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.
When he is not working, Don enjoys doing the same things he does for work; 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 food.
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 he now works with a variety of startups and production companies, most notably Silver Fir Media. 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.
Aren Zolninger – Associate Producer
Aren is a freelance Producer and Director. Her narrative and documentary work is shot on S 16mm, 8mm and various digital formats.
She received her BA in Film/Video at Columbia College Chicago. Since 2010, she has supported and promoted independent and alternative cinema in Chicago by collaborating with IFP/Chicago, Chicago Underground Film Festival and numerous other organizations to produce films, festivals and screenings.
Films that she has produced and directed have screened at Facets Cinematheque, Doc Films, Comfort Station, Gallery 400, The Nightingale and at film festivals across the country.
On her latest project she traveled to Malta to document the Megalithic temples, learn to drive a stick shift, and navigate the country's tiny winding roads.
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 phon
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.
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.
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.
Kit McGurn – Associate Producer
Kit McGurn is a producer with a wide range of experience in social and environmental issues.
He has a background in state and national public lands and wildlife conservation issues in North America. As a producer, Kit has worked on short and feature length films for PBS, National Geographic Wild Channel, and for national and state environmental NGOs.
Previously, Kit spent nearly a decade working in the public and non-profit sector on topics as wide-ranging as federal air quality policy and wolf recovery in the Pacific Northwest.
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.