The UN's Summit for the Future is the current event bringing director Jim Merkel to NYC for a screening of the award winning documentary Saving Walden's World. Behind him are the many wonderful festivals and screenings that Jim attended in August as he sailed the beautiful coast of Maine on his Sailing for Sustainability Tour, with the goal of arriving to each location without the use of fossil fuels. There's been packed houses, great audience reaction, lively conversations, and some great afterparties!
Saving Walden's World features Jim, a recovering military engineer as he explores societies that accomplished many of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals decades ahead of the 2030 targets, including greatly reducing poverty while enhancing gender equality.
Do you live in or near NYC, then come see the film that is taking international film festivals by storm at DCTV in the Firehouse on Monday, September 23, just in time for Climate Week and the UN Summit for the Future. "Saving Walden's World" is now in thirteen international film festivals, garnering seven awards, (so far)!
Jim is honored to be joined by co-director & 2-TIME OSCAR WINNER Deborah Shaffer, and Pedro Martin Navarro, for this special event. Deborah Shaffer was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement at DOCNYC in 2023. Deborah and Pedro both contributed significantly to the film, especially on the ground filming in Cuba. Learn about Jim's studies in countries where sustainability and women's empowerment are joining together to bring positive, progressive change.
Date: Monday, September 23, 2024
Time: 7:00 pm, doors open at 6:30 pm
Place: DCTV, The Firehouse, 87 Lafayette St., NY, 10013
Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/savingwaldensworld...
Details: savingwaldensworld.org
SWW trailer: https://tinyurl.com/29fhuh2a
Afterparty at DCTV follows Q&A.
#film, #documentary, #DOCNYC, #UNSDG, #indiefilm, #sustainability, #womensempowerment, #reproductiverights, #sustainability

HAPPY EARTH-DAY EVERYONE! Earth-Day is an opportunity to reset our goals and ask ourselves what we do on a daily basis to give back to the earth that provides us life. At World View, for decades we have considered this both at work and at home long before it became "sexy."  We also see it in the type of work we engage in.
We've spent weeks filming at the eco village Dancing Rabbit, for the Morgan Spurlock FX documentary series, 30 days, following two 30-year-old New York City friends and typical Americans i.e., ravenous consumers, and users of fossil fuels, as they live 100% OFF THE GRID. This entertaining series introduced the mass audience to topics like: environmental footprint, energy shortage, renewable energy, recycling & composting EVERYTHING (can you say humanure?), bio-fuels, hay bale house, rain water capture & conservation, hybrid cars, off-gassing, agricultural impact, and more. As a producer on a number of HGTV series, we've provided additional insight on Green aspects of building and design, recognizing that every design choice has environmentally friendly options, while every green option has design elements. These practices had previously been learned while renovating our own homes. Profiling Alice's Garden, a thriving urban community garden serving over a thousand community members, was the result of a personal exploration into urban green movements in Milwaukee a number of years ago. We also met and profiled other community leaders that understand the benefit of developing green spaces in the fight against crime, improving neighborhoods and the environment on so many levels. We chose to profile 3X James Beard award nominee, chef Greg Leon of Amilinda, because of his amazing cuisine and his commitment to using fresh ingredients from local farmers. In the technology space we worked closely with Intelligent Generation to help them share their successes in the solar energy capture & storage field.
We are very proud of the feature film, Saving Walden's World, which we helped shoot and produce, and is currently doing the festival & screening circuits around the world. SWW is a film about women led solutions to the possible 6th extinction through the eyes of those living in and making a difference in less than utopian societies. We met the director and author, Jim Merkel, at a local Earth week event, just as Jim was nurturing the first seeds of the idea taken from his earlier book, Radical Simplicity: Small Footprint in a Finite World. Jim had changed his life dramatically from a conservative engineer working on top secret weapons communications for the government, learning how destructive his life was to others, to traveling the globe to witness the best practices and living in a most sustainable way. We knew there was an inspiring story to share.
Our own practices start with minimizing our footprint by working with creative collaborators remotely during pre-and post production. During production, we set out to be as efficient as possible on location or in the studio, and using local crews around the world, which keeps production costs down and minimizes the amount of resources used.
We at World View can do better, but we're proud of the subject matter we've chosen to explore, and hopefully have inspired viewers to get involved in saving this planet of ours. We will always try to make ourselves available for any and every project that addresses Earth-Day issues & solutions.  Please reach out if you have a project or an idea.

