Testimonials

"Making documentaries is primarily an exercise in solving problems and there are two ways to do that: throw money at them or use your imagination. The first is nearly impossible in our television climate; it disappeared years ago along with rotary phones, paisley shirt and the Berlin Wall. Not to mention one hour docs that really were one hour long. So we're left with using our imagination and the best producer at this that I've ever had the pleasure of working with is Alan Mendelsohn. Look at some of his clips on this site---look at how he uses words to lift public domain archives, or look at how he uses very simple (and very inexpensive) reconstructions to illustrate ideas, build cohesive sequences, develop mood and character, and weave a narrative. It may be his early training in journalism that gave him this skill or it may just be that he hates spending money---I don't know. But man, can he make documentaries."

- Sydney Suissa
Executive VP, Content
National Geographic Channel International
Washington, DC

"Mendelsohn is a brilliant film-maker and a gifted storyteller. His work mesmerized my students; his workshop left them inspired anew by the power of imagination and the magic of story.
The very best make it look easy, and that is what Alan Mendelsohn does.
He moves effortlessly from the field, where he fuses words and pictures and sound into potent documentaries...to the lecture hall, where he peels back the elements to reveal the art and the craft behind the fusion of ideas and images."

- Susan Harada
Carleton University's School of Journalism and Communication
Ottawa, Ontario

"Our directors gained a lot of useful knowledge. We especially enjoyed your video of programs you have produced. You covered subjects like developing a treatment for your program, ways to do research, working out your cast of characters, finding conflict in your stories and keeping your interviews intimate. You demonstrated techniques like using props, tabletops, evocative lighting, and backdrops for dramatic effect. I think the greatest benefit was just listening to your experiences and how they apply to everyday situations."

- David R. Miller, MBA
Television and Media Services Manager Channel 17
County of Henrico,Virginia

"I've known Alan professionally for over 6 years and during that time we worked on a variety of projects.
Alan's ability to drill down to the essential story elements has always impressed me and if you have limited funds available that is crucial so that money isn't wasted on non-essential elements. Alan is definitely a measure twice, cut once kind of person. Once the shooting has been determined Alan is great at making it as efficient as possible, from cutting down travel costs, to keeping expensive archive to a minimum , to finding creative b-roll that has multiple uses in the edit suite, to squeezing every last second out of a shoot day, without incurring overtime. I think most people would be amazed to see the production values that Alan is able to coax out of a budget."

- Pim van der Toorn
Head of Documentaries, Barna-Alper Productions
Toronto, Canada

"Alan Mendlesohn is one of the most creative and talented documentary directors I know.
He is a brilliant writer and storyteller who can turn his lens onto any subject and make it come alive. His documentaries are always orginal, thought-provoking and filled with passion.
Several times I have hired him to be a doc fixer.   He has taken films that I thought were write-offs and unsalvageable and turned them into quality documentaries. He has also taken mediocre films, helped the directors rework them and they became top notch films.
He can look at raw footage that may seem humdrum and turn into powerful sequences.
He's also a great teacher and superb series editor who has supervised, inspired and mentored numerous directors to produce award winning films.   I can't recommend him highly enough."

- Marie Natanson
Indepent Producer and Executive Producer of the Independent Documentary Unit for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

"Alan Mendelsohn has been a top Remi Award Winner in WorldFest-Houston for the past decades.
His productions have won every level of Remi Awards from Bronze to Gold to Platinum to the Grand Remi Award for Best Documentary. He is a skilled master at his trade. Alan has conducted brilliant "Master Classes" at WorldFest over the past several years, earning him praise and accolades from professionals and students alike. He draws on a deep database of tremendous experience and knowledge of the documentary film. His abilities in this field are both remarkable and exceptional, and we are always honored and delighted to welcome him as out guest."

- J. Hunter Todd
Chairman & Founding director
WorldFest-Houston