Our Team
Dr. Robert Philipson
Filmmaker/ Founder
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Adam L. McMath
Executive Director
Marc Smolowitz
Consulting Producer
A former academic professor of African-American studies with a passion for Jazz & African art. A published author and Harlem Renaissance historian, he has produced multiple films about the intersectionality of Race, Music, & Sexuality.
Adam is a longtime nonprofit leader and arts administrator focusing on Black LGBTQ art. He spends considerable time producing multimedia for corporations; however, his passion is in documentary and narrative films.
A multi-award winning director, producer, and executive producer. Focused on powerful social-issue filmmaking in documentary and narrative genres. Amongst his better-known features are The Watermelon Woman, The Weather Underground, and most recently House of Cardin.
Asher Coffield
Assistant
Pad McLaughlin
Editor / Motion Graphics
HR
Human Resources
Asher wears many creative hats as Shoga Films' assistant, handling everything from administrative support to podcast production, video editing, and web design. In addition to her work at Shoga Films, Asher is an educator and a freelance media professional. She is based in sunny Los Angeles.
Pad is a multi-media artist who has created work in film, theater, music and photography. Collaborative by nature he prefers to not to work on his own. A specialist in stereography he has produced numerous 3D short films. He also served as scenic designer for Invisible Site and Desert Music by George Coates Performance Works.
HR, as he is fondly known around Shoga Films, masterfully fulfills his function of cozying up to contractors and employees to make them feel loved and contented. Although he is a creature of few words (none, in fact) he somehow brings a feeling of well being to all with whom he comes into contact. “Required strokes from different folks,” is one of the more enigmatic sayings taped over his water bowl.