FILMS AND SERIES (selected) - click to see credit and links
Credit is listed after each project. Some of these are available to view online.
Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart (PBS 2018). The first feature documentary about Lorraine Hansberry, written and directed by Tracy Heather Strain and produced by Strain and Randall MacLowry with executive producer Chiz Shultz. Consultant. (Web site)
Backpack Full of Cash (World premiere, 25th Philadelphia Film Festival, October 2016). Narrated by Matt Damon, a look at the cost of privatization and other school "reform" efforts in Philadelphia and other cities during the 2013-14 school year. Directed by Sarah Mondale and produced by Mondale, Vera Aronow, and Sarah Patton. A co-production of Stone Lantern Films and Turnstone Productions, New York. Consulting writer. (Web site)
Wilhemina's War (PBS 2016). Produced, directed and written by June Cross, this hour-long film follows 62-year-old Wilhemina Dixon as she struggles to help her granddaughter survive the health risks, social stigma, and institutional obstacles facing those living with HIV in South Carolina. Script editor. (Web) JULY 2017: Nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Documentary in Politics and Government.
Jerusalem (worldwide theatrical release 2013, filmed for IMAX and giant screen theaters in 3D and 2D). Forty-five minute documentary produced by Arcane Pictures and Cosmic Pictures, Canada. Written and directed by Daniel Ferguson, narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch. Winner, Giant Screen Cinema Association 2014 Achievement Award for Best Film. Contributing writer. (Web)
Slavery by Another Name. (PBS 2012). Feature-length documentary based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Douglas A. Blackmon, directed by Sam Pollard, and narrated by Laurence Fishburne. (Streaming free: Web) Additional free classroom, and community materials, including photos, can be found here.
Inside Story (Drama, theatrical and broadcast rollout, beginning 2011), focusing on sub-Saharan Africa. Directed by Rolie Nikiwe; produced by the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership and Curious Pictures, South Africa. Free worldwide streaming, Snag Films, click here. Story by (shared credit). (Web)
Bad Blood: A Cautionary Tale. Feature-length documentary produced by Necessary Films, New York, released theatrically in 2010 and edited for PBS broadcast 2011. Writer (shared credit). (Web)
The Audition (PBS 2008). Feature-length behind-the-scenes look at the Metropolitan Opera's National Council Auditions, directed by Susan Froemke and produced by the Metropolitan Opera. Writing consultant
Wired to Win: Surviving the Tour de France (theatrical, 2005), 40-minute IMAX documentary produced by Partners Health Care System with funding from the National Science Foundation and Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, narrated by Alfred Molina. Script consultant, revised final structure and script for release. (Web)
This Far By Faith: African-American Spiritual Journeys (PBS 2003), six-hour prime-time series produced by Blackside, Inc. Developed approach and wrote original program treatments and fundraising materials that attracted more than $4 million in production funds. Series writer, development.
Miss America: A Documentary Film (PBS American Experience 2002), feature-length documentary produced by Orchard Films and Clio, Inc. Wrote script and consulted on fundraising materials that attracted $700,000 in support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and additional support from American Experience; credited as program development.
School: The Story of American Public Education (PBS 2001). Four-hour series produced by Stone Lantern Films and KCET-TV, hosted and narrated by Meryl Streep. Writer; also, co-author, companion book. (Web)
Hopes on the Horizon (PBS 2001), two-hour special on the rise of pro-democracy movements in six African nations in the 1990s, produced by Blackside, Inc. Writer.
Fear No More: Stop Violence Against Women (Lifetime 2001), special produced by Maysles Films, New York, and hosted by the actress Brooke Shields. Writer.
Lalee’s Kin: The Legacy of Cotton (HBO 2001, limited theatrical release), Academy Award-nominated feature documentary by Maysles Films about poverty and education in the Mississippi Delta. Writer, interstitial materials; also wrote promotional materials. (Web)
I’ll Make Me a World: A Century of African-American Arts (PBS 1999), a six-hour, prime time series produced by Blackside, Inc., narrated by Vanessa Williams. Developed approach and wrote original program treatments and fundraising materials that attracted more than $4 million in production funds; supervised series content and writing and wrote three of the six films. Series writer, also episode writer.
100 Years of Women (Lifetime 1999), special by Maysles Films about six women at or near their 100th year of life. Hosted by the actress Camryn Manheim. Writer.
Life by the Numbers (PBS 1998), seven-part series on mathematics produced by WQED-TV, Pittsburgh. Wrote preliminary treatment for the first hour, Seeing is Believing.
Exploring Two Frontiers: The Neurolab Space Shuttle (PBS 1998), hour-long film produced by the Atlanta Educational Telecommunications Collaborative, Inc. and Public Broadcasting Atlanta-TV 30. Writer.
Liberty! The American Revolution (PBS 1997), six-hour prime-time series produced by Twin Cities Public Television in association with Middlemarch Films, New York. Consulting writer.
