| Current's 12th annual survey of public TV series for future seasons |
What’s in the works for public TV? This list based on Current’s annual Pipeline survey describes multihour projects in various stages of pipedream, conception, preproduction, scripting, shooting and editing for January 2004 and beyond. For space reasons, we include only projects two hours or longer, and no series intended strictly for classroom use. (Our July 14, 2003, issue listed instructional programs offered at public TV’s annual school TV screening.)
Among the projects, for example, are:
a
new generation of Cousteau undersea
adventures (pictured).All listed projects are based on producers’ responses to our survey this fall. Funders such as ITVS, the national minority consortia and CPB submitted information on behalf of some independent producers, as did some presenting stations. Thanks to all who responded to the survey.
Unless otherwise indicated, producers intend to distribute their programs through PBS or have not completed broadcast deals. The notation APT refers to American Public Television, Boston; NETA refers to National Educational Telecommunications Association, Columbia, S.C. Working titles are indicated by “w.t.” Please direct inquiries to the contact people listed with each title.
American Field Guide Producing station: Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Distributor: PBS Plus. Episodes: 13 x 30. Status: fundraising. Budget: $600,000.
Executive producers: David Davis and Jeff Douglas. Series producer and host:
Steve Amen. Contact: David Davis, david_davis@opb.org, 503-293-1959.
¶ Based on the long-running Oregon Field Guide, this national
outdoor magazine series sends a crew of outdoor reporters across the nation
to explore stories of interest to families, adventurers and armchair nature
lovers. Website: www.pbs.org/americanfieldguide.
Campfire Cafe Producing organizations: EMG Productions in association
with Searchlight Entertainment. Distributor: KNME Westlink. Episodes: 26
x
30. Status: postproduction. Budget: $1.3 million. Major funders: Pamela Alford,
Maureen Millen, Breezy Gate, Inc. Executive producers: Pamela Alford, Maureen
Millen. Host: Johnny Nix. Contact: Larry Wiseheart, larrywiseheart
emgproductions.com,
800-556-0414.*
¶ With cowboy charm, Johnny Nix serves up gourmet fare such as stuffed
rack of lamb, Reuben meat loaf, seafood quiche and grilled salmon — all
cooked over an open fire.
Caprial & John’s Kitchen: Cooking for Friends & Family Producing
station: Oregon Public Broadcasting. Distributor: APT. Episodes: 26 x 30.
Status: production. Budget: $450,000. Major funders: Pacific Foods, Dacor,
Kershaw. Executive in charge: Jack Galmiche. Executive producer: David Davis.
Contact: David Davis, david_davis@opb.org, 503-293-1959.
¶ A new series from the Northwest husband-and-wife chef team. Companion
cookbook planned.
Colonial House Producing organizations: WNET and Wall to Wall Television
in association with Channel Four (U.K.). Episodes: 8 x 60. Status: production.
Major funders: CPB, PBS. Executive producer: Beth Hoppe. Contact: Lisa Braun,
braun@thirteen.org, 212-560-2715.
¶ In the manner of Frontier House, the production team will transport
modern-day volunteers into an early North American settlement, where they
will attempt to create a working community.
Colorvision Producing organization: Johnsonworks Inc. in association
with the Native American Public Telecommunications, Latino Public Broadcasting,
National Asian American Telecommunications Association, National Black Programming
Consortium, Pacific Islanders in Communications, Independent Television Service.
Distributor: American Public Television. Episodes: 6 x 60. Status: completed.
Executive producer: Marc Johnson. Host: Daisy Fuentes. Contact: Luis Ortiz,
luis.ortiz@lpbp.org, 323-466-7110.
¶ A multicultural showcase of media, dialogue and music, including 23
short films and 10 originally produced segment reports. Segments will tackle
issues close to the minority experience, such as cultural identities, political
realities and personal viewpoints.
The Congregation (w.t.) Producing organizations: WETA, Washington,
D.C., and Video Verite. Episodes: 1 x 120. Status: production. Major funders:
Lilly Endowment, Inc., CPB, PBS, Eugene B. Casey Endowment Fund at WETA. WETA
executive producer: Dalton Delan. Producers: Alan and Susan Raymond. Managing
producer: Jim Corbley. Contact: Cecily Van Praagh, cvanpraagh@weta.com.
¶ Capturing the struggle to adapt and reinvent our spiritual institutions,
Emmy and Academy Award-winning producers Alan and Susan Raymond profile a
year in the life of a mainstream Philadelphia Protestant congregation following
the arrival of a new pastor. Online symposium, discussion leader’s guide
for clergy and lay leaders of congregations, other outreach materials planned.
DNA Producing organizations: A Windfalls production for WNET in association
with Channel Four (U.K.). Episodes: 5 x 60. Status: postproduction. Major
funders: Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Channel
Four. WNET executive producer: Beth Hoppe. Series producer: David Dugan. Contact:
Lisa Braun, braun@thirteen.org, 212-560-2715.
¶ When James Watson and Francis Crick worked out the structure of DNA
and demonstrated that its double helix was the key to the fundamental processes
of life, it launched a new era of biology. The five films chart the progress
that has been made in the last decades since Watson and Crick’s momentous
discovery.
The Forsyte Saga, Series II Producing organizations: Granada Television
and WGBH. Presented by Masterpiece Theatre. Episodes: 2 x 120, 1 x
60. Status: postproduction. Major funder: ExxonMobil. Executive producer:
Rebecca Eaton. Contact: Marcia Storkerson, marcia_storkerson@wgbh.org, 617-300-2420.
¶ This adaptation of To Let, the third book of John Galsworthy’s
chronicles of the Forsyte family, focuses on the intensity of first love for
the next generation of Forsytes. Damian Lewis, Gina McKee and Rupert Graves
star. Website: pbs.org/masterpiece.
1421: The Year China Discovered America (w.t.) Producing organization:
Penguin Television in association with Paladin Invision. Episodes: 2 x 60.
Status: production. Director: David Wallace. Contact: Laura Jones, Laura.Jones@penguintv.com.
¶ Examines the theories outlined by amateur historian Gavin Menzies in
his best-seller 1421: The Year China Discovered the World. The documentary
explores the extraordinary feats of China’s mighty Ming fleet and its
legendary Admiral Zheng He. Could the admiral’s vast armada have explored
America decades before Columbus did?
Ghosts of Rwanda (w.t.) Producing organizations: A co-production of
Frontline at WGBH with Silverbridge Productions Ltd. Episodes: 1 x
120. Status: production. Producer/director: Greg Barker. Contact: Marcia Storkerson,
marcia_storkerson @wgbh.org, 617-300-2420.
¶ Marks the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide by chronicling one
of the worst atrocities of the 20th century. In addition to interviews with
key government officials and diplomats, the documentary offers eyewitness
accounts of the slaughter of 800,000 people from Tutsi survivors. Website:
www.pbs.org/frontline.
Higher Education (w.t.) Producing organization: Learning Matters,
Inc. Episodes: 1 x 120. Status: production. Executive producer: John Merrow.
Senior producer: John D. Tulenko. Producers: Shae Isaacs, Carrie Glasser.
Contact: Shae Isaacs, sisaacs@merrow.org, 212-725-7000.
¶ Examines the forces that are challenging and changing the classic American
road to success: higher education. Companion book and other outreach and educational
activities planned.
Innovation Producing station: WNET. Episodes: 8 x 60. Status: production.
Major funders: Siemens, National Science Foundation, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation,
Arthur Vining Davis Foundations. Executive producer: Beth Hoppe. Series producer:
Jared Lipworth. Contact: Lisa Braun, braun@thirteen.org, 212-560-2715.
¶ Tells the stories behind cutting-edge technologies that are changing
our world, including stem cell therapy, future combat and the skyscrapers
of tomorrow. Outreach activities will include Innovation nights at
PBS stations and local science centers, teacher training for middle and high
school teachers, and Sparks of Innovation magazine.
Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire Producing organizations: Lyn Goldfarb
Productions and Plug-In in association with PBS and Devillier Donegan Enterprises.
Episodes: 3 x 60. Status: complete. Executive producers: Ron Devillier and
Brian Donegan for DDE. Producers: Lyn Goldfarb for Lyn Goldfarb Productions,
Deborah DeSnoo for Plug-In. Contact: Ken O’Keefe, 202-686-3980.
¶ Explores the Japanese "renaissance" a period between the 16th and 19th
centuries when Japan went from chaos and violence to a land of ritual refinement
and peace. But stability came at a price: For nearly 250 years, Japan was
a land closed to the western world, ruled by the Shogun under his absolute
power and control.
The Journey Home Producing station: WETA, Washington, D.C. Episodes:
1 x 120. Status: production. Major funders: Farmers Insurance, PBS, CPB, Rockefeller
Foundation, Latino Public Broadcasting. WETA executive producers: Jeff Bieber
and Dalton Delan. Contact: Dewey Blanton, dblanton@weta.com, 703-998-2875.
¶ As our society becomes increasingly multicultural, a group of esteemed
writers and commentators one African-American, one Vietnamese-American and
two Mexican-American brothers takes a road trip in search of what it means
to be an American in the 21st century.
The Lost Prince Producing organizations: Talkback and BBC Films in
association with WGBH. Presented by Masterpiece Theatre. Episodes:
2 x 120. Status: postproduction. Major funder: ExxonMobil. Executive producer:
Rebecca Eaton. Contact: Marcia Storkerson, marcia_storkerson@ wgbh.org, 617-300-2420.
¶ The little-known story of Prince John, the youngest child of George
V and Queen Mary, whose short life spanned one of the most momentous periods
in history -- the political build-up to World War I. Starring Gina McKee,
Michael Gambon, Tom Hollander, Miranda Richardson and Bibi Andersson. Website:
pbs.org/masterpiece.
Love and Diane Producing organization: Chilmark Productions. A co-presentation
of P.O.V. and the Independent Television Service. Episodes: 1 x 120.
Status: postproduction. Budget: approximately $600,000. Major funders: ITVS,
Popplestone Foundation, Wellspring Foundation, the Donnet Fund, Eddison Foundation,
Adelaide Ross Foundation, NYSCA. Producer/director: Jennifer Dworkin. Editor:
Mona Davis. Contact: Cynthia Lopez, clopez@pov.org, 212-989-7425.
¶ Shot over 10 years, the documentary centers on a mother and daughter
desperate for love and forgiveness but caught in a devastating cycle. After
Diane succumbed to a crack addiction in the 1980s and her daughter, Love,
was placed into foster care, the family is reunited and struggles to reconnect.
Outreach efforts include prebroadcast screenings, discussion events, and lesson
plans. Website: www.pbs.org/pov/love&diane.
The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance Producing organizations:
Lion Television in association with PBS and Devillier Donegan Enterprises.
Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: complete. Executive producers: Richard Bradley for
Lion Television, Ron Devillier and Brian Donegan for DDE. Contact: Ken O’Keefe,
202-686-3980.
¶ Depicts tales of one family’s powerful ambition and of Europe’s
tortured struggle to emerge from the ravages of the Dark Ages. The Medici
rose to great power and profoundly influenced nearly every facet of Western
culture, but the forces of change they helped unleash would one day topple
their ordered world.
The Music Show from San Francisco Producing organizations: San Francisco
Symphony and InCA. Presenting station: KQED, San Francisco. Episodes: 1 x
120. Status: postproduction. Executive producers: John Kieser, Janette Gitler.
Producers: David Kennard and Joan Saffa for InCA. Contact: Elizabeth Pepin,
epepin@kqed.org, 415-553-2340.
¶ This two-part documentary/performance special is designed to reawaken
America’s connection with the emotional power of classical music and
to help a broad national audience recognize the relevancy of this art form
in contemporary life. Michael Tilson Thomas conducts Tchaikovsky’s Symphony
No. 4.
