ABOUT US

Where It All Began

If you've tried to get a screenplay, concept, or project into the hands of film production companies, you’ve probably discovered that the odds of success are near zero. That’s why we decided to create a nonprofit production company. We wanted to give filmmakers in the 4-States Area a platform to self-produce projects that otherwise would have been impossible. Out of frustration and failure, a small group of individuals decided that anything was possible if we only worked together and supported one another’s ideas and dreams. Could a nonprofit entity raise the needed funding to self-produce video projects as monumental as a full-length dramatic movie? A sitcom pilot? A documentary or a dramatic series? Yes, we decided, this is possible.

On December 8th, 2022, we held a meeting with individuals from existing arts organizations in Joplin and simply “dreamed out loud” of what our vision entailed. That meeting ended with a comment by one of the leading arts advocates in the State of Missouri. She simply said, “I hope you leave here encouraged.” That one sentence was a key factor in moving forward.

Just 4 weeks later, after many meetings and conversations, we officially incorporated as a nonprofit in the State of Missouri as Great Wonders Productions. Just three weeks after that, our 501(c)3 nonprofit status was approved by the IRS. So now we invite you to follow our journey as we continue to “dream out loud” and venture to create video projects that uplift our spirits and enhance our communities.

Our Mission

... is to promote the video production and filmmaking arts in the 4-States Region. This entails helping produce cinematic projects that have socially redeeming qualities. We look for uplifting, inspiring film projects that would benefit society and culture as a whole. We want to provide aspiring filmmakers a platform on which to learn and practice their skills. Great Wonders Productions wants to provide not only resources, educational or experiential opportunities to artists, but also help to produce films and video projects that are otherwise not traditionally possible outside the existing movie-making industry. We want to be involved with cinematic storytelling that can make a difference in the lives of others.

Meet the Board

Steve Head

Steve was born and raised in California. He moved to Southwest Missouri in 1978. In 1985, Steve started an advertising and marketing company (The Steven Head Agency). During the past four decades, Steve has produced countless TV commercials and videos for various clients from coast to coast. He has worked with both Fortune 500 companies as well as small local businesses. Steve is also an award-winning artist, known both nationally and around the world. His "Family Secrets" art exhibit, about his family's generational struggles, was the inspiration for the movie screenplay (The Redemption of Mary Louisa McBroom). One of the goals of Great Wonders Productions is producing this screenplay. Steve serves as President of Great Wonders Productions.

Nathanael Dunn

Nathanael serves as VP of International Operations at Good News Productions, International. He earned an MFA in Film & TV from Regent University. Before joining GNPI, Nathanael worked in educational TV at Overseas Radio & Television, Inc. in Taipei, Taiwan (the country of his youth) and as a video producer at Johnson University. Nathanael helps with the administration of various projects, particularly the Uplift Film Festival and 2nd Sunday Cinema. Nathanael serves as Vice President and Treasurer of Great Wonders Productions.

David Cheek

David began his love for acting at a young age participating in church and school plays as well as in college musicals. He took many years off from his acting until 2007 when a friend introduced him to the Stained Glass Theatre, in Joplin, where he once again got the bug. He has since been involved in acting, directing, and working behind the scenes in over thirty productions there, as well as Ozark Christian College and Stone's Throw Dinner Theatre. He has also been part of a locally produced short film that has won some critical acclaim. David sits on the board of Great Wonders Productions.

RJ Harbison

RJ is a videographer for True Charity in the Joplin area. RJ graduated from Ozark Christian College with a BA in Creative Arts with a love for filmmaking and mentoring high school and college-aged artists. RJ's love for film comes from his previous experiences participating in SkillsUSA Digital Cinema competitions in high school and regularly participating in OCC's Illuminate 48-hour film festival while pursuing his degree. RJ aims to serve artists and entrepreneurs by encouraging them to embrace their personal stories and to use their art and/or business model to inspire and impact the communities that they are a part of and beyond.

Hal Robertson

Hal Robertson is a lifelong Joplin resident with over 40 years of experience in audio, video, lighting, and production. As Technical Director for Connect2Culture, Hal is an interface between their venues, equipment providers, touring artists, and the Connect2Culture staff. Interested in electronics as a teen, Hal spent many years working as a recording engineer and, ultimately, video editor for a local media production house. Along the way, he gathered practical knowledge as a broadcast engineer and sound system designer/installer. Over the years, he’s worn many hats, including Contributing Editor to Videomaker Magazine, Director of Photography on the independent film “Breaking Ten”, wedding and event photographer, as well as streaming media producer.

Matt Stafford

Matt is the Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Ozark Christian College, where he has taught for nineteen years. Passionate for students to be active in the arts, he has ensured opportunities for this at Ozark and beyond in various ways over his 40 years in college ministry. He directs the Creative Arts Academy, a summer camp for high school students, and leads the Art Collective, a student organization supporting creativity. This student organization started the annual OCC Illuminate 48 Hour Film Festival. Additionally, he serves on the board of directors for Casas por Cristo.

Brian Mehrens

Brian has always had a passion for storytelling and, at a young age, found film to be one of the most compelling ways in which to share great stories. He pursued that passion in college, completing a degree in Electronic Arts focusing on Animation, Visual Effects, and Film. After college, he had the opportunities to work on various documentaries, films, and commercial projects. After spending several years in digital content creation and marketing he became an instructor at Missouri Southern State University in the Communication Department. In this position, he is provided the opportunity to encourage student learning and creativity through the exploration of various digital media. He is currently working on updating much of the curriculum and experiences for students at MSSU to better meet the needs and interests of students wanting to study film. Brian has a passion for collaborative creative productions and loves the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than could ever be achieved individually. In addition to his professional work, he enjoys being part of freelance or community projects.

Karen Elizabeth

Karen has contributed to over 70 film projects since 2014. Filling roles as a producer, director, unit production manager, assistant director, writer, story consultant, and script supervisor, she has taken part in projects including feature films and award-winning documentary and narrative short films. She holds a BA in English Literature and Language and Film Studies with Summa Cum Laude honors from the University of Kansas City – Missouri. Elizabeth most enjoys the problem-solving opportunities that keep filmmaking exciting and the connections with others that make the work rewarding. She has been referred to on productions as “the glue that holds us all together.”