After the jump, check out my DT roundup of these 12 notable Penn alumni and some of their very cool projects ranging from new films, to Emmy awards, to great TV appearances.

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A few years ago Penn alum Marc Simon (C'96, SAM) produced a great documentary called "Nursery University" that I really loved about how hard it is for parents to get their children into nursery school in NYC.

Marc now has a fascinating new documentary called "Unraveled" debuting next week in NYC and LA which explores the downfall of Marc Dreier, a prominent Manhattan attorney, who was convicted of orchestrating a massive fraud scheme.

After the jump,

• learn more about the film
• watch Marc explain in an interview on Bloomberg TV how this project was a personal one for him
• find out the most surprising thing he learned about Marc Dreier
• and find out more about how he is both a lawyer and a filmmaker at the same time!

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Actually, you've got to watch this documentary that Jaclyn Gurwin (C'11), a Penn undergrad created for her senior honors thesis called "I Am Not My Body".

You'll get sucked into this because the film is beyond seeing "distortions" (we're talking split tongues, nose jobs, tattoos, piercings, and some more graphic items you'll just have to watch to find out about.  And I'll be honest, the NSFW story told in the first 2 minutes is not for the faint of heart!)

Much of the gold about this 24 minute documentary has to do with the stories behind why people alter their body.  Reasons having to do with relationships and self-worth.

After the jump, watch the stories of 7 unique personalities unfold, plus commentary by a "body modification specialist", a tattoo artist and a plastic surgeon ....and in minute 10, listen to the "pretty intense" request a tattoo artist actually completed!

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Rob

After Rob Pearlstein (C'95, DP) and Loren Mendell's (C'95, Friars) short film was nominated for an Oscar in 2006, they went on to create a funny web series about a unique sort of adoption.

Rob had also gone on to create a short film dedicated to all the pregnant ladies out there, while Loren was focused more in the world of documentaries.

After the jump, find out about the pitch Warner Brothers just bought from Rob ...and what TV show Loren directed which airs tonight!

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Adam and Jim

A couple years ago I did a story on Jim Goldblum (C'07, 34th Street)'s virtual Katrina Yearbook which CNN said, of all the press coverage and all the documentaries, it was "one of the best of the best."

Jim has been working on a new compelling project with a fellow film editor Penn classmate, Adam Weber (C'06). They've teamed up to produce the feature documentary and interactive narrative, "Tomorrow We Disappear".

The project chronicles the Kathputli Colony, a tinsel slum that's been home to Delhi's acrobats, puppeteers, and magicians since the 1970s. Last year the government issued relocation permits to the colony residents; the slum is to be bulldozed, cleared for development.  Jim and Adam will capture the last remains of this culture born out of folk art and molded by poverty.

After the jump, see what great footage they've captured so far.

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After co-writing, producing and directing the clever horror movie Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon, Scott Glosserman (C'99, Friars) has completed his next project (as a producer and co-director) of a different type of horror — me, you, and thousands of other users taking over responsibilities for Britannica and The World Book.

In his documentary Truth in Numbers?, Scott takes us on the journey about the phenomenon that Wikipedia has become.

Check out his trailer after the jump and learn more about tonight's (Thursday, 2/17) Los Angeles screening and Q&A after the jump!

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Last year, working artist Joan Myerson Shrager (College for Women, School of Education '60) led the effort with the First United Methodist Church of Germantown to create stained glass windows to be sent to a school for AIDS orphans in South Africa.

This year the group decided to donate their work to another school - this one rebuilding in a flood damaged area of New Orleans.

Per this newsworks article,

"Whether it’s bridging gaps left over from the classroom, transforming football players into glass artists, or bringing artistic suburban white women into the neighborhood to work with black students - often providing lessons for both sides of that equation, the stained glass program at FUMCOG tends to generate special moments."

After the jump, watch the video of these high school students at work during the process of creating stained glass projects.  It's pretty cool and the video actually feels like a good documentary.

