The Spark Blog

Hitting Below the Belt

2011-09-29T13:07:00.000-04:00

By Heather Minter for Spark Media

Gynecological cancer doesn’t get a lot of press. It’s private. Its effects are private. Many of the symptoms are things women easily ignore. There’s a reason they call ovarian cancer “The Silent Killer.” Bloating, pelvic discomfort, pain during intercourse, or terrible gas are not things that might make you run to your doctor. But you should. Early detection is critical. In early stages, these cancers are treatable and have high survival rates. Undetected, they are thieves in the night. They steal fertility, they steal sex organs, they steal lives. And gynecological cancer is under-publicized and underfunded. But we can do something to help. Awareness is the key.

No Evidence of Disease. These are the sweetest words a woman who has battled gynecological cancer can hear. This is the goal for all GYN Oncologists. But there are six incredible doctors who not only spend their days fighting cancer, they spend their nights spreading awareness. N.E.D. is the name of their band, and they take their mission and their music very seriously. They want to be a “lightening rod for awareness” and help drive funding for research and early detection. But they’re not just about spreading awareness, they are about making great music, music you can dance to, music with which you can celebrate survival.

Stephen Russ of beliefnet writes that the music “is anchored by a solid rhythm section and bluesy lead guitar while much of the musical intrigue comes from the work of John Soper who often adds the flavor to each piece through the mandolin and slide guitar. The two vocalists, John Boggess and Joanie Hope, each have a unique tone with John providing the pop balance to Joanie’s husky, homey folk tone.” NED’s music is about remaining upbeat while surviving life, whatever difficulties it brings. They have a message of hope for those battling cancer and suffering alone. As lead singer, John Boggess says, “there are worse things than getting cancer, and that’s feeling isolated and without help and understanding.”

But now, not only are they spreading awareness through music, they are the subjects of an upcoming feature-length documentary titled “Dancing with N.E.D.” Stone Soup Productions and Spark Media have taken up their cause and are in production of this film now. They need our help to get this film made.

Why is this important to me? Having suffered from a severely painful and life-altering gynecological syndrome, I know something about the difficulty of suffering alone. I was diagnosed with Vulvar Vestibulitis in 2003 after years of seeing various doctors, searching for an answer. I know how weird it is to talk about your vulva on a regular basis, to have it displayed on large screens and have it surgically altered. I know about how this affects you sexually, emotionally and physically. It sucks. But I can’t even wrap my head around going through that and battling for my life. I can’t imagine chemotherapy and radiation and radical hysterectomies. I can’t imagine having my uterus removed before I even had the chance to get pregnant. I can’t imagine the fear, the loss, the struggle for hope. And this year alone, 90,000 women will face that battle.

Please, help fund this film. Help spread the word about gynecological cancer. Help women learn about prevention and early detection. My mother is a survivor because of early detection. Help reach out to the thousands of women who are suffering with a message of hope. These cancers really hit below the belt. Let’s fight back.

Here’s how you can help.

Go check out the film at http://www.dancingwithned.com/.
Check out the band at http://nedtheband.com/.
Become a fan of the movie on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DancingWithNED.

And then think about something you can afford to GIVE UP so that other women won’t have to.

Every little bit will help. Make coffee at home for a month and GIVE UP your Starbucks fund to Dancing with Ned. GIVE UP that cab ride and walk instead. GIVE UP a movie, a dinner out, a new book. Give It Up so that more women know they can hear those sweet words,

No Evidence of Disease!

Visit The Give It Up Campaign here to tell them what you’re giving up. Then visit the donation page and make your pledge. Thank you.

* Heather Minter is a BlogHer.com Life featured writer, wife and mother of three. You can read her personal blog Fresh Mintings here and on BlogHer.

In memory of our good friend Stetson Kennedy.

2011-09-02T08:45:00.000-04:00

William Stetson Kennedy, whose radical opposition to Jim Crow racial segregation made him a pariah in his hometown early in life and an honored elder statesman late in life, died in St. Augustine, Florida, August 27^th. He was 94.

One of the pioneer folklore collectors during the first half of the twentieth century, he is remembered for having infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in the 1940s, exposing its secrets to authorities and the world. His actions led to the state of Georgia’s 1947 revocation of the Klan's national corporate charter.

Kennedy began his crusades against what he called "homegrown racial terrorists" during World War II when a back injury made him ineligible for duty.

"All my friends were in service and being shot at in a big way. They were fighting racism whether they knew it or not," Kennedy said. "At least I could see if I could do something about the racist terrorists in our backyard."

In the 60’s, Kennedy became active in the local civil rights movement in Jacksonville, joining demonstrators who were attempting to desegregate downtown lunch counters. Alton Yates, leader of the NAACP Youth Council which organized the sit-ins, said Kennedy actually warned police that Klan members were planning to attack demonstrators: “Stetson was one of the greatest contributors to the anti-poverty and civil rights movements in the country. He was just a unique individual."

The author of countless articles, eight books and co-author of a ninth, he was writing books and speeches into his 90s. Neither age nor the Klan could slow him down.

"He was a giant," said Peggy Bulger, friend, protégé, and director of American Folklife for the Library of Congress. "He never quit working. Last time I talked to him he was still full of p--- and vinegar."

"I don't like to think I've mellowed," said Kennedy, at 85. "Mellowing is for wine, and my last words will be my most militant," he said with a chuckle.

The day he checked into the hospital, Kennedy told the physician, "that every person has a cause and his was finished." Sandra Parks, his wife wrote, "Few people see their life's purpose so dramatically fulfilled.”

Now, his legacy will live on in Spark’s new feature length documentary: Klandestine Man.

“it's one world, one morality, what afflicts one afflicts all…, --Stetson wrote in an email to Director Andrea Kalin. Inspired to share his “radical” ideals of justice and equality he relayed his last directive in a clear and firm voice one day before he made his last trip to the hospital.

“On with the show!”. He commanded.

Come Relay Around The Mall!

2011-08-16T13:30:00.000-04:00

By Maribel Quezada for Spark Media

You don't need to be a runner to be on our team this October.

Doctor Larry Maxwell, Chairman of the Department of OB-GYN at the Inova Fairfax Hospital in northern Virginia is hoping to draw attention on the mall this October. The goal? To run 100 mile relay around the national mall 24 hours per day for 4 days straight.

According to Dr Maxwell, this is an effort to promote the Race to End Women’s Cancer scheduled for November 6 2011 in Washington DC, and the band N.E.D. featured in the upcoming documentary Dancing with N.E.D. "We are recruiting folks willing to run five or 10 mile segments in a grass roots demonstration." says Dr. Maxwell.

There is still time to sign up and help make this movement a success. Remember, you don't have to be a marathon runner. These are regular people in all levels of fitness who just want to be a part of something meaningful. And if you were looking for an excuse to shape up, here's your motivation! Come join us from October 21 through the 24th on the National Mall.

For more information or to volunteer and sign up please visit: http://www.doodle.com/uuuhhph34d9fycy4

Dancing with N.E.D.
Race to End Women's Cancer

Documentaries Matter

2011-08-16T12:54:00.000-04:00

Reason # 408 Why Documentaries Matter:

What docs are trying to do is figure out how something happens, so we can say, 'I understand'.

Can you share more reasons with us why documentaries matter? Send them to us at info@sparkmedia.org

Documentaries Matter!

