THERAN PFEIFFER

Favorite Part of Working at the Duncan Group......
When I first began to explore the possibilites of a career in documentary filmmaking I always thought the perfect company would be one that would blend contemporary issues within a historical context, all while maintaining the entertaiment value that attracts a viewer’s interest. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if there was a company that had all those elements, let alone in the Midwest. The Duncan Group fits all three parameters and so to say I feel fortunate to work for this company is an understatement because everyday is a truly unique and rewarding experience working alongside people who are just as talented as they are hard-working.

Three Things I Think Need To Be Addressed In Today’s World...
As the 21st Century continues to progress it seems as if the number of pressing issues grows exponentially. However, just off the top of my head three things I would like to see addressed right away are:
Affordable and available healthcare…(everyone is prone to an accident here and there, but not everyone is susceptible to lifelong debt like those without health insurance.)
Clean water…a life staple in every sense of the word, clean water and the concept of sanitation are a big difference for already developed nations and those struggling to get there.
Re-evaluating global responsibility…everything from humanitarian issues to environmental concerns need to be addressed in an attempt to narrow the gap between the nations that “have” and those who “have not”.

Duncan Group Production Recommendation...
I would recommend the Mystic Lands series not just because they are cinematically on point but because the content matches the ambition of the project which is to give the viewer a sense of what it is like for those touched so deeply by the spiritual side of their environment. Through One City’s Eyes is also one I would begin with because not only does it deal with the changes in race relations in the past 50 years, but it deals with them in the heartland.

Most Influential World Leader...
Of all the world leaders past or present I think the bar is set by Abraham Lincoln. The accolades are endless, so it’s no surprise historically he is regarded as one of the most influential people of all time…I’m just not sure how people settled on “Honest Abe” when it easily could have been “Integrity Abe” or even “Altruistic Abe”. None-the-less I would love to see Abe sit down across the table from Charlie Rose.

Music Album Recommendation...
I would recommend Mos Def’s Black on Both Sides for it’s broad range of musical styles on one album, but also it’s willingness to delve into social commentary with deft insight, which is evident in the track New World Water in which the importance of clean water is discussed with a global view. On a more local note, Mark Little’s Imagine My Surprise is a fantastic piece of work by an artist who’s beginnings can be traced back to central Wisconsin, and thus can often be seen or heard playing live around the Midwest. From the Duncan Group collection, I’m with Jessica on this and would highlight Peter Mulvey’s Kitchen Radio as a must-have.

Book Recommendation...
As far as literature goes, I’m not sure I can single out a pivotal book in my life, but I think just about any book with historical content can hold my interest. However, to name one book for this profile, I think On the Road by Jack Kerouac is a fitting choice. Kerouac, who is part of the beat-poet genre, wrote a book about hitch-hiking across the continental United States and it reads like a literary documentary.

Favorite Movie...
This question is about as tough as choosing music, but I would have to say Raiders of the Lost Ark is at the top of my list. Great story...great lead-character...and no one can take a punch like Indy.

Place I’d Most Like to Visit / Film...
Wales