About Spirit Juice Studios
Powerful visual media merged with the ever ancient, ever new beauty of Catholicism.
Rob Kaczmark
President / CEO
Spirit Juice Studios
Hi, I’m Rob. I’m so glad you’re here.
Back in 2007, I started Spirit Juice Studios with the purpose of elevating Catholic evangelization through powerful visuals and masterful storytelling.
Today, our team continues that mission by partnering with visionary organizations, such as yourself, to tell their stories through the transformative power of visual media. Over the years, we’ve honed these skills as experts in our trade, crafting experiences that engage your audience, amplify your message, and inspire support.
If they aren’t already, film-based elements should be pivotal components of your marketing strategy.
Over the years, we’ve collaborated with leading Catholic organizations such as the USCCB, Word on Fire, the Knights of Columbus, seminaries, dioceses, parishes, non-profit organizations, schools, and more, to amplify the impact of their work and elevate the Church’s mission in the process.
They’ve witnessed the revolutionary developments this media inspires… maybe it’s your turn to take the plunge?
MEET THE Team
BRANDEN STANLEY
EXECUTIVE VP
SENECA LESTER
EXECUTIVE VP
Marissa Van Kley
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION
JESSIE SCHIFFER
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
VICTORIA MCEACHERN
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
BERNADETTE ENRIQUEZ
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
KELLY CUNNINGHAM
SUPERVISING PRODUCER
Elrodson Quiroz
Supervising Editor
Cody Hilliard
Senior Director
Edgar Patino
Senior Editor
Kevin Moon
Producer
CYNTHIA GUERRERO
OFFICE MANAGER
Chris Weingart
Director
Julia Jacks
Director – Juice Box
Miles Miller
Producer
Megan Lanz
Producer
Nick Sun
Editor – Original Content
Alexandra Bartman
editor
Carley Kormanis
Director
Marissa Metoyer
Editor
Lucas Hibdon
Audio Engineer
Mike Hellman
Editor
Ryan Huber
Implementation Specialist
Daniel Gebert
Colorist
Rebeca Martinez
Administrative Assistant
Clare Birkleland
Development Coordinator
Luis Velazquez
Gear Technician
SENECA LESTER
EXECUTIVE VP
AS VP of Operations, Seneca ensures the smooth and efficient execution of all operations at Spirit Juice including overseeing decisions related to staffing, budgets, new technologies acquisition, operational systems implementation, and facility management.
Originally hailing from Arizona, Seneca has long had a passion for film production and after graduating from National-Luis University immediately began work in the industry first as a production assistant and then production manger in both television and film including credits for television series such as Gangland, National Geographic: Inside 9/11, Mobsters, and Find Our Missing.
Prior joining Spirit Juice in 2020 Seneca has produced many projects earning five Emmys, a Gabriel and multiple Catholic Media Awards.
Seneca is a devoted husband and proud father of two and enjoys skateboarding in his spare time.
ROB KACZMARK
PRESIDENT AND CEO
Rob founded Spirit Juice Studios in 2007 for the purpose of elevating Catholic evangelization through powerful visuals and masterful storytelling.
Since that time, Rob has guided and overseen the company as it has grown to become a premier and award-winning creator of top-tier Catholic media content. A Chicago area native, Rob originally began his career with a background in radio production and business marketing.
Since founding Spirit Juice, he has gone on to work with clients from 15 countries, earn 12 Emmy Awards, and complete thousands of projects ranging from documentaries and music videos to podcasts and commercials which have generated over one billion views.
With his wife Kim, Rob is the proud father of two boys and enjoys spending time with them and popping a wheelie on his bike during the weekend.
BRANDEN STANLEY
EXECUTIVE VP
Branden guides and manages the innovative team at Spirit Juice tasked with developing the creative vision and cinematic power of every project.
Since joining Spirit Juice in 2014, he has earned five Emmy Awards for his work and has used his diverse areas of expertise to guide the creation of hundreds of films, documentaries, and narrative pieces.
In his current role, Branden ensures the continued excellence of all Spirit Juice films by motivating the team under his leadership to develop new techniques and processes using state-of-the-art equipment and collaborative teamwork.
Branden is a graduate of Ball State University and enjoys spending his free time with his wife Alea and their three energetic boys.
