PAUL STARKMAN is a Brooklyn-based, award-winning film and television director.
In 2020, after winning Best Narrative Feature at the Woodstock Film Festival, his debut feature film, Wheels, was released by 1091 Media. The film follows Max, a young man chasing his dream of becoming a well-known DJ in Brooklyn.
Paul is drawn to stories of people pursuing their passions and dreams—a theme that runs consistently through his work. With 25 years of experience working on popular network competition shows, he has followed aspiring musicians, artists, fashion designers, and chefs as they put their skills and life experiences on the line to turn their passion into a career.
His second feature film, Midtown, continues this theme, following Josie Spano, a dissatisfied mother and former photojournalist trapped in a life that no longer fulfills her, as she fights to reclaim her past in middle age. Passion is a fire that must be fed, yet vulnerability and fear can hold people back—something Paul understands deeply. His characters often grapple with these internal struggles, mirroring his own journey of pushing past doubt to fully embrace a life that feels alive. While he loves his work in television, filmmaking is his true calling. He relates to Josie’s relentless drive to reclaim her identity, making Midtown not just a film he’s directing, but a story he intimately understands.
As a re-married father of three, Paul has experienced life’s ups and downs. He understands what it’s like to feel moments of uncertainty, but for him, filmmaking is the juice of life—the force that provides true fulfillment. He is excited to channel that energy into Midtown.
Paul is a graduate of the American Film Institute and has worked with Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Nick Offerman, Andy Samberg, Jimmy Fallon, and Will Arnett. He has directed seven seasons of Top Chef, as well as Making It!, Baking It!, and the upcoming On Brand for NBC. His work also includes Crime Scene Kitchen, Next Level Chef, and Lego Masters for FOX. He has received two Emmy nominations and one DGA nomination.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Paul lives there with his wife, Cheryl Wayne, and their three children.
Cheryl WAYNE is a veteran showrunner and executive producer with over two decades of experience shaping hit unscripted television.
She began her career at MTV, where she learned early that real people’s stories never let you down.
In 2020, she produced the award-winning feature film Wheels, winner of Best Narrative Feature at the Woodstock, San Francisco Black, and Harlem International Film Festivals.
She is currently showrunning and executive producing That Thrifting Show (HULU). Her television credits include Cutthroat Kitchen, Outchef’d, Kitchen Crash (MAX/FOOD NETWORK), Cake Toppers, Cookie Cupcake Cake (HULU), along with seven seasons of Ink Master, Project Runway, and Regular Heroes for AMAZON.
With over 30 credits as a Producer, Executive Producer, and Line Producer, JAMIN O'BRIEN has collaborated with some of the most distinctive voices in contemporary cinema.
His recent work includes Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Rob Peace, A.V. Rockwell’s A Thousand and One, Pamela Adlon’s Babes, and William Oldroyd’s Eileen. His latest film, Die, My Love, premiered in Official Competition at Cannes and has just been released following its acquisition by MUBI.
Known for identifying exceptional material and bringing top-tier directors and cast into the fold, O’Brien moves fluidly across development, financing, production, and distribution. Previously, as Head of Production at Worldview Entertainment, he co-executive produced William Friedkin’s Killer Joe and oversaw projects featuring Matthew McConaughey, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Renner, Joaquin Phoenix, and James McAvoy.
His earlier producing work includes New York rooted titles such as Handsome Harry, West 32nd, and Chronically Metropolitan. With deep relationships across the New York filmmaking community, O’Brien brings a sharp eye for talent and the practical expertise to guide director-driven films from development through release.
O’Brien is drawn to Midtown, shaped by Josie Spano’s distinct perspective and inner transformation. He sees it as a vivid portrait of a woman facing who she is and who she hopes to become.