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Pull Focus: Peter Richardson

Peter Richardson with camera

A rising star in documentary filmmaking, Peter Richardson has made a name for himself with two feature documentaries that both premiered at Sundance and have won him multiple awards, including Sundance's esteemed Grand Jury Prize.  An Oregon-native himself, Richardson is know for his penetrating and introspective treatment of Oregon-based social issues. His latest film, "How to Die in Oregon," explores the emotionally charged issue of physician-assisted-suicide which was legalized in Oregon in 1994 and remains one of the most controversial laws in that state today. Through the incredibly intimate stories of the terminally ill in Oregon, Richardson captures the spectrum of emotions behind that decision to end one's own life, while simultaneously showcasing the elegance and dignity of his subjects.  A producer, director, cinematographer and editor, Richardson has done it all, and during an interview for the 2011 Human Rights Film Series, he shares with us some of his experiences and insights. 

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Pull Focus: Patrice O'Neill

Patrice O'Neill with camera

O'NeillCo-founder of the nationally esteemed outreach organization, The Working Group, Patrice O'Neill is a pioneer in multi-platform citizen engagement. Also an award winning filmmaker, Ms. O'Neill uses the combined impact of visual storytelling and social networking to inspire action among her audiences. Among her success stories is Light in the Darkness, latest in the Not in Our Town series, which chronicles the response of Patchogue residents to the violent hate crime against one of their own, Ecuadorian immigrant Marcelo Lucero. Keeping with the tradition of past Not in Our Town films, O'Neill introduces us to an empowered community that comes together in the face of adversity to prevent future hate crimes and foster an environment of safety and respect. The Center for Social Media interviewed Ms. O'Neill before her screening at the 2011 Human Rights Film Series.

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Pull Focus: Julia Reichert & Steve Bognar

Julia Reichert and Steve Bognar were nominated for an Oscar for their 2009 documentary, "The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant".  Their 2007 documentary, "A Lion In The House", won a Primetime Emmy and was nominated for an award at the Sundance Film Festival as well as an Independent Spirit Award.  This past semester, the pair taught a Film & Video Production I course as well as the Social Documentary course at American University.

Julia & Steve graciously agreed to sit down with us to tell us why they decided to become filmmakers, stories about their own personal highlights from their filmmaking careers, and what their advice would be to beginning social issue documentary filmmakers.

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Pull Focus: Doe Mayer

Doe MayerDoe Mayer is an award-winning professor and filmmaker. She is the Mary Pickford Chair of Film & Television Production at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and holds a joint appointment with the Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism. Mayer has been working in film and television for the past 30 years and has produced, directed and provided technical support for hundreds of productions in the United States and numerous developing countries. Much of this programming has been in the areas of family planning, basic education, health and nutrition promotion, HIV/AIDS prevention, population and women’s issues. On April 7, 2011 Mayer joined us here at American University as part of the Center for Social Media's Visiting Filmmaker series. Before screening the film, “The World According to Sesame Street,” (directed by Linda Goldstein Knowlton and Linda Hawkins) we had a chance to sit down to learn more about her approach to making entertaining educational films.

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Pull Focus: Josh Fox

Josh Fox GaslandJosh Fox is the founder and Artistic Director of International WOW Company a film and theater company in New York. In addition to having written/directed/produced more than twenty plays, Josh directed the narrative feature film MEMORIAL DAY (2008) and most recently the Academy Award nominated documentary feature GASLAND (2010).  The film is a personal investigation into the domestic natural gas drilling industry and its devastating impacts on the environment and human health.  Josh as been touring the country with his film and on March 17th, 2011 Josh, joined us here at American University as part of the Center for Social Media's Visiting Filmmaker series (video of Fox's talk available here). Before his screening, we had a chance to sit down with Josh to learn more about his approach to filmmaking and creating social change through media.

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