VICTORIA MCEACHERN
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
As Director of Business Development, Victoria connects and introduces Spirit Juice Studios to individuals and organizations that seek to express their work and mission through the kind of visual media Spirit Juice specializes in.
Before coming to Spirit Juice, Victoria worked for ten years in the fields of information technology and communications, including for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and as the director of communications for a national Catholic evangelization organization.
Upon coming to Spirit Juice in 2020, Victoria first worked as a producer and director of production where she oversaw and managed the projects of the production department as the company more than doubled in size within three years.
During this time, she worked as the producer of the feature-length documentary film Heart of a Servant on the life of Father Edward Flanagan, the founder of historic Boys Town, Nebraska.
A native of Alberta, Canada, Victoria graduated from the University of British Columbia and enjoys spending her free time downhill skiing, cycling, and finding the best coffee shops when traveling for shoots.
MARISSA VAN KLEY
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION
As Director of Production, Marissa provides leadership and oversight for all projects by facilitating communication, managing teams, and maintaining positive client relations to ensure client satisfaction and quality.
A native of Tennessee, Marissa graduated Magna Cum Laude from Belmont University with her B.A. in French and Classical Voice before teaching English full-time in Provins, France at the Lycée Les Pannevelles where she developed her strengths for group collaboration, training, and leadership.
Since coming to Spirit Juice in 2018, Marissa has earned a Gabriel Award for producing St. Junípero Serra — A Man of God, A Mission of Love for the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic Press Award for Santa María de Guadalupe: Mujer Eucarística (also for the Knights of Columbus), and has been nominated for multiple Emmy Awards.
With her husband Kent, Marissa enjoys spending her free time baking, singing, reading, and playing with their two adorable cats, Couscous and Sylvie.
JESSIE SCHIFFER
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
As creative director, Jessie oversees and guides the work of all the directors and directors of photography to ensure the creative vision of every project is successfully realized.
Before coming to Spirit Juice, Jessie worked for five years in Los Angeles on a variety of film and video projects as a production assistant, story analyst, and producer. Since coming to Spirit Juice in 2020, Jessie has earned an Emmy Award for her work on the Diocese of Wichita’s film Fr. Kapaun Comes Home, has been nominated for two additional Emmys, and has worked closely with numerous clients both nationally and internationally.
Jessie earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Benedictine College in 2011 and her MBA in film production from John Paul the Great Catholic University in 2014. Jessie is grateful for the opportunity to infuse her work with her faith and to combine her love of logistics with the artistry of film.
When not making or watching films, Jessie enjoys traveling, running, and spending time with friends and family, usually outdoors.
KELLY CUNNINGHAM
SUPERVISING PRODUCER
As supervising producer, Kelly works closely with the Director of Production in overseeing all aspects of the production department. She also works closely with the Development Department and executive team to ensure all projects run smoothly from concept to final delivery.
Before coming to Spirit Juice in 2021, Kelly worked in Austin, Los Angeles, and Chicago as a 2nd and 1st assistant director for multiple independent and short films as well as commercials. Since joining Spirit Juice, she has worked on numerous projects including as the writer and associate producer for a new feature length documentary on the life of Father Edward Flanagan, the founder of the historic Boys Town in Nebraska.
Kelly graduated from the University of Iowa in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in cinema and later went on to earn a MFA in screenwriting from DePaul University. Kelly is an avid fan of all things related to film and the performing arts.
She loves keeping up to date on the latest TV and movie releases and is also a frequent attendee at performances by Broadway in Chicago.
CYNTHIA GUERRERO
OFFICE MANAGER
As Director of Production, Marissa provides leadership and oversight for all projects by facilitating communication, managing teams, and maintaining positive client relations to ensure client satisfaction and quality.
A native of Tennessee, Marissa graduated Magna Cum Laude from Belmont University with her B.A. in French and Classical Voice before teaching English full-time in Provins, France at the Lycée Les Pannevelles where she developed her strengths for group collaboration, training, and leadership.
Since coming to Spirit Juice in 2018, Marissa has earned a Gabriel Award for producing St. Junípero Serra — A Man of God, A Mission of Love for the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic Press Award for Santa María de Guadalupe: Mujer Eucarística (also for the Knights of Columbus), and has been nominated for multiple Emmy Awards.
With her husband Kent, Marissa enjoys spending her free time baking, singing, reading, and playing with their two adorable cats, Couscous and Sylvie.