A. Philip Randolph: For Jobs and Freedom (PBS 1996), feature-length documentary produced by Dante Films. Revised final script for broadcast; consulting writer.
America’s War On Poverty (PBS 1996), five-hour prime-time series. Co-wrote two films, Given a Chance and In Service to America, and consulted on a third. Consulting producer, writer.
Out of the Past (PBS 1993), eight-part series on archeology and anthropology, produced by Cambridge Studios, Allston, Ma. With WQED-TVand the Pennsylvania State University. Consulting series producer and producer/director/writer of Signs and Symbols.
Eyes on the Prize II: America at the Racial Crossroads (PBS 1990), second season of this 14-hour, prime time series. Producer, director, and writer of Two Societies and Ain’t Gonna Shuffle No More. Ain’t Gonna Shuffle won national Emmys for both writing and editing. (Web). ALL 14 HOURS OF THIS SERIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ON DVD FROM PBS VIDEO.
The Ring of Truth: An Inquiry into How We Know What We Know (PBS 1988), six-part series on astrophysics produced by Public Broadcasting Associates, featuring MIT Professor Emeritus Philip Morrison. Co-producer of two films, Mapping and Change.
The Navigators: Pathfinders of the Pacific (PBS 1984), special on celestial navigation and the settlement of the Pacific. Produced by the Navigators Film Project, Cambridge, Ma. Associate producer, assistant editor, production manager.
MUSEUM EXHIBITION
Arkansas: A Bright Future (visitor center, 2008), 10-minute documentary and ancillary video material produced by Peace River Studios for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Permanent installation, AGFC visitor center in Little Rock. Writer.
Forgotten Ellis Island (2005), 60-minute documentary produced by Boston Film/Video Productions. Wrote script and fundraising materials awarded $425,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities. (A different version of this project aired on PBS in 2009; uncredited.)
45 Words: The Story of the First Amendment (museum, 2004), 40-minute documentary produced by the Freedom Forum Newseum for permanent installation in the Newseum theater. Writer and senior producer during development.
Primary Source Investigator: American History, 12e. (digital textbook, 2004), three short documentaries (Witchcraft Crisis of 1692; Votes for Women; Daughters of Liberty)for McGraw-Hill, produced by Historicus, Inc., Durham, NH . Writer.
WEB
Primary Source Investigator: American History, 12e. (digital textbook, 2004), three short documentaries (Witchcraft Crisis of 1692; Votes for Women; Daughters of Liberty)for McGraw-Hill, produced by Historicus, Inc., Durham, NH . Writer.
Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart (PBS 2018). The first feature documentary about Lorraine Hansberry, written and directed by Tracy Heather Strain and produced by Strain and Randall MacLowry with executive producer Chiz Shultz. Consultant. (Web site)
Backpack Full of Cash (World premiere, 25th Philadelphia Film Festival, October 2016). Narrated by Matt Damon, a look at the cost of privatization and other school "reform" efforts in Philadelphia and other cities during the 2013-14 school year. Directed by Sarah Mondale and produced by Mondale, Vera Aronow, and Sarah Patton. A co-production of Stone Lantern Films and Turnstone Productions, New York. Consulting writer. (Web site)
Wilhemina's War (PBS 2016). Produced, directed and written by June Cross, this hour-long film follows 62-year-old Wilhemina Dixon as she struggles to help her granddaughter survive the health risks, social stigma, and institutional obstacles facing those living with HIV in South Carolina. Script editor. (Web) JULY 2017: Nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Documentary in Politics and Government.
Jerusalem (worldwide theatrical release 2013, filmed for IMAX and giant screen theaters in 3D and 2D). Forty-five minute documentary produced by Arcane Pictures and Cosmic Pictures, Canada. Written and directed by Daniel Ferguson, narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch. Winner, Giant Screen Cinema Association 2014 Achievement Award for Best Film. Contributing writer. (Web)
Slavery by Another Name. (PBS 2012). Feature-length documentary based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Douglas A. Blackmon, directed by Sam Pollard, and narrated by Laurence Fishburne. (Streaming free: Web) Additional free classroom, and community materials, including photos, can be found here.
Inside Story (Drama, theatrical and broadcast rollout, beginning 2011), focusing on sub-Saharan Africa. Directed by Rolie Nikiwe; produced by the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership and Curious Pictures, South Africa. Free worldwide streaming, Snag Films, click here. Story by (shared credit). (Web)
Bad Blood: A Cautionary Tale. Feature-length documentary produced by Necessary Films, New York, released theatrically in 2010 and edited for PBS broadcast 2011. Writer (shared credit). (Web)
The Audition (PBS 2008). Feature-length behind-the-scenes look at the Metropolitan Opera's National Council Auditions, directed by Susan Froemke and produced by the Metropolitan Opera. Writing consultant
Wired to Win: Surviving the Tour de France (theatrical, 2005), 40-minute IMAX documentary produced by Partners Health Care System with funding from the National Science Foundation and Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, narrated by Alfred Molina. Script consultant, revised final structure and script for release. (Web)
This Far By Faith: African-American Spiritual Journeys (PBS 2003), six-hour prime-time series produced by Blackside, Inc. Developed approach and wrote original program treatments and fundraising materials that attracted more than $4 million in production funds. Series writer, development.