2011-08-09T09:47:00.000-04:00

Reason #330 why documentaries matter:

What a fantastic gift to millions of people to allow them into the life of someone else that they wouldn’t otherwise know.

Share your reasons with us and help us tell the world that documentaries matter!

Dancing with N.E.D. - GYN Cancer

2011-08-06T16:47:00.000-04:00

By Maribel Quezada for Spark Media

If you live in the United States, you probably know that one out of eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. That means you probably know more than one woman who has been diagnosed with this disease. Sadly, I know several. But I also know other women who have been impacted by other forms of cancer – specifically gynecological cancer. Often called the silent killer, these cancers can strike unannounced and with symptoms that are sometimes difficult to detect.

There are five main types of gynecological cancers: Cervical, Ovarian, Uterine, Vaginal, and Vulvar. According to current statistics, a woman is diagnosed with a form of GYN cancer every 7 minutes. That’s 200 every day! That’s why it’s important to talk about it, and it’s important to educate ourselves about the checkups, screenings, symptoms, and treatments available. That’s the goal that six gynecologic oncologists set out to achieve when they formed the rock band No Evidence of Disease – N.E.D. Spark Media began producing a documentary, compelled by the message and devotion these doctors share. And so began the journey of “Dancing with N.E.D.”

Working on this documentary has undoubtedly taught me more about gynecological cancers than I ever intended to learn. I’ve spent many afternoons reading up on blogs, medical articles and websites about the symptoms, treatments, screenings and life after cancer. And in doing so, I realized that there are some basic questions every woman needs to know the answers to when it comes to taking control of their health.

1. What are the symptoms of gynecological cancer?

According to Dr. Deborah Nucatola, senior director of Medical Affairs for Planned Parenthood there are no symptoms specific to ovarian cancer. In fact, women are more likely to have general symptoms, such as like pelvic pain, bloating and changes in bowel or bladder habits. Endometrial cancer and cervical cancer symptoms are also pretty nonspecific signs, like abnormal bleeding, especially after menopause, and lower abdominal pain.

2. What should I do if I experience some of the more generalized symptoms of GYN cancers like bloating or heart burn?

According to Dr. William Winter, N.E.D. band member and Gynecologic Oncologist at Northwest Cancer Specialists, you should check with your primary care doctor. Chances are it is just that - reflux, ulcer, or gastritis. However, if it doesn't resolve with dietary changes or anti-reflux medications, go to your doctor. The exception to this rule is if you are a part of the high risk population with a genetic disposition to breast and ovarian cancer. (For more information of genetic disposition visit the CDC Cancer site.)

3. Ovarian cancer seems to be the most difficult to detect of GYN cancers, are there any recommended screenings used to help rule it out?

There is no accepted or effective screening exam for ovarian cancer. It is a statistically uncommon disease to catch in its early stages without a noninvasive test. According to Dr. Winter, blood tumor markers, ultrasounds and frequent pelvic exams have been tried. “At best so far this results in many unnecessary surgeries to find one cancer. Bottom-line - we are far from a screening test. Prevention is key, oral contraceptive pills can reduce your risk by up to 50%.”

4. What options do under-insured or uninsured women have for preventative care?

Planned Parenthood offers preventative care to uninsured or low income women such as PAP tests, pelvic exams, ultrasounds and blood tests. The cost of services can vary based on a variety of factors, including the health center’s location, funding and the type of care being sought. According to Dr. Deborah Nucatola, many of the affiliates are able to offer care to uninsured patients on a sliding-fee scale based on their income. And some Planned Parenthood affiliates receive funding that allows them to offer services to very low-income patients at no cost.
There are also hospital programs around the U.S. that offer preventative health care for women at low or no cost. Evelyn Robles-Rodriguez, Director of Oncology Outreach Programs at the Cooper Cancer Institute, leads the Camden County Cancer Screening Project Program that provides screening for certain types of cancer such as cervical. According to Evelyn, “the beauty of the program for the cervical cancers, is that we are finding early changes such as HVP, carcinoma and low grade lesions before they turn into cancer, thus preventing future cervical cancers, giving our underserved and minority women a better chance of surviving their disease.”

Helpful sources:
Dancing with N.E.D.
N.E.D.
Planned Parenthood
CDC Cancer

Maribel Quezada is a communications professional and freelance contributor to the Spark blog. You can follow her personal blog on tumblr & on Twitter @MaribelQM

Quick Guide to Your Privacy on Facebook

2011-07-19T19:43:00.001-04:00

By Maribel Quezada for Spark Media

Many of us use social media as a major means for communication. It has become a significant part of our daily interaction. It is because we spend so much time online, that we have to take these tools seriously and learn to manage them properly.

Who is watching YOU on facebook?

- Your best friend & not so best friend
- Potential employers
- Current employers & colleagues
- The media

Always remember: what you post online could become public domain and can never be erased. This means that it can be used in anything from a court of law, a newspaper article or popular magazine sometimes without your consent.

Including:

- Photos
- Videos
- Messages
- Emails
- Comments
- Status updates

Know your Privacy Options

1. Classify your friends. It sounds harsh and it might take you some time, depending on the number of facebook friends you have but it gives you more control. On facebook you have the option to create lists for different groups of people you are friends with and give each list specific permissions and restrictions. For example, you may want to create separate lists for family and colleagues. This way you can allow anyone in the Family list to view your pictures, no one categorized in the Colleagues list. You can find this option under the FRIENDS tab on the right-hand side of the page.

2. Don’t be afraid to block someone. And if you feel threatened or unsafe you should report them immediately. On facebook you can find the block button under PRIVACY SETTINGS

3. Be aware of who can see your updates. facebook has made it easier to choose who can see your updates by simply clicking on the lock icon below your post, before you publish it, and selecting the friends lists to exclude form viewing this post. This is another wonderful benefit of classifying your friends into lists.

4. Lastly, you should never accept invitations from people you don’t know. If you’re worried about networking, that’s what LinkedIn is for.

You can still have fun with your facebook profile and feel free to express who you are. Just remember: The world is watching!

Maribel Quezada is a communications professional and freelance contributor to the Spark blog. You can follow her personal blog on tumblr & on Twitter @MQ02

Using the Creative Commons License On Flickr

2011-07-12T17:45:00.000-04:00

Written by, Melissa Turley for Spark Media

$39.50 for a picture of Abe Lincoln’s inauguration. $75.00 for a sunset over the pacific. It seems you can put a price on a timeless image and those costs can add up. An alternative is to take advantage of photos under the creative commons license on Flickr.com.

STEP 1: Search for an image on Flickr

STEP 2: Go to an advanced search.

STEP 3: Scroll down to the bottom of the advanced search page and select the box indicating content under the creative commons license.

STEP 4: After selecting an image you would like to use, scroll down to the bottom right and click on the license.

YOU'RE DONE! After clicking on the license, the owner of the image will list their agreement under the creative commons, stipulating how the work must be attributed or reused.

* Melissa Turley is an undergraduate Journalism & Mass Communication student at The George Washington University in Washington DC. She is also a fantastic intern at Spark Media.

