Concept
The Concept
Hear the backstory and find out what that little yellow flower is all about
Concept
The Concept
Hear the backstory and find out what that little yellow flower is all about
Democracy is founded on robust dialogue
But somewhere along the line, politics replaced sex as the one thing in America we don't discuss in mixed company – even amongst friends and family. Segregating ourselves into political silos is toxic to democracy. Bring It to The Table encourages Americans to stop bickering about politics, examine their own assumptions, and truly engage in civil discourse to help move our democracy forward.
This project is a short documentary, webisode series, online platform, and community engagement campaign aimed at bridging political divides and breaking down partisanship. For people who are tired of hyper-partisanship, pull a chair up to The Table and join us in making politics an acceptable topic for dinner conversation again!
Bring It to The Table is produced by Talking Eyes Media, a non-partisan, non-profit organization with extensive experience producing films, books and multimedia on pressing social issues.
How it works
The Table is a citizen’s antidote to political ranting. From barbershops to ball fields, the locations are all familiar settings and the participants are randomly selected. (We swear we don’t use coercion, bribery or lobbying.) Anyone game enough to sit at The Table is invited to discuss pressing national issues, such as taxation, the economy, same-sex marriage, civil rights, abortion, religion, and immigration. People are asked to explain the roots of their beliefs so we understand WHY they believe WHAT they believe.
We’re interested to learn which of our beliefs cross over to the other side of the political spectrum? How have our opinions evolved over time? What does the other side get right? At The Table, ”ordinary” citizens are given an opportunity to speak their minds, openly and authentically. No ranting. No rhetoric. Just straight, honest talk that reveals the value systems behind our personal political views.
Hear Julie Winokur present her work with Bring It to The Table at the Mackinac Policy Conference
Everything's Personal
In 2012, filmmaker Julie Winokur’s 17-year-old son called her “the most intolerant person” he knows when it comes to politics. He said that whenever someone’s politics didn’t agree with hers, she dismissed what they had to say. Winokur was shocked. The accusation stopped her in her tracks. She realized that she had been called out on something that many Americans refuse to recognize: that we all contribute to divisive politics in America when we rely on assumptions rather than discourse. In fact, Winokur realized that she was as much to blame for the divisive tone of politics as the people whom she blamed. Rather than continuing to be part of the problem, she decided to become part of the solution.
Recognizing that it would be difficult to get people of different political persuasions around her own kitchen table, Winokur decided to bring her table to them. On a personal sojourn to unravel divisive politics in America, Winokur and her crew visited bookstores and barbershops, public parks and county fairs, Baptist churches and college campuses, inviting people to sit down and discuss the roots of their political beliefs. This project is as much about listening as it is about politics, perspectives and personal reflexes.
That Yellow Flower
Every participant who sits at The Table is seated in the same place and is filmed using a wide-angle lens. The effect is to make the viewer feel as though he/she is sitting at The Table with the participant.
A small yellow flower in a red vase is positioned at the center of The Table. At the beginning of each Table Talk, Winokur asks the participant to move the flower along the spectrum between conservative and liberal. From the participant’s perspective, Winokur makes conservative the extreme left and liberal the extreme right (which is reversed from the camera’s perspective). From the start, the participants’ assumption about right and left has been upended, while the viewer has an immediate visual cue to determine how each person self-identifies politically. This piece of information plays a critical role in shattering stereotypes and challenging semantics.
The consistency of The Table allows for creative license in bringing together diverse voices. While they have never met each other, the people at The Table speak to many of the same issues and lend themselves to a constructive dialogue.
Team - gallery
Meet the Team
Team - gallery
Meet the Team
The Team
JULIE WINOKUR, PRODUCER + DIRECTOR
Julie Winokur, Executive Director of Talking Eyes Media, has been a storyteller for over two decades, first as a magazine writer and then as a documentary filmmaker. She launched Talking Eyes in 2002 as a way to focus on creating visual media that catalyzes positive social change. Her work has appeared on PBS, the Documentary Channel, MediaStorm, National Geographic Magazine and Discovery online, as well as in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, and MSNBC.com. Beyond broadcast and publication, Winokur works extensively with nonprofit organizations to develop their messages and put Talking Eyes' films to work at the grassroots level. She is also on the faculty of the International Center of Photography. Contact Julie at: jwinokur@@talkingeyesmedia.org for more information about bringing Bring It to you!
