The Team Behind Redwood
The team behind Redwood is a collective of Emmy-nominated filmmakers, producers and industry experts whose work sits at the intersection of story, strategy and impact. With backgrounds spanning film, public relations and social media, they have shaped narratives for some of the world’s most elite brands. United by a commitment to authenticity, they create work that is not only visually compelling, but culturally and emotionally resonant.
Jennifer Schlieper
Director, Writer, & Producer
Jennifer Schlieper is an award-winning filmmaker, director, producer and writer whose work lifts the veil on stories often shrouded in silence, from grief, homelessness and addiction to the diverse experiences and challenges of women.
In 2017, she launched Flying Scooter Productions with producing partner Courtney Gumpf out of a need to do something that mattered for those who matter.
Their latest project, Redwood (2026), marks the studio’s first feature-length documentary. It shares the story of seven indomitable women who built successful businesses while navigating complex personal circumstances, supporting one another much like redwood trees rely on interconnected root systems for stability and strength.
Redwood comes on the heels of their festival debut, The Ocean-Five Years (2025), an intimate look at a musically gifted family moving through grief after losing their son and brother. The film earned significant acclaim including Best Documentary at VIFF, the Audience Award for Best Documentary Short at Pittsburgh Shorts & Script Competition, and Official Selection at the Oscar-Qualifying Cleveland International Film Festival. It is currently streaming on Apple TV, Prime Video, and PBS Passport.
Over the past nine years, Schlieper has written, scored, directed and produced hundreds of stories. Among them is Eye of the Needle (2017), an award-winning short documentary offering a raw yet compassionate look at homelessness and addiction, and the individuals working tirelessly to provide hope and healing.
Her path to filmmaking began in the world of creative and brand strategy at Ketchum, one of world’s largest PR firms, launching and rebranding products and services for Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 power brands. She later made the leap to the corporate side, leading GNC’s global marketing efforts as one of the youngest female senior executives.
Beyond filmmaking, Schlieper continues to lead strategic initiatives for global clients and has helped raise millions through stories and brand activations for some of Pittsburgh’s largest nonprofits in the homeless and underserved space.
She is a Recording Academy Member and serves on the boards of The Amelia Project, The Beauty Restores Foundation, Seachange Foundation and The Pennsylvania Film Industry Association (PAFIA).
Courtney Gumpf
Executive Producer
Emmy-nominated, award-winning Executive Producer, Courtney Gumpf’s career began behind-the-scenes in movie making, casting on films such as Perks of Being a Wallflower, Out of the Furnace, Jack Reacher and Dark Knight Rises. The jump to producing was the natural progression, working to manage production teams for clients like FedEx, Giant Eagle and PA Lottery.
Today, along with her producing partner Jennifer Schlieper she is the co-founder of Flying Scooter Productions. Gumpf co-produced commercials, documentaries, brand activations and short & long-form media, including the award-winning short documentary, Eye of the Needle, for some of the largest regional and national brands while helping raise millions of dollars for non-profits.
The Ocean – Five Years is their first film festival release, winning Best Documentary at VIFF and the Audience Award for Best Documentary Short at Pittsburgh Shorts & Script Competition, and Officially Selected at Milan FFI, Documentaries without Borders International Film Festival, Red Rose Film Festival, Toronto International Women Film Festival, Venice Shorts and Berlin Lift-Off Film Festival and the Oscar Qualifying Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF).
She sits on the board for The Pennsylvania Film Industry Association (PAFIA) and The Amelia Project.
Marion Lewis
Executive Producer
DAISYLEW PRODUCTIONS
Daisylew Productions Founder, Executive Producer and Cast Member of Redwood, Marion Lewis is doing what she has always done the last 35 years, innovated the world around her. A serial entrepreneur, Lewis has built and scaled companies in the software industry, co-founding and leading four ventures across SaaS and ecommerce.
Her most profound endeavor, Govenda, a board management platform that revolutionized corporate governance technology scaled across four continents, and was acquired in 2024 by a private equity firm in a highly successful exit that delivered 4x-13x returns to investors. Post-exit and dabbling in retirement, Lewis refocused and founded Daisylew Productions to create media that amplifies women’s achievements, with Redwood as its inaugural production. She currently invests in and serves on boards of emerging companies, including Wowzart, which has developed a patent-pending process for creating durable outdoor artwork from digital assets.
