Dalai Lama on “Ideas In Action”

Here is a press release for the Dalai Lama’s appearence on Ideas In Action.  I worked on this episode as shoot coordinator and post production producer.  The Dalai Lama spoke about seeking “meaningful autonomy” for Tibet in relation to China, Middle East uprisings and his decision to step down from political leadership.  Click here to learn more about the Dalai Lama’s interview.

For Immediate Release

DALAI LAMA CALLS CHINESE OCCUPATION OF TIBET A” RULE OF FEAR AND TERROR,” SAYS THERE IS A “SEMI-CULTURAL REVOLUTION” IN TIBET

Annapolis, MD June 1, 2011 – An exclusive thirty-minute interview with His Holiness the Dalai Lama will air on public television and the Voice of America over the weekend of June 3-5, 2011 as part of the weekly television series, Ideas In Action with Jim Glassman.

During the interview the Dalai Lama candidly discussed his views on the future of his people, the struggle for freedom by people in the Middle East, how he plans to remain as spiritual leader while giving up his role as the political leader of his people and his desire for Tibet to be an autonomous region within China.

With the increase in Chinese military and security personnel in Tibet, His Holiness commented, there is a “rule of fear, rule of terror there.”

In discussing the systematic efforts by the Chinese government to stamp out the Tibetan culture, the Dalai Lama says local Tibetans tell him that now a “semi-Cultural Revolution [is] returning,” a reference to the Cultural Revolution in China in the 1960’s and 70’s when the communist authorities waged a reign of terror against the Chinese people and instituted a strict regime of political indoctrination.

On the recent wave of Middle East uprisings His Holiness said that he supports the people fighting for freedom, saying that once their goal of changing the system is achieved, they should avoid criticizing each other and “…. work together and build [a] new society.”

The Dalai Lama interview is part of the Freedom Collection, a repository of video histories and documents from the hallmark freedom movements of the twentieth century up to the present that is being created by the George W. Bush Institute in Dallas, TX.  Videotaped interviews and important documents will be available at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas and on the Freedom Collection website later this year.

Ambassador James K. Glassman is the Executive Director of the George W. Bush Institute, the public policy arm of the George W. Bush Presidential Center.  Ideas in Action with Jim Glassman airs on public television stations across the country.  Viewers should consult their local listings for times, or can visit the www.ideasinactiontv.com website to watch the program or look up program schedules.

Ideas in Action with Jim Glassman is a co-production of Grace Creek Media and the George W. Bush Institute.

ABOUT GRACE CREEK MEDIA (www.gracecreek.com)

Grace Creek Media, Inc. is an independent production and distribution company based in Annapolis, MD that specializes in the development, production and distribution of documentaries, series and educational television programming.

THE GEORGE W. BUSH INSTITUTE (www.georgewbushinstitute.com)

The George W. Bush Institute is an independent, nonpartisan think tank engaged in policy, research, and action guided by the principles of freedom, opportunity, responsibility, and compassion.  Working with philanthropic-minded individuals, social entrepreneurs, other non-profit private institutions, businesses, and international and domestic government agencies, the Bush Institute’s goal is to transform ideas into action, producing results that can be tested, proven, and replicated in the real world.

Press Contact: Christina Mazzanti – christina.mazzanti@gracecreek.com

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The Truth About Money with Ric Edelman Premieres on Public Television

Here is some info on a I show I helped ramp up.

Nationally and locally renowned financial advisor, best-selling author and award-winning talk show host Ric Edelman now brings his unique blend of financial savvy and entertainment to WETA and WHUT as well as Public Television stations across the country. The series begins airing Sunday, May 1st, on WHUT at 10:30 am, and Monday May 2nd at 1:00 pm on WETA.

In the series of 26 half-hour episodes, entitled “The Truth About Money with Ric Edelman,” America’s top independent financial advisor—as ranked by Barron’s magazine for the last two years in a row—educates and entertains Public Television viewers on all manner of personal financial issues. Edelman tackles topics such as investing, retirement, financing a college education, mortgages, and providing support to both aging parents and struggling adult children.

His fascinating guests range from Maria Bartiromo, the CNBC anchor and host of “Closing Bell with Maria Bartiromo,” to nationally recognized divorce lawyer Raoul Felder, Internet and sports billionare Ted Leonsis, hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons and Major League Baseball hall-of-famer and Texas Rangers owner Nolan Ryan. During interviews, Raoul Felder offers viewers news-you-can-use on the financial ramifications of divorce. Multi-millionaire Russell Simmons, author of “Super Rich,” shares a belief that might surprise some—that our first priority in life should be to move towards enlightenment. Maria Bartiromo, whose job puts her in contact with the greatest financial minds in the world, cites her mom as the person whose financial advice she most closely follows.

