Elena Shpak: Born and raised in Archangelsk, Russia. She graduated from Belgorod State University of Russia 
with a major in History and Psychology. She resided in Japan for five years working in the fashion industry. For a year and a half, she worked as a DVD distribution representative for Yamada & Global Company. By attending several film festivals, she eventually found her calling to be a film maker. Since 2005 she has been residing in New York and has taken courses in Film Producing, Film Analysis, Law for producers and Production Company Operations at New York University. During her first six-months at New York University she made good contacts that have led to work as a Production Assistant on film sets and in production office. To further develop her knowledge within the film industry, in the winter of 2008 she completed a course on Directing, Cinematography and Lighting at the School of Visual Arts. Furthermore, she took a Screenwriting and Fiction Writing class at the 
Gotham Writer’s Workshop.