Meet The Team
LAYLA BOZEK
director/producer
Layla has excelled in a career producing non scripted television for networks like TLC, Investigation Discovery and FYI while contributing to many independent documentary projects. During her time studying documentary production at UCLA, she met her friends and colleagues Hilarion Banks, Vanessa Butler and Allyson Tachiki. Like her crew, she is passionate about the transformative power of shared story and wants others to realize the value and volume of what their lives have to speak.
Three years ago, her father died of a heroin overdose after a troubled lifetime of abusing drugs and alcohol. The thought that something like the Harm Reduction Program or Narcan could have saved him from dying alone in his apartment will stay with Layla for the rest of her life. In all her work, Layla aspires to show audiences content that could benefit from a film being produced about it. If there is a chance that The Exchange could be seen by someone who struggles with drugs and lives could be saved, the film will serve its true purpose.
Allyson has her feet planted in the worlds of both filmmaking and design. She has produced shows for networks like TLC and Lifetime, in addition to wearing multiple hats on various independent productions. She currently works as a digital content producer, creating pieces for the web, mobile phones and physical installations.
She pursues storytelling that can be told on multiple platforms and demands engagement with it's audience.
She is thrilled to find her path once more converging with long-time friend and collaborator, Layla Bozek.
producer/designer
ALLYSON TACHIKI
Layla has excelled in a career producing non scripted television for networks like TLC, Investigation Discovery and FYI while contributing to many independent documentary projects. During her time studying documentary production at UCLA, she met her friends and colleagues Hilarion Banks, Vanessa Butler and Allyson Tachiki. Like her crew, she is passionate about the transformative power of shared story and wants others to realize the value and volume of what their lives have to speak.
Three years ago, her father died of a heroin overdose after a troubled lifetime of abusing drugs and alcohol. The thought that something like the Harm Reduction Program or Narcan could have saved him from dying alone in his apartment will stay with Layla for the rest of her life. In all her work, Layla aspires to show audiences content that could benefit from a film being produced about it. If there is a chance that The Exchange could be seen by someone who struggles with drugs and lives could be saved, the film will serve its true purpose.
director/producer
LAYLA BOZEK
associate producer
VANESSA BUTLER
At her core, Vanessa describes herself as a storyteller. A long time lover of television and films, Vanessa has found success as a producer in the nonscripted television world. She has directed and produced on a number of shows for networks that include TLC, Oxygen, A&E, FYI, History, E!, Discovery and a host more.
Although there is undeniable magic in creating stories, Vanessa sees the beauty and appreciates chasing real ones. A graduate of UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, Vanessa met Layla, Allyson, and Hilarion and not only continued a working relationship with them, but also a friendship.
HILARION BANKS
director of photography
Hilarion Banks has been working as a cinematographer for over ten years. He's been privileged to make films on 5 continents and in 6 different languages. His work in documentaries, narratives, music videos, web series and commercials have been in over 100 film festivals around the world.
This is the second time Hilarion has collaborated with filmmaker Layla Bozek and he is excited to tell a new story with an old friend.