Communiqué
Documentary Filmmakers Discuss the Making of “Creative Abundance”
By: Tom Hodson
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Dr. Lynn Harter, co-director of the Barbara Geralds Institute for Storytelling and Social Impact, and WOUB Public Media filmmaker Evan Shaw have combined their talents to produce “Creative Abundance” — a new documentary in the “Courage of Creativity” collection.
This film will be premiered on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. at a free public showing in the Schoonover Auditorium at Ohio University.
Last year, Dr. Harter and Shaw teamed up to produce “The Courage of Creativity” – a regional Emmy winning short documentary focusing on the use of art to transcend human vulnerability. Earlier this year, they released the Emmy nominated “A Beautiful Remedy” — a film about the use of art with pediatric cancer patients. That film is about to be nationally distributed.
“Creative Abundance” documents the integration of arts exploration within sheltered workshops/day programs serving people with developmental differences. It profiles the efforts of Patty Mitchell and Susan Dlouhy, activists who embrace an asset-based approach for organizational innovation and social change. They feel workshops can be spaces for creative activity and illustrate the power of art to imagine a future beyond the familiar.
The film documents how Mitchell and Dlouhy integrate art programming into workshops to foster human expression, develop individuals’ talents and build community.
Dr. Harter and Shaw talked with WOUB’s Tom Hodson about the making of the film, the strength of the stories the film portrays and some of the special challenges faced in making this documentary.
Besides being a filmmaker, Dr. Harter is a professor in the School of Communication Studies in the Scripps College of Communication. Her academic work has focused on the “communication construction of possibility and social change amidst profound vulnerability.” Her research encompasses a range of issues including pediatric cancer care, disability related concerns, and the organizing of healthcare for underserved populations.
Shaw oversees the production of documentary and special projects at WOUB Public Media. He has been nominated for 18 regional Emmys and has won 9 by the age of 30.
He also has worked with NFL Films and his work is often seen on ESPN, Showtime, NBC and FOX.
“Creative Abundance” is produced by Dr. Harter, Shaw and Margaret M. Quinlan. Associate Producers are Thomas Hodson, Michael Broderick and Kristen Okamoto. Assistant Producers are Mark Brewer and Sonia Ivancic.
The film has been created in association with WOUB Public Media, the Courage of Creativity Initiative and the Barbara Geralds Institute for Storytelling and Social Impact at Ohio University.
You can listen to the full Studio B interview with Dr. Lynn Harter and Evan Shaw here: