representation, Strategy and Contracts,” and she has guest lectured at CSUN, ASU, and McGeorge School of Law.
Larry Weinberg
Lawrence I. Weinberg, Esq. has performed legal and business affairs services for a variety of entertainment companies, law firms and independent motion pictures, documentaries, television and web-based programs for over twenty-five years. He is also an educator, having worked with Boston University’s Los Angeles Study Abroad Program since its inception in 2002.
Weinberg graduated from Loyola Law School in 1989 and Boston University in 1986. He has been a member of the California Bar since 1990 and acted as Senior Advisor and Lead Lecturer of Film and Television and Media Ventures Programs for Boston University’s Los Angeles Study Abroad Program (BULA) for 19 years, and remains a current member of the faculty for BULA. Weinberg has also spoken on entertainment and media business and legal matters at numerous film festivals, universities and state-run seminars, as well as for private corporate client engagements. He has been an advisor for the Sundance Institute Labs and the Sundance Catalyst Forum, an exclusive annual program at the Sundance Institute which brings filmmakers and investors together for seminars, workshops and presentation meetings.
Currently, Weinberg manages his own boutique law practice and represents a variety of entertainment clients including corporate entities, distributors, producers, artists and individual motion picture, television and internet-based productions. Weinberg’s clients are multi-faceted and include international production, financing and distribution companies, film and media funds, animation studios, and writers, directors, actors and producers. Weinberg oversees all aspects of his client’s legal affairs. One thing all of his clients share is that they are prolific producers of quality motion picture and television content.