Eatin' Crabcakes:  The Best I Ever Had   Director, Producer, Editor

From goliath-sized crab cakes to tried-and-true recipes that have survived tests and trials of the kitchen, this documentary is the ultimate crab cake treasure hunt across the Chesapeake Bay region.  It's a fun-loving, kitchen-hopping adventure that traverses the state in search of Crab Cake Heaven

Produced  by Paulson Productions for Maryland Public Television    view MPT site

2009

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Les Paul: Chasing Sound!    Director & Producer, HD Cinematographer, Editor

Paulson Productions produced this documentary on the life and times of this American legend for PBS/American Masters. Known as the father of the electric guitar, inventor of multi-track recording and the undisputed Architect of Rock n' Roll, Les Paul still performs every week in New York City.  In his own words, Les tells the rags-to-riches story: from hometown Waukesha Wisconsin, to Bing Crosby and the greats of Jazz, to 1950's pop stardom, culminating in his influence on today's legends - McCartney, Clapton, B.B. King, The Carpenters, Phil Ramone, and many more.

A Co-Production of Paulson Productions and WNET/Thirteen

Distribution:  PBS/American Masters; U.S. DVD by Koch Vision; Japan broadcast & DVD by Pony Canyon; worldwide home video by Eagle Vision; UK Broadcast by BBC FOUR.

Awards: Nominated for a Primetime EMMY Award; ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for excellence presenting music in broadcast television; Silver HUGO Award, Silver TELLY Award, CINE Gold Eagle; Gold Medal "Best Documentary on a Musical Subject" from Park City Film Music Festival; IDA Award nominee.

2007

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3 Mo' Divas    Producer, Director-Documentary segments

From Paulson's Third Rail Productions comes a new PBS music special that smashes musical barriers. Three relatively unknown but classically trained women deliver an evening of class, sass, and style that spans 200 years of music and 10 vocal  genres:  Opera, Broadway,  Jazz, Blues, R&B, Rock & Roll, Spirituals and more.  Their versatility is nothing short of astonishing.

Produced by Paulson's Third Rail Productions with Maryland Public Television.

PBS premiere in March 2009.  Hi-def Blu-ray DVD and cast album by Acorn Media Group.

2009

A Native Place    Director, HD Director of Photography

This HD film tracks both the spiritual and physical foundations behind the creation of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, a signature building on the National Mall for the showcase of Native art, artifacts, and living culture. 

Produced  for the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian's opening celebration

2005

Rodgers & Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA!   Producer, director, editor

One in a series of performance videos designed to teach young children, especially,  the joy of performing musical theater.   Others in the series: "Cinderella," "The King & I," and "Once Upon a Mattress"

A Production of John Paulson Productions in association with The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization.

Distribution: The Hal Leonard Corporation

2003-2005

(ATF) Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives   Director of Photography

A series of riveting interviews with retired special agents were woven together, including those who worked undercover, infiltrated organized crime,  and lived through Ground Zero on 9/11.

Filmed and Produced for ATF

2004

Double Agents    Director of Photography

A fly-on-the-wall program that gives a front-row seat on the process of home buying, and the fast-paced world of real estate.

Produced by Beyond International (Australia)

Screenings:  Daily on Discovery Channel, Premiere Fall 2003

2003

An Evening with Chita Rivera     Producer, video photographer, editor

A document of Chita Rivera’s December 2002 conversation with curator and historian Dwight Blocker Bowers at the Smithsonian Institution. 

Produced by John Paulson Productions for the National Museum of American History

2003

Wild Kingdom: A Book of Beasts     Producer, video photographer, editor

A promotional performance video of HESPERUS, the medieval-renaissance baroque music ensemble, and their interpretations of the Medieval Bestiary, or Book of Beasts, with spoken word, music, and mime.

Produced for HESPERUS

2002

The Silk Road: Connecting Cultures, Creating Trust    Director of HD Cinematography

High-definition photography captured a panorama of musical and artistic expression that flourished in Washington, DC during the Smithsonian’s Silk Road Festival, featuring people from the lands of the ancient Silk Road and performances by YoYo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble.

Filmed for The Silk Road Project, New York, and Smithsonian Center for Folklife & Cultural Heritage

2002

Jerusalem: A Passion for Living       Co-Producer, Director of Photography

Principal photography is completed for a film on the cultural life of Jerusalem where, side by side, Muslims, Christians, and Jews live very different lives often in bitter opposition to each other.  Yet they share in common the commitment to preserve faith and cultural traditions.

The Greatness of Ordinary Life         Co-Producer, editor, English translation

An English language re-version of an Italian documentary portraying the spiritual founder of Opus Dei, a Catholic organization. 

Produced for the Prelature of Opus Dei.

Screenings:  EWTN broadcast Summer 2002, Home video release

2002

FURY!  Passion, Power, Flamenco       Editor                                               

A performance special featuring the seductive allure of flamenco, and from Madrid, the expressive dance troupe Nuevo Flamenco Español. 

Produced by TV Matters, Inc./Sony Classical/EuroArts International

Screenings:  Pledge special for PBS March 2002, International broadcast and DVD release Spring 2003

2002 

Bermuda Connections                         HD Cinematographer/DP                   

A high-definition documentary that follows a group of children who seek out then document the cultural traditions of Bermuda. 

Produced by Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage

2001-2003

Classic YoYo Ma                           Video Photographer                         

A retrospective documentary on the musical career of this world-class cellist, drawing upon contemporary interviews and vintage performances. 

