Producer James LaVeck

During his 20's, James spent six months traveling across India, earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, counseled inmates in the county jail, tutored pregnant teens, and wrote a novel about the generational impact of family violence. While he didn't realize it at the time, he was getting the education he needed to produce documentary films on the subjects of conscience and compassion.

"My role models as a producer are those who successfully merge the creative arts with the healing arts. In both cases, if the practitioner and the process have integrity, the final result will be of lasting value.  Documentary subjects know when you respect them, when you are listening not only with a sincere interest in understanding who they really are, but also with faith in the person who they are trying to become. Audiences also know what you think of them and what you hope for them, and they make choices accordingly about how deeply to participate in the viewing experience.”

In addition to his work as a producer, James lectures and publishes on the topics of critical thinking, advocacy and the essential role of grassroots activism and independent media in maintaining a healthy democracy. Tribe of Heart projects are financed, produced, and distributed through the collaborative power of grassroots community.