TIM SARMIENTO is an art-focused filmmaker based in Brooklyn, New York. He’s worked in film production for 12+ years, including a 4-season stint directing and producing digital content for the illustrious Desus & Mero on Showtime. Sarmiento traces his production roots back to the Bay Area, where he was raised, and later where he got his start in production, on the ABS-CBN subsidiary network The Filipino Channel. Sarmiento remains highly devotional to the craft of writing and directing.

JASON JOO – "Gunter"

JASON JOO is a New Jersey-born actor living and performing in NYC. An alum of the Stella Adler Studio, Jason always knew as a child that he wanted to be a performer, and he’s grateful for the opportunity to do what he loves with the team behind AYDOJAC. Unfortunately, however, he is allergic to cats.

IG: @jason.joo

LIZZIE NGUYEN – "Clair"

LIZZIE NGUYEN is a Vietnamese-American actor and writer. Born and raised in the Midwest, she graduated from Ball State University and now lives in New York City with her cat, Cinco.

IG: @lizzie.nguyen

LITA ROBINSON – Producer

LITA ROBINSON studied film at Smith College and NYU Tisch, and has worked in the industry since 2011. She has experience in international sales, distribution, festivals and exhibition, having worked at Visit Films, Magnolia Pictures, and NYC's legendary Film Forum. She is currently on the Content Team at MUBI.  As a producer, Lita's goal is to clear pathways for her creative partners, allowing them the artistic space to express their visions as fully as possible. She is thrilled to help bring ARE YOU DEPRESSED, OR JUST A CAT? into being, and introduce Tim as an exciting new filmmaker to keep an eye on.

MIRADOR – Composer

MIRADOR is the NYC-based composing duo of BOREY SHIN and COREN HG. Both also work in the visual arts and maintain their own recording projects. Borey makes synth ballads, ambient music, animations, chamber music, and moody songs. He works with minimal means to create delicately undulating soundscapes using pianos, synthesizers, accordions, and other keyboard instruments. Borey is also an avid performer of varied improvised musics. Coren currently records and performs with the band Story Arc. Together as MIRADOR, they create music for theater, film, dance, video games, and all manner of visual media. Their debut EP “Image Scores Vol. 1” – releasing summer 2024 – will feature short pieces that soundtrack a collection of six paintings.

LEO ZHANG – Director of Photography

LEO ZHANG is a cinematographer, director and music composer based in NYC. Born in Beijing, Leo has over 17 years of experience with photography and visual arts, working in both the indie film and commercial worlds. His films have been featured in numerous festivals incl. Palm Springs, Cannes, Mallorca and Slamdance. Leo is currently obtaining his MFA from NYU Tisch.

CABE THOMPSON – Casting Director

CABE THOMPSON has always been a movie lover. His most recent acting credits include the Sofia Coppola produced Fairyland, and web series Strings Attached. Deepening his relationship with film, Cabe got into casting in 2018. His most recent credits include Oppenheimer, Earth Mama, and Freaky Tales. Working closely with actors and creators to make something come to life is a great joy. Cabe is proud to be the casting director for AYDOJAC.

DEVON LIN – Production Designer

DEVON LIN is a Production Designer, Art Director and Set Decorator based in New York City. She primarily designs for indie films, in addition to work in the art department on various features and series for entertainment companies such as Amazon MGM Studios. Growing up in a family of artists, she trained professionally for ballet at the Secondary School of Beijing Dance Academy and Kirov Ballet (now Mariinsky Ballet). She formerly danced with National Ballet of China and Pacific Northwest Ballet.

SARAH LOCKWOOD – Costume Designer

SARAH LOCKWOOD is a graduate from The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University where she obtained her BFA in Costume Design. She started her professional career in Los Angeles where she was a Stylist for MTV’s Wild’n Out. She next moved to NYC to Design Assist for Showtime’s Desus & Mero, where she met and worked with Director, Timothy Sarmiento! Other credits include: Lead Stylist for Jharrel Jerome 4 part Rap Pack Short Film, Dresser for Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway, Funny Girl on Broadway, and is currently working as a Dresser for Hell’s Kitchen on Broadway.

IG: @sarah_lockwood

^{COREN HG – Assistant Director}

COREN HG is a Brooklyn-based independent filmmaker and composer originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He’s written and directed several narrative films and documentaries, including two projects commissioned by Duke University and NYC’s Film Forum. As an assistant director, he’s worked on such films as the Magnolia Pictures release THE FEELING THAT THE TIME FOR DOING SOMETHING HAS PASSED and the forthcoming 16mm feature CHARACTERS DISAPPEARING. He is the co-founder of PEOPLES CINEMA, a film collective reimagining the production and distribution landscape, and is currently developing his first feature.

RISHI GANDHI – Colorist

RISHI GANDHI is a first generation immigrant of Indian descent moving between the Côte D’Ivoire, the UK, and US. Rishi has spent years around the world but decided to make film his home. His skills have been honed from years of working on short film horror schlock, broadcast news, and documentaries. Rishi's main focus is in narrative film and commercials. Rishi is a colorist with a background in cinematography, editing and directing.

IG: @rishigandhicolor