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The Team
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The Team
Donald O’Brien - Director
With over 15 years of filmmaking for the National Park Service, National Forest Service, and brands nationwide, I consider myself a storyteller. My goal is to capture each piece as it unfolds—intimately and in real time.
As a director, my priority is building genuine connections with the people I film. Whether it's weeks of getting to know someone or a few shared jokes before rolling, I aim for more than just an interview. I believe real conversation and emotion translate on screen.
I work best with small crews (2-5 people) that can adapt and follow the story. A tight-knit flexible team fosters trust with subjects and allows us to remain unobtrusive while capturing real work in the field.
After nearly two decades in film, I’ve spent the last few years splitting my time between media and getting my hands dirty. I’ve built two off-grid homes in the wilderness
of northern Minnesota while plowing snow, stacking wood, embracing my neighbors, and of course looking for stories. I know what its like to work hard; to get up before the sun and go to bed long after it. To sacrifice yourself and a well- rested body for the betterment of my community and for the sake of the story.
Alexis Jaworski - Producer
Alexis is a skilled and energetic producer with 15 years' experience creating compelling content across documentary, commercial, digital, and multidisciplinary media. Adept in all aspects of creative project management and production from concept through delivery, Alexis excels as the liaison between creatives, crew, clients, and on-camera participants to ensure all goals are achieved (and exceeded!) within scope, timeline, and budget — and always with kindness, inclusivity, and heart. Her passion and expertise lies in documentary storytelling to educate, inform, and inspire.
Clients include: City of Chicago, Wounded Warrior Project, National Park Service, Rotary International, Lambda Legal, Greenheart International, Koval, Hallmark, GrubHub, Culver’s, Chicago Cubs, Tylenol, Kimberly-Clark, Proctor & Gamble, among many others
Production Team Awards include: 2023 Emmy nomination; “Change Maker Award” for influencing social change through art + film, “Focus Award” from Women in Film; and 20+ film festival jury awards
James Andrews – 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.
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Demetrius Barry - Director of Photography
Brit is an award-winning documentary film producer.
Demetrius loves making visuals that connect to the hearts behind the eyes of our audience. He’s been making films, ads, and taking photos since
2007and works on a national basis. His experience spans from Social media ads to broadcast Commercials.
Demetrius has worked hand in hand with directors crews that ranged from 2 to 30 people. He believes the approach to successful content is always a thorough pre - production process with clear and consistent communication, a cohesive vision, an organized crew and a safe, efficient shooting process.
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.