PJ profiles Steve Braker
Nonprofit Video Producer
Worthwhile Films, Northfield, Minn.
Worthwhile Films | Nonprofit Media
We produce video programming with and for "virtuous nonprofit organizations, benign government agencies, and other worthwhile causes." Missions include advocacy, fundraising, education, public information, and training. Audiences are reached via broadcast, DVD, online, and at special events.
The style is "narration-free documentary", meaning the message is carried through visual stories and conversations woven from interviews. I believe this approach delivers a compelling message most effectively, by allowing viewers to experience the enthusiasm and involvement of the subjects.
Name a book you've read in the past year that has inspired you or your work.
I am still recovering from years of reading only children's books -- of which my favorite would be Dr. Seuss' "Horton Hears a Who".
But I did manage to finish Darwin's "Voyage of the Beagle" last year, which makes a really good true-life adventure story -- lots of fascinating interactions with various earthling cultures, plants, animals and rocks. I suppose the fact that it was written before he started approaching fame makes it all the better.
Describe the best meal of your life.
This is going to sound sappy, but every meal at home with the family is the best meal -- so far -- of my life.
Describe one of your "unsung heroes" -- a person who has quietly made a difference in your life or the lives of those around you.
She/he seems oblivious to the concepts of heroism, attention and altruism. Missions and deeds are as normal a part of life as eating and sleeping. This covers a lot of people -- many of them in the nonprofit world, whether as employees, volunteers or donors.
If someone were to make a documentary of your life, what would be the title and who would you like to play your character in the movie?
First of all, one of the reasons I've ended up behind a camera is that it's a safe place: Nobody points cameras at you there. If somebody were willing to try I'd ask for Curly Howard or Ronald Reagan. Among the living, I guess it would have to be Tina Fey or Jon Heder of Napoleon Dynamite.
Share a quote that motivates or inspires you.
"Jesus is coming, look busy" is really a favorite. But the classic, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” is probably more inspirational.
If you are interested in being profiled or know someone who would like to be profiled and who is a PJ reader, contact Cathy Harms at 919.573.4646 or charms@ajf.org.
