In 2017, a mother Noreen Spagnol and her two young daughters Tayleigh and Hannah created the short story - Life with Mommy... and her girlfriend, and then the follow up Life with Daddy... and his boyfriend. This idea sprouted after one of Noreen’s daughter saw her mother hold hands with another woman to which she replied with it being “weird”. After that interaction Noreen decided to see if there were any books at the local library that depicted same sex relationships; to her suprise there was none.
She decided she needed to show not only her children but other families what same sex relationships are and how normal it is. |
Brianna DuguayCo-Director & Co-Writer
By watching movies straight out of the womb, Brianna has always been interested in the world of film. She is currently studying for an Honours Bachelor of Film and Television at Sheridan College in camera and sound. When asked to pitch a documentary, Brianna immediately thought about bringing light to Noreen Spagnol’s children’s books. Brianna is very excited to be a first-time co-director and co-writer on Diverse Families.
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Jessica WhittinghamCo-Director & Co-Writer
Jessica is in her third year of study in Sheridan College’s Bachelor of Film and Television; she has been an active director, writer, and producer, whilst also taking on various camera-related roles. When Jessica first heard about Diverse Families and Noreen Spagnol, she immediately knew she wanted to be apart of creating such a piece. To expose Noreen’s story and shed light on a topic she feels most passionate about was an opportunity she simply could not refuse. She hopes audiences engage with the documentary in a way which promotes love and acceptance.
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Steven PopikProducer
Steven is a third-year BFTV student specializing in Editing, Producing and Special Effects. Displaying his artistic ability from a young age he found his favourite medium of expression through film. He has worked on children's cartoons as an assembly editor and a remastering technician. This project sparked Stevens’s interest when he heard the backstory behind the author’s reasonings to write such an important book for children. Educating not only children but the parents as well who read this book. Stevens hopes are that it will open and educate people to new diverse families that all just want to spread love.
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Gabriel DinardoCo-Director of Photography
Unit #1 Gabriel is passionate about cinematography and the power of visual storytelling. He is excited at the opportunity to work closely with his team to break down boundaries and show the world how we can educate generations to come about inclusivity and love.
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Nathaniel WoodCo-Director of Photography
Unit #1 Nate is a passionate director of photography and camera operator in his third year studying film and television at Sheridan. He’s so grateful for the opportunity to work on this documentary and not only tell Noreen’s story but to also learn about these issues for himself as well.
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Yevgeniy VaskovCo-Director of Photography
Unit #2 Yevgeniy is a third-year film and television student currently focusing his efforts on his roles within the camera department. His efforts in film started in middle school and slowly developed into a passion over the years. Getting the opportunity to work with children was a very fun and heartening experience. Helping the next generation in being better educated is an important mission that he wants to be a part of.
In this documentary, he is the second unit D.O.P and camera operator was a wonderful experience and opportunity for him. |
Joel CamilleriEditor & Colourist
Joel is in his third year of Sheridan’s Bachelor of Film and Television program. HeMs been making and editing short films since fourth grsde and, now, lending his talents for our documentary.
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Evan DroogLocations Sound & Sound Editor
Meet Sound Recordist and Sound Designer / Mixer Evan Droog. Evan is in his third year of study in Sheridan College’s Bachelor of Film and Television; he has been an active location sound mixer throughout various Sheridan productions and freelance ventures and an avid post production mixer to boot. Dude Evan is a super cute kid and was REALLY good at lacrosse.
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Robin GruszczinskiAssistant Sound Editor & Composer
Robin is a third year film and television student who studies and writing. She is also an aspiring musician who has been interested with the piano since she was three years old. As the composer for Diverse Families, she hopes to express their story with her music.
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