Crew Bios
Jeanne Leszczynski & Diane Dicarlo
Diane Dicarlo & Jeanne Leszczynski - Executive Producers
Jeanne and Diane were co-owners of the Sage Inn & Lounge in Provincetown from 2011-2017. They are Major Donors to the Human Rights Campaign, Mass Equality, GLAD (Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders), LPAC, the Center for Coastal Studies, the Provincetown Film Society, the Provincetown Theater, the Tennessee Williams Festival, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society and the Speakeasy, ART and New Rep Theaters in Boston. They are sponsors of the Goddess Garden at Elm Bank (you’ll find their heads on the goddesses) and continue to maintain an Italianate Garden in their backyard in Needham. They can also be found in their seasonal homes in Provincetown and Long Boat Key Florida with their loyal companion, Nikki, their 4.7 lb Toy Poodle.
Their interest in producing the Spinnaker film was borne of their concern for the health of our environment, especially for our oceans and the life within. As it is for most of us, we find it painful to watch the tragedy of climate change. We believe that film is the surest path to winning hearts and minds. And women are the best filmmakers. Now is the time.
Nadine Licostie
Nadine Licostie
Nadine’s range of experience in the film and television industry spans nearly 30 years and a variety of disciplines. With a passion for theatre, film, television and digital media, she has produced projects with some of the top talent in television, film and theatre.
As a director, Nadine is focused on creating stories that resonate politically and socially while also attaining entertainment value. Film and television projects include directing The Last One (Showtime), The Good Mother of Abangoh (Independent Documentary), The Best of the GLAAD Media Awards (MTV Networks), Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund (PSA Campaign) and Be an Ally, Be A Friend (GLAAD PSA Campaign).
Nadine produced Phil Allocco’s short film, Joseph Henry, which has traveled the festival circuit and won numerous awards. Executive Producer credits include the award-winning romantic comedy, The Truth About Lies, and the critically acclaimed documentary, Sidemen: Long Road to Glory.
Nadine is a partner of Red Thread, where her client list includes Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Bank of America, SAP, CBS, and History. As an Executive Producer, Nadine has led teams of writers, graphic designers, editors and multimedia programmers creating award winning national television commercials, promotion, interactive media, and corporate events. Projects for CBS, History, True Colors, Discovery Online, The Travel Channel, ABC, and Discovery Channel have won the PROMAX Gold Award, The Insight Award, The Telly Award, and The International Monitor Award.
Nadine began her career in the arts while achieving a B.F.A at New York Institute of Technology and pursuing work as a stage manager at independent theatre companies in the New York City theatrical community. Early work relationships include the Roundabout Theatre Company, The Writers’ Theatre, and Queens College Theatre at Colden Center.
Connie Grazia
Connie Grazia
Jeff Ertz
Jeff Ertz
Synopses
Short Synopsis
Short Synopsis
Medium Synopsis
The problems of marine systems are vulnerable to an out-of-sight-out-of-mind bias yet the narrative power of the film illuminates the value in creating a personalized narrative around the intersection of natural and human systems. It is impossible to watch without being filled with empathetic sorrow for the plight of threatened marine creatures and pride for the dedicated teams who strive to ameliorate this critical threat.
“Spinnaker” focuses on the story of the film’s namesake whale, who the CCS tracked from her birth to her death and across three entanglement events. Spinnaker’s life is a rare example where marine biologists were able to see how deeply entanglement can impact the lives of today’s whales. Her story is not an isolated one and represents the challenges that many marine animals now face after years of pollution and degradation threaten to collapse the once-thought to be indestructible ocean systems.
Large Synopsis
Large Synopsis
Around the globe, over 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises die from entanglement in netting and ropes each year. It is the main threat that these mammals, many of whom are endangered, face. “Spinnaker” brings the untold story of the dangers of entanglement into the public eye by highlighting the work of a team of dedicated researchers and rescuers at the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, MA.
The problems of marine systems are vulnerable to an out-of-sight-out-of-mind bias yet the narrative power of the film illuminates the value in creating a personalized narrative around the intersection of natural and human systems. It is impossible to watch without being filled with empathetic sorrow for the plight of threatened marine creatures and pride for the dedicated teams who strive to ameliorate this critical threat.
“Spinnaker” focuses on the story of the film’s namesake whale, who the CCS tracked from her birth to her death and across three entanglement events. Spinnaker’s life is a rare example where marine biologists were able to see how deeply entanglement can impact the lives of today’s whales. Her story is not an isolated one and represents the challenges that many marine animals now face after years of pollution and degradation threaten to collapse the once-thought to be indestructible ocean systems.
Stormy Mayo, a founder of CCS and marine biologist, introduces the problem of marine entanglement through his own personal history as part of a family of fishermen. His father taught him that “good fishermen are good ecologists” and as he began to become more familiar with the marine ecosystem, he realized just how connected human life is to the health and preservation of the oceans around us.