“Success has always been about seeing opportunities before others do— and building the future while others are still catching up.” Marion Lewis
Waya Slater
Producer
Waya joined FSP after graduating from Penn State University, and quickly became an indispensable member of the team. Known for her quick wit, keen attention to detail, and focused approach, she brings organization, creativity, and reliability to every project.
Outside of Flying Scooter Productions, Waya is involved in environmental conservation nonprofit work and podcast production. When she’s not behind the scenes, you’ll likely find her exploring the outdoors. An avid hiker, cyclist, and whitewater rafter, she’s happiest spending time in nature and bringing that same sense of curiosity and adventure to everything she does.
Meg Eyerman
Producer
Meg is a graduate of Michigan State University, where she earned a degree in Digital Storytelling. She began her journey with Flying Scooter Productions as an intern in 2024, quickly diving into production by supporting a commercial shoot and helping coordinate a multi-day financial summit. Since graduating in May 2025, she has continued with FSP, managing pre-production logistics and ensuring shoots run smoothly from start to finish.
In addition to her work at FSP, Meg freelances in Pittsburgh’s film and television industry as a locations assistant, gaining hands-on experience across diverse sets and productions. She thrives on bringing creative projects to life through strong organization, clear communication, and thoughtful planning, and she’s excited to keep telling meaningful, impactful stories with FSP.
Phil Atkins
Director of Photography
Raised in Pennsylvania, Phil graduated in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Digital Cinematography and has been filming for over 20 years. Out of school, Phil worked as an internal director of photography for numerous large Pittsburgh production companies and later pivoted to be a Commercial Cinematographer and Director of Photography for multiple brands. He has had the pleasure of working around the world for many great agencies and clients such as Netflix, Chewy, COACH, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, RAM Trucks and UPMC.
Phil’s style leans heavily into classic cinema and natural lifestyle. He focuses on capturing the genuine emotion and feeling of the moments in front of the camera while creating and augmenting light to highlight and bring power to those moments.
Ashley Gallardo
Editor
Ashley Gallardo is a seasoned video editor and motion graphics designer based in Pittsburgh, PA, with 14 years of experience in the industry. Specializing in corporate, commercial and short-form documentary, her portfolio features collaborations with local, national and international clients. Ashley has partnered with renowned organizations such as the NHL, PPG, Federated Hermes, University of Pittsburgh, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Duquesne Light, Covestro, Magee-Womens Research Institute, and Industrial Scientific.
With a keen eye for storytelling and a dedication to high-quality production, she transforms ideas into engaging visual experiences that both resonate with and inspire audiences. Ashley balances her creative career with the adventure of raising twin toddlers.
Greg Neiser
Photographer & Camera Operator
Greg Neiser is a Pittsburgh-based photographer, cinematographer, and filmmaker who’s spent his career capturing the city’s creative pulse. A Point Park University grad, he moves fluidly between stills and motion, shooting everything from commercial campaigns and editorial portraits to music videos and live performance. His directing credits include several Wiz Khalifa videos and the short film Arcade High: Cool Inc., plus a striking promotional piece for a Drake-meets-Tchaikovsky mashup with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. A long-time collaborator of Flying Scooter Productions, Greg is also the Redwood photographer and an additional Director of Photography. But he’ll tell you himself: photos of dogs beat everything else.
Andi Perelman
Social Media Strategist
ATALANTA MARKETING
Founder and CEO of Atalanta Marketing, Andi Perelman helps great stories find the audiences they deserve. She works with brands, nonprofits, sports organizations, and entertainment properties to transform meaningful ideas into digital strategies, compelling content, and campaigns that connect with people. Whether launching a new brand, growing an engaged community, or bringing a documentary to life online, her focus is always the same: creating work that people don’t just see – they remember.
Before launching Atalanta Marketing, Perelman spent more than a decade with the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, where she most recently served as Vice President of Marketing and Digital.
She holds a Master’s degree in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland.
Perelman is also an adjunct professor, an Emmy Award winner, a three-time Webby Honoree, winner of Pittsburgh City Paper’s Best Woman Entrepreneur award, and has been recognized as a Rising Star by The Business Journals.