I’m Ian Van der Werff — a New York–based filmmaker, producer, and 1st Assistant Director with 15 years of experience and over 250 productions spanning film, television, commercials, and music videos. My career has always lived at the intersection of story and scale: balancing creative vision with the precision it takes to deliver on the biggest and most complex sets.

My journey began in Seattle in 2010, when I found myself tearing down and rebuilding a diner for an indie feature. That first job in the art department hooked me for life. In 2013, I moved to Los Angeles to immerse myself fully in the industry, cutting my teeth as a Production Assistant on Hallmark and Lifetime films before stepping onto series like Scorpion, Ray Donovan, Animal Kingdom, and House of Lies. Soon, I was working on major studio productions including Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time and Paramount’s Transformers: Bumblebee.

Since joining the Directors Guild of America in 2020, I’ve built a career as a 1st Assistant Director working on prestige television (Feud: Capote vs. The Women, The Crowded Room), independent features, and national commercial campaigns. Across hundreds of productions, I’ve managed multi-unit schedules, coordinated teams of 100+, and kept shoots on time and on budget—without ever losing sight of story.

At the same time, I’ve been developing my own voice as a director. My short film Relationship Deli became a viral hit with over 10 million views, followed by comedy projects like Paranormal Parenting and Pick-A-Chick Bar. My directing style emphasizes minimalist visuals with thematic depth, often in sci-fi, drama, and thriller. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside and shadowing filmmakers including Ava DuVernay and John Wells, and I continue to direct commercial campaigns and develop original projects through Litebreak Studios.

In 2021, I founded Litebreak Studios, a director-driven production company building original IP across film, television, and short-form content. Our current slate includes a drama feature, a dark comedy series, and multiple sci-fi concepts designed to scale across mediums. Litebreak is my platform for championing stories with cinematic clarity, high production value, and staying power.

When I’m not on set, I’m usually hunting for first-edition books, fueling up on strong coffee, or sketching new story ideas.

Through Litebreak Studios, I’m building worlds that last.