PhotoSynthesis Productions
Encyclopedia
PhotoSynthesis Productions is a media production company based in Ithaca, New York
, that specializes in documentary, educational, and promotional films, videos and DVDs.
, the National Science Foundation
and Cornell University
.
Institute of Buddhist Studies in Ithaca, New York
, is the Dalai Lama
's official seat and personal monastery in North America. In order to serve the residents of Ithaca, the Tibetans who have been resettled in Ithaca, as well as Buddhist scholars and novices who travel from all over the world for instruction, Namgyal is constructing a new monastic facility. The Dalai Lama has named the facility Dü Khor Choe Ling, The Land of Kalachakra Study and Practice. Dü Khor Choe Ling will provide much needed new space for study, housing and retreats, but more than that, it will provide a sanctuary for the future of Tibetan Buddhism.
The documentary will follow one journey of the Dalai Lama to Ithaca, New York
, in the fall of 2007, and will explore the effects of the actions and words of this "simple monk".
er by trade, who served as a minister at the St. James AME Zion Church in the upstate village of Ithaca, New York. The American Civil War
was raging, and the men in Reverend Tyler’s congregation were eager to join the fight, but New York refused to allow black men to enlist.
This documentary tells the story of these men. It is a story of war on two fronts – the armed conflict between North and South, and the battle for recognition and rights for black Americans.
, this film provides a rare look at the second-most isolated country on the planet. It lifts the curtain to expose the everyday life in a country that has been held in the iron grip of a brutal military regime for 48 years.
This feature length documentary, culled from over 120 hours of footage, contains interviews and interactions with more than 100 people throughout Burma, including an interview with the recently released Aung San Sui Kyi.
Though Burma has tumbled from one of the most prosperous and advanced countries in Southeast Asia to one of the world’s poorest, "They Call It Myanmar" is a story of beauty, courage and hope.
This documentary about Burma will debut Summer, 2011.
Follows adoptive parents who tackle issues ranging from the process of adoption, to being a conspicuous family, parenting teens and helping children develop their identity. The DVD includes Bonus Scenes, a discussion guide and more.
"Struggle for Identity: Issues in Transracial Adoption"
Explores the nuances of trans-racial adoption through interviews with several trans-racially adopted individuals and their parents. Subjects range from why white people chose to adopt transracially (and/or internationally) to the realities of racism, whether families need to move to meet their children's needs, and the connection that trans-racial adoptees feel to their adoptive parents". The Pact Adoption Alliance termed it "the definitive video on the subject.". The video includes a follow-up documentary titled "Struggle for Identity: A Conversation 10 Years Later" which revisits two of the interviewees from the first film (Michelle Johnson and John Raible), a decade after the initial film. It earned the Gold Statuette at the Davey Awards.
"Foster Parents Speak"
Produced in collaboration with the NYS Citizens' Coalition for Children, "Foster Parents Speak" explores foster parenting today through the experience and insights of foster families. Foster parents speak candidly about the challenges and rewards in developing shared parenting relationships with birth families and professionals. It won the Silver Hugo Award at the International Communications Video & Interactive Media Competition of the Chicago International Film Festival
"Working for Social Justice"
Knowledgeable veteran social workers share their insights and experiences in candid discussions about their life’s work. They offer their thoughts on the responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of being a social worker today.
that covers eclipse chasers who join native Bolivians on the Altiplano
to witness a solar eclipse. The film centers on the interaction of celestial bodies.. This project is what spurred the company's eventual logo.
Ithaca, New York
The city of Ithaca, is a city in upstate New York and the county seat of Tompkins County, as well as the largest community in the Ithaca-Tompkins County metropolitan area...
, that specializes in documentary, educational, and promotional films, videos and DVDs.
Overview
Founded in 1980 by filmmakers David Gluck and Peter Carroll, the company's work often centers on issues of science education and social justice. Past collaborators include the National Geographic SocietyNational Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society , headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical...
, the National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health...
and Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
.
"Into the Land of Kalachakra"
Namgyal MonasteryNamgyal Monastery
Namgyal Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery associated with the Dalai Lamas. Founded in 1575 by the Third Dalai Lama, Sonam Gyatso, Namgyal Monastery was historically housed within the Potala Palace...
Institute of Buddhist Studies in Ithaca, New York
Ithaca, New York
The city of Ithaca, is a city in upstate New York and the county seat of Tompkins County, as well as the largest community in the Ithaca-Tompkins County metropolitan area...
