David Scheerer

Professor

DAVID SCHEERER is an independent filmmaker and scholar teaching at the University level for twenty-five years while directing, producing and scripting award-winning fiction and documentary films. 

SELECT CREATIVE WORK / DOCUMENTARY FILMS

• THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL LEGACY PROJECT
  (2009-2014 / 89:30 short films combined running time)
  5 Short Films + 40 Video Podcasts currently premiering / $3 million NSF funding
  Co-PI, Director, Producer, Co-Writer
• HEADWATERS TO A CONTINENT: Montana’s Working Watershed Groups
  (2006 / 25:43 running time / Montana PBS Broadcast) 2 Silver / 1 Bronze Telly
  Executive Producer
• PATH TO EDEN: Conserving Montana’s Natural Resources and Culture
  Hosted by Tom Brokaw
  (2006 / 26:46 running time / Montana PBS Broadcast)
  Executive Producer, Writer, and Co-Director
• IN SEARCH OF LEWIS & CLARK
  (2002 / 55:00 running time / Discovery Channel Prime Time Broadcast)
  Director 
• YELLOWSTONE: AMERICA’S EDEN
  (1997 - 2005/ 56:46 International Broadcast / 2007 National PBS Broadcast)
  Director, Producer, Writer
  Finalist at Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Fest, Grenoble Grand Prix du Festival Winner

SELECT WORKS IN PROGRESS

• SILVERWOOD RECREATIONAL STATE PARK
  (10:00 Short Film / California State Parks & Humboldt)
  Executive Producer, Director, Producer
• THE MUSIC INSIDE
  (90:00 Feature Narrative starring Amy Redford and Mary Ellen Trainor)
  Production Company: The Montana Motion Picture Cooperative
  Executive Producer, Director, Producer 
• REALITY’S EDGE
  (90:00 Feature Documentary on Robert and Francis Flaherty)
  Partial funding from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation $250,000 raised to date / 20 hours filmed / in partnership with Betsy McLane
  Executive Producer, Director, Producer

HONORS & AWARDS

• 2014
  $109,000, California State Parks / Silverwood State Park Project
• 2012
  Humboldt Sabbatical for The California Environmental Legacy Project
• 2011
  $20,000 Humboldt TFD cash & in-kind funding for The Walker Tapes Project
• 2009 
  $3,000,000 NSF grant, co-PI / The California Environmental Legacy Project
• 2008
  $50,000 cash and in-kind support, Cal Poly Humboldt for The Music Inside
• 2007
  $5,000 Development Cash Grant / Reality’s Edge (ANGEL funding)
• 2007
  4 Silver Telly Awards Beyond Road’s End & Headwaters to a Continent
• 2007
  4 Bronze Telly Awards (Beyond Road’s End & Headwaters to a Continent)
• 2006
  Invited Delegate / Documentary Symposia at American University
• 2005
  Award of Teaching Excellence, MSU Alumni Association
• 2004
  NYC Independent Feature Project / Finalist Work In Progress: Reality’s Edge
• 2004
  $650,000 cash and in-kind support for indie feature film, The Music Inside
• 2004
  Invited Adjudicator, 31st Northwest Film & Video Festival in Portland, Oregon
• 2003
  MSU Sabbatical for Reality’s Edge: Robert J. Flaherty Documentary
• 2003
  $4,000 Cash Award, MSU College of Arts & Architecture
• 2002
  2 Golden Addy Awards / Best Director / NW Regional Commercial Awards
• 2001
  $17,000 Cash Award, MSU Scholarship and Creativity Grants
• 1999
  $8,000 Cash Award, Montana Committee for the Humanities
• 1999
  $50,000 Cash Award, The John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
• 1999 
  $2,100 Cash Award, MSU Scholarship and Creativity Grants
• 1998
  Grand Prix du Festival, (top award) Grenoble Film Festival
• 1998
  National Silver Telly Award: Best Documentary
• 1998 
  Two Merit Awards, 21st International Wildlife Film Festival
• 1997 
  Award of Teaching Excellence, MSU Alumni Association
• 1997 
  Gold Award / CASE Awards / Best Commercial Spots
• 1997
  Finalist in Competition: Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival / Best Documentary
• 1997 
  Grand Prize, ECOTOPFILM Film Festival, Slovenia
• 1996 
  Silver Apple Award, National Educational Media Network
• 1996
  Golden Eagle/ CINE / Best Dramatic Short
• 1994
  $30,000 Cash Award, Western States Media Development Fund
• 1990
  Bronze Award / CASE Awards / Best Documentary
• 1989
  National Silver Telly Award: Best Documentary
• 1988
  Children’s Choice Award, International Children’s Film Festival
• 1987 
  Regional Winner / The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
• 1987 
  Grand Prize / Best Narrative Film / National Broadcasting Society
• 1986
  Regional Winner / The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences