Today we’d like to introduce you to Roger Lyons.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Roger. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I shot and edited a couple films for my beginning film class, the second of which I really thought was quite good. It was a PSA for prison reform, coming on the heels of the Attica uprising in upstate New York.
I (somewhat) innocently trekked to a prison which seems to be ensconced in the woods and approached it while shooting with borrowed Bolex camera. I was excited to be getting this amazing footage in the snowy woods, when suddenly, a prison guard burst through the door, waving his arms yelling, “Stop! Stop shooting!”
I turned off my camera and innocently asked, “What’s wrong, sir?” He told me that I couldn’t shoot the exterior of the prison because someone’s face may be recognized and that was a verboten. I assured him that I wouldn’t film anyone’s faces and would move farther away. He agreed to let me continue shooting under that agreement, and I did. I honestly can’t guarantee that I didn’t shoot anyone’s recognizable face, but I tried to comply.
It was exciting and energizing, and I wanted to make documentaries. I skipped my own graduation to try and get a job at WGBH, but ended up doing volunteer work, opening ZOOMail and making calls for the newsroom.
Fast forward 4 decades. I was working in commercial production at WBZ-TV in Boston and was assigned to produce unsung hero profiles. My friend, Wren Ross suggested I contact Steve Ross, a Holocaust survivor who founded the iconic New England Holocaust Memorial in Boston. I called Mr. Ross, who told me his life’s story in great detail on the phone, and set up an interview at the Memorial. Upon hearing his story, my thoughts were to capture his compelling and inspiring story to record the truth about the Holocaust, just as Holocaust deniers were gaining in number around the world in the year 2000.
So I proceeded to self-fund a few video shoots with Steve, the most remarkable of which were a pair of talks he gave to 2 inner-city high schools in Massachusetts. Hearing Steve’s amazing life’s story of pain and torture, and how he survived it all with gritty determination over 5 horrific years, inspired and encouraged the young people.
This film, which I began working on in 2000 with virtually no budget, has won the Audience Awards for Best Documentary at 2 major film festivals. Now, I am seeking distribution to get Steve’s compelling story out to audiences of all ages both in America and internationally. It’s a story that needs to be told in these times of increasing incidents of hate and intolerance.
Has it been a smooth road?
I had no money budgeted when I decided to make the documentary, “Etched in Glass: The Legacy of Steve Ross.” Having produced a one-minute piece about Steve, I realized that his inspiring life’s story deserved a longer treatment.
It has been really difficult raising money to produce a documentary about a Holocaust survivor. I have had to rely on word-of-mouth, individuals and lots of cold-callings. I have been unable to secure grants over the years, as it frequently turns out that financial circumstances limit the number of grants given out.
At one point, we were going to take Steve back to his former home in Poland, in an effort to find the house in which he grew up and to visit some of the concentration camps. But Steve’s health didn’t permit him to travel long distances, so that plan was scrapped.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Many Hats Productions produces short-form and long-form productions. We specialize in commercials, marketing/fundraising videos, and documentaries. Our production crews usually consist of myself and one to three other production people, depending on the project.
As a small production group, we feature quick turnaround and flexible pricing. We don’t just do the production, we also help with the creative with the client and can handle the writing, as well.
We are most proud of the documentary, “Etched in Glass: The Legacy of Steve Ross.”
Aside from winning several awards, we have gotten wonderful feedback from screenings we have done in schools, synagogues, festivals and other places. The film has gotten rave reviews from press and filmgoers alike.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
The Boston and Metrowest is a great area for production. There are production groups such as the Massachusetts Production Coalition and publications such as Imagine News that support the industry. There is also a tax incentive that is helpful in drawing and supporting production companies from outside Massachusetts. There have been numerous motion pictures and television programs produced in the area, citing great locations and production personnel.
Contact Info:
- Address: 27 Robinhood Rd.
- Phone: 617-851-9119
- Email: verybzman@gmail.com
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