Changing the world starts with a story.
That’s where Forward Frame Media comes in. We work with nonprofits, political campaigns, charities, and start-ups to inspire change through video content creation. We move your cause FORWARD.
Our Work
FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTORJesse Medalia Strauss
Jesse Medalia Strauss is an EMMY award-winning video producer and editor of HBO’s 38 at the Garden. As the founder of Forward Frame Media, a progressive media and communications firm based in Washington, DC, Jesse has produced hundreds of videos for nonprofits and political campaigns since its founding in 2015.
Jesse is a graduate of American University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Film and Media and a master’s degree in Political Communication. After, he became an adjunct professor there for Multimedia Production in the Global Media Studies graduate program.
He is a native of New York City and is happy to travel anywhere to make your video vision a reality. Jesse’s mission is to use video, social media, and other communication tools to make the world a better and more inclusive place.
BUSINESS MANAGERBecky Mezzanotte-Blizard
Becky Mezzanotte-Blizard is a digital content and event professional with a Master’s degree in International Media from American University. Much of her free time is spent at the ice rink practicing jumps and spins or in hockey skates working on her shot (she plays on three teams). She likes to travel and often does so with her skates. Her craziest adventure involved driving to Toronto with her best friend to see her favorite K-Pop band, SHINee.
Becky joined Forward Frame as the Business Manager where she plans to keep everyone super organized because she’s known for that. Be careful about talking to her about figure skating, hockey, or K-Pop. She doesn’t shut up about them.
ASSISTANT EDITORCandace Ho
Candace Ho is an East-Coast transplant currently based in Los Angeles. She received her BA with Honors from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television, and has worked on a diverse slate of projects across narrative, documentary, and YouTube content.
She joined Forward Frame as an Assistant Editor and is passionate about social justice and civic engagement. In her free time she likes to aggressively karaoke, and scour the city for the best matcha lattes.
SR. CONTENT CONSULTANTArmando Trull
Armando Trull is a multiple EMMY and TELLY award-winning bilingual multimedia communications strategist based in Washington, DC. He is an expert on multi-platform outreach and communications campaigns as both a director and producer of bilingual digital, radio, and TV spots. He also has experience in the planning and coordinating of media events.
His journalistic work has been seen, heard, and read by millions on National Public Radio, the Huffington Post, El Tiempo Latino, Washington Post, CBS TV, Univision, Telemundo, and UPI. He has decades of experience and contacts among the DC opinion shapers and media makers.
Armando is involved in philanthropic work with Latino immigrant youth locally and in Central America.
MOTION GRAPHICS ARTISTDumarys C. Espaillat
Dumarys C. Espaillat was, until recently, the cool kid asking for free concert tickets. Over the years she has used her passion for music and her animation and photography skills to promote concerts and artists.
She was born and raised in Puerto Rico and now lives in New York City. Although she still hasn’t adjusted to the cold, she absolutely loves the snow. Throughout her time in New York, she has done work for brands like HBO, J. Crew, Dove, Theragun, Dunkin’, Electric Zoo, and Elrow.
Dumarys joined Forward Frame Media helping the company with her motion design skills. She tries her best to always bring magic to the team and encourages everyone to join in her obsession with every Harry Potter movie.
VIDEO EDITORAusten Saltz
Austen Saltz is a video editor based in New York City who works across a variety of short-form video content. Between cutting movie trailers for Giaronomo Productions, he helps Forward Frame Media make high-quality videos.
He is a huge advocate for bold progressive policies, as well as an advocate for “just a little more sound design” on every cut. As a New Yorker, don’t bother asking him if somewhere is “walkable”… the answer will always be yes.
CINEMATOGRAPHER & EDITORDerek Shane Garcia
Derek Shane Garcia has won and been nominated for several awards and selected in festivals including Tribeca, Brooklyn International, Chicago, Williamsburg International, Marfa, Art of Brooklyn, Taormina Film Festival, and the Chelsea Film Festival where he was awarded Best Director. He is well-rounded in Documentary film and has made nationally aired films for CBS Sunday Morning News and Channel Thirteen for Ken Burns Projects.
Since being a student at SUNY Purchase’s Film Conservatory, Derek has worked as a director, producer, cinematographer, and editor on everything from music videos, shorts, features, advertisements, concerts, live events, promos, and web-series episodes. Some of his favorite work is with Forward Frame Media where he is a go-to cinematographer and editor.
Want to make the world a better place?
From coming up with an idea all the way through uploading to YouTube, we’ll be there every step of the way. We write, direct, shoot, and edit, turning your message into a compelling narrative that will show the world who you are while generating the action you need.
Forward Frame Media is an affordable and effective partner for nonprofits, political campaigns, and other change-makers who want to tell their story and get their message out. We work for the change we wish to see in the world.