As Easter approaches, it's a good time to reflect on one of our favorite TV productions I worked on, Miracle Quest, on Travel Channel. From the stigmata of Padre Pio in Italy, or the many miraculous visions of The Virgin in France, to the rebirth of the American Indian White Buffalo tradition, this series provides viewers with a sense of adventure and open-minded curiosity as it examines the theories, questions the authorities, and speaks with those who've experienced miracles first-hand. 
The teaser below takes you to the first stop, Italy, to meet Vatican experts, locals, and believers who come from all over the world, moved by their faith. Our travels through Italy's historic cities and countryside, from coast to coast, ​navigating the mountainous terrains and active volcanoes, gave us unique access to those that have experienced miracles. 
I was fortunate enough to be the Director of Photography alongside two brilliant women, multilingual producer & director Mathilde Bittner, and host & theology expert Flavia Colgan. Shooting multiple locations in approximately one week, was not without its challenges. The budget was snug for sure, requiring us to use second tier equipment to get top tier results. The support crew were young and hungry and learning curves were steep, but everyone stepped up, and took on the day to day challenge. Many have gone on to be brilliant directors, producers and visionaries in their own right, like James Mann & Matt Hobin. Mathilde had a clear vision and always communicated it with grace, despite sometimes little sleep due to last minute logistical changes, or rewrites. What a model she was, setting the tone for everyone. 

NEXT STOP: FRANCE
​"Like" this post if you'd like us to post more clips.

CONTACT WORLD VIEW FOR ANY PRODUCTION NEEDS, AT HOME OR ABROAD 847-561-0576

Laura Flanders probes deep into the questions of how religious leaders manipulate a religion that promotes peace, love, and understanding, and turns it into an instrument of violence. God & Country director & colleague Dan Partland, & producer Rob Reiner share additional insights that came from the making of the film.  
“If you believe the United States has a God-ordained role to play in human history as a Christian nation and democracy is taking us away from those principles, then you can justify doing anything to make sure that God's will is done. That's what I think you see happening on January 6th," says Dan. He goes on to point out that this is seen in both democratic and NON-DEMOCRATIC. "So that's seen in gerrymandering of districts, which both sides do. Voter suppression, obviously anti-democratic, intimidation, and then obviously violence itself, as we saw on January 6th, and at other times, and I think we should expect to see more violence this 2024 election cycle."
Rob Reiner addresses the concerns of many that this is all of Christians, and adds, “Christian nationalism . . . as this political movement is not the majority. It is far from the majority. What is scary is that because of the way our system works, a very virulent minority can control our politics and that's what they've done"
World View Productions was proud to help with midwest production services for the film.
To see this great episode, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8QasbXXNZc 
To learn more about the film, go to godandcountrythemovie.com/

In a recent compelling CNN interview, documentary film God & Country Executive Producer Rob Reiner, speaks with Christiana Amanpour about why this documentary is so important.  ​Being a religious man himself, Reiner points out that this film is not an attack on Christianity or religion but, "in fact we have some of the most conservative Christian thinkers, devout to their faith, talking about the danger of Christian Nationalism, not only to democracy, but to Christianity itself."
Bob Maraist of World View Productions was proud to join colleague, and the films director, Emmy winner Dan Partland, to help with the midwest production services for this very important film. It shows how this nationalist distortion of the Christian faith affects 200 million Christians, as Reiner points out, "many well meaning... that are getting swept up in Christian Nationalism... which is a political movement, NOT a religious movement," creating the foundation of the Jan. 6 insurrection.
You can see the interview here: https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2024/01/30/amanpour-reiner-god-and-country-christian-nationalism.cnn
God and Country is in theaters Feb 16, 2024
To learn more about the film go to https://godandcountrythemovie.com/

"Saving Walden's World," is gaining acceptance into a number of global film festivals, and just won BEST DOCUMENTARY at the Five Continents international Film Festival!
​The goal of any film is to have an audience. In the case of "Saving Walden's World," a film we at World View helped shoot and produce, the additional objective is to INSPIRE ACTION. To do that, the film must be engaging & relevant. This film addresses global challenges at the grass roots level, through a very personal journey of the director, Jim Merkel and his family.
Film festivals help test that relevance, first through their acceptance of the film, then by showing it to new audiences, and getting audience and panel feedback. Each step is an honor, but when the results come back as positive as they are, it is very exciting and validates the present & future forward message in the film. 
Our outreach will not end, because the hope it inspires by addressing the issues important to so many are ongoing. If you would like to host a screening or get updates of festivals it might be showing at in your area, go to www.savingwaldensworld.org

