Ian Van der Werff on set working as 1st Assistant Director, holding a slate and bounce board during a daytime exterior shoot. NYC-based filmmaker and founder of Litebreak Studios.

The history:

I'm a New York–based film director, producer, and DGA 1st Assistant Director with over 15 years of experience across film, television, commercials, and branded content. My creative journey began in Seattle in 2010, where I got my start in the art department—tearing down and rebuilding an old diner for an indie feature. That first taste of film production hooked me for life.

In 2013, I moved to Los Angeles to immerse myself in the film industry full-time. I cut my teeth as a Production Assistant on Hallmark and Lifetime movies before working on hit TV shows like Scorpion, Ray Donovan, Animal Kingdom, and House of Lies. My trajectory soon led me to major studio productions including Disney’s A Wrinkle In Time and Transformers: Bumblebee.

In 2020 I joined the Directors Guild of America as an assistant director. Now based in New York, my credits as an AD span prestige television (Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, The Crowded Room), independent feature films, and high-end commercials, with projects taking me across the country and internationally.

As a film director, my work blends minimalist visuals with thematic depth—often rooted in sci-fi, drama, and thriller. My short film Relationship Deli became a viral hit with over 10 million views online. I’ve had the privilege of shadowing directors including Ava DuVernay and Keith Powell, and my recent work includes commercial campaigns launching in mid 2025. I’m currently developing two original feature films and a TV series while continuing to direct and write under my independent banner, Litebreak Studios.

Beyond set life, I’m a passionate sci-fi fan, lover of strong coffee, and collector of first edition books. You’ll often find me wandering into back-alley bookstores or snapping photos between shoots.

Let’s tell better stories.