Duncan Filmography

Chip Duncan Biography

In November, 1984, Duncan founded The Duncan Group with the hope of producing independent documentaries and feature films. That same year, Duncan and writing partner Richard Krzemien sold their first two fictional stories to the CBS remake of The Twilight Zone. Since 1985, The Duncan Group has produced more than forty films on a broad range of subjects (*see company profile).

In 2003, Duncan began collaboration with longtime colleagues Bob Kendall and Kevin McCarey to pursue the production of IMAX/Large Format films. Several are currently in development. According to Duncan, "For anyone interested in documentaries and features, producing large format films is a logical next step. IMAX provides one of the greatest viewing experiences in the world. It's a great way to explore non-fiction stories in the best theatrical environment yet created."

Duncan's essays appear frequently in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. His first book, The Magic Never Ends - The Life & Work of CS Lewis, was published in 2001 (Augsburg Fortress Publications).

When not at work, Duncan can be found "up north" in Wisconsin or Alaska, kayaking, or downhill skiing. Hobbies? According to Duncan, "my whole life is a hobby."

What inspires you most about your work on documentary films?
What inspires me most is the opportunity to engage with people from all kinds of cultural and spiritual backgrounds. I have an insatiable curiosity and a strong desire to experience things first hand. Though success is hard to measure, the attempt to use media to build bridges of understanding among people from diverse backgrounds is a constant source of inspiration. I'd also add that has been a privilege to work with the production team here. Many great people have been part of the team here during the past fifteen years. Each has been inspiring in his or her own way.

Name three things you think would make the world a better place?
Food for everyone who's hungry. Empowering women everywhere. Finding a way to provide affordable medicine and medical care to people who need it. Do we have to stop at three? Ok, a better global sense of humor would help a lot too.

If you could recommend just one book to visitors to the DuncanEntertainment.com web site, what would it be and why?
The Fountainhead. Why? It explains so much about America … who we are, how we think, our strengths, our weaknesses. It presents all the characters and ideologies needed for a great debate.

Who is the world leader you find most inspiring and why?
Aung San Suu Kyi. She is the modern Gandhi. She's a uniquely courageous freedom fighter with a total commitment and unfaltering vision for the people of Burma (Myanmar).

During your time working with The Duncan Group, what experiences have you found most rewarding?
First, I'd have to say it's working in challenged parts of the developing world. The world is a far better, more generous, more secure, and more friendly place than any politician or bureaucrat would ever have us believe. Second, nothing has been more rewarding than working in remote parts of the Canadian and Alaskan wilderness. Third, it's people, people, people - those with whom I work and those whom I've met and befriended around the world.

What is your favorite Duncan Group production and why?
It's a hard question because I've been involved in all of them in some way or another. As a viewer, I'd have to say Rafting Alaska's Wildest Rivers. As a pure filmmaker, however, nothing rivals our short film called Maximum Security (1989). It's one of the rare moments when we managed to capture a universal truth.