Arizona Production Association

✨ Member Spotlight on Benji Osborne ✨

🌐 Website:benjiosborne.com
🎥 Primary Production Role: Director of Photography

ℹ️ Background: I’ve shot 2 feature films, commercials for WWE, Avis, NAACP, QuikTrip, and Billboard #1 charting music videos.

🎥 Why Production?
Still photography has been sort of an ever-present in my life as my dad put a camera in my hand from a very young age, and by the time I was 17 I was doing stills work for Puma and Forever 21. But I didn’t enjoy how lonely the still photography life can be, aside from models and emails with agencies there’s not very much in the way of human interaction. I kind of stumbled into the video on accident, since a lot of my friends wanted to be rappers and needed music videos— as they do. I remember one of the dudes I shot a video for saying “why don’t your videos look as good as your photos” and it kind of made me mad; but now I probably owe him a thank you as it sent me down the rabbit hole of cinematography, lighting and lensing that I now call a job. I fell in love with the community and friendships I’ve been fortunate enough to make, and continue to make through this amazing field; and I continue to fall in love with the lifelong commitment to capturing stories the best I can.

🔥 Favorite Projects:
The one project that comes to mind was a feature doc I shot earlier this year about Black firefighters in my hometown of Tulsa, OK, where Black Wallstreet once stood and thrived before the 1921 race massacre that burned down 35 city blocks of the most successful Black community in America. It encapsulates the living history of Black firefighters, through first hand accounts and following the lives of two current Black firemen, showing the resilience through all they’ve overcome, thus prompting the name, Fighting More Than Fire. We just wrapped post on it so it’s about to hit the festival circuit, it’s such an impactful story and I can’t wait for it to be out there.

🌵🎬 Why Film in Arizona?
I only just moved to AZ a few months ago, but the amount of talent and good people here shocked me. Maybe I just keep getting lucky.. but every person I’ve met has been so kind and willing to help in whatever way they can. There are some really talented folks here who just so happen to also be really good people; and those two things mixed together create an environment for greatness all around. There certainly is something special here that I look forward to continuing to uncover and be a part of.

If you see Benji on set, be sure to welcome him to AZ and the APA!

🎙️ Meet Aubrey Tyson – Solopreneur at Aubrey Tyson Voiceover, LLC based in Phoenix!
🔗 Website: www.aubreytalks.com
🎧 Primary Role: Professional voiceover services for commercials (radio, TV, digital), and a variety of video narration projects.

📚 Background:
My professional background actually entails years of working as a public services Librarian - in public libraries across Arizona. I started doing voiceover work about 4 years ago.

🎤 How I Got Started:
I dabbled in voiceover when I was in college, helping a couple of professors with some eLearning content. It was always something I was interested in but really never thought it was attainable. It wasn’t until my husband gifted me with coaching lessons that I thought, “okay...I’ll give this a real shot.” I went part-time at my day job and have delved even more into VO. I love it. I enjoy the variety of the projects I get to contribute to, the creative teams I’ve had the honor to work with, and the creativity that I get to bring to each project.

💫 Favorite Projects:
My favorite projects tend to be those that are Arizona-based. I’ve had the opportunity to work with creative teams in the state I was born and raised in, and continue to live in. It’s extra rewarding for me! Otherwise, I was able to contribute to a digital ad for Mercedes Benz in 2024 and that was exciting - especially because it involved dogs and humor!

🎬 Why film in Arizona?
Why not?! No matter the direction you go, you’ll find uniquely scenic backdrops and production teams that are incredibly talented in what they do.

Aubrey has an in-home studio with Source Connect and would love to provide a voice for your next project!

‼️TOMORROW‼️ Join us from 6-8 pm on Thursday, May 29, at Bar Bianco, 609 E. Adams St. in Heritage Square, downtown Phoenix. APA’s providing light appetizers, or you can get yourself a pizza next door!

🚨 Calling all aspiring and working Production Assistants! 🎬 We have TWO great events happening Saturday, May 31 – A P.A. Workshop and a Marketing Webinar!

APA is teaming up with Arizona Camera Rentals for an exciting PA Workshop on May 31, led entirely by working APA members!

Whether you’re trying to break into the industry or want to build confidence and connections on set, this is a perfect chance to learn directly from experienced professionals.

📸 Presented by APA & Arizona Camera Rentals, this PA Workshop is FREE, and no registration is required – just show up!

💡 BONUS EVENT: For the full experience, make sure to ALSO attend our “Breaking In & Getting Started: Self Marketing 101” webinar happening just BEFORE the P.A. workshop! The webinar starts at 10:00 a.m. and is FREE for APA Members; $10 for Non-APA Members at the door.

It’s designed to help you stand out and take control of your career. Do both and level up your PA game! 💥

📍 Save the date – May 31st
📸 Presented by APA & Arizona Camera Rentals

Arizona Camera Rentals

🎬 Ever wonder who truly makes the magic happen on set? It’s time to give a shout out to the unsung heroes behind the scenes! 🌟 Join us for an exclusive panel celebrating the real MVPs – the script supervisors who catch every detail, the PAs who hustle with heart, the ADs who keep everything running smoothly, the PMs who hold it all together, and the grips who literally keep the lights on. 💪

Presented by the Arizona Production Association – passionate advocates for Arizona’s film crew community – this is your chance to go behind the scenes and see how the magic REALLY happens. Hosted by the incredible Cassandra Nicholson, this is one event you won’t want to miss!

🎟️ Admission is FREE, but tickets are limited! Grab yours at the Festival Ticketing Office on the day of the event. First come, first served – trust us, you’ll want to be there!

Unsung Heroes Panel Discussion Info:
📍 7000 E Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85054
📅 Sunday, March 30th
⏰ 3PM – In Theatre 5