Experience

The team has more than a decade of experience working together to produce long form content, short form content, commercials, games and apps.

Michael Gold and Sergey Aniskov have produced or directed more than 200 half hours of broadcast content aired around the world on networks such as Nickelodeon, BBC, Cartoon Network, Disney, Lionsgate, etc.  At Animation Collective, the team produced the vast majority of Kids AOL (KOL) video series content from 200-2008 and over 25 mobile and online game titles. As the CEO of Electroantk from 2009-2013, Michael Gold oversaw the production of games and virtual worlds for Comedy Central (Viacom), American Girl (Mattel), Bakugan (Spinmaster),  Imagine (Ubisoft), Rinksters (NHL) and many others.  The team has also produced applications for the US Department of Education, the National Science Foundation and DARPA.  Sandra Levin, Michael Gold and Melanie Grisanti have produced over 20  national commercial spots for customers ranging from Bliss and Jet Blue to Gogurt and Trix.

Team

Michael Gold: Michael is the Executive Producer of over 175 half hours of children’s broadcast television for Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and BBC Kids. For Online and Mobile, Michael has extensive experience in interactive content for children with 9 web series and 25 games to his credit.  Michael was the CEO of Electrotank (Acquired by High5 Games), an online and mobile gaming company from 2009-2013 and the COO of Animation Collective (Acquired by Handmade Films PLC) from 2004-2007. Since 2004, Michael has closed more than $47 million in licensing, service and distribution deals for startup entertainment companies and had primary P&L responsibility for the majority of those deals requiring development, production or services.  Michael was also a Principal of math learning app developer Learnimation LLC, winner of Small Business Innovation Awards totaling over $4 million. 

Sergey Aniskov: Sergey has twenty years experience as a film and animation director, including the direction of  179 episodes of broadcast children’s television for Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Disney, BBC Kids and TV Ontario, as well as 12 web series for AOL.  Among other notable projects, he collaborated with writers Rob Klein and Colin Jost (currently the lead writers of Saturday Night Live) to direct 52 episodes of the anime parody Kappa Mikey for MTV Networks from 2004-2006.

Doug MacClennan: Doug brings Menemsha a unique blend of international, operational, production and financial expertise with advanced skills in management,  strategic planning, negotiations and financial analysis in the education and entertainment industries. Doug spent 7 years in Investment Banking with Merrill Lynch before earning his MBA from Stern School of Business and pivoting to entertainment. After a year with William Morris he co-founded Axiel Entertainment to finance and produce original reality TV content for A&E. He went on to become the CFO and then then COO of Animation Collective, then the largest independent producer of kids TV content in the US. He managed all aspects of the sale of Animation Collective to Handmade Films PLC in 2010. Since 2011, as the Managing Director of VAMM International, he has led all facets of the establishment and operation of multiple Early Childhood Development Centers as the UAE’s Master Franchisor of Kidville (USA). 

Sandra Levin: Sandra is a Consulting Producer for Menemsha.  Most recently, Sandra spent three years producing media for 360i and Saatchi & Saatchi in New York.  Sandra was a founding partner at Small Factory Productions, a children’s TV and music production studio where she wrote, developed and produced Emmy-nominated children’s television series - Small Factory Flicks. She also developed, produced and hosted the annual Two Rivers Children’s Film Festival. In addition to Menemsha, she is a freelance business consultant working with kids educational programs to produce content and workshops.

Anthony Mercaldi: Anthony has over ten years of television and documentary production experience as a producer, director, writer, editor and business affairs executive.  He was a producer for the documentary "Hollywood Singing and Dancing" , which was features as a PBS pledge drive special. Anthony is putting the finishing touches on his most recent documentary "Looking for Mabel Normand." Anthony is an attorney admitted to practice law in the state of New York, with over 15 years experience in intellectual property and entertainment law.

Melanie Grisanti: Melanie is Consulting Producer for Menemsha. She currently serves as VP of Production at Sesame Workshop. She is an award winning Creative Executive Producer with twenty years experience in Children’s Media including animation, live action, and mixed media. Of Melanie’ production credits include Doug’s First Movie and 101 Dalmatians: The Series. She produced educational science (Stanley) and literacy (Pinky Dinky Doo) tv series as well as headed production for National Geographic Kids. Melanie’s production partners include: PBS Kids, Sesame Workshop, Nickelodeon/Noggin, Disney, WNET/Thirteen, BBC, and Random House.

Yevgenny K’Banchik: Yevgenny serves as a live action director and DP for Menemsha. He is an award winning independent filmmaker, and graduate of the Moscow Film School. After completing his formal training Yevgenny worked at Telesto Film Company in Moscow, Russia, as a film director, writer and special effects artist, where he directed two feature films.