Documentary Portfolio
GreenSky
Objective
Memorialize the inspiring and influential achievements of David Zalik, and showcase how he outpaced every conventional expectation to bring his own corporate vision of the American Dream to life.
The Client
David Zalik, an immigrant from Israel, a high school dropout and self-made billionaire, strove to build the professional and personal life he desired, while overcoming the incessant obstacles he faced along the way.
Project Insights
The history of GreenSky parallels the struggles and successes of its CEO. DSE interviewed 33 executives, board delegates and family members to learn the history and build the narrative for this emotional story of David’s company—America’s largest fintech platform for home improvement consumer loan originations.
JCP Sculptures
Objective
Document the fascinating creative process, completion, and resulting impact of John Portman’s final design project, the Koan sculpture.
The Client
Imagine the most formidable and influential architect of the past century completing his final design—a 40-foot sculpture installed on the campus of his college alma mater.
John Portman’s three-ring masterpiece is the result of a unique partnership of professional talent handpicked by the architect himself. Even without a worldwide pandemic, this ensemble was working against the odds to mold, build and deliver the sculpture that serves to inspire Georgia Tech students and signify the lasting impact of knowledge, research, and creativity.
Project Insights
Over the course of a two-year production schedule, DSE’s team documented the mesmerizing construction of this sculpture. ‘Koan’ is a story breathing with inspiration.
Books for Africa
Objective
Meet the first-generation African immigrants to America who collect donated books and place them in the hands of approximately half of Africa’s children. They are driven by a passion to help people back home. Journey with these millions of books - from collection centers in Georgia and Minnesota to such destinations as libraries in crowded Accra and one-room schoolhouses in the Ethiopian desert.
The Client
DSE is honored to have been approached by CNN veteran manager Paul Ferguson to co-produce this mini-documentary, a preview of the feature-length ‘A Book for Fadumo’ on which we’ll be working in 2024. Our narrative is to be an open perspective on the growth of modern Africa that experts on the continent and in North America can discuss.
Project Insights
This effort is inspiring precisely because of its combination of American volunteer culture and new African immigrants who share a mission of serving children back home. The vision of this video overview represents the 10,000 ‘Books for Africa’ volunteers a year in Atlanta and Minneapolis who vet, sort and pack these books.
Mickey Steinberg:
Through the Years
Objective
Present the biographical history of structural engineer Mickey Steinberg. Highlights of his celebrated life include determining at age 11, while recovering from polio in Warm Springs, Georgia, that he was going to be a prominent architect, leading to his success overseeing the building of Euro Disney in the 90’s and serving as Chairman of Sony Retail Entertainment.
The Client
Jana Portman commissioned DSE to tell the story of Mickey Steinberg, the popular and visionary executive who bookended his career enabling John Portman’s designs, across the globe, to reach their full fruition.
Project Insights
DSE enjoyed a mesmerizing mentorship from Mickey during the several years we filmed his story. He is direct, incredibly insightful, and always happy to share his unique perspective on an abundance of topics.
Young on Portman
Objective
Create the video component that served as an integral part of a project bid proposal, Andrew Young’s perspective on collaborating with John Portman, a pioneer in partnering with Black business leaders around the South.
Alongside close confidante Martin Luther King Jr., Young was one of the principal ‘designers’ of the Civil Rights movement. By virtue of their humanistic work and the social transformations made throughout their lifetimes, these luminaries played significant roles in establishing Corporate Atlanta as the well-admired, international hub that it is today.
The Client
Known for transforming urban environments for more than 50 years, Portman Holdings relies on DSE to communicate its primary philosophy, that integrity of design and planning will result in buildings that are useful and timeless.
Project Insights
Only a handful of people can point to the long-lasting influence they’ve generated throughout the world. Andrew Young continues to motivate individuals and organizations, inspiring forces of social change to lean toward a greater purpose.
“MTI was proud to manage the Koan venture and are very proud to have the story digitally produced for future generations. David and his team are passionate about what they do, and it is exemplified through their work. We look forward to future productions with DSE!"
Russell Adams, President and Chief Design Officer at MTI Baths