Maybe there is an alum documentary filmmaker out there interested in exploring this story a bit more?

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From his documentaries about oil spills to prison baseball teams, DT favorite filmmaker Loren Mendell (C'95, Friars) has now shot a new touching documentary you'll want to check out which premieres this Sunday night (June 20) on Fox Sports (or Comcast or MSG Plus - depending on where you live).

In "REPLAY Season 2", two rival high schools in Detroit take the ice 11 years later to replay a 1999 hockey game that almost cost a young man his life.  Based on the trailer above, this looks to be a very touching story!

Find out what time and station it airs in your region HERE

More fascinating Penn documentaries HERE



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Last year I wrote a post on two alumni who teamed up to create a very moving, "gave me the chills" film...

Co-directors Michael Pertnoy's (C'06) (left) and Michael Kleiman's (C'06) (below left) feature documentary The Last Survivor focuses on genocide awareness, prevention, and survivor advocacy. The film follows the lives of survivors from The Holocaust, Rwanda, Darfur, and Congo.

Per Pertnoy,

"The Last Survivor is centered on the basic premise that genocide is not only a consequence of intolerance and discrimination, but also the important acknowledgment that “democracy dies if you don’t work for it”—that we each have role in ending genocide and improving our world. By focusing on the work of several Survivors turned activists who are leading this global fight to end genocide, the film seeks to inspire youth to get involved in the democratic process – taking an active stand against genocide as an idea and practice in the 21st century. Ultimately, the film will be a call to collective action, declaring that we all have a responsibility and obligation to end genocide and it is only by walking together—each taking his/her own small steps—that real change is created."

For you Los Angeles alumni, their film will be playing starting tonight (May 11th) and tomorrow night (May 12th) as part of the LA Jewish Film Festival:

Tuesday, May 11, 7:30 pm
Emanuel Arts Center Theatre
8844 Burton Way
Beverly Hills, CA
Get your tickets HERE

Wednesday, May 12, 7:30 pm
Laemmle’s Playhouse
673 East Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA
Get your tickets HERE

More Penn "Chilling Videos" you should check out HERE

More Penn Documentary filmmakers HERE



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Over this year, I've talked on DT about how we've been dealing with this economic downturn with tips from some of our alumni.

But how do you think the economic downturn has affected undocumented farm workers? Documentary filmmaker, producer and director Loren Mendell (C'95, Friars) journeys into this world with writer/reporter Jason Margolis and shows us that many of these undocumented workers are resistant to speaking up out of fear that they will be deported. 

On that note, these undocumented farm workers are often taken advantage of with low pay, long hours and no overtime.  Do you think this is fair or do you think it is a price to pay for being in this country illegally?  Watch Loren's very interesting short documentary above and decide for yourself!

Speaking of Loren, back in July, I posted about how Loren was nominated for an award for his documentary about shock jock Petey Green.  Loren informed me that he won(!) ...thanks in part to all you the DT readers who voted!

More about "California: The Immigration Dilemma" HERE

More DT posts about Loren's other documentaries HERE

More fascinating Penn documentaries HERE

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Earlier this year I posted about the talented documentary filmmaker Loren Mendell (C'95, Friars) and his film Adjust Your Color: The Truth of Petey Greene. The film has now been nominated for the Independent Lens Audience Award and he needs your vote!

Watch the trailer above and read more about his film from my previous post HERE

To vote, you don't need to sign in - just click the following link below: 
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/award2009runoff.html

Learn more about Loren's other documentaries!

Click to see what other 1995 Penn grads are up to  

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What does it mean to be an actor in Los Angeles?

Perhaps boasting about your training ....or exhibiting the extremes to which actors will go to "bring it".

Check out the above very funny "Office"/documentary-ish video on what it means to be an LA actor. In this short, a documentary crew follows around a group of LA actors (co-starring Penn alum Jill Magilone C'00) trying to rehearse for an Industry Showcase. Things get out of control when Ben and Renee show their true colors...

