DOCUMENTARIES
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LIFE ON JUPITER — THE JENS NYGAARD LEGACY
Maverick conductor Jens Nygaard was a legendary presence in the New York music world and his influence echoes to this day. We chronicle his journey from child prodigy in rural Arkansas to New York’s Carnegie Hall in The Jens Nygaard Legacy combining Life on Jupiter — The story of Jens Nygaard, Musician and A Coda for Jupiter, our sequel about the continuation of Jens Nygaard’s mission as the Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players.
THE POEM OF MY LIFE
This poetic performance by actor/playwright Alan Brasington begins before a man's birth and leads us through understanding the way great opportunities can be recognized and accepted.
NEW YORK CANVAS — THE ART OF MICHAEL McNAMARA
This short doc takes us on the journey of an exceptional fine artist whose work beautifully expresses his love for the old City of New York. In the film, some of Michael McNamara's paintings are presented at performances of New York’s Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players, whose music accompanies this film.
LAST FLIGHT FROM SILVER HILL
While the current National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, was under construction, we filmed the story of several historic aircraft being restored at Silver Hill, Maryland.
From there, they would be driven to their exhibition space at the new Smithsonian museum.
Wonderful images of aviation history accompany this story of planes being
lovingly prepared by expert engineers, craftsmen, and mechanics.
IN DEVELOPMENT
A PERFECT BURN — THE STORY OF ROCKET CLUBS
Most rocket scientists who have made history were members of rocket clubs in their youth — including Homer Hickam, author of "Rocket Boys," who appears in this film. This project highlights that history and follows a group of rocket club youngsters from Lancaster PA to the Farnborough International Air Show in the U.K. where they won an international rocket competition. We learn how their success reflects a world wide history of childhood enthusiasms that develop entirely new realms of science and technology. This project is incomplete pending additional interviews and updates.
EAGLEVILLE — YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Highly emotional group encounters among alcoholics and addicts took place at a rehabilitation center in the Pennsylvania countryside. The methods used there were sometimes referred to as attack encounters, a modality now used less often because of possible traumas the participants might experience. In 1969, our documentary team was given permission to film multiple sessions at this treatment center, and the program gained wide broadcast attention.
WITH MIXED EMOTIONS — OVERBROOK HIGH SCHOOL
This 1969 documentary was filmed over a period of several months at an inner city Philadelphia school that was fraught with racial tension during the civil rights movement. The broadcast sparked discourse and controversy among viewers who were made privy to the concerns and aspirations of students and their teachers at that huge high school.
SAND IN OUR SHOES
This 1972 documentary explored the Pine Barrens wilderness of New Jersey with JOHN McPHEE, author of “The Pine Barrens” and several of the local residents, some of whom were descendants of original pre-Revolution settlers. Directed by MARTIN SPINELLI.
CHILDHOOD II — A NUDE ENCOUNTER
This 1972 documentary follows the work of a controversial Philadelphia therapist who led weekend encounter groups conducted almost entirely in the nude. His methods combined theories of several psychologists. During the sessions, participants often re-enact emotionally charged past experiences, sometimes within an adapted primal therapy. Their interactions range from physical fights and psychodrama scenes to massages in a pool set to body temperature.
Because of the sensitive nature of the subject matter, we limit the link to streaming the full film to students of psychology and professional researchers. If you wish to view Childhood II, please fill out the CONTACT form and state your interest.
WALLS OF SKIN
This 1964 student film was one of the first describing autism, then known as childhood schizophrenia. We follow a boy of 11 who is institutionalized and learn of his daily life, behavior, and the prognosis of the therapists in 1964. It is available for serious researchers only, and requests for more information should be submitted.