Russ Emanuel
Director Biography - Russ Emanuel
Russell "Russ" Emanuel is an award-winning American director, producer, and independent filmmaker, having directed such actors as John Heard, Robert Picardo, Vincent Pastore, Glynnis O'Connor, Hallie Kate Eisenberg, Jeremy London, Ryan Hurst, William Devane, Marina Sirtis, Sean Kenney, Armin Shimerman, and Gary Graham. Originally from San Francisco, he grew up in both Japan and the United States, garnering an international viewpoint of the world throughout his childhood. After graduating from the University of Southern California to study Cinema-Television, he founded Russem Productions in 2002 in order to promote his short films including GIRL WITH GUN (2005) and documentary RESTORATION OF PARADISE (2014), as well as current films COLLAR (2017), THE ASSASSIN'S APPRENTICE (2018), and THE ASSASSIN'S APPRENTICE II (2021). Presently, WISPER (2020) marks Emanuel's fifth foray into feature filmmaking, after having directed P.J. (2007), CHASING THE GREEN (2009), THE LEGENDS OF NETHIAH (2012), and OCCUPANTS (2015).
The Assassin's Apprentice
.A coming of age story about Kaylee (Tarah Paige), an apprentice assassin, and her relationship with Pete (Robert Picardo), her trainer, and Miranda (Marina Sirtis), their handler. Kaylee, like a rebellious teenager, simultaneously wants approval and independence from Pete and Miranda. When assigned her first solo hit, Kaylee immediately disobeys orders and goes off course, chasing a Freerunner drone, often with hilarious results. In the end, Kaylee accomplishes her mission, but realizes that she is not yet ready to go it alone.
Collar
What happens when a seemingly ordinary priest is confronted by a seemingly ordinary man? While reading the Bible on a particularly windy day, Father Harris is confronted by a tall stranger, one who makes him question his beliefs and motivations. And all in a quest for the truth, however horrifying. Not even a helpful woman can save this priest, who must make a choice. For not all sins can be forgiven.
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Routine
During a mysterious pandemic, Cassie's quarantine life has turned into a routine, day in and day out. Nothing new seems to happen, until she realizes she's out of coffee. And she's determined to get her cup of joe, even if she must face the horrors of the outside world. Because "she'd kill for a cup of coffee."
In this part-animated live action short, anything goes.
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Restoration of Paradise
Over its history, the Bolsa Chica Wetlands has been a haven: for Native American tribes, who over 8000 years ago, produced mysterious artifacts known as Cogstones; to a Spanish Ranch settlement before this area became part of the United States; to a world-renowned Gun Club, which touted visitors such as President Theodore Roosevelt, Babe Ruth, and Lou Gehrig; to an extensive Oil Field development during the 1920s and 1930s; and finally to a Restoration Effort successfully spearheaded by a dedicated group known as the Amigos de Bolsa Chica.
Narrated by Robert Picardo, and interviewing local denizens including David and Margaret Carlberg of the Amigos de Bolsa Chica, dogwalker Sharon Sikora, and business owner Hieu Tran, this documentary takes you from the detailed and varied history of the terrain, to the present-day important Bird Sanctuary where over 200 species of birds can be spotted yearly, to finally what the future holds for this extraordinary paradise.