FILMS
MTV
16 AND RECOVERING
Director, Producer, DP, Network Showrunner
Most public schools are not designed to meet the complex needs of kids with mental health and substance abuse disorders. Northshore Recovery High School is designed with exactly that in mind.
16 and Recovering chronicles a year at this innovative school, where students study English, math, art, music and earn a diploma while working to recover from drug addictions. The documentary showcases a new model of education and offers new hope for troubled teenagers and their families. It aired as a four-part docuseries on MTV in the fall of 2020.
DISCOVERY CHANNEL
SACRED COD
Co-Director and Producer, Cinematographer, Colorist, Post Supervisor
In 2014, after years of ignoring warnings about overfishing and the effects of global warming, NOAA officials banned virtually all cod fishing in the Gulf of Maine. The ban did more than renounce the birthright of men who have fished these waters for almost half a millennium. It sounded a death knell for one of the most prolific species of animal and one of the most important sources of food on the planet.
Sacred Cod
aired as a feature-length documentary on the Discovery Channel in 2017.
PBS
FINDING FATHERHOOD
Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Colorist
Finding Fatherhood is a documentary short exploring pilot programs in five states to reduce poverty by helping non-custodial fathers provide emotional and financial support for their children. The programs are designed to help parents overcome employment barriers so that they can pay their child support consistently and reestablish and strengthen relationships with their children. The initiatives offer a variety of parenting supports including counseling, parenting classes, job training and employment assistance. Aired on WRMA/PBS in 2014 and 2015.
ASPEN INSTITUTE
A NEW KIND OF HEAD START
Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Colorist
In partnership with Aspen Institute's Two Generation Approach to poverty alleviation, Acelero Learning has led the way in creating excellence in Head Start programs. They bring a relentless focus on positive family and child outcomes to close the achievement gap and build a better future for children, families, and communities served by the Head Start program.
The documentary short was funded by the Aspen Institute and made during during director Steve Liss' Fellowship there, which he shared with Henry Wilde, the brilliant and innovative founder of Acelero Learning.
ENDICOTT COLLEGE
SCHOOL OF ART
Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Colorist
Endicott College was widely known for its business college, its school of nursing and sports management program. It was perhaps less well known for its excellent arts program, under the leadership of Dean Mark Towner. We were asked to make a non-traditional film, one which reflected the energy and vibrancy of the school. Every potential recruit, every incoming freshmen class, every tour of the school is shown this film. It is the touchstone of each presentation about the school of Fine and Performing Arts.
NEW ENGLAND HARBORS
Pilot, Colorist
A montage of drone footage filmed from Maine to Cape Cod, at night and in the daylight. Director Project Steve Liss is a licensed private pilot, with over 4000 hours of flight time to his credit. In addition, one of the project contributors is a licensed part 107 commercial drone operator.