Writer and Director Juan Agustín Márquez

After graduating from Ithaca College with a Bachelors Degree in Film Production, Juan Augustín's professional career began in 2004 when filmmaker, Noel Quiñones, recruited him to produce the international online competition OperacionExito.com.  In 2006, Juan Augustín co-founded EyeTour.com, the first webpage featuring videos of Puerto Rico for tourism and winner of "The Best Business Plan" from the competition EnterPRize in 2007, and "Best Internet Page" in Puerto Rico from the competition WebAd Awards in 2009.  In addition to being the site's co-founder, Juan Augustín performed the tasks of President, Producer and Editor of more than 100 videos.  Juan Augustín has been noted as a leader and filmmaker from an early age, beginning when he presided over the Student Council of his high school, Cushing Academy.  It was there that his interest in film developed.  He produced various short films as a student and developed the video for his graduating class.  Since 2003, Juan Augustín has received much recognition for his work in the short film genre- first place at the "Puerto Rico Film Slam" for the animated film "Amrak"; "Best Use of Object" for his short "Cacash" in the international festival 15/15.  In 2008, he and his wife, "100,000" producer Mari Rodríguez, adopted their dog Homer. He quickly came to know the fascinating world of dog ownership and within a year adopted his second dog, Maruja, a rescued Puerto Rican sato (street dog).  The problem of canine overpopulation in Puerto Rico has become a priority in Juan Augustin's life, and he will devote this, his first documentary, to help to educate the people of Puerto Rico about this problem.

Gerardo is a graduate of American University in Washington, D.C. with a Bachelors Degree in visual communications and a concentration in film, visual media and graphic arts.  His work as director for the short film "iQuit" was awarded second place at the Vision's Festival in Washington, D.C. and was shown in multiple international festivals in 2006.  His short film "Ángel Guardián", was awarded "Best Narrative Film" in the same Vision's Festival in 2007.  Gerardo stands out as a painter, graphic artist, photographer and video editor.  Professionally, he worked for EyeTour.com as a production assistant and editor of more than 15 tourism videos of Puerto Rico.  In 2002, he collaborated with Juan Augustín, creating the design and drawings for the animated short "Amrak".  His photography and paintings have been presented in multiple art expositions in Puerto Rico.  Since he was young, he has developed and maintained a  sensitivity toward animals and pets that has manifested in being a voice in the art and film worlds and to create awareness about animal rights.  For "100,000" Gerardo works as the director of photography and at the same time is responsible for the graphic design and animations, combining different medias and visual styles.

Producer Mari Rodríguez

Mari Rodríguez is a distinguished corporate writer and animal lover.  Since 2004, Mari has worked for multiple agencies in Puerto Rico.  She is a graduate of Syracuse University in New York with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, Psychology and Consumer Studies.  She continued her studies at a post-graduate level concentrating in Advertising.  Mari volunteers her time to the organization Save a Sato, assisting with communications needs.  It was from Save a Sato where she and her husband Juan Augustín, met and adopted their dog Maruja.  In the future, Mari hopes to establish her own animal shelter, which will be called "Albergue de los Animales de Homer" (Homer's Friends' Shelter), in honor of her first dog, Homer.  For "100,000", Mari is faced with the tasks of writer, coordinator and producer.  Mari is a proud mother of three dogs and will make sure that "100,000" helps to alleviate the issue of the abandoned dogs in Puerto Rico.

 Production Assistant Ellen Frye

Ellen Frye earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from American University, Washington, D.C. She collaborated with Gerardo Rodríguez on his films iQuit and The Rookie- both of which appeared in film festivals.  After college, Ellen began work as a developmental therapist for children with autism at The Friendship House, Scranton, PA. In February, 2009, Ellen adopted Titus, a former stray, 2 year old Weimaraner from the DC Weimaraner Rescue. Since adopting Titus, Ellen has become an advocate for stray and shelter animals and the quest to find their permanent human companions.  In the near future, Ellen would like to return to school to receive a Masters in Animal Psychology and one day work with rescue animals as a type of therapy for children and adults living with autism.  As a production assistant for the documentary 100,000, Ellen will be aiding the producers, director and crew with the day to day filming and behind the scenes needs.