The New Americans Producing organizations: Kartemquin Films in association
with Independent Television Service. Episodes: 2 x 120, 1 x 180. Status: complete.
Budget: $2.9 million. Major funders: ITVS, CPB, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur
Foundation, PBS, Latino Public Broadcasting, Asian Women United/National Asian
American Telecommunications Association, Annie E. Casey Foundation. Executive
producers: Steve James, Gordon Quinn. Series producer: Gita Saedi. Contact:
Randall Cole, randall_cole@itvs.org, 415-356-8383, ext 254.
¶ Divided into three episodes, the documentary accompanies newcomers
from five areas of the world, beginning before their departures from their
countries of origin through their dramatic first years in the United States.
Details of the extensive educational and community outreach campaigns can
be found at www.itvs.org/outreach/newamericans. Program website: www.pbs.org/newamericans.
Prime Suspect VI Producing organizations: Granada Television and WGBH.
Presented by Masterpiece Theatre. Episodes: 2 x 120. Status: postproduction.
Major funder: ExxonMobil. Executive producer: Rebecca Eaton. Contact: Marcia
Storkerson, marcia_storkerson@ wgbh.org, 617-300-2420.
¶ Emmy Award-winner Helen Mirren returns as Detective Superintendent
Jane Tennison. This time, Tennison investigates the brutal torture and murder
of a young Bosnian Muslim woman. Website: pbs.org/masterpiece.
Proud to Serve Producing organizations: Two Cats Productions and American
Public Television. Distributor: APT. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: production.
Budget: $180,000 per episode. Major funders: Vibram Soling, Kimsey Foundation,
Dell Computer Corp., Veteran’s Life Insurance. Executive producer: Andrew
Goldberg. Executive in charge for APT: Eric Luskin. Narrator: Walter Cronkite.
Contact: Andrew Goldberg, guywithcat@aol.com, 212-965-9830.
¶ Beginning with the U.S. Army, each show will take an intimate look
at the life and culture of being in the military--the stories of people who
have committed their lives to serving their country. Featuring interviews
with Jessica Lynch, Shaquille O’Neal, former Sen. Bob Dole, Lee Greenwood
and others.
The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Producing organizations:
Tatge/Lasseur Productions. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: preproduction, scripting.
Budget: $3.1 million, including $225,000 outreach budget. Major funders: PBS/CPB
Challenge Fund, Fidelity Foundation, Peter Lynch Foundation, Paul Montrone
Foundation, Laurance Rockefeller Foundation. Executive producer: Catherine
Tatge. Contact: Dominique Lasseur, tatgeprod@tatgeprod.com, 212-222-5677.
¶ Based on Armand Nicholi’s popular Harvard University course,
the series contrasts the spiritual world view of C.S. Lewis with the materialistic
philosophy of Sigmund Freud and emphasizes dramatic events in the lives of
both men. Program guide, online component, ancillary videotape seminar, six-city
tour planned.
Rebels and Redcoats: How Britain Lost America Producing organizations:
WGBH and Granada Television. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: postproduction. Producer:
Mark Fielder. Executive producer: Zvi Dor-Ner. Contact: Marcia Storkerson,
marcia_storkerson@wgbh.org, 617-300-2420.
¶ An exploration into America’s Independence War and how it divided
the nation between those who remained loyal to the crown and those who fought
for liberation. Stories told will represent every group involved: redcoats,
loyalists, rebels, neutrals, French soldiers, Indian warriors, slaves and
sharecroppers.
RFK (w.t.) Producing organization: A David Grubin Productions Inc.
film for American Experience at WGBH. Episodes: 1 x 120. Status: production.
Major funders: Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Scotts Co., Liberty Mutual. Director/
writer: David Grubin. Producers: David Grubin and Sarah Colt. Executive producer:
Mark Samels. Contact: Marcia Storkerson, marcia_storkerson @wgbh.org, 617-300-2420.
¶ Chronicles Robert Francis Kennedy’s pivotal role in the Cuban
missile crisis, civil rights movement and Vietnam War, and examines his relationships
with Martin Luther King, Lyndon B. Johnson, Marilyn Monroe, and his family,
especially older brother John F. Kennedy. Online teachers’ guide and
other educational materials planned. Website: pbs.org/amex.
Secrets of the Dead: D-Day Producing organizations: Windfall Films
for WNET in association with Channel Five (U.K.) and National Geographic Channels
International. Episodes: 1 x 120. Status: production. Major funder: PBS. Executive
producer: Beth C. Hoppe. Contact: Lisa Braun, braun@thirteen.org, 212-560-2715.
¶ The Allied invasion of Nazi-controlled France looms larger in our collective
conscience than perhaps any other single battle in history. In commemoration
of the 60th anniversary of D-Day, this special tells how the largest amphibious
operation ever staged came together. Using the day itself—June 6, 1944—as
a narrative spine, the film will systematically show how the Allies achieved
victory. Where invading forces failed, the film will investigate how and why
this happened. Website: www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets.
Secrets of War with Iraq (w.t.) Producing organization: A Mentorn
production for Frontline at WGBH and Channel Four (U.K.). Episodes:
1 x 120. Status: production. Producer: Eamonn Matthews. Contact: Marcia Storkerson,
marcia_storkerson@wgbh.org, 617-300-2420.
¶ Marks the first anniversary of the Iraq War with an investigation that
recounts the key strategies, battles and turning points of the war from both
sides of the battlefield. Website: www.pbs.org/frontline.
Smart Gardening Producing organization: Chambers Productions. Presenting
station: Oregon Public Broadcasting. Distributor: APT. Episodes: 13 x 30.
Status: production. Major funder: Proven Winners. OPB executive producers:
David Davis, Tom Doggett. Series producer: Dawn Ford for Chambers Productions.
Contact: David Davis, david_davis@opb.org, 503-293-1959.
¶ The first PBS gardening series in high definition explores the wonder
and fun of gardening.
Surviving and Winning Producing organizations: CRW Medical Productions
and Henninger Media Services. Distributor: NETA. Episodes: 26 x 30. Status:
R&D, fundraising, preproduction. Budget: $1.2 million. Major funders: American
Institute for Cancer Research, Merck Institute on Aging and Health. Executive
producers: Clara Wilkerson for CRW Medical Productions, Brian J. Kelly for
Henninger Media Services. Host: Dr. Bernadine Healy. Contact: Clara Wilkerson,
cwilkerson@crwmedical.com, 703-885-6821.
¶ Real stories about people with life-threatening illnesses and breakthrough
treatments. Educational outreach to the medical community planned, with continuing
education credits for health care professionals who review content of episodes.
Website: www.survivingandwinning. com.
Tavis Smiley Producing organization: The Smiley Group. Presenting
station: KCET, Los Angeles. Episodes: 240 x 30. Status: fundraising. Series
executive producer: Mary Mazur. Executive in charge: Karen Hunte. Executive
producer and host: Tavis Smiley. Executive producer: Neal Kendall. Contact:
Laurel Lambert, llambert@kcet.org.
¶ KCET teams up with NPR talk show host Tavis Smiley for a new national
late-night talk show on PBS. Airing weeknights beginning Jan. 5, it will feature
a mix of news, issues and entertainment, with interviews of newsmakers, politicians,
celebrities and real people.
A Thief of Time Producing organizations: Wildwood Enterprises, Carlton
International, Granada Entertainment and WGBH. An American Mystery!
presentation. Episodes: 1 x 120. Status: postproduction. Major funder: CPB.
Executive producers: Robert Redford and Rebecca Eaton. Contact: Marcia Storkerson,
marcia_storkerson@ wgbh.org, 617-300-2420.
¶ In the latest Mystery! adaptation based on Tony Hillerman’s
best-selling Navajo police novels, an archaeologist turned pottery poacher
thinks she has cracked the secret of the vanished Anasazi culture —
when she herself vanishes. Starring Wes Studi and Adam Beach as tribal policemen
Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, with guest stars Graham Greene and Peter Fonda.
Website: www.pbs.org/wgbh/mystery/american.
Weir Cooking in the City Producing station: KQED, San Francisco. Distributor:
APT. Episodes: 26 x 30. Status: production. Budget: $1 million. Major funders:
Gallo, Sur La Table, Libbe. Executive producer: Danny L. McGuire. Producer:
Tina Salter. Host/chef: Joanne Weir. Contact: Elizabeth Pepin, epepin@kqed.org,
415-553-2340.
¶ JoAnne Weir offers a new plate of diverse recipes for today’s
lifestyles, set against the colorful backdrop of the San Francisco Bay area.
Companion cookbook planned.
With All Deliberate Speed: The Legacy of Brown v. Board Producing
organization: Teleduction, Inc. and Serviam Media, Inc. Distributor: APT.
Episodes: 2 x 60. Status: production. Budget: $350,000. Major funder: DuPont.
Director/producer: Sharon Kelly Baker. Senior editor: Julie Pfeifenroth. Director
of photography: Pascal Dieckmann. Contact: Sharon Baker, sbaker@teleduction.com,
302-429-0303.
¶ May 17, 2004, marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court
decision in Brown v. Board of Education, which struck down the notion
of "separate but equal education. This film will address the most pressing
questions about race and ethnicity in education--then and now. Website: www.brownvboard.info.
Ancient Greek Olympics Producing organization: Carlton International
for PBS and Channel Four (U.K.). Episodes: 2 x 60. Status: preproduction.
Producer: Antony Thomas. Contact: Rachel Glaister, rachel.glaister@carltonint.co.uk,
44-(0)-20-7612-7351.
¶ As the Olympics return to Athens in 2004, this doc tells the real story
of the ancient games. De-signed for lovers of sports and lovers of history.
The Meaning of Food Producing organizations: Pie in the Sky Productions
in association with Oregon Public Broadcasting. Episodes: 3 x 60. Status:
production. Budget: $1.3 million. Major funders: PBS, Pacific Islanders in
Communications, CPB. Executive producer: Sue McLaughlin. Executive producer
for OPB: David Davis. Contact: David Davis, david_davis@opb.org, 503-293-1959.
¶ An entertaining and sometimes humorous look at the role of food in
the intricate social and personal rituals of our lives. The series will explore
the vast multicultural landscape of America through an examination of food.
On the Air with Tucker Carlson (w.t.) Producing organization: WETA,
Washington, D.C. Episodes: 52 x 30. Status: preproduction. Major funders:
PBS, CPB. Executive producers: Dalton Delan and Jeff Bieber. Host: Tucker
Carlson. Contact: Dewey Blanton, Dblanton@weta.com.
¶ Journalist and commentator Tucker Carlson, now a co-host of CNN’s
Crossfire, will bring his style to PBS. His pool of commentators and analysts
will span the spectrum of social, cultural and political thinking and offer
new voices to the public discourse on the critical issues facing the nation.
Off Hand! Producing organizations: Sign City TV Produc-tions in association
with IWV Media Group. Episodes: 26 x 30. Status: preproduction, scripting.
Budget: $1.9 million. Major funders: Sign City TV, IWV Media Group Inc. Executive
producer: Sheldon Alfeld. Executive producer/distribution: Maureen M. Millen.
Host: Herb Larson. Contact: Maureen Millen, Mmillen@iwvmedia. com, 281-573-4035.
¶ After a seven-year hiatus, this seven-time Emmy-winning talk show returns
to the air, featuring A-list celebrities, sports stars and politicians addressing
the unique needs of the deaf culture. Sign language is used real time, as
well as voice for both hearing and deaf audiences.
The ’60s: The Years That Shaped a Generation Producing organization:
Oregon Public Broadcasting. Episodes: 2 x 60. Status: editing. Budget: $300,000.