Says Russ Hodge, executive producer of “The Truth About Money with Ric Edelman,” “In these rollicking economic times, it’s especially important to offer solid financial guidance from America’s top personal financial advisor, who has the added bonus of being a master communicator. Our program will help viewers avoid the daily ‘up and down’ market coverage of cable news networks, and instead help viewers reach their financial goals.”

“The Truth About Money with Ric Edelman” is produced by 3 Roads Communications, Inc., an Emmy Award-winning company with a long, distinguished history of supplying top-notch programming to Public Television. “The Truth About Money with Ric Edelman” is underwritten by TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation and iShares. The series is being distributed by American Public Television (APT) to Public Television stations nationwide.

About Ric Edelman
Ric Edelman has been providing financial advice to consumers for 25 years. He was inducted into Research Magazine’s Advisor Hall of Fame in 2004. His radio show, “The Truth About Money” airs in 36 major radio markets around the country, including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Detroit, Baltimore, Miami, San Francisco and Washington DC. He is also a sought-after-speaker, TV personality and best-selling author of seven books—including the newly updated and expanded fourth edition of his personal finance classic, “The Truth About Money.”

About 3 Roads Communications
3 Roads Communications, Inc. is a television programming, video production, and communications firm with offices in Frederick, Maryland, serving New York, Washington, D.C., and clients nationwide. 3 Roads has created and produced dozens of hours of award-winning programming for public television, including:
· Legends of Airpower
· Frontiers of Medicine
· For the Love of Their Brother
· 25 Tips to Afford College
· 50 Tips for Child Safety

About Edelman Financial Services
Edelman Financial Services provides financial planning and investment management services for individuals and families across the country. The firm has won more than 75 financial, business, community and philanthropic awards, and currently manages $6 billion for consumers nationwide.

About APT
American Public Television (APT) has been a leading distributor of high-quality, top-rated programming to America’s public television stations since 1961. In 2009, APT distributed 56 of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles. Among its 300 new program titles per year are prominent documentaries, news and current affairs programs, dramatic series, how-to programs, children’s series and classic movies, including For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots, A Ripple of Hope, Rick Steves’ Europe, Newsline, Globe Trekker, Simply Ming, America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated, Lidia’s Italy, P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home, Murdoch Mysteries, Doc Martin, Rosemary & Thyme, Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison, The Great American Songbook and John Denver: The Wildlife Concert. APT also licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service. In 2006, APT launched Create®—the TV channel featuring the best of public television’s lifestyle programming. APT is also a partner in the WORLD™ channel expansion project including its web presence at WORLDcompass.org. For more information about APT’s programs and services, visit APTonline.org. For more information on Create®, visit CreateTV.com.

The Work of Indpendent Documentarian: An Interview with Emmett Williams

Just what does an independent documentarian do?  Where does he/her get  ideas?  How does he/she make a living at it?  I recently had a conversation with Emmett Williams, independent producer, to find out how he manages a career making documentaries.

I’ve had the opportunity to work with Emmett on several projects and am impressed with his scope of work.  His television credits include producer, writer, editor and camera operator.  His work can be seen on such national networks as The Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TV Land and public television.  Emmett is also a song writer/performer, photographer, concert producer and journalist.  his passion for media and the arts is clear to anyone that has worked with him.  Emmett, a vegetarian, even ate seal meat to connect with his subjects during a shoot in Alaska.  What I’ve found particularly striking is his commitment to his projects and his ability to keep a sense of humor about everything his does.

As an independent producer, what type of productions do you produce/work on?
Mostly, I produce long and short form documentaries. Sometimes they’re ideas that I’ve come up with and sometimes I’ll partner with a non-profit organization to make a film about a topic that is important to them. For example, the film “Camp Twitch and Shout – The Movie”, which will be available online December 7, is a partnership between myself and the Tourette Syndrome Association of Georgia.

There are also a few online only projects that are in the works that are destined for YouTube or the Mission Man Media website, like a series of shorts about artists called “The Form Appears” and another series entitled “Everyone Has A Story”.

Finally, there are a few things I want to do that will be specifically for museums and galleries.

How do you find the projects that you work on?
It’s rare that I go out searching for stories to tell. Usually the stories just arrive serendipitously. For a documentary that will start production in January, the idea came from a conversation I had with a friend in a bar just a few months ago. There are an endless amount of stories out there that are waiting to be told, you just have to keep your ears open. I’m fortunate to be in some form of production on projects that will keep me busy through the first half of 2011.

How have you raised funds?
Every way possible. I’ve won grants, been funded by the organizations that I’ve partnered with, friends, family, the coin jar in my bedroom. Any way possible. I read somewhere that it takes 3 years on average to raise money for a documentary. You have to spread your fundraising wings as far and wide as possible.

