Open Studio Productions - Commissioned Films by Helen S. Cohen

Combining her documentary producing skills and background in community development, Helen directs, produces and/or executive produces documentary projects for public interest clients, including foundations, schools, government agencies, community-based organizations and trade unions.

Partial List of commissioned films and client organizations:

Homes & Hands: Community Land Trusts in Action
Institute for Community Economics (ICE)

Homes & Hands Video Screenshot Helen produced and co-directed this inspiring short documentary about community activism and a progressive model for developing and preserving affordable housing. Used extensively for training and educational purposes and produced in close collaboration with ICE and people in the community land trust field.

Homes and Hands details

“Helen brought knowledge and sensitivity to this project, resulting in an informative and inspiring video that is now widely used for training and outreach. With her professional background in community development, her personal ease with a diversity of people, and an engaging interview style, she was able to convey the nuts and bolts of the CLT model, while capturing the heart and soul of a grassroots movement for social change.”

John Emmeus Davis
advisor to Homes & Hands
Partner, Burlington Associates in Community Development

BTW Consultants, Inc.

Videotaped interviews with key players in the Community Clinics Initiative (CCI), a program run by the Tides Foundation. Video footage was used as part of the evaluation presentation created by BTW, and to archive the significant historical experience and insights of these leaders in the field.

California Nurses Association

Executive produced a documentary about the history of the nurses union, to commemorate its centennial anniversary.

Island Affordable Housing Fund
Martha’s Vineyard

With filmmaker and editor Mark Lipman, Helen produced and directed a powerful twelve-minute piece that serves as the organization's most effective fundraising and public education tool.

National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC)

In collaboration with Citizen Film, executive produced a video about the increasingly pervasive problem of stalking, showcasing effective strategies for combating the problem and providing support to victims of stalking. Used primarily for training law enforcement officers.

Star Academy

Produced and directed an 8-minute video about the school's innovative math curriculum that has revolutionized mathematics education at this school for kids with learning disabilities. Used effectively for fundraising and educational purposes.

Roadwork, Inc.

Videotaped historic concert and conversation among activist singer/songwriters Harry Belafonte, Holly Near, Bernice Johnson Reagon, and Pete Seeger.

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	“The interviews and video footage that Helen produced gave life and depth to our presentations. This approach to evaluation allowed the leaders in the health care field to speak for themselves and convey the power and impact of the work they are doing.”

	Ellen Irie Principal BTW Consultants



	“Helen and Mark were fantastic to work with — they understood the issues, brought new insights to our mission and created an inspiring, powerful video that greatly increased our impact as an organization.”

	Jean Entine Interim Executive Director Island Affordable Housing Fund



	“The short video Helen and Mark created really packs a punch — it conveys so much emotion and information that are impossible to explain in pamphlets and talks. It's helped us spread the word about our Making Math Real program and raise critical funds for the school.”

	Susan Mackay Sweeney Star Academy Board President