ED KASHI, PHOTOGRAPHER + VIDEOGRAPHER
Ed Kashi is a photojournalist dedicated to documenting the social and political issues that define our times. A member of the prestigious photo agency VII, Kashi has been recognized with awards from World Press, Pictures of the Year International, UNICEF and the National Press Photographers Association. His work appears regularly in National Geographic Magazine, Time, Newsweek, and the New Yorker, as well as many international publications. Kashi has published five books of his photography and is on the faculty of the International Center of Photography.
ANDREW HIDA, PHOTOGRAPHER + VIDEOGRAPHER
Andrew is a filmmaker and video producer whose work focuses on issues of health, environment, and social justice. He works closely with corporate, non-profit and editorial clients to help realize their visions through filmmaking, consultation and good storytelling. He was born and raised in Honolulu, HI and now calls San Francisco, CA home.
RACHEL DENNIS, WEB ADMIN & PACKAGING DESIGN
Rachel joined Talking Eyes in January 2015 after spending two years with the PhotogenX Around the World Track. The Track took her to five continents and 15 countries in which she helped produce the book, Rags and Riches, and several short documentary videos profiling people affected by global poverty. In 2012 she graduated with a degree in Photojournalism and a minor in Hispanic Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she worked as a videographer on the award-winning Living Galapagos project.
MICHAEL CURRY, COLORIST
Michael is a Retoucher/Digital Producer for Ed Kashi and the Colorist for Talking Eyes. His responsibilities include digital management of all photographs, color correction of video, photo / graphics coordination, photo calibration, printing, and assisting with all exhibition preparations and publication submissions. Michael splits his time between the studio and his own pursuits in photography and art. He received a degree in Digital Arts from The College of New Jersey in 2005.
KATHY LEICHTER, IMPACT PRODUCER
Kathy Leichter is an award-winning documentary producer, director, and impact producer with over twenty-five years of experience using media for social change. As the former Impact Producer on Bring It To The Table, Leichter was responsible for securing peak audience engagement through nationwide screenings, educational DVD sales, press, a strong social media presence, and foundation support.
ELISSA PELLEGRINO, PRODUCER
Elissa was at TEM from 2008-2014 as a producer and editor, and worked on various productions including Living Your Subjects, Photojournalisms, the Purpose Prize Awards, and the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards, among others. Prior to working at Talking Eyes, Elissa was a production assistant at Public Policy Productions for award-winning producer/director Roger Weisberg. Elissa graduated in 2007 from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and a concentration in international relations.
KIMBERLY SOENEN, DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
Kimberly Soenen is a creative, service-oriented leader with nearly 20 years of experience publicizing film, editorial and reportage. She has worked for NPR, Kartemquin Films and the Chicago Tribune. Her visual story-telling expertise includes work as producer and publicist on documentary films, multimedia features and editorial essays.
SASHA JIWANI, PRODUCTION + COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE
Sasha was the Production/Communications Associate for Talking Eyes Media. Since graduating from Emory University with a BA in International Relations, Jiwani has worked on several projects related to raising awareness on pressing social issues. She also leads the initiative in a faith-based organization to launch educational and sports activities for youth in her community. She is currently working as a Project Manager for Pearson and working towards getting her MBA from Rutgers University.
ANDREW DeVIGAL, APP DEVELOPER
Andrew is an Emmy-award winning innovative strategist who builds bridges by connecting ideas and people together to produce meaningful and interactive stories. As the former multimedia editor of The New York Times, he helped transform and evolve the print newsroom into the digital and interactive era. Andrew is the inaugural Chair in Journalism Innovation and Civic Engagement and the first professor of practice in the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC). He uses his extensive reach into various disciplines to connect the right people to collaborate and produce extraordinary work.
