In 1994, Mayor Ed Rendell asked entrepreneur and film buff Jeff Seder to help organize a reception and video to celebrate local anti-violence activists. Jeff invited his friend, Hollywood actor Jared Martin to come to Philadelphia and assist him. Together they co-wrote and produced an award-winning documentary "In Deeper: Heroes of the Streets."
This film, which is still screened in colleges and centers of public policy education, inspired their determination to develop an even more far-reaching initiative addressing anti-violence/personal development.
Taking their cue from the throngs of interested young people that surrounded them while they were filming, Jeff and Jared responded by creating the Big Picture Alliance, a place for teens from underserved communities to work with professional filmmakers to write, direct, act in and produce their own videos. Since its beginnings in 1994 BPA has:
Created over 300 "From Teens to Teens" digital films.
Served over 1300 students in the Greater Delaware Valley.
Supported over 60 programs through its outreach to partners in Philadelphia area schools, community centers, and art institutes.
Won 30 film festival awards.
Been awarded a commission by Pennsylvania's Governor Edward Rendell to produce the official state film about the race horse Smarty Jones.
Created a proprietary curriculum for a residential alcohol and drug treatment center for teens which is now used as a benchmark across the United States in similar residential treatment centers.
