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Affinityfilms, Inc. is a nonprofit media production company based in Anchorage, Alaska since 1980. We focus on social issues films for special interest groups and rely on grants and donations to create our work.
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| "More at Four" is the next chapter in the lives of our "Two by Two" children whom we plan to follow at two year intervals as they grow up. These films are designed for multiple uses ranging from parents and grandparents to pre-school teachers to kids. The "facts" are woven in seamlessly with naturally occurring play from one day in the lives of our little stars. Already personalities are emerging, and as the years go on, we hope the series will become more useful on more levels. An ideal gift to anyone raising or working with a child in this age group. |
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Supported in part by the New York Mercantile Exchange Charitable Foundation and the
Alaska State Council on the Arts
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Gwen's Story
On June 1, 1980 at an Alaskan Campground, Gwen was thrown into a campfire by her mother. She sustained third degree burns over her back, legs, arms, face and head, losing fingers, an ear and half of her scalp.
In 2004 Gwen suffered a mental breakdown.
The film journeys with Gwen as she uncovers the abuse and deception that has haunted her youth and creates her own prescription for survival.
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Beyond Flowers - What to Say and Do When Someone You Know Has Breast Cancer: Produced with major funding from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation & Breast Cancer Focus, Inc. of Alaska. When someone you know is diagnosed with breast cancer, the impact of this shocking news is felt by everyone around her. You may feel awkward and unprepared. The natural inclination is to want to help, but many of us are unsure of how to reach out. Beyond Flowers was created to offer ideas, inspiration and practical, meaningful ways to help someone you know as she faces breast cancer. Beyond Flowers is designed to be distributed as a partner film with Between Us (which addresses the concerns of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.)
Click Here to View The Trailer |
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Beating chemo to the punch! Newly diagnosed Lisa Keller, high school track coach, involves her team in supporting her by allowing them to shave her head before her hair falls out. |
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National experts in cancer and sociology from across the country, as well as the support systems surrounding women currently in treatment in Alaska are featured in Beyond Flowers. The video is divided into seven sections:
- Acknowledging
- Relating
- Organizing
- Processing
- Healing
- Transitioning
- Receiving
You'll be filled with ideas and courage! |
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Marcia and Doug Hastings relax on a beautiful fall afternoon before shooting B-roll footage for Doug's interview about looking back on the time when they faced Marcia's surgery together. |
Office co-workers of Leilani, a metastatic breast cancer patient, help her prepare her yard for wintering over. |
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Deb Ward, a child psychologist currently in treatment, is supported by her son, who proudly shows off the quilt that was made for his mother. |
Fumiyo Sato, a production intern who has moved up to coordinator and now is an associate producer, shares a laugh with ShilreyMae, a blues singer who is about to sing for the film's soundtrack. |
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Director Mary Katzke has a pre-production meeting with members of Team Towanda, a foundation based in Connecticut which has elevated support to an art form by publishing a cookbook filled with wonderful recipes and tips for helping someone going through breast cancer.
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Cinematographer Liza Bambenek of Santa Fe and Gaffer Chris Scarafile of Brooklyn take in some Alaska sites after the shooting wraps.
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Director Mary Katzke on the set, rehearsing for the shoot with Team Towanda. |
Jamie and John Lang, avid Harley riders, share a laugh during a break in their interview about getting through treatment together. |
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All photos for "What to Say, What to Do" by Pamela Thompson |
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"Two by Two" was completed in May of 2003. The film shows a day in the life of 9 two year olds as they play with dress up costumes and tea parties, fight over toys and take naps. The film will show the developmental levels of motor and social skills of children this age and will be targeted toward pre-school teachers in training, parents expecting a two year old in the near future, and other children who love to watch kids their own age.
Click Here to View The Trailer |
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"Power" is a documentary about the issues and controversy surrounding drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The film is 50% shot, and awaits a grant to allow us to shoot and edit the remainder of the film. It is designed to provoke meaningful discussion about the common arguments, both pro and con, regarding oil exploration in the Arctic region of Alaska. This project was funded in part by the Life Science Foundation. |
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"Precious Cargo" is the personal story of one woman's journey toward motherhood against all odds. Three 5 minute segments were aired on Lifetime in Nov. 2000 and the film is 90% shot, awaiting completion funds. |
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"Tuesday Morning Coffee" is a digital dramatic feature film set in southern Minnesota and tells the "mostly true" story of a group of farmers' wives who set out before a blizzard to visit a shut-in who has prepared creme puffs which have become spoiled in the interim resulting in disastrous though comedic consequences. This project was funded in part by the Minnesota McKnight Blockbusters Development Grant and is in the rough cut phase, awaiting finishing funds.
Click Here to View The Trailer |
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Completed Affinityfilms Productions include:
Click Here to View Trailers
"Beyond Flowers" 2003 - Designed to provide practical information for the support team surrounding a woman in crisis of diagnosis and treatment
"Alaskans in Pink" Photography Exhibit 2003
"Two by Two" 2003 - A day in the life of 9 two year olds as they play with dress up costumes and tea parties, fight over toys and take naps.
"Between Us" 1998/updated in 2001 which is the focus of this website is designed to offer survivor mentorship to women immediately upon diagnosis of breast cancer. Winner of Docker's Khakis for Women's Independent Vision Award.
"Intuition" 1997- two hour shows narrated by Roy Scheider on the power of intuition in medicine, business, education and science created for Paraview Productions in 1997. See http//www.paraview.com.
"Pen Pals" 1991- 35 mm feature film about a New York stockbroker looking for love in the personals' ads when his marriage becomes boring, produced with a competition prize from Cinemabeam/Tokuma Corporation.
"Sea of Oil" 1990- 16 mm half hour documentary about the emotional impact of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, music by Phillip Glass, featured at Sundance, PBS' POV, MOMA, and winner of many film festival awards. Alaska Humanities Forum and City of Valdez.
"Crescendo" 1987- 16 mm half hour dramatic film about the co-dependent cycle of domestic violence, for use in domestic abuse shelters. American Film Institute.
"Arctic Light" 1985- 16 mm eight minute short about the beauty and uniqueness of Arctic light. Music by Kurt Reimann, funded by the Alaska State Arts Council.
Public Service Campaigns 1983-84- Alaska Commission on the Status of Women, Equal Rights Opportunity, and Alaska Women's Resource Center.
"Fourth Avenue" 1982- 16mm half hour film about the controversies surrounding the "beautification" of Anchorage's skid row. Alaska Humanities Forum and City of Anchorage.
"No Word for Rape" 1981- 16 mm half hour film about the myths surrounding sexual assault, teaching tool for professionals and lay people in adjusting their own attitudes and behaviors toward rape. |
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