Welcome Change
Welcome Change is an independent, documentary production company that is committed to giving a voice to people and stories that are traditionally not depicted on film and television. We also strive to capture narratives about community and about the individuals who create communities. The goals of telling a story and inspiring change frame our productions. We believe a good story can educate, motivate, and transform us.
The company name is a play on words reflecting that we are dedicated to encouraging change and we accept small amounts of money.
We also create videos for corporations and non-profit organizations that share this vision.
The Collector of Bedford Street
The Collector of Bedford Street is an Academy Award nominated short documentary film that was seen on Cinemax in 2003. It takes an intimate look at Larry Selman, the film maker's 60 year old neighbor who has intellectual disabilities. A tale of personal persistence overcoming the odds, the film humanizes the story behind the abstract statistics of intellectual disabilities, shedding light on how a community built tolerance and understanding.
This unique portrait was created by a collaboration between the filmmaker and the subject.
Since The Collector of Bedford Street’s creation, it has been used as a tool for advocacy, teaching, and training. There are three study guides and a training manual free and downloadable from the Collector's website.
To download the study guides or buy the film:
To stream the film online:
Advocacy, Survival & Independence
Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy is a true story about two life-long friends who have made their home in Springfield, Illinois. Diana drives, cooks, shops, and has been Kathy’s personal assistant and friend for the past 35 years. Remarkably, Diana has Down Syndrome, a genetic condition that gives her one extra chromosome and a lower IQ. Kathy on the other hand is 61, has a degree in English, but is non-verbal, and has had cerebral palsy since her birth. As part of their ongoing activist efforts to demystify disability, Diana and Kathy have invited me into their home to create their film, Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy.
Using cinema verite style, we follow Diana and Kathy through their daily routines. As the story unfolds, we learn about each of their lives -- Kathy’s loving childhood and Diana’s abusive abandonment, their struggles with health and Medicare, their hopes and dreams to tell the world their story, and plans for the future.