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 1st Annual Making
Your Documentary Matter
The first of an annual producer's workshop was held at the Center
for Social Media at American University on February 7, 2005. The workshop was designed to showcase strategies and resources on audience engagement using media. It served to highlight the dynamic and growing use of media as a tool for social outreach.
Filmmakers, students, programmers, activists, non-profits and funders were drawn together
by the opportunity to share ideas, to find successful models, to
network, and to identify funding opportunities. Media makers learned
that funding for outreach and production go together. They learned
that strategic planning strengthens a project. And finally, they
learned that outreach specialists stand ready to help. Watching
these video clips, you will have a chance to hear the panelists
as they speak about these important issues.
Panel One: Partners and Funders for Social Docs:
The View from the Inside
 Diana
Ingraham, Director of US Independents Inc., outlines the
educational partnership between Daniel Anker’s film, Music
from the Inside Out, and the American Association for Music
Education. She speaks to the importance of involving partners early
and keeping them engaged; aligning project goals with those of your
partners; and understanding what teachers need.
Robert West, Executive Director of
Working Films, discusses the strategic campaign for Blue Vinyl,
which was conceived as a community organizing tool. He stresses
the importance of sustaining relationships and developing measures
of impact.
Cheryl Head, Senior Director of Outreach
and Diversity Programming at Corporation for Public Broadcasting,
stresses the importance of a strong story with compelling characters.
She discusses resources available through institutional partnerships.
Head notes the importance of having clear message points; knowing
the audience that you want to reach and why the film will be important
to them; and reaching out for professional expertise.
Introductions
by AU School of Communication Dean Larry Kirkman,
Joy Thomas Moore, and Professor Pat Aufderheide
Joy Thomas Moore, Annie
E. Casey Foundation
Clip from Legacy
and follow up
Robert West, Working
Films
Clip from Blue Vinyl
and follow up
Diana Ingraham, U.S.
Independents Inc.
Clip from Music from
the Inside Out and follow up
Cheryl Head, Corporation
for Public Broadcasting
Question and Answer session
Part 1
Part 2 Part 3
Panel Two: Broadcast Doc Outreach: Secrets from the
Pros
 Cara
Mertes, P.O.V. Executive Director, discusses the power of
a well-crafted human story that treats people fairly; strong support
materials; and feedback in the creation of an effective documentary.
She uses Tami Gold and Kelly Anderson’s Every Mother’s
Son
to illustrate her points.
Ellen Schneider, Executive Director
of Active Voice, uses Carlos Sandoval and Catherine Tambini’s
Farmingville to demonstrate how filmmakers can provide
guidance to advocates on the power of media use.
Melissa Hook, Deputy Executive Director
of the Victim Assistance Legal Organization, discusses her role
as National Outreach Coordinator for Sentencing the Victim.
She stresses the importance of being aware of turf issues among
partner organizations; as well as recognizing opposition.
Judith Ravitz, President of Outreach Extensions, discusses
outreach for Omar and Pete through the Reentry National
Media Outreach Campaign.
Patricia
Aufderheide, Panel Introduction
Judith Ravitz, Outreach Extensions
Part 1
Part 2 Part 3 Video
presentation: Reentry National Media Outreach Campaign
Cara Mertes, P.O.V.
Part 1
Part 2: Clip from Every Mother’s Son Part
3
Ellen Schneider, Active Voice
Part 1
Part 2: Clip from Farmingville
Part 3
Melissa Hook, Victim Assistance Legal Organization with clip from
Sentencing the Victim
Part 1
Part 2: Clip from Sentencing the Victim and follow up
Part 3
Question and Answer session
Part 1
Part 2 Part 3
Part 4
Funding provided by
The Annie E. Casey Foundation
The Ford Foundation
Additional support
from:
Grantmakers in Film and Electronic Media
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