Miss America: A Documentary Film (PBS American Experience 2002), feature-length documentary produced by Orchard Films and Clio, Inc. Wrote script and consulted on fundraising materials that attracted $700,000 in support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and additional support from American Experience; credited as program development.
School: The Story of American Public Education (PBS 2001). Four-hour series produced by Stone Lantern Films and KCET-TV, hosted and narrated by Meryl Streep. Writer; also, co-author, companion book. (Web)
Hopes on the Horizon (PBS 2001), two-hour special on the rise of pro-democracy movements in six African nations in the 1990s, produced by Blackside, Inc. Writer.
Fear No More: Stop Violence Against Women (Lifetime 2001), special produced by Maysles Films, New York, and hosted by the actress Brooke Shields. Writer.
Lalee’s Kin: The Legacy of Cotton (HBO 2001, limited theatrical release), Academy Award-nominated feature documentary by Maysles Films about poverty and education in the Mississippi Delta. Writer, interstitial materials; also wrote promotional materials. (Web)
I’ll Make Me a World: A Century of African-American Arts (PBS 1999), a six-hour, prime time series produced by Blackside, Inc., narrated by Vanessa Williams. Developed approach and wrote original program treatments and fundraising materials that attracted more than $4 million in production funds; supervised series content and writing and wrote three of the six films. Series writer, also episode writer.
100 Years of Women (Lifetime 1999), special by Maysles Films about six women at or near their 100th year of life. Hosted by the actress Camryn Manheim. Writer.
Life by the Numbers (PBS 1998), seven-part series on mathematics produced by WQED-TV, Pittsburgh. Wrote preliminary treatment for the first hour, Seeing is Believing.
Exploring Two Frontiers: The Neurolab Space Shuttle (PBS 1998), hour-long film produced by the Atlanta Educational Telecommunications Collaborative, Inc. and Public Broadcasting Atlanta-TV 30. Writer.
Liberty! The American Revolution (PBS 1997), six-hour prime-time series produced by Twin Cities Public Television in association with Middlemarch Films, New York. Consulting writer.
A. Philip Randolph: For Jobs and Freedom (PBS 1996), feature-length documentary produced by Dante Films. Revised final script for broadcast; consulting writer.
America’s War On Poverty (PBS 1996), five-hour prime-time series. Co-wrote two films, Given a Chance and In Service to America, and consulted on a third. Consulting producer, writer.
Out of the Past (PBS 1993), eight-part series on archeology and anthropology, produced by Cambridge Studios, Allston, Ma. With WQED-TVand the Pennsylvania State University. Consulting series producer and producer/director/writer of Signs and Symbols.
Eyes on the Prize II: America at the Racial Crossroads (PBS 1990), second season of this 14-hour, prime time series. Producer, director, and writer of Two Societies and Ain’t Gonna Shuffle No More. Ain’t Gonna Shuffle won national Emmys for both writing and editing. (Web). ALL 14 HOURS OF THIS SERIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ON DVD FROM PBS VIDEO.
The Ring of Truth: An Inquiry into How We Know What We Know (PBS 1988), six-part series on astrophysics produced by Public Broadcasting Associates, featuring MIT Professor Emeritus Philip Morrison. Co-producer of two films, Mapping and Change.
The Navigators: Pathfinders of the Pacific (PBS 1984), special on celestial navigation and the settlement of the Pacific. Produced by the Navigators Film Project, Cambridge, Ma. Associate producer, assistant editor, production manager.
MUSEUM EXHIBITION
Arkansas: A Bright Future (visitor center, 2008), 10-minute documentary and ancillary video material produced by Peace River Studios for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Permanent installation, AGFC visitor center in Little Rock. Writer.
Forgotten Ellis Island (2005), 60-minute documentary produced by Boston Film/Video Productions. Wrote script and fundraising materials awarded $425,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities. (A different version of this project aired on PBS in 2009; uncredited.)
45 Words: The Story of the First Amendment (museum, 2004), 40-minute documentary produced by the Freedom Forum Newseum for permanent installation in the Newseum theater. Writer and senior producer during development.
Primary Source Investigator: American History, 12e. (digital textbook, 2004), three short documentaries (Witchcraft Crisis of 1692; Votes for Women; Daughters of Liberty)for McGraw-Hill, produced by Historicus, Inc., Durham, NH . Writer.
WEB
Primary Source Investigator: American History, 12e. (digital textbook, 2004), three short documentaries (Witchcraft Crisis of 1692; Votes for Women; Daughters of Liberty)for McGraw-Hill, produced by Historicus, Inc., Durham, NH . Writer.