Organic Digital was conceived by Jonathan Phillips.
From his early beginnings in the theater, Mr. Phillips
trained to be a master craftsman in many areas.
A proficient writer, actor, and producer he’s been able to weld together different thoughts, people and projects into a successful run of insightful productions. He holds an M.F.A. in Dramatic Performance from the College-Conservatory of Music, Cincinnati where he graduated with Honors under a full scholarship.
As an actor, he is a Founding Member of the Ensemble Theater of Cincinnati (ETC), where he taught the Michael Chekhov technique of Acting as well as wrote for the Intern Company. His play MYTIME, written as his final MFA performance project, was a first-prize winner at The Festival of New Works in 1988. Following the success of that festival he set up and produced three national tours spanning two years for this original play. Traveling a total of over 15,000 miles he was able to reach an audience that was deeply in need of this play’s message; one of hope and recovery.
Following his relocation to Los Angeles in 1989, Mr. Phillips began his employment in Hollywood as a filmmaker for DreamWorks, Paramount, Warner Brothers, and Universal Pictures. He has worked on such films as SHREK, INDECENT PROPOSAL, GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, and, while in New Zealand for Universal Studios, Peter Jackson’s KING KONG. He also worked on Robert DeNiro’s movie THE GOOD SHEPHERD in New York City. He is currently working on various DreamWorks/Paramount Films throughout the world including SHREK THE THIRD, KUNG FU PANDA, BEE MOVE MADAGASCAR 2, as well as IRONMAN, STAR TREK: XI and G.I.JOE. As well as continuing to work on A-List Hollywood films, he has also written, produced, acted and edited various films for Organic Digital.
Zara brings a full career of talents to Organic Digital. A professional singer/songwriter for over 20 years she started her career as backing vocalist for Live-Aid creator Bob Geldof’s first solo projects after he departed the chart-topping UK band, The Boomtown Rats.
In 1995 Zara moved to Los Angeles where she continued writing new songs and performing solo. She released a CD entitled “When the Rain Stops” produced by Ted Perlman, winner of the Grammy Award for Burt Bacharach’s CD “At This Time”. This CD features 14 original tracks written by Zara (one track is a co-write with Ted). Zara’s deeply personal song “SECRETS” was used on the Emmy Award winning Daytime Drama, NBC’s “PASSIONS.” Her intense and profound song “SAFE HOUSE” can be currently heard on the documentary “INTO THE LIGHT”
She has currently completed working with Darryl McDaniels of Hip-Hop Legend RUN-DMC on a new song about Adoption Rights called “I’M LEGIT.” Recorded and mixed at the legendary CHUNG KING STUDIOS in New York City this new single is now available on iTunes and other on-line stores.
In addition to her musical career, Zara is also an author. Her book, Mother Me: An Adopted Woman’s Journey to Motherhood, is about Zara’s personal journey to motherhood from an adoptee's point of view. Published in 2008, it draws on her experience, pain, joy and ultimate reconciliation of her past, present and future. Currently sold in various bookstores around the country and on Amazon.com, this book remains a pivotal work in the adoption community. She has a strong following both in the UK and Australia.
Zara has also just recently completed writing two children’s books, Nigel’s Bed and Sophie and Prince. The first is a lively and imaginative look at a boy’s adventure in a rainstorm, while Sophie and Prince follows the world of a young adopted girl in her personal and deeply moving conversations with her pet dog. Both of these books focus on her interest in education and awareness of children issues for both children and adults.
A warm and exciting public speaker Zara regularly speaks and facilitates workshops and events related to adoption issues. Her recent book signing at a local bookstore in New Jersey was highly attended. As a professional singer she continues to perform songs from her recent CD regularly in the New York area. Look for an article in the New York Times on her new song with DMC, “I’m Legit”
More information on Zara can be found at www.zarahphillips.com
Zara’s musical career quickly blossomed from that point. She continued her work on tour, in television and videos throughout UK and Europe. She also enjoyed a successful career as a session singer and lead singer on various commercial jingles. This success eventually led her to shift her focus to a solo career.
In 1995 Zara moved to Los Angeles where she continued writing new songs and performing solo. She wrote and produced the CD entitled “When the Rain Stops” produced by Ted Perlman, winner of last year’s Grammy Award for Burt Bacharach’s CD “At This Time”. This CD features 14 original tracks written by Zara (one track is a co-write with Ted).
“I sense that I have returned to my original goal; to produce new and innovative entertainment,” says Mr. Phillips. “I was trained as an actor and writer before I went to Hollywood in the late 80’s. There I absorbed everything I could about filmmaking. i am very fortunate to have learned from the very best in the industry on some of the very best films of our time. I was at the epicenter of the whole digital revolution and saw the sweeping changes that occurred. And I have now set my sights on developing and producing new and original work that will speak and reach this new audience.”