Major funder: PBS. Executive producer: David Davis. Producer/director: Steve
Talbot. Contact: David Davis, david_davis@opb.org, 503-293-1959.
¶ Using archival footage and interviews, this special examines the music,
culture and politics of the turbulent late ’60s to show how the events
of this era shaped a generation.
Sound Opinions Producing organization: WTTW National Produc-tions.
Episodes: 44 x 30. Status: preproduction. Executive producer: Randy King.
Producer: Matt Spiegel. Hosts: Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis. Contact: Shaunese
Teamer, steamer@wttw.com, 773-509-5441.
¶ A rock’n’roll talk show developed and hosted by Jim DeRogatis,
pop critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, and Greg Kot, rock critic for the Chicago
Tribune. The two will debate what’s what on the current music scene,
including music news.
America Rebuilds, Parts 2 and 3 Producing organization: Great Projects
Film Co. Inc. Episodes: 2 x 90. Status: production. Budget: $1.6 million.
Major funders: PBS, CPB. Executive producers: Kenneth Mandel, Daniel B. Polin.
Contact: Kenneth Mandel, 212-581-1700, kmandel@greatprojects.com.
¶ These episodes pick up the post-9/11 story from the September 2002
broadcast of Part 1, which covered the cleanup at New York’s Ground
Zero. Part 2 will cover the evolution of the master plan of the site formerly
occupied by the World Trade Center. Part 3, tentatively planned to air in
2006, will cover the actual erection of the buildings and construction of
the memorial. Website: www.pbs.org/americarebuilds.
The Art of Persuasion (w.t.) Producing organizations: A co-production
of Frontline at WGBH and Ark Media LLC. Episodes: 1 x 120. Status:
R&D. Producers: Rachel Dretzin and Barak Goodman. Contact: Marcia Storkerson,
marcia_storkerson@ wgbh.org, 617-300-2420.
¶ An in-depth look at the persuasion industries, advertising and public
relations. Marketers are integrating their pitches more deeply into the fabric
of our lives. They now shape the way Americans understand the world and themselves.
Their techniques are migrating into politics, shaping the way leaders formulate
policy, influence public opinion, make decisions and stay in power. Website:
pbs.org/frontline.
Broadway: The American Musical Producing organizations: WNET and Ghost
Light Films. Episodes: 6 x 60. Status: production. Major funders: CPB/PBS
Carlton Fund, NEH, Dorothy and Lewis Cullman, Shubert Organization. Executive
producers: Jac Venza and David Horn. Producer/director: Michael Kantor. Contact:
Lisa Braun, braun@ thirteen.org, 212-560-2715.
¶ The first series to tell the epic story of the unique American art
form, beginning in the era of Florenz Ziegfeld’s extravagant revues.
The series explores the phases of American pop culture, including Irish ballads
and patriotic jingles, ragtime marches, jazz, torch songs, blues and rock
opera.
Eugene O’Neill (w.t.) Producing organizations: Steeplechase
Films in association with WGBH. Episodes: 1 x 120. Status: postproduction.
Director: Ric Burns. Producers: Ric Burns and Marilyn Ness. Contact: Marilyn
Ness, Steeplechase Films, 212-724-8350.
¶ The dramatic life and artistic contributions of one of America’s
greatest playwrights. Al Pacino, Natasha Richardson, Liam Neeson and other
actors perform scenes from O’Neill’s plays and talk about his
profound influence on American theater.
The Choice 2004 Producing organizations: A co-production of Frontline
at WGBH and Rain Media Productions. Episodes: 1 x 120. Status: R&D. Major
funders: PBS, CPB. Producer: Martin Smith. Correspondent: Nick Lemann. Contact:
Marcia Storkerson, marcia_storkerson@ wgbh.org, 617-300-2420.
¶ As Americans prepare to choose their next president, Frontline
offers a dual bio of the two major candidates. The film eschews political
pundits and goes beyond sound bites to explore how the candidates and their
values have been shaped. Website: pbs.org/frontline.
The Evergreen Project (w.t.) Producing organizations: Q Media Partners
and Seniors Media Lab. Presenting station: KTEH, San Jose, Calif. Episodes:
130 x 30. Status: fundraising. Budget: $10.5 million. Major funders: the California
Endowment. Executive producers: Ben Bayol, Peter Calabrese, Harley Christensen.
Director of finance and production: Steven Alper. Research director: Betsy
Blosser. Contact: Harley Christensen, harchr@aol.com, 415-453-6576.
¶ Serving the largest, most diverse and longest-lived cohort of Americans
in history, the weekday series aims to transform how we think about the second
half of life. Segments will cover community engagement, successful aging,
renewal, spirituality, health and other topics. Outreach efforts undertaken
in partnership with national organizations may include health promotion campaigns
and intergenerational volunteer opportunities.
The Funnies Producing organizations: Alchemedia Ltd. and KQED, San
Francisco. Episodes: 2 x 60. Status: fundraising. Budget: $1.2 million, including
outreach, website and promotion. Contact: Elizabeth Pepin, epepin@kqed.org,
415-553-2340.
¶ This colorful HDTV series takes a lively, nostalgic and socially relevant
look at the artists, characters and quirky history of the daily newspaper
comic strip.
Great Lodges of the Canadian Rockies Producing organizations: Oregon
Public Broadcasting and Alliance Atlantis. Episodes: 2 x 60. Status: production.
Budget: $650,000. Executive producers: John Grant for OPB, Andy Thompson for
Alliance Atlantis. Contact: David Davis, david_davis@opb.org, 503-293-1959.
¶ Historical journeys, past to present, through the architectural treasures
in Canada’s national parks.
Have You Heard from Johannesburg? (w.t.) Producing organization: Clarity
Films. Episodes: 10 x 60. Status: postproduction. Budget: $5.3 million. Producer/director:
Connie Field. Cinematographer: Tom Hurwitz. Scriptwriter: Ken Chowder. Supervising
editor: Michael Chandler. Contact: info@clarityfilms.org.
¶ Stories of people around the world who influenced their governments
and multinational corporations to help end apartheid--one of the greatest
achievements of the 20th century. Outreach screenings and campaigns will be
organized around the 10th anniversary of the new South Africa and National
History Day.
Hell Producing organization: Oregon Public Broadcasting. Episodes:
2 x 60. Status: fundraising. Budget: $700,000. Executive producer: David Davis.
Director: Kyra Thompson. Contact: David Davis, david_davis@opb.org, 503-293-1959.
¶ Humanity’s darkest imaginings of eternal damnation, as envisioned
in the arts, pop culture, history and religions.
Henry VIII Producing organizations: Granada Television and WGBH. Presented
by Masterpiece Theatre. Episodes: 2 x 90. Status: postproduction. Major
funder: ExxonMobil. Executive producer for WGBH: Rebecca Eaton. Contact: Marcia
Storker-son, (617) 300-2420, marcia_storkerson @ wgbh.org.
¶ A new miniseries on the life of the boisterous king desperate to create
a male heir to perpetuate the Tudor dynasty. Starring Ray Winstone and Helena
Bonham Carter. Website: pbs.org/masterpiece.
Hepatitis C: The Stealth Epidemic Producing organization: Lichtenstein
Creative Media Inc. Episodes: 1 x 120. Status: preproduction, scripting. Budget:
$598,000. Executive producer: Bill Lichtenstein. Contact: Bill Lichtenstein,
bill@LCMedia.com, 212-967-1200, ext. 17.
¶ Medical, social, political, public health and economic issues surrounding
the infectious disease that afflicts 4 million Americans, half of whom don’t
know they have it. The documentary features Carey Graeber, whose sister died
of the virus, and medical experts who put her story into context. To be accompanied
by an hourlong radio special and a broad public education campaign. Website:
www.HepCfilm.com.
Hola, Daisy! (w.t.) Producing organization: A La Carte Communications.
Distributor: APT. Episodes: 26 x 30. Status: R&D. Executive producers: Nat
Katzman and Geof Drummond. Contact: Hope Reed, hreed@ alacartetv.com.
¶ Daisy Martinez — Puerto Rican-Spanish by birth, Brooklyn by upbringing
— introduces us to her Latin kitchen with flavors appealing to both
the palate and the heart. She fuses Latino culture and cooking from Mexico,
Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Brazil and beyond. With a companion cookbook.
Website: www.alacartetv.com.
Holy Warriors Producing organizations: Atlantic Productions in association
with PBS and Devillier Donegan Enterprises. Episodes: 2 x 60. Status: production.
Executive producers: Ron Devillier, Brian Donegan. Producer: Anthony Geffen.
Contact: Ken O’Keefe, DDE, 202-686-3980.
¶ Filmed in Europe and the Middle East, this special tells the story
of the relationship between Muslim leader Saladin and Christian crusader Richard
the Lionheart. Each viewed the other as the infidel, but their brutal war
led each man to question his prejudices and forever shaped the relationship
between Christianity and Islam.
Jack Johnson Producing organizations: Florentine Films and WETA, Washington,
D.C. Episodes: 2 x 120. Status: production. Major funders: General Motors
Corp., Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, CPB, PBS, Rosalind P. Walter. Producer:
Ken Burns. Contact: Dewey Blanton, dblanton@ weta.com, 703-998-2875.
¶ A biography of the man who became the first black heavyweight champ
in 1908, recounting the battles with his two greatest enemies: the U.S. government
and himself.
Juveniles in Crisis Producing organization: Lichtenstein Creative
Media Inc. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: preproduction, scripting. Budget: $550,000
per episode. Executive producer: Bill Lichtenstein. Contact: Bill Lichtenstein,
bill@ LCMedia.com, 212-967-1200, ext. 17.
¶ A fresh, comprehensive examination of the well-being of juveniles,
exploring intertwined issues of mental health, justice, education and foster
care, and proposing solutions to problems. An accompanying national outreach
campaign will expand public knowledge and help people reach policymakers.
Life & Times of Frida Kahlo Producing organizations: Daylight Films
and WETA, Washington, D.C. Episodes: 1 x 120. Status: production. Major funders:
CPB, PBS, Frito-Lay, Sabritas Frito-Lay, Latino Public Broadcasting, Helen
and Peter Bing, New Hampshire Council for the Humanities. Executive producers:
Dalton Delan and David S. Thompson. Producer/writer/director: Amy Stechler.
Contact: Dewey Blanton, WETA, dblanton@weta.com.
¶ The story of a pivotal figure in 20th-century art, told as a reflection
of her culture, her art and her times.
Malaria Producing organization: Films of Record. Distributor: Carlton
International. Episodes: 2 x 60. Status: preproduction. Producer: Roger Graef.
Contact: Rachel Glaister, rachel.glaister@carltonint.co.uk, 44-(0)-20-7612-7351.
¶ Follows the race to find the first-ever vaccine against the disease
that has killed more people than any other.
Martin Yan’s Quick & Easy Asian (w.t.) Producing organization:
A La Carte Communications. Distributor: APT. Episodes: 26 x 30. Status: production.
Executive producers: Nat Katzman and Geof Drummond. Contact: Hope Reed, hreed@alacartetv.com.
¶ Viewers will learn that Asian cooking can provide the perfect meal
for their lifestyles — quick, inexpensive, delicious, healthy and fun
to cook. With a companion cookbook.
Miles & Miles of Texas: A Lone Star State Political Journey Producing
organizations: Midnight Films and the Center for Documentary, University of
Texas at Austin. Episodes: 1 x 120. Status: postproduction. Budget: $600,000.
Major funders: CPB, McHale-Mattsson Foundation, Rapoport Foundation. Producer/director/
writer: Paul Stekler. Editor/co-producer: Sandra Guardado. Contact: Paul Stekler,
stek@mail.utexas.edu, 512-471-6679.
