About Us
The world needs to hear your story.
Our team is united by a sense of purpose and a passion for storytelling. We find inspiration in producing programs that matter. Each of our team members approaches their work with a sincere desire to help our partner-organizations achieve their goals.
We understand–your mission is what gets you out of bed every morning, and what keeps you up at night. There is no greater privilege than being trusted to tell your story. We take great pride in helping you further your mission.
You have the best stories–stories that need to be told.
James Copes - President
James first started working with Tolsma Productions over a decade ago and has been its president since 2022. Helping organizations distill their objectives, and find the essence and soul behind their stories is not just one of his foremost strengths–but also something in which he takes great pleasure and pride. James has directed and produced effective and award-winning productions for nonprofit organizations across the country, helping to support causes from housing equity, to LGBTQ+ rights to animal shelters. James also works with communications and development professionals to help them improve their own in-house production chops through Tolsma Productions’ teaching and consulting efforts. Always interested in sharing knowledge, James has presented on virtual events and video production for the Association of Fundraising Professionals. A graduate of St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, James lives in North Philly with his husband and two dogs.
Rich Tolsma - Founder, Producer, Director
Rich has over thirty years of experience in video communications, multi-media production and training. For many years he was Manager of Communications for Strawbridge & Clothier, and was responsible for producing training, recruiting, fashion, point-of-sale and motivational programs for the highly regarded department store chain. In 1996, he went into business on his own as Rich Tolsma Productions. Rich is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and has been involved at the local and international level for twelve years. In 2015 Rich was elected to the board of American Insight and the Free Speech Film Festival. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Susquehanna University in Music Education and a master’s degree in Educational Communications from Temple University. A dedicated musician, Rich sings with the Philadelphia Singers Chorale and the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia.
Mark Gambol - Director of Photography
Since 1994, Mark has been successfully producing images and photos for Emmy nominated television shows, inspiring documentaries, reality television, professional sporting events, national news, and non-profit groups. His creative vision, sensitivity to client needs and an understanding of production technology and techniques offer clients a confidence that is unique to the industry. Mark received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast / Cable from Penn State University with a minor in Art / Photography.
John Groome - Editor, Director of Photography
John brings his passion for storytelling as both a camera operator and an editor to his work at Tolsma Productions. From experience on-set to post-production, he brings a wide range of skills to the production team. John graduated from Kutztown University with a B.S. in Electronic Media and a minor in Philosophy. Additionally, he works for the University of Pennsylvania radio station WXPN's video production team. John also performs regularly in several Philadelphia-based bands and brings his musical expertise to his work as an editor.
Erik Gruber - Camera Operator
Erik balances post-production and field work, has experience filming, editing, and providing technical support to a broad base of clients. With a passion for audio and years of experience as a musician, Erik brings a unique skill set to all projects. He has worked with multiple production technologies and a myriad of equipment, solidifying a professional knowledge in many aspects of the film and audio professions. Erik holds a B.A. in Film and Media from Temple University.
Samantha Cupples - Social Media Consultant
Sam Cupples brings 20+ years’ experience combining the art and science of communications and fundraising for a variety of membership organizations, foundations and non-profit groups.
Along the way, Sam has discovered that her time as a communications professional made her a better fundraiser, and conversely, her time as a fundraiser made her a better communicator. Now come full circle, Sam provides strategic communications and marketing services geared towards helping fundraising organizations. She is especially passionate about brand identity and meaningful constituent engagement in an always evolving digital landscape.
Sam loves to help organizations refine their brand presence and create customized strategies to share engaging, mission driven content through their social media and online platforms – where individual actions realized through strategic, targeted communications can transcend audience engagement and become a collective cause.
She earned her BA in Communications from Oglethorpe University and has completed certificate programs in fundraising at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Paul Vazquez - Audio Engineer and Producer
A veteran of location recording who routinely records for artists
across wide ranging genres, Paul first teamed up with Tolsma
Productions in 2020. Paul is unexcelled at both on-location recording
and post production. Paul's work can be heard on multiple Grammy®
nominated albums as well as the Grammy® winning CD Zealot Canticles,
with professional chamber choir The Crossing.
Marissa Nickles - Editor
Marissa joined the Tolsma Productions team in 2022 during her coop program with Drexel University. After her internship she became a regular part of the Tolsma Productions team. Marissa brings natural initiative, creativity, and work ethic to all of the projects on which she works.
Stubbs - Assistant Editor
Stubbs was adopted from Providence Animal Center in 2014 after being rescued from Dekalb County, GA. He soon became a rising star, serving in many roles including assistant editor. As one of our most senior team members, he gets a pass when caught chewing a Rode microphone windscreen underneath his desk.
Pepper - Head of Security
Pepper joined the Tolsma Productions crew in 2018. What she lacks in natural post-production talent she makes up for with a warm disposition and love of napping. Pepper can be found patrolling for cats and squirrels through the front window of our South Philly office.
Welcome to Tolsma Productions
We share stories through video. Stories that sell, train and inform. Stories that raise money, raise friends, or raise awareness. We believe that video is the most effective and compelling tool to reach your audience. Whether at a sales meeting or gala event, on a DVD or via the internet, video stories reach your audience where they are. The programs we produce are purpose-driven and results oriented. Working together we’ll see that your video achieves your goals and connects with your target audience. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing a a high quality production and to meeting your needs through superior customer service.
Review some of our services and see how we can help you.
What Others Say About Us
Our Core Services
Producing and Directing
Treatment Development & Scriptwriting
Production and Post Production
Social Media Integration
Consultation - Onsite or Remote
Workshops and Seminars
Live-streaming
Virtual events
Musical Score Composition
The Programs We Produce Are Used For…
Fundraising
Sales and Marketing
Recruiting
Websites and Social Media Marketing
Capital Campaigns
Anniversaries and Commemorations
Sales Meetings
Employee Communications
Award Presentations
Education
Training and Internal Communications
Public Relations and Public Service Announcements
Gala Events