Documentaries/Expert Profile

Expertise

Currently editing a film I spent this past year shooting in Libya called BURNING GREEN. How to produce, direct, write,edit, and market documentaries This would include which camera is best for a particular project and aspects of how to approach story telling of your documentary. Also, it is becoming even more critical to have a buyer at a major network such as the BBC (they are called Programme Editors there) to interact with during your production. It's really important to know the market and the major players to know who you are.

Experience in the area

Over 30 years of working on various aspects of documentaries with my primary function today of shooting and directing them. You can find out a great deal about my films and background at my website at www.creativehat.com Also, several of my films are on Google Video and can be found by going there and typing Mickey Grant in search. They include my latest film, INJECTION which is 80 minutes and shot on HDV. Also, THE CU CHI TUNNELS, which previously was distributed by BBC Worldwide and has played on major broadcssters in over 50 countries.

Organizations

In the past I've been a member of many organizations such as NABET union but don't find it necessary in today's market place.

Publications

http://www.dv.com/article/103804

Education/Credentials

BFA from SMU in 1971 in Film Masters in film from UNT in 1986

Awards and Honors

Gold Award, Best Feature Length Documentary, Houston International Film Festival Golden Star Halo Award, Southern California Motion Picture Council Honorable Mention (twice), Chicago Film Festival Second Place, Sinking Creek Film Festival

Past/Present Clients

HBO, BBC, ZDF, CanalPlus

What do you like about this subject?

Making documentaries is my life. I eat it, breathe it every day.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

Presently, I'm completing a new film, BURNING GREEN, which I shot in Libya this past year covering the revolution there.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

I just read a response from someone regarding a question I answered. They indicated that travel documentaries (one form of documentary)only need interesting content and looking professional was not a requirement. Nothing could be further from the truth. Today, the documentary world that one competes in is highly competitive. Your work has to be "network" quality.