Executive bios

Stephen Polk
Principle

With experience in key areas of filmmaking and the Entertainment Industry, Stephen's expertise is based on 20 years in Film and Television that involves work on over 60 films. Stephen makes sure Providence Productions produces fiscally responsible, quality films while selling to distribution outlets worldwide. He is an accomplished writer, director, actor, producer, executive producer, post production supervisor, and sales agent. In addition to his executive function at Providence, he has distinguished himself as a director and creative producer with the standards for story, casting, acting, and marketing required for success in a competitive, critical Industry.

After employed as an actor by studio feature films with highly-respected filmmakers including Ridley Scott and Oliver Stone, Polk was hired to consult for Equity Investors and Independent filmmakers successfully leading them through the too often costly challenges of development, production and distribution. He has hired, managed, and supervised numerous teams for productions and post including the newest titles "Killer By Nature" and "Holiday Baggage". He also co executive produced festival hits including "God, Sex and Aple Pie", the Sundance Film Festival hit, "Cherish" and the 5 time Audience Award winner "Revoloution". Polk has developed, written and co-written, treatments and features including "Pirate Camp" "Holiday Baggage" and the Sundance Screenplay Competition Finalist, "Bearman". Polk has also worked with accomplished writers including Academy Award winning writer Derek Washburn, Tony Award winner Arthur Kopit, and Award winner Christopher Crow. He has also launched and supervised several nationwide test screenings and limited theatrical releases.

While initiating media programs for schools, museums, and co-founding Socially Conscious Cinema, Providence films have helped service the missions of charitable organizations including correctional Institutions, Boys and Girls Clubs, Youth at Risk organizations, Kids for a Cause

Polk studied English, History and Theater at Westminster and Kenyon College, acting at The Neighborhood Playhouse, writing at Playwrights Center, and directing at NYU Film School. He also attended the American University in Cairo.

Rip Pauley
Head of Development

Pauley began his career as news producer and film critic for WBVD Radio in Boston, book reviewer for Publishers Weekly magazine in New York City, and associate in the corporate image consulting firm, Krieger Associates. As a script analyst and development consultant in Hollywood, Pauley freelanced for several studios including Kings Road and Spectacor Films and for producers Henry Seggerman, Georges Alain Vuille, Rosilyn Heller, Ken Aguado, Martin Bauer and Stephen Freidman. Pauley has also worked as a co-writer and consultant on several projects under development by Providence Films. His screenplay SCARBOY has won screenplay competitions and his controversial DIVIDED WE STAND was produced by Providence.