+ Who We Are +

Jeanine Isabel Butler - Documentary Producer/ Writer

Tue, 1 Sep 2009 20:06:11 -0400

Jeanine has over eighteen years of experience writing and producing documentary and educational films for a variety of clients including PBS, The Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC - The Learning Channel, National Science Foundation, and The National Geographic Channel.

Her recent credits for National Geographic include “Plague Hunters” for the Riddles of the Dead series and “Apache Maidens” for the Taboo Series.

Jeanine is currently developing, writing and producing a one-hour documentary special with the PBS affiliate, SC ETV, on the photographs commissioned by the Farm Security Administration (FSA) in the 1930s and 40s. Documenting The Face Of America has been Nominated for an EMMY® AWARDS for OUTSTANDING HISTORICAL PROGRAMMING IN THE 30th ANNUAL NEWS & DOCUMENTARY -

Other credits include the 1998 Emmy-nominated special “The Science of HIV/AIDS” for the National Science Teachers Association.

RECENT CREDITS:

Into The Pride
Post Producer
Animal Planet
Discovery Studios, 2008-2009

Animal Planet’s large predator expert Dave Salmoni heads deep into the African bush on a double mission – to return to his wild roots and to save a rogue pride of lions from elimination. Big cats, and especially lions, have long been his passion, but recently, Dave has been spending most of his time in the urban jungle as a television producer and host. Now, all his toughness, training and focus are put to the test. Can he survive six months in the Namibian bush on a life or death quest?

Building Bridges
Producer / Writer
Win with Women - The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs
A butlerfilms/Park Productions, 2005 - 2006

In this powerful short documentary, “Building Bridges” shares inspiring first person accounts of a small group of remarkable Bosnian women who are working together reclaim the peace after years of devastating warfare.

Narrated by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright, “Bridges” recounts the story of the women behind the Mostar Women’s Citizen Initiative, and how their disciplined and sustained advocacy efforts produced a new law protecting women and families.

Through friendship, courage and common purpose, the women find they are changing an entire community, discovering their own inner strength and protecting a future that they came so close to losing. This 10-minute short premiered at the 2006 Madeleine K. Albright “Win with Women” Awards Luncheon, and was featured at the 2006 Sarajevo and Prague Film Festivals, and on Current TV’s online “Seeds of Tolerance” website.

Some Assembly Required
Series Producer
Discovery Channel
Halfyard Productions, 2006-2008

A new seven hour reality series for the Discovery Channel on how things work premiers in 2008. Join hosts Brian Unger and Lou Bloomfield as they explore the manufacturing process of everything from cheddar cheese to Gibson guitars. Some Assembly Required will give you a new appreciation of everyday items and the people who build them. Some Assembly Required is currently showing on the Discovery Channel.

Voices Rising: Women of the Middle East & North Africa Working for Change
Executive Producer
Win with Women - The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs
A butlerfilms Productions, 2006

Refusing to be silenced by cultural and political obstacles, women across the Middle East and North Africa are becoming a force for positive change in their communities. This 10-minute DVD, produced in English, French and Arabic, highlights the determination and courage of women across the region coming together to learn leadership skills, and features the historic 2006 Kuwaiti election, where women finally won the right to vote and run for political office.

Documenting America: Roy Stryker and The FSA Photographers
Director / Writer
A butlerfilms Productions, 2001-2006

It was a time of crisis and possibility. A time when Americans saw
each other’s faces for the first time and saw the what life was like
across the nation – north, south, east and west,
rich and poor -- during the 1930s and 40s.

Giving hope to a nation in despair, President Roosevelt’s New Deal
programs were also responsible for giving some of America’s greatest
photographers the opportunity to travel the country to create the
largest documentary project in history.

This one hour PBS special features the compelling – and often
surprising -- stories from those who were behind the lens, including
such legendary photographers as Gordon Parks, Dorothea Lange, Ben
Shahn, Marion Post Wolcott, Walker Evans, Louise Rosskam and others. A
short version of the show was featured in the 2002 Sundance On-Line
Film Festival. Program support includes PBS affiliate SC-ETV and the
Southern Humanities Media Fund.

Modern Alchemy: The Material World
Senior Producer / Writer
WETA - PBS
Summer Productions , 2006

This one-hour pilot about the scientific world of “the stuff of life” was produced for Summer Productions in cooperation with CalTech University. The presenting station for the pilot is WETA.

