Emerald Cut Productions is led by an experienced, multidisciplinary team spanning production, performance, business strategy, communications, talent development, and project execution. Together, its leadership and collaborators are developing original film, television, documentary, radio, podcast, and digital-media properties.
Jill Lanese
Founder, CEO and Executive Producer
Jill Lanese’s passion for storytelling began in childhood, when she dreamed of studying acting in New York. Although her professional path initially led her toward psychology, she never lost her connection to the creative arts. Jill earned an advanced degree in psychology and advanced certifications in several therapeutic and transformational modalities before building a highly successful 25-year consulting career on Wall Street.
In 2007, Jill was drawn into the development of Beyond Haunted. Although new to entertainment production, she brought extensive experience managing complex, large-scale projects and transitioned naturally into the roles of producer and executive producer. She subsequently founded Emerald Cut Productions, where she guided creative and production teams through original concepts, treatments, Internet television programs, sizzle reels, and location productions.
Nearly two decades later, Jill is leading the reactivation and expansion of Emerald Cut Productions. Its current slate includes documentaries, feature films, historical drama, radio, podcasts, and emerging-media properties—all grounded in the company’s commitment to compelling human stories.
Among Jill’s most meaningful current projects are Bogart’s Journey™, a documentary exploring love, grief, courage, and purpose, and Bogart’s Legacy™, a mission-driven initiative created in memory of her beloved Rough Collie, Bogart. The initiative is being developed to advance education, research, advocacy, and meaningful reform for dogs and the families who love them.
Outside of her professional work, Jill is devoted to her Rough Collies and continues to transform her broad experience, intellectual curiosity, and creative vision into projects intended to move, inspire, and create lasting impact.
Joanna Sanchez
Executive Producer & Actress
Joanna Sanchez is an accomplished actress and award-winning producer whose career spans Broadway, Off-Broadway, film, television, commercials, and voiceover work. Having worked in entertainment since childhood—including becoming one of Broadway’s youngest performers—she brings lifelong industry experience and a comprehensive understanding of both performance and production.
Her film credits include Up Close & Personal with Robert Redford, Conspiracy Theory with Mel Gibson, Wolf with Jack Nicholson, 187 with Samuel L. Jackson, and To the Bone with Keanu Reeves. Her television work includes appearances on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Mad About You, The Sarah Silverman Program, and This Is Us, along with recurring roles on The League, So Notorious, and Graves. Her recent work includes writing, producing, casting, and developing projects for film and television.
As Executive Producer for Emerald Cut Productions, Joanna contributes extensive creative and production expertise, a discerning eye for talent, industry relationships, and the ability to help develop, package, pitch, and advance projects. She is currently contributing to the development of The Lover’s Alibi and TAKANASSEE and may also support the Bogart’s Journey™ documentary.
Paula Beck
Founding Producer
Paula Beck is a producer whose multidisciplinary background spans television production, journalism, public relations, technical editing, and fine art. As a founding member of Emerald Cut Productions, she contributed to the company during its formative production years and brings a valuable combination of creative judgment, communications experience, and practical production knowledge to its renewed slate.
Paula is also an accomplished visual artist who exhibits under the name Paula Kay. Her work demonstrates exceptional versatility, ranging from expressive abstraction to representational painting in varying degrees of realism. That artistic range and strong visual sensibility complement her work as a producer and her ability to evaluate projects from both creative and audience perspectives.
As Emerald Cut Productions enters its next chapter, Paula continues in the role of Founding Producer, contributing her experience and insight to the development of original projects and the growth of the company’s creative team.
Mary Grace Shuttleworth
Producer
Mary Grace Shuttleworth has worked full-time in television production since graduating from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 2022. Beginning as a Production Assistant and advancing to Producer, she has gained experience across every phase of the production process, from development through post-production.
Her career has taken her from development shoots in Baltimore to extended production assignments in Tampa, where she served as part of the producing team for multiple seasons of a network television series. Mary Grace also brings an unconventional creative perspective through her Bachelor of Architecture degree, applying principles of space, structure, and emotional design to film and television production.
Outside of production, Mary Grace enjoys spending time with the three cats she shares with her partner, playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends, and MMA sparring—usually while giggling.
Barbra Willis
Communications and Production Coordinator
Barbra Willis brings extensive experience in event planning, client relations, project coordination, and deadline-driven production environments. She spent approximately 16 years operating her own event-planning company in the New York metropolitan area before continuing her career in catering and event planning with a leading hotel organization.
Barbra became involved with Emerald Cut Productions during its early years and has contributed in a variety of capacities, including communications, applicant coordination, and production support. Her background in people management, project management, conflict resolution, and event execution transferred naturally into media production, where she developed a strong understanding of schedules, priorities, and the coordination required to move complex projects forward.
Her first experience working on set confirmed that production was a natural extension of the skills she had developed throughout her career. As Emerald Cut Productions enters its new chapter, Barbra returns as Communications and Production Coordinator, helping manage inquiries, initial communications, team coordination, and selected production needs.
In her personal time, Barbra enjoys art galleries, museums, tennis, dogs, and music.
John Chavera
Business and Strategic Consultant
John Chavera is an experienced management and technology consultant who has operated his own New York City consulting business since the 1990s. His clients have included major law firms across the United States, which he advises on management, operations, technology, and organizational needs.
Over the years, John has provided strategic guidance to Jill Lanese and Emerald Cut Productions on business development, planning, and the advancement of new initiatives. He now joins the company’s core team in a more consistent advisory capacity as Business and Strategic Consultant.
John brings an experienced, practical perspective to strategic planning, organizational growth, technology, and long-range decision-making. His guidance will support Emerald Cut Productions as the company expands its production slate, develops new collaborations, and builds the infrastructure required for its next stage of growth.
Outside of his professional work, John enjoys photography, hiking, kayaking, and a wide range of sports.
Susana Goldstein
Production and Talent Advisor
Born and raised in Norway, Susana Goldstein brings an international perspective, entrepreneurial experience, and a discerning eye for people, presentation, and creative potential to Emerald Cut Productions. She moved to New York in 1995 and built a life and career in the United States grounded in hard work, independence, and an appreciation for quality and craftsmanship.
As the longtime owner of a commercial cleaning business, Susana has developed extensive experience in client relations, service management, organization, and the day-to-day discipline required to build and sustain a successful enterprise. Her practical judgment, reliability, and ability to connect with people support her role as Production and Talent Advisor, where she contributes perspective to talent discussions, interviews, and selected production decisions.
Susana also has a passion for antiques, restoration, and upholstery. She enjoys discovering objects with history and character and giving them renewed purpose through careful, hands-on work. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys hiking, gardening, growing vegetables, spending time in nature, and caring for her longtime feline companion.