BERNADETTE ENRIQUEZ
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
As associate director of operations, Bernadette oversees the management of all logistical, data, budgetary, business, and gear operations. Before coming to Spirit Juice in 2021, Bernadette worked in loan processing and asset management in the banking industry.
Since coming to Spirit Juice, Bernadette has cultivated a strong collaborative relationship with every department in the company and has become a key figure in ensuring the operational cohesion of the entire Spirit Juice team.
A Chicago native, Bernadette earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Saint Xavier University in 2019. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering with her parish’s music ministry, painting, taking part in Chicago’s vibrant restaurant scene, practicing creative and SFX makeup art, and spending time with her family.
Values that Inspire How We Work
Hidden
1. We Help You Bring the Ordinary to Life
We don’t just make videos, we craft experiences; utilizing the cinematic medium to elevate your material into an artform. Every element of our films is painstakingly designed, not because we have to, but because we know that a storytelling masterpiece comes together in the details. Some would say we’re overly meticulous, but we just say it’s passion for making your vision come alive that can’t be contained.
2. We Multiply the Expertise You Receive
We aren’t just made up of the sum of our parts. When you trust us with your vision, we bring together a team of skilled artisans who work in unison to develop the most exceptional idea with the greatest potential. You aren’t just getting ideas from a singular creative perspective, but the developed and workshopped concepts of a revolutionary team. Yet even with this strength in numbers, your project is personally handled by one singular voice…a focused individual to direct all of the talent hiding behind the scenes.
3. We Help You See the Forest and the Trees
If a tree falls and there’s no-one to hear it, does it truly make a sound? And if your revolutionary film never reaches a viewer, was it ever truly made? When we partner on your ground-breaking piece, we consider the whole picture…your audience, your distribution platform, and your goals…and we are more than happy to recommend solutions on all of these points. After all, we’re in the business of invigorating souls and captivating hearts, and you can’t do that if you never reach your audience.
4. We Welcome Your Impossible Idea
Some would say we’re dreamers, others that we’re ambitious, while others would simply say we think outside the box. Either way, when we’re asked to embark on a unique and challenging journey, we walk forward with confidence, backed by the dedicated team, trusted collaborators, and state of the art tools at our disposal. We aren’t ones to shrink from a difficult idea. We welcome the impossible challenge.
5. You Experience a Seamless Process
There’s a saying in film that a story is made three times: in pre-production (planning), production (when we get our hands dirty filming), and post production (when it comes together in the edit). Yet while other production houses outsource one or more of these segments, we lead the industry in all three. So whether we’re developing your revolutionary idea, working in the field or studio to capture it, or pulling all the pieces together in the edit, know that your vision will develop with complete harmony in process.
6. Your Project is Fully Customized
We know what you’re thinking…a company with this tenure must certainly have a formula they use for every film. Yet while other production houses pull from a limited catalog of concepts, at Spirit Juice, every piece starts as a blank canvas. It’s workshopped, ideated, and developed to be exclusively yours. We want your brand to shine regardless of your size or budget, because we believe in unveiling the uniqueness of your organization. We can’t do that if you’re made to fit the pre-conceived mold of a film. At Spirit Juice, your film is customized and tailored, not stamped in bulk.
7. We’re By Your Side the Whole Way
While we operate with Hollywood quality, we don’t carry Hollywood attitudes. Not everyone is experienced in filmmaking or understands the process as well as we do, but we believe everyone deserves to feel heard and taken seriously. Whether you’re a seasoned industry professional or just dipping your toes into the sea of cinema, rest assured that we’ll speak your language, and you’ll speak ours.
OUR TEAM IN ACTION
Our passionate team of professionals is dedicated to achieving your goals both on time and within budget. It’s no coincidence that we’ve become one of the most awarded Catholic production companies in the world, with so many satisfied and recurring clients.
With a team that considers their work to be not only a career, but a true practice of art and an extension of their vocation, passion and dedication are sure to shine through their artistry. We are master storytellers through and through, proud of the quality content we produce and blessed to support our clients in their missions within the Church.
We couldn’t be more excited about the potential of partnering with you as well!
CONTACT US
MAILING ADDRESS
Spirit Juice Studios
P.O. Box 557649
Chicago, IL 60655