Who We Are - Cinewright

Wright [noun]: a skilled craftsman who builds from the ground-up.
e.g. shipwright, millwright or playwright
Cinewright [noun]: a filmmaker engaged in every aspect of the filmmaking process that it becomes as personal as writing.

We are in a time when filmmaking is truly a personal experience. I have over 25 years experience producing, writing, shooting and editing documentaries for National Geographic Television, The Discovery Channel and PBS. When one of my films was honored with an EMMY nomination in 2002 for “Outstanding Artistic and Cultural Achievement”, Maine Media Workshops + College invited me to join their faculty. This awakened in me a deep passion for teaching. I love sharing what I learned in becoming a Cinewright. Since 2002 I lead workshops both on-line and in-person at MMW+C’s campus in Maine. I also lead workshops throughout the world in Cuba, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Argentina.

Below is the opening for “Back Window” the story of Reza Deghati, mission to better the world with his camera. His goal is to put cameras and training in hands of local people so they can tell their story if a tragedy should occur. It is a continuing story for me. I’ve known Reza since the events of 9/11 when National Geographic sent me to document his life already full of achievements. We met again in Buenos Aires 2019 where Reza was gifting 30 cameras to 30 kids in an infamous slum. I knew I wanted to film this story with a student of mine. Spoiler alert: As we were going to start the edit, the newly formed photojournist’s barrio was individually cordoned off from the rest of the city as the COVID pandemic shook the world.