Our Team

Paul Zehrer Writer / Director

Paul’s film and television career has earned nominations for the Sundance Grand Jury Prize, an Independent Spirit Award, and an Emmy Award. Paul made his directorial debut with the award-winning feature film Blessing and directed award- winning films on education and disabilities, earning the prix du Documentaire at Cannes’ Festival International for Being Seen. Producing credits include the recent feature documentary, The Test & The Art of Thinking. 

Eric Ivey Cinematographer, Editor

Producer, camera operator, and editor, Eric has been a principal collaborator with Paul and Potential/sf on many films. He recently completed his directorial debut documentary “Not Worth Killing” about a convicted murderer on death row. He also produced a 2019 narrative short “A little Death,” winning “Best Genre Film” at SF Indie Fest.

Maren Wickwire Cinematographer, Editor

Maren Wickwire is a documentarian and visual anthropologist. She is the founder of Manifest Media. She has wide-ranging experience in directing, producing and filming documentaries. Her work has been screened around the globe and focuses on migration studies, mobility and transnationalism with a particular interest in the everyday experiences of women and marginalized communities. Her most recent films can be seen here Where We Belong and Together Apart.

Faten Yaacoub Fixer

Faten Yaacoub works as a freelance production “fixer” and consultant. She’s been involved with PotenialSF’s project on Waldorf education in the Middle East and is currently developing another project on the relevance of standardized testing within the American educational scene. Her background in academia is key in understanding different cultures and meeting new challenges in her career. Faten’s studies of Comparative Literature in addition to her native Arabic endow a comprehensive dimension to her translation skills.

Pierre Laurent Associate Producer

The co-creator of the award-winning short documentary film, “Preparing for Life,” on Waldorf education, Pierre has collaborated with Mr. Zehrer on numerous education themed films. Pierre is a Silicon Valley business executive with an extensive background in business, computer science and AI, working with both large and small High-Tech companies. As Board President at the Waldorf School of the Peninsula, Pierre has been widely quoted in international press on the impact of technology on education.

Chikara Motomura Cinematographer

Chikara has been a principal cinematographer with Potential SF on numerous award-winning films, including the recent documentary feature, “The Test & The Art of Thinking.” He also collaborated on 14 independent films with Rob Nilsson, a Berkeley-based Sundance/Cannes award-winning filmmaker. Primarily a Cinematographer and Editor, Chikara also works as a producer and soundman. Founder of Motomura Media, Chikara has spent over 25 years as freelance director and cinematographer for various Japanese television networks, including NHK, Japan’s public television.

Gillian Lerner Associate Producer

A clinical psychologist, Dr. Lerner’s work focuses on maternal mental health, parenting and family dynamics. She has been in private practice for over two decades addressing contemporary parenting styles and family issues.