AMMF Featured in What Makes Us Smile

2011-04-29T13:13:00.000-04:00

Check out the American Visionary Art Museum, a terrific museum in Baltimore, Maryland which is currently featuring an exhibition called What Makes Us Smile? Described as a "playful celebration of human joy," the exhibition is co-curated by The Simpsons mastermind Matt Groening, artist Gary Pantor and AVAM founder Rebecca Hoffberger.

We are excited and honored to have clips from our comedy film, Allah Made Me Funny, included in the exhibition. If you live in the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area, you should check it out!

Click here for more information!

Location:
American Visionary Art Museum
800 Key Highway
Baltimore, MD 21230

Hours:
Tuesdays through Sunday 10am to 6pm

Soul of a People at NCPH

2011-03-11T16:21:00.000-05:00

Soul of a People: Writing America's Story is scheduled to be screened at the upcoming National Council on Public History Annual Meeting in Pensacola, Florida on April 9th!

The NCPH is an organization that advances "the field of of public history, promoting professionalism among among history practitioners and encouraging their engagement with the public."

The theme of this year's annual meeting is "Crossing Borders/Building Communities - Real and Imagined" You can find out more about this meeting HERE.

Soul of a People will screen on Saturday, April 9th, at 1:30pm.

The location is the beautiful Crowne Plaza Grand Hotel in Pensacola at 200 East Gregory Street, Pensacola, Florida 32502. The number for more information is 1-850-433-3336.

Hope you can make it!

A Call to Action!

2011-02-16T12:36:00.000-05:00

The budgetary wrangling in Congress has gone from bad to worse, with potential cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities approaching $22 million. Don't let this happen! Contact your Congressman and make your voice heard. Here is a LINK to reach your representative.

Here is a message from Jim Leach, Chairman of the NEH:

"There are, of course, costs to all public programs, but the cost of not supporting some could be far higher. Just as we need an infrastructure of roads and bridges, we need an infrastructure of ideas. In a splintered world, bridging cultures may be our most difficult challenge."

Remember - for those who argue that we need to tighten our belts in tough, economic times - the total budget for the NEH is not even a drop in the bucket for the federal budget, and these cuts will literally make no difference in reducing our deficit. But these cuts will have a large and damaging impact on the communities that the NEH serves. So click the LINK and make your voice heard!

Help Save Public Humanities!

2011-02-15T10:25:00.000-05:00

Dear friends,

This week, Congress is voting on a proposed $12 million cut to the National Endowment for the Humanities. There have also been some unfortunate rumblings about Congress eliminating the NEH from next year's federal budget altogether.

We cannot let this happen. Look, we understand that in tough economic times belts need to be tightened, but the NEH represents only 1/21,000 of the current federal budget. It is a drop in the bucket and will literally have no impact on reducing our deficit. But these cuts would have a huge impact and far-reaching consequences for the communities the NEH serves.

For such low cost, NEH funds programs benefit libraries, museums, veterans and VA hospitals, historians, educational filmmakers and educators. These are programs that strengthen our communities and enrich our lives, providing a core of learning that will help us as a nation face the problems of today and tomorrow. We need your support today!

How can you help? It's easy! Just click on this LINK and let your Congressional representative know that you support the humanities and the NEH. This will literally take 2 minutes.

For those of you who are worried your voice won't be heard, don't forget that the NEH fought a similar budget battle in the mid-1990s. And thanks to overwhelming public support, the NEH has been able to continue its strong work in our communities. So there is proof that your voice will be heard!

Thank you!!!

N.E.D. on KGW.com!

2011-02-03T16:44:00.001-05:00

KGW.com has recently featured N.E.D. as part of their Making a Difference segment. Entitled Doctors Spread Healing Through Rock, it's a great story. We definitely recommend you click on the link below and check it out!

DOCTORS SPREAD HEALING THROUGH ROCK

N.E.D. performs in Portland!

2011-01-25T16:06:00.000-05:00

NED performs at the Aladdin Theater in Portland!

Our film crews have just returned from a fantastic film shoot - we just filmed N.E.D. performing to a wildly enthusiastic crowd at the Aladdin Theater in Portland, Oregon!

This is most exciting N.E.D. concert we've been to yet, with the band performing songs from their upcoming album, as well as their older material. The band truly rocked the house and the footage is superb.

There is a great article about the event HERE.

The production shoot continues as our videographers are following Dr. Joanie Hope home to Alaska. Expect updates on the Alaskan adventure soon!

Also, don't forget to follow Dancing with N.E.D. on Facebook!

TOWF Awards First Ever Anniversary Grant to Andrea Kalin

2010-11-30T19:16:00.000-05:00

The Tikkun Olam Women's Foundation of Greater Washington, dedicated to supporting programs focused on effecting social change for women and girls, has selected Andrea Kalin to be the recipient of their first ever Anniversary Grant in recognition of their five years of grant-making.

Here are the kind words from TOWF: "We are thrilled to honor Andrea Kalin and Spark Media. We wanted to award an organization that brings our vision of social change for women and girls to fruition. We cannot think of anyone more deserving the award. Kalin's body of work exemplifies our goals for the Anniversary Grant. She produces films that inform and inspire audiences to promote change that contributes to a healthier and stronger society."

Wine, Women and Film: Social Change Through Cinema

2010-11-23T11:06:00.000-05:00

Tikkun Olam Women's Foundation is sponsoring a fantastic event next week called "Wine, Women and Film: Social Change Through Cinema." It sounds like it will be a fantastic event - the guest speaker is Jane Rosenthal, co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival. We'll be there! You should come out and join us.

WHEN: November 29, 2010 7:00 pm

WHERE: Round House Theater, 4545 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD

TICKETS: Click here for tickets.

DESCRIPTION: From the TOWF website:

When was the last time you watched a great movie? What made it great? Did it make you feel and think, or make you act? On Monday, November 29, Hollywood producer Jane Rosenthal will be showing clips from films that inspire and educate us in a way that only film can. As co-founder with Robert DeNiro of the Tribeca Film Festival, which was established to revitalize lower Manhattan after 9/11, this leading philanthropist will share her insights about the power of film to transport and transform us. But more importantly, Jane will show us films that entertain while increasing our understanding of an issue, and motivating us to action.

It's an evening of visual storytelling. The program honors the 5th Anniversary of the Tikkun Olam Women's Foundation (TOWF), dedicated to creating social change for women and girls. In its five years, TOWF has awarded close to $300,000 to a wide range of transformative organizations, locally and in Israel. With TOWF grants, immigrant teens are being trained to budget and cook healthful meals, then teach their mothers their new skills; young Jewish women are learning that abusive relationships are not about love; Orthodox girls are increasing their participation and sense of belonging in synagogue; and women in Israel are seeking legal equality. TOWF invests in programs that have a lasting impact on the lives of women and girls. When that is achieved, families and communities are transformed.

Come see how films can change our communities and the world!

Miami Screening Tonight!

2010-11-17T09:14:00.001-05:00

Just a reminder to all our friends in the Miami area, Soul of a People: Writing America's Story screens tonight at the Miami Book Fair International!

The legendary folklorist, social activist, and Writers' Project alumni Stetson Kennedy will attend the screening and speak to the audience following the movie. This is sure to be a special event; we hope you can make it!!

Here is the more detailed info:

LOCATION:
Miami Dade College
Wolfson Center
300 NE Second Avenue
Building 1; 2nd Floor
Room 1261 (Auditorium)

TIME:
6 pm

NEED MORE INFO?
http://bit.ly/ay5j1h

Join Us For An Evening of Laughter!!

