Michael Schwarz
Inspired by America integrates spoken words and live music with visual images from a film created by Michael Schwarz. His work has received an impressive array of awards. When you find out about the scope of his interest and depth of his probing into often-controversial subjects, you’ll begin to understand why his work is so highly acclaimed. Whether working alone or collaboratively, he finds timely issues ready to be explored and fascinating stories waiting to be told. Then he approaches them with standards that have given him one of the best reputations in broadcast journalism.
Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in print and broadcast journalism, we use the latest technologies to engage, entertain and inform our audience. …guided by our fundamental commitment to fairness and accuracy and by our abiding conviction that a true story, honestly told, can change people's lives.
Kikim Media
Kikim Media, founded in 1996, is the production company of Schwarz and his wife, Kiki Kapany. Many of their projects have aired nationally on the Public Broadcasting System (PBS). They explore topics such as violence and children, the impact of technology on society, AIDS, and—one receiving an exceptional amount of world-wide attention— Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet, the story of the founder of Islam. This film is an example of Schwarz’s willingness to open to new information, ideas and understanding, even in very personal parts of his own life.
Schwarz [who was raised Jewish] was constantly surprised by what he learned about Muhammad; for instance, that Muhammad venerated Moses, Jesus, and all the monotheistic prophets, and required his followers to do the same. “So many of us know so little about Islam,” he said, “that once you begin to learn about it, it’s full of surprises.”
San Jose Mercury News
How would you like Kikim Media to create a project that makes learning about United States government a lot more interesting—and fun? That’s what they’re doing in The Ultimate Civics Project, an upcoming venture of special interest to junior and senior high students. It will include an online competition by students across the country that integrates simulation game software, student-created web sites, blogs, video messaging and documentary film. This will be “an extraordinary opportunity for students to make a direct connection with Members of Congress and to see their ideas and issues get a hearing on a national stage.” It’s one example of the revolutionary projects Schwarz and Kikim are developing.
Prior to creating Kikim Media, Schwarz created award-winning documentaries for television broadcast companies, including hundreds of programs and several series for public television. He also taught broadcast journalism in several foreign countries through a Fulbright Fellowship. Often pushing the limits of his profession, as well as the topics he explores, Schwarz isn’t afraid of controversy. While in charge of production for PBS affiliate KQED, Schwarz initiated a First Amendment lawsuit against the State of California. The suit was for the right of broadcast journalists to have television cameras in the witness gallery of an execution. It led to worldwide debate about both capital punishment and television journalism.
Schwarz, as president of Kikim Media, has taken on a collaborative project to stimulate change in America. He’s combining his talents with those of Jacob Needleman, author of The American Soul, and Cypress String Quartet to create a performance that will tour the country inviting, challenging, inspiring Americans to take a deep look at themselves and decide if we are what we claim to be and what we want to be.
The goal is to challenge audiences across the country to engage in the search for a positive, yet thoughtful, notion of American identity. Educational activities springing from the performance will give people of all ages and backgrounds multiple opportunities to continue this essential quest. Kikim Media