Staff - From the Heart Productions Inc

Naheed Ismail, IT Consultant

Naheed reviews the grant applications. He is one of the decision-makers on all of our grants. He also manages our IT operations team and has a love for wildlife and nature. He spends time in Africa and hosts photographic safaris. He is an artist, photographer, and highly talented guitarist.

Makeba Johnson

Makeba Johnson: Works with her Godmother, Carole Dean. She helps with productions and grants. She is soon retiring from the US Navy.

Claire Papin, Assistant to Carole Dean and Co-Host of the The Art of Film Funding Podcast

The Art of Film Funding (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-art-of-film-funding).
Claire is also the founder, producer and voice over artist of Lighted Paths Productions.
She has worked as an on-camera talent in film & TV, and radio broadcaster, for over 25 years. Claire can be remembered for her ground breaking work as a host and producer on Wisdom Radio’s Wisdom Today, and on It’s All Good for Lime Radio; both of which aired coast to coast in the U.S. and Canada on Sirius Satellite Radio.

Elizabeth England, Campaign Reporting

Elizabeth England’s crowdfunding expertise has supported hundreds of creative projects. Currently, she co-produces and co-hosts BuzzBroz.com media projects with her partner Ken Sheetz. Their 100% crowdfunded feature film, The Coolest Meditation Ever: Antarctica 12.12.12, is free to watch on the About page at CoolestTechEver.com, an ecommerce funding portal that sprung organically from their successful crowdfunding perk strategies. CoolestTechEver.com is fundraising for their current film project, Coolest Meditation Ever: Arctic 2022, where they will complete another 24 meditations for the flowering reverence for life and peaceful cooperation among all peoples; and a collective commitment to responsible stewardship of our planet.

Richard Kaufman, Director of Marketing

Richard has used his expertise and knowledge to help us grow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. He’s also helped many of our campaigns with targeted advertising on those platforms. This has resulted in increased donations for their projects. Richard is also a Senior Account Executive at Filmtools.

Carole Joyce – Director of Roy W. Dean Grant – Consultant for Filmmakers

A talented filmmaker, photographer, and producer, Carole Joyce is a Board Member of the 501(c)3 non-profit From the Heart Productions, and Director of the Roy W. Dean Grant, of which she has been an integral part of for over 20 years. Carole is also the CEO of Authentic Vision Consulting, a consulting firm specializing in independent film production and financing.

A graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography, Carole is an award-winning filmmaker for her documentary Survivors. Carole served as Executive Producer for the award-winning short film Stairway to the Stars starring Sean Young and as LA Line Producer for Wheels of Heaven with Mickey Rourke. Carole produced the short film Living UnDone, which won the Grand Jury Award at the Ethos Film Festival and Best Short Documentary for the Paris Film Festival. Carole is a Producer for the upcoming film Prodigal Daughter. Carole’s additional credits are available on IMDb. From the Heart Productions’ credits are also available on IMDb.

Carole also serves as an Advisor for the Authentic Global Film Festival and a Judge for the Ethos Film Festival.

Click Here to schedule a consultation with Carole Joyce. Students enrolled in the year long Producer’s Class get a special discounted price of $80 for a 1 hour consultation.

Shirley Bennett – Financial and Office Management

Extensive background in sales and marketing, new business start up, eldercare advisement and financial & office management.

Lisa Weeks – Bookkeeper

Lisa is the owner of ProfitPros Bookkeeping Solutions. She has been using Quickbooks since before it was officially called “Quickbooks!” Lisa recently moved to Colorado where she enjoys nature and the four seasons with her husband and their two Labrador Retrievers.

Google Reviews

George Max *****

If you are a Screenwriter, Film or Documentary this is the one place that offers help through Grant's and programs. If you want to learn about Film Grants and much more, we would tell you to contact Carole Dean as she does have fantastic info on everything Film and Movie.

Jim Harrison *****

Fiscal film grants, Documentary film grants and film funding in made possible by great non profits like From the Heart Productions Inc. We really admire Carole Dean. She is such a classy, stylish and sophisticated lady. Carole Dean has honored her family and the entire movie industry by dedicating a big part of her life to 26 years of the Roy W. Dean Film Grant. From the Heart is a nonprofit foundation that seeks films that are unique and make a contribution to society. She offers so many avenues to the Film and Movie industry by opening doors through contacts, grants and a life time of experience in the industry. She host a pod cast and radio talk show and gives classes to startup Film, documentary and full feature Screenwriters, Actors, Directors, Producers and basic funding through grants to inexperienced and experienced film makers. Enough can not be said about her efforts in helping artist create documentary, feature, short films, and web series shows. Carole Dean is a true 5 Star Diamond.

Vennie Guerrera *****

Documentary film grants come from From the Heart Productions. This dedicated film grant foundation has spent many years teaching young film students the art of film funding, grant money and so much more. No one can say enough about such a dedicated person like Carole Dean.

Luis Remesar *****

As filmmakers, working with From The Heart Productions has been a real godsend. They've been hands-on in helping us see our feature-length documentary to fruition, providing important production resources, grant opportunities and fundraising mentorship. Carole Dean, the Founder and CEO of From The Heart Productions is a one-of-a-kind champion of filmmakers. Her wisdom, experience and generosity of spirit has been a gift for our production team to collaborate with. Luis Remesar & Beth Dolan Director/Producer of "Stranger At Home"

Bre Pryse *****

I've known Carole Dean and From The Heart for over 10 years. Carol works tirelessly for her filmmakers. She is an extraordinary woman with experience in the film industry in many different areas. In addition to providing fiscal sponsorship, she also teaches classes, provides a grant and consults on projects and writes. From The Heart Productions should be the first choice when looking for fiscal sponsorship and film guidance.

Margarita Sweet *****

An over 10 year relationship of wonderful films and some amazing filmmakers. The attention and dedication that's put into the grants process is considerable for a small organization. From The Heart always puts the filmmaker first

Basil M *****

From the heart productions is a truly unique heartfelt non profit organization that cares and nourishes the art of filmmaking.

Core Issue Productions *****

Carole Dean has been a mentor, advisor, and all-around cheerleader for my film "The Weight of Honor"! We could not have done our documentary without From The Heart and the Roy W. Dean Grant!