2010-11-16T12:35:00.000-05:00

Events at the Gallery!

Allah Made Me Funny is screening tonight at the Pueblo Viejo International Art Gallery in Washington D.C. Director Andrea Kalin will be introducing the film and will lead a discussion afterward.

This landmark concert film follows three acclaimed comedians on stage and off as they lift the veil to reveal the humorous truth of what it's really like to be Muslim in America.

Mo Amer, Azhar Usman, and Preacher Moss poke fun at themselves, their communities, government, human nature and the tricky predicament of living in post-9/11 America.

Featuring music of rising indie scene artists, Allah Made Me Funny: Live in Concert is rollicking good fun and gives people of all cultural backgrounds an opportunity to laugh hard, drop their guard, and open their minds.

The screening is part of The Sound of Peace Art Show ("Palestinian, Israeli and U.S. Artists Painting Hope"), which includes the art of Shela Qamer, Huda Totonji, Liat Weiler, Arlene Cooper, and more...

We hope to see you there!

WHEN:
November 16. Reception at 6:30 pm and Screening at 7:00 pm

WHERE:
Pueblo Viejo International Art Gallery
3103 Mt. Pleasant St. NW (corner of Irving & Mt. Pleasant)
First Floor
Washington DC 20009
(202) 328-4480

PRICE:
Suggested donation of $5. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Parents Circle Family Forum. To learn more about their work, Click Here.

Spark Media at the TIVA Peer Awards

2010-11-15T10:30:00.001-05:00

Spark Media wins 9 at the TIVA Peer Awards

Exciting news this weekend. Spark Media won nine awards at Saturday's TIVA Peer Awards. This is a true honor since the awards are given by our fellow filmmakers. To be given such recognition from our peers made this an incredibly moving and meaningful event for us.

Soul of a People: Writing America's Story won the "Best of D.C." Award, Gold Peer Awards for Scriptwriting (David A. Taylor, Olive Emma Bucklin, and Andrea Kalin), Audio Mixing (Joe Powers) and Music (Joseph Vitarelli and Wall Matthews), as well as a Silver Award for Best Documentary.

Worlds of Sound: The Ballad of Folkways won the Bronze Peer Award for Best Documentary.

Partners of the Heart, Spark Media's first feature length documentary, won a Gold Award in the new Classics category.

Game On, a short financial planning film produced for the NFLPA, won the Bronze Award for Best Education/Training Video.

Export Compliance and Customs Awareness also won a Bronze Award for Best Education/Training Video.

For more information about the TIVA Peer Awards, please click here.

Soul of a People at the Miami Book Fair

2010-11-11T15:45:00.000-05:00

Soul of a People: Writing America's Story will be screened at the prestigious Miami Book Fair International next Wednesday, November 17th at 6 pm.

The legendary folklorist, social activist, and Writers' Project alumni Stetson Kennedy will attend the screening and speak to the audience following the movie. This sounds like a fun event. If you live near Miami, we encourage you to come out and see the film!

Here is the more detailed info:

LOCATION: Miami Dade College
Wolfson Center
300 NE Second Avenue
Building 1; 2nd Floor
Room 1261 (Auditorium)

TIME: 6 pm

NEED MORE INFO? http://bit.ly/ay5j1h

Soul of People screens tonight in Atlanta!

2010-10-29T11:10:00.000-04:00

Soul of a People: Writing America's Story is screening tonight at 8pm at the Auburn Avenue Research Library in Atlanta!

The screening is a special event connected to the Oral History Association's annual conference. See more information about the Oral History Association at www.oralhistory.org!

More details:

Auburn Avenue Research Library
101 Auburn Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30303

Time: 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Tickets: FREE!!!!

We hope you can make it.

Soul of a People at Oral History Association's Annual Conference

2010-10-27T15:28:00.000-04:00

Director Andrea Kalin is traveling to Atlanta this week to attend the Oral History Association's Annual Conference and to contribute to a panel on the Federal Writers' Project. The event is being brought to us by the Three Presidents: former OHA President Charles Hardy III; current OHA President who will be performing on fiddle, guitar, and vocals; and OHA President-Elect Rina Benmayor, who will MC the event.

The legendary civil rights activist (and former WPA Project Editor) Stetson Kennedy and author/producer David Taylor (who wrote the documentary's companion book) will also be joining Andrea on the panel.

It's looks to be a special event. Check it out at www.oralhistory.org!

Thanks, and hope to see you there!!

A busy week for Stetson Kennedy!

2010-10-07T16:30:00.000-04:00

It has been an exciting week for the legendary Stetson Kennedy, the subject of Spark Media's upcoming documentary Stetson Kennedy Unmasked.

This last weekend, the 94-year old warrior celebrated his birthday by attended the One Nation Working Together Rally in Washington DC. He joined a special youth rally sponsored by NAACP and One Nation youth organizations in the morning and then made his way to the Lincoln Memorial where he enthusiastically worked his way to the front of the crowd to see the prestigious lineup of speakers.

"It's been more than three quarters of a century since President Roosevelt succeeded in bringing together organized labor, the NAACP, and other civil rights groups to attack the first meltdown, " Stetson told the crew, "I was there in 1932, and I'm here now."

Once he returned to Florida, Stetson has wasted no time - tonight he is speaking at a special screening of "Soul of a People" at the Matheson Museum in Gainesville. The event is co-sponsored by the Matheson, the Civic Media Center, and the Alachua County Library District. Please click here to see a Gainesville Sun article about the event. Check back soon for more details!

Dancing with N.E.D. on Kickstarter

2010-09-27T11:49:00.001-04:00

Thanks to your enthusiastic support, Dancing with N.E.D. is being featured on the front page of Kickstarter! Thank you to everyone who has donated for this important project. Let's keep the ball rolling!

Check it out HERE.

Soul of a People wins a Bronze Plaque at the Chris Awards!

2010-09-24T15:29:00.000-04:00

Exciting news! The Chris Awards have notified Spark Media that they have won a Bronze Plaque in the Humanities Category at the 58th Annual Columbus Film & Video Festival!

Please find more information about this event by clicking HERE.

Have a great weekend!

2nd Annual Rock, Paper, Cocktails Event

2010-09-21T11:26:00.000-04:00

Rock, Paper, Cocktails on September 27th, 2010!

Come to a very important event next week - the 2nd Annual Rock, Paper, Cocktails, which raises funds and awareness for the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. On September 27th from 6pm to 9pm, there will be raffles, prizes, and vendors who will donate 10 to 20% of their profits to the OCNA mission!

Spark Media's executive producer Andrea Kalin is attending the event and will introduce our upcoming film ,"Dancing with N.E.D.

Tickets are $10 at the door, which includes complementary appetizers, cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake and entry for raffle prizes. Come out and join us!

Location:

4906 Brenman Park Drive

Alexandria, VA 22304

For more information, go to the Rock, Paper, Cocktails website HERE.

Hope you can make it!

Docs the Rock is now Dancing with N.E.D.!

2010-07-30T11:06:00.000-04:00

Announcing the new title of our upcoming documentary - Dancing with N.E.D.!

Produced by Spark Media and Stone Soup Productions, Dancing with N.E.D. is about one of the year's most talked about rock bands, No Evidence of Disease. N.E.D. is a group of six GYN surgeons, scattered across the country, who create and perform original music to give their patients a voice and raise awareness and funding for the disease they fight.

