Past Projects
Chronological History:
I’ve been fortunate to work with talented creative professionals and educators on a wide range of projects. Below, a representative sampling:
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE
Television documentary about friendship between students at the HMS School for Cerebral Palsy and the Germantown Friends School, and the musical they performed together. Winner, New York International Film Festivals Gold Award for Documentary, Emmy Award, and special United Nations Award for Public Service. Co-Executive Producer with Henry Nevison and Kerri Hanlon; Independence Media.
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CARMEN SANDIEGO?
Very popular PBS series, a geography game show expanded into fantasy detective story with animated characters, original music, comedy sketches, more. Winner of many children’s television awards. https://people.com/tv/why-where-in-the-world-is-carmen-sandiego-was-the-best-educational-show-ever/ International versions in Canada, Germany, Spain, New Zealand. Basis for two Saturday Night Live sketches, one in 2018. Developed for TV with Dana Calderwood and Dorothy Curley Tecklenburg; WQED & WGBH production.
Seven primetime History Channel specials featuring 200+ celebrities (Bill Clinton, Hank Aaron, B.B. King, Maya Angelou, Brian Wilson, Mike Wallace, Miss Piggy…). Hosted by Richard Dreyfuss, Chevy Chase. At the time, the network’s highest-rated programs. Distributed for 20 years via Cable in the Classroom. Also, a book series. Written and produced with Dana Calderwood and Charles Nordlander; Glow in the Dark Productions.
THE GREAT AMERICAN HISTORY QUIZ
THE 'A' GAME
Interactive game for middle schoolers intended to subsequently reduce high school drop-out rates. Included cartoons, original character, economic impact explained in terms that teenagers understood, role model videos, unique game format and scoring system to encourage classroom discussion. Partner organizations included United Way, City Year, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Philadelphia Education Fund, Mayor’s Office of Education, Rising Sons, Philadelphia Youth Network, School District of Philadelphia, PBS Learning Media. Executive Producer; Independence Media.
MiND
New 24/7 learning channel, seen on TV and the internet. Five-minute programs about pro-social issues, history, authors, city life, peace, geography, music, politics, government, public health, tolerance, water supply, prejudice, mental health, affordable housing, Africa, more. Over 1,000 original short-form programs, including MiND Games, produced by the public and by students, with government, nonprofits. CEO; Independence Media.
MiNDWORKS
Seven pilot TV/web programs exploring the potential of public media on the internet. We created a dozen original characters (8 puppets, 4 humans) based upon MBTI characteristics, then explored challenging topics through comedy sketches, musical numbers, short documentaries, podcasts, and other media. An academic/creative collaboration exploring many points of view, topics included 21st-century friendship, higher education in a digital age, eradication of extreme poverty (related to UN MDGs), more. Executive Producer; Independence Media.
ASIA SOCIETY: TRAVELS ON THE SILK ROADS
Elaborate illustrated prototype to teach high school students about history, economics, and spirituality associated with the Silk Roads. Effective use of academic and creative professionals as a united development team. Executive Producer for Logical Extension, Ltd
MERRIAM-WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY FOR KIDS
Creative reinvention of a dictionary to encourage children to explore the world of words, definitions, and phonetics. Produced with Ariel Schwartz; Howard & Ariel’s Software Wonderland for Mindscape.
THE BOYS OF SUMMER
Award-winning documentary about Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers, featuring first-person interviews with Roy Campanella, Duke Snider, Pee Wee Reese and other players during a pivotal time in history. EMI, VCA Programs; Executive in Charge of Production.
LISTENER'S GUIDE TO WORLD MUSIC
Introduction to more than 100 world music artists and genres from Nigeria, Iran, Cape Verde, Brazil, Mali, Ireland, Cuba, Madagascar, India, Mexico, indigenous cultures. Also, books about classical music, jazz and blues. Series published in U.S. and in China. Billboard Books; author/designer.
AWARDS & NOMINATIONS
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Emmy Award (3 awards, 4 nominations):
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Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
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Peabody Award:
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​Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
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Prix Jeunesse Finalist (2 Finalist rankings):
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​Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
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Watermelon Magic
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Television Critics Association (3 nominations):
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​Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
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Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award:
On the Other Side of the Fence
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New York International Film Festivals (Gold Award for Documentary):
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​On the Other Side of the Fence
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United Nations UNDPI Award for Public Service:
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​On the Other Side of the Fence
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ViRA Award (Best Sports Documentary):
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​The Boys of Summer
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CableACE Award (Best Drama Special):
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​The Passion of Dracula
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Benjamin Franklin Small Press Award:
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​When Words Hurt
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Plus several Telly Awards, other awards