My name is Mary Anne Benner. I am a female documentary filmmaker specializing in ethnographic documentaries pertaining to social and medical issues.
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Mary Anne Benner
Hampton, VA
mary.anne.benner@gmail.com
http://www.ailgifstudios.com

EDUCATION
2009: B.S. Mass Communication with an Emphasis in Photography; Minor: Anthropology focusing in Documentary Photography and Visual Anthropology, Idaho State University
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RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS: Visual Anthropology, Ethnographic film, and Photo-ethnography. My research focuses on the way media and individual subcultures view and treat domestic violence from the perspective of both men and women. This cross cultural narrative research seeks to challenge gender based notions of what comprises domestic violence. I use visual methods during the research and interview process to create video ethnographies that provide a holistic understanding of domestic violence toward both men and women and that promote community-based activism.
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PERSONAL COMPANIES::

Current: AilgifStudios, United States

Owner: Ailgif Studios uses audio and visual methods to create videos, documentaries, photo ethnographies and multi-media projects that provide a holistic understanding and that promote further discussion and community-based activism
Current: CurrentMemories, United States

Co Owner: At Current Memories we can help capture life's special memories and moments for you and your children. We offer the creative use of videography, photography, voice overs, and interviews to produce a unique memory keepsake of lasting quality that can be shared easily and often.
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Current Independent ethnographies and documentaries

2009(start): Street Ethnography: I'm currently working on, "Street Artists on the Fringe of Survival." This ethnographic documentary will reveal some rules of the culture and give an "insiders" viewpoint of the logic of "how to get by" on the streets while exposing how a part of our society works through the eyes of the participants who perform on the streets for money. Role: Director, Cameraperson, Editor, Interviewer and Producer

Finished Independent Projects

2010: A Soldier's Journey: A soldier prepares for his first deployment While helping my son pack up his apartment and prepare for his deployment, I spent some time documenting what he was going through. In this clip, he talks about his deployment and what it means to have the support of family and friends as he prepares to leave. It was filmed the night before and the morning of the day he left. I have filmed some difficult moments and stories, but this by far has been the hardest piece I have filmed and edited. Role: Director, Cameraperson, Editor, Interviewer and Producer Watch Online at NY Times

Finished Independent Projects

2006: Living With Autism: This ethnographic documentary explores what it is like living with autism through one family’s story. It uses past footage from the family’s home videos and new footage shot during ethnographic observations to illustrate the words of Janet Boyce, a mother raising two daughters who have autism Role: Director, Cameraperson, Editor, Interviewer and Producer

Collaborative Video Projects

2005: Walk a Mile in Her Shoes: A documentary exploring the role of advocacy for victims of domestic violence. One woman shares her personal story of abuse and survival while men walk in high heels during a fund raiser to raise awareness to the affects of intimate partner violence. Role: Director, Cameraperson, Editor, Interviewer and Co-Producer

2006 (2008 re-edit): Finding One’s Voice/Surviving Childhood Rape: Three women share their story of surviving childhood sexual abuse and finding the courage to finally talk about it. Role: Director, Cameraperson, Editor, Interviewer and Co-Producer

2007: A Moment Remembered (15 minutes): A group video project for a History Class. Our Group decided to do a re-enactment in the form of a documentary. Based on the book "The Triangle Fire." The Triangle Factory Fire took the lives of over 100 migrant factory workers in the 1800's. Role: Director, Cameraperson and Edior

2008: Las Caras de la Diabetes/The Many Faces of Diabetes (20 minutes): A Health Documentary that explores diabetes cross culturally and the effects it has on each person's life. Based on research being done at Hispanic Health Projects at Idaho State University [Distributed by Idaho Health and Welfare Department in Boise, Idaho.] Role: Director, Cameraperson, and Editor. Watch Online at the Hispanic Health Projects Website

2007: Diabetes y la Familia/Diabetes and the Family (20 minutes): A Health Documentary about diabetes within the Hispanic Community. Participants shared what they've learned in order to prevent the disease from happening to them. Based on research being done at Hispanic Health Projects at Idaho State University [Distributed by Idaho Health and Welfare Department in Boise, Idaho.] Role: Lead cameraperson and Co-editor.