The film's new title was born out of a conversation between Spark's camera crew and Carole Fagella, participant in the recent Lobby Day event in Washington DC. Carole explained that every woman in treatment for ovarian cancer looks forward to "dancing with N.E.D.," which the film company immediately recognized as the perfect metaphor for the dance between life and death that both the patients and the doctors in the film wrestle with every day.

The film is still in production. A trailer can be seen HERE.

CINE Golden Eagles Announced!

2010-07-09T11:05:00.000-04:00

Some exciting news to report this week!

Spark Media has won two prestigious CINE Golden Eagles Awards - for both of our productions for the Smithsonian Channel - Worlds of Sound: The Ballad of Folkways and Soul of a People: Writing America's Story.

Congratulations to all the winners. There are some fantastic films in the listing, and we are honored to be among them!

Soul of a People at ALA part 2

2010-07-01T09:22:00.000-04:00

Spark has recently edited together a short little montage of library events connected to the Soul of a People: Exhibiting America's Story initiative by the American Library Association and funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Check out the video on Vimeo! http://vimeo.com/12986156

The Exhibiting America's Story initiative included 29 libraries that received a grant to support programming in coordination with the release of Spark's documentary, Soul of a People: Writing America's Story, about the Federal Writers' Project. The Writers' Project recruited unemployed men and women and assigned them to fan out across America to learn its history, interview its citizens and produce the first-ever portrait of America from the ground up in a series of state travel guides.

Leading up to the ALA meeting last week, Spark asked the participating libraries how they used the grant and involved their community. Here are some of the responses:

"We turned back the clock to the 1930s for an opening celebration. The day included two lectures, on the New Deal and the Federal Writers' Project, excerpts from the documentary, and period jazz was played outside of the Library welcoming patrons. Sloppy Jos, said to debut in the 1930s, were served and we hosted a Spam treasure hunt. Food products introduced in the 1930s were displayed along with period ads and photos of local interest..." - Beth Keller, Highland Park Public Library, Illinois

"The greatest benefit to the library from this grant came from reaching out to students, staff, faculty, and the community, including scholars from other colleges, theatrical organizations, musicians, artists, other libraries, senior citizen organizations, and historical societies..." - Alma Zyko, Middlesex Community College Library, Connecticut

"The choice of topics was probably one of the best things about the project. The regional variation between the different states' FWP programs led to a really interesting variety of programs..." - Paul Kauppila, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, San Jose State University, California

"We are continuing to use the ideas from the "Soul of a People" programming effort...it was a great learning experience and brought a lot of positive attention to the University Library." - Virginia Haynie Gause, The University of Texas - Pan American, Texas

"Our most successful program was a debate of the New Deal. We had a local journalist and New Deal proponent debate a conservative professor and author of the book "New Deal or Raw Deal?" - Sarah Ormond, Baldwin Public Library, Michigan

"The Soul project here at Armstrong and in the Savannah community was a grand success. The programs were very well attended by a variety of folks whose feedback was very positive. I was impressed by the direction and assistance we got from the ALA/NEH people. We had a lot of support and awfully good material to work with. The Spark Media documentary film, which was shown on the final day, drew a big crowd and all thought it was beautifully done. This was a fine mixture of education and entertainment." - June Hopkins, Armstrong Atlantic State University, Georgia

Soul of a People at ALA

2010-06-28T10:34:00.001-04:00

SOUL OF A PEOPLE RETURNS TO ALA

Soul of a People: Writing America's Story made a return visit to this week's American Library Association Annual Conference, held this year in Washington DC.

Last year, ALA and Spark coordinated a NEH-funded Soul of a People library campaign that involved 29 libraries and nearly 150 events across the country. These host libraries held screenings of the film, along with discussion groups, panels and presentations from local scholars and authors, and exhibits connected with the Depression, New Deal and the Writers' Project. They also produced imaginative events such as recreated Hoovervilles and soup kitchens, old time live radio broadcasts, and more, giving each local community a chance to experience and understand their own history during this era.

We will be posting a round-up of activities and a video summary shortly. The video will also be available for library participants to download!

At ALA, Soul of a People's producer and director Andrea Kalin, Spark producer Nancy Camp and representatives from three of the host libraries were on hand to discuss the project and how it carried out at the local level. The librarians who participated were Henry Fortunato (Kansas City Public Library, Missouri), Jude Schanzer (East Meadow Public Library, New York) and Nora Quinlan (NOVA Southeastern Library, Florida). They shared their insights about the program, its challenges, and some of the creative ways the libraries used Soul of a People as a springboard for activities to reach diverse audiences at a local level.

Camp concluded with a brief outline of the work underway - a new youth-focused online educational initiative, being developed now with a grant from the NEH.

Games for Change

2010-05-21T17:57:00.000-04:00

A busy, but exciting week ahead. Producers Andrea Kalin and Nancy Camp are heading to New York City for the Games for Change Festival. Sometimes called "the Sundance of video games," the Games for Change Festival highlights games that promote education and address the pressing issues of our world, be it poverty, human rights or climate change. We are looking forward to attending the event (and maybe someday even being featured in the festival itself), and will share the highlights on the Splog soon!

"Worlds of Sound" Wins Special Jury Award

2010-04-20T13:15:00.000-04:00

Hear Ye Hear Ye, Spark Media and Smithsonian Networks received the 43rd WorldFest--Houston International Film Festival Special Jury Award for Worlds of Sound: The Ballad of Folkways in the Cultural Television Programming category. Congratulations to everybody at Smithsonian Networks, Smithsonian Folkways, and everyone who had a hand in bringing the amazing story of Moses Asch and his fabled label to life. We are all jubilant and proud over here at Spark. Thank you WorldFest!!!

Small World Moment at Interfaith Forum

2010-04-19T10:17:00.000-04:00

Andrea Kalin from Spark Media joined in on an all women's interfaith dialogue at the Rumi Forum in Washington, where women from various religious backgrounds -- Michelle Coghill Chatman (Yoruba), Kadiatou Diallo (Muslim), Pat Henry (Buddhist), Chaplin Gladys Lanier (Christian), and Andrea Kalin (Jewish) -- shared their spiritual journey and discussed the lack of representation of women and religious and spiritual content in the media. The event doubled as a "friendraiser" for the television program, Perspectives of Interfaith, taped and aired on Arlington Independent Media, Arlington,VA and soon to be on DCTV, Montgomery Television, CTV in Prince George's County, and several other national public cable access stations.

In a small world moment, Andrea met Kadiatou Diallo, who mentioned how much she enjoyed a movie called Prince Among Slaves, since it described her homeland Guinea. She was especially impressed with the film's historic accuracy and the emphasis on the pivotal role education played in 18th Century Futa Jallon (in modern day Guinea). Kadiatou had never met Andrea, who was also a speaker at the event. Someone pointed out that the director of Prince Among Slaves was on the panel. And then the plot thickened: when Spark Media couldn't get to Guinea to film for Prince Among Slaves, Spark Media met a director of a documentary called Death of Two Sons, who graciously allowed us to use some of his Guinea stock footage. Death of Two Sons is about Kadiatou's son, Amadou Diallo, who's controversial shooting death at the hands of four New York City police officers in 1999 is documented in the film. It was an astonishing moment for everybody.

