Our Team
RANA STRAZZA
PRESIDENT, CREATIVE CONTENT
Matt Strazza is a founding partner and software industry veteran with experience in the formation, financing, and growth of organizations. He has wide-ranging international experience as Chief Executive Officer of ConstructConnect, a leading software company in the construction industry with over 1,000 employees operating across North America, and in senior roles at scale in several large companies (CA, Roper, Deltek). (linkedin.com/in/mattstrazza). Matt is a proud recipient of The Comparably BEST CEOs for Women award, and under his leadership, ConstructConnect was recognized with The Comparably Best Company for Women, Best Company Culture, and Best Leadership Teams awards. A passionate supporter of the arts, Matt is now thrilled to utilize his industry experience and leadership skills to help launch First Magnitude Films.
A producer, director, and production designer, Rana has industry-acclaimed credits in televised and large-scale events for Bravo Media, TIME Inc., NBC Universal, SONY, The WEBBY’s, MLB, FOX, and the Tribeca Film Festival. An award-winning, classically trained vocalist, composer, actor, writer, and former model for Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren, she has work- shopped with Sundance Films and performed and directed Off-Broadway. She was Artistic Director of the Manhattan's developmental theater The Birdhouse Players and the Aerie Rep, directing all creative departments of main stage productions and training hundreds of actors (including her children). Rana is also co-founder of TheSled.org, a non-profit providing crisis support for housing-insecure NYC public school students and their families.
JEFF CRYDER
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Motivated by a lifelong fascination with motion pictures, Jeff, An accomplished senior financial executive with extensive performance management, strategic planning, finance, human resources, information technology and turnaround leadership skills over a career spanning more than 40 years, directs his financial talents toward film production finance. Recognized as an executive who positively influences the performance of other members of the team and has actively participated in five management teams that have successfully unlocked significant profitable growth potential. Jeff is currently Executive Vice President Administration of ConstructConnect, the commercial construction industry’s leading provider of construction project information, data analytics, and preconstruction software. Jeff is a CPA (inactive).
MATT STRAZZA
MANAGING PARTNER
Matt Strazza is a founding partner and software industry veteran with experience in the formation, financing, and growth of organizations. He has wide-ranging international business experience. He has held multiple CEO roles including his present role as CEO of Frontline Education, a leading provider of software in the K-12 space in the United States. Matt has held senior roles at scale in several large companies (CA, Roper, Deltek) (linkedin.com/in/mattstrazza). Matt is a proud recipient of The Comparably BEST CEOs for Women award, and under his leadership, ConstructConnect was recognized with The Comparably Best Company for Women, Best Company Culture, and Best Leadership Teams awards. A passionate supporter of the arts, Matt is now thrilled to lend his experience and leadership skills to First Magnitude Films.
ABBY EPSTEIN
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER, ADVISOR
Abby Epstein produced and directed the celebrated documentary The Business of Being Born, with her longtime producing partner, Ricki Lake. Heralded as a “must-see for every pregnant woman,” The Business of Being Born premiered at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival where it was named among “Best of the Fest” by New York Magazine and The Wall Street Journal. The Business of Being Born was released theatrically in 2008 and had its broadcast premiere on Showtime. The success of the film inspired Abby and Ricki’s book Your Best Birth, which was published by Hachette. Their follow-up DVD series More Business of Being Born featuring Cindy Crawford, Alanis Morissette, Gisele Bundchen and Christy Turlington was released in 2011. Abby made her film directing debut at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival with the documentary, Until the Violence Stops, featuring Jane Fonda, Eve Ensler, Salma Hayek and Rosie Perez. The film played at the Miami, Santa Barbara, Maui and Locarno Film Festivals and won the Audience Award at the Amnesty International Film Festival in Vancouver. Until the Violence Stops premiered on Lifetime Television and received an Emmy and a Gracie Allen Award.
Under their joint venture BOBB Films, Abby and Ricki served as Executive Producers of the 2014 documentary Breastmilk, The Mama Sherpas, Weed the People and Sweetening the Pill. Prior to her film work Abby directed theater, helming National Tours and international premieres of RENT and “The Vagina Monologues.”
LOLLIE MCKENZIE
PRODUCTION ADVISOR
Lollie was last a Script Advisor with Berwick and Kovacik, LA and personal rehearsal assistant to Golden Globe-winning actress, Mia Farrow. A professional actor who has been seen on the West End, for the Royal Shakespeare Company, and on the BBC, Lollie was selected to direct the prestigious First-Year musical at Harvard University, where she studied Philosophy. She is Chair of The Harvard Office for the Arts Student Fellowship and was selected to advise on Showcase content as a distinguished Proctor of the First-Year Arts Program (FAP). FAP is staffed by a number of guest artists, including Tony Winner, Benj Pasek (Dear Evan Hansen), with whom Lollie collaborated with in directing the premiere of White House Princess, a student-written musical about President Teddy Roosevelt's rambunctious daughter, Alice.
CHRISTOPHER WRIGHT
PRODUCTION ADVISOR
With over 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Chris has a passion for helping actors achieve their full potential in both their business and their art. In association with colleagues he has a specialty in advising and counseling actors on how to navigate the complex and competitive industry, as well as how to balance their creative and professional goals. As the owner of Wright Entertainment, he has worked with a diverse and talented roster of clients, who benefit from extensive network, industry knowledge, and personalized approach. At Wright Entertainment, he has provided comprehensive talent management services, including career development, contract negotiation, audition coaching, branding, marketing, and public relations. He has leveraged skills in social networking, entertainment, and theatre to connect clients with the best opportunities and resources for their success. Chris also collaborates with other industry professionals, such as agents, casting directors, producers, and directors, to build strong and lasting relationships.