Vision Into Form with Dorothy Fadiman - 2 hour program

MP3 Download - 2 hour program

In this still-relevant 1979 Archive Edition, Dorothy Fadiman describes observing, while creating the film "Radiance,"that the process of bringing a vision into form followed some basic principles. She shares her initial fear and reluctance to share her vision due to potential criticism, and highlights the power of small, consistent efforts, such as dedicating 10 minutes a day to a vision. Here Fadiman underscores the significance of sharing visions and the collective unconscious, as evidenced by the universal themes in her film. The discussion emphasized the importance of treating possibilities seriously, whether in dreams or creative endeavors, and the power of giving them a physical form, such as through a notebook. Personal anecdotes highlight the transformative impact of meeting figures like the late Ken Kesey and her shift from painting to film. The conversation also underscores the value of commitment in realizing visions, comparing it to nurturing a plant. (hosted by Michael Toms & Will Noffke)

Bio

Dorothy Fadiman is an acclaimed American documentary filmmaker, director, and producer, recognized for her extensive body of work focusing on social justice, human rights, and personal growth. She is the founder of Concentric Media, an independent production company based in Menlo Park, California, where she lives with her husband, author and psychologist James Fadiman. She began her filmmaking career in 1976 with her first film, Radiance: The Experience of Light, which set the tone for a career marked by a commitment to exploring complex topics such as women's reproductive rights, HIV/AIDS in Africa, progressive education, and the disenfranchisement of Native Americans. She is perhaps best known for her trilogy on abortion rights—From the Back Alleys to the Supreme Court & Beyond—which includes the Oscar-nominated When Abortion Was Illegal: Untold Stories (1992). Her other notable works include Stealing America: Vote by Vote (2008), which investigates election integrity in the United States, and Seeds of Hope, a five-part series on AIDS in Ethiopia. Fadiman's films have received numerous honors, including an Emmy Award, an Oscar nomination, and a Gold Medal from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Beyond filmmaking, she has been an educator, author, and mentor, offering seminars, workshops, and training for aspiring filmmakers.

Dorothy Fadiman is co-author with Tony Levelle of: Producing with Passion: Making Films That Change the World (Michael Wiese Productions 2008)

To learn more about the work of Dorothy Fadiman go to www.concentric.org

Topics explored in this dialogue include:

• What is the importance in sharing your vision, even in small ways, with a supportive circle of friends
• Why keeping a notebook is important in capturing glimpses, flashes, and ideas
• Why we must be willing to experiment with different forms of expression.
• What is the importance of making a commitment to your vision and why we must be willing to take small, consistent steps towards realizing it.

Host: Michael Toms & Will Noffke    Interview Date: 1/6/1979   Program Number: 1349