¶ A contest for the Texas House of Representatives in Lyndon Johnson’s
hometown highlights the statewide 2002 battle between George W. Bush's ascendant
Texas Republicans and a multicultural Democratic ticket.
The Misadventures of Maya and Miguel Producing organization: Scholastic
Entertainment. Episodes: 65 x 30. Status: Production. Major funders: CPB,
PBS, Department of Education. Executive producer Deborah Forte. Project director:
Arminda Figueroa. Contact: Stacey Sanner, ssanner@ goodmanmedia.com, 212-576-2700.
¶ Animated children’s series chronicles the adventures of 10-year-old
Latino twins Maya and Miguel Santos as they figure out how to leave their
stamp on the vibrant world around them. Designed for 6- to 8-year-olds, the
series is at the core of a $14 million multimedia initiative designed to promote
cultural diversity and English-language acquisition.
Monarchy: The Early Kings Producing organizations: Granada/Bristol,
Channel Four (U.K.), WNET. Episodes: 6 x 60. Status: production. Host: David
Starkey. WNET executive producer: Jody Sheff. Contact: Lisa Braun, braun@thirteen.org,
212-560-2715.
¶ These six episodes are the first installment of an 18-part comprehensive
series that will set straight the myths of history and examine absolute power,
politics, religion and the extraordinary lives shaped by monarchy.
Native Americans in the 21st Century Producing organization: Native
American Public Telecommunications. Episodes: 2 x 90. Status: postproduction.
Budget: $1.2 million. Major funders: CPB, PBS, MacArthur Foundation, Ford
Foundation. Producers: Carol Cornsilk, Sam Hurst and Larry Pourier. Hosts:
LeAnne Howe, Mark Anthony Rolo. Contact: Carol Cornsilk, ccornsilk1@unl.edu,
402-472-3522.
¶ Native writers LeAnne Howe, a Choctaw, and Mark Anthony Rolo, an Ojibwe,
guide the viewer through searches for tribal identity.
The New Heroes (w.t.) Producing organizations: Oregon Public Broadcasting
and Grove/Malone Productions. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: production. Budget:
$1.7 million. Major funder: Skoll Foundation. Executive producer: David Davis.
Series producers: Robert Grove and Mike Malone. Contact: David Davis, david_davis
@opb.org, 503-293-1959.
¶ With a celebrity host, this magazine-format series tells stories of
people on the cutting edge of sustainable social and economic development
around the world.
Oil 2004 (w.t.) Producing organizations: WNET in association with
Paladin/InVision Productions. Episodes: 3 x 60. Status: production. Major
funders: PBS, CPB, BBC, CBC, Channel Four International. Executive producer:
Stephen Segaller. Producer/director: William Cran. Contact: Lisa Braun, braun@thirteen.org,
212-560-2715.
¶ In an exploration of the global oil industry, first-person narratives
draw together the geopolitical, environmental and cultural threads of the
story.
Postcards from Buster Producing organizations: WGBH and Cinar in association
with Marc Brown Studios. Episodes: 40 x 30. Status: production. Major funders:
Department of Education through Ready to Learn. Executive producers: Carol
Greenwald and Marc Brown. Series producer: Natatcha Estebanez. Senior producer:
Pierre Valette. Contact: Marcia Storkerson, marcia_storkerson @wgbh.org, 617-300-2420.
¶ In this spin-off of Arthur, Arthur’s friend Buster travels
across the country with his pilot father, experiencing cultural and geographic
diversity while creating live-action video "postcards" to send home. First-season
outreach efforts will help English-as-second-language students use English
in culturally appropriate ways.
Rape of Europa Producing organizations: Actual Films and OPB. Episodes:
2 x 60. Status: preproduction, fundraising. Budget: $1.1 million. Major funders:
NEH, NEA. Executive producers: David Davis. Producers: Bonnie Cohen and Richard
Berge. Contact: David Davis, david_davis@ opb.org, 503-293-195.
¶ An HDTV production that tells how Nazi Germany looted the treasures
of Europe during World War II and how others have tried to find and restore
the art works to their rightful owners.
They Made America (w.t.) Producing station: WGBH. Presented by American
Experience. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: preproduction, scripting, production.
Major funders: Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Liberty Mutual, Scotts Co., Kauffman
Foundation, Arthur Vining Davis Foundation. Executive producer: Mark Samels.
Series producer: Carl Charlson. Producers and writers: Dan McCabe, Linda Garmon,
Patricia Garcia-Rios. Co-writer: Harold Evans. Contact: Marcia Storkerson,
marcia_storkerson@wgbh.org, 617-300-2420.
¶ Explores the history of innovation through stories about the inventive
people behind Coca-Cola, IBM, Maidenform, CNN, the synthesizer, Bank of America,
Def Jam Records and other companies. Website will profile entrepreneurs and
show how their drive has transformed American society. Proposed outreach project
will provide video materials for entrepreneurship programs for high school
students. Website: pbs.org/amex.
This is a Game, Ladies Producing organization: Partisan Pictures.
Episodes: 1 x 120. Status: completed. Major funder: PBS. Director/producer/cinematographer:
Peter Schnall. Producer/sound recordist: Tracey Barry. Editor/co-director:
Rob Kuhns. Executive producers: Peter Schnall, Hilary Sio, Denise Williams.
Contact: Tracey Barry, tbarry@partisanpictures.com, 212-645-4700.
¶ A feature documentary about the Rutgers women’s basketball team
and its coach, C. Vivian Stringer. She teaches the game of life. It’s
not about winning and losing, it’s about growth, coming of age, girls
becoming women. Outreach plans include screening and media guides in conjunction
with Girls Inc.
Visiones: Latino Art and Culture Producing organization: Galan Inc.
and National Association of Latino Arts and Culture. Episodes: 3 x 60. Status:
postproduction. Budget: $1.5 million. Major funders: CPB, ITVS, NEA, Ford
Foundation, Houston Endowment, Rockefeller Foundation, Texas Commission on
the Arts, Latino Public Broadcasting. Executive producer: Hector Galan. Senior
producer: Ray Santisteban. Production manager: Gustavo Aguilar. Contact: Hector
Galan, info@galaninc. com, 512-327-1333.
¶ Journeys through the nation, capturing stories of Latino theater, music,
dance, spoken word and visual arts. Project includes DVD, music CD, book,
bilingual classroom materials. Website: www.visiones.org.
Words & Music Producing organizations: Terwilliker Limited and KQED,
San Francisco. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: R&D. Executive producers: Andrew
Kuehn and Terrence Flannery. Executive in charge: DeAnne Hamilton. Producers:
Stephen Netburn, Allen J. Svirdidoff. Contact: Elizabeth Pepin, epepin@kqed.org,
415-553-2340.
¶ Michael Feinstein, singer, pianist and raconteur, will host this HDTV
series, taped before a live audience, which provides a window into the creative
processes of musicians and songwriters. Guests may include such artists as
Elton John, Billy Joel, Sting and Mary J. Blige.
American Getaways Producing organization: CMPT Productions, LLC. Presenting
station: Pioneer Public Television/KCWM and KSMN, Appleton, Minn. Episodes:
13 x 30, 2 x 60. Status: fundraising. Budget: $2.13 million. Producers: James
Malec, Kathleen Thompson. Associate producers: Chef Patrick Clark, Kathie
Pate, Fred Perez. Hosts: Ken Stone, Ellyne Lonergan. Contact: Kathleen Thompson,
kathleen_cmpt@yahoo.com, 507-362-4758.
¶ This travel series focuses on smaller American communities and neighborhoods
within towns and cities. Features unique lodging, regional cuisine and spirits,
local arts, crafts and music, antiques, collectibles and the spirit of people
who keep their heritage vibrant. Formatted for pledge. Website: www.americangetawaystv.com.
American Visions Producing organization: Edge Entertainment. Distributor:
NETA. Episodes: 5 x 30. Status: production. Budget: $50,000 to $300,000. Executive
producer: Ray Blanco. Contact: Ray Blanco, ceetv@aol.com, 732-669-0112.
¶ Half-hour documentaries on important and celebrated American visual
artists working outside the mainstream. Pilot episode features Julio Larraz.
The Appalachians Producing organizations: Evening Star Productions
and WETA, Washington, D.C. Episodes: 2 x 120. Status: production. Major funders:
CPB, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Sierra Club, Appalachian
Regional Commission, MountainMade, Vandalia Heritage Foundation, West Virginia
Hi-Tech Consortium Foundation, NASA. Additional funding provided by the state
of West Virginia, Grayson Communications, Ireland Tourism, Embassy Suites
and Dan Dooley. Executive producer: Mari-Lynn C. Evans. WETA executive producers
: Dalton Delan and David S. Thompson. Contact: Cecily Van Praagh, cvanpraagh@weta.com.
¶ These programs celebrate the unique legacy, courage, character, arts
and culture of the central and southern Appalachian people in this comprehensive
overview of the most diverse culture in America.
The College Track: America’s Sorting Machine (w.t.) Producing
organization: Roundtable Inc. Episodes: 3 x 60. Status: postproduction. Budget:
$3.6 million (includes outreach). Major funders: Ford Foundation, Bill and
Melinda Gates Founda-tion, Lumina Foundation for Education, W.K. Kellogg Foundation,
Nellie Mae Education Foundation, David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Executive
producers: Martha Fowlkes, Robert Lavelle. Senior producer: Alice Marko-witz.
Host/narrator: Andre Braugher. Contact: Bonnie Rosenbaum, bonnier@roundtablemedia.
com, 781-893-3336, ext. 18.
¶ Graduating from high school no longer prepares young people to compete
in a global economy. This series is about who gets to go to college and who
does not. Outreach plans include a national campaign in sites across the country
to increase college access and equity among underserved students. A national
awareness campaign will focus on issues of education reform and policy. Web:
www.roundtablemedia.com/home/
projects/college.html.
Comedy Tonight Producing organizations: WTTW National Productions
and Thea Flaum Productions. Episodes: 12 x 30. Status: preproduction. Executive
producers: Thea Flaum, Tim Kazurinsky, Denise DeClue. Executive producer for
WTTW: Randy King. Contact: Shaunese Teamer, steamer@wttw.com, 773-509-5441.
¶ Follows the making of an improv comedy troupe, with young hopefuls
competing to join the company and get a chance at stardom. Outreach plans
include a limited performance tour by the troupe.
Debbie Allen’s Dancing Fairy Tales Producing organization: Red
Bird Productions. Presenting station: KCET, Los Angeles. Episodes: 3 x 60.
Status: fundraising. Executive producers: Debbie Allen, Norm Nixon. Contact:
Laurel Lambert, llambert@kcet.org.
¶ Allen has adapted three classical fairy tales into modern multicultural
musicals: "Brothers of the Knight," a retelling of the classic tale "The Twelve
Dancing Princesses"; "Pepito’s Story," concerning a young boy living
on the fictional Caribbean island of Padingo who loves to dance; and "Pearl,"
an energetic translation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.
Do You Speak American? Producing organizations: A MacNeil/Lehrer &
Paladin Production with WNET in association with KLRU, Austin, Texas. Presenting
station: WNET. Episodes: 1 x 120. Status: postproduction. Major funders: NEH,
Hewlett Foundation, Ford Foundation, Arthur Vining Davis Foundation, Roz Walter.
Host and executive producer: Robert MacNeil. Writer, producer and director:
William Cran. Executive producer for MacNeil/Lehrer Productions: Susan Mills.
Executive producer for WNET: Jody Sheff. Contact: Lisa Braun, braun@thirteen.org,
212-560-2715.
