The music featured during the intro and credits of this episode is a song called “Free Now” from local Chicago band Marcella.

44 years of socially relevant documentary films

Kartemquin produces a wide range of films about subjects ranging from stem cell research to genetic testing to typography to gangs and society.  Here are some highlights from our interview:

Kartemquin was founded by three University of Chicago students who were interested in cinematic social inquiry.  They thought if you could reflect society back onto itself, you could create social change.

Their most famous film is Hoop Dreams.

Creating a documentary film can often be a lonely process, so Kartemquin specializes in creating a collaborative environment.

Kartemquin films typically run the festival circuit, followed by a national broadcast (sometimes international) and then a DVD and/or digital release.

There’s not much money right now in digital distribution, especially for documentaries, so everybody is trying to figure out what the new income model will be.

Kartemquin is currently working on a new documentary called “The Interrupters” about a group of ex-gang members who are part of a group called CeaseFire whose mission is to break up violence in Chicago.

Documentary filmmakers never know where the story is going to go.  They have a basic idea in mind at the beginning, but the story evolves as the film is made.

When films are ready to be distributed, reviews in major publications are still important.  But filmmakers are increasingly looking to reach the communities of people they think the film relates to most.

The ins and outs of e-learning

NogginLabs builds e-learning software applications for that the learner takes at a computer. Here are some highlights from our chat about e-learning and being creative:

NogginLabs has always had a very strong focus on hiring creative writers, rather than technical writers. This allows them to create well rounded, realistic characters and storylines within their e-learning software.

When NogginLabs first started as a business, co-owners Traci and Brian kept their client base diverse to ensure a steady income stream.

What started as a way to protect the company has turned into a critical part of what makes the company and it’s employees creative and well rounded.

The folks at NogginLabs are great at creating real life based training that is unique compared to the other products in the e-learning space today.

Everybody at NogginLabs is encouraged to be creative, leading to a more inspiring and creative workplace. Most have their own creative endeavours outside work, like improv and writing.

Employees at NogginLabs are encouraged to “make it cool”.

The little things are very important. Sound effects and background music aren’t necessarily required for e-learning products but they add greatly to the overall user experience.

The full live interview
This episode was also broadcast live on Beyond The Pedway LIVE! Check out the entire unedited interview below:

Fifth House Ensemble is currently producing a show in Chicago called “Black Violet“, which is an “unprecendented experience in music, art and narrative”, featuring a graphic novel set to classical music.

If you can’t see the video, please click here. The music featured during the intro and credits of this episode is a song called “The Sweetest Talk” from local Chicago musician IJ Quinn.

Theresa started the site after moving to Chicago herself and not knowing where any restaurants or bars or theaters or anything was. The Local Tourist began as a business directory and eventually evolved into a destination site for Chicagoans looking to find what was going on in town, as well as people visiting Chicago looking for the best things to do.

Theresa and I also chat about what it takes to start your own business and what skills are most important when doing so.

If you can’t see the video, please click here. The music featured during the intro and credits of this episode is a song called “TSR” from local Chicago band Echo Son.

This episode was a Beyond The Pedway LIVE episode, so the full unedited interview is embedded below.

In this episode, I’m chatting with Jim Olen, owner of Rhythm Cafe , a full service music production company in Chicago. If you can’t see the video, please click here . The music featured during the intro and credits of this episode is a song called “Me and My Joe” from local Chicago artist Ruby Yo !

This is Jim’s sweet arcade game with over 2700 games!

With my Gorillapod , this chair instantly became a dolly to create some really smooth shots with.

2700 arcade games, a big HD TV, and a bar? What more do you need in a recording studio??

This is the lounge area at Rhythm Cafe, quite comfy and relaxing.

If you can’t see the video, please click here .  The music featured during the intro and credits of this episode is a song called “Until We Dream” from local Chicago artist John Farrell .

During the episode, Steve Weiss, co-owner of Zacuto, mentions the web series Zacuto produces.  The first show is called FilmFellas and is a roundtable discussion with film industry insiders about all things filmmaking.  The other show is called Critics and features Steve with DP Philip Bloom browsing videos on Vimeo and critiquing them.  Be sure to check out both of the shows, they’re great!

The music featured during the intro and credits of this episode is a song called “Streetwalker” from local Chicago artist Gidgets Ga Ga .

To get some sweet discount codes for GoDaddy and Angie’s List , visit the GoDaddy and Angie’s List discount pages at BeyondThePedway.com or check out the Beyond The Pedway Mevio Offers page .

The music featured during the intro and credits of this episode is a song called “Don’t Know How” from local Chicago artist Jane Thatcher .

For all the latest episodes, be sure to check out http://www.BeyondThePedway.com , the Beyond The Pedway show page on Mevio , or Beyond The Pedway on ChicagoNow .

To get discount codes for GoDaddy and Angie’s List , visit the GoDaddy and Angie’s List discount pages at BeyondThePedway.com or check out the Beyond The Pedway Mevio Offers page .

This is a shot of the office of crowdSPRING.

I had the opportunity to chat with Mari (owner of Foiled Cupcakes) at the kitchen they bake at, so I had plenty of opportunities to use my Gorillapod on various sinks, rolling carts, storage doors, etc.  Check out the pics below for some of the Gorillapod setups I created.

The music featured during the intro and credits of this episode is a song called “To The Heart Of It” from local Chicago artist Jess Godwin.

For all the latest episodes, be sure to check out http://www.BeyondThePedway.com, the Beyond The Pedway show page on Mevio, or Beyond The Pedway on ChicagoNow.

To get discount codes for GoDaddy and Angie’s List , visit the GoDaddy and Angie’s List discount pages at BeyondThePedway.com or check out the Beyond The Pedway Mevio Offers page .

After touring the amazing facilities at Flashpoint Academy, I was in awe at the amazing opportunities students have there to really get involved in their passion to create and learn.  The thing that most people seem to say after visiting Flashpoint is “I wish they had this place when I was in school!” I was no exception, of course

The music featured during the intro and credits of this episode is a song called “Sound The Sirens” from local Chicago band Model Stranger .

For all the latest episodes, be sure to check out http://www.BeyondThePedway.com , the Beyond The Pedway show page on Mevio , or Beyond The Pedway on ChicagoNow .

To get discount codes for GoDaddy and Angie’s List , visit the GoDaddy and Angie’s List discount pages at BeyondThePedway.com or check out the Beyond The Pedway Mevio Offers page .