Somewhere near the Badlands, an old woman makes a blanket out of porcupine quills. Sitting beside her is a huge black dog who scratches at the blanket every time the old woman turns around. A simple tale, this animated piece reveals the Lakhota legend about the end of the world. • Comment on This Video   • Watch the Rough Cut • Watch Other Open Call Shorts Produ... More >

Several months ago I was sifting through some old family slides when I came across an image of me (age 3) sheepishly hiding behind my two older brothers. What stood out to me in an otherwise stereotypical family photo was that all three of us had play pistols strapped to our tiny prepubescent waists. "War" was as American to us a baseball and apple pie. This quirky, animated narrative explores ... More >

For many people the idea of an “out of the way” beach means an idyllic surrounding separated from the realities of the world; A place to swim, enjoy the sun, be with family and relax. Ambrose Jearld is an African American fisheries biologist from Robeson County, North Carolina. He remembers swimming at a seashore where “out of the way” meant both that and something quite different. Near... More >

Every Tuesday my eighteen-month old daughter and I take a music class together. Last fall we switched from our kids only class to a class that is part of the Rogerson House day program for elders in early and mid-stage Alzheimer’s and other dementia. I have to admit that I was a little intimidated by the idea at first. I didn’t have much experience with dementia and didn’t know how my daug... More >

Filmmaker Caroline Toth takes up drumming and soon experiences what musicians call being in the pocket. Commissioned by the WGBH Lab for a series pilot. More >