Frank A. Lazar
Founder and Executive Producer
As a two-time Emmy Award winning cinematographer and bona fide “Philly guy” Frank Lazar meets all kinds of people who tell him they have a great story for him. He thought he heard them all. But one day, while filming a public service announcement in New Jersey a woman quietly introduced herself. She told Frank she was one of the first female undercover agents in the country and was writing a book about her experiences with hitmen, mobsters, gangsters, drug dealers, pimps, hookers and gun runners. Her name was Jo Sue Kaufman.
The look in her eye told Frank that she was legit. He should know. Frank grew up around the criminal element and is a good listener. His grandfather, Frank Jacquinto—known as the “Mayor of Germantown”—owned several working-class bars with decidedly rough customers. He also ran numbers for “the Italians” in south Philly. As a boy Frank delivered newspapers to John McCullough, the Roofer’s union boss who was murdered by the mafia. He’s had family members leave the country because they were wanted for murder. A cousin was falsely convicted of murder and Frank worked to see him freed.
Known for his ability to capture the intensity, drama, and beauty of sports, Frank is one of the most sought-after cinematographers in the industry. He is currently in his 32nd season with NFL Films, capturing the essence of America’s most beloved sport. Frank has filmed 20 Super Bowls, nearly 300 NFL games; numerous episodes of HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” and premiere episodes od ESPN’s “NFL Turning Point” and “30 for 30” and Amazon’s “All or Nothing.”
During the last couple of years Frank would meet with Jo Sue in their favorite Jersey diner, surrounded by their usual assortment of cops, bookies and underworld types. Jo Sue began to share a huge stack of personal files and news clippings and rare footage. She introduced him to several former colleagues. As Frank gained Jo Sue’s trust, he knew he had to tell her story.
Jo Gun will be the inaugural series under Frank’s RazaL Media Pros. Work has already begun to build a never-before-seen archive and new leads about Jo Sue’s cases emerge every week. Plans are to film the series in 2025 and more stories, set in the same criminal zip codes, are in the works.
THOMAS HANNA
Partner and Legal Counsel
Thomas, an attorney in New York, has a wide range of legal experiences including litigation, real estate and entertainment representing talent, writers, directors, and production companies in all facets of theater, film, music and television. Most recently he has produced the independent feature film Trinity’s Triumph (Quiver 2022), with Joe Morton and Young Mazino. His other projects as a producer include Second City’s BuzzKill (Indican 2012), with Darrell Hammond and Krysten Ritter, winner, Best Feature Film at the 2008 New Jersey Film Festival at Cape May and Best Feature Comedy and Best Director at the 2009 Big Easy Film Festival, A Novel Romance (Entertainment One/New Films International 2012), with Steve Guttenberg and Shannon Elizabeth and Swing Away (Freestyle Releasing 2016), with Shannon Elizabeth and John O’Hurley.
Thomas is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of SOMA Film Festival, now entering its eighth season. He has also produced the highly successful Off-Broadway shows, Pieces (of ass) and Off-Broadway’s Voyage of the Carcass. He has also worked producing/developing several television projects for Steven Van Zandt’s company, Renegade Nation.
He has served as legal counsel and co-producer on the short film Death Of The Monkey, by David Goldsmith; and has worked on numerous independent feature films, where he gained invaluable experience and insight into the independent film world over the years, including Hamlet, by Michael Almereyda with Ethan Hawke, Bill Murray, Julia Stiles, Liev Schreiber and Sam Shepard; Better Living, by Max Mayer with Olympia Dukakis, Roy Scheider and Ed Hermann; Dummy, by Gregory Pritikin with Adrien Brody; Perfume, by Michael Rymer with Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Williams, Omar Epps, Carmen Electra, Coolio, Paul Sorvino and Rita Wilson; Maze, by Rob Morrow with Laura Linney; and Heartbreak Hospital, by Ruedi Gerber with John Shea, Patricia Clarkson and Diane Venora.
Sara is a dynamic, organized, and solutions-driven leader with a passion for managing complex TV and film productions.
As an Emmy Award winning production executive at Time Inc. and Jigsaw Productions, Sara managed up to 8 productions simultaneously and oversaw budgets exceeding $50 million. Among her impressive slate of films and prestige television productions are Frida (which premiered at Sundance); Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words and Val (Amazon); Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam; The Innocence Files; The Family; Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Team, Salt Fat Acid Heat, Last Chance U and Cheer (Netflix); Enemies: The President, Justice and the FBI (Showtime) and Why We Hate (Discovery).
Sara is a proud Philadelphia native. She started her career in film & television at 16 years old when she was invited onto the set of "Invincible" in 2004. She was hooked at the moment she felt the energy and passion on location. She majored in Film & Media Arts with a minor in Anthropology at Temple University.
Sara has gone on to work for production companies and networks all over the globe, including: Amblin Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Jigsaw Productions, NFL Films, Zero Point Zero Productions, Blumhouse Productions, Radical Media and Kartemquin
Sara is known for fostering a positive, collaborative environment, and leads with confidence, fairness, and a calm, can-do attitude—even under the most demanding conditions.
She thrives on turning creative visions into seamless realities.
Sara KrupniCk
Head of Production
Kevin Huffman
Story Producer
Kevin has directed, produced and written documentary films for distribution on Netflix, Showtime, TNT, National Geographic and A&E. Recent producing projects include The Lincoln Project; The Innocence Files; Tony Robbins: I’m Not Your Guru and Class Action, a 12-part documentary podcast series about the next generation of lawyers.
Several of Kevin's most successful documentaries have explored the deep problems facing the criminal justice system. He's built compelling stories around the lives of murderers, detectives, prosecutors and victims. Two of Kevin's documentaries resulted in high-profile exonerations. Excerpts of one series Killing Richard Glossip have been submitted to the US Supreme Court in support of Glossip's case of wrongful conviction.
Kevin directed and produced his most recent feature documentary Give Me Liberty: The Book of Jerry and Becki, about the scandals surrounding the Falwell family and Liberty University during the 2020 election.
Rob Sankey
EDITOR
With nearly three decades of experience in the television and film industry, Rob Sankey brings a unique blend of creativity and technical prowess to every project. As a seasoned Cinematographer for NFL Films, Rob has captured the heart-pounding moments of playoff games and the Super Bowl. Rob’s storytelling journey extends to writing, producing, and editing for HBO’s Inside the NFL and ESPN’s NFL Films Presents, where he’s honed his craft in delivering compelling narratives.
Behind the camera, Rob has documented the electrifying spirit of Philadelphia sports teams like the Eagles, Flyers, Sixers, and Union. From the chaotic kitchens of Dinner Impossible to the gem hunts of Operation Hidden Treasures, Rob has edited reality TV to keep audiences engaged. Rob has also worked with major corporate brands, crafting and editing impactful video content for national sales meetings and national advertising campaigns. In his spare time, Rob ventures into the world of Fine Art Photography, capturing stunning landscapes, sunsets, and nature photography.