Deb Ellis – Filmography INDEPENDENT WORK

Work in Progress:

YOU CAN’T BE NEUTRAL ON A MOVING TRAIN: HOWARD ZINN (currently in post-production with 2003 release anticipated) A one hour documentary of the life and times of historian/activist/author Howard Zinn and his involvement in some of the most important social movements of the past fifty years. Currently supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council, the Illinois Humanities Council, Eastman Foundation, Anne Slade Frey Trust, Vermont Arts Council and the Puffin Foundation

DEAD IN THE WATER (currently in development/early production phase) How is truth arrived at in an archeological investigation, a murder investigation, and in documentary film? What are the relationships between these methods of interpreting evidence? Using the unexplained death of a New England archeologist who’s body was found floating nude in Lake Memphremagog as the starting point, this video will explore both methodology and ramifications of attempts to arrive at "truth". Recently, this project has been revived as new questions about one of the people involved in the case has been brought to court in Vermont. Support for this project received from the Vermont Community Foundation.

Completed Work:

SKIN DEEP (15 min.) Combines views from Norplant users, community health advocates, and experts in a social and political analysis of the use of this new contraceptive technology. As diverse women share their experiences with Norplant, community leaders and public policy activists discuss the issues of informed consent and race and class discrimination raised by the current uses of this powerful drug. Distributed by Women Make Movies, NYC. Women in the Director's Chair Festival, 1998

THE FBI’S WAR ON BLACK AMERICA (47 min.) Documentary exploration of the lives and deaths of people targeted by the US government’s COINTELPRO program, an FBI launched program aimed against organized efforts by African-Americans to gain rights guaranteed by our constitution. Includes both archival footage and contemporary interviews with people involved in the movement. Distributed by MPI Home Video. First Prize, Documentary Category, Athens Film and Video Festival 1990; Broadcast on PBS stations in New York, San Francisco, Washington. Numerous screenings across the country at colleges, organizing events, and Black History venues.

UNBIDDEN VOICES (32 min.) Exploration of the immigrant experience of an Indian woman in Chicago, and investigation of the concept of being an “other” in our society. First Place, Experimental Documentary Category, Athens International Film Festival, 1990; Women in the Director’s Chair/All the Angles, 1990; In Her Own Image: Films and Videos Empowering Women for the Future, a guide produced by Media Network; Distributed by Women Make Movies, NYC

DORIS EDDY (16mm, 22 min.) Intimate portrait of an older Vermont woman who lives alone on her farm with fifty horses. Winner, Documentary Category, Regional Student Academy Award, 1986; Cine Eagle Award, 1986; Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Contribution to Independent Filmmaking, Big Muddy Film Festival, 1986

BEFORE SHE KNEW ( 8:30 min.) Portrayal of an elderly woman who has little memory intact and little contact with the world around her. Combined with crawling titles that discuss a photo found in her belongings. “NO-TV” Cable TV Series, produced by Visual Studies Workshop, 1986

DREAM/FLAP (16mm, 5 min.) Visual extravaganza of color and rhythm created on the optical printer. Land O’Lincoln - The Next Wave. Juried exhibition of Illinois Artists. 1985.

SNAP (16mm, 1 min.) Optical Printer bi-pack fun. New Generation Film ‘85, a program of works by new American Filmmakers shown at Tokyo’s Experimental Film Festival.

AWARDS

State of Vermont - recognition for work with the WEB Project, a nationally recognized promising program in educational technology, 2000; Illinois Arts Council Fellowship Grant, 1990; Center for New Television Access Award, 1990; Regional Fellowship, National Endowment for the Arts, 1988