Front Lines
N O
Menthe
Sight Lines
This Week
F
ran Victor of West Bloomfield has produced a public service
announcement running in the U.S. and Canada to spotlight
the work of ORBIS International, a nonprofit dedicated to
saving sight worldwide. The PSA raises awareness among Americans
that most blindness, here and abroad, is preventable for people with
access to quality eye care services.
The PSA, with a voiceover by sports commentator Bob Costas, is
airing on CNN and CNN Headline News. Throughout March, it also
will run twice an hour on the Panasonic Astrovision in New York's
Times Square. The PSA was made in conjunction with the 25th anni-
versary of ORBIS.
Victor and her husband, Bill Harder, partners in Victor/Harder
Productions, went to Paraguay as ORBIS medical mission volunteers
two years ago. As part of the March 1 ORBIS celebration in New
York, the couple attended a United Nations reception with Ethiopian
President Girma Wolde-Giorgis. They mingled with 60 ambassadors,
ORBIS faculty and staff. Victor also spent time with British entrepre-
neur Sir Richard Branson.
"When people come to ORBIS on hospital screening days in devel-
oping countries:' Victor says, "they are blind, unable to earn a living
or often care for themselves — sometimes ostracized by their village.
I've seen very young children with cataracts that completely blind
www.JNOnline.us
Web Extra!
Fran Victor in Times Square
them due to disease or problems related to diet and equatorial sun."
When ORBIS steps in and operates or teaches local medical per-
sonnel to do so, it changes a life. "The day after surgery, when the
bandages are taken off and the person opens their eyes to see a world
they haven't seen in months or years, the smile that crosses their face
is remarkable — it sends shivers down your spine,' says Victor. "It's
bringing sight. I've actually thought about it as somewhat biblical
— truly a miracle."
- Robert A. Sklar, editor
What About Beth?
Move to L.A. proves fruitful for young television writer.
I
write for a network TV show was huge, and I'm so com-
t didn't take long for up-and-coming televi-
pletely grateful that both Josh and Dana Stevens [creator
sion writer Beth Schwartz, who grew up in
of What About Brian] trusted me with an episode. I
Bloomfield Hills, to get her name high in the
have had the most positive experience with all the people
credits of a popular TV show.
I have worked with on all the shows, with each one lead-
Schwartz's pursuit of a full-time writing career
ing me to my next job."
in television is on a roll with the Monday, March
Now that the season is over, Schwartz is working to land
19, airing of the episode she wrote for What
a permanent, staff writing position. "Hopefully, it will be
About Brian. The episode, "What About Secret
on What About Brian, if the show gets picked up for
Lovers," airs locally at 10 p.m. on ABC-TV
this coming fall:' she said.
A graduate of the University of Michigan where
It turns out What About Brian isn't Schwartz's first
she majored in both Judaic Studies and screen-
attempt at writing for television. "When I was at Hillel
writing, Schwartz, 27, moved to Los Angeles 3 1/2
[Day School of Metropolitan Detroit], for my sixth-grade
years ago, working a variety of jobs in the field
Barry Watson and Beth
drama class I wrote an episode of Beverly Hills 90210,
leading up to the writing gig.
Schwartz on the set of
which the other students and I performed on stage,' she
Her first position was as an assistant to the
What About Brian
said. "I guess it was very telling for my future career." E
executive producers on a shortlived WB network
sitcom. "From there, I moved to be the assistant to Greg Berlanti on
- Shell! Liebman Dorfman, senior writer
the shows Everwood and Jack and Bobby, also on the WB," she said.
Next, she worked on ABC's Invasion as assistant to directing pro-
ducer Larry Trilling.
"Invasion was canceled, and I was looking for a writer's assistant
job because that is supposed to be the gateway into being a writer:'
Cap & Gown
Schwartz said. When Josh Reims, executive producer of What About
The annual Jewish News rec-
Brian, offered her the position on his show,"I was thrilled!"
ognition of sharp high school
The series, starring Barry Watson, is billed as a "contemporary,
seniors will be published May
heartwarming ensemble drama that continues to tell the stories of a
24. Any Jewish senior in
group of close-knit friends in various stages of romantic relationships
Michigan with a 3.50 or higher
and friendships living in Los Angeles."
grade point average can receive
Schwartz, daughter of Dr. Lawrence and Sharon Schwartz of
a free listing in the Cap & Gown section.
Bloomfield Hills, began working on the show last June. In December,
For complete information, go to JNonlone.us and click on
Reims gave her the opportunity to write the episode.
the
Cap & Gown button in the top right corner of the home
"Through all the jobs I had bounced to, I had been working on my
page.
writing samples on my own time to try to build up my resume and
get representation:' she said. "So to actually get the opportunity to
A trip to Israel can be a
powerful thing. For Michael
Sterling of Orchard Lake,
it launched a connection
that has helped define his
life and spurred giving to
Michigan State University's
Jewish Studies Program.
Only at JNonline. Click on
Web Extras in the menu on
the left.
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March 15 2007
9