Potomac Valley Productions – Good stories well told

Mayor for Life

Post author By potmacvalleyproductions
Post date November 21, 2024

It can take a long time time for a story to find its audience. In 2014 I photographed Marion Barry’s funeral procession. As video producer I and had bumped up against Barry a few times and knew he was a true original and his procession would be something special. I was proud of the photos and story from that day but was never able to get any traction. On the 10 year anniversary of Barry’s death the City Paper finally published my piece. Here’s a link to the story and a few of my favorite photos.

Ten Years After His Death, Marion Barry’s Legacy Lives on Through the People He Helped

If you’re interested in learning more about Barry I recommend this excellent book by Harry Jaffe and Tom Sherwood

“I came to pay my respects. The mayor gave me my first job 30 years ago. I started out as a janitor in the local schools and am still working today. He gave me the confidence to hold on to a job and start a career and it wasn’t easy because I am handicapped. Barry changed my life”

Juliette Bethea holds a rose which fell off Barry’s casket.

“Marion Barry is important to the history of Washington DC. I came here in 1967 and Marion Barry’s activism and contributions were always present since I’ve arrived.
And not just in the city. Many people of wealth in Prince George’s county benefited from Marion Barry’s programs and contracts. Marion Barry opened capital to black people in particular and other people of color. Marion Barry opened that to everyone, he diversified access to capital. Marion Barry’s activism and contributions were always present since I’ve arrived. Whether as an activist or going into the school board and limited home rule we’ve achieved during that period. There’s not much in DC life that hasn’t involved him”

Cora Masters being escorted down the Wilson building steps by Mayor Vincent Gray and DC council chairperson Phil Mendelson.

Barry’s casket being pulled through the streets of Anacostia

“We’re not from DC, I came here in 1970 and I’m telling you this really is not the real world because a lot of these places that you go to now, you would not have these opportunities that you have had in DC. He made it possible for us. Its true. I tell people, I came from Kentucky and the things that people have the opportunity to do, right now you could not do that in Kentucky.

“I wanted to come out here mainly because I wouldn’t have had a home without Marion Barry – he’s the one who set the foundation for the home that I live in in right now.

In 1995 he initiated an affordable housing program – they called it the HPAP program – 132 homes were made available at a discount you could afford. Barry felt people should own their homes instead of renting apartments and he fixed it so it would be affordable. I got a three bedroom, living room, dinning room, kitchen and all it cost me was $109,000″

Children lining up to see Barry passing on Southern Ave

Independent

World

Post author By potmacvalleyproductions
Post date August 22, 2024

In 2024 I had the privilege to work on a PBS show called Sacred Planet which looks at how climate change is impacting sacred spaces across the globe. The series came out recently and can be seen at the following page on PBS

Sacred Planet with Gulnaz Khan – PBS

You can also see some behind the photos I took between my normal job as a cameraman and assassinating the DP.

Client

Warmth and Caring

Post author By potmacvalleyproductions
Post date February 23, 2023

I recently made a video about my kids’ preschool – Whole Kids Academy. I’m a big softie and really love and appreciate all the school has done for my children. I wanted to highlight the school’s warmth and tenderness and share what a blessing it has been for my family. I snuck in a few shots of my children and will treasure the experience and care we received at Whole Kids forever.

Client

People & Place

Post author By potmacvalleyproductions
Post date April 12, 2021

Stewards for Affordable Housing for the Future is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving healthy, sustainable, affordable rental homes that foster equity, opportunity, and wellness for people of limited economic resources. When SAHF came to us to feature the human impact of some of the programs they support, we chose to highlight two case studies: Battery Park Apartments in Asheville, TN and Crossroad Gardens in Sacramento, CA. We took extra care in the casting and you can see that in the warmth of the personalities here.

Tags Advocacy, Energy Efficiency, Non Profit, SAHF

Client

Community

Post author By potmacvalleyproductions
Post date April 12, 2021

We worked with Burgundy Farm Country Day School, a progressive K-8 school in Virginia, on a video promoting the community and kinship the school fosters. The project held special meaning to Andre, who attended Burgundy as a child.

Independent

Relationships

Post author By potmacvalleyproductions
Post date April 12, 2021

One of the best parts of this job is we’re always meeting interesting clients and learning about their work.

We work hard to understand each client’s unique needs, issues, and challenges in order to support their brand and message.

One of our most successful relationships is with Community Oncology Alliance. Cancer treatment is not a light topic, but the strength of this relationship has yielded a successful video campaign supporting the nonprofit’s growth.

Client

Aligning Story with Policy

Post author By potmacvalleyproductions
Post date April 12, 2021

Clients often ask us to create a video about a specific program or policy they support. By humanizing the issue through relatable people and narratives, we allow the viewer to connect more personally and consider new perspectives and actions.

Client

Environment

Post author By potmacvalleyproductions
Post date April 12, 2021

One our most inspiring clients was a group of environmental organizations dedicated to fighting the Keystone XL pipeline. Over the course of three years, we documented the protests and activists as they grew their coalition into one of the biggest environmental movements of the past half century.

Independent

Corner Plot

Post author By potmacvalleyproductions
Post date April 12, 2021

Corner Plot is an independent short doc made by old friends and filmmaking partners Andre Dahlman and Ian Cook. The film explores the life of Charlie Koiner, an 88-year-old man who farms the one-acre plot behind his home. The documentary made an imprint on the festival circuit as an official selection for AFI Silver Docs, the Environmental Film Festival, and DC Shorts, among others. The U.S. Department of State also featured Corner Plot as part of its annual American Documentary Showcase. As part of that program, Andre traveled to Tajikistan and organized workshops for local filmmakers to discuss documentary filmmaking.

Client

Climbing Advocacy with the Pros

Post author By potmacvalleyproductions
Post date April 12, 2021

The Access Fund asked us to cover their annual two-day lobby blitz on the Hill.

It was very moving to watch the biggest names in climbing and the sport’s most passionate advocates get together to help our lawmakers understand the importance of protecting climbing access across the county.