Team - Issue TV

Sophie Rousmaniere

Sophie Rousmaniere has worked as a filmmaker and freelance journalist in the US, Canada, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Mexico, Guatemala, Pakistan, Laos, Vietnam, Portugal, Spain and Thailand. She has produced, edited and directed over thirty documentaries, short films and music videos. Her work is largely social issue based, having worked on topics from child prostitution in Thailand to environmental issues in the four corners area in New Mexico. She is the Executive Director of Issue Television and CEO of Ironthorn Media, a media production service located in Austin, Texas.

Producer: Director, Cinematographer, Editor

Jay Minton

Jay Minton is a passionate Sound Designer, Composer, Art Director, Web Designer, Graphic Artist, Social Media Expert and Jack of all trades. He has worked as a production sound recordist in Europe, Africa, Asia and North America. He is a prop maker and art director creating specific pieces to fit the needs of each production. Jay’s post sound work is also extensive, creating foley effects, playing a wide variety of instruments and creating the emotional lubricant that only good sound can do. Jay is the COO of both Ironthorn Media and Issue Television.

Producer: Sound Engineer, Videographer, Editor

Alison Week

Alison week is a talented production coordinator and organizing teams and information is a valued asset she brings to Issue TV. Combining her previous experiences as a consultant, crowdfunding strategist and fundraiser, Alison also uses social media to develop, promote and distribute media online. She has worked at film festivals across the country, and has directed and produced a number of narrative and documentary films.

Production Manager: Social Media, Producer

Anna Cei

Anna is an internationally experienced business strategist with expertise in project-
management, who has worked both with well-established corporations and
entrepreneurial ventures. Her primary focus is the music industry, where she
has dedicated her time as an artist manager, concert-and events organizer,
producer of international tours, and creative director. She also has a strong background in the visual arts and graphic design, spanning over three decades of experience.
Anna is originally from Sweden and has been a long-term resident of both USA and Japan. She is passionately devoted to promoting unity through global collaborations, with the aim to achieve positive change for the world.

Creative Director

Pamela Booton

A longtime Austin resident, Pamela is active as an arts advocate and financial consultant. She serves as director of the Alamo Bay Writer’s Workshop and director of Alamo Bay Press publishing works of high literary merit. She was the project manager for the oral history documentary ‘Seadrift Fisherman Legacy Project’. She is a supporter of the Mos Chukma Institute, which provides art therapy to New Orleans Children in the lower ninth ward. She is a consultant for Issue TV a member of Impact Austin.

Associate Producer/ Board member: Networking, Project Development

Sierra Randall

Sierra Randall is a dedicated educator, researcher, and grant writer. Recognizing the power of community involvement from an early age, she has secured funds for various social justice initiatives since 2008. She completed her first grant project at the age of 16, after securing $50,000 from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to oversee the creation of a website for her small hometown in Nebraska. Specializing in applied Sociology and community activism, she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Bard College in 2013. Sierra has gone on to work with various social advocacy organizations, including Foundation Communities, the Willa Cather Foundation, and Multicultural BRIDGE.

Fundraiser / Administrator: Project management, Research

Rebecca Ray

Rebecca has been producing with PBS for over a decade. She started in advertising and works now with the PBS head office to develop promotional content for PBS’s biggest shows.

Producer: Research, Networking

Issa Nyaphaga

Issa Nyaphaga grew up in Nditam, Cameroon, a village without access to running water, electricity, medicine or education. His work was published weekly in several national newspapers before he was repeatedly censored and jailed. One of the newspapers, “Le Messager Popoli” (“The Messenger of the People”) published the top news stories in the form of cartoons and comics for the very large illiterate population living in urban areas. In 1996 independent publication reached about 5 million readers and was banned by the Cameroonian regime. He struggled with censorship laws and issues, which forced him (and many other journalists) into exile in France, where he co-founded African Journalists in Exile (JAFE).

Activist, Artist, Producer: Cartoonist, Painter

Wylie Sanchez

With a passion for storytelling and a sharp eye for detail, Wylie was built for the world of film. He has years of experience working on a multitude of projects for Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations, and independent productions. Wylie is an experienced video editor and motion graphics artist, fluent in the most up-to-date Adobe software. He is currently enrolled in the Austin School of Film to continue pushing the envelope on what he can achieve.

Cinematographer/Post Production: Motion Graphics, Editing

Noel Benedetti

Noel Benedetti is a freelancing communications specialist based in Austin, Texas. Her passions include visual communications, social justice and bicycle advocacy. She has a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry and a Master’s in Science

Communications: Email Marketing, Graphic Design, Web Development