The Story

Rock On, Go Wild was originally Sam & Mattie’s joint catch phrase, and has gradually evolved into an organizational philosophy and approach to life. Many of us even have the tattoo to prove it.

These days we’re a creative collective that’s hooked on the creative power of neurodiversity, always looking for our next opportunity to collaborate. Our nationwide network has filmmakers; designers, writers, teachers, professional nerds, and even a couple fine artists — and we’re adding to our team every day. With literal centuries of combined professional experience, we are ready to bring serious game to any project we take on.

Sam and Mattie have taught us that when we break free from convention, and throw out the baggage of the neurotypical creative process, anything is possible. And as a bonus, it happens to be way more fun.

The People

Founder & Creative Director

Jesse Suchmann

Jesse is proud to be Sam’s older brother, his zombie movie producer, and his official “soda fetcher.” His other job is Executive Creative Director at Edelman NY, where he creates proudly-difficult-to-categorize New Media Stuff™ for Fortune 500 companies like Google, American Express, Nike, REI, UNIQLO, Unilever, and Samsung. Jesse’s unconventional work has been exhibited in both the Museum of the Moving Image and the Guggenheim, and have somehow taken him to the White House, the U.N., and almost the Vatican (long story). His projects have been featured in every publication imaginable: from the pages of The New York Times to live on late night with CONAN. Jesse has received top honors from the creative industry including Cannes Grand Prix and Titanium Lions, Webbys, Clios, and one very supportive tweet from President Obama.

Founder & Pretty Boy

Sam Suchmann

Sam has always been drawn to pop culture. Ever since he was a kid, he talked obsessively about shows like Glee and whatever was on the Disney Channel. He picked apart plot lines and empathized with characters. So it was not a huge surprise when he started writing the script for a zombie movie starring himself and his best friend, Mattie. Always the romantic, Sam's character is caught in a love-triangle between bad-girl AJ and innocent sweetheart Nicky. But it's not all fantasy - Sam has had some girl troubles in real-life as well. Drama aside, he always stays true to what matters most: family, friends & defeating bullies.

Founder & DJ

Matthew Zufelt

Matthew went to Mount Hope High School in Bristol, RI from Sept, 2010 until graduation June, 2014. While there, he was crowned king of the junior prom! Throughout high school, he was a member of the Masqueraders Drama Club and performed in 4 musicals including Hello Dolly!, Man of LaMancha, Godspell and Beauty and the Beast. He has participated in Best Buddies for many years, and has been a Special Olympics RI athlete since age 8. His sports include soccer, swimming, traditional and Unified basketball, flag football, and track/field. He is currently receiving services from Looking Upwards, an adult service provider in Middletown, RI where he has a combination of vocational and recreational activities with a goal of employment and a healthy lifestyle.

Board Member & Film Director

Bobby Carnevale

Bobby Carnevale is a Director/DP from Providence, RI. Over the past decade he has been making films and creating stunning images for companies and filmmakers worldwide. In 2013 Robert embarked on his fifth feature documentary following friends Sam Suchmann and Mattie Zufelt on their journey to make the best zombie film ever and their rise to the top wherever that might be. In 2015 Carnevale directed the boys in Spring Break Zombie Massacre. Robert lives in Brooklyn, NY where he can be found photographing the obscure and absurd and searching for the next story to tell.

Board Member & Design Director

Amanda Goldman

Amanda is a graphic designer with over 15 years of experience at various companies, including NYLON Magazine, US Weekly & Rolling Stone. In her spare time, she does pro-bono work for non-profits and tries to keep up with her son Sid (now 6). She is currently transitioning into a career in social work.

Dennis Littky

Dennis Littky is the co-founder and co-director of The Met School, Big Picture Learning and founder and President of College Unbound. He is nationally known for his extensive work in secondary education in urban, suburban, and rural settings, spanning over 40 years. As an educator, Dennis has a reputation for working up against the edge of convention and out of the box, turning tradition on its head and delivering concrete results. From 2000-2010 The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation gave Big Picture Learning 20 million dollars to replicate The Met School nationally and internationally. Currently there is a network of 113 schools, 52 across the country, 40 in Australia and 21 in the Netherlands.

Presently, Dennis’s focus has been to expand the Big Picture Learning design to include a college, College Unbound, for adults, that allows them to earn a Bachelors Degree while creating a project around their interest and working full time. The innovative college is rethinking how we educate the 37 million adults who started college but didn’t finish.

Dr. Littky holds a double Ph.D. in psychology and education from the University of Michigan. His work as a principal at Thayer Junior/Senior High School in Winchester, N.H. is featured in an NBC movie, A Town Torn Apart based on the book Doc: The Story of Dennis Littky and His Fight for a Better School. In 2004, he wrote (along with Samantha Grabelle) The Big Picture: Education is Everyone’s Business, which went on to win the Association of Educational Publishers’ top award for nonfiction in 2005. In 2003, Dennis was recognized as a leader in education and awarded the Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education. Fast Company ranked Littky #4 among the top 50 Innovators of 2004, and the George Lucas Educational Foundation recently selected Dennis as part of their Daring Dozen. Locally, Dennis was awarded the Local Hero Award by Bank of America in 2008 and College Unbound was awarded The Innovative and Creative Program Award by UPCEA, New England. Most recently, Dennis was awarded the New England Higher Education Excellence Award in 2011.

Chris Suchmann

Chris Suchmann is the Facilities Manager at the Rhode Island School for the Deaf. He recently graduated with a BA from College Unbound. He is also Sam’s dad and an avid craft beer enthusiast.

Mary Pendergast

Mary is married to Chris Suchmann. Together they are the parents of 4 adult children, two girls (Ellis and Sarah) and two boys (Jesse and Sam of Spring Break Zombie Massacre fame). She has over 30 years of experience teaching and working with exceptional children and adults with diverse needs. She is currently working as a Special Education Director at The International Charter School and the RI School for the Deaf. She is most content when hanging out with her family including her daughter in law Amanda, grandson Sid and her other children's partners and friends.