Andrew Gernhard
Born in January 1977 Andrew Gernhard grew up with a fascination for the British hit science fiction series "Doctor Who". The series birthed an interest in creative film making at an early age, and using home video camcorders, he would shoot short films which he wrote, directed, produced, edited and, often, acted in as well.
During his college years as a communications student at Southern Connecticut State University, Andrew first met Michael Pleckaitis, a filmmaker who would soon become his partner to form Pioneer Motion Pictures. Together they embarked upon the task of producing a feature length film entitled Trees, a spoof of the Steven Spielberg blockbuster Jaws. "Trees" achieved home video/DVD distribution and quickly gained a cult following.
Eager to continue on their initial success, Andrew and Michael decided to continue the "Trees" story, but this time as more of a stand-alone plot using some of the same characters. Trees 2: The Root of All Evil, with a significantly higher budget, was a full-scale production, complete with a Hollywood experienced crew and known talent in front of the lens. "Root of All Evil" was released on DVD in 2005.
During The Spring of 2004, Andrew teamed up with Richard J. Lucas and Bonnie Farley-Lucas to form Synthetic Cinema International and their first production was an action/horror film entitled "Hell's Beacon", which has now been re-titled Predator Island and is distributed by Lightning Entertainment/Universal Studios Home Entertainment throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. "Predator Island" has achieved a wide international release for both Home Video and television.
Synthetic Cinema International specializes in the production, distribution, sales and financing of independent feature films. As a full-service independent production and distribution company, working within an ever-changing domestic and international marketplace, SCI is dedicated to delivering quality film products that are highly marketable. SCI is currently producing creature features and horror films, some current projects include: Blood Descendants and the werewolf film Lycan!
Andrew is also the studio manager for the Connecticut based Tripeg Studios where he supervises the day-to-day operations, the stages have been utilized by National Geographic Channel, ABC television, Sony HD, Court TV, Viacom, HBO, MSG Networks and many independent and student productions.