Director Stephanie Higgins’ extensive production experience from HD, editing, graphics and a host of roles in media production formed the technical motivation for directing and producing THE GAY MARRIAGE THING. Winner of the prestigious Emerson College 2000 EVVY Award for Best Graduate Project upon earning her Master’s Degree in Visual Media Arts, Higgins has continued her driving desire to learn by delving into a wealth of production, editing, graphics design, and media manipulation applications. This multitude of experience led Higgins to establish SassyMedia. THE GAY MARRIAGE THING marks Higgins’ directorial debut.
Director’s Statement

Executive Producer Lorre Fritchy of MasterPeace Productions. In addition to various roles in video/film production, Fritchy’s debut 2001 documentary, SANDY ‘SPIN’ SLADE: BEYOND BASKETBALL (produced, directed, shot, and edited by Fritchy) has played at various film festivals, winning an Award of Merit from the Academy of Video Arts & Sciences. The Spinumentary(tm) was just re-released on DVD through National Film Network and continues to play at schools, festivals and special events. Fritchy’s “First-Hand Adventures of a First-Time Filmmaker” online series of articles was honored as a Filmmaker's Indispensable Hot Site by American Dreamer Independent Filmworks. Fritchy was also the First Place Winner of the 2004 One In Ten Screenwriting Competition.

Composer Jeanine Cowen began writing music for film as a favor to a college friend who needed music for her directorial debut short film. Previously, her compositions were mainly classical in nature, chamber, brass ensembles, and symphonic movements. The opportunity to combine the nuance and power of music with film led her to change from a classical performance degree to film composition. As her business, JMC Music, Inc. and reputation has grown, she has worked with directors and production companies all over the US. Cowen has scored or worked on critically acclaimed studio, television and indie projects such as IDITAROD: A FAR DISTANT PLACE (Mineral King Productions), THE LIFE AND TIMES OF FRIDA KAHLO (Daylight Films) and Director John Sayles’ SILVER CITY (Silver City Films, Inc.). Having resided in Boston, Massachusetts for nearly 20 years she has gained access to world-class musicians from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and local legends Duke Levine and Victor Mendoza. She maintains writing and production studios in Los Angeles and in Boston.