Everything You Want to Know About Documentary Film in 45 Minutes

The world of documentaries is thriving, with more film festivals, television channels and online outlets available than ever before, and there is an ever-increasing demand for stories about those who have shaped our culture.  What can the lives of people like Norman Lear, Maya Angelou, Richard Linklater, and Sammy Davis, Jr. tell us about ourselves?  A quick report from the Executive Producer of the acclaimed public television series, American Masters.

Michael Kantor '83 is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker who joined American Masters as the series' executive producer in April 2014 during its 28th season on PBS, and founded its theatrical imprint American Masters Pictures in January 2016. American Masters Pictures was represented by three films at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival: Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You, Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise and Richard Linklater – Dream is Destiny. Kantor has worked on projects for PBS, HBO, Bravo and 20th Century Fox. His PBS series include Broadway: The American Musical (hosted by Julie Andrews), Make 'Em Laugh (hosted by Billy Crystal) and Superheroes (hosted by Liev Schreiber). Kantor also wrote, directed and produced the award-winning profile American Masters: Quincy Jones: In the Pocket and served as executive producer of Give Me the Banjo with Steve Martin. He is president of Almo Inc., a company that distributes the American Film Theatre series, including Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance, starring Katharine Hepburn, and Chekhov's Three Sisters with Laurence Olivier. Kantor has co-authored three books, served as a Tony nominator, and taught producing at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.

6:00pm reception; 6:30pm lecture, gratis. Members and guests are invited to dine at The Club with Mr. Kantor following the lecture. The cost is $40 per person, inclusive of tax, gratuity and one glass of wine with dinner. Dinner reservations are required 48 hours prior to the program. Same-day cancellations and no shows will be charged.