MEET the team
Caleb Hale
Founder & Chief Visual Arts Director
Caleb Hale, Founder & Chief Visual Arts Director of OpenMic Perform Pro, leads the company’s visual arts vision, creating opportunities for young men and women to express themselves through art in a positive and productive environment. He is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive space where emerging artists can share their work, explore their creativity, and build confidence.
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With a well-rounded background in music, film, and visual art, Caleb is recognized within the film community for his dedication, perseverance, and innovative approach to storytelling. His work—whether in visual art or music—captures emotion and engages audiences, bringing stories to life through multiple artistic mediums.
Michell Lampkin
Founder & Director of Production
Michell Lampkin, Founder & Head Production Manager, oversees every stage of the production process, from initial planning and coordination to execution, ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to the highest quality standards. Michell manages timelines, resources, and budgets while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to maintain smooth workflows and clear communication.
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With a proactive approach to identifying and resolving challenges, Michell keeps each project running efficiently and aligned with its goals. Their leadership, strategic oversight, and meticulous attention to detail are essential to the success of every production. By balancing creativity with operational precision, Michell ensures that all projects reflect the organization’s vision and uphold its commitment to excellence.
Joshua Hale
Founder & Operations Manager
Joshua Hale, Founder & Operations Manager of OpenMic Perform Pro , oversees the operational and administrative backbone of the company, ensuring that all film and media projects run smoothly from inception to completion. He manages contracts, production agreements, budgets, and other essential documentation, providing the structure necessary for professional and legally sound project execution.
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Joshua is committed to creating clear workflows and standardized processes, allowing teams to focus on creativity while maintaining compliance and organizational efficiency.
Shanna Carkhum
Executive Producer
Shanna Carkhum, Executive Producer at OpenMic Perform Pro, is a driving force behind the creative vision, strategic planning, and successful execution of the company’s film and media projects. With a proven ability to balance artistic ambition with logistical precision, Shanna oversees all stages of production—from development and financing to final delivery—ensuring each project meets the highest industry standards.
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Shanna’s expertise in budget management, production workflow, and long-term strategy allows her to guide projects efficiently while preserving their artistic integrity. Under her executive direction, OpenMic continues to expand its impact, producing innovative, resonant work that connects with audiences across platforms.
Simone Cummings
Project Manager
Simone Cummings, Project Manager at OpenMic Perform Pro, oversees outreach efforts, project scheduling, and the day-to-day coordination that keeps productions and initiatives running smoothly. Working closely with leadership and cross-functional teams, she streamlines communication, maintains clear project timelines, and ensures every phase of development stays on track.
Simone also builds and sustains strong relationships with partners and community stakeholders, helping align organizational goals with effective, well-managed execution.
Hayden Rose
Chief Writer
An international partner with OpenMic Perform Pro, Hayden Rose is a bilingual Canadian actress, filmmaker, and creative force redefining the modern storyteller. Known for her compelling on-screen presence in films like Styled with Love and Danger in the House, Hayden brings both heart and grit to every role, drawing inspiration from European cinema and the bold visual language of ’80s film.
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Beyond her rising profile on screen, Hayden is a visionary behind the camera—serving as chief writer while also directing and producing original work that champions vulnerability, human connection, and daring narrative choices.
Letia Solomon
Senior Film Advisor
Letia Solomon is a Senior Film Advisor at OpenMic Perform Pro and an award-winning filmmaker based in Los Angeles. A former chemical engineer in the aerospace industry, Letia pursued her passion for storytelling and earned her MFA in TV and Film Production from the University of Southern California.
Her thesis film, The Cypher, premiered at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, earned USC’s First Look Faculty Award for Outstanding Director, and later streamed on MAX after being a finalist in the 2020 ABFF HBO Competition.
Letia has also directed the pilot and episodes of the coming-of-age series 3 Blind Mice, set at an HBCU in Baltimore, and has directed on the ABC series Station 19. In 2022, she won the Lionsgate/STARZ Short Film Award for Best Speculative Fiction for her mockumentary comedy Clones. She received support from the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival x CHANEL Through Her Lens Female Filmmaking Program.