Whether you’re a Christian or a concerned citizen, this God & Country is a must-watch film.World View is proud to have provided some of the midwest production services to the new film, God & Country, directed by long time colleague and Emmy winning documentary filmmaker Dan Partland, and produced by acclaimed filmmaker writer/director/actor, Rob Reiner.
Christian nationalism is the belief that America should be defined as a Christian nation, with government adherence to this ideology. ​GOD & COUNTRY takes a closer look at the dangerous implications and explores how a base of Christians has radically stoked a movement erasing the line between Church and State.
GOD & COUNTRY speaks directly to the almost 200,000,000 Americans who identify as Christians. Christians who fear their faith is being hijacked by an extreme right wing political movement known as Christian nationalism. 
GOD & COUNTRY features many of the most prominent and well respected voices of Christianity, including: Russell Moore - Editor in Chief of Christianity Today, Sister Simone Campbell - US Presidential Medal of honor winner, Kristin Kobes Du Mez - Author & History Professor at Calvin University,  Rev. Dr. William J Barber II, and many more. Conservative journalists, authors, and commentators, along with constitutional scholars and experts share their insights. This could be one of the most important films for people of any faith wondering how a religion of love and inclusion can become so hate-filled, anti-pluralistic, and anti-democratic.

To learn more and see where screenings are in your area, go to: godandcountrythemovie.com​

Local crew included:
Coordinating & additional camera: Bob Maraist
Assistant camera, gaffer, & additional camera: Nate Haban
Production assistance: Sarah Hand, Nancy Moore
Audio: Doug Mara
Grip: David Naida

Telling the stories of the renewable energy revolution is nothing new to us at World View Productions, Ltd, but it is still an honor when we connect with some of the early adopters.
Intelligent Generation, a leader in empowering businesses to engage in the clean energy grid, called upon WVP owner Bob Maraist to produce an engaging and informative general awareness video that would inspire businesses to learn more about IG's  capabilities and software software. IG's clients like MAGID, G&W, and Abt, have some of the largest, most cutting edge solar energy systems in the country. The scale of their rooftop solar panels, the varying battery storage, and micro-grid distribution systems were the backdrop to their testimonials stating the benefits they get thanks to working with the Intelligent Generation team.
Before going on location Bob helped the IG team recognize the DOZENS of additional opportunities WVP can deliver from the initial shoot. While we're still in post production on the first deliverable, their team sees new and exciting opportunities to stay connected to their audience through an entire year! 
If you are looking to elevate your business through stories in renewable energy capture, storage and their financial, security, and environmental benefits, contact World View Productions at 847-561-0576, or [email protected].
To learn more go to:
www.worldviewpro.com
https://intelgen.com

We don’t know of many, if ANY other single restaurant that has been open for over 65 years, do you!? Take a minute to learn the secrets to the longevity of 3 Brothers Serbian Restaurant.
Produced/Directed by Bob Maraist of World View Productions, for Very Local, a FREE national streaming app featuring your community, local news, and weather. Download the app on your streaming or mobile device.
https://verylocal.onelink.me/LjTu/vlint
https://www.threebrothersmke.com/
Director of Photography: Nate Haban
Go to https://www.worldviewpro.com to learn more. Producing bite-size, meaningful, entertaining and engaging stories, for and about difference makers, is just one of our specialties.

Unapologetically crafty, that's Crafty Cow's humble slogan, and they back it up! Take a minute to learn the secret behind chef/owner, Devin Eichler's Bloody Mary, awarded Best Original in the entire state best known for the classic cocktail. It's amazing (darn straight we tried it)!

Produced/Directed by Bob Maraist of World View Productions, for Very Local, a FREE national streaming app featuring your community, local news, and weather. Download the app on your streaming or mobile device.
https://verylocal.onelink.me/LjTu/vlint

https://www.craftycowwi.com/
https://www.worldviewpro.com
Director of Photography: Nate Haban

Go to https://www.worldviewpro.com to learn more. Producing bite-size, meaningful, entertaining and engaging stories, for and about difference makers, is just one of our specialties.

