THE TEAM

PETER GETZELS

Peter Getzels is an Emmy-Award winning documentary producer, director and cinematographer. In addition to documentaries he leads a team in the production for Closer to Truth, a high-end science series on cosmology, consciousness and meaning. Closer to Truth is now in its 16th season on PBS. In the UK Peter produced independent documentaries with Harriet for Channel 4 and BBC, working for the BBC Science Department on one of the first co-productions between Discovery and BBC. In the US he worked on staff at National Geographic, producing a wide range of adventure/history films and series for Explorer. Peter was trained as an Anthropologist and worked professionally as a climber and explorer throughout South America and the Himalayas.

HARRIET GORDON GETZELS

Once an American ex-pat living in the UK, now a British ex-pat living in the US, Harriet Gordon Getzels has a long track record of award-winning independent documentaries made with Peter for British, American and European television. Her subjects range from long-term character-driven narratives to cutting edge science, and the fringes of religion. Her short digital narratives combine still photography with video, and take on subjects from the environment to brain science to addiction. In the US she has produced for National Geographic, Discovery and HDNet. Based in Oxford, England for sixteen years and now in Washington DC, Harriet is co-owner of Getzels Gordon Productions. She is also an award-winning writer of narrative non-fiction.

MARIE WILJANEN

Marie Wiljanen is an Operations Manager and Line Producer living in the Washington, D.C. area who manages companies, as well as domestic and international documentary projects, both on land and at sea. She’s worked with many talented production teams in her career, as well as for companies like National Geographic, True Blue Films, Camera One, Production Group, and WGBH-TV. Marie is committed to teamwork and to developing collaborative relationships with clients and staff. She frequently takes full advantage of her wealth of production stories to illustrate her points. So remember, no matter how tough things look, don’t stop moving forward unless someone shoots the crocodile or the ice melts.

THE EDITORS

CATHERINE SHIELDS

Catherine Shields has cut documentaries for PBS, National Geographic, the Discovery Channel, and a vast array of independent filmmakers. Two films that she edited for Guggenheim Productions won Academy Awards, and her work has earned four primetime Emmy Awards. She edited the feature documentaries George Stevens: A Filmmaker’s Journey, Harvest of Empire, The Penguin Counters and Zuzana: Music is Life, as well as biographical films of legends such as Yo Yo Ma, David Letterman, and Meryl Streep for the annual Kennedy Center Honors. Her most recent film for Getzels Gordon is China’s War on Poverty. 

BRITTNEY FLORES

Brittney Flores is an Assistant Editor at Getzels Gordon Productions. From problem solving to organizing and delivering projects, she keeps the post production train moving! She has traveled throughout Southeast Asia for documentary work in order to share diverse stories of the underrepresented. When she’s not grappling with today’s technology, she loves reading about the paranormal and enjoying horror movies.

BENJAMIN FALL

Benjamin Fall is an Editor and Post Coordinator at Getzels Gordon Productions and assists in all things post production. He graduated from American University in 2017 with a BA in Film & Media Arts. At Getzels Gordon he edits videos for a variety of projects, maintains the digital asset management system, and serves as the main in-house colorist. Outside of the office Benjamin enjoys playing video games, hiking in nature, and having a good time with friends.

DIGITAL MARKETING

JEFF GRAY

Jeff Gray is the Digital Marketing Manager for Closer To Truth. From producing digital-first content series to overseeing marketing campaigns and crunching numbers in analytics dashboards, he works to provide engaging digital experiences for Closer To Truth's growing audience. Jeff has spent nearly a decade creating and distributing digital content for publishers and nonprofit organizations, including Vox Media and Street Sense Media. He spends his weekends reading, traveling and yelling at his favorite football team on TV.

ALEXANDRIA LUNDELIUS

Alexandria Lundelius is the Digital Media Marketing Associate for Closer To Truth. She has over six years of experience as a Producer, Production Manager, and Assistant Director in the D.C. area, working primarily on narrative films examining modern-day civil-rights issues like the immigrant experience, the Freddie Gray riots, mental health, and LGBT+ relationships. Alex is an avid D&D player, competitive powerlifter, and the sort of person who'll earnestly show you the hundred dog pictures she has on her phone over dinner.

STEVEN KOSTANT

Steven Kostant is an Executive Integrated Marketing Strategist who specializes in integrating creative, brand, and digital content strategies for business and organizational objectives. He has worked extensively with the world’s leading corporations, global non-profit organizations, and the public sector nationally and internationally.

SHAKERS AND MOVERS

LESLIE SHAMPAINE

Over a 20 year career, Leslie Shampaine has provided programming for major US networks like PBS, CBS, Discovery Channel, TLC, and National Geographic. She was the Senior Production Executive at Al Jazeera International, where she oversaw a variety of programs including live daily news shows and investigative documentaries. Before entering the world of television, Leslie danced professionally with ballet companies in Los Angeles, Germany and in Switzerland. She presently teaches dance to people who have Parkinson’s Disease and to seniors in assisted living facilities.

MICHELLE BOWEN-ZIECHECK

Michelle Bowen-Ziecheck supports the Getzels Gordon team as its in-house Production Assistant, a position she has held for DC- and LA-based production companies since relaunching her career. She spends her free time learning the intricacies of Premiere, writing screenplays and acting as script supervisor for narrative films and web series. She spends her really free time scouring thrift stores for children’s books and listening to the FiveThirtyEight politics podcast. Michelle holds the dual distinctions of being a Jeopardy! Champion and coming in dead last in the Chicago Marathon.