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 is a Philadelphia-based writer, director, and producer with a background in engineering and a passion for storytelling. His work spans feature films, documentaries, children’s television, and public access programming. He co-wrote Changing the Game (2012), distributed by Lions Gate Entertainment, and created Skullz (2014), a children’s series aired on Comcast and Verizon networks.

Astillero brings a multidisciplinary approach to filmmaking, blending technical precision with creative vision. Steelpan Now! marks his latest venture into documentary storytelling, where he serves as co-producer