Take a minute to experience this sanctuary, Alices Garden & Urban Farm, where over a thousand members of this urban Milwaukee community come to find nourishment in all aspects of their life. Once a pile of rubble left behind by a defunct highway project, an obvious tale of environmental racism to this observer, it's now a flourishing garden with nearly 1,000 garden plots, feeding the community and the urban gardeners. It's also a community space where people gather for arts & crafts, yoga, to hear & play music, and come together to learn from among  dozens of different cultural backgrounds of it's members. 
The depth of knowledge & wisdom we encountered from Venice Williams, Executive Director and our interviewee, was way beyond the one minute final piece we delivered. We look forward to sharing more inspiration from her and this magical place in the future.
Produced by Bob Maraist of World View Productions, for Very Local, a FREE national streaming app featuring your community, local news, and weather. Download the app on your streaming or mobile device.
https://verylocal.onelink.me/LjTu/vlint
https://www.alicesgardenmke.com/
https://www.worldviewpro.com
Director of Photography: Nate Haban

Very Local is a streaming app that's doing exactly what we love to do, tell local stories on a national level. We were asked to produce 10X1 minute short stories in nearby Milwaukee, of people, businesses, and organizations making a difference, or just being different. 
We've always enjoyed visiting MIlwaukee, and one such visit a few years back to observe the environmental & sustainability movement that had been underway in this mid-sized city for decades. So when it came to pitching ideas for the series, I already had a handful of community leaders whose model for elevating community from all walks of life would be perfect to share with a broader audience. Other stories include content for cultural foodies, science enthusiasts, a James Beard nominated chef feeding the hungry, and more. Our goal, to make Milwaukeeans proud to be a part of such a forward thinking and positive community, and inspire action and support. Over the next few posts, we'll be sharing those inspirational stories.
Contact us if you would like to elevate your story. We have special rates for small and midsize businesses and organizations.
​
Produced for Very Local, a FREE national streaming app featuring your community, local news, and weather. Download the app on your streaming or mobile device.
​

Long time client, Graph-tech USA, took advantage of the COVID shutdown period to do develop some great new products. We've provided video and print support in the from of company and product specific branding, to video training modules for clients frontline maintenance. GTUS turned to World View again, to get the word out that their variable data print software and modular systems are moving into packaging. The messaging needed to introduce new prospects to the capabilities and history of GTUS as a company, show the scope of the many integrated components they can provide to create an entire system, and highlight the new printer that could be easily plugged into any existing system. The results have been, well in their words, "Super!"
www.linkedin.com/posts/robert-maraist-b6b55219_killthecartridge-graphtechusa-ezinkjet-activity-6849704610719002624-MtSG

How can we help you tell the world about your company and line of products and services?
​Contact Bob Maraist at 847-561-0576, or [email protected]

HGTV & Beyond Productions teamed up to create $50K Three Ways, a new hit home renovation show where the brilliant interior designer Tiffany Brooks helps renovation-ready homeowners decide how to best spend their hard-earned $50,000. By getting to the heart of what really matters, Tiffany turns overwhelming tasks into a transformation journey that's worth every penny.
Bob Maraist of World View Productions had the good fortune of being brought on for most of the back end episodes, producing along side the talented show-runner Nina Joseph, and the rest of the Chicago based production crew.
Tiffany has been a designer of HGTV Smart Home since 2016. She's recently teamed up with David Bromstad in HGTV's Rock the Block. She was also the winner of HGTV Star season 8 and owns her own residential design firm right here in Grayslake, IL, where Maraist has lived and worked for 25 years.
You can learn more about Tiffany, a very down to earth, and super creative individual on the HGVTV website: www.hgtv.com/shows/50k-three-ways
Watch $50K Three Ways Mondays 8ET, 7CTon HGTV or Stream on Discovery+

