Film Team
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Alexandra Wagman
Director | Executive Producer
Alexandra is a filmmaker, professor of English, and the Service-Learning Program documentarian at Holyoke Community College. She came to know the women of Voices from Inside through their visits to HCC and performances in the community. She was moved to witness how expressive writing could have such a positive impact.
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Florian Marschoun
Executive Producer | Director of Photography
Florian is a full time photographer and filmmaker. Originally from Austria, he moved to the United States in 2014 and has worked on multiple creative projects since then. He serves on the board of Northampton Open Media. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the Vienna University of Economics and Business.
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J.D. Swerzenski
Editor | Audio Engineer | Associate Producer
J.D. is an Assistant Professor of Digital Media and Communication at Mary Washington
University. His work explores the role of media production and instructional software play in structuring learning practices as well as how educators might retheorize our use of technological tools to support critical engagement. -
Danielle Amodeo
Producer
Danielle is the founder of Arts Equity Group, a network of activists, artists, and organizational consults devoted to working toward equity in the arts and cultural sector. She is the Chair of the Northampton Arts Council. She holds a Bachelor’s in European Studies from Amherst College and a Master’s in Art History from Williams College.
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Aundrea Marschoun
Cinematographer
Aundrea is a professional photographer and is
currently studying psychology at Smith College. Her creative work focuses on storytelling with an emphasis on human connection and vulnerability. -
Sara Sacks
Cinematographer
After receiving her MA in Media Studies at the University of Oregon, Sara worked as an advocate and community engagement specialist at Safe Passage, a domestic violence non-profit in Northampton, MA. She is now working towards receiving her J.D. at Emory University School of Law in hopes of representing survivors of domestic violence in her future career as an attorney.
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Kelly Vogel
Composer
Kelly Vogel is a Learning Specialist, facilitator, and educator with over 20 years experience in the public and private sectors. She won a Community-Based Learning Grant and partnered for 3 years with Voices from Inside. Kelly, also a singer-songwriter has used the opportunity to write the music for the documentary as an opportunity to augment her support for VFI with the power of sound. Here’s a link to her website.
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Jacqueline Velez Vazquez
Communications and Outreach Liaison
Why VFI?
Alexandra Wagman first encountered Voices from Inside (VFI) years ago through their performances at Holyoke Community College (HCC). Women from VFI would come and read their original poems—attracting large, inquisitive audiences comprised of students, faculty, and staff.
As an instructor of English, Alexandra was moved to see how expressive writing could have such a positive impact. The writing workshops provided by VFI created a community among the women—offering them support, strength, and hope.
Alexandra started bringing a video camera to various events to document this powerful work.
During their visits to HCC and elsewhere, the women’s openness to talk about their experiences with audiences has helped transform perceptions about what it means to be incarcerated, the realities of addiction, and the amazing growth that is possible.