Film Biography

A more focused history of Todd's involvement in film.

Before reading, art, and even music, Todd fell in love with movies.  The Empire Strikes Back was the first movie he ever had the chance to see on the big screen.  "Unfortunately, every thing else has been down hill since, as it remains my favorite film of all time!" exclaims Todd.

His avid interest in science fiction and movies helped exercise his creative muscles early in his youth.  With a fascination in sci-fi and drawing, it was the only a small step away when he began collecting comic books and creating his own characters and storylines during middle school. Another creative expression, music became an integral part of life in middle school when he taught himself how to play the guitar and eventually piano. Since that time Todd has been a musician and songwriter in several bands. But movies always had a special place in his heart.

After taking a job at a local movie theater, enjoying movies became a passion. Todd took great care to see each and every movie released. Since he enjoyed the environment, he had the desire to work hard and put in a lot of effort and he quickly moved into management positions for United Artists Theatres in Scottsdale. 

Working for UA was one of the best times in Todd's life, but it wasn't easy. Often he found himself the only manager on duty, and the little 10-plex tended to get busy, especially for the blockbusters. "The busiest night we had was the New Year's Eve after Titanic opened, and at night...it was just me, one box office cashier, one door person, two ushers, and two concession registers. That was the busiest night of the year, too…but it was ultimately a blast," recounts Todd.

For the majority of his management career, Todd worked as the booth manager maintaining the projector equipment and more importantly the films. Thursday night was the best time of the week; he came to work wearing street clothes, built up the new films, and tore down the old. But the experience spoiled Todd as he became used to dry running most of the prints at two in the morning, without anyone else in the theater! "Now I miss the empty theater and the pristine prints. Every time a scratch is visible on screen, I groan."

"Additionally, sound is a big part of any film, and I am constantly amazed at how many theaters have poor sound, even if they present themselves as THX certified! Half the time the digital equipment isn't working right or the analog sound comes out garbled. I, unfortunately, notice every flaw...and when I complain, no one knows how to fix it properly"

After UA, Todd worked for Harkins Theatres and Hollywood Video.  At both places he went in seeking advancement, proved himself many times over, yet left each time in disappointment. Todd left the movie industry for several years trying his hand at other aspects of business, even working for the U.S. Census in 2000.

In 2002, Todd opened a six screen-art house for the now defunct Madstone Theaters, a New York based company, in Chandler, Arizona. The opportunity to be General Manager came as a great thrill, but was marked by struggle at every step. Unfortunately the company was brand new and was unable to effectively manage a theater chain, and seemed to know less about the local area and audience.

"In the time I was there, they played some of the worst movies I have ever seen because they didn't have the buying power to get the really good art films. My suggestions for films were ignored, even though I believe they would have been successful," recalls Todd.

Frustrated by struggles with corporate including a lack of support and completely ineffective communication, Todd started to realize the theatre was doomed. When the company failed to heed any suggestions he offered them, Todd became wholly unsatisfied and both he and the company decided parting ways was ultimately the best thing for both. The company eventually proved unsuccessful and closed all of their theaters and film production company a year and a half later.

"Having lived my dream job, I found it just wasn't as fulfilling a career as I had hoped. Maybe it would have been different if I had the support I needed from everyone. Initially though, I knew taking the job with Madstone was not right on the gut level. I had a strong feeling it wasn't going to work out well, but took the job anyways. It was a great lesson in learning to listen to myself and that 'still, small voice' inside."

Todd vigorously returned to school the following semester at Arizona State University, graduating Summa cum Laude in December 2004 with a degree in Family & Human Development. In 2005, Todd ran the operations and promotions of a small publishing company, Northern Spirit Creative Productions. In 2006, Todd and his wife, Jenafer, moved to Salt Lake City, Utah and became foster parents at a teenage boys group home.

Movies will always be one of Todd's passions. His friends and family had grown to appreciate his opinions on movies, always asking for recommendations. "Almost every conversation involves some form of, 'So have you seen any good movies lately?' My experience in film exhibition and the opportunity to see many films gives my opinion some weight in their eyes. That’s the reason I review films on my website. Now I can share it with everyone."

Currently, Todd takes great care to stay informed of upcoming films, seeing a wide variety of films each week and writes reviews when time allows. Todd is currently developing ideas for several screenplays. Details are yet to be announced.