A Life in Photography: Louise Rosskam and the Documentary Tradition
Co-Editor
The Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University
A butlerfilms/Park Productions, 2005 - 2006

A fifteen minute retrospective to accompany Center for Documentary Studies exhibition on the work of F.S.A. documentary photographer Louise Rosskam.

Urban Explorer: Milwaukee
Producer / Writer
The Discovery Channel's Urban Explorer Series
Hoggard Films, 2004

A new series for Discovery Channel airing in Spring 2005, profiling urban explorers and their quest to uncover the hidden side of Milwaukee. A shadowy figure stands on the edge of blackness inside a cavernous industrial shell lit only by a tiny headlamp. Somewhere in the darkness ahead lies a secret entrance to a forgotten tunnel system, burrowed deep beneath the city. It's rumored to be a place of homeless 'mole' people, graffiti masterpieces and unknown danger. Follow our team as they discover urban landscapes that only the fearless would dare to explore.

Riddles of the Dead: Hitler's Skull
Producer / Writer
National Geographic Channels International
Hoggard Films, 2003

In Hitler's Skull, we tell the story of Adolf's bizarre after death journey and examine the dental records, photographs, human remains and recollections that lead most forensic experts to believe that the Fuhrer and his lover died by their own hands in 1945.

Riddles of the Dead: Plague Hunters -
The Search for the 1918 Influenza Pandemic
Producer / Writer
National Geographic Channels International
Hoggard Films, 2002

A one-hour television documentary for the National Geographic’s Riddles of the Dead Series profiling the search to resurrect the deadly strain of the influenza virus that killed over 40 million people in 1918. In Plague Hunters, we join two teams of scientists as they race to find, identify, and reconstruct the DNA of history's most lethal plague. Only by reconstructing the virus can scientists hope to create a vaccine to combat it.
2002 CINE Golden Eagle Award

A New Calling
Producer/Writer
National Geographic’s Mission Rescue Series
A butlerfilms Productions, 2003

This half-hour documentary profiles life aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Diligence.

Apache Maidens
Senior Producer/Writer
National Geographic Channels International
A butlerfilms Productions, 2002

As its name suggests, Taboo crosses the boundary into worlds rarely seen, and showcases the wide range of human lifestyles. A fifteen-minute segment documenting a sacred and seldom seen puberty ceremony practiced by the Apache Indians in Mescalero, New Mexico.

Seismic Sleuths: Understanding Earthquakes
Producer/Writer
Summer Productions , 1999–2000

This award-winning documentary stars the living Earth, and the powerful
unpredictability of earthquakes. We follow the parallel stories of two
similar fault lines – the San Andreas in California, and Turkey’s North
Anatolian, where we accompany a team of geologists responding to the
major 1999 tremor.

Weaving together science, history and the challenges faced by
scientists, emergency responders and public officials, this half-hour
profiles the wide variety of experts working to understand and minimize
future natural disasters.

Broadcast on The Discovery Channel’s “Assignment Discovery,” the
Learning Channel and the National Geographic Channel. Recipient of the
2001 CINE Golden Eagle Award.

Rage in the Streets: Why Riots Happen
Producer/Writer
Hoggard Films/Discovery Channel, 1999

Many of the "voices" featured on film include those from L.A.’s South
Central neighborhoods still grappling with the legacy of the 1992
riots, from the gang members to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department
and local businessmen from the Korean community.

In this half-hour, we also investigate the psychology of mob rage with
scientists, psychologists, historians and authors such as Bill Buford,
who’s book “Among the Thugs” present a searing account of young British
men who turn soccer matches into battlegrounds, and what motivates
their behavior.

The Science of HIV/Aids
Producer/Writer
Summer Productions/The Learning Channel, 1997

Nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 1998, this poignant half-hour film
features the intimate stories of a small group of teenagers living with
HIV/AIDs.

1998 Emmy Award Nomination, The Monitor Award's Best Achievement; Cine Golden Eagle; New York International Film Festival Silver Award; Houston International Film Festival Gold Award, WIFV Peer Award; Festival of Science Film and Video for Young People 's Most Inspiring Award

Miami SWAT
Producer/Writer
Discovery Channels Inside Series
Hoggard Films, 1998

Produced for the Discovery Channel’s Inside Series, this one-hour documentary features the work of Miami’s elite law enforcement unit.

