Lara Jacqueline Hartzenbusch

About Lara Jacqueline Hartzenbusch

Independent broadcast journalist and video content producer with 20+ years experience in Asia, Europe and the United States. Seeking opportunities to plan and produce long-form/documentary projects (biography/culture/current affairs/history/politics/travel), digital video content, live programs and special events. Seasoned researcher, interviewer, archive rights and clearance negotiator. Skilled at directing talent and crew in the field and supervising edits. Love visual storytelling and finding the compelling people, places and pictures to help convey those stories. Have “go bag\"- will travel!Recent \"Highlight Reel:\"Filmed and conducted pre-production interview for RSA Films-Unscripted (Ridley Scott\'s documentary unit) for a major series commissioned by NETFLIX on the \"Blackhawk Down\" Battle of Mogadishu. Produced interview for a documentary pegged to the anniversary of the war in Ukraine for broadcast on Al Jazeera\'s \"The Rest of Story\" program. Produced films and live programming at a pop-up studio at the World Bank for its 2023 Spring Meetings.Helped launch “The Context” with Christian Fraser. Planned coverage, recruited/managed relationships with panelists and identified/booked contributors. Spearheaded planning and coverage of Midterm elections.covered #COVID_19 pandemic,#Biden/#Harris Administration,#Russia/#Ukraine war, and produced feature pieces for BBC News (out of the Washington Bureau).Provided reporting for the Emmy-nominated PBS Frontline/ BBC Arabic documentary,\"Targeting Yemen.\"

Experience

1. Founder

   Evocative Films Limited

   Apr 2024 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   Currently overseeing the promotion of a film about Maine State Prison\'s transformation from a notoriously brutal institution - the inspiration for Stephen King\'s short story and the film,\"The Shawshank Redemption\"- to one that aims to become a model for prisons across the country.Past screenings: INThrive film festival in Richmond, VA - November 2024 - October 2024Dances With Films film festival at the REGAL Union Square in NYC - December 2024 DC Independent Film Festival at the REGAL in Washington DC - February 2025.(*Winner - Best Documentary Short)INThrive Film festival/Emerson College Prison Initiative at the Paramount in Boston, MA-March 2025Atlanta Documentary Film Festival at the Limelight in Atlanta, GA - March 2025(*Winner - Audience Choice award) INThrive Film Festival in Arlington, VA - June 2025Newburyport Documentary Film Festival at the Firehouse in Newburyport, MA - September 2025Virginia Film Festival at the Violet Crown in Charlottesville, VA - October 2025(Winner Best Documentary Short programmer\'s award) Also private screenings for:University of Virginia Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy 89 wardens and deputies from Federal Bureau of PrisonsCorrectional Leaders Association NE Regionall Conference Pomfret School (Connecticut)- high school civics studentsMaine DOC Commissioner Randall Liberty and his staffMaine State Prison \"residents + staff involved in the film Stay tuned for upcoming screenings!

Education

• University of Maryland

  BA, Major: Government & Politics (International Relations) Minor: Spanish

  1989 — 1992

• University of Maryland/European Division - Munich, Germany

  Liberal Arts coursework

  1986 — 1988

Skills

• Storytelling
• Media Production
• Editing
• Media
• Breaking News
• Multi-Location Management
• Broadcast Television
• Broadcast Journalism
• Documentary
• Video
• Documentary Research
• Current Affairs
• Journalism
• Guest Booking
• Video Production
• Line Producing
• Documentaries
• Multimedia
• Digital Journalism
• Enps
• Media Consultation
• Broadcast
• Avid
• News Writing
• Documentary Production
• Location Management
• Broadcasting
• Field Producing
• Radio Producing
• Field Production
• Television
• Location Scouting
• Producing
• Online Journalism
• Feature Articles