Jill is great in this. Her tone reminds me of a cross between Anna Faris and Julie Hagerty (from Airplane! fame). Very castable!

(Be sure to check out the Joaquin Phoenix reference in there...or at least I think it's a reference as the guy looks like him!)

Check out:

• my Penn Actors Headshot Gallery HERE!
• the new Penn Actor Video Reel section HERE (add yours HERE)
• Advice for the actor who wants to move out to LA HERE

Check out my other Funny Friday posts here!

Check out who is registered on DuelingTampons.com

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After co-writing, producing and directing the clever horror movie Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon, Scott Glosserman (C'99, Friars) is soon to complete his next project (as a producer and co-director) and it has to do with a different type of horror - — me, you, and thousands of other users taking over responsibilities for Britannica and The World Book.

In his documentary Truth in Numbers?, Scott takes us on the journey about the phenomenon that Wikipedia has become.

Per Scott,

"The question of whether you and I should be charged with canonizing the sum of human knowledge or whether that should be left to the scholars/experts really intrigues me. I think it’s safe to say that we’re among a populist revival era right now and nowhere is that more acutely reflected than on Wikipedia. If knowledge is power and history really is written by the winners, then Wikipedia, already the second most widely read publication in human history, clearly demonstrates this power shift towards "The People". The documentary tries to explore implications of that, among other things."

Check out his trailer above!

Catch Up!: More of my posts about Penn alumni:

• Documentary Film producers
• Film producers! (all)

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As I reported HERE the other week via exclusive videos, despite having good grades and extra curricular activities, there is still much anxiety associated with a prospect waiting to find out if he or she will get into Penn.

If you think this is bad, imagine what some parents need to do to get their child into ...nursery school!

Documentary filmmaker Marc Simon (C'96, SAM) has created a movie that many parents...especially in the NY and California regions will relate to.  The film covers the (absurd!) process of getting their child into nursery school and what nursery school admissions is all about.

Per Marc (kneeling in picture below),

"From the moment parents learn they are "having a baby", they focus on providing a happy and healthy environment and the best opportunities for their kids. This includes planning for their children's education, and today, for moms and dads across this country, the pressures associated with schooling begin early - very early. Nursery University gets inside nursery school admissions -- a modern day cultural right of passage -- with sensitivity and a great sense of humor, inviting the audience behind the scenes to experience and learn from this stranger-than-fiction reality."

Nursery University Opens April 24th
@ PHOENIX ADLABS IMAGINASIAN THEATRE
239 EAST 59TH STREET, NYC - BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD

Friday 11:30, 1:45, 4:30, 7:00, 9:15
Saturday 11:30, 1:45, 4:30, 7:00, 9:15
Sunday 11:30, 1:45, 4:30, 7:00, 9:15
Monday - Thursday 1, 3, 5, 7, 9

www.movietickets.com
**Q and A's after every screening with the film makers, families, heads of schools. and pre school experts.

• Read the great film's NYTimes Movie review HERE
• Other Penn documentary filmmakers HERE 

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Two alumni have teamed up to create a very moving, "gave me the chills" film...

Co-directors Michael Pertnoy (C'06) (left) and Michael Kleiman (C'06) (below left) are preparing to launch their feature documentary The Last Survivor which focuses on genocide awareness, prevention, and survivor advocacy.  The film follows the lives of survivors from The Holocaust, Rwanda, Darfur, and Congo. 

Per Pertnoy,

"The Last Survivor is centered on the basic premise that genocide is not only a consequence of intolerance and discrimination, but also the important acknowledgment that “democracy dies if you don’t work for it”—that we each have role in ending genocide and improving our world. By focusing on the work of several Survivors turned activists who are leading this global fight to end genocide, the film seeks to inspire youth to get involved in the democratic process – taking an active stand against genocide as an idea and practice in the 21st century. Ultimately, the film will be a call to collective action, declaring that we all have a responsibility and obligation to end genocide and it is only by walking together—each taking his/her own small steps—that real change is created."

