About
CAL Workshops Founder

Media Project Profiles 
 

•  Sustainability Communications Campaign   

A business-to-business outreach project. Features interviews with senior-level corporate executives proactively engaged in sustainable development practices. Demonstrates proven strategies benefitting the economic bottom line through engaging social and environmental collaboration. Produced in association with the United States Business Council for Sustainable Development, with participation by the White House Counsel on the Environment, Dow Chemical, Shell Oil, and leading scientists from The Rocky Mountain Institute.  Highly-targeted B2B private distribution.

 

•  SustainAbility        

Features John Elkington, founder of SustainAbility, a leading global consultancy on sustainable development practices.  Interview segments were combined with footage of client educational workshop sessions. Videos also edited into PowerPoint presentations for B2B corporate outreach efforts in the US and Europe. Additional footage edited for archival and staff training purposes.

 

•  Putting A New Spin On The Earth          

A career awareness presentation designed for middle-school level students.  Purpose was to introduce the concept and responsibilities of land planning and development of the built environment.  Produced in association with Penn State University, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the American Society of Landscape Architects, and Rutgers University, which commented: “…an extremely creative and exciting production…a quantum step in forwarding the profession.” Distributed over 6000 copies nationally to train teachers and students in hands-on projects. Also submitted as a presentation tool in school fundraising efforts to obtain grants for student-designed land improvement projects on school property.  International distribution to library markets. Televised regionally. 

 

•  Breaking Barriers:  The Status of Women and the Role of the United Nations

A documentary featuring rare footage from the United Nations early years and a key speech by Eleanor Roosevelt.  Produced as a preparatory tool for the World Women’s Congress in Beijing, China. Distributed globally in advance of the conference as an educational tool outlining the history of the issues to be addressed so attendees would be on a more efficient, equal-knowledge basis upon arrival. A print companion Discussion Guide was also created. Video and guide were further distributed to schools and libraries internationally (though banned in China).  Televised regionally in the US and Europe.

 

•  Environmental Defense Fund     

Full videotaped coverage of annual three-day conferences in Washington, DC for archival and fundraising purposes.  Edited versions sent to EDF donors who were unable to attend the conference. Speakers and attendees consisted of major governmental, corporate, and scientific leaders.  Distributed for private use only.

 

•  What’s Your Ecological Address?           

Produced for the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation as part of their self-funded Teacher Training Initiative.  Tracked the outdoor education activities of six schools over a one-year period.  Features teachers, students, parents, and school administrators demonstrating better cross-curriculum learning by using the local natural environment as a teaching tool.  Two final versions were created: a general project overview distributed on DVD and televised in select markets; and a “Teacher Version” detailing specific lesson plans and activities distributed on DVD. Teachers formed project-sharing networks around the videos for continued project development.

 

•  New York City Board of Education / Adopt-a-Class Program

Produced a series of videos designed to encourage corporate mentoring in city schools.  Videos were used to present the project concept to businesses and schools, to recruit participants, to provide program training, and to document the results.  Presented at Gracie Mansion before 200 New York business leaders and televised in the New York market.

 

•  See Jane Run

Documentary featuring the Yale University Women’s Campaign School training program. Provides candidates with the fundamental skills for political campaigning and fundraising.  Televised nationally. Created for Banner Productions.

 

•  Icelandic Expedition

Two-week scientific cruise circumnavigating Iceland aboard the Explorer expedition ship.  Studies included Iceland’s sustainable culture and industry, including: geothermal power, glacial ice, volcanic geology, botany, and archaeology. Concurrent focus was on gaining insight into the socio-economic and political aspects of fiber arts and craft-making in Iceland as well as the Faroe, Shetland, and Orkney Islands.  Archival footage only.

 

•  Uncommon Threads

Televised series capturing the rich diversity, history, and value of textile arts in an upbeat, modern, approachable context.  Featured interviews with makers, educators, authors, and others with a focus on inspiring a renewed understanding and respect for textiles as an art and a craft, a worthy pastime and profession. Topics ranged from segments ‘how-to’ instruction, to exploring the social, economic, and gender politics of textiles as a source of economic means, in both historic and modern cultures. 

 

•  Special Needs Education

A series of eight productions for EDvantage Media focused on guiding parents and educators of special needs children through the educational system.  Distributed to schools and libraries nationally. Utilized as a textbook supplement for college-level curricula.

 

•  Raising the Profile of Fiber Crafts and the Hand-Made

A series of 25 videos produced for the Craft Yarn Council of America over 18 years designed to inspire the intergenerational continuum of hand-made skills and to raise the general profile of knitting and crochet. Produce videos for the annual Craft & Hobby Association conference to educate retail executives about the economic value of the craft consumer. Created additional productions featuring yarn craft as an educational opportunity for schools, community building, and as a powerful force for personal healing. Also involved in assisting charity organizations and other not-for-profit organizations demonstrate the value of fiber crafts as a global economic improvement opportunity for developing countries.

 

•  Museum Education

Produced in association with the NYC Museum of Arts and Design Docent Corps to instill a greater understanding of the linked importance of museum educators and the visitor experience. Emphasized the docent contributions to making the museum-going experience more compelling and dynamic, and the visitor’s comprehension of the arts more enriching and relevant – both of which benefit the museum’s economic bottom line. Presented to the museum board, the museum education committee, and key museum donors.

 

Awards

•  Telly Award “Putting A New Spin On The Earth”

•  Environmental Achievement Award “Putting A New Spin On The Earth”

•  Parent’s Choice Award “A New IDEA for Special Education”

•  Orchid Award “A Rhythm Runs Through It”

•  Telly Award “Craft Yarn Council of America” Industry Conference Presentation

•  First Place, United Way Fundraising Campaign. Client: AT&T

 

Published

•  “Value Through Action” Focus on delivering sustainable development progress in the US.  Published in Green@Work Magazine.

•  “Conserving A Classic Resource” Linking sustainable business practices to sound forest management.  Published in Green@Work Magazine.