JESSEY DEARING, DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Jessey is a photographer, cinematographer and editor. He also works with audio and motion graphics, amongst his many other technical skills. In his spare time he is working on a documentary film, SPILLING OVER, which examines the human consequences of BP’s oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. In 2011, he graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in photojournalism.
JULIE TURKEWITZ, ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Julie worked for Talking Eyes in 2011 and 2012. She is now a reporter for The New York Times, based in the newspaper's Denver bureau.
ANNE FAUSTIN, OUTREACH PRODUCER
Anne is a Strategic Development Consultant with over a decade of experience in strategic planning and development. As the Outreach Producer for Bring It to The Table she identified and cultivated relationships with colleges, universities, prospect funders, and national organizations in the civil discourse space. She previously served as the Strategic Development Consultant for the Ciné Institute, a Consultant at the Clinton Global Initiative and has a Master of Public Health (MPH) from New York Medical College, a BA in Management from Manhattanville College and received her Certificate in Television and Film Producing from NYU.
MALLIKA VORA, WEB DESIGNER + COLORIST
Mallika is a Brooklyn-based documentary photographer, graphic designer and programmer. She is on the faculty of the Documentary Photography & Photojournalism program at the International Center of Photography, and holds a BFA in Photography & Imaging with a minor in Web Applications & Programming from the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. Mallika designed this website! ;)
LAURA LO FORTI, APP DEVELOPER
Laura is a multimedia producer, community engagement practitioner, and a “story midwife” who’s been designing and facilitating community-based participatory media projects for the past 15 years. She is the co-founder and co-director of A Fourth Act, an interdisciplinary agency that merges technology and participatory practices to unleash the full potential of stories for social impact. She is also the co-founder and co-director of Vanport Mosaic, a collective of artists, historians, educators and media makers seeking to engage the public in remembering silenced histories of The Pacific Northwest to better understand the present.
Supporters
Bring It to the Table is largely a self-funded project by Talking Eyes.
We have also received support from the Lucius & Eva Eastman Fund, Brooklyn Brewery, and Bergino Baseball Clubhouse, as well as our many Kickstarter donors whose contributions helped make this project possible:
Brett Abramsky
Bobby Adair
Margaret Aguirre
Celia Alario
Philipp Ammon
Felicia Anastasia
Heather Appel
Lisa Bannon
Alex Barnum
Barrett
Michael Bartalos
Dayna Bealy
Richard Beaven
Patricia Berry
Zahra Billoo
Marcus Bleasdale
Phil Block
Steve Boykewich
Sidney Bremer
Jim Brill
David Brommer
Yoni Brook
BruceMcW
Christina Cahill
Caitlyn
Cameron & David
Caroline & Ian
James Chance
Margaret Cheatham
Pamela Chen
Jarrett Cherner
Steve Childs
Vincent Cianni
Dennis Connors
Adriano Contreras
Kahane Cooperman
Alexis Corino
Barbara Correia