More from the 2 Michael's on:

• The Huffington Post here
  
• and on their website here
  

On a related note, and speaking of alumni documentary filmmakers, you may recall that last May I wrote a post about Jon Kean's (C'89, Mask and Wig, Friars) moving documentary Swimming in Auschwitz.  I just heard that this documentary will be broadcast on over 230 PBS stations throughout the U.S. starting on April 8th. Please consult your local listings for more information. More info about Jon's film at his website here

New to DT? 14 easy suggestions to get started!

See which Penn undergrads and alumni are registered on DuelingTampons.com

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Several months ago I did a post about Glenn Osten Anderson's (C'02, Pennfest 2007) coverage of the US Olympic Track and Field Trials.

Since May of 2008 Glenn Osten Anderson (C'02) has been working as a correspondent video producer for Runner's World and has covered the US Olympic Trials, New York City Marathon and has done two documentary profiles.

Now he as another new project out for Runner's World called “26.2 or Die” -- a short form 7 episode documentary profiling an injured FDNY firefighter as he prepares for and competes I the 2008 NYC Marathon.

This is Glenn's second documentary about NYC's disabled running community after the award winning The Long Road in 2005. Glenn had previously developed and produced web video programming for CBS College Sports -- in addition to his work with Runner's World, Glenn is currently working with Money-Media.com part of the Financial Times.

Watch the first episode above

...and then watch the rest of the series here!

New to DT? 14 easy suggestions to get started!

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From documentaries about oil spills to prison baseball teams, filmmaker Loren Mendell (C'95, Friars) documentary which was featured in this year's Slamdance is now on TV this week.

Loren's latest film Adjust Your Color: The Truth of Petey Greene tells the unlikely story of America's first shock jock Petey Greene and features Howard Stern, Marion Barry, Sugar Ray Leonard and James Brown among others.

Per Loren, "America’s original shock-jock, Petey Greene, overcame poverty, drug addiction and prison-time to “tell it like it is,” shocking and entertaining everyone from the ghetto to the White House. During an era of civil unrest in our nation’s capital, Petey used taboo words and ideas, forcing people to confront their own prejudices on his raw, uncensored TV and radio shows. His explosive language and brash style unsettled the establishment as Petey battled both the system and his own demons on the journey to becoming a leading activist during some of our country’s most turbulent years. Don Cheadle, who portrayed Petey in the feature Talk To Me, narrates this documentary featuring a face-off between Petey and an up and coming deejay named Howard Stern."

"This documentary presents rarely seen footage of Petey Greene. It’s a must for anyone who wants to know what made Petey Greene such an incredibly charismatic person, or whomever wants to know where Howard Stern got his gusto from.”
- Sarah Diamond, Programmer

Below please find a list of cities/states with corresponding dates/times for availability in your area. If you don't see your station below, please click on the link (also found below), enter your zipcode, and you'll be able to see when it airs in your area.

