Activism

Fair Use

Around 2004 I was recruited to help solve a longstanding problem: the unyielding grip many copyrightholders kept on historical and cultural materials crucial to making documentaries. The Documentary Filmmakers Statement of Best Practices in Fair Use, which I helped formulate, clarified when it’s both legal and ethical to use music, footage, or other copyrighted materials without seeking permission. The Statement began a pragmatic revolution that has transformed cultural practices in documentary and far beyond. A decade later, it facilitated the re-release of my first film, which had been mired in copyright issues. I have traveled the country and the globe spreading the word about fair use.

Listen to my interview on the subject on WNYC Radio: Making Sense of Fair Use.

Diversity at Harvard

I was one of three Afro-American Studies majors in my graduating class.  Decades later, the student body is considerably more diverse than it was—but the university has made scant progress diversifying its faculty or course offerings. So I’ve become an active member of The Coalition for a Diverse Harvard, a group of alums working to defend affirmative action in admissions; promote Ethnic Studies; and elect candidates to the university oversight boards who are committed to diversity and racial justice.

Non-fiction Labor Standards

When I started out, “nonfiction filmmaking” meant a small community of creative entrepreneurs, scraping by on philanthropy and public TV licenses. It’s evolved into a global industry of networks and streamers, contracting with production companies to make content in bulk. But that industry—unlike fiction film—has no established standards in areas like safety, benefits, overtime, or residual payments. I’ve helped push for such standards through testimony, press, and advocacy.