, is the Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama is a high lama in the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" branch of Tibetan Buddhism. The name is a combination of the Mongolian word далай meaning "Ocean" and the Tibetan word bla-ma meaning "teacher"...
's official seat and personal monastery in North America. In order to serve the residents of Ithaca, the Tibetans who have been resettled in Ithaca, as well as Buddhist scholars and novices who travel from all over the world for instruction, Namgyal is constructing a new monastic facility. The Dalai Lama has named the facility Dü Khor Choe Ling, The Land of Kalachakra Study and Practice. Dü Khor Choe Ling will provide much needed new space for study, housing and retreats, but more than that, it will provide a sanctuary for the future of Tibetan Buddhism.
The documentary will follow one journey of the Dalai Lama to Ithaca, New York
Ithaca, New York
The city of Ithaca, is a city in upstate New York and the county seat of Tompkins County, as well as the largest community in the Ithaca-Tompkins County metropolitan area...
, in the fall of 2007, and will explore the effects of the actions and words of this "simple monk".
"Civil Warriors"
Zachariah Tyler was a black man, a whitewashWhitewash
Whitewash, or calcimine, kalsomine, calsomine, or lime paint is a very low-cost type of paint made from slaked lime and chalk . Various other additives are also used...
er by trade, who served as a minister at the St. James AME Zion Church in the upstate village of Ithaca, New York. The American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
was raging, and the men in Reverend Tyler’s congregation were eager to join the fight, but New York refused to allow black men to enlist.
This documentary tells the story of these men. It is a story of war on two fronts – the armed conflict between North and South, and the battle for recognition and rights for black Americans.
"They Call it Myanmar: Lifting the Curtain"
Shot clandestinely over a 2-year period by best-selling novelist and filmmaker, Robert H. LiebermanRobert H. Lieberman
Robert H. Lieberman is a novelist, film director, and a long-time member of the Physics faculty at Cornell University. Initially he came to Cornell to study to be a veterinarian, but ended up becoming an electrical engineer and doing research in neurophysiology. He has also been professor of...
, this film provides a rare look at the second-most isolated country on the planet. It lifts the curtain to expose the everyday life in a country that has been held in the iron grip of a brutal military regime for 48 years.
This feature length documentary, culled from over 120 hours of footage, contains interviews and interactions with more than 100 people throughout Burma, including an interview with the recently released Aung San Sui Kyi.
Though Burma has tumbled from one of the most prosperous and advanced countries in Southeast Asia to one of the world’s poorest, "They Call It Myanmar" is a story of beauty, courage and hope.
This documentary about Burma will debut Summer, 2011.
Social Justice Series
"Living Adoption: Gay Parents Speak"Follows adoptive parents who tackle issues ranging from the process of adoption, to being a conspicuous family, parenting teens and helping children develop their identity. The DVD includes Bonus Scenes, a discussion guide and more.
"Struggle for Identity: Issues in Transracial Adoption"
Explores the nuances of trans-racial adoption through interviews with several trans-racially adopted individuals and their parents. Subjects range from why white people chose to adopt transracially (and/or internationally) to the realities of racism, whether families need to move to meet their children's needs, and the connection that trans-racial adoptees feel to their adoptive parents". The Pact Adoption Alliance termed it "the definitive video on the subject.". The video includes a follow-up documentary titled "Struggle for Identity: A Conversation 10 Years Later" which revisits two of the interviewees from the first film (Michelle Johnson and John Raible), a decade after the initial film. It earned the Gold Statuette at the Davey Awards.
"Foster Parents Speak"
Produced in collaboration with the NYS Citizens' Coalition for Children, "Foster Parents Speak" explores foster parenting today through the experience and insights of foster families. Foster parents speak candidly about the challenges and rewards in developing shared parenting relationships with birth families and professionals. It won the Silver Hugo Award at the International Communications Video & Interactive Media Competition of the Chicago International Film Festival
Chicago International Film Festival
The Chicago International Film Festival is an annual film festival held every fall. Founded in 1964, it is the longest-running competitive film festival in North America....
"Working for Social Justice"
Knowledgeable veteran social workers share their insights and experiences in candid discussions about their life’s work. They offer their thoughts on the responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of being a social worker today.
"Sun, Earth, Moon"
A twenty minute video for the National Geographic SocietyNational Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society , headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical...
that covers eclipse chasers who join native Bolivians on the Altiplano
Altiplano
The Altiplano , in west-central South America, where the Andes are at their widest, is the most extensive area of high plateau on Earth outside of Tibet...
to witness a solar eclipse. The film centers on the interaction of celestial bodies.. This project is what spurred the company's eventual logo.