Mary T. introduced Ellen Benavides on a presentation on Documentary Film Making.
Ellen has many varied interests, experiences and careers. Her current ones are 1) Health Policy Administrator, 2) Wood Carver and 3) Documentary Film Maker.
Every 10 years she tries to do something new.
She has lived in Crete & Cuba.
She signed up for a Film Making Camp in British Columbia where her group made a film on how people’s shoes tell their personality. This got her hooked on film making.
Among the documentary films she has made are:
The Guild – tells why the 11 members of her wood working club do wood craving.
Saving Amy – tells about a girl that didn’t want to be committed to the mental hospital. She would not consent to an interview so the film is based as seen through the eyes of her friends.
Unclaimed Children Revisited – tells the story of children straggling with mental illness over 25 yrs.
Bush Foundation – gives a 6 minute recap on 6 individuals that received a Bush Award for Excellence.
Minnesota Confidential – Parental Control with health care from different viewpoints.
Healthy Moms & Babies – how women in the Somali community don’t seek medical care until their 9th month of pregnancy.
Her next film – Want to tell the story of people that started non-profit organizations in the 1960-1970’s.
