Producer Maria Plass, following the path less traveled ALWAYS interested me. Professionally, I felt like the square peg trying to fit into the round hole. I enjoyed yoga, vegetarianism, meditation and felt connected to the ‘hippie’ lifestyle that was very popular during the ‘morning of my life’. However, without consciously realizing it, I ventured off the ‘Yellow Brick Road’. I got caught up with materialism, the corporate lifestyle and way of thinking and just forgot about “What Matters Most’ until I took a Reiki class. That’s when the whirl-wind of change started… I’d realized that I had tapped into a hidden mystery shared by few and instinctively realized there was more out there beyond the conventional. Compelled and inspired, I followed through with additional training. Inspiration led to action, gratitude and motivation to share with others not only the miraculous benefits I’d been given, but all that was beyond the visible eye. I’ve come to know & understand that our world offers much. The only requirement is for us to ask and our willingness to receive. I quest to share the knowledge gained in the hope of promoting awareness because that is the first step in planting the ‘seed of change’. I believe that we are all given a pair of ruby red slippers, that the Yellow Brick Road can be a hill, winding road or straight path and that our choices determine if we live in Kansas or in Oz. In the ride of our life, the virtues of intelligence, heart and courage are most valuable when learned and shared. And togetherness makes the journey to the Emerald City, 'What Matters Most'.
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Eric Anzalone
Host Eric Anzalone best known as the Biker of the Village People since 1995, actor and author of the book Collisions Course, graduated from Arizona State University in 2012 with a degree in Film. On a whim, Eric agreed to host a web-series talk show called What Matters Most. Little did he know that the show would become his awakening journey as he discovers“the simple things in life” and “what matters most” to the people he interviews.
It just goes to show there is life beyond a turtle shell, leather chaps and disco lights!
Chris Racioppi
DP - Lighting - Camera Operator Chris Racioppi is deeply rooted in lighting and cinema theory, Chris sees light as a tangible, comprehensive form of energy which can be harnessed to convey an emotion on the viewers end. In high school he would rent cameras from the television department to film bands performing in Asbury Park. Graduating from Full Sail University in 2011, he has since held jobs in Production and Post production fields.
Chris feels there is too much petty nonsense that people stress about and is hopeful that his work with the What Matters Most Team will subdue that wasted energy into a constructive and more positive
Vann Weller
Editor - Audio Engineer - Camera Operator Vann Weller has been working in film, video, and audio production for over 30 years. Thirteen of those years were spent at ABC Television where he worked on World News, Good Morning America, and won two Daytime Emmy Awards for his work on the audio team at The View. Since then, he has been freelancing in video production, creating YouTube videos for local businesses, and he recently filmed and edited an hour long documentary called, "The Journey to Braco".
Now that he has the freedom to choose his projects, he especially enjoys working with Experience Nirvana because of their dedication to promoting the values of a healthy mind, body and spirit.
Amina Ouchater
Editor Amina Ouchater is a filmmaker based in New York city, she has more than 9 years experience in working on a variety of film and television productions. She graduated in film and television from Casablanca university, Morocco. She lives and works in New York city, Amina has worked on film and television as script supervisor and editor while developing her own project in the same time. Amina had been offered to direct a documentary produced by Radio-Canada Montreal for upcoming women filmmakers in Africa. The documentary called “Citizen of Arts” was screened in major TV stations around Canada, France and few African countries.
Amina is inspired by the work of What Matters Most and she is looking forward to contributing to a better tomorrow. It' also the perfect platform to utilize her creativity to make a positive change for a healthy body and mind.!
Sandra Emmanouilides
Research/Scriptwriter Sandra Emmanouilides has had a passion for mind, body, and spirit wellness for as long as she can remember, and has always dreamed of combining her knowledge about the wellness industry with skills she learned earning her degree in Film & Media, at Temple University. Her first TV job as a Researcher for TLC's daytime show, 'A Makeover Story', a show about transformation, was a good starting point. As an Esthetician and Holistic Health Coach, she enjoys sharing her knowledge about food literacy, wellness, and spiritual tools for living a more expansive life with her clients, friends, and family. Sandra can credit her strong belief in the Law of Attraction in manifesting her new role as Researcher with 'What Matters Most', and is so excited to join this wonderful team shining a Light in the world.
Jessica L. Dixon
Researc h Administration In 1998, Jessica L. Dixon received a Bachelors of Journalism Degree and graduated Cum Laude from Virginia Union University. She is a proud native of the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia, PA. For two years, Jessica interned at WHAT 1340 AM Radio. Additionally, she was a Film Critic and writer for online publications such as www.nuvoxradio.com. From 2008-2009, Jessica hosted and produced her own Internet Radio Show “Soundz Of The City”, on www.party934.com.
Jessica’s dedication to detail and leaving no stone unturned is ‘What Matters Most’ to her. She is excited & enthusiastic about being an integral cog in the Experience Nirvana wheel as it moves down the yellow brick road to Oz.
Leala Arnold
Production Assistant In 2009, Leala Arnold graduated from Kean University with a 2nd BA degree in Film after receiving a BA in English from Montclair University. Leala’s experience includes contributions to indie films, Holiday of the Dead and Man in Box, along with interning for the web series, The Dog Files.
Her dedication and keen-eye is a valuable asset on the set where she can be found doing a myriad of activities and always on her toes checking the details. Her quest for ‘What Matters Most’ led her on the path of Experience Nirvana. She looks forward to collaborating with the ‘dream team’ and ‘inspiring a better tomorrow’ -
Jo Ann Cousin
Production Assistant Having a Psychology degree, Jo Ann Cousin, has always been interested in helping people and improving their lives any way she could. Therefore, when given the opportunity, she eagerly joined theWhat Matters Most team!
For years, she worked in the pharmaceutical industry and was intrigued with their mission of finding disease cures. However, the most fulfilling time of her life was when she worked in Theater. She adventurously moved from California to New Jersey to join the Alvin Ailey Dance Company as their wardrobe supervisor. She also worked in costume departments across the country from the Old Globe in San Diego, CA to McCarter Theater in Princeton, NJ along with many other theaters in between. Her daughter sparked Jo Ann’s interest in theater due to her passion to perform.
Jo Ann's involvement with What Matters Most is very important to her now that she has a grandson because she wants to make a better world for him!