Jeannine & Jack Cox
Danielle
Jeri L. Dearing
Ina Denburg
Carol DeVoe
Dennis Dimick
Jessica Dimmock
Dmitry
Phyllis B. Dooney
Richard Doughty
DS
Linda Duckworth
Katherine Duncan
Stefanie Dworkin
Ursula Eagly
Sabine Eck
Elodie
Phoebe Eng
Laura Epstein
Susan Falzone
Deanne Fitzmaurice
Brandon Fonville
Cathie Forman
Connie Frisbee Houde
Susan Fritz
Lauren Frohne
Shiho Fukad
Julie Gabrielli
Debbie Galant
Jeanine Genauer
Ashley Gilbertson
Jeff Gilmore
Martin Gisborne
Jan Glading
Deb Glancy
Libby Gluck
Marisol Gonzalez
Jimmy Goodman
Leslie Granda-Hill
George Greenfield
Maryanne Greenfield
Robert Greenstein
Kristen Grimm
Lori Grinker
Shelley Grodner Seidenstein
Alina Grosman
George Guerrero
Fred Guterl
Jean-Hugues H
Jane Habermann
Hope Hall
Michael Hanson
Gabriela Hasbun
Ira Haskell
Marlene M. Hauck
Ron Haviv
Laura Heillinger
Romina Hendlin
Lisa Hepner & Guy Mossman
Robert Hertzberg
Mary C. Hickey
Andrew Hida
Alex Hoekstra
Henry Horenstein
Pam Huling
Neal Jackson
Janet Jarman
Alexandra Jewett
jgardner
Miki Johnson
Oliver Kalen
Joseph S. Kashi
Ken Kelleher
Lynn Kelly
Mark Kendall
Alexandra Kent
Kevin
Tyko Kihlstedt
Gary Knight
Karen Kohlhaas
Adrianne Koteen
Joan Kristensen
Richard Lansing
Joyce Lantzman
Michael Laser
Matt Lauterbach
Marshall Leaman
James LeBrecht
Geraldine Leer
Filip Lein
Nancy Letteri
James Lik
Richard Lippin
Laura Lo Forti
Dawn LoBaugh
Mirko Lorenz
Amanda Lucidon
Lynn Luckow
Gerd Ludwig
Chris Luzine
Lorri Maake
Susan MacLaury
Mark Mannucci
Cassie Marketos
Gina Martin
Caren Martineau
Roberto Mata
Stephen Mayes
Maureen McCully Winograd
Susan Meiselas
Andrea Messina
Jed Miller
Victoria Misrock-Stein
Heather Mobley
Alessandra Moctezuma
Kathy Moran
Ruth Morgenstein
Ted Morrison
Sara Mosher
Bruce Mosher
Bert Mummolo
M. Mummolo
Myrel
Stefanie Nagorka
Phil Neisser
Peggy O'Donoghue
Liisa Ogburn
Ilana Panich-Linsman
Blake Parker
Ann Parry
Patrick
Trish Picone
Susan Pinkwater
Nancie Pipgras
Laura Pliego
Thom Powers
Stephen Pullin
Amy Putman
Sarah Putnam
Lawrence Ratner
Rey Redington
JB Reed
Dempsey Rice
Theo Rigby
robdeadtech
Neil Roberts
Dawn Roe
Rachel Rooney
Thorina Rose
Kolman Rosenberg
Lauren Rosenfeld
Rob Rosenthal
Andrew S. Ross
Elena Rue
Glenn Ruga
Genevieve Russell
Sabereh
Jennifer Sabih
Bob Sacha
Dara Sanderson
Sarah
Ruth Sarlin
Zina Saro-Wiwa
Eric Scherzer
Stephen Schnall
Daniel Seltzer
Therese Shechter
Craig Sherod
Woong-Jae Shin
Yossi Shoham
Alison Shuman
Stefanie Silverman
Daniel Silverman
Debra Simon
Stephanie Sinclair
Marcus Sitonio
Lillian Sizemore
Alice Smeets
Roger M. Solomon
John Spaulding
John Stanmeyer
Marjorie Steffe
Marnie Stetson
Steven
Adam Stofsky
Brian Storm
Joel E. Streim
Jody Sugrue
Galen Summer
Susana
Mary Virginia Swanson
Laura Sydell
Tanya
Clem Taylor
Lucille Tenazas
Daniel Tepper
Sara Terry
Kelli Thoumsin
Gregory Thrush
Chris Tilley
J. Nicholas Tolson
Lou Tomasella
Fay Torresyap
Merri Lisa Trigilio
Peter Trilling
Amelie Tseng
James Turnbull
Nita Vail
Tomas van Houtryve
Susan Vermazen
Amanda Voisard
Scott Wagner
Daniel Warshawsky
Jim Webb
David Weich
Stefanie Weiss
Bill Westheimer
Tom White
Sandra Willett Jackson
Williams
Nadia Wilson
Ritch Winokur
William Winokur
Steve Winter
Ruth Wirth
Barbara J. Wolf
Amy Yenkin
Joanne Zippel
Claire Zrimc
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