I’m in the process of raising money now for a project in Africa and I’ve literally sent hundreds of emails, applied for grants all over the world and spoken with people on three continents trying to get it made.

Sometimes you work on freelance gigs for other people.  How do you feel about that? Do you limit the size and scope of freelance gigs?
Making documentaries is cyclical in that you make a film, then raise (beg) for money for your next one, so you have to earn money during that downtime in between projects. If I’m inbetween projects, I’ll preferably do some freelance writing or producing for television or for a company that needs something small, but I’ll do anything really to keep me out of an office.

BUT if someone from an office is reading this…and hiring on a temporary basis….

You often work as a one-man band producing, shooting and editing. Is there a lot of pressure to be responsible for every aspect of a project?
I really prefer working alone because I like the intimacy of just being one-on-one with the subject. I’ll often spend a few days just hanging out with whomever I want to interview before I even bring out a camera. I think if you are prepared ahead of time and really know your equipment it cuts down a lot on the possibilities of something going wrong. Of course, life would be easier with a crew as far as dealing with the equipment.  But for me, its worth the few times when I’ve forgotten briefly to turn on the audio or left something back at the hotel to continue to work independently. And the more you do it, the easier and more organized you become. The real key is a comfortable backpack and pants with lots of pockets. If you have those two things you’ll be fine.

Do you feel that there is a lot of room for creativity when producing a documentary?
The style of documentary that I like to do relies a lot on serendipity to be honest. I like to leave a lot of time to wait for things to happen.  Often, things are happening quickly and you are happy just to get the shot. While this style doesn’t lead itself to as much creativity as a fiction film, there is always a little room to put your own personal stamp on a film. It really takes sitting down before you start shooting and making a firm decision about the look and feel of your project.

I also think the most important aspect of making a documentary is the story and content. No matter the style, if you have those two things you can craft a strong project.

What is your favorite part about producing and why?
My favorite part is that moment that happens in most interviews where the subject finally lets their guard down and really opens up about whatever you are trying to get out of them. I really think everyone has a story and it’s my job to get it out of them.

What is your favorite project to date and why?
I’m editing the first of a four-part series called “Native Past, American Present” about the efforts Native Americans are making to hold on to their history, culture, and identity. I recently spent a month in Alaska on the project and everything about it was special. Incredible people, important stories, and beautiful landscape. That’s been my favorite so far, and I plan on going back next fall to spend two months working on part two of my series. And while I’m there I’ll be working with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska to teach filmmaking to Native children.

How did you get started?
I’d worked in television for about ten years when I decided that I really preferred working for myself, or at least on projects I really believed in. One day I decided that’s what I would do. In hindsight, it might have been less complicated to ease into documentary filmmaking instead of jumping into it blindly, but I knew what I wanted and somewhat knew how to get there. So, I just announced that I was a filmmaker and it’s grown from there.

Any advice for those seeking to do what you do?
Just do it. Cameras are dirt cheap, editing software most likely comes with your computer, and its free to put your stuff up online. There are an infinite amount of stories to tell. There are really no excuses if it’s something you truly want to do.

For more information about Emmett Williams and his work, please visithttp://www.emmettwilliams.com.

Secrets to Funding Your Dream Documentary

Here is an except from my interview with Bill Einreinhofer from the CD recording of the  teleseminar “How To Fund Your Dream Documentary.”  Bill is a National Emmy-Award winning producer, writer and director with over 20 years of television production experience.  He shared a lot of useful tips about how to raise money to produce a documentary.  Here he discusses how to approach potential funders.

SYDNYE: Before you introduce yourself and how fabulous you are and how fabulous your idea is, you need to know why and where and how much they give?

BILL: Yes. This is where you start looking at the giving history. This is where these various reference libraries, whether you go to the actual library or whether you view it online line, find out where the money has gone in the past. What are their interests if they are a foundation? Of if they are a corporation, who they are trying to reach? Corporations, I’ve gotten corporation grants to do public television programs, and it’s because those particular corporations wanted to reach the audience that public television gets. You have to figure out what the grant maker wants. And then be able to tell them, “I can deliver what you want to you.” It only makes sense. I mean obviously, it these people are going to be making grants or if they are going to be making advertising buys, they have certain needs. You have to understand what those needs and be able to tell them “this is how I can help you meet those needs.”

SYDNYE : So we’ll talk a little bit more a little bit later about distribution because that is part of it.

BILL: And this is probably the biggest mistake that many people make. In that they’ll put together a wonderful proposal. They’ve got a great theme. They’ve got colorful characters. A really, really good story, they’ve figured out exactly how to shoot it and edit it. They know what the look is and they don’t put anything about how they are going to distribute it. And if no one is ever going to see this program, this film, then why fund it?

You can learn more tips from Bill Einreinhofer about funding documentaries on the 45-minute audio CD “How To Fund Your Dream Documentary.”