Production Team

Ryan Saunders

Born and raised in Trinidad & Tobago, Ryan Saunders brings a unique perspective and understanding of the steelpan after having lived on the island for 27 years. Moreover, Mr. Saunders brings over twenty years of experience in video production & direction.

In 2003 Mr. Saunders released his feature length documentary Bacchanal Time: The People’s Carnival, which explores Caribbean-styled Carnival celebrations in North America. Bacchanal Time won Best Caribbean Themed Film at the 5th Annual Jamerican Film Festival in 2003. In August 2005, Bacchanal Time was invited to screen as part of a series of Caribbean films at the Notting Hill Carnival in London.

Mr. Saunders received his BA in Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, and his MFA in Film and Media Arts at Temple University.

Aaron Astillero

Aaron R. Astillero is an American writer, director, and producer. A native of Philadelphia, he graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Engineering.

Astillero co-wrote, Changing the Game (2012), a film that was distributed by Barnholtz Entertainment and Lions Gate Entertainment.

He wrote, directed, and produced Skullz (2014), a children’s television show that aired on the Comcast and Verizon networks, serving the Philadelphia area.

Astillero also worked in production and camera crew roles for several local public access television shows. His latest project is Steelpan Now! (2022), a documentary that he co-produced and is in post-production.