¶ In this follow-up to his award-winning The Story of English, MacNeil
crisscrosses the country talking to truckers, rappers, hackers, surfers, skateboarders,
cowboys, legislators, script-writers, musicians and other diverse Americans
who have made English distinctly their own.
Fidel Castro (w.t.) Producing station: WGBH. Presented by American
Experience. Episodes: 1 x 120. Status: production. Major funders: CPB,
Ford Foundation, Liberty Mutual, Scotts Co., Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Executive
producer: Mark Samels. Producer, director and writer: Adriana Bosch. Co-producer:
Patricia Alvarado. Editor: Jon Neuberger. Contact: Marcia Storkerson, marcia_storkerson@wgbh.org,
617-300-2420.
¶ A political biography of the Cuban leader who has outlasted nine presidents,
brought the world to the brink of nuclear war and commanded attention for
nearly 50 years. Website will feature a bio of Castro, excerpts from his speeches
and writings, and a timeline of his life and Cuba’s tumultuous history,
and will allow viewers to share opinions on Cuba’s past, present and
future.
Going to School Producing station: Mississippi Broadcasting Networks.
Presented by the Five Star Alliance for Children, a regional group of public
TV stations including Alabama Public Television, Arkansas Educational Television
Network, Georgia Public Television, Louisiana Public Television and the Mississippi
Broadcasting Networks. Episodes: 10 x 30. Status: postproduction. Budget:
$150,000. Major funders: Five Star Alliance for Children. Executive producer:
Diane Hartman. Producer, writer and director: John Gibson. Producer, editor
and director: Scott Colwell. Producer: Annjo Lemons. Host: Robin Roberts.
Director of educational services: Temple Lymberis. Contact: Diane Hartman,
Mississippi Broadcasting Network, dhartman@ etv.state.ms.us, 601-432-6120.
¶ Families model behaviors that will help children develop intellectual,
emotional and social readiness for school. Hosted by Robin Roberts of Good
Morning America, the series includes Drs. Craig T. and Sharon L. Ramey,
noted child development experts. Going to School and the series Right
from Birth, in conjunction with a facilitator’s guide, caregiver’s
guide, workshop designs, companion website and video, constitute the Birth
to School Toolkit. Website: birthtoschool.org.
Origins (w.t.) Producing organization: Thomas Levenson Productions
and Unicorn Projects, Inc. for Nova at WGBH. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status:
production. Major funders: National Science Foundation, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation,
NASA. Executive producer: Paula Apsell. Series executive producers: Tom Levenson,
Larry Klein. Host: Neil deGrasse Tyson. Contact: Marcia Storkerson, marcia_storkerson@wgbh.org,
617-300-2420.
¶ Explores the latest clues about the biggest question of all —
how our world and universe began. State-of-the-art graphics will take viewers
back to the processes that shaped our existence.
Population (w.t.) Producing organization: a Nova production
for WGBH. Episodes: 2 x 60. Status: production. Major funders: CPB, Park Foundation,
Micro-soft, Sprint, H.F. Lenfest Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur
Foundation, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Annen-berg Foundation, Richard
and Rhoda Goldman Fund. Senior executive producer: Paula Apsell. Series executive
producer: Linda Harrar. Producer: Larry Klein. Contact: Marcia Storkerson,
marcia_storkerson@wgbh.org, 617-300-2420.
¶ Is the "population explosion" a myth? In Japan, population rates are
falling so steeply that the nation may face acute labor shortages. This worldwide
investigation looks at the unpredictable impact of growing human numbers on
the global environment and on the choices faced by individual families in
different nations. Will we create a viable future, or devastate our planet
and face unparalleled poverty and hunger?
RenovationX Producing station: TPT/Twin Cities Public Television.
Episodes: 13 x 30. Status: fundraising. Executive in charge: Gerald Richman.
Series producer: Erika Herrmann. Contact: Erika Herrmann, eherrmann@ tpt.org,
651-229-1551.
¶ Targeting the new wave of nesters, cameras roll on real-life renovation
dramas as dwellers paired with innovative architects re-imagine ordinary homes
on tight budgets. Mini-docs explore pop culture around the idea of home. Outreach
includes alternative home tours, web community and events at museums.
Slavery and the Making of America Producing station: WNET. Episodes:
4 x 60. Status: production. Major funder: New York Life. Executive producer:
William R. Grant. Senior producer: Dante James. Contact: Lisa Braun, braun@thirteen.org,
212-560-2715.
¶ Examines the history of slavery in America from the 1600s through its
abolition and the Reconstruction years, drawing on the new scholarship that
has emerged in the past decade, especially information now available from
the point of view of the enslaved. Throughout we will discover the courage,
intelligence and strength of enslaved men, women and children and their perpetual
struggle for freedom as they contributed to the wealth, culture and sprit
of America.
Appalachia: A History of Mountains and People Producing organization:
James Agee Film Project. Presented by a consortium of Appalachian PBS stations.
Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: production. Budget: $3 million. Major funders: NEH,
National Science Foundation. Executive producer and co-writer: Paul Wagner.
Producer, director and writer: Ross Spears. Co-producer and co-writer: Jamie
Ross. Contact: Ross Spears, rspears@cstone.net, 301-277-3880; Jamie Ross,
jamier@buncombe.main.nc.us, 828-258-0387.
¶ This is the first series to tell the environmental history of one of
the world’s oldest mountain ranges and of the diverse peoples who have
inhabited them — the intersection of natural history and human history.
Released in conjunction with the 2,000-page Encyclopedia of Appalachia.
Formatted for pledge. Websites: www. ageefilms.org/home.html, appalachiafilm.org.
Auschwitz and the Nazi State Producing station: KCET, Los Angeles.
Episodes: 6 x 60. Status: R&D. BBC executive producer: Laurence Rees. KCET
executive vice president of programming and production: Mary Mazur. KCET director
of program development: Karen Hunte. Contact: Laurel Lambert, llambert@kcet.org.
¶ The definitive television history of Auschwitz and how it operated
as a business for the Nazi state. Newly available architectural designs and
the opening of archives reveal the strategic planning of the camp and how
it fit into Hitler’s plans. The series will air in January 2005, marking
the 60th anniversary of the camp’s liberation.
The Fight (w.t.) Producing station: WGBH. Presented by American
Experience. Episodes: 1 x 120. Status: production. Major funders: NEH,
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Scotts Co., Liberty Mutual. Executive producer:
Mark Samels. Director, writer and producer: Barak Goodman. Co-producer: John
Maggio. Editor: Lewis Erskine. Contact: Marcia Storkerson, marcia_storkerson
@wgbh.org, 617-300-2420.
¶ The 1938 rematch between African-American Joe Louis and German Max
Schmeling was called "124 seconds of murder." This is the first feature-length
documentary about their momentous encounter, which foreshadowed the civil
rights movement and was a prelude to World War II. Online teachers’
guide planned.
The Great Democratic Revolution Producing organization: Paul Wagner
Productions. Episodes: 3 x 60. Status: fundraising. Budget: $1.75 million.
Major funder: NEH. Producer and director: Paul Wagner. Contact: Paul Wagner,
pwagner@cstone.net.
¶ Uses the writings of Alexis de Tocqueville, especially his seminal
work Democracy in America, to assess the status and prospects for democracy
in the contemporary world. Outreach includes a national viewing and discussion
initiative with community organizations. Website: religionanddemocracy.lib.virginia.edu.
Mactown: Life on the Frozen Frontier Producing organizations: A co-production
of WNET and Natural History New Zealand. Episodes: 6 x 60. Status: R&D. Executive
producers: Fred Kaufman, Neil Harraway. Producer: Mike Single. Contact: Lisa
Braun, braun@thirteen.org, 212-560-2715.
¶ A reality series depicting life in an unreal place. Each year, 1,000
scientists and support staff descend on McMurdo Station, Antarctica —
Mactown — to spend six months on ice. Cut off from the rest of the world,
in a frozen place, where there are no nights, no families and few creature
comforts, they will experience life in the most extreme environment on Earth.
Daytime temperatures reach minus 30 degrees, and going outside can be a matter
of life and death.
Nurse! Healing at the Crossroads Producing station: Oregon Public
Broadcasting. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: development, fundraising. Budget:
$1.5 million. Major funder: Northwest Health Foundation. Executive producer:
David Davis. Series producer: Kyra Thompson. Contact: David Davis, 503-293-1959,
david_davis@opb.org.
¶ A year in the lives of the nurses who work for a major Los Angeles
health care provider. This observational series will follow nurses through
the ups and downs of their often stressful and harrowing lives, calling attention
to their crucial role in the American health care system. Major national outreach
campaign planned.
Raising Cain Producing organizations: Oregon Public Broadcasting and
Powderhouse Productions. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: development, fundraising.
Budget: $1.6 million. Executive producer: David Davis. Series producers: Tug
Yourgrau and Joel Olicker. Contact: David Davis, 503-293-1959, david_davis@opb.org.
¶ A series that explores the emotional life of boys, hosted by psychologist
and writer Michael Thompson. We meet boys and their parents, teachers, and
coaches as they grapple with growing up male in America. Outreach efforts
will include extensive parenting and educational elements and a partnership
with Boys Clubs of America.
Seuss Tales Producing organizations: WTTW National Pro-ductions and
Mindrocket Media. Distributor: TBD. Episodes: 39 x 30. Status: preproduction.
Executive producer for WTTW: Randy King. Contact: Shaunese Teamer, steamer@wttw.com,
773-509-5441.
¶ A literacy-centered animated children’s program aimed at children
ages 2 to 5, based on the books of Dr. Seuss. Set inside the Seuss Story Factory
and guided by Fox in Socks, the series wants children to have fun while gaining
vocabulary, learning about story structure and practicing other important
pre-reading skills. Animation is by Southern Star. Produced with full cooperation
of the author’s estate.
Teetotalers, Rumrunners and Rotgut: The Story of Prohibition Producing
organizations: Oregon Public Broadcasting and Red Hill Productions. Episodes:
4 x 60. Status: fundraising. Budget: $2 million. Executive producers: David
Davis, Carl Byker. Series producers: Carl Byker and Mitch Wilson. Contact:
David Davis, 503-293-1959, david_davis@opb.org.
¶ Explores the colorful Prohibition era and how it transformed American
life. The cast of characters includes presidents, corrupt politicians, gangsters,
militant feminists and the Women’s Christian Temperance movement.
Twilight of the Nerds (w.t.) Producing organizations: Oregon Public
Broadcasting and WNET. Episodes: 3 x 60. Status: R&D, fundraising. Budget:
$1.4 million. Co-executive producers: David Davis and Stephen Segaller. Host:
Robert X. Cringley. Consulting executive: John Gau. Contact: David Davis,
david_davis@opb.org, 503-293-1959.
¶ The information revolution and the Internet are here to stay, revolutionizing
our lives, yet the collapse of the dot-coms has resulted in a $3 trillion
loss, making it the most successful failure in history. With his usual irreverence,
Bob Cringely examines how events unfolded in the third series in a trilogy
on the information revolution. Outreach includes educational versions for
schools.
Window to the Sea Producing organizations: Oregon Public Broadcasting
and Driftwood Productions. Episodes: 3 x 60. Status: fundraising. Executive
producer for OPB: David Davis. Executive producer for Driftwood Productions:
John Grant. Contact: David Davis, david_davis@opb.org, 503-293-1959.
¶ Explores life in our oceans through a behind-the-scenes look at what
goes on in some of the world’s leading aquariums.
Hand to Mouth Producing organization: Big Pond Productions Inc. Presenting
station: KVPT, Fresno, Calif. Distributor: APT. Episodes: 3 x 60. Status:
fundraising. Budget: $900,000. Major funder: Department of Agriculture. Executive
producers: Jane and Robert Fleck. Contact: Robert Fleck, fleck@fleck.tv.