Oceans Blue
Producer/Writer
The Discovery Channel 's Library Productions and Lisbon World Expo
Jeanine Butler, 1998

Produced for the Lisbon World Expo, this one-hour documentary is about humankind's ever changing relationship with the sea.
Houston International Film Festival, Gold Special Jury Award, 2000

Understanding Cities
Producer/Writer
TLC
Jeanine Butler, 1996

A one-hour documentary about the social, philosophical and structural nature of cities both above and below.

Understanding Computing
Producer/Writer
TLC
Cronkite, Ward and Company, 1995

Produced for Cronkite, Ward and Company this one-hour documentary focuses on the inner workings and evolution of the computer.

Understanding Viruses
Producer/Writer
TLC
Cronkite, Ward and Company, 1994

Produced for Cronkite, Ward and Co. this one-hour documentary magnifies the mysteries and history of viruses.
The Monitor Award's Best Graphics

Catherine Butler - Documentary Producer/Writer

Wed, 9 Jan 2008 20:01:06 -0500

Catherine’s recent credits include Line Producing “Bridge Builders,” aa short film for the National Democratic Institute (NDI) shot in Bosnia, featuring the women’s grassroots political movements; Producer “The Future of Food” a feature-length documentary that has had worldwide theatrical release; Co-writer, “Gyalyum-Chenmo: The Great Mother, an hour long-special on the Dalai Lama’s mother and the women of Tibet, PBS airing this May. Other credits include the astronomy show “What’s Up in the Universe?”; “Rage in the Streets: Why Riots Happen” on Discovery; and “Seismic Sleuths: Understanding Earthquakes” which aired on the Learning Channel.

RECENT CREDITS:

Voices Rising: Women of the Middle East & North Africa Working for Change
Writer/Producer
Win with Women - The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs
A butlerfilms Productions, 2006

Refusing to be silenced by cultural and political obstacles, women
across the Middle East and North Africa are becoming a force for
positive change in their communities. This 10-minute DVD, produced in
English, French and Arabic, highlights the determination and courage of
women across the region coming together to learn leadership skills, and
features the historic 2006 Kuwaiti election, where women finally won
the right to vote and run for political office.

Building Bridges
Line Producer
Win with Women - The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs
A butlerfilms/Park Productions, 2005 - 2006

In this powerful short documentary, “Building Bridges” shares inspiring
first person accounts of a small group of remarkable Bosnian women who
are working together reclaim the peace after years of devastating
warfare.

Narrated by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright, “Bridges”
recounts the story of the women behind the Mostar Women’s Citizen
Initiative, and how their disciplined and sustained advocacy efforts
produced a new law protecting women and families.

Through friendship, courage and common purpose, the women find they are
changing an entire community, discovering their own inner strength and
protecting a future that they came so close to losing. This 10-minute
short premiered at the 2006 Madeleine K. Albright “Win with Women”
Awards Luncheon, and was featured at the 2006 Sarajevo and Prague Film
Festivals, and on Current TV’s online “Seeds of Tolerance” website.
www.ndi.org
www.current.tv/studio/media/10820960

Gyalyum-Chenmo: The Great Mother
Co-Writer
Frame of Mind Films, Albany, CA , 2004 - 2005 www.womenoftibet.org

This hour-long PBS special on the Dalai Lama’s mother, recounts the
compelling story of a simple village woman who gave birth to the boy
who was destined to become His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Featuring
thoughtful interviews with His Holiness, as well as authors Alice
Walker, Marion Woodman and Angeles Arrien on how the relationship
between healthy family and healthy humanity all begins with a mother’s
love. Chosen as the Official Selection of the Telluride, Banff, and
Mill Valley Films Festivals, it is the first of a trilogy of one-hour
films based on extensive archive of interviews, field tapes, and
archival footage featuring the Dalai Lama and three generations of
Tibetan women in exile.
www.womenoftibet.org

The Future of Food
Producer
Lily Films, Inc., Mill Valley, CA , 2001-2004

There is a revolution happening in the farm fields and on the dinner
tables all over the world. This powerful feature-length documentary
offers an in-depth investigation into the controversy behind the
patented and unlabeled genetically engineered foods that have quietly
filled grocery store shelves for over a decade.

