PBS SoCal Presents ANGELENO - A New Documentary Series that Defines Los Angeles through the Lives of its Residents
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (September 23, 2015) – PBS SoCal and Primetime Emmy and Peabody Award-winning Peter Jones Productions present ANGELENO - a new documentary series that builds a deeper understanding of Los Angeles by listening to the people who call it home. ANGELENO launches with three episodes – the first airing Saturday, October 3 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal.
In the spirit of National Public Radio's THIS AMERICAN LIFE and STORYCORPS, each 30-minute episode profiles two residents of Los Angeles, linked together by a common theme and told exclusively in their own words. ANGELENO is a character-driven exploration of multi-cultural Los Angeles through the unique individual experience. Each episode will address larger issues and raise questions for the viewer. But the underlying premise remains steadfast – Who we are defines where we live.
"We love honest stories of real people. They're sometimes heartbreaking, often uplifting, and help us build empathy as humans. And, ANGELENO does just that - telling the real stories about the people who live all around us in Los Angeles," said Andy Russell, PBS SoCal President & CEO. "It is a privilege to partner with Peter Jones to present this captivating new series to PBS viewers, and we are hopeful we can get the support to continue the series into the future."
"There is no region in the country as diverse as Los Angeles," said Peter Jones. "ANGELENO holds up a mirror to reveal that diversity – one person at a time. Our partnership with PBS SoCal has been instrumental in making our vision for this series a reality."
PBS SoCal is reaching out to the community to raise the funds necessary to create an annual 12-episode season.
In addition to the October 3 premiere, two more episodes of ANGELENO will air back-to-back on October 21, beginning at 7 p.m. Following its broadcast, each episode will be available for streaming at pbssocal.org. PBS SoCaL is inviting Angelenos everywhere to help tell their stories via social media using "I am #Angeleno." Photos and stories will be shared at pbssocal.org/angeleno.
The first three episodes of ANGELENO are:
"LIGHT VS. DARK"
Saturday, October 3 at 8 p.m.
Los Angeles is at once a sun drenched paradise and a city of shadows.
Charles Phoenix is the champion of all things Los Angeles and mid-century pop culture. Rick Morton rescued the LAPD's historical crime scene photo archive from destruction. The archive offers a fascinating glimpse into everyday life and the darker side of Los Angeles going back almost 100 years.
"PORTRAITS OF AN ARTIST"
Wednesday, October 21 at 7 p.m.
The diversity of the art community in Los Angeles is explored through the stories of two artists at different stages of their careers.
Levi Ponce is known for painting murals on the sides of buildings in some of the San Fernando Valley's poorest Latino neighborhoods. Peter Shire has been an icon of the Los Angeles art scene since the early 70s.
"HEALERS"
Wednesday, October 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Two very different women share remarkable stories of survival.
Sonsheeray Quisumbing struggles with bipolar disorder, and found help at Daniel's Place, a Santa Monica-based center that assists at-risk youth coping with mental illness. Kimberly Fowler is a former triathlete, lawyer and model who did not listen to doctors and overcame stage four cancer through yoga and spinning.
ANGELENO is produced by Peter Jones Productions. Peter Jones is a 2-time Primetime Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker. He is the recipient of a Producer of the Year Award from the Producers Guild of America. Among his films to appear on PBS: JOHNNY CARSON: KING OF LATE NIGHT; INVENTING LA: THE CHANDLERS AND THEIR TIMES (Peabody Award) and GOLDWYN. He earned his first Primetime Emmy for JUDY GARLAND: BEYOND THE RAINBOW (A&E) and his second for STARDUST: THE BETTE DAVIS STORY (TCM).
ANGELENO is produced, directed, and written by Peter Jones; directed, produced, and edited by Mark Catalena; and produced by Brian Tessier. For more information about ANGELENO please visit pbssocal.org/angeleno.
About PBS SoCal KOCE
PBS SoCal is the home to PBS for Greater Los Angeles and Southern California. We deliver the full schedule of PBS programs, plus content that is for, about and by the people of Southern California. Our content is available free through three broadcast channels, at pbssocal.org, on our mobile apps, and via connected TV services. And provide the community with early education resources and cultural and educational experiences through partnerships, events and grassroots outreach. PBS SoCal has offices in Century City, Costa Mesa, and Los Angeles. Connect with us at pbssocal.org and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.
About Peter Jones Productions
Peter Jones Productions, founded in 1987, specializes in documentaries related to the history of the Hollywood film industry. The company has produced 85 profiles for the A&E series Biography over a ten-year period. One of Peter Jones Productions' Biography episodes, a two-hour special on Judy Garland, won a 1997 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Series, the first for the network. Also garnering acclaim is Ozzie and Harriet: The Adventures of America's Favorite Family, which not only became the highest-rated documentary in the network's history, but also earned a 1999 Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Nonfiction Series. Additional works by Peter Jones Productions include Goldwyn, Sunset Junction, Stardust: The Bette Davis Story, Inventing LA: The Chandlers and Their Times, and Johnny Carson: King of Late Night.