CREW
The Home Front
Bringing The Home Front to life was a deeply collaborative endeavor, made possible by a remarkable crew whose talents spanned storytelling, visual design, sound, cinematography, and post-production.
From accomplished professionals and educators to rising filmmakers and interdisciplinary artists, this team reflected a rich spectrum of creative backgrounds, lived experiences, and career paths. Whether rooted in journalism, theater, animation, or activism, each contributor brought not only technical skill but a deep sense of purpose—united by a shared belief in the transformative power of honest, human-centered storytelling.
What united this crew was a shared drive to approach addiction, grief, and resilience with care and clarity. It was a labor of love shaped by many creative spheres—demanding trust, adaptability, and intention at every turn.
Every frame of The Home Front reflects a collective vision and deep belief in the story’s purpose.
Molly Loughman
Writer/Director/Executive Producer/Production Designer
Molly Loughman is a filmmaker and storyteller whose work spans journalism, narrative film, and institutional storytelling. She is the writer, director, producer, and production designer of The Home Front, where she approaches the narrative fiction with the same sensitivity and truth-seeking lens that defined her earlier career in journalism. Her work was honored by the New England Newspaper & Press Association for excellence in reporting on social issues, environmental topics, and economic disparities.
Molly earned her Master of Fine Arts in Film and Media Art from Emerson College and now serves as Associate Director in Emerson’s School of Communication, where she leads creative and strategic efforts to amplify a culture of teaching, learning, and impact. Her work—across media platforms and genres—is driven by a deep belief in the power of story to reveal, to connect, and to move people toward greater understanding. Whether behind the camera or behind the scenes, Molly builds space for truth, nuance, and humanity in every project she touches.
Brittany Severance
Director of Photography
Two-time Emerson College alumna Brittany Severance MA'10, MFA'20, is a visual artist and educator based out of Worcester, Massachusetts, with a focus on writing, directing, and cinematography. Her work explores themes of identity, perception, memory, and relationships, creating projects that often reflect domestic and daily life.
Brittany’s short films and photography have been featured in festivals and museums, such as the Women’s International Film & Arts Festival, the Shawna Shea Film Festival, the Worcester Art Museum, the Fitchburg Art Museum, and the Vastlab Experimental Film Festival in Los Angeles. In 2018, she won Best Local Short for her film Off for the Weekend at the SSFF Shorts Film Festival. When she’s not making art, Brittany can be found teaching video production and film studies courses as an Assistant Professor in the Communication Department at Worcester State University.
Brian Neaman
Editor & Colorist
Brian Neaman is a New York City–based writer, director, and editor celebrated for his nuanced comedic timing and storytelling versatility. With a background spanning narrative film, commercials, and digital series, Brian crafts edits that resonate—whether shaping improvised performances, documentary content, or scripted material. His editing credits include work for high-profile brands like Pepsi, Hershey’s, Starbucks, and Ford, and he's collaborated with talent including Charles Barkley and Michael Che. Brian’s narrative instincts and visual rhythm consistently elevate the emotional impact of the stories he tells.
Previously a senior editor at Crew Cuts, Brian is now part of the Versus creative studio, where he continues to direct and cut bold, culturally relevant projects. His recent directorial work includes ROE v BROS, a social-first series exploring men’s perceptions of reproductive rights through candid street interviews, praised for its humor and timely commentary. Brian’s work has been recognized by the AICP and featured in SHOOT Magazine’s New Directors Showcase. When not immersed in post-production, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children in Montauk, where he recharges with ocean air and family time.
Miranda Yung
Assistant Director & Contributing Artist
Miranda Yung (she/her) is a multi-talented visual artist, MFA film scholar, and festival award-winning filmmaker in the Boston area. With production experience in branded content, music video, documentary, and narrative fiction film, Miranda has been using her talents to serve her community, curate new experiences, and consistently grow as a creative intellectual human. In addition to her fruitful media career, Miranda has also been acting on her great passion for storytelling, social justice and youth advocacy by empowering the next generation of creative leaders as a media educator for The Loop Lab and Somerville Media Center. One day, she aspires to become a creative leader in producing, writing and directing culturally-responsible films of her own, but until then, she is happily content using her gifts for the good of humanity wherever she is needed.
Meenakshi Garodia
Gaffer
Meenakshi Garodia is a multimedia artist and current Affiliate Faculty at Emerson College where she is also a candidate for an MFA in Film and Media Arts. She has written and directed multiple well-received plays (Don’t Talk) and short films (Solo), with an emphasis on women and patriarchy and her film series Voices, about Indian Immigrants. She is passionate about analog film. She typically is working on at least four projects at any given time!
She is on the board of a non-profit helping survivors of domestic violence, BIG and the Brookline Commission for Women. Her ceramics have been exhibited at MassArt and non-profit fundraisers. Meenakshi holds an MBA and previously worked in corporate strategy at a Fortune 500 company.
