TESS CACCIATORE

Tess is a Multimedia/Interactive Creator and Producer with 25+ years in the entertainment/technology and philanthropic arenas.

Tess is also the Founder and CEO of GWEN Global LLC a for-profit company dedicated to social impact & positive change in the entertainment arena, which also emcompasses Global Women’s Empowerment Network (a 501c3).

Tess is a best-selling author, award-winning producer/filmmaker/songwriter, as well as a Director, keynote speaker, and social entrepreneur who has dedicated her life to advocating for “Transforming lives through the power of storytelling!”

In 2003, Tess was awarded the Fete d’ Excellence within the Sub-Commission for Human Rights at the United Nations (Geneva, Switzerland) for her work in edu-tainment. Throughout the years, Tess has been honored with multiple awards, including in 2011 she won Mobile Excellence Award for the GWEN Alert, FREE downloadable safety app with video-cloud private storage to protect those in need.

Tess is currently working on an original, scripted series called “The Wright Turn” as co-creator, co-writer and Director.

This multi-cultural cast reflects true stories from the Gwen community in a scripted manner, so that we can continue to put forth healing through storytelling, “trauma to transformation.”

HE WRIGHT TURN

Here is what Tess and Terrah had to say – perhaps you can relate. We got tired of people saying NO! We got tired of an industry that says, “you’re too OLD!” We got tired of waiting for someone to say “Hey ladies, we like you”. So instead of waiting for a seat at the table, we built our own table, pulled up two chairs and went to work.

In 2015 Tess had an opportunity to mentor female millennial directors for a network web-series competition. Although the network’s demographics were women 40-plus, the ideas that were presented were focused on the younger demographics. Realizing there was a void in the stories about women her age, Tess asked to put her hat into the ring and created a project which focused on a 50-year-old woman on her journey to self-rediscovery. In the meantime Terrah, who had made the decision to transition to behind the camera and focus on raising her three children, was

slowly returning from an eight-year acting hiatus. Tess needed an actress and Terrah was eager to act again. The network decided to shelve the competition, so Tess’ project was never submitted. Three years later, Tess and Terrah sat down, restructured the idea and story-line, and gave birth to – The Wright Turn.

The Wright Turn is based on true stories. Interviews with various women and men in the 50 plus club were underway, and knowing how the industry often type-cast actors, The ladies sat down with their actors to find out what types of roles they’ve always wanted to play but have been denied the opportunity. They found a way to incorporate each actors’ ideas, which made the character fun to portray. The series also features product lines by cast members and others as a way to support entrepreneurship.

What is The Wright Turn? It’s not a comedy or a drama, it’s a whole bunch of life’s shit, mushed together, and served to us as our individual journeys. From career/romance/motherhood to homelessness/sex trafficking/mental illness and more.It has been a journey to say the least. The idea of creating, and executing 8-forty-five minute episodes independently, was a surmountable feat, but for these two multi-hyphenates, both directors, writers, producers, editors, actors… It was a challenge worth taking on.

DR. TRACEY MARKS

Dr. Marks is a general and forensic psychiatrist of over 20 years whose mission is to increase mental health awareness and understanding by educating people on psychiatric disorders, mental well-being, and self-improvement. She believes that insight creates change, both on a micro-level (personal growth) and a macro-level (reduction in fear and social judgment). Dr. Marks produces educational videos on her YouTube channel, DrTraceyMarks.

As a forensic psychiatrist, she has formulated over 1000 opinions through Independent Medical Evaluations, criminal assessments, or civil litigation consultations. She has been qualified as an expert in multiple federal and state courts and military court-martial. She also maintains a general psychiatry clinical practice focusing on mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and burnout.

Dr. Marks has been sought after by CNN and HLN for forensic and general psychiatric commentary.

WILL WHEATON

Blessed with a sensual baritone bass voice, Will Wheaton is an extraordinarily refreshing singer / songwriter. His fertile gospel background helps him cultivate his own unique sound that is rich and gritty. With a deep resonant voice, reminiscent of his earlier influences Barry White and Teddy Pendergrass, Will strips away the veneer of a traditional ballad with vocal prowess and perfection usually reserved for such contemporary artist as Luther Vandross, John Legend, or Maxwell.

He has an articulated gift of creating music with heart and range, effortlessly crossing the lines of Pop, R&B & alternative soul.

Will has earned a reputation as an accomplished background vocalist by working with a stellar lineup of talent as Michael Bolton, Natalie Cole, Coolio, Celine Dion, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Luis Miguel, Montel Jordon, Kenny Loggins, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Chaka khan, and Rod Stewart.

WAYNE ALTMAN

With a strong desire to make a difference to the people around him, Wayne Altman has worn many hats during his 54 years of life on planet Earth. Born in California but raised in Texas, Wayne grew up knowing he wanted to serve others. U.S. Army Veteran, Death Row Correctional Officer, Corporate Sales Trainer, and Author of 6 books on Mortgage and Credit. 

Wayne has traveled to 19 countries and visited 49 States teaching Credit to consumers and Loan Officers in the Mortgage Industry. He currently owns multiple (14) online businesses all designed to enrich the lives of his customers and his community. 

His latest business is Melody Clouds, a subscription relaxation website and app. With 8000 hours of Solfeggio, Binaural Beats, Guided Meditation, and 17,000 + Audiobooks all designed to relax and educate its subscribers at a price point other services just will not touch. 

Wayne has determined that the healing and beneficial effects of this technology should be available to everyone who wants it. So, Melody Clouds is translated into over 100 different languages, and its membership spans across the globe. Wayne is married to the love of his life Traci, and together they are raising three incredibly beautiful and talented daughters. Cassidy, Reagan, and Morgan.

JADE TAILOR

Jade Tailor is an actress of both stage and screen, a singer, filmmaker, writer, and director. She is known for starring as Kady in the Syfy / Netflix critically acclaimed drama series, “The Magicians.” The network’s top scripted series was based on Lev Grossman’s best-selling trilogy and centered around Brakebills University, a secret institution specializing in magic. Tailor’s character, Kady, was a fan-favorite who suffered from loss and addiction. 

Tailor previously appeared in multiple episodes of Steve Bochco’s TNT series ‘Murder In the First’ as well as several episodes of the NBC series ‘Aquarius’, playing the love interest to David Duchovny.  She also guest starred in the series ‘True Blood’ (HBO) and ‘Vegas’ (CBS).  

Her film credits include the IFC feature ‘Juke Box Hero’, ‘Higher Power’ currently streaming on Hulu, Joel Soisson’s thriller ‘Cam2Cam’, and ‘24 Hours to Live’ directed by Benny Boom, and many more.. A true multihyphenate, Tailor is currently writing, producing, and directing projects under her production company, Eyeris Entertainment, a platform for women to tell their positive, inspirational stories.

She recently directed and produced two films that she wrote: ‘The Shift’ which stars Danny Trejo and ‘Within The Silence’ which won several awards on the festival circuit. Tailor also wrote a biopic about Hedy Lemar entitled ‘Hedy’ that she will also direct. 

Off screen, Tailor is an Ambassador to the Women’s History Museum and is involved with several non-profit organizations including The New Hollywood, NOW: National Organization for Women, among others. She is also a certified life coach, domestic violence counselor, facilitator and keynote speaker for various self-development and empowerment organizations. She is currently making an album and is set to direct a feature film in the fall.