In Production Now: "KidFit"

Telling Story is working with Power Ten Fitness of Port Washington, NY on a series of exercise videos for the consumer retail market. The first video - "KidFit" - will target elementary school children and will be released in July 2006. The video will include a full "KidFit" workout, led by Power Ten Owner Steven Panzik, and a 10-minute documentary that introduces viewers to three children who've benefitted from the "KidFit" program.

"KidFit" is Power Ten's exclusive kid-friendly fitness program that enhances a child's health, developmental skills, and self-esteem.

In Production Now: "The Building of The Center at Maple Grove"

Since January 2006, Telling Story has been filming the construction of The Center, a new 18,000 square-foot, multi-purpose building at Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens, NY. Work on the building is expected to continue until early 2007. Telling Story will film the complete construction process and will produce a 60-minute documentary. Telling Story President Andrew Filippone Jr. is directing, photographing, and editing the project.

The film will track the building of The Center and will explore its role in Maple Grove's past, present, and future. The film will also travel out of the Cemetery to visit with the project's architect and artisans, cemetery and local historians, and local community members for whom The Center will be a new neighborhood hub.

This film is the second collaboration between Telling Story and Maple Grove Cemetery. Our first project together was the 12-minute documentary "Embracing the Future," which was commissioned in 2005 in honor of Maple Grove's 130th anniversary (a clip from "Embracing the Future" can be seen in the "Work" section of this website). "Embracing the Future" received three awards - a Silver Telly Award, a Bronze Plaque from the Chris Awards, and a Certificate of Merit from INTERCOM.

Linda Mayo-Perez, Maple Grove Cemetery's President & CEO, had this to say about "Embracing the Future" after its screening at the 130th anniversary event - "'Embracing the Future' set the tone for the evening. You captured the changing role of Maple Grove Cemetery and I received many compliments. Many people left with a new appreciation and understanding of our mission and future. You will appreciate this comment from a guest - 'I cannot wait until I die so I can be part of the new and improved Maple Grove!'"

Awards: Telling Story and Slant/Fin Win Two

We're proud to announce news of two awards for the 15-minute sales video "Slant/Fin Baseboards: The American Heating Legend," the first collaboration between Telling Story and Slant/Fin Corporation. Our program received a Telly Award and a Summit Creative Award.

Congratulations to Steve Gribbin and Adam Dubin of Slant/Fin, and special thanks to Mel Dubin, Donald Brown, Richard Thompson, Steve Pulaski, and everyone at Slant/Fin who participated.

"Mina & the Family Treasure" Airs on PBS

"Mina & the Family Treasure," a feature-length documentary directed and edited by Telling Story President Andrew Filippone Jr., had its PBS broadcast premiere on Friday, May 5th. After its first screening on KCET, the Los Angeles PBS affiliate, the film aired on public television stations across the country.

"Mina & the Family Treasure" tells the story of 58-year old Sue Breecker. When asked the secret of her 99-year old mother's long life, Sue says, "I don't know, but I'd love to get it."

Sue is in the fight of her life. After 15 years of remission, her breast cancer has returned in such an unusual and aggressive manner that her doctor comments, "In 13 years, I've never seen someone with a mass this big from recurrent breast cancer." Together they decide to put off radical surgery in favor of a new, experimental radiation technique that may shrink the tumor.

Will it work? Sue and her family won't know for eight weeks. Her husband, Harold, calls the waiting the worst part and admits feeling "helpless, because there's nothing you can do." Sue's daughter, Marnie, says she's petrified that the radiation won't work, and her son, Alan, confides that all he has is hope.

Amidst the fear sits Mina, Sue's 99-year old mother. Born into a wealthy and well-respected Jewish family in the Ukrainian village of Nogaisk, Mina was the oldest of six children. Their large, 14-room home was on Sabornaya Street, within sight of the Sea of Azov. One night in 1918, the family received word that a group of Cossacks was approaching the village. They had with them a list of Nogaisk's 22 Jewish families - Mina's family among them. The Cossacks were coming to launch a pogrom.

In an instant Mina's father gathered his family together. They disguised themselves as peasants and hid under a load of potatoes on a neighbor's cart, riding out under the cover of darkness. As they passed through the cemetery on the village's edge, they could hear the screams of their Jewish neighbors. They would never return to this place or see their home again.

Sue heard these stories as a child, and now, caught in her own fight for life, finds herself drawn to them in a new and deeper way. So, with the results of her radiation treatment in hand, Sue travels halfway around the world to the village of Nogaisk to find the home Mina left behind. For Sue, finding the house that Mina abandoned would be to find the place where her mother once escaped with her life. Perhaps some clue - some "treasure" - remains there that could help Sue in her own battle with her disease.

"Mina & the Family Treasure" was executive produced by Rosie O'Donnell.