​Frank Sanza

DIRECTOR & WRITER

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With The Short Game capturing hearts and wowing audiences nationwide, Frank Sanza’s feature directorial debut has proven to be a resounding success.

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Frank’s extensive production knowledge—honed as the managing partner, lead producer, and director of Slingshot17 Productions in North Texas—proved invaluable in navigating the complexities of indie filmmaking. By leveraging Slingshot17’s advanced stages and premium camera, audio, and lighting packages, Frank brought a rare technical mastery to the set. As an FAA-licensed commercial drone pilot, he also personally captured the film’s stunning aerial cinematography, bringing a sweeping, high-production aesthetic to the expansive golf sequences.

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An accomplished editor in his own right, Frank directs with the final cut firmly in mind. While he didn't sit in the editor's chair for The Short Game, his deep understanding of post-production allowed him to plan and execute scenes with precise efficiency, establishing an immediate creative shorthand with the film's editing team.

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Frank’s creative roots began on the other side of the camera as an award-winning actor in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. This background gives him an intuitive, empathetic approach to directing talent, resulting in the film's remarkably authentic performances. His time in front of the camera also instilled a deep respect for on-set procedures, ensuring a highly efficient, collaborative, and professional production environment.

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Beyond The Short Game, Frank wrote and directed the acclaimed short film Home, celebrated for its poignant depiction of grace and unconditional love. A true multi-hyphenate, his storytelling expertise also spans the stage; he has directed numerous regional musical theater productions across California, Minnesota, and Texas. Frank holds a degree in music conducting from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and has spent years directing live pit orchestras.

Frank resides in Van Alstyne, Texas, with his wife and two children. When he isn't behind the camera or in the production studio, he can usually be found on the basketball court or perfecting his own swing on the golf course.

David Parks

PRODUCER & WRITER

With a career spanning over 30 years across almost every genre of entertainment, producer and writer David Parks has mastered the art of high-stakes storytelling. From micro-budget indie features to some of the largest live broadcasts in television history, David’s projects have shattered viewing records, garnered critical acclaim, and earned numerous industry awards.

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David’s deep roots in both the creative and physical sides of production give him a unique edge. As a DGA director and writer, he designs production frameworks that don't just protect the budget—they elevate the creative vision. His feature work includes producing the hit indie The Sky is Falling and launching the development phase of the Oscar-winning short Two Soldiers. His storytelling extends into sports and documentary, having penned and produced National Geographic’s Death on the Mountain: The Women of K2, served as head of production for the digital sports network Stadium, and directed and produced major live events such as the Emmy Awards, the NHL Winter Classic, and the Rose Parade. 

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Whether producing an A-list stadium concert like Live Earth: The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis (the largest entertainment broadcast in history) or navigating the tight corners of an independent film set, David relies on a collaborative, boots-on-the-ground philosophy built from years of working his way up the production ladder.

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Following his work on The Short Game, David co-founded Limitless Films with Oscar winning documentarian Ellen Goosenberg Kent. Their current production is a feature documentary Full Cup, about the Homeless World Cup, now filming in Oslo, England, Mexico, and the US.

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David holds a degree from Syracuse University and an MFA from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. A former international soccer player who still balances his time between soccer and cycling, David is a member of the PGA, DGA, NATAS, and the Television Academy. He bases his operations out of both Los Angeles and the Chicago area, where he resides with his wife and creative partner, Florrie Laurence Parks, and their family.

Daniel Hegel

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER​​

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Dan Hegel is an executive producer of independent cinema, bringing a unique blend of scientific precision, entrepreneurial leadership, and a lifelong passion for storytelling to the film industry. His company banner, Sadie Catch Productions, funds an eclectic mix of films, focusing on family oriented features.

