Hi again, from Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar.
Here we are in downtown Yellow Springs with some of the LION team. Our beloved home base is where it all began—and where we are now finishing the film and launching our outreach campaign. We are also gearing up for Sundance. We are thrilled to announce that LION was accepted into the feature documentary competition at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival!
We want to introduce you to our team—some of the people behind the scenes who are making it happen.
To the far left is Regional Outreach Coordinator Karen Durgans. Karen has been with LION for two and half years and has been working with ITVS and our national partners on a campaign to support families affected by childhood cancer. Karen has worked for over 15 years as a counselor, social worker and advocate to at-risk and institutionalized youth and to families in high-risk environments. For fun, Karen likes to create little experiments that teach life's lessons at Awana club, a nondenominational, Bible-centered organization for youth. LION is her second PBS production.
Beside her are us, Julia & Steve, co-directors and producers.
Then, in the pink, is our bookkeeper Susan Murphy. Susan has been counting beans since 1990, and before that she was in human resources management for a major airline (which makes her perfect for the ups and downs of production). Susan is anticipating the premiere at Sundance with astonishing enthusiasm.
Way in the back, but very important, is editing room and production assistant Dan Misch. Dan was originally an intern from Antioch College's esteemed co-op program. He was so good that we hired him when he graduated. Dan's West Coast temperament keeps him cool under the relentless demands of his job. We are entirely grateful to have him.
Just in front of Dan is production manager Melissa Godoy. Melissa is also a director and producer who recently joined us to help keep our lives a little less frazzled. Her 20 years of production experience has her well conditioned to help us finish and follow through on this epic project. Some of Melissa's recent work has been seen at the Cincinnati Art Museum, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and on violinmasterclass.com. Mel's favorite parts of LION are the story, which makes her weep; and the great coffee and chocolate in Yellow Springs, which make her feel better.
On the bench are consulting editor Jim Klein and assistant editor Ann Rotolante.
One of the finest editors in the country, Jim is also the parent, with Julia, of childhood cancer survivor, Lela Reichert-Klein. Jim and Julia earned two Academy Award nominations for their films Seeing Red and Union Maids, which they co-created. Recently, his editing has been on national PBS in Taken for a Ride, Letter to the Next Generation and Scout's Honor. Jim is also an excellent jazz piano player.
Ann Rotolante is originally from Miami, Florida and came to Ohio to go to film school at Wright State University. While there, she produced the award-winning short Toss of the Coin. Ann loves British television and "B" movies. She plans to finish her degree and go on to become a producer. Meanwhile, Ann is in constant demand assisting on our two-part feature. We could barely steal her away for this photo.
Other key contributors to LION are editors Mary Lampson, Kevin Jones and Jaime Meyers.
Mary is a veteran editor who worked on the classic documentary Harlan County USA, among others. Mary devoted three seasons to living and working with us in Ohio, and is now back in New York City. She is also the mother of two and a cancer survivor.
Kevin Jones is a San Francisco-based writer, filmmaker and editor originally from Ohio, where he spent many months editing LION.
Not pictured is editor Jaime Meyers, also an Ohio native and Wright State U. grad, who has flown the state to work in Los Angeles. We miss them all!
These are only a few of the many individuals who have contributed to A LION IN THE HOUSE over the eight years of its making.
Our next stop is New York City for color correcting and audio post.
There never seem to be enough hours in the day as we work toward completion. Thank you to everyone.
—Steven and Julia
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