2007: Field of Heros - Independently contracted by B.T.K. (Black Tag Kompany) as an additional cameraperson on a Historical Documentary being done for the Library of Congress. Role: Cameraperson

Photography Projects

2005: Domestic Violence Awareness: Series of 25 Photo Illustrations displayed at Idaho State University's Gallery. Photos were used to show the affects of domestic violence on both women and men

Web Design

2006-current: Hispanic Health Projects: HHP is a community based participatory research program which provides culturally appropriate educational materials and advocacy services to the Hispanic community. http://www.isu.edu/~carteliz

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FESTIVAL SCREENINGS:

2006: Idaho Spudfest, United States

2005: Visual Media Guild’s Annual Film Festival, United States

2005: Idaho State Universities Visual Anthropology Film Festival

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CONFERENCES AND PRESENTATIONS:

2009: Guest Speaker and Presenter

"Portland State University: Visual Anthropology Class." Topic Discussion: How we can use Visual Methods during ethnographic research to promote community based activism and further dialogue.

2008: Co-Presenter with Florina Elmquist

"Hispanic Health Projects: Growing a Healthy Community." 17th Annual Western Migrant Stream Forum. Workshop on using visual methods during qualitative research.

2008: Poster Presenter

"Hispanic Health Projects: Growing a Health Community." 17th Annual Western Migrant Stream Forum

2007: Poster Presenter

"Idaho Community Health Center and AmeriCorps

Volunteers." Annual AmeriCorps Conference in San Diego, CA

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PUBLICATIONS

Documentary Video: "Living With Autism", aired on NBC News channel 6, Pocatello Idaho May 2008

Photoessay: “AmeriCorps: Idaho Community HealthCorps”, Journal of Rural Health, Vol.31 no.3, Summer 2007

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Community Volunteer:

2005-2008: Project Hope Advocate: On call advocate for domestic violence calls, event photographer and videographer. Pocatello, Idaho

2008: Walk for the Cure: A fundraiser for Alzheimer's research. Volunteer photographer for the event. Pocatello, Idaho

2007: Habitat For Humanity: Worked with group to help build a home for a mother and her three children. Pocatello, Idaho

2006: Fundraiser for Breast Cancer Patient: Volunteer photographer for a local fundraiser to raise money for a breast cancer patient. Pocatello, Idaho

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TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

2007-2008: Implemented a new program for Hispanic Health Projects at Idaho State University,Idaho - El Mundo en Tus Manos/The World is in your Hands: I taught high school students how to make documentary films about their community. Lessons included developing story ideas, creating storyboards, working with the camera and using Final Cut Pro. Students worked in groups to create a one minute public service announcement based on topics they face as teens.

2006-2008: Digital Photography Class Assistant - Idaho State University, Department of Mass Communication. Designed, lead, and taught an interactive lesson once a week about creating Interactive Portfolios using Macromedia Flash and Photo Narrative Essays using Final Cut Pro. Advised student projects for the following lessons I taught during my session.

Spring 2008: Visual Anthropology Class Assistant - Idaho State University, Department of Anthropology. Assist instructor when needed and offer additional help to students with camera operation and video editing. Uploaded and maintained google video site. View student videos online: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3216765886887700041&q=source:005455477405339362183&hl=en

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Internships:

June 2008-Current: Visual Ethnographer and Video Editor - Intel Digital Health Group, Hillsboro, Oregon. Internship includes organizing and maintaining multi-media database of ethnographic research, using visual methods during ethnographic research pertaining to chronic illnesses, working independently to research and interview participants living with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, working collaboratively to create short medical documentaries of the lived experience told from the participants living with chronic illnesses, and editing ethnographic videos shot by research ethnographers.

Summer 2004-Spring 2005: Photojournalist: Internship included photojournalism and photo editing at the Idaho State Journal, Pocatello, Idaho

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RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE

01/2006 - 05/2008: Photographer, Graphic Designer, Videographer, Video Editor, and Teen Project Coordinator: AmeriCorps NCCC/Vista Volunteer in association with the Hispanic Health Projects, Dept. of Anthropology and Institute of Rural Health, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho

2005 - 2008: Co-Designer and Continuing Editor on Interactive Class C.D. - Developed and created an interactive CD with Jenny Kist in conjunction with Professor Timothy Frazier, Department of Mass Communication, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho. Interactive CD is used in the History and Appreciation of Photography Class every semester.

2002-2006: Photo Lab Assistant - Assisted students in developing film and printing pictures, ordered and mixed chemicals when needed, Department of Mass Communication, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho.

2002-Current: Independent photographer shooting weddings, portraits and events

Awards:

2006: Spud Fest Film Festival Award
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PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:

American Anthropological Association

Society for Visual Anthropology

Idaho State University Anthropology Club

Idaho State University Visual Media Guild