John Cleese, yes that one from Monty Pythons Flying Circus, Fawlty Towers, and more, has been a very public proponent of HUMOR, especially as it pertains to opening up ones creativity and problem solving in any setting. In his latest tweet, "Laughing at the seriousness of life is the best way to get through it," he talks specifically about the difference between solemnity and seriousness: twitter.com/JohnCleese/status/1356305459569958913
We at World View, and those we collaborate with, strive to bring organic fun into every production by surrounding ourselves with people who take their jobs seriously, but not themselves. The results are always better than any one person can imagine, when our minds are clear of perceived inefficiencies, ego attacks, or grand standing. Though we are human and therefore imperfect, we continue to learn and grow from every opportunity. During the production of our own Jeff's Homemade Game Show, despite the occasional chaos that is production, our incredible team would always come back to center, bringing levity into any situation at any time. That kept our host loose, our creative team sharp, and most importantly, our real families laughing and comfortable having us in their home:
"So thankful to be a part of the show, my family had so much fun!"
"We loved every minute of the experience. Jeff, Bob, Bob and crew,  we truly thank you 💙"
We'd like to know your thoughts on this topic. If you'd like to have fun on our team, or have a project you'd enjoy brainstorming about, please reach out. We'll be sure to be serious about bringing humor to the process.

Pictured: The Santos Family and Jeff Rogers, host of Jeff's Homemade Game Show, streaming at https://www.byutv.org/jeffsgameshow

Photo by Stephan Mazurek

Santa has a sleigh, but Jeff has a truck, Pat the Lucky prize truck, on Jeff’s Homemade Game Show, A World View Productions, production. Here's fun little Behind the scenes moment when the Santos matriarch asks about Pat.
Watch the show, play the games, share the fun. Streaming now at https://www.byutv.org/jeffsgameshow      HOLIDAY FUN AT HOME!!

"Over 300,000 HIV patients died before the powers that be were forced into action.”
DR. Jim Yong Kim, Co-Founder of Partners in Health 

300,000! A horrifically coincidental number that we have overtaken with COVID related deaths in the US. These are directly relatable scenarios as many Americans don’t believe any measures are required to curb this pandemic, believing somehow everything will work itself out. Eventually we will win the fight against COVID, but only because of the forethought of those who have experienced pandemics before, and committed their lives to the cause. These people are, “Bending the Arc,” especially when it comes to providing healthcare to the underserved.

 I do not pretend to understand the moral universe, the arc is long...But what I see is I am sure it bends towards justice.
-Theadore Parker, philosopher

Do you know how Dr. Faucci learned to set up community based testing, quarantining, and localize the supply of PPE, and soon vaccinations?  Because years ago he met Dr. Paul Farmer (shown left with a Hatian patient and child), Dr. Kim, Yverose Jean & Ophelia dahl, the subjects of an amazing documentary full of hope, now on Netflix, called, “Bending the Arc.” Thirty years ago, as much of the world was being ravaged by horrific diseases like HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, these remarkable young people in the medical field, barely out of their teens, rejected the typical lives in medicine. They were determined to deliver to the Haitians, who soon became their friends, the same world-class level of medical care they would expect for their own families. They faced enormous obstacles. World health “experts” argued against their “every-life-is-worth-saving” approach. World Bank policies coerced poor nations to exchange health and education spending for loans. They persevered. Building hospitals and providing expensive life-saving treatments to human beings staring at death. The healthcare system has a history of ignoring the health and welfare of those without many resources.

“Optimism is a moral choice, but ignoring or refusing to care for all is criminal,” says Dr. Kim in the film. “With Paul Farmer and others, I learned how to take social justice and turn it into real work on the ground,” says Kim in the film. “We realized that this could be something like a movement.” But, “if you’re cynical about the work it would take to provide healthcare for all, then you will probably live out your very low ambitions.” Dr. Farmer adds, “The key is to have a pessimism of the intellect, but an optimism of the will.” 

In another part of the world, around that same time, Jim Merkel, for different reasons, was at a crossroads. After witnessing the consequences of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, “In 1989 I turned in my top secret clearance (as an engineer working for a government contractor), stopped selling military electronics and simplified (my life) until my consumption was in the ballpark of average world GDP – around $5,000. And to slow population growth, I delayed fatherhood into my 50’s and then stopped at one child.” This is an excerpt from a chapter Jim contributed to in an amazing book, called, wait for it….“Bending the Arc,” by SUNY publications, but has no relation to the film.

Merkel continues, “Unlike Snowden, Assange and Manning, I lacked the courage to expose what I knew, not wanting to rot in a prison cell, hole up in an embassy or live on the run. I did however commit my life to peace, human rights and the environment and attempt daily to forgo the privileges that one-world-superpower status offer its citizens.”

