Mike Hassan, the founder and driving force behind Tall Pines Entertainment has had a varied career in the entertainment world, as an independent entrepreneur, attorney and the creative voice behind many uniquely visionary works.
In the eighties his play REAL LIFE was featured in an off broadway production. As an attorney, Mike represented major talent across the fashion, sports and entertainment industries and ultimately lead to his co-founding of Deerpath Films which presented Eli Roth's CABIN FEVER in 2002 as its first feature. In subsequent years, Mike became involved with other film and theatrical productions, both directly and as advisor to filmmakers and artists, all while maintaining an instinctive perspective on the methods of increasing the success of projects. Mike's first Novel, Crash and Burn, is considered the seminal work on growing up in the millennium, exploring the struggles of adolescent boys, one diagnosed with ADHD, the other with Bipolar Disorder. Crash and Burn has often been compared to Catcher in the Rye and has became required reading for a number of English departments. It was optioned as a series by Hulu.
Through Tall Pines, Mike became involved as Executive Producer of Supertroopers II and more recently the independent thriller of the year, FOLLOW HER, starring and written by Dani Barker and directed by Sylvia Caminer and he is currently finalizing his second novel and a series of short stories. He is also considered an accomplished classical pianist, but only by those who do not know classical music. He considers Tall Pines to be a culmination of his varied experiences and vehicle for the exploration and discovery of visionary works, films and ideas. To that end, he has recently become involved in the Woodstock Film Festival in support of undiscovered artists. As founder and Managing Director of Tall Pines, he chooses projects carefully, all while investing way too much time thinking about himself when he should be considering the feelings of others (quote from his wife).
Mike Hassan - Founder
Mike Hassan
Founder
Mike Hassan, the founder and driving force behind Tall Pines Entertainment has had a varied career in the entertainment world, as an independent entrepreneur, attorney and the creative voice behind many uniquely visionary works.
In the eighties his play REAL LIFE was featured in an off broadway production. As an attorney, Mike represented major talent across the fashion, sports and entertainment industries and ultimately lead to his co-founding of Deerpath Films which presented Eli Roth's CABIN FEVER in 2002 as its first feature. In subsequent years, Mike became involved with other film and theatrical productions, both directly and as advisor to filmmakers and artists, all while maintaining an instinctive perspective on the methods of increasing the success of projects. Mike's first Novel, Crash and Burn, is considered the seminal work on growing up in the millennium, exploring the struggles of adolescent boys, one diagnosed with ADHD, the other with Bipolar Disorder. Crash and Burn has often been compared to Catcher in the Rye and has became required reading for a number of English departments. It was optioned as a series by Hulu.
Through Tall Pines, Mike became involved as Executive Producer of Supertroopers II and more recently the independent thriller of the year, FOLLOW HER, starring and written by Dani Barker and directed by Sylvia Caminer and he is currently finalizing his second novel and a series of short stories. He is also considered an accomplished classical pianist, but only by those who do not know classical music. He considers Tall Pines to be a culmination of his varied experiences and vehicle for the exploration and discovery of visionary works, films and ideas. To that end, he has recently become involved in the Woodstock Film Festival in support of undiscovered artists. As founder and Managing Director of Tall Pines, he chooses projects carefully, all while investing way too much time thinking about himself when he should be considering the feelings of others (quote from his wife).
Dani Barker is a dynamic writer and performer whose talents are displayed in her recent feature film FOLLOW HER, directed by Emmy award winner Sylvia Caminer and shot by Academy award nominee Luke Geissbuhler. Follow Her had its world premiere at Fantasporto in 2022 sweeping the top awards and earning Dani Best Actress along with Best Film and Audience Award.
In addition, Dani has been the visionary behind other projects that she helmed, scripted and starred in, including Starvival, the Unprofessionals, which she produced, wrote, and played the lead; and Squirm, produced for Canada’s OUTtv. She has an equal affinity for high drama and low comedy and has established herself as an integral member of the Vancouver film community. Dani comes to Tall Pines with a unique vision for the future of independent movies, given her experience in managing productions and obtaining funding for projects during difficult times for the industry.
She is a true collaborator, involved in the development of projects as diverse as documentaries, short films and features extending beyond the horror genre. When Dani isn't acting or producing, she's often spotted on a distant highline a thousand feet above ground or on the road traveling with her partner, dog and cat.