Produced by Towers Productions, Inc

Screenings:  PBS Premiere January 2002

2001

El Rio: Culture & Ecology                  Video photographer/DP               

A series of short documentaries for museum exhibition on culture along the U.S.-Mexico border featuring cowboys, shrimp fishing, piñata makers, and a Conjunto music festival. 

Produced by Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage

2002

Guide to the Smithsonian                    Producer, film cinematographer/DP        

An overview of the vast world of art, history, science, technology, and feats of human achievement housed within the museums of the Smithsonian Institution.  An introductory guide for visitors designed to inform , orient, and enhance appreciation. 

Produced for the Smithsonian Visitor Information Center

2001

People and Pianos: 300 Years              Video photographer/DP                      

A commemoration of the 300-year history of the piano, its technological evolution, and the craft persons and master musicians who shaped its sound. 

Produced by Smithsonian Productions/Maryland Public Television/Euro Arts

Screenings: PBS premiere December 2001, and internationally

Awards: CINE Golden Eagle

2000-2002

This Land is Your Land                    Producer, editor, film cinematographer/DP

An introduction to the life of the great American folk musician Woody Guthrie, presenting an overview of his words, music, and alternative point of view.

Produced for the Washington State History Museum

2001

Piano 300                                      Co-producer, editor                                

A delightful collage of Hollywood clips and vintage performances by well-known greats to cap off an exhibit marking the 300^th anniversary of the piano.

Produced for the Smithsonian American History Museum

Awards: CINE Golden Eagle

2000

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Piano Grand! A Smithsonian Celebration    HD photographer, Doc. segment editor

Gala television performance special celebrating the 300^th anniversary of the invention of the piano, starring: Billy Joel, Diana Krall, Dave Brubeck, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Jerry Lee Lewis, Marcus Roberts, and others.

Produced by Smithsonian Productions/Maryland Public Television/Euro Arts International

Screenings: Aired nationally on PBS, and worldwide on NHK, BBC, & others

DVD & Soundtrack Recording Distributed by: Columbia Records/Home Video

Awards: Gold “Astrolabium” Award (for excellence in high definition programming), International Electronic Cinema Festival (“Montreaux”).

2000

Billy Bragg Talking Woody Guthrie          Producer, film cinematographer, editor

Captures Billy Bragg live as he traces the origins of the singer/songwriter tradition to Woody Guthrie, with music from the Grammy nominated recording “Mermaid Avenue.”

Produced for Sincere Management/Billy Bragg

2000

Woody Guthrie: Legacy                    Producer, film cinematographer/DP, editor

An exploration of the spirit of American folk singer Woody Guthrie as it resonates in contemporary  musicians Billy Bragg, Ani DiFranco, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Wilco, and others. 

Produced for the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service

Awards: American Association of Museums Silver MUSE Award; Finalist, New York Festivals; Gold CINDY Award; CINE Golden Eagle

1999

Earl’s Canoe                                   Co-Producer, film cinematographer/DP

A portrait of master birch-bark canoe builder Earl Nyholm (Ojibwa) who is building his final canoe.

Produced by Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage

Screenings: PBS National feed; Margaret Mead Anthropological Film Festival; D.C. Environmental Film Fest; Breckinridge Film Festival

Distributed by: Documentary Educational Resources

Awards: Cine Golden Eagle; Black Mariah Film Festival, 2^nd Place; Society for Visual Anthropology, Award of Commendation; Athens International Film Festival, Finalist, and others.

1997-1999

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Banjo Spirits                             Producer, film cinematographer, editor

Explores the legacy of the banjo through the eyes of two practitioners who assess the central role the banjo plays in their lives as a tool for creative expression.

Produced by John Paulson Productions

Screenings:  Maryland Public Television’s “Independent Eye” series

Distributed by: John Paulson Productions

Awards: Finalist, New York Festivals

1998

The Story of Printing                   Director, film cinematographer, editor

A set of four short documentaries on technological milestones in the history of printing: the Gutenberg press, steam powered presses, mechanized typesetters, modern computer typesetters. 

Produced for the Smithsonian American History Museum

Screenings:  Museum exhibition, educational and web release

1998-2002

American Musicians: River of Song         Sound recordist & post mix, 2nd camera   

A four-part documentary series profiling the sweep of music and culture that flourish along the banks of the Mississippi River, from its headwaters in Minnesota, through America’s heartland down to New Orleans.

Produced by Filmmaker’s Collaborative/Smithsonian Productions

Screenings: PBS premiere, 1999

Home Video Distributed by: Acorn Media

Soundtrack Recording Distributed by: Folkways Recordings

1998-1999

Lewis Latimer: Renaissance Man         Producer/director, video photographer  

A short documentary for middle school children on the life of a little-known African-American inventor who worked with Edison and Bell. 

Produced for the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention

1999

The Poetics of Line                              Producer, video photographer, editor

A documentary that profiles a leading group of contemporary Nigerian artists and the indigenous tradition from which they draw inspiration. 

Produced for and distributed by the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art

Screenings: Educational/home video release, touch screen museum exhibition

1998

The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra       Producer, director, editor

Promotional video showcasing performances by the Smithsonian’s big band jazz orchestra. 

Produced for the Smithsonian America’s Jazz Heritage Project

1997

Wisconsin Powwow & Dancer for the People   Director, DP, editor

Two ethnographic documentaries on the rituals, regalia, and celebrations of the Ojibwa pow wow.

Produced for the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage

Screenings: PBS satellite feed – Midwest Region, educational and home video release Distributed by: Smithsonian Folkways, Documentary Education Resources

1995-1996