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Frame Of Mind Season Brings Texas Films To KERA TV

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This season, Frame of Mind takes a closer look at the work of North Texas filmmakers Alan Govenar, Thorne Anderson and Melinda Levin. Viewers will also get to hear popular sports broadcaster Norm Hitzges reflect on his long career and watch outstanding video work by Texas high schools and universities.

Frame of Mind returns for its 26th year on Thursday, Sept. 6 at 10 p.m. on KERA TV.

In 1992, producers Suzanne Dooley and Marlis Schmidt debuted Frame of Mind, a television program spotlighting work all across the cinematic spectrum. Today, the program is presented by Art & Seek and produced by Bart Weiss, co-founder of Dallas VideoFest and the Video Association of Dallas, and explores video art, documentary, music video, animation and drama produced across Texas.

Here’s what’s coming this season on Frame of Mind:

Sept. 6, 10 p.m.: Frank Reaugh: Pastel Poet of the Texas Plains

Frank Reaugh, one of Texas’ earliest and most distinguished artists, is well known by art insiders, but unfortunately relatively unknown to the rest of us. In this film, Marla Fields aims to change that by bringing the work of this Texas artist, inventor, naturalist and educator to a new audience.

Sept. 13, 10 p.m.: The Pain and Fame of Texas Beauty

The second episode of the series invites viewers to explore historic notions of female beauty and look at what has changed and what has not. First, still photographer Elliott Erwitt observes the tryouts and training for the Kilgore College Rangerettes in Beauty Knows No Pain. Then, go inside the world of debutants and beauty pageants in The Debutante Film by Phillip Thomas, and American Queen of Queens by Mary Megan Kennedy.

Sept. 20, 10 p.m.: Norm Hitzges: An Opinionated History of Dallas Sports

Norm Hitzges changed the notion of what a sports broadcaster could be. From 1975 to 1990, his sports talk show on KERA 90.1 FM invited listeners to think about sports in a whole new light. In this film, viewers will explore the incredible life of this passionate intellectual, featuring images provided by the Bill Jones Collection at SMU.

Sept. 27, 10 p.m.: Reel Texas: Colleges and Universities

Each year, Frame of Mind is proud to feature not only the work of established North Texas filmmakers but also films from young, emerging artists, as well. This year, viewers of the series can look forward to enjoying four new films from students at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth and the KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts in Dallas.

Oct. 4, 10 p.m.: Reel Texas: Documentary Shorts

Texas documentaries offer an in-depth perspective on the culture of our state and the unique issues we face. This year, three short documentaries from the University of North Texas will examine the vibrant music scene in Denton, immigration issues and more.

Oct. 11, 10 p.m.: Extraordinary Ordinary People

In Extraordinary Ordinary People, Alan Govenar introduces us to one of the least known and most enduring programs of the National Endowment for the Arts — The National Heritage Fellowship. Featuring a breathtaking array of musicians, dancers, quilters and more, the film demonstrates the importance of filmmaking and reveals how traditional arts shape the fabric of America.

Oct. 18, 10 p.m.: Reel Texas: Thorne Anderson

Thorne Anderson has traveled the world to record and capture the enormity of the human experience. His work as a photojournalist and a videographer has taken him from Iraq to Palestine, and right back here to Dallas where he has produced award-winning documentaries for KERA News’ One Crisis Away series. In this episode, Thorne discusses what he’s learned from his work, his travels, how he made the transition from photos to video and more.

Oct. 25, 10 p.m.: Reel Texas: Narrative Shorts

This week, Frame of Mind dives into cinematic tales from the minds of Texas independent filmmakers. Explore stories about the healing power of music, snakes, toys, class and more — all through a variety of narrative techniques and styles.

Nov. 1, 10 p.m.: Melinda Levin Retrospective

Melinda Levin has produced, directed, edited and shot documentaries in the United States and abroad. Among her many accolades, Levin’s work was selected as one of only 19 films in the 2011 American Documentary Showcase, a competitive U.S. Department of State program of new documentary films illustrating American culture. In this episode of Frame of Mind, we see the world through the award-winning filmmaker’s eyes.

Nov. 8, 10 p.m.: Reel Texas: The High School Show

In addition to presenting work from college students in North Texas, Frame of Mind will also present several short films from high school filmmakers in the Dallas area. Also in this episode, viewers can enjoy a special premiere of a film created with a grant from the Office of Cultural Affairs of Dallas. This project will offer a portrait of the Fair Park neighborhood of Dallas, as told through the eyes of high school students from across the city.

Nov. 15, 10 p.m.: Alan Govenar Retrospective

In the final episode of Frame of Mind this season, enjoy a special retrospective from Alan Govenar. The writer, folklorist, photographer, filmmaker and all-around Renaissance man, has been making films since the 1980s. The episode explores the scope of his work, beginning with a look at a disabled tattoo artist, and extending to his recent documentary on American folk artists.