Filmmakers

David Kennard: Senior Producer, Director, Writer

David Kennard has more than 30 years of international experience as a Producer, Writer, Director and Communications Consultant. He has played a leading role in the creation of many non-fiction television specials, books, multimedia products and media campaigns, and has produced fifteen major international documentary series. His work as a producer and director includes:

  • Keeping Score with Michael Tilson Thomas
  • Cosmos with Carl Sagan
  • Connections with James Burke
  • The Ascent of Man with Jacob Bronowsli
  • We The People with Peter Jennings
  • Joseph Campbell: The Hero’s Journey
  • The Heart of Healing with Jane Seymour
  • Global Warming with Alanis Morrisette
  • The Final Hours: Amelia Earhart’s Last Flight
  • The Promise of Play with Jane Goodall
  • 2001:HAL’s Legacy with Arthur C. Clarke

His work has won the National Emmy, International Emmy, Dupont Columbia, American Historical Association, National Education Film Festival, International Science Film Festival, Houston Worldfest, Alexander Hamilton, Cine Golden Eagle, BAFTA and Peabody Awards.

Kennard is the co-founder and President of InCA (Independent Communications Associates Inc), a worldwide non-fiction production company with offices in San Francisco, Toulouse (France) and Nairobi (Kenya), with a 27-year track record of documentary excellence.

"Director David Kennard had the good fortune to be in Burgundy during the nail-biting 2011 vintage, with its spring heatwaves and harvest storms, and when he films lowering black clouds just as the six rows of Bâtard vines are due to be picked, we’re on the edge of our seats. Gripping stuff!"

 — Decanter Magazine

 

Martine Saunier: Senior Producer, Consultant

Martine Saunier was born in Paris. Although she lived and attended school there, she spent every summer vacation at her Aunt's home in Prissé, near Mâcon. Her Aunt owned a winery with approximately 10 acres of vineyards planted with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The winemaker lived in the farm next door with his wife and children. The pinnacle of the summer vacation was the harvest in mid-September. At the age of ten, Martine was fascinated with the preparation of the cellar, the winepress, the fermenting vats and, of course, being part of the harvesting team. The crushing of the grapes, malolactic fermentation, chaptalisation, bottling, etc. were all part of her childhood life.

When Martine moved to California in 1964, she was dismayed by the absence of many of her favorite wines and started making buying trips to France. In 1965, she drove to Beaulieu Vineyards, knocked on the door, and was lucky enough to meet the great André Tchelistcheff. He told her in his good French that if she wanted good Pinot Noir, she had to go to Burgundy to get it! The seed was planted in her mind...

A few years later, Martine was offered the job of selecting wines for an importer/distributor in San Francisco and in the spring of 1969, she flew to France, bought a small VW bug and started her tour and career! The first woman to establish a wine importing company in the United States, she founded Martine's Wines in 1979.

Martine is a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier and was formerly on the national board of AIWF. She is also a Chevalier du Tastevin. In addition, she has been decorated twice by the French Government with the title of Officier du Mérite Agricole.

"The inimitable Martine Saunier knows her onions. She takes us well off the beaten track with great charm."

 — Jancis Robinson

 

Jamie LeJeune: Producer, Camera, Editor

Jamie LeJeune joined InCA four years ago with a background in anthropology and community development.  Since then he has shot, edited and produced works that range from television documentary series to viral activist video and promotional pieces for local non-profits.  

His credits with InCA include:
“ReCreating America: Creativity in Education” (2010), Associate Producer
“Keeping Score: Gustav Mahler” (2011), Associate Producer/Assistant Editor
“Reinventing Yourself” (2012), Story Producer/Editor/Camera

 

Todd Ruppert, Executive Producer

R. Todd Ruppert is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of RTR International Inc., a holding company with diversified interests globally in the arts, film, clothing, luxury services, real estate, and private equity.
On June 30, 2012 he retired from the T. Rowe Price group, a US$540 billion global investment management firm at the time of his retirement. He was Board member and President of T. Rowe Price International and member of the operating steering committee of the T. Rowe Price group. For the prior decade, he was Board member, President and CEO of T. Rowe Price Global Investment Services, as well as a member of the Operating Steering Committee of the T. Rowe Price Group.

He was with T. Rowe Price for 27 years. During this period, among other responsibilities, he initiated and led T. Rowe Price’s institutional and intermediary businesses globally.

Todd is US President of the Board of the Royal Parks Foundation of London and is a founding Board member of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award in the US. His other Board or Advisory roles, among others, are for the following organizations: INSEAD Business School, Duke University, Kenyon College, Furman University, Trov Inc., Nutmeg, Monitise Group, Investment & Pensions Europe, Funds Europe, Gold Mercury International, Quintessentially, Halcyon Group, ArtStar, Little Collector, 1966 Entertainment Ltd., Iconic Images, the Maryland Academy of Sciences, and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation. He is a venture partner at Greenspring Associates, and an Advisor to SAIF Partners Hong Kong and Board member of Athena Capital South Africa. He also is the executive producer of the documentary film, A Year in Burgundy. A film on Champagne is due out this year followed by one on Port in 2014.

Previously, he was a Board member of EFAMA (European Fund and Asset Management Association) Belgium, Altius Associates UK, Daiwa SB Investments Japan, and UTI International Singapore, stepping down upon his retirement from T. Rowe