Don Schechter is a filmmaker, composer, and educator. He is the founder of Charles River Media Group, a Boston-based production company. He has directed, produced, and edited countless documentaries, narratives, corporate, live event, and non-profit films. He has a Masters Degree from Tufts University where he currently teaches and co-teaches various media related courses while not helming CRMG.
Mr. Schechter's complete filmography and academic instruction credentials are listed below and further detailed throughout this site.
FOUNDER
Charles River Media Group, (2003-Present)
Charles River Media Group is a production company located in Brookline, MA that equally serves corporate, non-profit, and academic institutions. Clients include New Balance, The N.Y. Times, Harvard and Tufts Universities, Chanel/Viximo, Pearson Education, Houghton Mifflin, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, The United States Congress, and many more. Work includes documentary, sales, marketing, promotional, live event, and television commercial production and post-production.
(For an article written about Don's background click here)
DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING
2nd Unit Director, “Transcendent Man,” (2008-2009)
"Transcendent Man" documents Ray Kurzweil, the most pre-eminent futurist in the world. The film focuses on Kurzweil's world-wide speaking tour, as he describes a fast-approaching, radically different future in which we have merged with our computer creations. Through twenty major cities and four continents, Ray Kurzweil leads the filmmakers and the audience on a quest to reveal not only our humanity, but ultimately, our destiny. This documentary includes appearances by Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, William Shatner, Colin Powell, and many more.
This film is schedule to compete at The Tribeca Film Festival in April 2009.
Producer/Director/Editor, “A Good Whack – The Making of ‘Tonya and Nancy: The Opera,” (2005-2008)
“A Good Whack” documents the production of a small opera based upon the figure skating drama of the 1990s. This opera gained worldwide attention and transformed into a rock opera attended by Tonya Harding herself. MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann purchased footage from this film and various festivals throughout the country are currently considering the documentary.
Producer/Director/Editor, “Coventry,” (2008)
“Coventry” is a creative work, documenting a small Rhode Island locale. Winner of three Telly Awards for “Cinematography, ” “Use of HD,” and “Nature/Wildlife.”
Director of Photography, “Boundaries,” (2008 - present)
Currently still in production, “Boundaries” documents the lives and encounters of four individuals with unique careers and insights on life.
Camera, “The Banjo Project,” (2008)
The Banjo Project is a documentary film that chronicles the musical odyssey of America’s instrument—the banjo—from its African roots to the 21st century. It’s collaboration between Emmy-winning writer-producer Marc Fields and banjo virtuoso Tony Trischka.
Camera, “The Rolling Stones: Four Flicks” (2003)
Filmed The Rolling Stones’ concert tour throughout Massachusetts for filmmaker Michael Apted.
Camera/Associate Producer, “Nerd Girls,” (2002)
Helped produce and shoot a NSF funded short documentary on a team of female engineers who built a solar powered car.
Camera, “Bad Boy Made Good: The Revival of George Antheil's 1924 Ballet Mécanique,” (2001)
George Antheil was a brash, colorful, young "ultra-modern" American pianist and composer during the roaring '20s. His "Ballet Mécanique," for percussion, sound effects, and multiple player pianos called for technology that didn't exist at the time. It took a forward-thinking music publisher, a music technologist, a modern player-piano manufacturer, and the latest in computer technology before the piece was heard the way the composer wanted it-75 years after it was written.
Camera, “Head of the Charles,” (1997)
Documentary on a competitor in the Head of the Charles Regatta in Cambridge, MA.
NARRATIVE FILMMAKING
Executive Producer, “Raffle” (2008)
Short romantic drama located in New York City.
Director, “The Twilight Bar and Grill” (2008)
Short, dark comedy filmed in Boston
INTERNET PRODUCTION
Producer/Editor, About.com/The N.Y. Times (2006-2008)
Created over five hundred video tutorials on technology and cooking for online viewing
Producer/Editor, Metacafe (2007)
Created tutorials on video editing for online video producers
Producer, Viscosity/Nibblebox (2000)
Developed and produced a web-based music video application for nibblebox.com. Worked with Director Doug Liman (Swingers, The Bourne Identity)
ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION
Adjunct Instructor, “History of Documentary: From Nanook to The Real World,” Tufts University, Experimental College, (2006-2008)
In this course, students develop critical viewing skills, as they learn the language and structures of film and television documentaries. They examine the varied forms of documentary filmmaking, including historical films, advocacy videos, political satire, propaganda, cinema verité and other depictions of “reality.”
Adjunct Instructor (co-taught), “Making Movies,” Tufts University,
Experimental College, (2007-2009)
This course immerses students in the practice and logic associated with camera, lighting, audio and editing -- all in the service of learning how to tell a story cinematically.
Adjunct Instructor (co-taught), “Producing Films for Social Change,” Tufts University, Tisch School of Citizenship and Public Service (2003-2008)
This course addresses the powerful role of video journalism as an advocacy tool to shape perceptions of policy and society. Students learn the principles and techniques of documentary and TV news magazine journalism including directing, camera work, and editing. This course also emphasizes citizenship, active community leadership, and creative approaches to civic engagement.
Don Schechter produced the following documentaries through “Producing Films for Social Change”:
(2003)
Silent Screams: Modern Day Slavery in Sudan, Silencing Survivors: Budget Cuts to Rape Crisis Centers, Access Denied: The Polluted Malden River, False Promises: Education Budget Cuts
(2004)
Political Passions, Walking the Line: Cocaine, Color Coded: Battling the Law, Live! From the New Hampshire Primary, Homelessness: The Shelter vs. House Debate,
The Gay Marriage Debate, The Multi-Racial Experience, Finding the Lost Girls
(2005)
From the Fryer to the Freeway: Alternative Energy Today*, Waitlisted: The Battle Over the In-State Tuition Bill, Flip the Coin: The Somali Bantus' Journey to America, Melanie's Legacy: a Grandfather's Fight against Drunk Driving, Student Soldiers, Bio Safety or Bio Terror?, Hazard Children at Work, Taking it Back: Haitian Empowerment in Boston,
* (Winner of a College Emmy Award)
(2006)
Making Contact, Stuttering, Managing Drinking, Out-Dated, The Price of Education,
Hidden Obsession: Body Image and the Gay Male, Silent Killer: Asbestos, Talking Back
(2007)
Veteran's Day, Changing Uniforms, John School, Undocumented Dreams,
Drinking Under the Influence: The Fight Against Bottled Water
(2008)
Mapendo and the Crisis of African Refugees, Art in Your Face, Honkumentary: No Noise is Illegal, Tourette’s: Ticking Tolerance,
ADDITIONAL CREDITS
Production Assistant, God or The Girl, A&E, (2003)
Producer, The Filmmakers Collaborative, (2002)
Intern, Dateline NBC, (1999)
Production Assistant, Walnut Creek Productions (1998)
Assistant to the President, H/K Communications (1995-1997)
ACADEMIC CAREER
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Tufts University, Medford, MA
Masters in Music Composition
Honors: The Etta & Harry Winokur Award for Outstanding Achievement in Artistic of Scholarly Work, Nominee for Outstanding Contribution to Undergraduate Education
College of Liberal Arts, Tufts University, Medford, MA
Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts and Technologies and Music
Honors: Magna Cum Laude with High Thesis Honors
Stuyvesant High School, New York, NY
Contact:
Don Schechter
Charles River Media Group
111 Marion St
Brookline, MA 02446
don@charlesrivermedia.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3267443/resume
http://www.charlesrivermedia.com