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In February of 2000, co-founders Aaron Vnuk and Michael O’Connor developed the groundwork for Legion Films, LLC. The union arose from their long-time friendship and passion for writing stories and screenplays. The new “indie film” company, born amidst the digital revolution, was registered with the State of Connecticut in April of 2000 for full motion picture production. The small organization had a slow beginning while learning the process and the unique aspects of the independent filmmaking industry. Its early members faced many financial set-backs and failed productions, so many in fact that Legion Films almost closed its doors several times in 2001 and nearly for good in the summer of 2002 after six failed productions and the devastating diagnosis of its most respected leader, Aaron Vnuk, whose recent struggles with his vision were found to be the result of retinitis pigmentosa, an incurable disease that would rob him of his vision and only two years later render him as legally blind.

The challenging time period led to a restructuring of the company along with an examination of its philosophy and model for independent film production. Aaron pioneered the transition phase by creating a new “producer-first” philosophy, which distinguished the company from the more popular “low-budget” filmmaking models. The process took almost the entire length of 2003 and was highlighted by the addition of Marc Dube who became the third partner under the new agreement and Aaron’s “top-level” producer. The team was solidified by co-founder Michael O’Connor’s motto of never giving up, which stemmed from their childhood baseball games where Aaron would never stop pitching to Mike until he finally hit that coveted home run - long after everyone else had given up and gone home. It was this reminder that became the catalyst for Aaron’s desire to cope with his disability and to continue on his mission to unite a powerful Legion and to make the company a successful, independent enterprise.

It wasn’t until the end of 2004 and with the addition of Robert Maffeo that the company was ready to march once again. The new Legion made its much anticipated debut with the short film “Waiting,” a contemporary drama filmed in November of 2004 that later became a surprising and desperately needed milestone. The film that was produced on a budget of $1,500 gained national exposure and wide-scale distribution. It was the film that Aaron and Mike were “Waiting for”– the film that would put Legion Films on the map.

In the following eighteen months spanning from December 2004 – May 2006, the Legion led by Aaron Vnuk, Michael O’Connor, Marc Dube and Robert Maffeo made an even greater impact upon the world of independent cinema. The talented team produced four professional short films in an unprecedented span of time. The titles, “The Accident, An American Letter, A Mean Man’s War and Getting Home” established Legion Films as one of the current leaders in independent film production.

Aaron Vnuk
Aaron Thomas Vnuk was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1974. He was raised amidst a mountainous landscape torn by the great North Eastern Pennsylvania Coal Mining Industry, which at the time was one of the largest coal producing areas in the United States. He moved to Connecticut in the mid 1980’s with his mother; Edna, his father; Jerry, brother; Adam and sister; Amber while the rest of his family and relatives remained in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. Aaron graduated from Conard High School located in West Hartford, Connecticut in 1993 and went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science and a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Central Connecticut State University.

He struggled with his vision all of his life but was always able to see just well-enough for him to appear as a normal child and young adult. It wasn’t until the year 2002 when he was in his late twenties that his vision worsened to the point where he could no longer function as he did in the past. Aaron and his family had to face the terrifying reality that something much more serious was causing his vision to change. In the winter of 2002, after a full day of testing at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, Aaron was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), an incurable disease that would slowly rob him of his vision. It was only years later in the spring of 2005 that he was declared legally blind.

Today, Aaron lives with his wife, Linda and son, Matthew in Simsbury, Connecticut. He is a registered client and is under the protection of the Board of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) located in Windsor, Connecticut. He is also a hopeful member of the Foundation for Fighting Blindness (www.blindness.org), a national organization dedicated to driving research to save and restore sight. During the day, Aaron works as a school counselor in a public middle school; a job that he earned all on his own by going to graduate school without receiving any special services or accommodations; just a lot of help from his family. His career path inspired an article written in the West Hartford News calling him, “A school guidance counselor by day and a powerful film executive producer by night.” He spends his time outside of his day job by writing screenplays and novels and commanding the talented team of independent filmmakers known as Legion Films.

Michael O’Connor
Michael O'Connor is a founding partner of the Legion Film team, Michael takes the helm as the Vice President of Acquisitions & Development. He has established himself as one of Legion’s elite producers and has a remarkable eye for talent. Outside of Legion operations, he works as a screenwriter; penning many short and feature-length scripts for the industry markets. Michael is easy to spot at any Legion function; he is usually under dressed and wanders furthest from the podium. He is truly the most mysterious member of Legion’s core.

