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The Team
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The Team
Donald O'Brien – President | Director
Don is the founder and owner of Silver Fir Media. He is an award winning director, producer, and cinematographer. A love of travel and general wandering has opened Don's eyes to the many stories and characters that are everywhere just waiting to be told.
Since 2006. Don has been producing, directing, and editing original content from start to finish with various clients across the United States.
Don has a BA in film with a concentration in editing from Columbia College Chicago. When he is not working, Don enjoys, gardening, carpentry, hiking, camping, and anything outdoors.
James Andrews – Vice President | Producer
James Andrews is a video producer and journalist with a focus on environmental science And Historical Documentaries.
He has worked on projects for the National Park Service, PBS, and the Huffington Post, among others.
Previously, James was the managing editor of Food Safety News, and has been working with Silver Fir Media for nearly a decade. He has a BA in Environmental Journalism. In his spare time, James prioritizes exploring nature, writing, playing music, and capturing everything on camera near his home in Seattle.
Alexis Jaworski - Producer
Alexis has worked as a Producer and Media Project Manager across commercial and non-profit industries for more than 18 years. With a solid foundation in marketing, branding, and communication strategy from having worked for some the country’s most vital arts organizations.
She was a Producer for several award-winning documentary feature films including Ky Dickens’SOLE SURVIVOR (2013), ZERO WEEKS (2017) and THE CITY THAT SOLD AMERICA (2018); and has served as Producer for docu-style commercials, online content and non-profit projects.
Alexis received a B.A. in Psychology and Art History from University of Vermont and her M.A. in Media Studies from DePaul University.
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Brit Hayford - Producer
Brit is an award-winning documentary film producer.
Her documentary feature work includes the Emmy Award-winning documentary, The Trials of Muhammad Ali where she oversaw international and domestic broadcast deals with HBO, NBC and PBS as coordinating producer. Brit was also associate producer to AFI Best of Fest-winning documentary Radical Grace. She is currently producing on a feature-length documentary with renowned director Bill Siegel.
During her time at Silver Fir Media she has worked on business development, wrote and successfully obtained a coveted GSA contract and produced a number of award-winning educational short films for various clients. In her spare time she enjoys backpacking, crafting and any opportunity to turn off her cell phone.
Tom Clayton – Director of Photography
Tom has over twelve years of professional experience in feature films, television, commercial and corporate work.
He specializes in documentary storytelling. His work has won several awards and been featured on CNN Films and in many film festivals both domestic and abroad. He also works regularly for Rotary International and other humanitarian organizations.
Tom has filmed in 23 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, South America and Oceania. In the field he is reliable, resourceful and accustomed to working long hours in difficult and exotic environments.When not on assignment, Tom enjoys hiking, camping, making useful things in his garage and hanging out with his amazing dog.
Mollie Nye – Production Audio | Director of Photography
Moll is an independent filmmaker who has produced documentary, narrative, and commercial content for clients spanning three continents and throughout the United States.
She is professionally versed in a multitude of production roles, including cinematography, directing, and audio. She holds a degree in biology and concentrations in photography and nonprofit business. Moll has worked for various NGOs, including environmental powerhouses such as the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Moll is committed to building and advocating for diverse teams that hire more women and people of color in the industry. She is most happy exploring trails, traveling for work, and hanging with her husky.
Dr. Jerry Freilich - Science Advisor
Dr. Jerry Freilich is science advisor to Silver Fir Media. He brings 46 years of work experience in natural science, 25 of those years in National Parks. Jerry began his career at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia as a boy of 11 and continued with full time work there when he graduated from college.
He has a masters degree in science and environmental education from Cornell University and a PhD in aquatic ecology from the University of Georgia. His doctoral work was on aquatic insects at Grand Teton National Park after which he spent six years studying desert tortoises at Joshua Tree National Park. For five years he was Science Director for The Nature Conservancy’s Wyoming Field Office.
Returning to the Park Service he was Research Coordinator and Director of the North Coast & Cascades Science Learning Network at Olympic National Park from 2002-2015. He retired from the Park Service in 2015. Jerry now lives in Bend, OR where he lives and breathes Biodiversity.
Jamin Townsley – Director of Photography
Jamin is an Emmy award-winning DP with more than a decade of experience in documentary, narrative, and commercial film.
In his work with Silver Fir Media, Jamin has helped to showcase the beauty of America's public lands. He has dangled from cliff faces, been swept down a raging river, and suffered an untold amount of poison ivy to get the shot.
Jamin lives in Detroit and enjoys community engagement and urban farming.
Erik Donnella – Sound Designer
Erik is a freelance Sound Designer who works with SFM.After their chance meeting deep in the North Cascades of Washington State, Erik and SFM President Donald O'Brien formed a quick rapport. Erik became SFM's audio post guru, leveraging more than ten years of film sound experience to polish Silver Fir's sound.
Erik's work has played in international film festivals and at the National Gallery of Art.
If he's not chained to his workstation, Erik is probably enjoying the many natural and cultural wonders of the Puget Sound region, where he makes his home.