Members of our creative team

Jim Gilmore is a documentary filmmaker focusing on issues of social justice and American culture.  He is currently the visiting filmmaker in the Cinematic Arts program at Flagler College, and served as the project director on A Book of Freedom.

Izzy Swyt is a student at Flagler College studying Cinematic Arts and Law. For the past several years she worked on A Book of Freedom as a camera assistant, editor, and member of the props team. Izzy is deeply grateful for the experience and the opportunities this project provided.

Zeus is a US Army active duty veteran and a Flagler College Performance Art alumni whose life experience and discipline shape every role he takes on. He is ecstatic to bring Captain Francisco Menéndez to the screen, honoring a profound and prolific historical figure whose story has long deserved the spotlight. Portraying Menéndez is more than a role for Zeus. It is a chance to illuminate an untold chapter of history that is truly epic, courageous, and transformative. Through this film, he is proud to help shed light on a legacy of leadership, resilience, and freedom that continues to inspire today.

Darby Nash is a graduate from Flagler College who made her film debut in A book of Freedom, portraying the wife of Francisco Menendez. Being part of this project allowed her to engage with the powerful history of St. Augustine and bring attention to a significant, often overlooked story. She is honored to contribute to the film and grateful for the opportunity to grow as an artist through this meaningful experience.

Aslyn Baringer McTaggart is a southern singer songwriter that loves to write music about her life, her surroundings, and the people she shares this wonderful world with. She pulls inspiration from the soul and blues singers of the past and draws her melodies from old time music and the bluegrass greats. She graduated from Flagler College with a BA in Communications concentrating in Media Production and Journalism. She has since worked in the area and traveled abroad, playing music, shooting video, and taking stills of this wonderful world. She finds true joy in documenting her travels through music, photos, and video and bringing what she’s learned back to St. Augustine.

Britt Corry is a 32 year faculty member with Flagler College’s Department of Performing Arts.  He serves in the capacity as the Department’s Technical Director, but has a long history as an actor, director, singer/songwriter and stage combat choreographer/fight director and armorer.

Seth Woodrow is a graduate of Flagler College who majored in Digital Media Production. Currently, Seth is working as a production assistant and editor at a video/event production company located in Orlando Florida. His role in A Book of Freedom was lighting gaffer and brief gimbal operator during production. Seth is extremely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the making of this film.

Jordan Mendez is a storyteller at heart through limitless forms. Whether it be in the world of film or literature, Jordan pursues stories with purpose. After teaching a film program for high-school students in homeschool communities, Jordan contributed to A Book of Freedom and began the first student-led directed and produced film internship project at Flagler College

Max Gibbs is a waterman and filmmaker from Saint Augustine, Florida. He is a sophomore at Flagler, majoring in both Cinematic Arts and International Business. For the past few years he worked on A Book of Freedom as a camera assistant/operator, key grip, and editor. Being on this crew taught him so much, and he could not be more excited for you to see what those beautiful folks made together.

Sarah Sasser is a Costume Designer, Actor, and Filmmaker. Whether on the stage or the screen, Sarah’s designs focus on serving the character and visually telling the story. Previous design credits include Little Women (Flagler 2025), A Doll’s House, Part 2 (Limelight 2024), and Streetlight Woodpecker (Flagler 2024). She worked as Costume Designer and Key Makeup Artist on A Book of Freedom.

Kyle Miller is a filmmaker majoring in Cinematic Arts with a double minor in Digital Media Production and Film Studies. For A Book of Freedom: The Confessions of Francisco Menéndez, he worked as the script supervisor on set, but was also in the film's writers' room and has played a part in working on nearly every other stage of the project! Kyle is passionate about storytelling and is beyond excited to share A Book of Freedom with the world!

Kasey Valentine is a senior at Flagler College majoring in Cinematic Arts with a double minor in Theatre Arts and Film Studies. She worked on A Book of Freedom as a camera assistant and operator as well as an editor in post production. She is grateful to have had the opportunity to gain experience behind the camera as well as watching it come together in post.

Grace Schwinn is a Junior at Flagler College, majoring in Cinematic Arts, Theater, and minoring in Graphic Design. She is honored to have worked on A Book of Freedom as the 2nd Assistant Director. A truly beneficial and incredible experience that was made possible by the dedication of her fellow cast & crew, along with the support of the local St Augustine community, and Flagler College itself.

Madison Torres is a Flagler Alumni Class of 2025 having double-majored in Cinematic Arts and Digital Media Production & Journalism while minoring in Film Studies during her four years. During pre-production she worked alongside the producers aiding to obtain resources for the project. While filmin, A Book of Freedom, she studied under the Director of Photography as a camera operator, later becoming the cinematographer for the later portions of filming. She is forever grateful for this opportunity paving her way as she is a traveling AV Technician for live events and shows, mainly focusing in camera operation and live video productions all over the country.

Rachel Socha is a graphic design major and illustration minor at Flagler College. She designed the official movie poster for A Book of Freedom and enjoys working on projects that let her be creative and collaborate with others. Rachel is continuing to grow her skills as a designer while exploring different areas of the field through hands-on experiences.

Benedetto Robinson is an Actor, Fight Director, Playwright and Action Performer with ten years of experience in the field. Benedetto is a theatrical swordplay and combat instructor affiliated with Havoc Movement. As a playwright, his original adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula– a new stage play entitled Dracula: The Failings of Men– has received four consecutive seasons of performance runs in the years since 2020. For choreography, performance, playscript, or commission inquiries, he can be reached at benedetto.michael.robinson@gmail.com. Benedetto served as Fight Choreographer and Action Performer for the role of John Palmer, the Redcoat Colonel who chases down and is ultimately defeated by Menéndez on the battlefield.

Makayla Andrews is a 2025 graduate of Flagler College, holding a Bachelors in Cinematic Arts with a minor in Film Studies. She joined A Book of Freedom as a member of the Props Department, before being promoted to Art Director. During filming, she also got the opportunity to direct a unit of the project- a complex maritime shoot aboard the tall ship Lynx. In post production, she served as an editor.

Kip Taisey lives in St. Augustine with his wife, Leah and two daughters, Sydney and Elliot. He teaches in the Department of Visual & Performing Arts at Flagler College. Taisey has toured and worked with theatre companies including, Asolo Repertory Theatre Company, Seaside Music Theatre, Orlando Repertory Theatre, Prather Entertainment Group and The Depot Theatre Company, and has also worked in voice over, and television. He holds an MFA in Musical Theatre from University of Central Florida and a BM in Choral Music Education from Central Washington University.