Blu Star Production Staff, Blu Star Productions

Founder and CEO

Alex Astrella

Founder and CEO

Alex is a visual artist based out of Orange County, California. Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of 2, Alex was told that he’d never be able to hold a job as an adult. 24 years later, Alex has won numerous awards and has garnered nationwide praise for his documentary films.

Finding film has helped Alex realize his purpose in life. Whereas he struggled in other areas of life due to his disability, film always remained a constant source of joy and inspiration. His affinity for serving the autism community that helped him achieve success led to the creation of Blu Star Productions LLC. With Blu Star Productions, Alex hopes to usher in a new age of original content through empowering those gifted with a disability.

Production Staff

Adam Brainin

Chief Marketing Officer

Adam is a champion of neurodivergent inclusion in entertainment and is deeply passionate about film being a catalyst for change. He is dedicated to BluStar’s mission of fostering stories and talent in order to elevate the voices of individuals on the autism spectrum, and to defy stigma through creativity.

Adam has years of experience being at the helm of multi-million dollar long and short form media ventures. He recently oversaw the successful launch of the first ever Women’s Sports Network, in partnership with leagues such as the LPGA and NWSL, and brands such as Buick and Michelin Ultra. Adam has worked with some of the largest studios (NBCUniversal, Warner Bros, MGM), publishers (Amazon Prime, Roku, Tubi), agencies (Publicis, OMD), and advertisers (Walmart, PepsiCo, Kaiser Permanente). His projects have brought him numerous accolades, and have been screened at festivals around the world.

In his free time, Adam loves composing music and spending time outdoors. He lives in Los Angeles.

Anthony Giglio

Outreach Coordinator

Anthony Giglio is an AuDHD musician, audio-visual engineer, and artist dedicated to connecting communities through immersive experiences. Anthony is passionate about inclusivity and collaboration, working to foster spaces where all voices feel represented. His background in trumpet performance, audio-visual arts, and live production fuels his commitment to supporting marginalized artists and enhancing accessibility in the arts. Anthony works to uplift disabled artists and promote a creative, inclusive future for everyone.

Alyssa Chapman

Outreach Coordinator

Alyssa Chapman (she/they) is a late-diagnosed AuDHD individual and a dedicated Community and Strategic Planner, focused on empowering communities to shape the futures they envision. With a deep commitment to equity-building, Aly is passionate about working alongside marginalized groups, especially within disabled, Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Her background in theatre and music fuels a belief in the power of art to amplify all voices and drive meaningful change. Alyssa’s work aligns with Blu Star Production’s mission to uplift disabled artists, bringing both professional expertise and passion to the pursuit of a more inclusive and vibrant future for all.

Angela Gialanella

Ambassador of Neurodiversity

Angela Gialanella was diagnosed this past year with ADHD. She had grown up feeling different from everyone else. She noticed she was not able to focus as easily as her classmates. She’d often get in trouble due to her ADHD. It wasn’t until she was in a special education class at Vanderbilt that she realized she might have ADHD. The symptoms were listed for both boys and girls; she had only heard the symptoms listed for boys in the past. When the list of symptoms for girls was shared, she checked almost every single box. Her struggles through school without accommodations led her to make her own systems of support. She is now a special education teacher at a local school, and will advocate for those with disabilities that are not as visible.

Julian Grajczak

Social Media Coordinator

What started with acting classes turned into a passion for editing those onscreen. With a Bachelors Degree in Film Production from California State University, Northridge, I work mostly as a freelance film editor, though I’m hoping to expand and learn how to produce as well

Website: https://www.jagfilmproductioncompany.com/