People People Media is a farm-based, Emmy-nominated production company / nonprofit.

Whether it’s working with a client & brand, or developing an independently-produced project, they specialize in personal & unique stories that help increase empathy by amplifying people’s voices. They’ve produced dozens of projects that have been released through outlets like The New York Times, The Atlantic, GQ Magazine, PBS, Amazon Prime, ALTER, NoBudge, Short of the Week & Vimeo Staff Picks.

People People Media has premiered films at the best film festivals in the world like Sundance, Tribeca, SXSW, Austin, Nashville, Palm Springs, Aspen, Santa Barbara, DOC NYC, and more. They’ve produced four feature-length documentaries, and have several features in development. Additionally, they run an artist residency program on the farm, designed to provide space to allow diverse artists to create their work.

The PPM team often has production meetings while harvesting crops and planting oak trees.

FOUNDING ADVISORY BOARD

  • addy donason (they/them)

    Addy is a “neuroqueer” skincare business owner, watercolorist, ecofeminist and philosopher, whose interdisciplinarity examines memory from the micro to the macro—from neuroplasticity to the evolution of religious collective memory. But their conglomerating studies are only built on the foundation of their deep and enduring love of hope.

  • alex largusa (he/him)

    Alex attempts to make a living in the Bay Area producing music, making videos, and organizing community events - mostly around music and film. He once watched ‘Con Air’ three consecutive times and regrets it. Alex is the Programming Coordinator at The Chabot Theater. Alex’s other hobbies that he has yet to try monetizing include: cooking, improv, and cutting hair.

  • alicia mcclintic (she/her)

    Alicia serves as the lead pastor of Selah Church of the Nazarene in Washington and co-hosts the weekly podcast for a A Plain Account, an online Wesleyan Lectionary commentary. She frequently writes about faith and life on her blog, and regularly speaks at retreats, camps, conferences, and other community gatherings.

  • ben kallam (he/him)

    Ben Kallam is a filmmaker living in Los Angeles, CA. After growing up and attending college in Alabama, he spent two years teaching math in the Bay Area, an experience that directly inspired his first short film, Red Folder. He completed his MFA at New York University, where he made his thesis film, Washed Away. His work has screened at SXSW, Slamdance, Aspen Shortsfest, and received the Grand Jury Award at the Florida Film Festival. In addition to continuing to write and direct his own projects, he works in film distribution at Universal Pictures.

  • jeffrey purganan (he/him)

    Jeffrey is co-vocational as the owner and photographer for 23 Images Photography and clergy with Heirloom East Bay. He holds a B.A. in Business Administration, and Masters degrees in Intercultural Studies and Organizational Leadership. Along with his formal education, he brings 15 years of experience with entrepreneurial endeavors including house flipping, non-profit development, and digital media. His creativity is fueled by travel with his family, backpacking adventures, and competitive club rugby.

  • jennifer pelling (she/her)

    Jennifer is an executive producer, producer, and investor in social impact documentaries. She is a founding member of the Tsuha Foundation, which focuses on education and poverty reduction, and serves on the Board of Directors of Circles USA, a nonprofit that reduces poverty by bringing people together across income lines to increase financial literacy and build social capital. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Ideos Institute, a nonprofit focused on the role of empathy in conflict resolution and effective leadership.

  • karin richey (she/her)

    Karin is the founder and Executive Director of Plethos Productions, a community theatre in Castro Valley, CA. Her passions include creating opportunities, uniting communities, and adventuring alongside her incredibly supportive husband, brilliant daughter, and hilarious son.

  • meaghan maples (she/her)

    Meaghan is a singer / songwriter raised in the Bay Area. Her raw talent & infectious attitude stand out both on record & on stage. Meaghan has had incredible songwriting success in the TV & Film space and was recently featured on NPR. She carries her spirit into her craft, describing the material as genre-bending, sensory, & raw.

  • melanie victor (she/her)

    Melanie, aka Mel V, is a full time actor, voice actor, print model and host of The Actors Lounge podcast. She is a wife and mother to two amazing little boys (Jaiden & Jordan). Together she and her husband are on their creative journeys while building multiple family businesses from the ground up.

  • ruth torres (she/her)

    Ruth is a Los Angeles HMUA. Ruth is a creative, multidisciplinary artist, with a background in Sociology & Gender Studies. She is committed to full transparency, authenticity, and thinking outside of the box in her visual work. Ruth’s makeup art is coveted in print ads and moving avante garde visuals. Ruth is always open to exploring possibilities with those interested in creating together.

  • santiago gonzales (he/they/she)

    Santiago is a San Diego raised psychotherapist, dancer, surfer and advocate of the arts. He’s inspired by cultural performance, experiential art, and the ocean. If he’s not in his office you might see him at the beach, a dance studio, or sipping on espresso, pensively brewing his next cup. Also, tacos make him happy.

  • wes bruce (he/him)

    Wes Bruce is a multi-practice artist, educator, poet, and designer. For the last decade, he’s worked professionally creating large-scale, site-specific installations, exhibitions, and projects that are deeply engaging, exploratory in nature, wildly expansive in imagination and paired with education opportunities. Wes’ work strives to be meditative and playful, chaotic yet centering, outward and inward.