¶ Examines whether America’s surging appetite for organic food
can help small farmers resist an industrialized farming culture that has been
forged by decades of demands for cheap food at any environmental cost. Outreach
includes screenings, community alliances with family farmers, cross-platform
promotion with www.foodroutes.com, and post-broadcast modules repurposed for
classrooms and distributed by the Rodale Institute. Website: www.fleck.tv.
The Ornament of the World Producing organization: Kikim Media. Episodes:
1 x 120. Status: fundraising. Producer and director: Michael Schwarz. Contact:
Michael Schwarz, mschwarz@kikim.com. The American Home Producing organization: Twin Cities Public Television.
Episodes: 3 x 60. Status: fundraising. Major funder: NEA. Executive producer:
Catherine Allan. Executive in charge: Gerald Richman. Contact: Catherine Allan,
callan@ tpt.org, 651-229-1374. The American Teenager: 1900 to Present (w.t.) Producing organizations:
Media Entertainment Inc. and Intelligent Television Inc. Presenting station:
Maryland PTV. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: funding, preproduction. Budget: $1.95
million. Producers: Robert J. Emery, Peter Kaufman. Director: Robert J. Emery.
Writer: Grace Palladino. Contact: Robert J. Emery, me@mediaent.net. Dreaming of Home (w.t.) Producing organization: KPBS, San Diego. Episodes:
1 x 120. Status: production. Budget: $1.1 million. Major funder: Waitt Family
Foundation. Executive producer: Pat Finn. Producer: Michael Bovee. Director:
Alex Juutilainen. Writer: Robert Greaves. Contact: Pat Finn, pfinn@kpbs.org,
619-594-4050. John and Abigail Adams (w.t.) Producing station: WGBH. Presented
by American Experience. Episodes: 2 x 90. Status: preproduction, scripting.
Major funders: NEH, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Scotts Co., Liberty Mutual.
Executive producer: Mark Samels. Producer and writer: Elizabeth Deane. Contact:
Marcia Storkerson, marcia_storkerson @wgbh.org, 617-300-2420. Jacques Pepin: My Fast Food Producing organization: KQED, San Francisco.
Distributor: APT. Episodes: 26 x 30. Status: fundraising. Budget: $1.1 million.
Executive producer: Danny L. McGuire. Producer: Susie Heller. Director: Bruce
Franchini. Contact: Elizabeth Pepin, epepin@kqed.org, 415-553-2340. Remaking American Medicine Producing organization: Crosskeys Media.
Presenting station: KQED, San Francisco. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: production.
Budget: $5 million. Major funder: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Executive
producer: Frank Christopher. Co-executive producer: Matthew Eisen. Contact:
Frank Christopher, fc@ crosskeysmedia.com. Secret Files of the Inquisition Producing organizations: Inquisition
Productions Inc., in association with New Atlantis S.A. Episodes: 4 x 60.
Status: preproduction and scripting. Budget: $2.1 million. Major funders:
PBS/CPB Challenge Fund, VisionTV (Canada), France5, Beyond Distribution. Executive
producer: David Rabinovitch. Series producer: William Cobban. Associate producer:
Beatrice Marx. Contact: Beatrice Marx, bmarx@nightlightstudios.com. Alexander Hamilton Producing organizations: Twin Cities Public Television
in association with Middlemarch Films. Episodes: 2 x 60. Status: fundraising.
Executive producer: Catherine Allan. Producers/directors: Muffie Meyer and
Ellen Hovde. Writer: Ronald Blumer. Contact: Catherine Allan, callan@tpt.org,
651-229-1374. Berlin (w.t.) Producing station: WNET. Episodes: 1 x 60. Status: R&D.
Executive producer: William Grant. Producers: Bob Kotlowitz, Jack Sameth,
Katherine Tatge. Contact: Lisa Braun, braun@ thirteen.org, 212-560-2715. Code of the Warrior Producing station: WETA, Washington, D.C. Episodes:
4 x 60. Status: fundraising. Executive producers: Dalton Delan, John Potthast,
Leo Eaton. Contact: Cecily Van Praagh, cvanpraagh @weta.com. Country Boy (w.t.) Producing organizations: David Sutherland Production,
Inc. and Frontline at WGBH in association with the Independent Television
Service. Episodes: 3 x 120. Status: editing. Major funders: CPB, ITVS and
the Island Fund at the New York Community Trust. Producer/ director: David
Sutherland. Contact: Marcia Storkerson, marcia_storkerson@wgbh.org, 617-300-2420.
Exploring Time Producing organizations: Twin Cities Public Television
and Red Hill Studios. Episodes: 2 x 60. Status: fundraising. Budget: $1.5
million. Major funders: National Science Foundation. Executive producers:
Richard Hudson for TPT, and Robert Hone for Red Hill Studios. Contact: Richard
Hudson, rhudson@tpt.org. From Quarks to the Cosmos Producing organizations: Twin Cities Public
Television, S2 Media and Michael Riordan Productions. Episodes: 2 x 60. Status:
fundraising. Budget: $1.8 million. Executive producer: Richard Hudson. Producer:
Les Guthman, S2 Media. Contact: Richard Hudson, rhudson@ tpt.org. Global Health (w.t.) Producing organizations: Nova/WGBH Science
Unit and Vulcan Productions. Episodes: 6 x 60. Status: production. Major funder:
Gates Foundation. Executive producers: Paula Apsell, WGBH Science Unit, and
Richard Hutton, Vulcan Productions. Series executive producer: Larry Klein.
Contact: Marcia Storkerson, marcia_storkerson@wgbh.org, 617-300-2420. Great Mysteries of Archaeology (w.t.) Producing organization: Maya
Vision International Ltd. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: production. Budget: $1.2
million. Major funders: PBS Challenge Fund, BBC Production, BBC Worldwide.
Producer: Rebecca Dobbs. Executive producer (USA): Leo Eaton. Writer/presenter:
Michael Wood. Contact: Sally Potter, BBC Worldwide, sally.potter@bbc.co.uk. History Through Deaf Eyes (w.t.) Producing organizations: a co-production
of WETA, Washington, D.C., and Florentine Films/Hott Productions in association
with Gallaudet University. Episodes: 1 x 120. Status: fundraising. Executive
producers: Dalton Delan, Karen Kenton. Producer/director: Lawrence Hott. Writer:
Ken Chowder. Contact: Kristine Barr, 703-998-2713. Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Adventures Producing organizations:
KQED, San Francisco, and Ocean Futures Society. Episodes: 4 x 60, 1 x 120.
Status: fundraising. Budget: $6.5 million, including outreach, website, promotion,
evaluation. Executive producers: Jean-Michel Cousteau, Danny L. McGuire. Contact:
Elizabeth Pepin, KQED, epepin@kqed.org, (415) 553-2340. Mayflower (w.t.) Producing organizations: WGBH Science Unit, Channel
Four (U.K.) and Independent Tele-vision News. Episodes: 6 x 60. Status: R&D.
Executive producers: Paula Apsell, WGBH Science Unit; Julian Ware, ITN; and
Charles Furneaux, Channel 4. Contact: Marcia Storkerson, marcia_storkerson@
wgbh.org, 617-300-2420. Percy Julian (w.t.) Producing organization: a Nova production
for WGBH. Episodes: 1 x 120. Status: production. Major funders: Alfred P.
Sloan Foundation, National Science Foundation, NEH, Dreyfus Foundation, Glidden
and American Chemical Society. Senior executive producer: Paula Apsell. Producer:
Steve Lyons. Producer/director: Llewellyn Smith. Contact: Marcia Storkerson,
marcia_storkerson@wgbh.org, 617-300-2420. The Power: The Information Revolution in Our Lives (w.t) Producing
organizations: a co-production of Sconset Media and WETA, Washington, D.C.
Episodes: 1 x 120 or 2 x 60. Status: fundraising. Executive producers: Dalton
Delan, John Potthast, Jonathan Conrad. Host: Frank Sesno. Contact: Dewey Blanton,
dblanton@weta.com. War Plane (w.t) Producing organizations: WNET and Granada Television.
Episodes: 4 x 60. Major funders: Sloan Foundation. Executive producer: Beth
Hoppe. Contact: Lisa Braun, braun@ thirteen.org, 212-560-2715. The Warrior Class (w.t.) Producing organizations: WNET and Florentine
Films. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: R&D. Executive producer: Stephen Segaller.
Producer/director: Roger Sherman. Contact: Lisa Braun, braun@ thirteen.org,
212-560-2715. Alzheimer’s: A Disease of the Mind . . . and the Heart (w.t.)
Producing organization: Terra Nova Films Inc. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status:
R&D, fundraising. Budget: $750,000. Executive producer: Jim Vanden Bosch.
Coordinating series producer: Ed Menaker. Contact: Ed Menaker, ed@terranova.org,
773-881-6940. T The Chosen Pariah: Anti-Semitism in the 21st Century (w.t.) Producing
organizations: Two Cats Productions, Passion Play Projections and the Berenbaum
Group. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: R&D, fundraising. Budget: $1.8 million. Major
funders: Harvey and Constance Krueger Foundation, Jack Nash Family Foundation,
Oppenheimer Educational Foundation, George Blumenthal Foundation, Morris Offit
Foundation and Leo Melamed Foundation. Executive producers: Andrew Goldberg,
Douglas Chang. Chief editorial advisor: Michael Berenbaum. Contact: Andrew
Goldberg, guywithcat@aol.com, and Douglas Chang, passionplay@email.com. Energy Producing organizations: a co-production of Ted Turner Documentaries,
David Grubin Productions and WETA, Washington, D.C. Episodes: 2 x 120. Status:
R&D. Executive producers: Robert Wussler, Jeff Bieber, Dalton Delan. Producer:
David Grubin. Contact: Dewey Blanton, dblanton@weta.com. Great Giving: The Quest to Make a Difference Producing organization:
Great Giving Inc. Episodes: 6 x 60. Status: production, fundraising. Budget:
$3.6 million. Executive producer: Gail Freedman. Executive editor: Betsy Ashton.
Contact: Gail Freedman, gfreedman@hvc.rr.com, 845-255-3668. Puritans & Quakers (w.t.) Producing station: Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Episodes: 3 x 60. Status: fundraising. Budget: $1.8 million. Executive producer:
David Davis. Contact: David Davis, david_davis@opb.org, 503-292-1959. Slam Dunk: A Basketball History Producing organization: Roundtable
Inc. Epi-sodes:1 x 90, 3 x 60. Status: funding, scripting, preproduction.
Budget: $4.5 million (includes outreach). Major funders: Ford Foundation,
LEF Foundation, Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, National Endowment
for the Human-ities. Executive producers: Martha Fowlkes, Robert Lavelle.
Senior producer: Sam Pollard. Executive story editor: Sheila Curran Bernard.
Contact: Bonnie Rosenbaum, bonnier@roundtablemedia.com, 781-893-3336, ext.
18. The Storm that Swept Mexico (w.t.) Producing organizations: KERA,
Dallas; Paradigm Productions, Berkeley; Once TV, Mexico City, and Atlantic
Productions, London. Episodes: 3 x 60. Status: scripting. Budget: $2.5 million.
Major funders: NEH, PBS, Latino Public Broadcasting. Executive in charge:
Sylvia Komatsu. Executive producer: Rob Tranchin. Producer: Ray Telles. Contact:
Rob Tranchin, rtranchin@kera.org, 214-740-9273. The War Producing organizations: a co-production of Florentine Films
and WETA, Washington, D.C. Episodes: 5 x 120. Status: production. Major funders:
General Motors Corp., Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, PBS, Pew Charitable
Trusts. Producers: Ken Burns, Lynn Novick. Contact: Dewey Blanton, dblanton@weta.com.
