Meet our 2026 Controlled Chaos Guest Artists!

John Klein - Cinematographer

JOHN KLEIN is a happily married father of three, cinematographer, director, producer, screenwriter, lover of dogs, Instagram addict, and all-around joyful dude. He has shot projects of all shapes, sizes, and budgets all over the world, from sweeping documentaries to micro-budget thrillers. And through his former production company Glass City Films, he successfully raised over $35k in funds through Kickstarter twice: once for his second feature film as director, the acclaimed post-apocalyptic horror film Chrysalis, which premiered to worldwide distribution in 2014, and again in 2016 for the ambitious short film Limerence. His award-winning short film Static Space, which he co-directed with writer Kate Black-Spence, screened at over 40 festivals, and his current feature film Never Not Yours (co-written and co-directed with Steve Kniss) is making the rounds at festivals around the country. He currently teaches digital media and film production at Elmhurst University.

Kristi Ray - Producer + Actor

KRISTI RAY is a savvy producer bringing bold, female-driven stories to life. Well connected within NC’s creative economy, for nearly two decades, she has balanced acclaimed on-screen performances with visionary work behind the camera, becoming a leader in independent film.  As a TEDx speaker, festival judge and advocate for independent film, she built the brand of Honey Head Films to amplify underrepresented voices and drive meaningful change in the film industry.

Erika Arlee - Director

Erika is an award-winning director, cinematographer, and co-founder of Honey Head Films whose immersive, character-driven debut feature A Song for Imogene earned multiple Best Feature awards, worldwide distribution, and Sundance ReFrame recognition for gender equity. A prolific storyteller and educator, she teaches screenwriting at CFCC and lis an adjunct film professor at UNCW as well as a co-founder of Shoot Like a Girl Film Camp.

Alex Ferre - Sound Mixer + Designer

Since entering the industry in 2021, Alex Ferre has established himself as an award-winning production sound mixer and multifaceted audio professional. Based in Lilburn, Georgia, his diverse portfolio spans feature films, television, documentaries, and commercial productions.
Alex brings a rare, scholarly depth to his craft, holding a Master of Music in Music Composition from Georgia Southern University. As a graduate of the Georgia Film Academy, he seamlessly bridges the gap between technical location sound and creative sonic storytelling.
This academic foundation, paired with his extensive field experience as a sound designer and production audio utility, allows him to approach every project with a unique, holistic perspective on how sound shapes the cinematic experience.