The objectives of MEP are as follows:

1. To produce quality, intelligent, commercial films of various genres and ratings, but all with moral tales designed for both entertainment and education.
2. To produce one feature film a year, in the $2 to $10 million range, then increase production to probably two or three films a year. Most budgets will remain in this range, but there are some higher-budget ones planned as well.
3. To explore overseas and other co-production and co-financing potential for the company.
4. To distribute our films through the larger independent distribution companies or the small film divisions of the studios.
5. To set up production and postproduction facilities (a studio) on the Central Coast.

We will succeed because we "test market" our scripts with the general movie-going public - before the films are made. This ensures that we produce stories that audiences want to see, something no one else does.

The usual response from readers is something like, "Why don´t they make good movies like this anymore?" As most movie-goers know, the story and script are what´s most important, not outrageous budgets, big stars, special effects, incredible stunts, or enormous (and expensive) amounts of hype, as Basic Instinct 2, Gigli, The Adventures of Pluto Nash, Battlefield Earth, Hudson Hawk, Waterworld, Ishtar, Heaven´s Gate and countless other bombs have proven over the years. (But even most of these bombs will eventually make a profit. Of course, if they were better movies they would do it much sooner and make more of it.)

Management and Organization

The primary strength of any company is its management team. MEP´s founders bring vision, passion, dedication, and a wealth of talents and experiences to the company - in addition to all the completed scripts and ideas for future movies. The company also has relationships with key consultants and advisers who will be available to fill important roles on an as-needed basis.

Dale McKenna
Writer-Producer-Director

The creative talent and driving force behind Mind´s Eye Productions, Dale McKenna is an international-award-winning filmmaker who has already made movie history, having accomplished something that no one else has ever done before - not even George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, or James Cameron. Setting out to write, produce, and direct an award-winning film on his very first amateur attempt, he succeeded beyond all expectations. His First Contact won the prestigious CINE Eagle, the highest award an amateur film can receive, and was one of only two such films selected to represent the United States in foreign film festivals that year. It went on to win a total of nine awards in English-speaking countries, back when festivals -- and awards -- weren´t as common as Starbucks - and is also in the Library of Congress.

An auspicious enough debut under normal circumstances, this is even more impressive because it was science fiction, shot in Super-8 film (a decidedly non-professional and difficult to use format, especially for special effects shots), had sync sound (also extremely difficult in Super-8) and only cost $5,000. But because of his many abilities, professionalism, and attention to details, it turned out so well that it even beat 16mm films - and a number of people mistook it for a USC Master´s Thesis (which are shot in 16 or 35mm, and cost $25-30,000). In fact, one contest even accused him of cheating - they said it "just looked too good for Super-8, [so] we suspected that we were watching a 16mm production that had been printed down to Super-8."

Although Mr. McKenna has worked in nearly every capacity on many small projects, a low-budget feature, and an HBO movie, he has concentrated primarily on screenwriting. That´s because the script is the most important part of every movie, but almost always the weakest. His dedication to the art and craft of screenwriting has culminated in the creation of The Last Plague. Its story is more dramatic and compelling than most so-called entertainment movies, and yet is more powerful than any documentary. It will literally change the world and make history because of the story it tells, and the life-saving information it reveals.

He has seven other completed scripts, and several more in various stages of completion.  Although The Last Plague will have greater impact than any movie we or anyone else will ever do, all of his scripts are top-quality and far superior to the formulaic, cookie-cutter scripts most of Hollywood cranks out. The stories include science-fiction/action-adventure, romantic comedy, suspense thriller, medieval fantasy/adventure, and a kids´ adventure.

Irena van der Heijden
CEO

Irena van der Heijden began her professional career in the retail business. She moved quickly through management-training programs into managing positions at two major department stores. After moving to Los Angeles, her skills were fine-tuned working within the entertainment industry. Her work with high-profile sports personalities and executives within the music and film industries has been invaluable in her ability to handle people with the utmost diplomacy, grace and patience.

With over 12 years of both domestic and international corporate experience, Ms. van der Heijden brings a strong background in corporate management and communications to MEP. This experience has provided her with exposure to a broad base of investors, corporate clients, and foreign dignitaries. Most recently she was a member of the executive team of a software communications company. In the aforementioned position she participated in strategic planning, managed investor relations, and created and implemented the corporate and organizational structure of the company. Other positions have included Director of Investor Relations and Director of Community Affairs at a California-based oil and gas company.

Ms. van der Heijden also brings a great deal of management experience to the entertainment industry, having worked in Los Angeles for both a music company and a post-production facility. In the former she was responsible for administering and managing all business for the CEO of this publicly held corporation that specializes in emerging digital audio technology delivered by both cable and satellite systems. She served as a liaison between CEO and clients, executive staff, board members and professional staff. She also managed tradeshow personnel, and made decisions surrounding execution of show ideas and plans, coordinated company events. Ms. van der Heijden´s experience within post-production included processing of motion picture post-production dailies, transfers, and stage activities and managed and executed documents pertaining to aforementioned processes. She also managed all corporate affairs for the President/Owner of this post-production facility, who was also the President of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Eddie Ladd
Marketing and Advertising

In the business since 1994, Eddie Ladd has developed his innate ability of discovering avenues not previously used in advertising and marketing. He devotes many man-hours to locating those who are ready to step up and make a difference in the world -- and has reached into the hearts of many groups, helping them realize the potential of his projects. Some of his accomplishments have been bringing self-defense into women´ shelters, showing the blind a new way to see, and raising the profit margins of several companies.

Having been in the computer business since the early ´80s (when there were touch tone computers and everything was still code), Eddie understands that the information superhighway takes finesse to safely navigate from goal to destination. He is literate in most software programs, does website building, and tech support for upper level clients.

Eddie brings spirit and passion to his work, knowing that there is more to the story than is ever said. He has ventured after the truth with a torch of passion. His goal and purpose in life is to help awaken people to the truth, so that they may end the suffering -- not only for themselves, but for every single person on earth.

Nicole Lyn Barnick
Associate Producer

Nicole comes from a long line of talented performers, the most famous being Joseph E. Howard, the vaudevillian actor and prolific songwriter. His most well-known song was I Wonder Who´s Kissing Her Now, which was also the title of his 1947 biopic, starring Mark Stevens and June Haver.

Although show business is in her blood, Nicole is also very experienced in business, having worked in various industries including food service, computer hardware manufacturing and energy production. Her impressive ability to lead - by setting an example of hard work, respect for individuals, and adherence to quality - enabled her to quickly rise to management positions.

Nicole has been very active in the local civic theatre group for years. She has not only performed in many productions, but has also spent much time backstage as an assistant director, stage manager, and in many other crew positions.  Constantly seeking to improve her skills and widen her experiences, Nicole has taken drama courses at the local college and worked on Hollywood movies that were shot locally. She was seen on-screen in both Sideways and Light Years Apart, and had her first on-camera line in the latter.  A diehard perfectionist by nature, Nicole picked up many lessons on both sets by pure observation and inquiry. This lead her to Dale McKenna, who has helped her hone her skills to become a part of his Mind´s Eye team.