About Us
Wide Awake Films was founded on the hard work of two local Kansas City entrepreneurs. They had an idea to take their love of history and film and start a business honoring those two passions. Twenty years later, we are still creating content rooted in passion, authenticity, and craftsmanship. Since its founding in 1999, our team has grown from two friends in an attic to a larger team of creative professionals who take on a wide variety of film, museum, exhibit, and online projects. We genuinely enjoy collaborating as a team, putting our brains together, and channeling our collective creative energy to illuminate history for future generations. We honestly love what we do.
Interested in joining the Wide Awake team? Check out our careers page.
Shane Seley
Founder/Partner/EP/Director
Shane is a lifelong history lover and Wide Awake Film's founder. As an award-winning producer, Shane has directed countless recreation sets of all sizes, led many creative teams, and produced hundreds of documentaries and projects.
Ed Leydecker
Partner/EP
Ed has been the cornerstone of Wide Awake Films since he joined Shane as Partner in 2001. His commitment to WAF’s staff and clients has cemented long-lasting personal friendships and successful professional relationships.
Rob Shenk
Chief Content Officer/EP
With a deep background in creating award-winning digital experiences for tech companies and museums, Rob works with new clients and develops Wide Awake’s content strategy. A former US Naval officer, Rob has a strong love of American and military history.
Val Anderson
Senior Producer
Producing videos for over 25 years, Val has a proven track record of successfully overseeing complex projects from start to finish. Her career has included educational programs, commercials, documentaries, corporate image pieces, and music videos. She thrives in creative environments and has established great relationships with clients, crews, and freelancers in Kansas City and across the country.
Julia Barnett
Producer/Director
With over 10 years in the industry, Julia has honed her ability to manage diverse teams and navigate complex production logistics. Whether she's interviewing real people or directing actors, her goal is to always capture authentic emotions and moments.
Kerry Ramirez
Project Manager/Account Services
Kerry joined Wide Awake Films in 2016, bringing a wealth of experience as a multimedia production coordinator at Hallmark Cards, Inc. Her passion lies in working with our clients, ensuring their projects are delivered on time and within budget. With years of experience in client relations under her belt, Kerry is the go-to person for seamless project management.
Dottie Martin
AP/AR
With her extensive experience in managing small business finance, Dottie is a natural fit for the complex world of production. Her keen eye for detail ensures that every aspect of the financial puzzle is meticulously taken care of. She's the unsung hero who keeps the financial gears turning smoothly, enabling us to bring our creative visions to life.
Keith Johnson
Creative Director/Animation Supervisor
A master of art direction, storytelling, animation, and visual effects. Keith's expertise lies in designing large format exhibits, crafting virtual reality experiences, and constructing captivating 3D structures. He's a true artist at heart, bringing music, art, and architecture together in his work.
Jeff Van Bockern
Editor/Post-Production Supervisor
Jeff joined WAF fifteen years ago, fresh from the University of Kansas with a degree in Film Studies. Since then he’s led the post-production on countless award-winning films that have been viewed millions of times in museums, on streaming platforms, and the web.
Jim Button
Art Director
A creative powerhouse with nearly 20 years of experience in the graphic design and digital media industry. With a wide range of skills in graphic design, illustration, and animation, he brings imagination to life in both print and film. Beyond his artistic talents, Jim is a talented songwriter; his passion for music and design fuels his creative fire.
Will Weinstein
Designer/Animator
Will wears multiple hats with ease excelling as an editor, animator, scriptwriter, and fashion icon in the office. With the patience to sort through hours of footage and a keen eye that always finds the heart of a story, Will's editing skills bring narratives to life. He is a creative force that injects artistry and flair into every project he touches.
Brian Rose
Producer/Researcher
Our resident historian and archivist. He's a lightning-fast absorber of historical facts, transforming them into scripts that are both informative and heartfelt. Beyond his passion for history, Brian restores old cameras and projectors, bringing vintage technology back to life. His dedication to preserving the past is matched only by his talent for storytelling.
Jacob Schermerhorn
Editor/Cinematographer
Jacob is the latest addition to the Wide Awake team and a truly talented editor and cinematographer. Jacob’s editing prowess is evident in his work and his ability to fit right into the editing mix here at Wide Awake. When he’s not shooting amazing footage for Wide Awake, he’s out photographing concerts and building an impressive portfolio of work.
Wide Awake Films Team
At Work/At Play