America’s Best Idea: Our National Parks Producing organizations:
a co-production of Florentine Films and WETA, Washington, D.C. Episodes: 5
x 120. Status: production. Major funders: General Motors Corp., Arthur Vining
Davis Foundations, Park Foundation, National Park Foundation. Producer/director:
Ken Burns. Producer/writer: Dayton Duncan. Contact: Dewey Blanton, dblanton@weta.com.
India: A Journey in History (w.t.) Producing organization: Maya Vision
International Ltd. Episodes: 6 x 60. Status: R&D. Producer: Rebecca Dobbs.
Executive producer (USA) Leo Eaton. Writer/presenter: Michael Wood. Contact:
Rebecca Dobbs, rebecca@mayavisionint.com. Jamestown and the Beginnings of America Producing organizations: WETA,
Washington, D.C., in cooperation with Virginia’s other public television
stations. Episodes: 1 x 120. Status: fundraising. Executive producers: Dalton
Delan, John Potthast, Leo Eaton. Contact: Dewey Blanton, dblanton@weta.com.
Artopia (w.t.) Producing organizations: WNET and Three Chicks Productions.
Episodes: 26 or 40 x 30. Status: R&D, scripting, fundraising. Executive producer:
Sandra Sheppard. Contact: Lisa Braun, braun@thirteen.org, 212-560-2715. The Anthrax Letters (w.t.) Producing organization: a Nova production
for WGBH. Episodes: 2 x 60. Status: R&D. Senior executive producer: Paula
Apsell. Contact: Marcia Storkerson, marcia_storkerson@ wgbh.org, 617-300-2420.
Boss on the Line (w.t.) Producing station: Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Episodes: 2 x 60. Status: fundraising. Budget: $650,000. Executive producer:
David Davis. Contact: David Davis, david_davis@opb.org, 503-293-1959. Don’t Forget This Song: The History of the Carter Family Producing
organizations: Oregon Public Broad-casting and Beth Harrington. Episodes:
2 x 60. Status: development. Budget: $800,000. Executive producer: David Davis.
Producer/ director: Beth Harrington. Contact: David Davis, david_davis@ opb.org,
503-293-1959. Follow the Sun (w.t.) Producing station: Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: R&D. Executive producer: David Davis. Series producer:
Kyra Thompson. Coordinating producer: Paula Mason. Contact: Paula Mason, paula_mason@
opb.org, 503-977-7759. E=mc2 Produced by the WGBH Science Unit for Nova. Episodes:
2 x 60. Status: R&D. Senior executive producer: Paula Apsell. Contact: Marcia
Storkerson, marcia_storkerson@wgbh.org, 617-300-2420. Exiles in Hollywood Producing organizations: WNET and Film Odyssey.
Episodes: 1 x 120. Status: preproduction, scripting. Executive producers:
Jac Venza, Margaret Smilow. Producer: Karen Thomas. Contact: Lisa Braun, braun@thirteen.org,
212-560-2715. Ground War (w.t.) Producing station: WNET. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status:
R&D. Executive producer: Beth Hoppe. Contact: Lisa Braun, braun@thirteen.org,
212-560-2715. Hard Time in America (w.t.) Producing organizations: WNET and Insignia
Films. Episodes: 1 x 120. Status: R&D. Executive producer: Stephen Segaller.
Producer: Stephen Ives. Writer: Michelle Ferrari. Contact: Lisa Braun, braun@thirteen.org,
212-560-2715. The History of the Supreme Court (w.t.) Producing station: WNET. Episodes:
4 x 60. Status: fundraising, preproduction, scripting. Executive producer:
Jody Sheff. Series producer: Tom Lennon. Contact: Lisa Braun, braun@thirteen.org,
212-560-2715. The Impressionists (w.t.) Producing organizations: Oregon Public Broadcasting
and Red Hill Productions. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: R&D. Budget: $2 million.
Executive producer: David Davis. Series producer: Carl Byker. Co-producer/director:
Mitch Wilson. Contact: David Davis, david_davis@ opb.org, 503-293-1959. Jews and Latinos Producing organization: La Plaza unit at WGBH.
Episodes: 1 x 120. Status: fundraising. Executive producer and producer: Joseph
Tovares. Producer: Ilan Stavans. Contact: Marcia Storkerson, marcia_storkerson@wgbh.org,
617-300-2420. Journey of a Thousand Miles Producing station: KQED, San Francisco.
Episodes: 6 x 60. Status: R&D. Executive producer: Louise Lo. Contact: Elizabeth
Pepin, epepin@kqed.org, 415-553-2340. Journeys in Africa Producing organization: KCTS, Seattle. Distributor:
American Public Television. Episodes: 13 x 30. Status: production. Budget:
$500,000. Executive producers: Bill Ball, Jay Parikh. Host: Bill Ball. Contact:
Pat Mallinson, pmallinson@kcts.org, 206-443-6798. The Leading Edge Producing organization: Nova for WGBH. Episodes:
5 x 60. Status: fundraising. Major funders: National Science Foundation. Senior
executive producer: Paula Apsell. Contact: Marcia Storkerson, marcia_storkerson@wgbh.org,
617-300-2420. Lost in the Woods: The History of the Fairytale Producing station:
Oregon Public Broadcasting. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: fundraising. Budget:
$1.6 million. Executive producer: David Davis. Contact: David Davis, david_davis@opb.org,
503-293-1959. Marathon (w.t.) Producing organization: a Nova production for
WGBH. Episodes: 2 x 60. Status: R&D. Senior executive producer: Paula Apsell.
Contact: Marcia Storkerson, marcia_storkerson@ wgbh.org, 617-300-2420. Mind of China (w.t.) Producing organizations: KQED, San Francisco;
and Carlton TV/BBC. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: R&D. Executive producers: Louise
Lo, Jonathan Lewis. Contact: Elizabeth Pepin, epepin@ kqed.org, 415-553-2340.
Motherland (w.t.) Producing organization: a Nova production
for WGBH. Episodes: 2 x 60. Status: R&D. Senior executive producer: Paula
Apsell. Contact: Marcia Storkerson, marcia_storkerson@ wgbh.org, 617-300-2420.
Northwest Passage (w.t.) Producing organizations: A co-production
of the Nova/ WGBH Science Unit and Channel Four (U.K.) by ITN Productions.
Episodes: 2 x 60. Status: R&D. Senior executive producer for WGBH: Paula Apsell.
Executive producer for Channel 4: Charles Furnequx. Contact: Marcia Storkerson,
marcia_storkerson@wgbh.org, 617-300-2420. Operatunity Producing organizations: Diverse Productions Ltd. and
Channel Four (U.K.). Presenting station: WNET. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: reversioning
for U.S. telecast. Executive producers for WNET: Jac Venza, Margaret Smilow,
David Horn. Producer: Michael Waldman. Contact: Lisa Braun, braun@thirteen.org,
212-560-2715. The Pacific Producing organizations: WNET and Oxford Film and Television.
Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: preproduction, scripting. Executive producers: Jac
Venza, Margaret Smilow. Producer: Nicolas Kent. Contact: Lisa Braun, braun@thirteen.org,
212-560-2715. People of the Covenant (w.t.) Producing organization: WGBH Science
Unit. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: fundraising. Senior executive producer: Paula
Apsell. Producer: Gary Glassman. Contact: Marcia Storkerson, marcia_storkerson
@wgbh.org, 617-300-2420. Robot Race: The Grand Challenge (w.t.) Producing organization: a Nova
production for WGBH. Episodes: 2 x 60. Status: R&D. Senior executive producer:
Paula Apsell. Contact: Marcia Storkerson, marcia_storkerson@ wgbh.org, 617-300-2420.
Seasoned with Spirit Producing organization: KCTS, Seattle, and Native
American Public Television. Distributor: American Public Television. Episodes:
13 x 30. Status: production. Budget: $716,000. Executive producers: Loretta
Barrett Oden, Frank Blythe, Jay Parikh. Host: Loretta Barrett Oden. Contact:
Pat Mallinson, pmallinson@kcts.org, 206-443-6798. Secrets of the Boeing 7E7 (w.t.) Producing organization: Nova
for WGBH. Episodes: 2 x 60. Status: R&D. Senior executive producer: Paula
Apsell. Contact: Marcia Storkerson, marcia_storkerson@wgbh.org, 617-300-2420.
Space Millennium (w.t.) Producing organization: KCTS, Seattle. Episodes:
2 x 60. Status: production. Budget: $710,000. Executive producers: Enrique
Cerna, Rupert Macnee. Senior producer/writer: Scott Pearson. Editor: Tracy
Dethlefs. Contact: Pat Mallinson, pmallinson@kcts.org, 206-443-6798. The Videogame Revolution Producing organization: KCTS, Seattle. Episodes:
2 x 60. Status: postproduction. Budget: $575,000. Executive producers: Enrique
Cerna, Rupert Macnee. Producer/writer, Greg Palmer. Camera/ editor, Daryl
Ondatje. Contact: Pat Mallinson, pmallinson@kcts.org, 206-443-6798. *Revised December 2005 End
¶ Based on Maria Menocal’s best-selling book, this program explores
the complexities and contradictions of a time when Jews, Christians and Muslims
lived and worked together, fought occasionally and shared everything from
languages to intellectual and spiritual traditions and artistic styles. Active
Voice will design outreach activities to complement the effort begun by the
Islam Project, which was launched in conjunction with last year’s broadcasts
of Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet and Frontline’s "Muslims".
Tim Hallinan, who designed jimcrowhistory.org and the educational website
theislamproject.org will develop teachers’ materials. Fall 2005
¶ Explores the evolution of the American home from the 19th century to
the future cyber-house.
¶ Looks at the changing roles of teenagers from the beginning of the
20th century to current times. Outreach project planned in conjunction with
the University of Maryland. Website: www.mediaentent.net.
¶ This cinema verite-style documentary follows three people living in
a neglected low-income neighborhood in southeastern San Diego as they take
their first steps towards learning how to deal with community problems.
¶ The love story of a president and his first lady, set against the turbulence
of the American Revolution. Online teachers’ guide planned. Website:
pbs.org/amex.
¶ Chef and author Jacques Pepin’s warm personality and sense of
humor are showcased in this series featuring his new quick and easy recipes.
Companion cookbook planned.
¶ Travels across the nation to tell compelling stories of individuals
and health care institutions as they struggle to transform the quality and
safety of American health care. Extensive online and print media will support
a two-year national, regional and local awareness campaign preceding the broadcast.
Website: www.remakingamericanmedicine.org.
¶ The story of the Pope’s 500-year struggle to preserve the Catholic
Church as the world’s only true Christian religion, told through personal
stories of the inquisitors and their victims. Episodes cover inquisitions
in France, Spain and Italy. Outreach will include a book, DVD, museum exhibition
and community meetings on intolerance.
Sometime in 2005
¶ Tells the political story of an American genius who helped forge America
into a strong and prosperous nation. Activity-rich website will link to other
American Revolution sites at pbs.org, including Liberty! and Benjamin
Franklin.
¶ A personal and evocative film portrait of Berlin by an American writer
living in the city. Ten years after the fall of the Berlin Wall and a half-century
after the Holocaust; the traces of the city’s Jewish history are excavated
and investigated.
¶ Tracing back three millennia, this film explores the origins and ethics
of warriors throughout the world and how their rules inform today’s
armed forces.
¶ David Sutherland, acclaimed producer of The Farmer’s Wife,
returns to rural America for this portrait of two teenaged boys coming of
age in Appalachia, one of the most troubled and least understood regions of
the United States. Over three nights, viewers will come to know the boys,
their families, their teachers and their friends intimately, observing their
adolescent struggle to overcome poverty, family dysfunction and their own
demons to forge an identity that will take them out of their small town and
into the world. Website: www.pbs.org/frontline.
