Biographies


Directors' Biographies

Christi Vedejs
	Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Video Editor, Cinematographer Christi Vedejs is a writer, videographer and video editor, as well as an enthusiastic outdoorswoman and self-proclaimed "bird-nut". Born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, Christi's childhood dreams included becoming the world's fastest swimmer, exploring ancient archeological sites and living in the wild as a forest ranger.
In 1984 she moved to Ann Arbor to attend the University of Michigan on a competitive swimming scholarship. Hard-working, tenacious, and possessing a multitude of interests and abilities, Christi earned many awards and honors during her highly successful athletic and academic careers. After receiving her bachelor's degree Christi plunged headfirst into the often brutal world of the self-employed, eventually building a successful marine fabrication business. During this time period she met producer and audio engineer Jacques Mersereau, who introduced her to the audio/video profession. Working alongside her future husband Christi hauled gear, set up audio and lighting systems and learned the technical aspects of the trade. Her early interests in photography rekindled, she soon worked professionally as a freelance videographer and Avid video editor.
In February 2002 Christi learned about a fascinating conservation project taking place practically in her own backyard. Creating a documentary about the Osprey Reintroduction Program of Southern Michigan proved to be every bit the challenge and rewarding adventure that Christi sought. In July 2004 she completed An Osprey Homecoming, which she co-produced and directed with her husband, Jacques. Christi and Jacques recently received an Emmy Award for Best Photography in the Program category for their videography work in the feature-length documentary. Christi also received an Emmy nomination in the Writer-Program category for An Osprey Homecoming.

Jacques Mersereau
	Director, Producer, Lighting Director, Audio Engineer, Cinematographer Jacques Mersereau has earned his living as a show business professional for over twenty five years. Graduating from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor with a B.A. in Communication, Jacques' musical career began in 1981 as a member of the band SLK. The band's original music ignited America's Ska music scene, and SLK headlined shows with audiences in the thousands. The "SLicKs" also opened concerts for The Clash, Peter Tosh, Stevie Ray Vaughn and other legends before spontaneous combustion occurred in 1985.
Jacques' musical passion kept him playing in bands as he built a successful career as a professional audio engineer and event producer. His audio engineering is heard on over one hundred fifty albums, including Douglas Miller's "Living on the Top" and The Winans' "Ron Winans and Friends". Both albums received Grammy nominations. Mr. Mersereau is also an acoustic music maestro and has worked as the front of house engineer for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, the Flint Symphony Orchestra, the Saginaw Symphony Orchestra and the Detroit Montreaux Jazz Festival. Jacques currently runs The University of Michigan's Digital Media Commons Video Studio, a black-box, experimental performance and television art theater, where he collaborates with a wide variety of artists developing innovative ideas and concepts. From there original live performances are staged and new media is created for publication. In 2005, Jacques' lighting work for WFUM-TV earned him an Emmy Nomination. Then in 2006 he and his wife Christi Vedejs took home the Emmy Award for Best Photography in the Program category for their videography work in An Osprey Homecoming, the nature documentary they co-produced. An Osprey Homecoming also garnered a Finalist Award at the 2005 International Wildlife Film Festival held in Missoula, Montana, and was broadcast on PBS in 2005. Jacques and Christi were married in 1993 on North Manitou Island, part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and share a love of the outdoors with a deep concern for the environment. The couple resides in Sharon Township, Michigan.