Meet the Team
Stephen Mancini
Founder
As the founder, Steve “Stefano” Mancini is considered an expert in both leadership and cybersecurity and holds a Doctorate in Business Administration. He has spent the past 30 years between the public and private sector working in a variety of technical and leadership roles. He is now pursuing his dream of directing and producing films.
He has taught at several universities, including the University of Pittsburgh, and currently teaches at Robert Morris University as an assistant professor. He’s also an international speaker and trainer and has published various articles.
He is also the host of the “Italian Impact Weekly” and “The Unlikely Catholic Podcast” where listeners can hear from a variety of international guests on a wide range of subjects.
He has taught at several universities, including the University of Pittsburgh, and currently teaches at Robert Morris University as an assistant professor. He’s also an international speaker and trainer and has published various articles.
He is also the host of the “Italian Impact Weekly” and “The Unlikely Catholic Podcast” where listeners can hear from a variety of international guests on a wide range of subjects.
Payton Hostetler
Photographer & Videographer
Payton Hostetler is a freelance photographer and filmmaker dedicated to producing the best art possible. Ever since picking up a camera, he’s found himself taking advantage of every opportunity to create. He’s currently developing his own multimedia production company, Ferncliff Media.
For the last several years, he’s been working as a self-employed creative, producing films and photos of weddings, events, and commercial products. His true passion is documentary film, with his 2021 short production “The Impact of COVID-19 on UHS” placing first nationwide for Best Video News Story in the NFPW video contest. Taking on the role of cinematographer and editor, Fedeltá will be his first feature length project.
While working as a freelance creative, Payton is pursuing a degree in Cinema & Photography at Robert Morris University. There, he works as a student photographer and as the head Multimedia Editor for RMU Sentry Media.
For the last several years, he’s been working as a self-employed creative, producing films and photos of weddings, events, and commercial products. His true passion is documentary film, with his 2021 short production “The Impact of COVID-19 on UHS” placing first nationwide for Best Video News Story in the NFPW video contest. Taking on the role of cinematographer and editor, Fedeltá will be his first feature length project.
While working as a freelance creative, Payton is pursuing a degree in Cinema & Photography at Robert Morris University. There, he works as a student photographer and as the head Multimedia Editor for RMU Sentry Media.
Gregory Vogt
Videographer
Gregory Vogt is an award winning filmmaker who writes, directs and shoots his own films. His films have been to numerous festivals around the country and internationally, including: Northern Frights, Los Angeles Film Awards, HorrorHaus, Harrogate, Spooky Empire’s International, Independent Horror Movie Awards , Oregon Scream Week, and more. Greg has secured a distribution contract with Artist Rights, Meridian Releasing Group, Breaking Fate TV, and 13horror.com. Awards for his films can be found on the Films & Festivals Tab.
In addition to film, Greg is currently a member of IATSE Local 489 Film Mechanics, with on-set experience on numerous productions, which include: Archive 81, Sweet Girl, May Rainey’s Black Bottom, Mindhunter: Season Two, One Dollar, Foxcatcher, Southpaw and The Last Witch Hunter.
Other areas in production that Greg has worked include: camera operator, producer, key grip and editor. In the camera department, he’s used cameras ranging from Red Cinema to Canon c100 to Sony F5 cameras. Co-founder of Blacksheep’d Productions, an independent production team based out of Pittsburgh, Pa. The genre and the teams primary focus is horror and thrillers. Check out Greg’s work here.
In addition to film, Greg is currently a member of IATSE Local 489 Film Mechanics, with on-set experience on numerous productions, which include: Archive 81, Sweet Girl, May Rainey’s Black Bottom, Mindhunter: Season Two, One Dollar, Foxcatcher, Southpaw and The Last Witch Hunter.
Other areas in production that Greg has worked include: camera operator, producer, key grip and editor. In the camera department, he’s used cameras ranging from Red Cinema to Canon c100 to Sony F5 cameras. Co-founder of Blacksheep’d Productions, an independent production team based out of Pittsburgh, Pa. The genre and the teams primary focus is horror and thrillers. Check out Greg’s work here.
Vincent Ruggieri
Photographer & Videographer
Vincent Ruggieri is a Freelance Videographer, Crew Member, Stagehand, and Aspiring Actor. He’s no stranger to sets or stages having been around the entertainment industry since an early age. Having always been fascinated with all aspects of production he received his B.A. in TV/Video Film Production with a Minor in Theatre from Robert Morris University. Since then he has gained over Ten years of industry experience working freelance for various production companies throughout the Pittsburgh region, as well as other major cities around the country. He’s worked as a freelance Videographer for various High School & Collegiate Sports, Dance Competitions, and other Live Events. In addition to operating the camera, he has also worked as a Local Stagehand for a number of concerts and festivals throughout Western Pennsylvania. He’s is currently a member of IATSE Local 489 Studio Mechanics having worked On-Set positions among the Grips & Electrical Departments for both Film and Television.
In his personal life, Vince has become a strong advocate for Mental Health having Founded his own wellness brand “Keepbusy-Stayhumble” focuses on being positive in times of struggle and helping spread awareness on the subject of Mental Health. Certainly not his first overall, but fulfilling the role of Camera Operator and Video Logger for Fedelta will be his debut Documentary Credit.
In his personal life, Vince has become a strong advocate for Mental Health having Founded his own wellness brand “Keepbusy-Stayhumble” focuses on being positive in times of struggle and helping spread awareness on the subject of Mental Health. Certainly not his first overall, but fulfilling the role of Camera Operator and Video Logger for Fedelta will be his debut Documentary Credit.
Alec Thein
Musician
Alec Thein is a composer and author enamored with endless creation and displaying of his art, no matter the medium or method to get there. He is committed to giving his listeners and readers rushes of emotion with every note and word: if it’s in your head, he’ll bring it out.
He has released music for labels Columns of Knowledge and TRXX, and has worked over the years as a (now washed up) DJ on the side. He has scored over half a dozen short films, including The Scarecrow, which premiered at CICADA: A Night of Pittsburgh Premieres in 2024, and Striges, which premiered at the Haunted Oaks Film Festival in 2018. In the world of writing, Alec has published both non-fiction and fiction, including the memoir A Brief Story of an Exceptional Divorce, as well as multiple short horror stories, including My Neighbor and Remnants of a Lost Angel.
He has released music for labels Columns of Knowledge and TRXX, and has worked over the years as a (now washed up) DJ on the side. He has scored over half a dozen short films, including The Scarecrow, which premiered at CICADA: A Night of Pittsburgh Premieres in 2024, and Striges, which premiered at the Haunted Oaks Film Festival in 2018. In the world of writing, Alec has published both non-fiction and fiction, including the memoir A Brief Story of an Exceptional Divorce, as well as multiple short horror stories, including My Neighbor and Remnants of a Lost Angel.