“World peace seems unlikely to be fostered or brokered by the US while we maintain one-world-superpower status and use that status absorbed in self-interest.  Our role must be to secure the well being of the marginalized and future generations and this will require a serious spiritual maturation. I know from first hand experiences that good people do horrible things.  I did. This spiritual awakening appears to be happening and grows with encouragement.”
 
Over those 30 years, Merkel has become a leader and author in this area, who like those in the above film, is educating others about the simplicity of taking positive steps. The author of Radical Simplicity, Merkel is in post production of a new film of hope. “My latest project is the making of a documentary film with a working title Saving Walden’s World, (Originally titled The Hundred-Year Plan) that optimistically lays out the essentials for diffusing the population bomb, easing climate change and averting the sixth great extinction. It tells the quietly dramatic story of educated and empowered women around the world who choose small families while creatively living with small ecological footprints. These conditions played out over one hundred years could return a healthy balance between humans and nature.”

Spoiler alert: In Bending the Arc, the film, we see the team confront the typical healthcare system, ignoring a problem while the most affected are the least protected. We meet those emaciated by disease and the ills of the underserved , struggling to survive, while healthcare officials and suppliers refuse to consider alternative treatment modalities over profits. Dr Farmer & the team realize that only thru educating and empowering the community to distribute healthcare services among their own, could a pandemic be beaten. But will these ideas be accepted by those affected? Can they get the results at the micro level, that will convince the world health community it can be done on a larger scale? Will that knowledge create a community based preventative healthcare model, lifting everyone past the point of surviving to a level of thriving?

“[Dr Farmer, Dr Kim and team, their] quiet outrage over the widely-held assumption that it’s futile to treat the global poor drives this story, which is as much about the triumph of a philosophy as of medicine.” – The Boston Globe

You have to see the results for yourself. You can’t help but get drawn in by the personal stories of people on all sides struggling with a global issue. All the work that went into forming the protocol for pandemic response has informed how countries have responded to the COVID pandemic. Those that paid attention, like Kerala India, have less than 1/20 the number of cases and deaths as the US. Kerala put people and process ahead of profit and ego. Kerala is one of those countries visited by Merkel 30 years ago, and again recently for his film.

Merkel states, “The similarity to how the US blew it with COVID because of the unwillingness to admit we have an issue, or because of who it’s affecting, the under served, is obvious. Saving Walden’s World is about recognizing those issues that create an underserved population in the first place, and showing how communities around the world, that typically do NOT have the resources, are able to combat these problems BEFORE they get out of hand.”

“Part of the solution to the problem is for my son Walden, now 6-years old, and his generation, to learn 21st century survival skills from places not as mesmerized by the spell of consumerism.  Seeing the low-impact, day-to-day realities in imperfect, but quite sustainable societies kindles the imagination as to what is possible.”

And a second spoiler alert.  Jim Merkel eventually became Dartmouth College’s Sustainability Coordinator and Dr. Jim Yong Kim became Dartmouth’s president, and, ready for this… the president of the World Bank.  

And for his and his teams work, Dr. Farmer was recently the recipient of the 2020 Berggruen Prize. The $1 million prize, which is awarded annually to people who “have profoundly shaped human self-understanding and advancement in a rapidly changing world,” went to the doctor in recognition of his leadership related to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Dr. Farmer’s call to improve public health systems is a matter not only of science but also of politics, economics and ethics,” Amy Gutmann, a contest juror and the president of the University of Pennsylvania, said in a news release. “In this crisis, like the ones that preceded it, our knowledge far outpaces our will to put effective solutions into action.”

“The arc of the moral universe bends towards justice. Together we bend it faster.”
Dr. Kim


Merkel's future thinking documentary is in the later stages of post production, and is looking for additional funding & distribution. World View Productions, Ltd & Bob Maraist  helped film one of the segments, and produce. Others behind this insightful doc include two time academy award winner Debra Shaffer, recent academy award winner Julia Reichert (American Factory), and more. To learn more about Jim Merkel:
https://www.facebook.com/jim.merkel.731

Resources for this article:
Bending the Arc - a film currently on Netflix
https://bendingthearcfilm.com/press/

PiH - Partners in Health - a global health group with origins at Harvard University founded by Dr Paul Farmer & Dr. Jim Yong Kim
https://www.pih.org/

The National Institute of Health
https://nihrecord.nih.gov/2018/04/20/world-banks-kim-describes-conversion-chat

Bending the Arc - Striving for Peace and Justice in the Age of Endless War
a book (by different contributors)
https://www.sunypress.edu/p-6898-bending-the-arc.aspx
https://www.amazon.com/Bending-Arc-Striving-Justice-Endless/dp/1438478747

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/16/arts/paul-farmer-berggruen-prize.html?referringSource=articleShare

Jim Merkel films a women's event in Kerala. Photo by David Wright

Congrats to our host of Jeff's Homemade Game Show, Jeff Rogers, for winning the award for Excellence in the category of talent/Host, from Videographer.

