Tyler Prize 2012
The Tyler Prize is the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for environmental science and is awarded annually to the vanguard in that field. For this year’s awards ceremony, I produced video profiles of each of the 2012 laureates, Dr John Seinfeld of Caltech and Dr Kirk Smith of UC Berkeley.
Faith in Action DC
Working in close collaboration with the InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington (IFC), over the coming year I will be photographing the work of diverse religious institutions, groups, and individuals who are serving the DC area. The goal of this project, Faith in Action DC, is to celebrate the service efforts of local people of faith, garner increased attention for our communities’ achievements, and promote the Washington D.C. area as a national and international model of interfaith cooperation for the common good.
Book Trailer: ‘Wisdom Teeth’ by Derrick Weston Brown
A profile of poet Derrick Weston Brown promoting his debut collection of poetry ‘Wisdom Teeth’, featuring author/professor Tony Medina, poet Ruth Forman, and Simone Jacobson of Words.Beats.Life.
GloboMaestro NYC
This summer the travel website GloboMaestro brought me on to shoot and edit a round of videos profiling must-see destinations around New York City. With host Michael Bordenick, concierge at The Surrey Hotel, we interviewed world-renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson in Harlem, visited the oldest artisan bakery in the city, and practiced strikes at a secret underground bowling alley.
What’s Your Calling: Ruth Forman
For the PBS documentary entitled The Calling, which follows a group of youth from different religious backgrounds striving to lead lives of service in line with their chosen spiritual paths, the doc’s producers have created a terrific website that profiles a diverse collection of people who share their opinions about what it means to follow their calling.
Poet & children’s book author Ruth Forman was recently invited to be featured.
GEMAP Liberia
In May 2010, I traveled as part of a Digital Development Communications production team to the West African republic of Liberia. My partner Luis Dechtiar and I produced a short video about the USAID-sponsored GEMAP (Government Economic Management Assistance Program). The program focused on capacity-building training mainly in the area of financial management at key government institutions and state-owned enterprises, such as the Ministry of Finance, the National Port Authority, and Roberts International Airport.
Jews United for Justice 2010 Heschel Vision Awards
Every year, the DC-based organization Jews United for Justice honors individuals who have contributed to building community and a more just Washington region. The awards are named for Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, a visionary scholar, theologian, and activist. His tireless efforts in the interest of all peoples, no matter their faith or ethnic background, stand as an example for all those who pursue social justice.
Tahirih Justice Center 2010 Benefit
Recently a friend working at the Tahirih Justice Center contacted me about providing media support at their annual benefit. I’d known about Tahirih’s inspiring work and the organization’s tireless founder Layli Miller-Muro for a few years now, so without hesitation, I agreed to lend a hand. Through pro bono legal support and policy advocacy, Tahirih works to protect immigrant women and girls seeking justice in the United States from gender-based violence.
Interview with Mitsugi Saotome Sensei of Aikido Shobukan
Saotome Sensei is the founder of Aikido Shobukan Dojo in Washington D.C. He is a consummate artist, skilled not only in the martial arts, but as a textile designer, sculptor, author, and painter as well.
IntraHealth Kenya
In 2009, I went to Kenya in East Africa on an assignment for Digital Development Communications. DDC is the company I helped co-found in 2004 with my cousins Colby & Ann Gottert along with some other friends in Madagascar. Colby currently runs DDC out of Chapel Hill, NC. The project in Kenya was a short [...]
Ali Youssefi – O Son of Utterance
Ali Youssefi, Nasim Youssefi, Gustaff Besungu & Pam Hill perform ‘O Hijo de la Prolacion’ (lyrics from one of Baha’u’llah’s Hidden Words translated into Spanish). Produced in 2009 for Noveen TV. Ali Youssefi – Son of Utterance from Jack On the Road on Vimeo.
Eric Harper – Cura
Eric Harper performs a live version of ‘Cura’ from his 2008 album ‘Romper a Madrugada’. Eric Harper – Cura from Jack On the Road on Vimeo.
Ruth Forman
This segment explores poet Ruth Forman‘s work and inspiration. Ruth is the author of a number of acclaimed books including We Are the Young Magicians, Renaissance, Young Cornrows Callin Out the Moon, and Prayers Like Shoes. Produced in April 2009 for Noveen TV. Ruth Forman from Jack On the Road on Vimeo.
‘Abdúl-Bahá DC Tour 2009
This segment documents a tour of sites visited by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, son of Baha’u’llah, the Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i Faith, during his historic visit to Washington D.C. in 1912. The tour ends with the annual Color of Worship celebration at Howard University. Produced in April 2009 for Noveen TV ‘Abdu’l-Baha DC Tour from Jack On the [...]
Culture Couture – Seattle Ridvan Fashion Show 2009
A short video produced for Noveen TV about the Culture Couture fashion show presented by the Seattle Baha’i community for the holiday of Ridvan in April 2009. This video features Robin Campbell and Justice Beitzel, two of the event’s organizers, as well as many friends from the Seattle community. Music: ‘Be Free’ by Tara Ellis [...]
Blue Scholars
Interview with Seattle hip hop duo Blue Scholars for Baha’i International TV & Radio Service, July 2008. Blue Scholars from Jack On the Road on Vimeo.
Color of Worship 2008
A short report about the 2008 Color of Worship event at Howard University. This annual event celebrates the visit of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, son of Baha’u’llah, the Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i Faith, to Howard in 1912. The commemorative collaboration between Howard and the DC Baha’i community promotes the historic and ongoing importance of race unity. Produced in [...]