In 2023, Letia was selected for Netflix’s Episodic Directors on the Rise Masterclass Program, taught by Paris Barclay. At OpenMic Perform Pro, Letia brings a wealth of industry knowledge and creative expertise, helping filmmakers elevate their work to new heights.
Emily Pinto
Head of Photography
Emily Pinto, Head of Photography, leads all photography initiatives, setting the creative vision and managing the photography team to deliver high-quality visual content across projects and campaigns. She oversees every stage of the process, from concept development to execution, ensuring that all visuals align with campaign objectives and the brand’s identity.
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Emily’s leadership, meticulous attention to detail, and commitment to excellence ensure that each shoot is well-organized, technically precise, and visually compelling. Her work elevates the overall impact of campaigns, producing photography that engages audiences and strengthens the brand’s presence.
Choice Skinner
Senior board chair of Marketing and Distribution
Choice Skinner is the Senior Board Chair of Marketing and Distribution at OpenMic Perform Pro, bringing over 30 years of experience in the film and entertainment industry. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Choice later relocated to Los Angeles, where he became a respected creative force through his company Darkan Entertainment.
His directing work includes the award-winning short Brotherly Love, The One Percent, and A Second Thought, which won Octavia Spencer’s Facebook Short Film Competition. He directed the feature film Wingman, Inc. and released his romantic dramedy A New Life through Buffalo 8, earning a 2024 NAACP Image Award nomination and a World Entertainment Award for Best Writer. At OpenMic Perform Pro, Choice leverages his deep industry knowledge to guide filmmakers in effectively marketing and distributing their work.
Lindy Funt
Head of Makeup
Lindy Funt serves as Head of Makeup at OpenMic Perform Pro, providing on-set leadership across all company productions. During active production, she leads the makeup department, guiding and coordinating makeup artists to ensure continuity, professionalism, and high-quality, camera-ready work throughout each shoot. Lindy plays a key role in maintaining visual consistency, supporting character development, and adapting makeup designs to meet the creative and technical demands of set.
With a strong eye for detail and a collaborative leadership style, she works closely with directors, cinematographers, and production teams to align makeup execution with the overall vision of each project. Her hands-on approach and mentorship help maintain industry standards while fostering a reliable and efficient department on every OpenMic Perform Pro production.
Rachel Molloy
Board Chair of Script Oversight
An international partner and the Board Chair of Script Oversight at OpenMic Perform Pro, Rachel Molloy plays a pivotal role in shaping the quality, direction, and impact of the scripts that drive our productions. Rachel works closely with writers, directors, and producers, providing strategic feedback that elevates character development and thematic clarity.
Her guidance ensures every script not only aligns with OpenMic’s artistic vision but is fully prepared for the demands of production.
Lafayette Chavis
Assistant Project Manager
Lafayette Chavis, Assistant Project Manager, plays a vital role in coordinating logistics and ensuring the smooth execution of production operations. He manages schedules, tracks deadlines, and allocates resources efficiently, keeping projects on track and running seamlessly.
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With a keen eye for detail, Lafayette anticipates potential challenges and proactively addresses issues, providing problem-solving support across multiple departments. His collaborative approach and organizational expertise help maintain effective workflows while adapting to unforeseen changes.
Melissa V. Rodriguez, LMFT
Board Chair of Occupational Wellness
Melissa Rodriguez, Board Chair of Occupational Wellness at OpenMic Perform Pro, is dedicated to promoting the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of all employees and freelancers within the organization. She oversees a comprehensive range of wellness initiatives, ensuring that support programs are thoughtfully integrated into the company’s culture and operations—particularly within the demanding and high-pressure environment of film production.
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Melissa champions work-life balance, mental health resources, and preventive healthcare measures, helping mitigate the challenges faced by cast, crew, and staff.