Marc Dube
Marc grew up in West Hartford, Connecticut where he attended Conard High School with both Aaron Vnuk and Michael O’Connor. Upon graduation in 1993, Marc enlisted in the United States Air Force where he worked as a sheet metal specialist in Dover, Delaware. He returned to Connecticut to pursue a career in culinary arts when he joined Legion Films in 2003 as a Line Producer and quickly became the company’s third partner.

In 2005, Marc earned the title of Vice President of Production and has become one of the rising stars in the world of independent film. He is one of Legion’s elite producers and has been responsible for running the sets of five consecutive short films that have led to the company’s current success. Marc is one of the greatest “multi-taskers” known to the free world. His unyielding confidence, ability to lead Legion’s entire production team, problem-solve the hundreds of challenges that arise on a professional production and to think countless steps ahead of everyone else has made him a respected and honored asset to Legion Films. When Marc is not producing films, he is spending time with his daughter; Skie Elizabeth Dube.

Robert Maffeo
Robert Maffeo is a master Final Cut Pro editor and motion graphics artist. As the owner of Specialist Productions, he has created hundreds of local and high-end commercials and corporate videos. Robert joined Legion Films in 2004 on the production of “Waiting.” His exceptional skill-set as a director, director of photography, editor, graphic designer and animator has been a fundamental element to Legion’s success. His professional demeanor and work ethic have established him firmly within Legion’s core. Robert Maffeo’s vision and creativity are intertwined with the abilities of the three “power producers” forming the Legion. The four members when working together are one of the strongest independent filmmaking teams in existence today.

Richard Broderick
Richard Broderick is a teacher of English at a public middle school where he works alongside Aaron Vnuk. Richard is a long-time film fanatic and classic horror enthusiast. He lives in Plainville, Connecticut where he transformed his basement into a sports memorabilia and movie collectibles museum. He is passionate about his pursuits of being involved in film production and performing acting roles. In 2006, he became Legion’s Production Manager. Richard is a well-spoken and resourceful man capable of doing just about anything to help keep a production running smoothly. The only thing bigger than his talents as Legion’s manager is his warm and generous heart. His uplifting spirit is a treasure to the filmmaking team.

Danielle Lozeau
Danielle Lozeau has worked with Legion Films both as an actress and associate producer. She joined the team on the production of “Waiting” and has been a member of the company since November, 2004. She has become the company’s Production Coordinator and is a valuable asset to the Legion producers during every phase of production. She also maintains her title as Legion’s favorite actress.

Danielle was born on August of 1987, to the parents of Joseph and Donna Lozeau. She spent most of her childhood competing in dance. Her first solo was preformed at the age of 9, at Star Search Dance. There she won a gold metal, and a special potential award. Danielle continued to perform in solos till the age of 13, until taking up gymnastics and figure skating. She joined the Gymnastics team at the age of 14, competing in levels 4 to 6.

During school Danielle chose the option to take part in many theatre productions. She first appeared in the Christmas classic production, "The Nutcracker". After that, she was in "It takes a wizard", "Searching for Happy Endings", "Fabulous Fable Factory", and the famous play "Grease". Also at the time, she asked her mom to enlist her into an agency, where she could fulfill her dream of being an actress. Her first big break was in 2003, when she auditioned for her first film "Extra Credit", a week later she landed a principle role. After "Extra Credit" wrapped, Danielle went to audition for a Soap Opera "Seasons". After the audition, Danielle was given a call to come back, Danielle thought she was going back for a call back. Although the director Dwayne Douglas had already made his decision and wanted her for the lead role as Janet Mann. "Seasons" filmed for about 8 months, filming 8 episodes. Danielle was also featured in an article on the Abercrombie Kids for "A'LIFE" for her rising career. For Danielle this was a tremendous step in her budding career. After completing the show, Danielle was approached by one of the show's producers, Cliffton Alexander Goodall Jr. Her performance as Janet, inspired Cliffton write a specific film just for her, "Moments in Life". This was filmed on location in Hartford CT in August of 2004, and is now headed to various festivals.

Since then, Danielle has taken on more demanding roles including three of Legion Films LLC's films, "The Accident", "Waiting" and "An American Letter", that were each chosen by COMCAST to show in 1.2 million homes on the West Coast. Danielle also was cast in F.R. Perro's film "Remedial Attraction", where she starred as Tara Wellword. Danielle still continues to take on more roles, ones that ultimately challenging and will only push her farther in the future.

