The Crew

Producer/Director/Cinematographer: DAVID SCHENDEL

David Schendel was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. The son of a wildlife painter/photographer he was introduced to the arts before he could walk. David began his career at age 12 with his first film, Don't Show Mom This One! After graduating from University of Washington in 1986 he began the four-year process of creating his first feature film, The Can. Although very experimental and underground, The Can got the attention of James Schamus and ITVS who awarded him with a development grant for his screenplay, The Fischer Family. David is currently in production on a new documentary feature entitled, Cobb's: Left Coast Comedy Club. His study of Absurd theatre and behavioral sciences continue to infuse his work with humor and a focus on environmental issues.

Editor: JEAN KAWAHARA

Jean Kawahara is a freelance editor and full-time graduate student. Her independent film credits include the feature documentary, Of Civil Wrongs and Rights: The Fred Korematsu Story, which showed at numerous film festivals, including the Asian American Film Festival, was short-listed for the 2001 Academy awards and earned her an Emmy Award in 2002. Of Civil Wrongs and Rights aired nation-wide on the PBS program "P.O.V." in July. Kawahara edited Rappin’ Gap and Undertaker, both short films that screened at the Sundance Film Festival, and the documentary short, A Tribute to Cecil Williams. Undertaker was awarded a National CableACE (via broadcast on Lifetime Television); a Golden Apple at the National Educational Film Festival; and a Golden Spire at the San Francisco International Film Festival. Jean recently left Bob & Sheila's Edit World in San Francisco, an editorial company where she worked as a senior staff editor for six years. She has edited national commercials for clients such as Umbro, Sprint, Nike and McDonalds. She is a recipient of numerous awards, including a Golden Lion at the Cannes Film Festival and a Clio award. She holds a BA in Humanities with an emphasis on Journalism/Film from UC Berkeley and is currently working towards a Master’s degree in Ethnic Studies.

Associate Producer/Interviewer: JAVIER BAJANA

Javier Bajaña was born in Ecuador and studied Latin American History at NYU. In early 1980 he began working with independent filmmakers in New York City. As consultant and co-producer he has worked on several award winning documentaries including: Nicaragua Report from the Front, directed by Oscar winner Deborah Shaffer; When the Mountain Trembles, featuring Nobel peace prize winner, Rigoberta Menchu and Latino by Haskell Wexler. Javier also produced Peter Jennings(ABC) special report on Nicaragua. In 1984 he was hired by TBS to cover all Latin American related news for JNN, Japan's largest news network. In the mid-1990s Javier began working as consultant for Disarm Education to develop a program for medical aid collaborations between the United States and Cuba. The highlights of the Cuban Medical Project were co-ordinating Muhammad Ali's two trips to Cuba and recently co-ordinating trips for two former U.S. Surgeon Generals. Javier says, "The highlight of my professional life, so far, has been the making of Yank Tanks."

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	Producer/Director/Cinematographer: DAVID SCHENDEL David Schendel was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. The son of a wildlife painter/photographer he was introduced to the arts before he could walk. David began his career at age 12 with his first film, Don't Show Mom This One! After graduating from University of Washington in 1986 he began the four-year process of creating his first feature film, The Can. Although very experimental and underground, The Can got the attention of James Schamus and ITVS who awarded him with a development grant for his screenplay, The Fischer Family. David is currently in production on a new documentary feature entitled, Cobb's: Left Coast Comedy Club. His study of Absurd theatre and behavioral sciences continue to infuse his work with humor and a focus on environmental issues. .
	Editor: JEAN KAWAHARA Jean Kawahara is a freelance editor and full-time graduate student. Her independent film credits include the feature documentary, Of Civil Wrongs and Rights: The Fred Korematsu Story, which showed at numerous film festivals, including the Asian American Film Festival, was short-listed for the 2001 Academy awards and earned her an Emmy Award in 2002. Of Civil Wrongs and Rights aired nation-wide on the PBS program "P.O.V." in July. Kawahara edited Rappin’ Gap and Undertaker, both short films that screened at the Sundance Film Festival, and the documentary short, A Tribute to Cecil Williams. Undertaker was awarded a National CableACE (via broadcast on Lifetime Television); a Golden Apple at the National Educational Film Festival; and a Golden Spire at the San Francisco International Film Festival. Jean recently left Bob & Sheila's Edit World in San Francisco, an editorial company where she worked as a senior staff editor for six years. She has edited national commercials for clients such as Umbro, Sprint, Nike and McDonalds. She is a recipient of numerous awards, including a Golden Lion at the Cannes Film Festival and a Clio award. She holds a BA in Humanities with an emphasis on Journalism/Film from UC Berkeley and is currently working towards a Master’s degree in Ethnic Studies. .
	Associate Producer/Interviewer: JAVIER BAJANA Javier Bajaña was born in Ecuador and studied Latin American History at NYU. In early 1980 he began working with independent filmmakers in New York City. As consultant and co-producer he has worked on several award winning documentaries including: Nicaragua Report from the Front, directed by Oscar winner Deborah Shaffer; When the Mountain Trembles, featuring Nobel peace prize winner, Rigoberta Menchu and Latino by Haskell Wexler. Javier also produced Peter Jennings(ABC) special report on Nicaragua. In 1984 he was hired by TBS to cover all Latin American related news for JNN, Japan's largest news network. In the mid-1990s Javier began working as consultant for Disarm Education to develop a program for medical aid collaborations between the United States and Cuba. The highlights of the Cuban Medical Project were co-ordinating Muhammad Ali's two trips to Cuba and recently co-ordinating trips for two former U.S. Surgeon Generals. Javier says, "The highlight of my professional life, so far, has been the making of Yank Tanks."
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