Daniel Jason Heffner, a communications alumnus of Ithaca College's esteemed Park School of Communications, proudly earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications in 1978. Following his academic achievements, Heffner transitioned into the entertainment industry, assuming the roles of Stage Manager and Production Assistant on the Academy Award-winning film "Kramer vs. Kramer". This prestigious experience was soon followed by a stint as a Research Assistant to the acclaimed director Milos Forman on the ambitious project "Ragtime".
Notable events in the life of a prominent figure in the film industry began to unfold in January of 1980, as he made the significant decision to relocate to the vibrant city of Los Angeles. This pivotal moment marked the start of a new chapter in his career, as he officially became a member of the prestigious Director's Guild of America, securing the esteemed position of Second Assistant Director. As he embarked on this new journey, he had the privilege of contributing his expertise to a diverse range of cinematic productions, including the critically acclaimed films "Personal Best", the Academy Award-winning "An Officer and a Gentleman", the iconic comedy special "Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip", and the highly acclaimed drama "The Big Chill".
The individual in question embarked upon a professional journey in the year 1982, whereby he secured employment with the esteemed Columbia Pictures, a renowned film production company. Within the confines of this esteemed organization, he assumed the role of a Production Manager, overseeing the logistical and administrative aspects of various projects, as well as that of a First Assistant Director, where he played a pivotal part in the artistic and technical direction of these undertakings.
The illustrious career of Mr. Heffner as an executive began in August 1985, marking a significant milestone in his professional journey. At this time, he was appointed as the inaugural Production Executive for the revamped film division of the esteemed Walt Disney Studios. This pivotal role afforded him the opportunity to play a crucial part in the reconstruction of the studios' feature production division.
As a seasoned and accomplished Production Executive, Mr. Heffner was responsible for overseeing the production of a diverse range of projects, each with its unique set of challenges and opportunities. One of his most notable endeavors was the production of "The Color of Money", a critically acclaimed film directed by the renowned Martin Scorsese and starring the legendary Paul Newman and the talented Tom Cruise. The film was shot on location in the vibrant city of Chicago, providing a stunning backdrop for the story's dramatic events.
Noted film industry professional, Mr. Heffner, made a significant impact during his tenure at Disney, taking on a pivotal role in the production of two notable films. One such project was the 1988 cinematic masterpiece, "Cocktail", directed by the renowned Roger Donaldson and starring the talented Tom Cruise, Elizabeth Shue, and Brian Brown. This film, which took the crew on a thrilling adventure to various exotic locations, including the bustling streets of New York City, the picturesque islands of Jamaica, and the vibrant cityscape of Toronto, showcased Mr. Heffner's exceptional organizational skills as Line Producer.
In addition to his work on "Cocktail", Mr. Heffner also lent his expertise to the production of "The Good Mother", a powerful drama directed by the accomplished Leonard Nimoy and starring the esteemed Diane Keaton and Liam Neeson. Filmed on location in the charming cities of Toronto and Boston, this thought-provoking film demonstrated Mr. Heffner's versatility as a filmmaker, as he took on the crucial role of 1st Assistant Director.
In 1988, John Heffner, a prominent figure in the film industry, ascended to the esteemed position of Vice President of Production at Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, a subsidiary of the renowned The Walt Disney Company. As the leader of the newly established Buena Vista Pictures Production Division, he was entrusted with the task of building and overseeing a team of production and finance professionals.
Starting with a modest staff of five employees in 1988, the division grew exponentially under his guidance, ultimately swelling to a team of over 35 individuals by the end of 1991. During this period, Heffner was instrumental in the production of a staggering 25 films, many of which achieved significant commercial and critical success.
Some of the notable productions that bear his imprint include the popular "Ernest" series, as well as films such as "Mr. Destiny" directed by James Orr and starring Jim Belushi, "Deceived" directed by Damian Harris and featuring Goldie Hawn, "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle" directed by Curtis Hanson and starring Rebecca De Mornay and Anabella Sciorra, and "Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken", "White Fang", "Where The Heart Is", "Spaced Invaders", "Shipwrecked", "Paradise", "The Incredible Journey", "Greencard", and "Betsy's Wedding".
In the month of November, specifically the eleventh month of the year 1991, a significant event transpired, marking a turning point in the professional trajectory of an individual closely associated with The Walt Disney Company. As a result of this pivotal moment, he made the deliberate decision to abandon his employment with the esteemed entertainment organization, opting instead to embark upon a new path as an Independent Producer, thereby charting a fresh course for his creative endeavors.
Since then, he has held numerous esteemed positions in the film industry, commencing with his role as Co-Executive Producer and Production Manager on the notable project "Holy Matrimony", directed by the renowned Leonard Nimoy, and starring the talented Patricia Arquette, which was filmed on location in the picturesque town of Great Falls, Montana.
In addition to his work on "Holy Matrimony", he also served as Co-Producer and First Assistant Director on Fred Dryer's "Highway 395", which was filmed in the scenic town of Lone Pine, California.
Furthermore, he held the position of First Assistant Director on the film "Winter Break", which was shot on location in the beautiful Aspen, Colorado.
He also worked as First Assistant Director on ACI/American Cinema, Inc's "Killer Buzz", a film entirely shot in Brazil.
In addition to his work on "Killer Buzz", he was Co-Producer on Walt Disney Pictures' "George Of The Jungle 2", which was filmed in the lush and vibrant region of Queensland, Australia.
His extensive experience in the film industry also includes his role as Producer on Fox Television Studios' MOW/Pilot "Anonymous Rex" for the Sci Fi Channel.
As a seasoned professional, he has also worked as Line Producer on "Checking Out" for Full Circle Productions, LP.
He was also Co-Producer on the film "P2" for Summit Entertainment.
Moreover, he has produced the film "REPO! The Genetic Opera" for Twisted Pictures/Lionsgate.
In addition to his work on "REPO! The Genetic Opera", he has also served as Executive Producer on a number of films, including "Make Your Move", "Knights of Badassdom", "The Pin", and "Grace Unplugged".
Notably, he has held the esteemed position of Executive Producer for Netflix on a trifecta of notable projects, namely "End of the Road", "Trigger Warning", and "Rebel Ridge", showcasing his expertise and versatility in the realm of production.
Noteworthy in his impressive professional trajectory, he has also taken on the role of Executive Producer for the phenomenally successful franchise "SAW", which has garnered a staggering gross of $1 billion at the box office. This esteemed franchise, comprising a diverse array of films, begins with the original "SAW" and continues with subsequent installments such as "SAW II", "SAW III", "SAW IV", "SAW V", "SAW VI", "SAW 3D", "Jigsaw", "Spiral: From the Book of SAW", and most recently, "SAW X".