Smithsonian Folkways artists win GRAMMY award

2010-02-05T14:13:00.000-05:00

Smithsonian Folkways Recording artists Los Texmaniacs received a GRAMMY award for their album Borders y Bailes in the Tejano Album category. This is the group’s first GRAMMY win. The Texas-Mexican conjunto band, armed "with an assortment of Tex-Mex beats infectious enough to get even the most sedentary crowd moving" (Washington Post), produced an album that breathes new life into the century-old music of the Texas Rio Grande Valley. Congratulations to Los Texmaniacs, and everyone at Smithsonian Folkways. Explore more Smithsonian Folkways artists, and discover the story behind the fabled label and its legendary founder Moses Asch through Spark Media's documentary Worlds of Sound: The Ballad of Folkways.

Upcoming Soul of a People screenings in Florida to include Discussions with Director Andrea Kalin and Stetson Kennedy!

2010-01-20T15:17:00.000-05:00

Spark Media's executive producer and director Andrea Kalin will be celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Federal Writers' Project (FWP) when she visits Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale to host two screenings of Soul of a People: Writing America's Story with one of the film's subjects, famed author Stetson Kennedy.

The first screening of Soul of a People, which chronicles the efforts of writers around the country in "telling America's story" during the Great Depression, will take place on:

When: Friday, January 22, 2010 at 7 pm

Where: Wolfsonian Museum, Florida International University, 1001 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida

Contact: (305) 535-2644 or (305) 531-1001

The second screening of the documentary will take place on:

When: Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 2 pm

Where: Don Taft University Center's Performance Theater, Nova Southeastern University, 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Contact: (954) 262-4613

Originally premiering on the Smithsonian Channel last fall, Soul of a People: Writing America's Story returns audiences to the Great Depression, when Americans endured a crisis not just of economy, but also identity, and millions of unemployed men and women looked to the government for a life raft. Hundreds of thousands found jobs with the Works Progress Administration (WPA), most wielding picks and shovels to build roads and schools. For a smaller cadre, however, the tools were little more than a pen, paper, and the spirit of investigation.

If you live in the Miami or Fort Lauderdale area, definitely come out to the show. Both screenings are FREE and open to the public. Hope you can make it!

Festival Selects "Worlds of Sound" Director's Choice

2010-01-15T16:50:00.001-05:00

The Black Maria Film + Video Festival has selected Spark Media's documentary, "Worlds of Sound: The Ballad of Folkways," for its Director's Choice. The New Jersey based Festival is an international juried competition and awards tour that rewards cutting edge works from independent film and video makers. This means the one-hour film, narrated by Pete Seeger, and directed by Spark Media president Andrea Kalin, about Moses Asch -- the rebel record producer who founded Folkways Records -- will be hitting the festival circuit through the Festival's national public exhibition program. Keep an eye out for announcements about upcoming screenings. Congratulations to Andrea, Richard Carlin (author of the book, Worlds of Sound: The Story of Smithsonian Folkways), the Smithsonian Channel, Smithsonian Folkways Records, and all the fabulous staff and crew who had a hand in making the film. Cheers.

Seasons Greetings!

2009-12-23T17:45:00.001-05:00

Happy holidays from all of us at Spark Media!

There is a lot of excitement in the air and some wonderful projects brewing, so be sure to stay tuned as the year turns and 2010 begins!

Be safe and much love,

The Sparklers

Soul of a People nominated for the WGA Award

2009-12-15T09:24:00.000-05:00

This just in. The script for Soul of a People: Writing America's Story has been nominated for a WGA Award! Congratulations to the film's co-writers - David Taylor & Olive Emma Bucklin & Andrea Kalin (who also directed the film). The winner will be announced on February 20, 2010.

Congratulations to all the nominees - below is a complete list for the nominees in the category, Documentary, Other Than Current Events:

“The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln” (American Experience), Written by Barak Goodman; PBS

The National Parks: Americas Best Idea, “Episode Two: 1890-1915: The Last Refuge,” Written by Dayton Duncan; PBS

“The Trials of J. Robert Oppenheimer” (American Experience), Written by David Grubin; PBS

Soul of a People: Writing America’s Story, Written by David A. Taylor, Olive Emma Bucklin, Andrea Kalin; Smithsonian Channel

“We Shall Remain: Episode Three: Trail of Tears” (American Experience), Written by Mark Zwonitzer; PBS

“We Shall Remain: Episode Two: Tecumseh’s Vision” (American Experience), Written by Ric Burns; PBS

2009-12-11T16:48:00.000-05:00

Thank you to everyone who attended the Soul of a People screening at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The documentary played to a full house and was received by a wildly enthusiastic audience. After the show, director Andrea Kalin and co-producer/co-writer David Taylor introduced a surprise guest to the audience - Stetson Kennedy! One of the last living alumni of the Federal Writers' Project, the 93-year old Kennedy traveled all the way from Florida in order to attend the event, and was welcomed with a well-deserved standing ovation from the packed house.

We would like to extend a special thanks to Nona Martin and Jeanny Kim at the Smithsonian Institution for organizing this special event, and also thank Tom Phelps, Director of Public Programs at the NEH, and David Royle, Executive Vice President for Programming and Production at the Smithsonian Channel, who both gave a passionate and eloquent introduction to the film.

And thank you for everyone who attended. We hope you enjoyed the show!

Special Screening

2009-12-07T09:54:00.000-05:00

Here Ye Here Ye: You are cordially invited for a special screening of Soul of a People: Writing America's Story at the plush 400 seat Smithsonian American Art Museum's McEvoy Auditorium this Wednesday, December 9th. It's a calling-all-cars-affair, with all the members of the production team, from cameraman to director, present. The evening will also feature honored guests and a surprise visit from a very special friend whose identity is being kept hush-hush. Join us and bring a friend.

2009-10-26T13:33:00.000-04:00

Soul of a People's director Andrea Kalin sits down with Pulitzer-Prize winning author Richard Ford (the voice of Jim Thompson in the film) to discuss the Federal Writer's Project and the impact John Cheever (an editor on the New York Project) had on his writing. And much, MUCH more.

Soul Inspires Depression Life Histories Memory Book

2009-10-16T12:53:00.000-04:00

Inspired by Soul of a People's rediscovery of the works of the Federal Writers' Project, the Middlesex Community College's Jean Burr Smith Library in Middleton Connecticut has launched a Life History project to collect stories of the Great Depression from those who lived through it or their families. They've also collected a treasure trove of links to Federal Writers' Project material in one convenient place. The legacy of the project lives on!

Federal Writers and Busboys and Poets

2009-10-14T09:43:00.000-04:00

They meet at last. Soul will be screened at a Busboys and Poets near you (if you live around the nation's capital). If you've never been to Busboys, prepare to be converted. If you're a Busboys regular, take this opportunity to create a convert and bring a friend.