His career began on the cutting edge of aerospace technology, where he specialized in satellite guidance systems. He contributed to some of modern history’s most iconic space programs, including the Hubble Space Telescope, NASA weather satellites, and the commercial imaging constellations that map our world on Google Maps. Following his tenure on these landmark projects, Dan co-founded a pioneering aerospace company dedicated to small satellite manufacturing. The outstanding commercial success of that venture ultimately allowed him to pivot toward his other lifelong devotions: creativity, community, and the arts.

Raised in a deeply musical household, Dan has spent decades performing in choirs and community drama productions. As a father of four, he spent years championing arts education at home and in his community.

Today, Dan funnels that creative energy and entrepreneurial acumen into backing high-quality, impactful independent films, helping visionaries bring their stories to life from script to screen. He pairs this artistic dedication with an elite academic foundation, holding a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Arizona State University and a Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University.

Greg Matthews

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

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Greg Matthews filmic career began in 1998 with his move from Knoxville to Los Angeles. After working across a variety of roles in television, he shifted his focus to camera and directing. His cinematography career is rooted in documentary and unscripted projects including the Justin Timberlake project The Phone TLC’s Leave it to Niecy and VH1’s What Chili Wants, as well as international hits like X Factor with Simon Cowell. 

Greg’s career as a Director of Photography continued to blossom with credits including two plus seasons of Fresh Off The Boat. He shot his first feature in 2021 for director Dean Caine, Little Angels. Other credits include Apple TV+ Best Foot Forward, Disney+ Saturdays and currently is DP’ing second unit for Paramount’s Loud House.

Greg also works as a director with several credits for Kinetic Entertainment including the wedding episodes of Married At First Sight. 

Greg brings a passion, an incredible work ethic, and an attention to detail and preparation to The Short Game. It will be his third collaboration with Producer David Parks. Best of all, Greg is an avid, low-handicap golfer with an understanding of the sport that will serve to enhance the photographic and sensibilities of the film.

E. Joren Christensen

WRITER & CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

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In April 2014, Frank Sanza, Larry Boatright and Joren Christensen established a writing partnership and The Short Game teed off. It has been a long and exciting road from the first click of the keyboard until pre-production. In addition to screenwriter, Joren is also a co-executive producer of the film. With three additional completed screenplays and multiple writing projects in development, Joren adds extensive creative value to the development of this film.

Joren caught the acting bug in 4th grade when he was cast as Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk in his elementary school play. He has played dozens of roles in community theater productions including Daddy Warbucks in Annie and his favorite role, the ghost of Jacob Marley in a Christmas Carol. He has also directed and been lead set designer in multiple stage productions. Joren's current feature production, as co-writer and producer, just completed principle photography. 

Joren was the event coordinator of countless community, ministry and outreach events as an associate church pastor for fifteen years, including an Independence Day Pyrotechnic Extravaganza and Festival attended by tens of thousands in San Jose from 2002 - 2008. 

Joren lives in McKinney, Texas with his wife, Wendy. His two adult daughters and one son-in-law live in Seattle and Nampa, Idaho. He loves to travel, has been to Indonesia and Israel and almost everywhere in between. 

Scott Crain

CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

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Scott is a successful business entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in startup, management, and operations of many companies. He is the owner of Texoma Mfg., LLC, a custom metal manufacturer.  He's also the owner and founder of American Billboards Corporation, an outdoor advertising company, and cofounder of Slingshot17 Productions, a full-service production company based in North Texas. Slingshot17 has produced commercials and various video and film content for such clients as, the Emmy Awards, General Electric, ExxonMobil, Fossil, and Navy Seals, to name a few and has become one of the most sought-after production houses in the area. Scott brings real world business savvy to the project. His experience and success over the years will be a major contributing factor to the success of this movie. 

Scott and his wife Carol are founders of Fusion Bible Church in Durant, OK and are involved in philanthropic initiatives around the world. He has two grown sons and seven grandchildren. Scott is an avid golfer, sports fan, and proud supporter of the University of Oklahoma. He enjoys traveling and playing golf around the globe.