Katrina Palazzolo
Katrina Palazzolo is a library media specialist at a public middle school. She works alongside Aaron Vnuk and Richard Broderick. Her skills in media production quickly led her to join Legion Films. She became the company’s Film Coordinator in 2006 and is by far their most energetic member. Katrina will take the lead on Legion’s new directive toward creating high quality documentary films of the company’s production exploits. Katrina’s talents as a camera operator and editor mixed in with her organizational skills and engaging personality makes her an ideal member of Legion Films.

Jennifer O’Connor
Jennifer O’Connor resides in Nashua, New Hampshire where after years of owning her own business, has joined Legion Films as the company’s Financial Officer. Jennifer has a fast-working mind capable of handling all of the financial aspects involved with every film production. Her calm personality adds to her appeal and her talents as an actress and assistant to the producers makes her presence vital to the filmmaking team.

Paulo Graca
Paulo Graca is a master mechanic and is one of the official “crew chiefs” for Legion Films working alongside, Adam Vnuk. He lives in Manchester, Connecticut and joined Legion Films in 2005 on the set of “A Mean Man’s War.” Paulo performed duties as gaffer, grip and camera assistant until he earned the title of Technical Supervisor. He has become a valuable leader on the production team and exudes the confidence of a tested film veteran. Paulo has proven to be an expert at handling anything mechanical and translating that ability into adding production value to every film.

Adam Vnuk
While having to deal with being Aaron’s younger brother, Adam has quietly risen from one of the company’s original members to Legion’s Technical Engineer. A master mechanic by trade, he forms a formidable team with Paulo Grace as the company’s “crew chiefs.” Adam has performed duties as a sound engineer, boom operator, camera operator, gaffer and grip before becoming a recognized leader on the production team. His hard-working nature and no nonsense approach have earned him accolades from his fellow crew members and his ability to fix just about anything adds to his reputation.

Eric Heuer
Eric Heuer resides in Lebanon, Pennsylvania where he acts as a Legion Film Representative and assists with the company’s productions in Connecticut. As one of the original members, Eric joined the company in 2001 where he performed duties as documentary filmmaker, sound engineer and gaffer. He earned the title of Associate Producer on the production of “Waiting” and has assisted on the location sets in a variety of ways.

Sean Hanley
Sean Hanley joined Legion Films as a Production Assistant on “A Mean Man’s War” and has rapidly become one of the company’s most promising members. As co-founder of Question Productions, Sean is a highly skilled film editor, camera operator and lighting designer. He is a student at Emerson College majoring in Film. His consistent work-ethic, patient personality, knowledge of producing micro-budget films and his inspirational creativity have made him one of the rising stars in New England filmmaking. Sean caught the attention of the Legion producers and has become the company’s Creative Director.

Michael Fowler
Michael Fowler is a co-founder of Question Productions and one of the most promising young filmmakers in New England. He is a student at Champlain College where he majors in Video Game Design. Mike’s skills in animation and in composing techno and trance music are key elements to the Legion’s force. On set, he performs duties as 1st Assistant Camera and aids in lighting design and shot composition. His easy going personality and confidence have given rise to his position as a critical member of Legion Films.

Spencer Campo
Spencer Campo is a key member of Question Productions who joined Legion Films on the production of “Getting Home.” He is a gifted actor and filmmaker with a skilled eye for lighting and shot composition. This “computer nerd” has excelled within the limitations of micro-budget filmmaking by offering creative computer applications to post-production sound design and film editing.

Vanessa Morris
This mistress of the “dark-side” is one of the newest and most recognizable members of Legion Films. The former Production Assistant of Troma Entertainment has joined the Legion as the company’s Production Designer. Vanessa Morris is an aspiring model, filmmaker and disc jockey for industrial music. Her talents in photography combined with her macabre artistic vision invigorate the spirit of the production team.

Renaldo Byrd
Renaldo (Ron) Bryd resides in Hartford, Connecticut and works as a kitchen manager. This former “street fighter” has the intimidating presence that lends itself well to being the head of Legion Security. He works closely with Marc Dube to ensure that every Legion production is safe, secure and runs smoothly. Ron is a valuable asset to the team as a direct assistant to the producers.

Joseph Massaro
Joseph Massaro grew up in West Hartford, Connecticut and is a former graduate of Conard High School. His skills in set construction and engineering make him crucial to the Legion Films production team. Joseph is also capable of performing a number of production duties on set with a background in photography and design.

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