SCREENING TIMES:
Sun, Oct. 18 @ 5th & K, 8 PM - free
Sun, Oct. 25 @ Shirlington, 8 PM - free

* Busboys @ Shirlington
4251 South Campbell Ave
Arlington, VA 22206
(703) 379-9757

* Busboys @ 5th & K
1025 5th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 789-BBAP (2227)

Book on TV

2009-10-12T10:01:00.000-04:00

In this picture David Taylor, co-producer of the Soul of People documentary and author of Soul of a People: The WPA Writers' Project Uncovers Depression America sits down with Douglas Brinkley, American historian par excellence and literary executor of Hunter S. Thompson, for a little book talk on C-SPAN's BookTV. Brinkley delivers some of the most memorable lines as a commentator in the film, and we are all huge Brinkley fans. Both authors were in Washington D.C. for the Library of Congress National Book Festival, and you can catch their lively discussion and Q&A by clicking here.

Soul Hits Kansas City

2009-10-02T12:10:00.000-04:00

A whirlwind of Soul of a People activity hits Kansas City. Andrea was in town pounding the pavement on the Soul of a People publicity circuit. You can hear an in-depth interview on KCUR and see pictures from the screening at the Kansas City Public Library. "It was a moral crisis," Andrea says in the interview, "the systems had failed the people....," sounds eerily familiar.

Soul Nabs 2009 Non-Fiction "Must-See" Pick

2009-10-01T13:34:00.000-04:00

Good news Soul brothers and Soul sisters, Soul nabbed the 2009 MIPCOM Picks "Must See" distinction from Realscreen's editorial staff. We are honored. Read all about it, and check out the clip. "Yes, the recession may be looming large, but while conventional wisdom says that TV viewers want to "get away from it all" when plunked in front of the tube...."

Mayor of Savannah Kicks-Off Soul in Georgia

2009-09-22T16:00:00.000-04:00

This just in. The city of Savannah is using Soul as a rallying point for social and political action to combat a depressed economy. Savannah's Mayor Otis Johnson will kick-off the Kick-off Celebration of "Soul of a People." Mayor Johnson will share his perspective as a Mayor of a city facing economic hardships and working to provide relief for its citizens. Living history! This news and much more from our partners at Lane Library at Armstrong Atlantic State University.

The Sun Sets on an Iconic Westerner

2009-09-21T14:52:00.000-04:00

Writer, journalist, novelist, champion of the Western, Texan, voice of Vardis Fisher in Soul of a People, Elmer Kelton wore many hats. But his most iconic role was being himself, a man who lived the life he wrote about. It was in fact Elmer's life and life's work about cowboys, settlers, and the pioneering men and women who survived and thrived through grit, will and ingenuity in the rough and rugged landscape of the frontier, that drew Spark to seek him out for the role. The idea from the beginning of the voice overs was always to match up the character in the movie with a kindred literary spirit in America today. And Elmer was a perfect fit for the part of Vardis Fisher. People have commented that Elmer has a Texan accent, and that Vardis wouldn't have had such a thick drawl, but capturing the spirit of the character rather than a spitting audio image was much more important. And Elmer nailed it. And Elmer nailed it without even trying. Because he wasn't acting. Elmer was just being himself, and that's exactly why we wanted him to do Vardis. Andrea said he was a joy to work with, that he was a consummate gentleman, and full of wisdom and a plainspoken genius. Luckily Andrea had the foresight to do a little interview with Elmer at the end of the voice over session, and it is exactly the rift between Western authors and the Eastern literary establishment that Elmer addressed. It is a riveting listen. Elmer passed away in August, at the age of 83, in Texas. He died with his literary boots on, at work on his next novel. We send his family our condolences, and hope you pick up one of his books. Happy trails, cowboy.

Blast From The Past

2009-09-17T12:52:00.000-04:00

If you've never heard of Anzia Yezierska, she was a renowned Jewish novelist famous for stories about the life of Jewish immigrants on New York's Lower East Side in the 1920s. Her book of autobiographical short stories, Hungry Hearts, was made into a major motion picture, and her sudden rise to fame earned her the label "the sweatshop Cinderella." The film Hungry Hearts would have been lost to the ages were it not for the National Center for Jewish Film, which restored it and added it to its collection--the biggest repository of Jewish-themed films outside of Israel. And its thanks to NCJF that we were able to use Hungry Hearts in our documentary. Anzia's sudden fall from fame into poverty because of the Depression provided the perfect entry point into the story of the Federal Writers' Project, a sort of reverse Cinderella story, and we could have not brought Anzia to life so vividly without NCJF and Hungry Hearts. We owe them a debt of gratitude for preserving this invaluable part of our national history. Check out the excerpt of Anzia from Soul, and visit NCJF's site, they have an amazing collection of films and resources.

2009-09-16T16:18:00.000-04:00

This is Susan Brandehoff, next to the poster of the traveling exhibit of the film. If you had one guess, what do you think her job title might be? Yes, that's correct, she is the American Library Association's Program Director for Traveling Exhibitions and Broadcast Media. And a fabulous program director at that. We owe you many many thanks Susan. Way to exhibit!

Visiting Dena

2009-09-16T16:04:00.001-04:00

Since I was in town I dropped by to visit Dena Epstein. She's in the film. She's the person you hear in the very beginning recount her memory of a run on a bank during the Great Depression, and she later tells of her mother's experience on the Writers' Project in Chicago. She is among the few remaining links to that part of our national history, and her experience and memories provided a bridge to the past for us as people and as filmmakers and for the audience. I thought it would be nice to say hi. We talked and ate soup with some her friends. It was nice. Thanks for hanging out Dena.

2009-09-16T15:45:00.000-04:00

Drunk on excitement about the screening, Al and I drove down to Harpo productions and knocked on Oprah's door. We also rang the bell, and buzzed the intercom. She wasn't available. She was washing her hair or something. So we left a polite note and then stormed Harpo's gates, unsuccessfully. Then we thought it'd be okay to plug Soul next to their sign, until we triggered the laser beam alarm system and an army of armed security guards shot us down with rubber bullets and tazed Al on the spot (not cool Oprah). Okay, that didn't happen (sorry Oprah), but it was Oprah's place, and it wouldn't have surprised me if that did happen (because people love Oprah). The point is we were ready to risk life and limb for Soul and we love Oprah.

2009-09-16T15:32:00.000-04:00

This is Al Stein, lecturer and archivist at Chicago State University, Spark Media's man in ChiTown, and all round awesome individual. Al was the glue that held the screening together, and my tour guide to the Windy City. This is Al in one of his many moments of relentless boosterism for Soul. His energy was infectious. We even tried to get Oprah to plug the screening (see the next post) You rock Al.

2009-09-16T15:23:00.000-04:00

In front of me sat the two scholars on the panel (more on them later) watching the film. There was a lot of laughing. I found myself laughing at parts I never realized were that funny. People came up after and said they also cried, or were choked up. It was a very emotional experience for many people. You know, its not Oscar buzz, but its just as powerful to hear things like that. But if anyone out there has some Oscar buzz for Soul, that is also something we'd like to hear about.

On The Big Screen

2009-09-10T20:59:00.000-04:00

I've seen Soul of a People about one zillion times. But I've never seen it on the Big Screen. We did a test run of the film in the Newberry Library screening room, and man, I gotta tell you, it felt good seeing it up there in all its glory. It's a totally different experience. I can't wait till Saturday to experience it with a live audience. I don't understand how any director or actor not sit in on a screening of their own film. On second thought, they're just lying, that's how.