Michelle Falcón Fontánez
Assistant Camera
She expanded this work into photographic public art murals representing Puerto Rican people and culture through a spiritual realm: "El Litoral" and "A Call To Our Ancestors." Her latest short film tells the story of María premiered at this year’s Boston International Film Festival.
Currently, Michelle is working with a nonprofit in a three-part mini-series that unpacks the psychological and environmental impacts on Puerto Ricans
living in South Holyoke, during the 1970s fires. Recently, Michelle has contracted to DP a short documentary featuring the Cuban soccer community in Miami and a documentary about Afghan refugees who relocated to a small town in Massachusetts.
Michelle Falcón Fontánez, is a multimedia storyteller working in photography, film, and public art. Michelle has witnessed and personally experienced injustices that have shaped her views of the world, motivating her pursuit of making change through art. Her artistry has primarily focused on social justice issues, advocating for women's rights, dismantling colonialism, and calling attention to Puerto Rican issues -- ultimately creating work to illuminate voices that have not been heard.
Michelle’s early work consists of solo producing a women's focused documentary on the impacts of the economic crisis of Puerto Rico before Hurricane María.
Ethan De Aguiar
Drone Videographer
A self-proclaimed “ARTrepreneur” & New Bedford native, Ethan de Aguiar is an experienced filmmaker, with a laser focus on the art of storytelling. He brings the essence of the subject matter to life with cinematic visuals that create a unique experience for audiences. He has built long-term working relationships with greater New Bedford and other SouthCoast organizations such as New Bedford Creative, Explore New Bedford, DATMA, SouthCoast Community Foundation, YMCA Southcoast, AHA!, The Marion Institute, Viva Fall River and Fabric Arts Festival, to name a few. With a multi-faceted eye on both the creative aspects and data analytics of video marketing, Ethan creates long- and short-form work that delivers impactful results.
In 2022, Ethan created a short documentary titled “Love Letters for New Bedford” that told the story of the arts and culture scene in the city through the lens of local artists, poets, journalists and more. The film received 15 Official Selections and 4 Best Documentary Awards, 3 of which were International Awards. In 2023, Ethan founded the New Bedford Film Festival, a multi-day international film festival. Along with the film festival, Ethan is working to build up the Greater New Bedford Film Office which aims to expand the film production capabilities of the city, making it a hub for filmmaking in the SouthCoast.
Mehvish Ali
Production Designer
Mehvish Gulzareen Ali is a visual artist, filmmaker, and producer exploring redefining the boundaries of storytelling through installation, music, film, and fashion design. She obtained a BS in Mass Communications from Boston University and with an MFA in Film & Media Art from Emerson College, Mehvish’s journey intertwines storytelling, cultural exploration, and community engagement.
As the Director of her documentary film, “Out of the Blue,” Mehvish intricately weaves narratives that delve into multiculturalism, colonial history, and socio-political dimensions of fashion. The film visually captivates the journey that explores the transformation of indigo from a symbol of colonial exploitation to a source of pride, potential and sustainable fashion, embodying the awakening of a new generation.
In 2022, Mehvish had her first public solo MFA thesis exhibition titled, ‘Blue Rebellion’ which illuminated the historical significance of indigo in Bengal, its empowering revival led by local artisans in present-day Bangladesh through various creative mediums such as video-installation, textile design, large-scale photographs and film. With a background in multimedia exhibitions, documentary filmmaking, event management, and digital marketing, Mehvish navigates seamlessly through diverse landscapes, fostering inclusive environments and sparking meaningful dialogues. Her commitment to disrupting traditional narratives and catalyzing actionable change highlights her ethos as a storyteller and cultural catalyst.
In 2023, Mehvish worked as a Producer for the MIT Open Documentary Lab, where she amplified her passion for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative storytelling, managing communications, event logistics, and fostering dynamic connections with visiting fellows and artists, which inspired her to pursue an MFA degree in Dynamic Media at MassArt.
Michael Bueno
Assistant Producer
Michael is an armed forces veteran and multi-media artist based in Boston, Massachusetts. He was born in New York City and raised under the Caribbean sun in the Dominican Republic, where Michael had the best of both worlds. He spent most of his adult life traveling in the Air Force and pursuing multiple degrees in photography, broadcasting, journalism, and finally, his Master of Fine Arts in film from Emerson College.
Inspired by his Caribbean heritage, Michael intricately weaved this into his art and crisp visual aesthetic. Michael has collaborated with companies such as Spindrift, Life is Good, Intel, and GBH. While his fashion editorial work has been published in Forbes, Insider, and Hype Magazine. Michael’s first documentary film, “EL COLMADÓN” served as a love letter to the Dominican bodegas he grew up around and is hitting the festival circuit summer 2025.
