On Saturday evening, June 6, 2009, the Media Center staff and crew double-feted local filmmaker Dorothy Fadiman and her most ardent fans. Media Center Production Manager Karen Adams organized the party and media event which celebrated Dorothy's 30 year documentary career as well as her 70th birthday. The party began with an hors d'oeuvre and wine reception in the lobby before moving into the studio. Media Center Executive Director Annie Folger invited us all to join her in celebrating the gift to the Media Center of all of Fadiman's twenty documentaries to the Media Center. The Media Center has been granted a perpetual license to cablecast Fadiman's lifework. Additionally the Media Center will make these films available to researchers who consult the Media Center library and archives.
After Annie Folger spoke, Dorothy's husband and mainstay throughout her career, Jim Fadiman introduced Dorothy. Long time colleague Danny McGuire (currently Operations Manager at CreaTV in San Jose) moderated a panel consisting of Dorothy and four distinguished guests who have worked with Dorothy in various capacities: Ekta Bhargava, an editor on "Stealing America Vote by Vote," Fadiman's investigation into voting fraud; Haeran Fisseha, an Ethiopian translator for the film series on HIV/AIDS; Tony Levelle, Co-author with Dorothy of the book PRODUCING WITH PASSION; and David Sobel, Concentric Media (Dorothy's production company) board member and long time advisor. After the panel discussion, a twenty minute screener about Dorothy's documentaries was shown and was followed by a Q&A session. The evening wrapped with a champagne and cake reception.
The program part of the evening was taped and will be cablecast in the next few weeks on Channel 27. As floor director I had the opportunity to particularly observe Dorothy throughout the evening. Dorothy is a pro whether she is working or not. In the midst of all the hustle and confusion of the ins and outs of taping the program, Dorothy was all serenity and in her element. And why not? She was surrounded by a panel of colleagues who hold the deepest respect and admiration for her. Additionally, the audience was full of her supporters come to cheer her on. I was reminded of the theme of the Capra movie "It's A Wonderful Life" so clearly stated in the final moments of the film: “No man is a failure who has friends.” Friday night, we were touting Dorothy's career to be sure, but we were also celebrating the powerful bond of friendship. Dorothy said several times during the course of the evening that her career would not have been possible without the support and faith of her friends and community.
Over her 30 year career Dorothy has attracted hundreds of patrons, colleagues and friends who have contributed their time, skills, energy, moral support and money to make possible Dorothy's vision. Dorothy has attacked with finesse a host of social issues that have made her unpopular with some while a hero for others. By letting the camera and her subjects tell the stories that she is passionate about, Dorothy has retained professional integrity and attracted and retained an international fan base.
And though Dorothy is internationally recognized and has an Oscar nomination to her credit, Dorothy has stayed rooted in the Bay Area and has focused on issues affecting her community as well as the larger issues affecting the nation and the world. Her emphasis on the grassroots is consistent with the significant gift of her films to her local cable access station. Her films are being shown through the month of June on Channel 27 from 3 pm Saturday to 9 am every Sunday morning, as well as on Monday evenings from 7-9 pm. Please check our schedule pages for more details.
Below is a partial list of the friends present at our event:
Joan Armer, Former Intern with Concentric Media
Paul Armer, Fund-raiser for the film Why Do These Kids Love School?, Fadiman's profile of Menlo Park's Peninsula School.
Belinda Brent, personal friend who helped Dorothy prepare for Oscar night
Phyllis Cole, worked on films including Radiance, When Abortion Was Illegal & World Peace is a Local Issue
Judith Dethlefs, Field Producer, From Danger to Dignity
Renee Fadiman, Visual and Performing Arts Chairperson, The Girls' Middle School
Molly Hale, the subject of the film Moment by Moment, Dorothy's profile of a miraculous journey of recovery from a devastation accident
Mary Ellen Hamilton, retired, Planned Parenthood of San Diego
Carla Henry, Co-Producer Stealing America
Linda Herreshof, Concentric Media Board Member
Ken Jenkins, Contributing Artist, Radiance
Bob Johnson, Cast member of work-in-progress Rainbowman
Graceann Johnson, Peninsula School faculty member
Peggy Kenny, Concentric Board Member
Kathy Kneer, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California
Clemencia Macias, worked on Why Do These Kids Love School? & other films
Steve Mangold, artistic contribution, Radiance
Kacy McClure, worked on Motherhood by Choice & Why Do These Kids Love School?
Dania Moss, led fund-raising efforts for several of Dorothy’s films
Mark Moulton, Concentric Media Board President
Victoria Nichols, Concentric Media visionary
Marian Slattery, persuaded Massachusetts Congressman Ed Markey to show World Peace is a Local Issue to Congress
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