World View is happy to share that Jeff's Homemade Game Show has picked up some awards during its run. "Hermes Creative awards has given the show the Platinum Award for TV Programs, it's highest honor. Hermes is an international competition for creative professionals who honors the messengers and creators of the information revolution."

Stream Jeff's Homemade Game Show at: https://www.byutv.org/jeffsgameshow

Guess we're doing something right, because after a well received premiere, we have seen continued growth in viewership as episodes of Jeff's Homemade Game Show have aired. One of the indicators has been the shows trailer, which has topped 1 million views, in just 2 months, making it the #2 video on BYUtv's Youtube channel for the last five years! This feels pretty good when you consider the family friendly programming space. Viewers are chiming in too:
-"It makes us happy to see happy families playing games together."
-"Highlight of our week! Great show!!"
-"Super fun family night!!"
-"Loving every episode!!!"
-"We love this show! So refreshing to have something we can all watch together."

50 million+ can access BYUTV on cable, or watch on-demand using any of the FREE BYUtv App platforms including: iOS and Android apps, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Xbox One and more. Or watch online through the BYUtv Website, http://www.byutv.org.

Jeff’s Homemade Game Show, Tuesdays, 8pm CST on BYUTV and most cable services, or stream free anytime at https://www.byutv.org/jeffsgameshow.

We at World View Productions thrive on niche media. Throughout the life of the business we have wanted to focus on human interest, social issue, entertainment that inspires action. The media landscape continues to lend itself to that, and Fortune Magazine recently backed that up with an article by Todd Wasserman, "TV adapts to The Age of a Million Niches."
But there's a cautionary tale. Wasserman writes, "There are already TV networks that cater to African-Americans and Hispanic consumers. Some over-the-top services provide thousands of channels, including The Mower Repair Channel on Roku. If SurvivorNet (A new network for Cancer survivors) is the future of media, that means there will be programming for every stage of life and for every happenstance. That will likely drive us all both further apart and closer together."
That's why World View continues to emphasize programming that inspires action. Our latest production, Jeff's Homemade Game Show is a perfect example. While on the surface it's a fast and fun game show, it's built on the foundation of helping family members engage with each other outside the digital space. By showing families how fun it can be to play together, and subtly providing parents with a script to get started, families are using JHGS to get closer together. We were also very intentional about connecting with families of all walks of life. Though the show is a competition, we show families that thrive in the shows format of creating games where families must collaborate together vs compete against each other. We're hoping the success of the show leads to many more seasons of fun that bring amazing families together.
You can read the full article here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/toddwasserman/2020/06/15/tv-adapts-to-the-age-of-a-million-niches/#46c2425e35d0www.forbes.com/sites/toddwasserman/2020/06/15/tv-adapts-to-the-age-of-a-million-niches/#46c2425e35d0

May 25, 2020 / 10:17 AM CDT:
Chicago's WGN Morning News invited comedian Jeff Rogers, host of Jeff's Homemade Game show, to join the the morning program. News anchor Ana Belaval started with the big question, did we come up with the idea because of COVID? The answer is no, that the idea was developed a couple of years ago as we saw the opportunity to help families engage with each other outside of the digital space. First they can have fun together watching the show, then play the games. Jeff added that the concept was a perfect fit fo him because he had such a large family that his dad use to make the daily chores a game.
Anchor Dan Ponce asked Jeff to show the audience a few of the games they might see on the show. Jeff's wife and daughter joined in the fun playing 3 games, the third testing the anchors on their memory skills. You'll see, it wasn't so easy.
The interview concluded with Anna being so excited about the concept she said, "when this (COVID) is over, I want you to facilitate this at my house, can you come over and play at with my kids? ...I love it!" Dan added, "These are fantastic!"
Watch the 5 minute interview at:
https://wgntv.com/morning-news/jeffs-homemade-gameshow/