Extreme by Design to Air on PBS and on iTunes

A Film by Ralph King & Michael Schwarz   Original Music by Peter Rundquist

Synopsis

At a time of unprecedented global challenges, the under-30 “millennial” generation has every reason to be fatalistic and disengaged. Yet in fields ranging from public health to education, plenty of millennials are engaged. Call it the empathy revolution. Extreme By Design brings this revolution vividly to life by capturing the experience of 40 students from Stanford University’s Institute of Design (aka the d.school) as they create products that may save thousands of lives in Bangladesh, Indonesia and other developing countries they visit as part of a class called Design for Extreme Affordability.

The students apply the “Design Thinking” approach, tapping previously undiscovered creativity and draw on methods from engineering and industrial design, and combine them with ideas from the arts, tools from the social sciences, and insights from the business world. Believing that they can and will make a difference, the students open their hearts and brains and remarkably, almost magically, their products take shape and work.

The film follows one principal student from each of three teams. The physical, mental and emotional challenges each participant faces create a compelling narrative and teach them important lessons along the way. The narrative begins on the first day of the class and ends eight months later with one group of students returning to Asia to test their device in the field amid plans to launch a startup.

PBS TO AIR “CONSTITUTION USA with PETER SAGAL” ON TUESDAYS, PREMIERING MAY 7 AT 9PM

Popular NPR Host Hits the Road on Motorcycle to 

Scrutinize America’s Most Revered — and Misunderstood — Document

(MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, MN) – January 14, 2013 – CONSTITUTION USA with Peter Sagal takes viewers on a fast-paced, surprising journey across the nation to examine the 4,418 words — and 27 amendments — that made America. The series coincides with the 225^th anniversary of the ratification of the Constitution.

Music Composed by Peter Rundquist

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I recently Scored the  Introductory Theme to ESPN's Saturday Game day Broadcast, 

I do believe I'm in good Company 

Here's a list of songs from performers featured on the prime-time broadcast

Excited to be composing the Score in collaboration  with TPT and Insignia Films

STAY TUNED!!

PBS to Present 'CONSTITUTION USA with Peter Sagal'

Popular NPR Host Hits the Road to Explore America’s Most
Revered — and Misunderstood — Document

Premiering Spring 2013 on PBS

LOS ANGELES, CA -- JULY 21, 2012 -- CONSTITUTION USA with Peter Sagaltakes to the road for a fresh and surprising journey through the 4,418 words — and 27 amendments — that made America. Breathing new life into the traditional civics lesson, Peter Sagal, host of NPR’s popular “Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me” travels across country on a Harley Davidson to find out where the Constitution lives, how it works and how it doesn’t … how it unites us as a nation, and how it has nearly torn us apart.

“The Constitution was, and is, an imperfect document, and its strength lies in the ongoing arguments about its meaning, as much as what’s in the original text,” Sagal says. “I’m looking forward to digging into this stuff …  And also, getting to ride a motorcycle.”

CONSTITUTION USA, a production of TPT National Productions in association with Insignia Films, will premiere on PBS in spring 2013 to coincide with the 225th anniversary of the ratification of the Constitution. It is produced and directed by Insignia Films’ Stephen Ives and Amanda Pollak (THE WEST; AMERICAN EXPERIENCE documentaries “Lindbergh,” “Seabiscuit,” “Las Vegas,” “New Orleans” and “Kit Carson”) and executive produced by Catherine Allan of Twin Cities Public Television (HOOP DREAMS, LIBERTY! THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION and SLAVERY BY ANOTHER NAME).

At a time when Columbia University polls indicate that more people can identify the Three Stooges than the three branches of government, CONSTITUTION USA sets out to illuminate this remarkably misunderstood document. Traveling from Tyler, Texas, to Missoula, Montana, from Cranston, Rhode Island, to Berkeley, California, Sagal introduces viewers to some of today’s major constitutional debates and talks with ordinary Americans and leading constitutional experts about what the Constitution actually says and what it means, the dramatic historical events and crises that have defined it, and why all this matters. Far from being a dry historical survey,CONSTITUTION USA will be a story of personal emotion, passion, big ideas and high stakes that continues today.

“Bringing history alive from multiple viewpoints and offering innovative teaching tools is part of PBS’ core mission,” said John F. Wilson, PBS senior vice president and chief TV programming executive. “We’re looking forward to a new generation learning more about America and about one of the critical documents that inform how we live our lives.”

Throughout, the series will vividly illuminate key topics and themes that are essential to understanding the Constitution, including how unique and revolutionary this document was; the historic freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights; the struggle by African Americans, women and other groups for inclusion; and how conflict and compromise were “baked into” the Constitution.

Featuring a powerful social media component and innovative educational partnerships with The National Constitution Center, iCivics and PBS NEWSHOUR,CONSTITUTION USA will reach citizens across a variety of platforms, inviting them to connect around our shared political legacy.

Major funding for CONSTITUTION USA with Peter Sagal is provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and public television viewers.

About Glad to have been a part of this one 


 ÉVOCATEUR - Before Beck and Limbaugh, another populist reigned supreme. World, re-meet Morton Downey, Jr.: the original f**king loudmouth. Description Before entire networks were built on populist personalities; before reality morphed into a TV genre; the masses fixated on a single, sociopathic star: controversial talk-show host Morton Downey, Jr. In the late ‘80s, Downey tore apart the traditional talk format by turning debate of current issues into a gladiator pit. His blow-smoke-in-your-face style drew a rabid cult following

PBS Double Feature with music by Peter Rundquist

Tune in for Insignia Films night on PBS! In just one week PBS will be screening the world premiere of Grand Coulee Dam followed by a repeat broadcast of Panama Canal. It all starts Tuesday, April 3rd at 8:00pm ET. Check your local cable provider for listings. Music composed by Peter Rundquist

World premiere

Mothers of Bedford is about to be launched into the world. The film makes its World Premiere at Hot Docs film festival at the end of this month. It was my pleasure to score this Film

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbrFOyzwKr0



MOTHERS OF BEDFORD is a straightforward accounting of the fastest growing prison population in the United States. It is shocking in its statistics, yet moving in its depiction of women who are learning to take responsibility - for their actions, for themselves, and for their children. These women tell their stories to the camera - to us - without excuses. And Jenifer McShane makes us care about them simply by showing us their lives, and their children's lives, without manipulaton. MOTHERS OF BEDFORD is a beautiful documentary about a group of women that we've never seen before in this fashion.

--Marian Masone, Film Society of Lincoln Center