Patrick Snow
Sound Recordist
Patrick went to college for Elementary Education before moving on to a career in Public Access TV. As Youth Media Coordinator for ActonTV he hosts filmmaking programs for teens where they learn filming techniques and work in teams to create original short films and comedy skits. He is also the host of ActonTV's summer kids camps and helps to run Film Festivals in Acton and Chelmsford.
Patrick is passionate about Film and storytelling. He has written and directed several short films and has served as a DP and lead editor on both feature-length films and web series.
Donnie Cadman
Script Supervisor & Production Assistant
Donnie Cadman is a film director, writer, editor, and sound recordist based outside of Boston, Massachusetts. A graduate of Emerson College's School of Film & Media Art, he earned an MFA for his thesis film, The Lesson. His recent film projects include assistant producing the documentary El Colmadon, premiering at the 2025 Roxbury Film Festival. He has also worked on the recent graduate projects Scorcher, Junaid is Burning, and Butterfly.
Donnie helped create the music video SAVE ME, produced by Dane Blake. He's collaborated on the short films Gone and Dearests, both directed by Tyler Coon.
Donnie utilizes film to visually captivate people's imaginations as well as reconcile individual truths. He hopes this will motivate others to create positive change. Donnie has nothing but thanks and gratitude for his family, friends, and mentors who have helped and believed in his vision.
Jake Snyder
Grip
Jake Snyder, Grip Department, is a Communications Media major with a focus on Film/Video. Jake currently attends Fitchburg State University, where he received the title of 2022-2023 Film Student of the Year. Lighting credits include Wrench, Subtle Signs, The Letter and Hooky.
Isabel Miranda
Set Photographer / 2nd AC
Isabel Miranda is a photographer and filmmaker who grew up in South America, South-East Asia and Southern Africa. Growing up aboard influenced her interest in street photography and documentary filmmaking, where she explores topics such as spirituality, music and identity. Her photography is inspired by Saul Leiter, Ernst Haas and Joseph Koudelka. Her past projects Downtown Crossing (DTX) and La Plaza focused on connecting with the diverse community that surrounded her in Boston, MA and Santa Fe, NM. In 2021 she completed a photobook, One-Way Mirror which is her visual journal for the 2020-2021 pandemic year in Boston.
She is a recipient of the 2019 Emerging Photographer Scholarship for the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops and the grand prize winner of the #NewVisions2023: A Student Exhibition. She has exhibited her work at the Aurora Gallery and Bromfield Gallery in Massachusetts, as well as the 2022 Women Street Photographers exhibition at Artspace PS109 in New York City. Her short film, So Powerful, was screened in the 2022 Global Peace Film Festival and the 2022 Acton Boxborough Cultural Council's Our World Film Series. She holds a B.A. in Geography and Studio Art from Clark University and is currently pursuing an MFA in Film and Media Art at Emerson College.
Tomás Orrego
Title Sequence Designer
Tomás Orrego is a Peruvian filmmaker with a background in architecture, currently based in Brooklyn. His work spans film, music videos, digital animation, graphic design and visual art.
His latest film, Fever, was selected as a semi finalist in the 2024 Student Academy Awards. His films have been screened internationally, most recently in New York, Athens, Innsbruck and Belgrade as part of various festivals. As a visual artist he has participated in exhibitions in Sao Paulo, Leipzig and Boston. In 2019 he had his second solo show at Fundación Euroidiomas in Lima.
He has a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas and recently received his MFA in Film and Media Arts from Emerson College. He tries to be healthy by drinking lots of water and going on a daily jog.
Emma Levine
Commissioned Artist
Emma Levine is a Boston-based illustrator and visual artist pursuing her BFA in Illustration with a minor in Creative Writing. Inspired by the world around her, Emma is drawn to projects that tell stories, build connections, and center collaboration.
Her work combines strong conceptual thinking with expressive design, and she brings a thoughtful, narrative-driven approach to every piece she creates. As Creative Director of the Tour to Save Democracy, she developed extensive experience in visual communication, crafting materials that created both digital and real-world impact across communities nationwide.
Emma’s commissioned artwork for The Home Front captured the emotional essence of the film—visually reflecting its themes of grief, memory, and quiet strength. With a style that balances clarity and warmth, Emma’s illustration served as a poetic companion to the story, amplifying its emotional depth through visual form. She is committed to using her craft in support of meaningful, collaborative storytelling.
Matt Berensten
Production Assistant
Matt likes to think of himself as a "Swiss army man," taking on any task thrown his way. Working in video production, radio/podcasting and photography, Matt enjoys telling stories through any medium possible. He has been mainly focusing on his TV and Film career since graduating in 2020, working on sets for networks including; Marvel, Showtime and TLC. He currently works as a production assistant for various projects in New York City.
