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Richard Owen Ransom is an American businessman and entertainment professional; a filmmaker and an executive producer with Ransom Rich Productions Co., in Salt Lake City, Utah. Rich was born Richard Owen McDowell, in Columbia City, Indiana, to Patsy Ann McDowell, an artist, and Earl Leon McDowell, a Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force. He changed his last name to Ransom when he married his longtime best friend, Dawn Renee Ransom, taking her last name. 

Rich was raised in Indiana. He attended South Side High School in Fort Wayne for 3 years and graduated from Elmhurst High School. He attended Ashworth College for Paralegal Studies and Business Administration. Ransom, a Coast Guard veteran, served 3 years as a Rescue Swimmer/Diver/Aviation Survival Technician (AST). Upon discharge he took a position as an Emergency Medical Technician for Rural Metro Ambulance in Indianapolis, Indiana. And later he worked at Wishard Hospital Regional Trauma Center, which was, at the time, the only Level I trauma center in Indiana. Ransom left the medical field in 1997 due to concerns over post traumatic stress. 

Rich took photography training through the New York Institute of Photography. Throughout the late 90's he worked as a fashion and model photographer for many of the well-known New York modeling agencies. He cultivated a diverse network of agents, talent managers, casting directors, advertising and commercial agencies, becoming a scout and 'mother-agent' to artists.

He worked within the music management side of the industry, working as an Executive Assistant, and later an A&R Manager, to Lou Pearlman of Trans Continental Records. Trans Continental Records managed Backstreet Boys, N Sync, O-Town, LFO, Take 5, Natural, Marshall Dyllon (co-managed with Kenny Rogers), US5, Aaron Carter, Jordan Knight, Smilez & Southstar, C-Note, among others. Before making a move to Los Angeles to pursue a deeper dive in the industry, Rich worked in a wide variety of positions and roles, including, restaurant management, retail management, legal practice/legal services, IHL hockey franchise general management, human resources and employee supervision, work as a postal employee, a paramedic, a hypnotherapist, a professional photographer, a videographer, a music manager/promoter, and more. All of these experiences led him to now, an accomplished still photographer and author, videographer/music video director, screenwriter, film producer/director, talent scout, talent manager, and acting coach. 

Rich has worked on, and controlled, multiple multi-million dollar budgets in sports management, talent scouting events, feature films, and television shows. Rich was the founder of Find Your Crew Inc (now Production Hub) and Talent Scouts of America (dba ProScout, closed in 1993). As a scout he was involved in the development and promotion of many named artists, such as (alphabetically by first name), Alicia Keys, Amanda Perez, Ashton Kutcher, Corey Dean Harill, Devon Aoki, Haley Joel Osment, James Franco, Jason Michael Carroll, Jeron Donwerth, Mila Kunis, Miranda Kerr, Natalia Vodianova, Nelly Furtado, Octavia Spencer, among others. Ransom has worked with a diverse crowd of professionals, names, big and small. In Los Angeles, he was a member of the Talent Manager's Association, a co-producer with J.K.M.P.O./Jonathan D. Krane, and an acting coach through The Actors Academy, the Stella Adler Academy, and The Upright Citizens Brigade.

He is a a seasoned professional with years of experience. September 1, 2024, Ransom launched a new project - Ransom Rich Productions in Salt Lake City, Utah - to specialize in feature film production and TV development.

Rich's life has taken him all over the globe. He has lived in more than 10 states and visited 12 different countries. He resides in the Salt Lake City Metropolitan area of Utah, and part-time in Mississauga (Toronto), Ontario, Canada, with his two dogs, Carmey and Pretzey.

Will is a seasoned producer and editor based in Utah Valley, with over a decade of collaboration with director Eamonn Larsen. As co-owner of Runaway Dreams, he played a pivotal role in bringing bold, independent films to life—overseeing every stage from development to distribution. With a sharp eye for both storytelling and logistics, Will ensures each project stays on track while preserving its creative vision. His dedication to crafting compelling narratives has been instrumental in delivering films that leave a lasting impact on audiences. In March of 2024 Will Maxwell was named Vice-President of Production at Ransom Rich productions Co, after Runaway Dreams was acquired as a subsidiary.