Team
Our mix of expertise in film production, distribution, and finance, along with a heavy weight of industry relationship capital enables Smart Angels Film Fund LLC to find, evaluate, and execute film project opportunities with a keen eye and understanding of current and future market needs.
Melissa McGinnis
CEO/Co-Founder
Melissa graduated from University of Missouri, BA (Theatre) with Honors, Dean’s List.
She is a member of the American Federation of Radio & Television Artists since 2006, & has worked for a number of years as both an actress & model. Prior to moving to Los Angeles, Melissa was employed as Director of the Kansas City commercial acting branch of AIGP, a national Talent Agency. There she was in charge of administration, talent acquisitions, organizing fundraisers & she taught workshops in theatrical & commercial acting & runway modeling.
More recently, she has worked in Kansas City and Los Angeles as a consultant to private companies and high net worth individuals in fundraising and marketing activities. She has developed skills in corporate compliance, governance and financial reporting. She is also skilled in investor relations, advertising and promotions, including sales and event management. Melissa is Managing Member of Smart Angels Film Fund, LLC and in charge of Administration (USA).
Jeff Pierce
Creative Director
Jeff has an extensive film-making background (25 years). He has contributed to many high profile film and television productions; including ‘Oscar winning visual effects’ for ‘Independence Day’. He was a member of a team that won an ‘Oscar for Best Documentary, Short Subjects’ in 2005 for ‘Mighty Times-The Children’s March’.
He gained experience in production, post production and digital content management at prominent film studios and visual effect companies; including Universal Studios, Paramount, Warner Bros, Disney, 20th Century Fox and Lionsgate.
Involved as an editor, visual effects artist, digital supervisor, his feature films include Cliffhanger, Mighty Morphing Power Rangers, Independence Day, Godzilla, Men in Black, Star Trek: First Contact, Dr. Doolittle, The General’s Daughter, Daylight, Looney Tunes: Back In Action, to name only a few. His TV shows include Northern Exposure, Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman, Star Trek: Voyager, Stargate SG-1, Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and Grey’s Anatomy. He has worked on music videos for stars such as Michael Jackson and Bruce Springsteen among others; and many national commercials for fortune 500 companies.
Jeff developed digital film mastering tools, various proprietary digital visual effects and software solutions that delivered groundbreaking visual effects for over 60 motion pictures. His experience extends to Producing the TV series Almost Got Away With It (Producer) and the film The Wave 3D, as well as Executive Producing Air Racers 3D which was released in 3D to IMAX theaters worldwide and premiered at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.
As Creative Director, Jeff’s role is to provide oversight for the funds interests in all aspects of film production, project acquisition and project management. Jeff contributes his extensive expertise and deep industry relationships that have been forged through his lengthy tenure in the motion picture industry.
Keith E. Anderson, PhD
VP of Business Development
Dr. Anderson is a seasoned pharmaceutical development executive with a proven track-record of developing and commercializing successful products. He has been involved in a number of business transactions including in-licensing and out-licensing of pharmaceutical technologies, M&A, venture financing and related IPOs. He has an extensive background in setting up logistics, supply chain and distribution channels and associated Master Service and Supply Agreements. In addition, he is an inventor on 5 patents with associated licensing agreements. His passion in the entertainment industry has led to being a co-investor and advisor on a number of motion picture investments. His network and strategic business background brings a critical element to developing and commercializing the SMAFF platform.
Gabriella Legolts
Legal Counsel
Gabriella is retained as SMAFF’s legal counsel. She brings over 20 years’ experience in legal, distribution & creative sides of the motion picture industry. A veteran of DreamWorks, Universal Pictures, Showtime, Fremantle Television, Media 8 & Hal Prince Musical Theater Workshop; Gabriella earned her way & gained experience in script writing, animation, & management positions in film distribution, both foreign & domestic.
Gabriella Legolts has a BA, University of California (Berkeley), Masters from Peter Stark Film and Television Producing Program, and a J.D. from Loyola Law School. She is multi-lingual and fluent in Spanish, German, French and English. Gabriella is a partner in Plattner Law Offices, 1925 Century Park East, Ste. 2000, Los Angeles, CA 90067 and a member of the California Bar Association.
