Good film crews and creatives become a team – the best ones become “family”! Our team is definitely our Famiglia!
Meet the team

Santo D. Marabella
Executive Producer & Film Subject
“Telling my adoption story has been a life-long pursuit to find my “place at the table”, but also to share that place with others who may be on a similar journey. I am so grateful to our creative team for their vision, contributions and support. Sereni a tavola! (Peaceful at the table!)”
Santo D. Marabella, MBA, DSW, The Practical Prof® is an author, playwright, filmmaker, speaker and educator with writing, directing and producing credits for books, television pilots, a musical, short films and plays. He is the co-founder ReadingFilmFEST and the ReadingFilm Office, for which he served as ReadingFilm Commissioner (2006-2018). Recent projects include writer/director of the play Rocky Road Ain’t Always Sweet, (2024). producer, AVA (2023); producer, FLASHLIGHT (2023); director/co-producer, workshop for Love Is Afoot!, an original musical (2023); writer/producer/director, THE CAREGIVER (2022). Marabella, Professor Emeritus of Management, Moravian University, is a member of The Lambs®, The Dramatists Guild of America and Theatre Communications Group.

Tracy Schott
Director & Producer
“There is tremendous power in determining whose stories get told. I’ve searched for stories that touch the heart, expand the mind, and change behaviors. Santo’s experience of always being an outsider – of not belonging – is one that I believe will resonate with so many. It’s an honor to tell this story as Santo finds his place.”
Tracy Schott has more than 25 years of experience creating of hundreds of projects for clients and the community. She is the writer/director/producer of documentary films FROM THE RIVER (2023) and FINDING JENN’S VOICE (2015), the Emmy-nominated reality TV show DREAM WEDDINGS (2011-2014), and the TV pilot FRANKLIN STREET STATION (2018). A former social worker, Schott’s focus on community and social issues drives much of her work, including the creations of Voices4Change, bringing awareness of the issues associated with intimate partner violence.

Tony Gerber
Consulting Producer
Tony Gerber, an Emmy and PGA award-winning filmmaker, has directed over a dozen films for NatGeo, including KINGDOM OF THE WHITE WOLF. His feature docs include FULL BATTLE RATTLE with Jesse Moss, THE NOTORIOUS MR. BOUT (Sundance, 2014.) He produced JANE and Oscar-shortlisted, TAKEOVER. Gerber’s most recent film, WAR GAME, has been called by Rolling Stone Magazine, “the scariest documentary you’ll see this year.”

Red Sled Films
Italian Producer
“Being able to participate to this journey was a blessing. Our production family joined with Santo’s Italian and American family of friends, giving us all a multi-layered sense of belonging that will not be erased.”
Red Sled Films is our Italian production company based in Aosta, Italy. Created by six film professionals working in the international film industry, it aims to highlight talent, both local and international, giving a platform for young and old voices to be seen and a voice to showcase Valle d’Aosta, the Northern Italian region with many resources and opportunities for film production. From the Red Sled team, Alessia Gasparella, is our line producer and Giorgio Vigna, is our location manager.

Sebastian Nieves
Director of Photography
A few things have been present in Sebastian’s filmmaking from the very beginning: his Colombian roots, his loyalty to family, and the curiosity that drives him to find meaning in every image. He believes that living a rich and deliberate life leads to good work, and that a camera can be an instrument of God’s love. Sebastian considers himself a director’s DP – he asks the important questions to make sure every shot serves the overall vision.

R. Bradley Bass
Editor
“I am always drawn to compelling stories, and Santo’s own life story is just that, an important emotional journey that needs to be told. Add the pleasure of working with this creative team, and the chance to play with such beautiful images of Italy, and it was an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
Brad Bass is first and foremost a storyteller, with more than 25 years’ experience behind the edit desk. From Emmy-nominated reality show Dream Weddings to award-winning feature documentary Finding Jenn’s Voice, Brad has contributed to the success of projects of all sizes while working with a wealth of local and national production talent.

Chris Heslop
Film Score Composer
“I am excited to join the Il Mio Posto a Tavola production team. I believe music has the power to strengthen the bond between the storyline, cinematography, and audience, enhancing the emotional impact of the film.”
Chris Heslop is an American composer concentrating on music for theater, opera, and film. He has written scores for over a dozen plays, most recently for “Intimate Exposures” by playwright D.W. Gregory. He has composed several operas on a variety of subjects such as DaPonte: the life of Mozart’s librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte, These Valleys and Mountains: stories of Pennsylvania myths and legends, as well as Bear Prince: an opera for young audiences based on a Mexican folktale. Heslop’s music can also be heard in films such as Dust Nuggets, Traffic Opera, From the River, and The Polka King starring Jack Black.