CREW
Director/Producer: Ashley LoFaso
Ashley LoFaso is a three-time Emmy award winning television producer and editor with over a decade of experience in local news production, national network news production and independent film production. She has worked as a director, assistant director, production manager, location manager and media manager. LoFaso is passionate about telling impactful stories and shedding light on topics that will move the needle forward in regards to caring for the planet.
On a 2018 trip to Hawaii, Ashley learned about the negative impact of chemical sunscreens on local coral reefs. Diving head first into educating herself further, Ashley was connected to Cindi Punihaole who detailed a myriad of other factors impacting local marine life and the people who depend on its health. It was a story Ashley could not shake and she is here now to document it for global audiences in the hopes that travelers and locals alike will follow Cindi's extraordinary example of living in harmony with the natural environment.
Producer: Dear Ocean (Dr. Christine Zalewski, President)
Dr. Christine Zalewski is the president and founder of Dear Ocean, a nonprofit created to raise awareness and appreciation of the marine environment and serve as a catalyst for multidisciplinary collaboration in ocean-related sustainability efforts.
Christine also owns and operates a digital imaging and art licensing business, and her artwork has been published extensively both in the US and internationally. She is currently expanding her company to include a branch designed to foster personal connections with the ocean through inspiring imagery and positive messaging on consumer products.
Having snorkeled Kahaluʻu Bay for 30 years, Christine has witnessed the profound decline in the reef due to human impact, but also sees hope for its survival under the steadfast protection initiated by Cindi Punihaole.
Consulting Producer: Robert Milazzo
Robert Milazzo is an educator and creator. He founded The Modern School of Film - an educational studio that has produced hundreds of master-classes, workshops, and educational events across the US, Asia, Europe, UK, and South America, exploring the relationship between community, craft, and culture. Robert has also created, hosted and produced two award-winning podcasts - Assembly and Murmur - detailed views of creators and communities as they transform moments into legacy.
Director of Photography: Jeff Henson
Jeff Henson has worked as a photojournalist for the last 12 years. With hard work and dedication to his craft he has helped tell many impactful stories. Working on multiple long form projects centered around environmental issues, he has helped produce several award winning stories.
Growing up on the shores of New England he has always been drawn to the ocean and is a dedicated surf photographer. Many of his images have been published—including Eastern Surf Magazine and for New York State Park advertisements.
He has also worked on many volunteer projects. The latest projects being with the Regional Environmental Council in Worcester, MA and Need a Bee CT, in which he shot multiple informational videos on beekeeping and honey bee conservation.
2nd Camera: Connor Cronk
Connor Cronk has been working as a professional videographer and editor in New York and Boston for the past 6 years. He’s an Emmy nominated photographer whose work includes broadcast news, professional sports, documentaries, and large, live events such as the Boston Marathon. Originally from Long Island, he spent much of his time at the beaches and parks it has to offer. Connor has a passion for storytelling and the outdoors and can usually be seen with a camera in his hand.
Production Assistant: Sanjay Velappan
Sanjay Velappan is on the Board of Directors of Dear Ocean with Dr. Christine Zalewski. Sanjay's love for the marine environment was sparked by his first visit to Hawaii, where he began to study and appreciate the coral reef and all of its inhabitants in Kahalu'u Bay.
Sanjay is a Senior Consultant with Simon-Kucher & Partners and a member of the firm’s Software/Internet/Media team, through which he provides strategic guidance to Fortune 500 clients to support and scale their organizations. He is a part of the MBA Class of 2024 at UC Berkeley with a focus on impact investing, specifically for marine conservation ventures.
Screenwriter: Seán Arena
Seán Arena has worked in film, TV, and digital media for nearly 15 years, working as a camera operator, editor, writer, producer, and studio/production manager. He was the writer and editor of the documentary Cherry’s in Season, which takes the audience through a season-in-the-life of a bar in one of Fire Island's most iconic LGBTQ+ communities. His passion is amplifying the voices behind the stories which are not heard often enough. There’s a story under every rock in this world, and Seán aims to leave none of them unread, unheard, or unseen.
He lives and works in New York City where he can often be found on the subway with his face buried in a book or wandering into every corner of the city. If he’s not traveling and exploring, he’s thinking about traveling and exploring.
Film Editor: Glenn Garthwaite
Glenn Garthwaite is an Emmy Award winning video editor with seventeen years of experience in broadcast television and video production. His work in local journalism has earned numerous accolades including Press Club, Associated Press, and Edward R. Murrow Awards.
Glenn’s credits also include collaborations with USA Water Polo, The Association of Private Sector College and Universities, Hatched Media, and Grammy Award winning musician Tim Kubart.