The Alumni Spotlight Series features finished documentaries by Docs In Progress alumni and associates screened in their entirety followed by a discussion with the filmmaker(s). This series is open to the general public, but is limited to only 20 people to allow for an intimate discussion between the audience and the filmmakers.
In March, join us for a screening of American Feud and a conversation with filmmakers Richard Hall and Simone Fary.
WHEN? Saturday, March 20, 2010 6:30 pm Networking 7:00-9:00 pm Screening and Discussion with the Filmmakers
WHERE? Docs In Progress Documentary House 8700 First Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910 Click here for directions.
FEE? This is a free screening, supported in part by grants from the Maryland State Arts Council and Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County. Donations are always welcome. Seating is on a first come, first served basis.
Designed to appeal to a general audience as well as students and political activists, American Feud explores the back story of a political system seemingly in crisis by tracing the history of Liberalism and Conservatism in the United States. Featuring interviews with everyone from G. Gordon Liddy to the late Howard Zinn, American Feud uses expert and man-on-the-street interviews, archival film and photos, maps, quotes, colorful graphics, music, and a little donkey and elephant to tell its story. As one commentator wrote of the film, "This wonderful talkumentary is a scrupulously non-partisan, yet tough-minded celebration of democracy and a delightfully fiendish counterattack on the cant delivered from sides of the political spectrum. What's most striking about the film is how the better souls on both the left and right emerge as kindred spirits. Frequently hilarious, always honest, and very highly recommended!" Billing the film as an "entire political science course in 90 minutes," Hall and Fary screened the film at a Docs In Progress work-in-progress screening in 2006 and completed the film in 2007. They will discuss not only the making of the film but how they have gone about self-distributing and marketing the film, particularly to academic institutions and libraries.
About the Filmmakers
Richard Hall’sprevious independent work includes the 12 minute film Southwest which screened at the 1992 New York Film Festival. He also produced and directed the documentary The Fall of the Elephant: 1992 Republican National Convention which screened at the 1993 New York Independent Film & Video Festival and the Brussels, Belgium International Film & Video Festival. Richard has been a videojournalist for C-SPAN2’s Book TV since its inception in 1998. He has worked at the public affairs network since 1991. He shoots, edits, directs and produces Book TV programs. Some highlights of his Book TV producing work include a look at a Christie's auction of rare classics including a 6 million dollar Shakespeare folio, a live program from civil war author Shelby Foote's home, a day at the LBJ library in Austin, Texas with author Robert Caro, and a live studio discussion of Homer's Odyssey. He makes regular visits to the homes of well-known authors for short features on their writing techniques. He has also taught Intro to Final Cut at Docs In Progress.Simone Fary is a member of the Docs In Progress Board of Directors. In addition to American Feud, she has also produced, directed and researched Cheng Se Tseo in his Own Words which aired on two PBS affiliates. She has also worked in public access television and takes an avid interest in new media and changing paradigms of distribution, especially self-distribution. In addition, she is a domestic goddess, household manager, and community gardener.
Location : Docs In Progress Documentary House, 8700 First Avenue, Silver Spring MD 20910 Contact : Adele Schmidt, adeleATdocsinprogressDOTorg or (301) 789-2797
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