Stefanie Schaldenbrand has been elevated from sr. producer to head of production at Apache, a Santa Monica-based color and finishing boutique with work that spans commercials, music videos, episodic television shows and feature films.
A Florida transplant, Schaldenbrand joined Apache in 2015 after a career in marketing that saw her rise to sr. project manager at a firm that produced educational materials. She started in a client service role and quickly advanced into production. Since then she’s been instrumental in producing memorable projects at Apache, such as award-winning campaigns for Burger King with DAVID Miami, as well as for the studio’s body of long-form entertainment projects and feature documentaries. Among these are HBO’s The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, along with two films from Bruce Springsteen, Letter to You and, before that, Western Stars. Other nonfiction projects she’s shepherded through the studio include the Netflix original doc Challenger: The Final Flight; the Tribeca Film Festival selection With Drawn Arms, which ran on the Starz channel; and The Gift: The Journey of Johnny Cash, produced by The Kennedy/Marshall Company.
In her new position, Schaldenbrand will be the lead contact for artists, assistants and producers, overseeing the creation of budgets and schedules; serve as liaison between clients and Apache’s creative teams; and help cultivate a positive, engaging, and balanced work environment at the studio.
“I saw a lot of myself in her when we first met,” said Apache co-founder, managing partner and EP LaRue Anderson about Apache’s new head of production. “She was wanting to pivot in her career, and knew she needed to take the steps to learn our industry. She stepped in with a proactive mindset, and moved into producing within a year. She’s a strategist, an entrepreneur and an important part of what we do and who we are – we call her the Human Flame, and her spark is infectious! I love how she’s always three steps ahead of me.”
As for her goals at Apache, Schaldenbrand shared, “I’d hope my greatest contribution is the bond I’ve formed with clients while working hard to produce their projects seamlessly, but also the encouragement and implementation of increased communication among ourselves. We have amazing colorists, online editors, finishing artists and assistants who know their skill set through and through, but the magic really only happens when we’re all aligned.
“In bridging the gaps between artists, assistants and producers, we’ve created a space where we can problem solve and brainstorm new processes that can thrive in this ever-changing technical landscape,” Schaldenbrand continues. “It’s been a great benefit to our clients and their projects.”
While Apache has been busier than ever, even in light of the pandemic and how it’s impacted advertising and entertainment clients, there’s more to this head of production than just juggling budgets, schedules and Zoom meetings. On weekends, Schaldenbrand and her husband, an agency producer, quench their love for food by manning A.M. Smash, their celebrated breakfast sandwich pop-up. They set up shop every Saturday in West L.A., and every other Sunday in Costa Mesa. What’s their claim to fame? “We’re known for our killer, house-made sausage and maple aioli,” she admits, “but mostly, we specialize in starting someone’s day just right.”
This isn’t Schaldenbrand’s first foray into the food world–before leaving Florida for her new life with Chris in L.A., she won a national grilled cheese sandwich contest, netting a sweet $15K first prize–which is something to say ‘cheese’ about. Indeed, she quips, “It paid for our wedding.”
Sinners and Saints Adds Apple Pie To Its Branded Menu
Bicoastal Sinners and Saints--the multidisciplinary studio overseen by managing director/executive producer Heather Heller, and partners/EPs Yann Henric and Thomas Carroll--has added Apple Pie Tabletop to its roster for branded content. Known for its food and beverage content creation, Apple Pie comprises the husband-and-wife team of director/DP Gene Dubin and director/art director Alisa Volodina. In addition to representation, the move expands Apple Pie’s production capabilities through the combination of its centrally located full-service studio in New York and a newly established mobile studio in Los Angeles. Apple Pie recently teamed with Sinners and Saints on a Wienerschnitzel project created by Innocean.
“We believe that our dual studio strategy positions us uniquely in the competitive landscape of food and beverage storytelling,” said Heller. “By blending the artistry of the New York studio with the flexibility of our Los Angeles location, we can tailor our productions to meet the unique demands of each project, regardless of geography.”
“Working with Sinners and Saints in the demanding field of tabletop was an absolute pleasure,” shared Apple Pie Tabletop in a joint statement. “Warm welcome, unwavering support and dedication--everything a director can ask for. The entire experience was both enjoyable and rewarding. We will not miss an opportunity to collaborate with them again.”
“The first thing you notice is that Apple Pie has beautiful work,” Heller observed. “Having worked with them, I can say that Gene and Alisa are extremely meticulous and detail-oriented; their combination of talent and agility appeals to agencies and clients.” Also appealing to Heller is Apple Pie Tabletop’s brisk international... Read More