Expand to see if your city is listed below...+/-

ALABAMA/APT:
Wednesday Feb. 4 @ 12am
Thursday Feb. 5 @ 2am
Sunday Feb. 8 @ 2am

ARIZONA/PBS 8
Tuesday Feb 3 @ 10pm

ARIZONA/TUCSON KUAT:
Tuesday Feb. 3 @ 11pm
Wednesday Feb. 4 @ 4am

AUSTIN/KLRU:
Tuesday Feb. 3 @ 9pm

BATON ROUGE/LPB:
Thursday Feb. 5 @ 2am
Sunday Feb. 8 @ 2am
Sunday Feb. 8 @ 10pm

BOSTON/WGBH:
Tuesday Feb. 3 @ 10pm

CHICAGO/WTTW:
Tuesday Feb. 3 @ 10pm
Thursday Feb. 5 @ 3:30am

DALLAS/KERA:
Tuesday Feb. 3 @ 10pm

DENVER/Rocky Mountain PBS/KRMA:
Saturday Feb 7 @ 11pm

GEORGIA/GPB Channel 8:
Wednesday Feb. 4 @ 12am
Saturday Feb. 7 @ 1am

HOUSTON/KUHT:
Tuesday Feb. 3 @ 10pm

KANSAS CITY/KCPT
Tuesday Feb. 3 @ 10Pm
Thursday Feb. 5 @ 2am

LAS VEGAS PBS
Thursday Feb 5 @ 3am
Sunday Fe. 8 @ 3am
Sunday Feb. 8 @ 11pm

LOS ANGELES/KCET:
Tuesday Feb. 3 @ 10pm

MARYLAND/MPT
Tuesday Feb. 3 @ 1am

MICHIGAN/East Lansing/WKAR:
Tuesday Feb. 3 @ 10pm
Thursday Feb. 5 @ 3am
Sunday Feb. 8 @ 3am

MICHIGAN/Detroit/WTVS:
Sunday Feb. 8 @ 11pm

NEW ORLEANS/WYES:
Tuesday Feb. 3 @ 9pm
Thursday Feb. 5 @ 2am
Sunday Feb. 8 @ 2am

NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY/WNET 13:
Tuesday Feb. 3 @ 10pm
Saturday Feb. 7 @ 3am

PHILADELPHIA/WHYY:
Thursday Feb. 5 @ 9pm

SACRAMENTO/KVIE
Tuesday Feb. 3 @ 11pm
Thursday Feb. 5 @1:30am

SAN DIEGO/KPBS:
Sunday February 8 at 11pm

SAN FRANCISCO/KQED:
Tuesday February 3 at 11pm

WASHINGTON D.C./WETA
Tuesday Feb. 3 @ 10pm
Friday Feb. 6 @ 10:30pm
Saturday Feb. 7 @ 4am

WASHINGTON D.C./WHUT
Saturday Feb. 7 @ 8pm

Click HERE if your city/station is not listed

Learn more about Loren's other documentaries!

Click to see what other 1995 Penn grads are up to  

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In the spirit of the upcoming presidential election, Erika Frankel's (C'00) documentary campaign film (with a twist!) is about to be released nationwide on October 24th.

Since I posted about Erika's film Frontrunners last September, they had their world premiere in competition at South by Southwest (SXSW) and were picked up for distribution by Adam Yauch's (of the Beastie Boys) new company Oscilloscope Pictures. Frontrunners is their third release.

Per Erika here's the synopsis,

"What do Tim Robbins, Thelonius Monk, Drew Nieporent, Jerry Nadler, and Lucy Liu all have in common? They all graduated from Stuyvesant, the jewel in the crown of NYC’s high schools for gifted students. Not surprisingly, some of the nation’s smartest, most media-savvy teenagers run an election for class president with primaries, televised debates, newspaper endorsements and considerable schmoozing in the halls. Stuyvesant accepts 3% of the 25,000 kids who apply, and when just one is going to be class president, you can bet that tensions run high."

FRONTRUNNERS screening locations/dates:

New York City - Film Forum (Oct 15-21)
Tickets now on sale here

Los Angeles - Nuart Theatre (Oct 24-31)
San Francisco - Lumiere Theatre (Oct 24-31)
Berkeley, CA - Shattuck Cinemas (Oct 24-31)
Denver - Starz FilmCenter (Oct 24-31)
Boston - Brattle Theatre (Oct 24-31)
Philadelphia - Ritz at the Bourse (Oct 24-31)

For more information about the film, visit http://www.frontrunnersthefilm.com/

Click to learn how Erika got her start as a documentary film producer

Read this informative review from The New York Times!

Check out more Penn documentary filmmakers

Suggest other Penn friends to my Facebook profile and win swag!  More here!

New to DT? 14 easy suggestions to get started!


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See which Penn undergrads and alumni are registered on DuelingTampons.com

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