From the prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada to the fields of Oaxaca,
Mexico, the film gives voice to the farmers negatively impacted by this
new technology, and investigates the complex web of market and
political forces that are changing the nature of what we eat. Since
it’s initial release, it’s enjoyed theatrical release nationally and
internationally, as well as appearing in numerous film festivals,
schools and in other grassroots community gatherings around the world. www.thefutureoffood.com

Documenting America: Roy Stryker and The FSA Photographers
Co-Producer
A butlerfilms Productions, 2001-2006

It was a time of crisis and possibility. A time when Americans saw
each other’s faces for the first time and saw the what life was like
across the nation – north, south, east and west,
rich and poor -- during the 1930s and 40s.

Giving hope to a nation in despair, President Roosevelt’s New Deal
programs were also responsible for giving some of America’s greatest
photographers the opportunity to travel the country to create the
largest documentary project in history.

This one hour PBS special features the compelling – and often
surprising -- stories from those who were behind the lens, including
such legendary photographers as Gordon Parks, Dorothea Lange, Ben
Shahn, Marion Post Wolcott, Walker Evans, Louise Rosskam and others. A
short version of the show was featured in the 2002 Sundance On-Line
Film Festival. Program support includes PBS affiliate SC-ETV and the
Southern Humanities Media Fund.

What's Up in the Universe?
Co-Producer
Studio on the Mountain, Half Moon Bay, CA , 1999–2001

Using a unique synthesis of art and science to explore far beyond the
boundaries of our night sky, this one-hour special funded by the
National Science Foundation takes viewers on a rollicking exploration
of the inner and outer reaches of space.

From using state-of-the-art animation to experience flying through the
Orion Nebulae, to exploring the latest discoveries of water on Mars --
and extreme life forms here on our own planet -- “What’s Up?” probes
man’s endless fascination with unlocking the secrets of the universe
through interviews with today’s leading astronomers, artists, and other
devoted star-gazers.

Seismic Sleuths: Understanding Earthquakes
Associate Producer/Field Producer
Summer Productions , 1999–2000

This award-winning documentary stars the living Earth, and the powerful
unpredictability of earthquakes. We follow the parallel stories of two
similar fault lines – the San Andreas in California, and Turkey’s North
Anatolian, where we accompany a team of geologists responding to the
major 1999 tremor.

Weaving together science, history and the challenges faced by
scientists, emergency responders and public officials, this half-hour
profiles the wide variety of experts working to understand and minimize
future natural disasters.

Broadcast on The Discovery Channel’s “Assignment Discovery,” the
Learning Channel and the National Geographic Channel. Recipient of the
2001 Cine Golden Eagle Award.

Rage in the Streets: Why Riots Happen
Associate Producer/Field Producer
Hoggard Films/Discovery Channel, 1999

Many of the "voices" featured on film include those from L.A.’s South
Central neighborhoods still grappling with the legacy of the 1992
riots, from the gang members to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department
and local businessmen from the Korean community.

In this half-hour, we also investigate the psychology of mob rage with
scientists, psychologists, historians and authors such as Bill Buford,
who’s book “Among the Thugs” present a searing account of young British
men who turn soccer matches into battlegrounds, and what motivates
their behavior.

Signs of Life
Associate Producer/Research & Development
Signs of Life Films, Inc., Mill Valley, CA , 1997-1999

Coordinated the post-production and distribution efforts for an independently produced documentary series on early child development. Conducted pre-production story research and location scouting in both Greece and Crete for a documentary on the Greek myths.

The Science of HIV/Aids
Researcher
Summer Productions/The Learning Channel, 1997

Nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 1998, this poignant half-hour film
features the intimate stories of a small group of teenagers living with
HIV/AIDs.

1998 Emmy Award Nomination, The Monitor Award's Best Achievement; Cine Golden Eagle; New York International Film Festival Silver Award; Houston International Film Festival Gold Award, WIFV Peer Award; Festival of Science Film and Video for Young People 's Most Inspiring Award

Riskin' It
Co-Producer/Scriptwriter
Lightningwood Pictures, Santa Fe, NM 1995-1996

Wrote and produced half-hour documentary on science of risk assessment facing teenagers from driving to HIV/Aids. Supervised student involvement during innovative collaboration between documentary crew and a high school class in Albuquerque, NM. Originally broadcast on Rocky Mountain PBS, the program was distributed nationally to schools by the University of New Mexico.

