We produce AWARD-WINNING feature-length documentaries, docuseries, and narrative films that entertain, challenge conventional norms and embrace provocative ideas. We firmly believe that through arts, entertainment and great storytelling, we can move the dial on the cultural conversation.
Our Founders
Tom Donahue and Ilan Arboleda founded CreativeChaos vmg with their late partner, Steve Edwards in 2010.
Ilan Arboleda
Ilan Arboleda is the Co-Founder and Co-Ceo of CreativeChaos vmg. Ilan oversees the day-to-day operations of CreativeChaos and its in-house studio - CCV Studios. He co-heads all creative development, and heads up financing and business affairs for the company and all of its content. As a producer, he was the co-showrunner and executive producer of both Murder of God’s Banker and Mafia Spies for Paramount+. He also serves as the lead producer of all CreativeChaos vmg projects - most notably, Casting By (HBO), This Changes Everything (Starz, Netflix) , Bleed Out (HBO) Los Tigres Del Norte at Folsom Prison (Netflix) Thank You for Your Service (Hulu), and King of Cool (TCM, Sky, Arte). He also co-produced Kedi (Oscilliscope, Youtube Red)
Ilan has spearheaded the long-tail social action campaigns for many of the company’s films which have included: co-authoring language that became part of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, the passing of five state laws based on his films, the overturning of the “best-practices” policies of the largest employer in the midwest, spurring industry wide changes in Hollywood, and helping to raise the profile of casting directors in Hollywood which culminated in the creation of a Casting Director category at the Academy Awards in 2024.
He is a graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Tom Donahue
Donahue is a writer, director, producer and showrunner. He is the writer/director, co-showrunner (with Ilan Arboleda) and an executive producer on the 6-part Paramount+ docuseries, Mafia Spies, premiering Spring 2024 (Other EPs include Danny Strong, Matt Jackson and Susan Zirinsky). In 2023, Donahue wrote and directed the 4 part Paramount+ Original docuseries, Murder of God’s Banker. In 2021, he produced, directed and edited the TCM Original feature documentary, Dean Martin: King of Cool (Winner, HPA Award for Best Editing, holding 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and EP’d by Leonardo DiCaprio). In 2019, he directed the Netflix Original, Los Tigres del Norte at Folsom Prison (nominated for two Latin Grammys, winning one). In 2018, Donahue’s This Changes Everything (Gracie Award, LA Press Club Arts and Entertainment Journalism Award) investigated gender inequality in Hollywood. Called a “searing” (Washington Post) “breakout documentary” (Hollywood Reporter), it earned EP Geena Davis an honorary Oscar and includes interviews with Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Reese Witherspoon and many others. It was the runner up for the audience award at the Toronto International Film Festival, premiering on Starz in 2019 and then Netflix in 2021.
Donahue’s 2016 award-winning feature documentary, Thank You For Your Service (“Gut wrenching... important” -The New York Times), featured General David Petraeus and Defense Secretary Robert Gates and examined the failed mental health policies in the US military. Donahue’s 2014 Emmy-nominated, Casting By (Gracie Award, the Artois Award, one of The National Board of Review’s Top Five Documentaries) inspired the Oscars to create a casting branch, leading finally to an Oscar category for Achievement in Casting (beginning in 2026). His feature directorial debut was Sundance’ Channel’s Guest of Cindy Sherman, called “a work of art” (Variety) and given 5 stars by Time-Out.
He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Studio Team
Our studio team oversees documentaries, docuseries, and digital content from soup to nuts - from story, to production, to post-production, all the way through to delivery. We are experts in field production, research and archival, media management, editing, and online editing and are trusted by major entertainment distributors for premium content.
Jessicya Materano
HEAD OF STUDIO
Jay Tan
STUDIO POST-PRODUCTION MANAGER
Chantel Ellis
STUDIO PRODUCTION MANAGER
Two Honorary Oscars
One National Board of Review Award
Two Honorary Emmys,
One Nomination
Three Los Angeles Press Club Awards
One Latin Grammy,
Three Nominations
Two Critic’s Choice Awards,
Four Nominations
Two Gracie Awards
One Honorary Artios Awards
Our Partners
Through our related companies and with our like-minded strategic partners, we invest our creative energy and resources in producing the highest quality premium content.
Social Impact
Social Impact is the cornerstone of our work. While we’re incredibly proud of our festival premieres and numerous accolades for the quality of our films, we are most proud that our films have been catalysts for change. Since starting the company, we have screened our films in Congress, at six state Capitals, numerous special events for corporations, and at the behest of countless universities and non-profits.
Below are some of our recent social impact stories.
5 laws have been written as a result of our films
The National Defense Authorization Act was updated with new language
Midwest healthcare giant was forced to overhaul its system
Hollywood studios, guilds and producers implemented gender equality changes
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences added a new branch
