THE CREATIVE TEAM
To learn more about Stewart click the photo above.
STEWART M. SCHULMAN
DIRECTOR-WRITER-PRODUCER
Stewart’s career straddles the worlds of film and theater and encompasses techniques of both narrative and documentary storytelling. His undergraduate studies in architectural design and photography at the University of Pennsylvania, coupled with filmmaking skills acquired at NYU’s graduate school of Film and Television inform the dynamic aesthetic of his award-winning work.
His feature-length screenplays BOTH, SISTER BERT, BEYOND MEASURE, and LA MACHA are in various stages of production. Stewart also directs business entertainment for companies such as PepsiCo, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Greenpeace, Museum of Chinese in The Americas, Organization for Autism Research, and Shotgun Productions, as well as short historical, biographical, and promotional documentaries for Montclair State University.
Most importantly, Stewart is a ‘people person’ priding himself on his ability to create a comfortable, safe, and professional working environment in which compelling art can be made.
MICHAEL DIGIOIA
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Michael Digioia, a New York-based cinematographer, has lent his eye to the likes of Complex Media, L’Oreal, Verizon Media, and Moneylion, as well as independent narrative and documentary pieces. LEFT ALONE RHAPSODY was Michael’s first endeavor as Director of Photography on a feature-length documentary. John Bayless’s remarkable story, coupled with Stewart Schulman’s unique vision in sharing that story, presented exciting and fulfilling creative challenges for him as a cinematographer. Michael graduated with a BFA in film and video production from Montclair State University.
GARY SHARFIN
CO-PRODUCER - EDITOR
Gary Sharfin began his editing career launching Donna Karan with an award-winning fashion video. He went on to start his own postproduction/production company, Private Idaho, where he edited ad campaigns for clients including Budweiser, Burger King, and Samsung. Gary has edited feature films shown at Sundance, Cannes (DENISE CALLS UP, which won Honorable Mention for the Camera d’Or) and the Tribeca Film Festival’s Drive in Series. He has edited multi camera shows for HBO (including SNAPS featuring Tracy Morgan and M’onique). His documentaries have aired on PBS and Bravo (including Julia Newman’s previous film, INTO THE FIRE for which he was also co-producer.) He is also known for MR. WATERGATE: TRUE STORY OF FRANK WILLS, THE HEART STAYS, EVERGREEN, and STILL A REVOLUTIONARY, ALBERT EINSTEIN. Gary has also directed a series of one hour jazz programs shot in Brazil, Tokyo, and New York, as well as TV commercials and music videos. Currently he is concentrating on developing and producing documentaries and feature films.
CAROL CIANCUTTI
CO-PRODUCER / AMARANTH PRODUCTIONS
Carol Ciancutti is a skilled and intuitive film producer, director and development executive dedicated to creating socially relevant TV and film. Her seminal documentary, ABSOLUTELY SAFE, (featured on major news platforms), examines the popularity of breast implants despite ongoing controversies about their safety. Carol has spoken on that subject at universities such as Harvard, Oberlin College, and U. of Chicago as well as on the film festival circuit. Her strong leadership skills led to her service as the National Education Association liaison to the White House under President Clinton. While living in Nairobi, Kenya, Carol was an arts consultant for UNICEF and founded the Kenya School of Performing Arts. Carol founded Amaranth Productions, (the film production company for LEFT ALONE RHAPSODY), in 2008. That company has various film and TV projects currently in development, production, or post-production. Carol is a 2010 Our Bodies Ourselves Women's Health Hero Inductee. As well, she has produced over 30 commercials internationally for brands such as Puma, Wrigley and Nivea.
MONIKA KOLODZIEJ
CINEMATOGRAPHER & EDITOR
Monika Kolodziej was born in Poland and graduated with a B.A. in filmmaking from Montclair State University in 2013. Since graduating, Monika has worn many hats as a cinematographer, editor, producer and colorist on feature documentaries, commercials, and short films. Her work has taken her around the country and around the world—working in New York, California, Texas, France, Germany, and Poland (to name a few.) Monika has also completed principal photography— as Director of Photography—on her first feature-length comedy, which she is also editing.
KYM SLAYDEN MITCHELL
SOCIAL MEDIA – ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Kym Slayden Mitchell is a writer, editor, photographer, and consultant incorporating an array of skillsets into her freelance and contract work. Her visionary leadership, coupled with her proficiencies in social media management and marketing, editing, curriculum design, event planning, and project management, have made her a ‘go-to person’ for brainstorming, idea-generation, strategic planning, and the development of communication tools from concept to finished product for a variety of organizations. And her personal-coaching skills have motivated individuals and teams towards becoming the best version of themselves.
Kym is a dynamic communicator thriving in a creative, deadline-driven environment where job responsibilities vary from day to day. Kym has spent a number of years working on staffs of non-profit organizations throughout the southeast where she has been responsible for editing magazines and books, and planning events (both for the purposes of fundraising and for affinity groups) for audiences of 100 to more than 13,000. Kym has co-authored a book, written countless articles, created interactive experiences for students and adults, and spoken throughout the United States as a conference leader and featured speaker.
PATRICIA KLAUSNER
MANAGING DIRECTOR, SHOTGUN PRODUCTIONS/GAIN
NOT-FOR-PROFIT FISCAL SPONSOR
Since receiving not-for profit status in 1995, Shotgun has presented more than 75 plays, dance, opera and mixed media performances in various stages of development and has worked with over 150 artists. Shotgun has provided a nurturing and supportive outlet for emerging playwrights, directors, choreographers, video artists, designers, and technicians to hone their craft, while offering the theater-going community an opportunity to experience these voices through original works that are innovative and challenging.
In 2008, Shotgun created Global Arts Initiative (GAIN), a New York City based international arts education program that works with established arts organizations in developing countries that provide training and community-based programs for children. GAIN has worked in New York City at the Hudson Guild summer camp and after school programs, Bronx Academy of Letters, as well as in Nairobi, Kenya; Cape Town, South Africa; and at Edna Manley College in Kingston, Jamaica.
To learn more about Buzzco click the image above.
CANDY KUGEL - BUZZCO ASSOCIATES, INC.
ANIMATION
Buzzco Associates, Inc., has been creating award winning handmade animation for over fifty years. It began in a time when animated tricks were created without computers. Today computers help to complete the vision, but (per founder and principal, Candy Kugel), “Buzzco always stays mindful of its traditional drawing background.”
The company came to prominence in the mid-1980’s creating the iconic MTV station ID (the moon man planting the MTV flag on the moon) and its longer-running second version with the iconic “I want my MTV” advertising campaign. From those early days creating commissioned ads and TV ID’s, Buzzco’s animation has grown to include narrative and documentary short and feature films. Buzzco also prides itself in its award-winning educational programming for Children’s Television Workshop, (Sesame Street, Electric Company, and Square 1 TV), Planned Parenthood Federation of America, The National Aphasia Association, TED-ed, iHeed, the Albuquerque Balloon Museum, and Macmillan Cancer Care. Buzzco’s goal is always to figure out how to use visual images to best fortify the messages of clients and their potential consumers.