My research/creative activity at the University of Florida consists of writing, directing and producing video and film programs. In reverse chronological order, the films/videos I have produced are:
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (2014), four scenes lasting about 10 minutes that are incorporated into the second act of this fictional play by Lynn Nottage, about the first African-American actress (Vera Stark) to make it in Hollywood. In fact, the second act of the play starts with the final six minutes of the first film that Vera Stark was in, “The Belle of New Orleans,” supposedly shot in 1933 and taking place in 1855. The play was staged June 12-15 and July 9-12, 2014 at the Black Box Theater, University of Florida, Gainesville.
Coming Home (2013), a 25-minute drama about an American soldier who’s making a surprise visit home from Afghanistan to see his wife and newborn daughter. He soon finds that the pressures of being back home – even for a short stay – are more strenuous than those at the war front.
Table for Two (2013), a 15-minute drama about a woman confronting her husband about his infidelities over lunch at a 1950s diner.
Radical Riters (2012), a half-hour television sit-com pilot about a group of misfit actors who are in rehearsal preparing to go on a children’s theater tour across the southern United States.
The Wedding Ring (2011), a 15-minute drama about an Alzheimer’s patient whose mind takes her back to when she was a 10-year-old girl.
Somewhere Beyond (2009), a 47-minute drama about rape and its consequences. Twenty-three years after it happened, a woman decides to confront the man who raped her, in prison, face to face. That encounter would change both their lives, and the lives of many others.
Santa Rules (2007), a half-hour television drama about the existence of Santa Claus.
A Second Chance (2004), a 75-minute drama about an old Florida couple who discover the fountain of youth. This project was made in conjunction with WUFT-TV, the PBS-affiliate in Gainesville, Florida.
Celebration 2000 (2000), an 11-minute promotional video to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of a department of journalism course and the 50th anniversary of the founding of a School of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida. The video looks at the history of the College, where it’s at today, and where it’s headed in the future.
Catherine’s Story (1999), an 81-minute drama on domestic abuse, drawing on a short story entitled “Athenaise”, written by Kate Chopin at the turn of the century. This project was made possible by a $23,740 grant from ITVS (Independent Television Service), a $4,500 UF College of Journalism and Communication research summer grant, and by the participation of Valencia College’s Dept. of Motion Picture Technology (in Orlando), where I was a filmmaker in residence.
Please Note: A 60-minute version of this film is also available.
The Science Directorate (1999), a 6-minute promotional video about pure science research that’s done at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. This program was produced by NASA while I was there as part of the Summer Faculty program in May/June 1999.
Color My World: The Arts in Medicine (1998), a 60-minute documentary on the relationship between art and healing, focusing on the arts-in-medicine program at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida. This program was made possible by a $10,000 grant from the National Educational Telecommunication Association, and with the participation of WUFT-TV, the Gainesville PBS-affiliate.
C.P. Cavafy: From Ithaca to Tarpon Springs (1996), a 30-minute impressionistic documentary on Tarpon Springs, Florida, and on the Greek poet C.P. Cavafy. This program was made possible by a $5,000 individual artist grant from the Florida Department of State, and with the participation of WUFT-TV, the Gainesville PBS affiliate.
The Death of a Bachelor (1995), a 25-minute 16mm film based on the short story of the same title by Arthur Schnitzler. The program was made possible by a PAFPS (Production Assistance for the Private Sector) grant from the National Film Board of Canada, and by Valencia College’s Dept. of Motion Picture Technology (in Orlando), where I was a filmmaker-in-residence.
Goodbye, Socrates (1992), a 37-minute drama about love, compassion, an old immigrant couple, a clarinet, a suitcase, and two child-like angels. This program was made possible by a PAFPS grant from the National Film Board of Canada.