Newberry Screening room

2009-09-10T20:50:00.000-04:00

My jaw dropped. This the nicest screening room I've ever seen. Just look at the chandeliers, the chairs, the columns, the hardwood floors. Did you see the chandeliers? I truly do feel honored to be given the opportunity to present the film in Newberry libary's screening room. Seriously, thank you Al Stein and Rachel Bohlmann for making this happen.

Don't forget to give Joanne a kiss

2009-09-10T20:49:00.001-04:00

I love you Joanne. Thanks for the shirt.

Obama's Chicago

2009-09-10T20:39:00.000-04:00

This is Manny's Coffee Shop and Jewish American deli. If you live or work in, around or near, writing about, getting elected in, trying to get reelected in, are passing through, visiting, or even just thinking about setting foot in, Chicago, eating here is mandatory. Kapish?

Welcoming Committee

2009-09-10T20:25:00.000-04:00

This is Kevin. He was sent to welcome me to Chicago. He told me the first rule of surviving on the streets of Chicago--"perfect your mad dog dude." So we gave it a try together. We did such a good job, two innocent bystanders succumbed to panic attacks at the sight of us mugging together, which led to police, ambulance, and news reporters arriving on the scene. We made the 5 o'clock news on a segment they called "Chicago's Meanest Mugs."

Thanks for the warm welcome Kev.

A City on the Make

2009-09-10T20:20:00.000-04:00

But seriously, I understand everyone is facing a budget crunch, but really, Chicago Visitors Bureau, you can do better than this.

From Union Station to Union Station

2009-09-10T20:06:00.000-04:00

Man, why can't the paparazzi ever leave me alone. Ever since Soul of a People aired on the Smithsonian Network last weekend at 8 pm Eastern Standard Time, I just can't get them off me. I'm just an associate producer guys. What's that? No, I don't use Vidal Sassoon. Who am I wearing? Hollywood discount liquidators. No, that is not a Gucci suitcase dude. Will I sign your what? Okay, that's it, seriously, stop it.

Scenes from a moving train 4

2009-09-10T20:04:00.000-04:00

Train yards on Chicago's South Side

Scenes from a moving train 3

2009-09-10T19:55:00.000-04:00

Hey, is that a triple AAA-rated collateralized debt obligation? A mortgage-backed security? An exotic derivative financial instrument? Is that a machine that makes, like, things? This must be some kind of trash from the 20th Century.

Scenes from a moving train 2

2009-09-10T19:52:00.000-04:00

Dawn on the Indiana/Illinois border.

Scenes from a moving train 1

2009-09-10T19:49:00.000-04:00

This is Harpers Ferry

Chicago connection

2009-09-10T19:36:00.000-04:00

This is Elliott Krick. He teaches film at the University of Chicago, he's a very friendly guy, and he also happens to travel with construction-grade extension chords. "No you don't, come on Elliott, who travels with something like that?" Electricity was out on half the car, my half, and Elliott's half, and Elliott just popped up with this solution. Elliott was on his way home, so in a way he was my first connection to Chicago. My first encounter with Chicago---electrifying!

All aboard

2009-09-09T14:40:00.000-04:00

Train to Chicago premier leaving in one hour. Packing the necessaries: flip-flops, undies, the film. The screening will be at the Newberry Library in Chicago, and there's going to be a panel discussion. If you're in town, drop by, it's open to the public (click here for details). Will have plenty to report upon arrival, and probably some existential revelations about life as I will have 17 hours on the train without internet access and way too much Depression literature.

In the meantime, the production retrospective continues. Today's flashback is of the early days in the cave. Look at this face, this is the face of production. Delirium, exhaustion, euphoria. This is Wana, the associate editor and veteran Sparkista, with Andrea in the background, both attempting to marshal enough energy to give me the evil eye. I can't remember if this was late night or early morning, as it made no difference on some days, but it's definitely at a haggard moment, as neither Wana nor Andrea wanted to be photographed. Andea especially. You can see she is commanding me to Hallas with the pickchas. "hey, hey, what are you doing?" What me? "No pictures." What? This is just for me. "I don't believe you." I swear Andrea. "Okay, just don't go posting this on the internet or something. Or I'll kill ya. Kapish?" Okay, I promise.
Not.

TV on the Radio

2009-09-08T10:49:00.001-04:00

Soul is on Fire. Bob Edwards, the first host of NPR's flagship Morning Edition, and now the host of Bob Edwards Weekend on Sirius and Public Radio International (distributing to over 100 public radio stations), featured Soul of a People this weekend in an interview with David Bradley, one of the most charismatic and eloquent writers and scholars in the film. Check it out. http://podcast.com/episode/43980057/32910/?cp=1125

The reviews are beginning to pour in. Stay tuned for more....

2009-09-04T14:45:00.000-04:00

The picture above is of James Mirabello, the co-producer, and i, holding in our hands the final digibeta mastertapes of the final, final, final cut in the little bullet-proof bags they were delivered in to the Smithsonian Network. James's facial expression represents the shock and awe of actually reaching this unexpected moment in the production process. The imaginary thought bubble above his head should read: "oh my god, we're actually done? whaaaaaaaaa? What do we do with our lives now? What is our purpose for existing?" Whereas I'm just simply taking this opportunity to show off my fabulously spontaneous Mutton Chops, which, I swear, I did not have entering the editing cave. They just appeared on my face when I emerged from the cave peppered with little bits of tasty pretzel morsels. I really miss the cave.........the row of shiny golden statuettes in the background are the various awards Andrea Kalin has garnered over the years for her filmmaking. We are in her office, and because she is not present, we are making goofy faces. This is what happens when you leave Andrea....

The Long Awaited Moment

2009-09-04T14:32:00.000-04:00

So the long awaited moment is about to arrive of the world, nay, Universal premier of the labor of love of many, many years. The Smithsonian Network will be airing Soul of a People this Labor of Love Day weekend (check out the trailer clicking on the gadget to the right.) 7 years in the making, 3 years in production, one year in editing and script revisions, a seemingly endless string of over-nighters in the cave, frantically digging through hundreds of hours of archival film, munching on giant pretzels, debating the cuts, killing our darlings and playing psycho ping pong barefooted at 4 in the morning while Andrea took a powernap underneath the editing console after that week's 48 marathon editing session--and that was just one mid-Spring’s Thursday night!! So in honor of this momentous mountaintop we are about peak upon, I thought it appropriate to look back at some of the highlights of the production. Advanced apologies to my friends and associates for the wild and wooly light the world will now and forever see them in.

The Making Of The Making Of

2009-09-03T15:44:00.000-04:00

The Smithsonian Network sent over a film crew (aka, one woman cameracrew, on the right) to the "mosh pit," aka the Spark Media Production Department, aka, the Third Floor. On hand was the core production crew for Soul of a People, the editor, the director, the assistant editor, and the um, me. The walls are covered with the real story board cards we used to map out the arc of the documentary in "the cave," or editing cave. The cards say things like "Pauper's Oath," and "FDR Story: The Last President," and everybody's favorite Douglas Brinkley quote "Orgy of Americanism," which is actually in the film, and was, for a short delirious moment in a dark and midnight hour in the cave, actually considered as the subtitle for the film. Sanity prevailed, unfortunately. So, during the set up for the interviews there was some kind of audio problem with the camera. Next thing I know we have the director, the editor, and the assistant editor and the "camera crew" all trying to fix the camera for the making of. And so this picture is the behind the scenes shot of the behind the scenes shoot. Whaaaat?