Lava Lamp Films
Creative Team Overview

Lava Lamp Films founders and directors James and Sara Meyer have a rich history of social impact film and video production. Since 1989 they have produced more than 100 social impact documentaries and promotional videos in more than 75 countries, highlighting causes like prenatal care in the Philippines, sponsorship for leprosy colony children in India, post-war conditions in Cambodia, persecution in Southern Sudan, and indigenous needs globally.

In 2006 they founded GemStone Media in Germany, an international production company specializing in producing positive, uplifting social impact videos and short films. In 2012, the team expanded into producing narrative films, creating The Lost Trilogy (2013-2015) and the award-winning feature films — The Kingdom (2017) available in 19 languages and The Traveler (2019), which doubles as a literacy tool in Tajikistan and is available in 17 languages.

In 2024 they established Lava Lamp Films to specifically create mental health stories with a social impact emphasis.Their recent work includes shorts in Germany (Choices, Candlelight) and co-productions in Romania (Sabina, 2020), in Vietnam (Once Upon A Time In Vietnam, 2024) and Spain (Esther: Queen of Hope, 2025).

James Meyer

Writer/Director - Manager

James is an award-winning screenplay writer and film director for Lava Lamp Films who began his career creating TV commercials for Wendy’s, Heinz & Kellogg’s and producing social impact documentaries in over 75 countries.

Ryan Lee Taylor

Writer/Director

As an American raised overseas, Ryan Lee Taylor’s unique life experience has prepared him to be a natural-born storyteller.

Sara Meyer

Producer - Manager

Sara is an award-winning producer for Lava Lamp Films in Germany. From 2006 to the present, Sara and the GSM team have produced more than 60 videos and films, such as "The Kingdom" and "The Traveler" movies.

Sarah Bubke

Writer/Editor

Sarah has had a lifetime love of storytelling. She is gifted with words as well as visual graphics and a natural communicator with social media.

Lisa Chapaitis

Producer

With an MBA and 30 years of experience in business, research, marketing, and admin, Lisa brings a unique blend of expertise to Lava Lamp Films. She fulfilled a lifelong dream studying film production at the New York Film Academy.

Lava Lamp Films Advisors