Dani Barker - CEO
Dani Barker - CEO
Dani Barker is a dynamic writer and performer whose talents are displayed in her recent feature film FOLLOW HER, directed by Emmy award winner Sylvia Caminer and shot by Academy award nominee Luke Geissbuhler. Follow Her had its world premiere at Fantasporto in 2022 sweeping the top awards and earning Dani Best Actress along with Best Film and Audience Award.
In addition, Dani has been the visionary behind other projects that she helmed, scripted and starred in, including Starvival, the Unprofessionals, which she produced, wrote, and played the lead; and Squirm, produced for Canada’s OUTtv. She has an equal affinity for high drama and low comedy and has established herself as an integral member of the Vancouver film community. Dani comes to Tall Pines with a unique vision for the future of independent movies, given her experience in managing productions and obtaining funding for projects during difficult times for the industry.
She is a true collaborator, involved in the development of projects as diverse as documentaries, short films and features extending beyond the horror genre. When Dani isn't acting or producing, she's often spotted on a distant highline a thousand feet above ground or on the road traveling with her partner, dog and cat.
Mary Ellen Collins joined Tall Pines in the last quarter of 2020, as the Director of Acquisitions, charged with the responsibility of discovering undeveloped projects as well as those in production seeking financing and creative advice. She is both the gatekeeper of the company and the strongest advocate for experimental films of all kinds. She recently became involved in the acquisition of Crash and Burn for re-fitting as an independent movie.
Mary has a background spanning several fields with a talent for identifying good ideas and helping make them a reality. With experience in real estate development and construction, visual art production and design, costume design and construction, landscape design and horticulture, and a love for the written word and appreciation for the human experience she brings to the company a fresh perspective on the interface between reality and the fantasy world of making movies.
Mary Ellen
Director of Acquisitions
Mary Ellen
Director of Acquisitions
Mary Ellen Collins joined Tall Pines in the last quarter of 2020, as the Director of Acquisitions, charged with the responsibility of discovering undeveloped projects as well as those in production seeking financing and creative advice. She is both the gatekeeper of the company and the strongest advocate for experimental films of all kinds. She recently became involved in the acquisition of Crash and Burn for re-fitting as an independent movie.
Mary has a background spanning several fields with a talent for identifying good ideas and helping make them a reality. With experience in real estate development and construction, visual art production and design, costume design and construction, landscape design and horticulture, and a love for the written word and appreciation for the human experience she brings to the company a fresh perspective on the interface between reality and the fantasy world of making movies.
ERIN BOYES
HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT
Erin Boyes is a dynamic theatre, film and television actor and producer. After completing the Development of Feature Films program at UCLA, Ms. Boyes has been immersed in the world of development and is thrilled to be working as the Head of Development at Tall Pines Entertainment.
Erin has been very busy working in film and television throughout the US and Canada for 20 years. After graduating from Cab Calloway School of the Arts, Erin continued training and working as an actor and filmmaker in Delaware, Philadelphia and New York. She went on to study and work in the theatre, film and TV world in Los Angeles, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Florida, Vancouver and Jamaica as an actor, casting assistant and talent agent assistant, producer’s assistant, casting director, producer and on-set marketing assistant.
Having produced, written and acted in award winning works that took her to film festivals throughout the US, Canada and Europe, she has recently completed writing the feature In The Cracks with Dani Barker and Alex Vance, which is moving forward in development with her producing partner and CEO of Tall Pines, Dani Barker.
Currently based in Vancouver, Erin is a well-respected filmmaker, combining her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with her extensive experience as an actor and industry professional. Always one to keep her pulse on up and coming talent, she runs her own audition and scene study classes and hosts Casting Director and Film Director workshops with Vancouver’s most in demand professionals.
Gerald has worked in the industry since 2012 as a documentarian, videographer and photographer. He joined Tall Pines in 2022 as an integral member of the team, charged with the responsibility of investigating and identifying new technologies that will both enhance filmmakers ability to achieve their visions and determine the most cost effective ways to produce.
Gerald Situ
Technology Consultant
Gerald Situ
Technology Consultant
Gerald has worked in the industry since 2012 as a documentarian, videographer and photographer. He joined Tall Pines in 2022 as an integral member of the team, charged with the responsibility of investigating and identifying new technologies that will both enhance filmmakers ability to achieve their visions and determine the most cost effective ways to produce.
Only direct serious inquiries to Benji.
Benji - Mascat
Benji
Mascat
Only direct serious inquiries to Benji.