¶ Explores change and time, demonstrating how science sees what the human
eye cannot. A $500,000 budget supports outreach, including museum exhibits,
teachers’ guides, CD-ROMs and online educational activities.
¶ Explores advances in particle physics and cosmology, presenting the
dramatic recent history of the two disciplines, striking discoveries in both
fields and today’s cutting-edge research. The film is complemented by
extensive educational outreach for high schools, colleges and museums.
¶ Over the last century, breakthroughs in medical science eradicated
many of the world’s deadliest diseases and transformed the health of
developed nations. But now, old threats like tuberculosis are surging back
while new plagues such as AIDS are raging. Global Health will dramatize
stories of the pioneers of public health and explore the future of our continuing
battle against new and old invisible enemies.
¶ Michael Wood travels to find the historical truth behind four of the
world’s greatest archaeological mysteries.
¶ This HDTV documentary will explore the experience of the deaf community
in America from 1814 to the present. Inspired by stories of people both famous
and ordinary, the film will convey a range of perspectives on deafness. Outreach
activities include an educators’ guide for middle and high schools and
a viewers’ guide. Outreach, promotion and education activities will
be developed for both hearing and deaf audiences.
¶ This intimate HDTV view of the Earth’s oceans follows Cousteau
and his crew of young scientists and divers as they explore previously unseen
sights and examine behaviors of mysterious sea creatures. The camera will
swim with sharks, visit the remote island of Kure, find sunken treasures,
follow the gray whale obstacle course and explore ghost shipwrecks.
¶ A reality-based, multimedia celebration of one of the most important
journeys ever made. The pilgrims’ epic voyage to the New World will
be recreated with a faithful replica of the ship, and on board, a group of
21st-century men and women will come to terms with life at sea, 17th-century
style.
¶ Born in 1899, the grandson of Alabama slaves, Percy Julian overcame
Jim Crow segregation, an impoverished black school system and a daunting series
of racial obstacles to become an African-American chemist of international
stature. Website: www.pbs.org/nova.
¶ Travels around the world to examine the promise and the peril of the
Information Revolution — on security, on democracy and on the growing
global divide.
¶ Explores the technological developments, breakthrough inventions, personal
stories and unprecedented cooperation between nations that have shaped air
warfare and transformed the way battle is waged.
¶ A cultural portrait of today’s military. Shot in high definition,
the series will look at the people who make up America’s fighting forces
— and the culture of what the Defense Department calls "America”s
oldest corporation."
Sometime in 2006
¶ Explores Alzheimer’s—a disease with no cure, no effective
treatment and no system for relieving the devastation it causes. Outreach
plans include distribution of videos and educational guides for caregivers
and possible town meetings around the country.
¶ Addresses the narrative sweep of our nation’s fiction, its reflection
of our changing history, the voices and the substance of our diversity through
thematic presentations of the American dream, the melting pot, the color line
and the crises of faith and violence. Outreach activities will include literacy
programs, community book clubs and tie-ins with library and educational activities.
¶ Attempts to separate the historical phenomenon of anti-Semitism from
contemporary social and political debates that overlap with it. It suggests
ways to combat anti-Semitism, drawing on several key modern-day conflicts.
¶ Examines America’s energy past, present and future, illustrating
how technology, public policy, market forces and individual actions will affect
this vital national security issue. Companion book planned.
¶ Chronicles the history, mission and legacy of American philanthropy
and its place in the world. The stories show how philanthropic passion and
innovation have shaped the nation and the world. A $1 million outreach effort
will include a website and curriculum materials targeting schools, families,
businesses, nonprofits and community and cultural organizations.
¶ At odds with the Church of England in the 17th century, the Puritans
and the Quakers came to the New World seeking a place to live a Christian
life — as each defined it. Although these two groups shared the notion
of creating an ideal society, their visions of that society differed greatly.
This film will look at how each helped shape our national identity.
¶ The excitement and popularity of basketball will be used to explore
our nationís struggle with race relations, migration, immigration,
education, gender, class and globalization. Versioned videos, viewing guides,
trade book and traveling photography exhibition are planned, as well as major
public engagement and community outreach campaign targeted to youth. Website:
www.roundtablemedia.com/home/projects/basketball.html.
¶ This high-definition documentary series will explore the first major
social revolution of the 20th century, the Mexican Revolution of 1910, presenting
a rich and timely reflection of central themes to the universal struggle for
national independence, stability and prosperity. Bilingual website, music
CD, DVD and educational materials will be developed for international distribution.
Bilingual outreach and educational materials are also planned.
¶ Acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns examines the pivotal event of the 20th
century through the experiences of those at home and those on the front line.
Focusing on selected cities and communities, the series illuminates the profound
human tragedy and ultimate triumph of World War II.
2007 and beyond
¶ Acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns illuminates the beauty of America’s
national parks and the largely untold human story of their creation and history.
¶ Michael Wood journeys through India to explore the history and culture
of the world’s largest democracy.
¶ On the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Jamestown colony, this
production will examine its story and the historical threads that emanate
from it — many of which still haunt us today, such as the treatment
of Native Americans, slavery and its aftermath, and the cultivation of tobacco.
Air date to be determined
The Age of AIDS Producing station: WGBH. Episodes: 4 x 60. Status: fundraising.
Executive producer: Mike Sullivan. Executive editor: Renata Simone. Senior producer:
William Cran. Producer: Jon Palfreman. Contact: Marcia Storkerson, marcia_storkerson@
wgbh.org, 617-300-2420.
¶ Presenting the first comprehensive television history of the worldwide
AIDS pandemic, this series is a scientific and political thriller. It tells
the story of a virus that invaded the human species and spread enormous destruction
by exploiting human compulsions and society’s frailties — bigotry,
greed, and political indifference — and the story of one of the greatest
and most difficult scientific chases in history to identify this deadly agent,
discover its weaknesses and then contain and eventually destroy it. Extensive
educational outreach campaign planned.
¶ Using a mix of animation techniques, this series aims to inspire kids
to have fun with art — making it, looking at it and talking about it.
Story-driven episodes take viewers on art adventures around the globe .
¶ In October 2001, the first fatal bioterrorism attack on American soil
alarmed the nation. Drawing on extensive interviews with surviving victims,
scientists, and health workers, Nova presents a gripping medical detective
story of the race to identify and track down the anthrax threat. Website:
www.pbs.org/nova.
¶ Top executives from renowned businesses and public institutions work
on the front lines with their lower-level employees to find out what it takes
to thrive in business in the 21st century.
¶ A history of the first family of traditional American and country music,
as told by members of the Carter/Cash family, including Rosanne and Johnny
Cash and other musicians, performers and music historians. Shot in HD format,
this special will also feature both contemporary and historical performances
of Carter family songs.
¶ An observational series looking at the lifestyles of those who move
to sunny retirement communities.
¶ Based on David Bodanis’ best-selling book of the same name, E=mc2
chronicles the birth of the famous equation that unleashed the power of the
atom and how it has changed the world. Website: www.pbs.org/nova.
¶ From the 1930s on, many of the designers, writers, directors and performers
who proved to be key figures in Hollywood’s glamour factory —
as well as leading influences in the creation of the film noir genre —
were accomplished cinema artists in their native Germany. This series will
tell their stories — their achievements in Europe, their escape during
Adolf Hitler’s rise to power, their adjustment to America, and their
landmark contributions to American cinema.
¶ Surveys the greatest technological achievements of ground warfare,
allowing viewers to better understand the innovations, strategies and events
that have changed the way war is waged.
¶ Offers audiences a sophisticated, historically based perspective on
both the evolving practice of incarceration and the current status of our
nation’s prisons and prison population.
¶ A comprehensive history of the U.S. Supreme Court that chronicles the
decisions that have shaped our nation and profiles the individuals behind
the institution. Extensive educational and outreach materials will include
teacher training.
¶ Using dramatic re-creations, this series will depict the lives and
times of the most popular artists the world has ever known. To be shot in
HD format. With educational versioning for schools.
¶ Explores the significance and cultural richness of Jews who came to
Latin America on a biblical-like journey. It answers questions about how they
have changed the communities they entered and how, in turn, their experiences
in the Latin American diaspora have changed them.
¶ A documentary series examining Asian Americans’ contemporary
quest for civil rights and equality. The series will focus on crucial turning
points from World War II to the present that have resulted in major victories
and setbacks in the civil rights struggle of Asian-Americans.
¶ This high-definition series is a travelogue, nature series and adventure
program combined.
¶ A lively magazine series presenting cutting-edge developments in scientific
research. In a fast-paced style with on-camera reporters, Leading Edge
will open with science news updates on breaking developments, following with
a variety of stories as well as visual essays, profiles and expert discussions.
Website: www.pbs.org/nova.
¶ Explores the history of the fairy tale and how it has thrived through
the years.
¶ Nova follows a handful of out-of-shape hopefuls as they train
to compete in the Boston marathon. Top coaches will turn these aspiring runners
into fit, focused competitors. Website: www.pbs.org/nova.
¶ Examines China’s past to understand the country’s current
problems and successes. The four episodes illuminate China’s contemporary
struggle by exploring issues of governance, the family’s role, the environment,
the individual, ethnic communities and the state.
¶ New genetic tests enable African-Americans to identify their probable
ethnic and geographic origins. Motherland joins a group of volunteers
who take the tests and embark on a journey of self-discovery back to their
roots in Africa. Website: www.pbs.org/nova.
¶ The search for the fabled Arctic passage to Asia led to tragedy and
triumph. In 1845, Sir John Franklin’s expedition disappeared without
a trace. Nova investigates new clues to the Franklin mystery and contrasts
his failure with the first successful crossing by Roald Amudsen. Website:
www.pbs.org/nova.
¶ Opera’s answer to American Idol, this reality-based series
features amateurs in various stages of a talent competition to sing a leading
role at the English National Opera. It captures the excitement, joys, tears
and traumas experienced by contestants and judges alike as they enter uncharted
territory that climaxes with a final stage performance.
¶ The Pacific Ocean covers half the planet but its vast space contains
just a fraction of the world’s population. Spanning 12 time zones, it
comprises the ever-ascendant superpowers of the Pacific Rim and the tiniest
nations on the planet. Yet for most Westerners, the Pacific is little more
than clichéd images of palm trees and paradise. This series will be
the first to tell the definitive story of the ocean and its many communities
— past, present and future.
¶ Explores the roots of the ancient Israelites and the rise of modern
Judaism, dramatizing the cycles of conquest and oppression that forged the
Israelites’ identity and probing the clash between Old Testament traditions
and the latest findings of Biblical archaeologists.
¶ The Pentagon’s R&D agency is offering a $1 million prize for
the fastest unmanned vehicle to drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. A look
at the fiercely competitive teams who are struggling to make vehicles intelligent.
Website: www.pbs.org/nova.
¶ Captures the delicious and healthy contributions of Native American
traditions and cuisine.
¶ Nova tells the inside engineering story of Boeing’s next-generation
passenger jet, the 7E7. Locked in a life-and-death battle for supremacy of
the airliner market with Airbus, Boeing’s future rests critically on
the success of the 7E7. Website: www.pbs.org/nova.
¶ Explores how space matter has had an impact on the origins of life
on Earth and the possibilities of life elsewhere in space. Web site will feature
interactive timelines, maps and tours, as well as educator materials. Outreach
tools will assist teachers and students in separating fact from
fiction.
¶ Explores the past, present and future of a cultural phenomenon that
is shaping the entertainment and technology of the future. Companion website
will feature a console timeline, classic videogame emulators and interactive
viewer polls.