Northernlights Global Entertainment

Executive Profiles: James Zarindast, Writer/ Producer/Director
Frederic J Parrish,PE, CEO


James Zarindast

With a film making background that began in the early 70's, Writer/Director James Zarindast grew up learning set etiquette on major motion pictures, in Hollywood. At the age of sixteen, James was presented with an opportunity to work for director/ actor

Max Baer as an assistant and still photographer for his feature film, HOMETOWN U.S.A

James, a second generation Hollywood film maker, found his calling in the entertainment industry. Army from 1980-1982 as a Ranger in the Berlin Brigade, part of a multinational occupational force in Germany. After leaving the Army, he returned to his roots in the film industry, where for several years he worked as a script supervisor. Some of his clients included Sylvester Stallone, who's production company, White Eagle productions, was at MGM studios, He was script supervisor, supervising two seasons of the Illena production hit show, Fame, also produced at MGM Studios. His father, the successful feature film director/producer,Tony Zarindast
hired James to train as his 1st A.d., production manager, in his independent film company, to in his words "Learn the Business." Tony and James together co-produced three feature films back to back. Here James mixed discipline with hard work and dedication, attending International film markets with his father, he acquired the market savvy so crucial to the independent film maker, navigating the market place, deal making at the distributor level, insuring the optimum territorial licensing and ancillary fees. It was with his father's company that he acquired the skills essential to competing in the world wide film market, overseeing numerous commercial 35mm feature films and music videos and representing the director at screenings, with the heads of acquisition from many of the major studios. James has specialized in motion picture marketing and has been a regular attendee of the American Film Market, since 1988. The AFM is attended by buyers from over a 150 countries each year. This market and the Cannes film market are the two primary places where the world-wide rights to hundreds of independent films are sold each year. James constantly nurtures his associates with the distribution, marketing and publicity aspects of the industry. His philosophy is "Never lose sight of the market." Beginning in the early nineties, James established himself as an independent producer with the first of many professional collaborations with producer Ric Parrish, President of Capstone Films. As a consultant for the independent feature THE DWELLING, produced By Ric's company, he assisted with production, logistics and distribution, establishing a personal and professional association. They went on together to produce five music videos for Robert Andrews, formerly Billy Idol's guitarist. Here Ric served as producer with James taking the helm as director, writer and co-producer. This all culminated in their forming a partnership and starting their own motion picture company, NORTHERNLIGHTS GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT. Currently James is developing an original feature length screenplay and handling revision duties on a WWII screenplay that his partner Ric has written. James has recently concluded his third screenplay for a client in Los Angeles. Credits and references provided upon request. Frederic J Parrish,PE

Parrish approaches the entertainment industry with an inordinate amount of life experiences. He was drafted after four years studying Economics at the University of Iowa. The Army made him a member of President Nixon's First Special Weapons Team, to protect all of the In-country forces in Vietnam. He was one of the Tactical Special Weapons Specialists, who provided the Special Weapons function for Operation Duck Hook. He returned from the war to the University of Iowa, where he was a Pi Tau Sigma, Honor Society graduate in Mechanical Engineering. He worked for the Chairman of Westinghouse, John Deere and Doerfer Engineering. With Jimmy Deans help he founded the Engineering Firm of Simon Parrish Scheel; Engineers, Designers and Fabricators. He completed the requirements for and became Iowa 8750, State Certified, Registered Professional Engineer. Parrish sold Simon Parrish Scheel, packed up his Arabian Horses and moved to Arizona, where he built the "Old Desert Studio" for Capstone Films. Parrish teamed with Don Mathews, heir to the Hartman Publishing Company fortune, to form Capstone Films in 1988. With Capstone Films, Parrish has been able to collaborate with various individuals and organizations to produce a large volume of cinematic work. From feature films in Hollywood, rock and roll videos, documentaries on WWII veterans, to the completion of an exhaustively researched screenplay about the exploits of two Eighth Air Force B-17 pilots who bail out of their stricken bomber over occupied France. Parrish feels grateful to have been able to work with a number of industry professionals, where he experienced a rare exposure to the industry. A friendship with Patrick Swayze, that developed out of the Arabian Horse industry, was instrumental in arranging funding for a feature film, shot in Hollywood. The opportunity to develop a film with Ken Kennedy (FATHER KENO and GRISLY ADAMS), an early mentor to a young Stephen Spielberg, was instrumental in teaching him the importance of professionalism in film making. Working with Hollywood Line Producer, Glen Kral, gave him an insider perspective to the workings of the Los Angeles film community. With subsidiary, Premier Casting, Parrish helped cast productions such as the Tempe Unit of JERRY MCGUIRE. Parrish's technical background offered the opportunity to work on the computerization of the Pink Floyd, Division Bell stages, lighting for a YES event, as well as a Sam Shepard theater production. As a hobby Parrish collects and restores large antique military trucks, supercharged 'period' muscle cars and high horsepower boats. Currently he has joined forces with James Zarindast to form NORTHERNLIGHTS GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT, a firm dedicated to quality motion picture and digital productions.