Benjamin Joseph is a Maine native who grew up surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes and close-knit communities that now inspire his storytelling. A graduate of the University of Southern Maine, Ben earned a BA in Media Studies with a concentration in Media Production and a Minor in Music Performance—because why stop at just one creative outlet?
Ben’s career began at Lone Wolf Media, where he started as an intern and climbed the ranks to become Head of Finance & Production Manager. His knack for organization and meticulous planning helped him manage an impressive 35 production hours for networks and streamers in a single year—a feat he considers one of his most significant achievements.
As the co-founder and CEO of Fine Cut Media, Ben brings his passion for authentic storytelling and his Maine roots to every project. His dedication to detail ensures that each production is a masterpiece, crafted with care and creativity.
When he’s not orchestrating productions or dreaming up new ideas, Ben has a surprising hobby: crocheting blankets. Just blankets. (No scarves, no hats—just blankets.) His ultimate dream? Meeting the one and only Gordon Ramsay. Until then, he’ll settle for perfecting his storytelling craft and maybe a mean risotto.
Ben - CEO & Co-Founder
Franklin Kendrick is a born-and-raised Mainer who fell in love with media at a young age. His first camera? A chunky VHS camcorder—remember those? While other kids were outside, Franklin was busy crafting stories, splicing together footage, and probably annoying his family with homemade “epic” productions.
After earning his BA in Media Studies from the University of Southern Maine (with a concentration in Video Production), he got his start in post-production at Lone Wolf Media. What began as an Assistant Editor gig quickly evolved into overseeing post-production on multiple broadcast and streaming series. One of his career highlights? Working on Titanic at 100: Mystery Solved for the History Channel—fulfilling a lifelong dream of diving (virtually) into the wreckage. Did he sift through hours of ROV footage with childlike glee? Let’s just say it was not a chore.
Over the years, Franklin has helped shape Emmy-nominated programs and delivered countless hours of high-caliber content to screens worldwide. Now, as a co-founder of Fine Cut Media, he brings not just technical expertise but a deep passion for storytelling, ensuring every project—whether a documentary, branded content, or a social campaign—hits with impact. He also thrives on the collaborative spirit of the industry, believing that every edit is a chance to craft something truly special.
When he’s not fine-tuning frames, Franklin writes—a lot. With twelve novels and numerous short stories under his belt, his next creative ambition is to write and produce a Hallmark-style Christmas movie set in Maine, of course. Until then, he’ll be in the edit bay, making sure every cut is as sharp as his storytelling instincts.
Franklin - Editor & Co-Founder
Collaborators & Freelancers
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Adam Ouellette
DIRECTOR OF PICTURE
With a background in narrative and commercial cinematography, Adam Ouellette brings refined lighting techniques and a cinematic eye to documentary filmmaking. He understands that the camera is not just a recording device, but an active participant in each subject's story - requiring both technical excellence and emotional intelligence as events unfold.
Based in New York since 2015, Adam has brought technical precision and creative vision to documentary projects ranging from broadcast series to social impact storytelling. His work spans major networks and streaming platforms including BBC Studios, PBS, and National Geographic. Drawing from his perspective as a queer filmmaker, Adam brings particular sensitivity to stories of identity and community, while combining technical expertise with a keen eye for compelling visuals in all his work.
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Noah Keates
CAMERA / PRODUCER
Noah Keates is a writer, producer, and cinematographer from Portland, ME, specializing in adventure documentary work and verite storytelling. Since 2020, he has split his time between his debut fantasy series, Leviathan, and several doc programs, searching for vibrant characters and fast-paced stories in both the narrative and non-fiction worlds.
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Charles Gaddis
COMPOSER / SOUND DESIGN
Though Charles began his professional career in music and sound in 2011 after graduating from Musicians Institute Los Angeles, his connection to sound and storytelling started much earlier—as a kid in the ’90s layering audio onto homemade stop-motion videos just to see how it all fit together. That early curiosity laid the foundation for his work today as a composer and engineer, collaborating with clients around the world, across a wide range of formats and styles.
With original music, sound design, and audio post, Charles blends the creative and technical, with a focus on emoting not just through pitch and rhythm, but through tonality and texture that meld with visuals and narrative. Whether shaping the emotional arc of a scene or bringing polish to the final cut, Charles thrives on collaboration and finds the real thrill not just in the finished piece—but in the process of discovery that gets it there.
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Kiara Swiatek
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Kiara is a creative writer with years of experience in the film and real estate industries. With a passion for creating compelling stories about brands, homes, and her surroundings, Kiara's captivating stories have caught the eyes of thousands of realtors and other like-minded professionals nationwide.
A wanderlust traveler, and poodle mom to Asher and Zelda, Kiara is often found by the shores of a lake or in front of a plate of french fries (specifically Burger King fries - they're the best). -
Alex Swiatek
ANIMATOR
Alex graduated from Emerson College in 2016 with a degree in Media Production, but cinematography and video editing has been his passion for well over a decade. Stemming from a love of movies, old and new, the hobby of filmmaking became a lifestyle.
Alex has worked on numerous short films, televised documentaries, video profile pieces and campaigns, corporate videos, and weddings. As an avid traveler, poodle dad to Asher and Zelda, and lover of all things media production, Alex is ready to assist with your media needs.