The Women at Otowi Crossing, based on the novel by Frank Waters
Scriptwriter
Mountainair Films, Santa Fe, NM 1995-1996

Adapted this celebrated novel into a feature film script, with the endorsement and approval of author Frank Waters. This is a story where two disparate worlds meet and collide. Based on the true story of the secret Manhattan project, and the special relationship between the physicists and the Native American Elders of the neighboring San Ildefonso Pueblo, who questioned the wisdom of the Atom Bomb.

Travels with the Hat Family
Writer
Chip Taylor Educational Video, Santa Fe, NM and Derry, NH 1993

Field produced the stories in South Central L.A., New York and California, as well as provided extensive archival footage research and production coordination for this segment of the Discovery Channel's Inside series. Conducted pre-production research, story development and all production coordination for this half-hour examining the history, psychology and science of mob rage.

Alastair Reilly - Co-Producer

Tue, 8 Jan 2008 09:22:16 -0500

Alastair is currently partnering with Jeanine Butler a documentary filmmaker to produce a one-hour film entitled “Documenting the Face of America” on the photographers of the Farm Securities Administration, in collaboration with the PBS affiliate, SC ETV.

The Sundance Institute selected Documenting the Face of America to screen at the 2nd annual Sundance Online Film Festival. The Sundance Online Film Festival takes place during the 2002 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

Alastair has practiced architecture in San Francisco, Washington, D.C., New York City, and Los Angeles for over 15 years, and is a Director with William McDonough + Partners in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Independently and in association with other firms, his work has been published extensively and has won many awards for design and research. He has been featured in Progressive Architecture magazine’s “Young Architect’s Issue” program and the Architectural League of New York’s “ Young Architects Forum” series.

Alastair holds a Bachelor's from the Syracuse University, and completed his Master’s degree in Architecture at the University of Virginia design program.

RECENT CREDITS:

Documenting America: Roy Stryker and The FSA Photographers
Co-Producer
A butlerfilms Productions, 2001-2006

It was a time of crisis and possibility. A time when Americans saw
each other’s faces for the first time and saw the what life was like
across the nation – north, south, east and west,
rich and poor -- during the 1930s and 40s.

Giving hope to a nation in despair, President Roosevelt’s New Deal
programs were also responsible for giving some of America’s greatest
photographers the opportunity to travel the country to create the
largest documentary project in history.

This one hour PBS special features the compelling – and often
surprising -- stories from those who were behind the lens, including
such legendary photographers as Gordon Parks, Dorothea Lange, Ben
Shahn, Marion Post Wolcott, Walker Evans, Louise Rosskam and others. A
short version of the show was featured in the 2002 Sundance On-Line
Film Festival. Program support includes PBS affiliate SC-ETV and the
Southern Humanities Media Fund.

A Life in Photography: Louise Rosskam and the Documentary Tradition
Co-Editor
The Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University
A butlerfilms/Park Productions, 2005 - 2006

A fifteen minute retrospective to accompany Center for Documentary Studies exhibition on the work of F.S.A. documentary photographer Louise Rosskam.

Documenting America: Roy Stryker and The FSA Photographers - Short
Co-Director / Editor
A butlerfilms Productions, 2002

"Documenting the Face of America" (part of the Sundance Online Film Festival) uses the words of American photographer and filmmaker Gordon Parks to recall an important time in the history of American photojournalism, when the Farm Security Administration hired photographers to document the harsh realities of the Great Depression.

A short version of the show was featured at the 2002 Sundance On-Line
Film Festival and the DV Expo.

Seismic Sleuths: Understanding Earthquakes
Second Camera / Still Photographer
Summer Productions , 1999–2000

Alastair worked with the Second Camera Unit and lead the climb of the San Francisco Bay Bridge with Cinematographer John Chater.

Broadcast on The Discovery Channel’s “Assignment Discovery,” the
Learning Channel and the National Geographic Channel. Recipient of the
2001 CINE Golden Eagle Award.