Sheila Ganz: Adoption Documentary Filmmaker

Introduction

We were honored to have Sheila Ganz join us for an informal chat. Sheila is a birthmother, artist, and filmmaker, and she spoke about her documentary film, Unlocking the Heart of Adoption.

Come listen in.

Host:	Sheila, how did the film come about?
Sheila:	I first wrote a play about my story as a birthmother for my masters thesis at San Francisco State in 1984. It was called Pretend it Didn't Happen. Then after taking part in support groups and a demonstration for open records in 1986, the tv cameras were there and we felt like we had accomplished something. The next year the same group was at City Hall in S.F. and no tv cameras. That's when I realized you have to turn it into a media event. I was taking a class at City College in history of film and the second semester. We were watching documentaries - we saw The Times of Harvey Milk and I was totally inspired to make a documentary that tells the adoption story from all three sides of the adoption triad. I didn't take film classes but just started to learn it as I went. I taught my self to edit at the media access center in the library at S.F. State - this all happened in April 1988 and I've been working on the film ever since.
Host:	And what are your goals for the film?
Sheila:	Well, first I want to get it on public television and I already have two letters of interest from local stations. Then I want to go to colleges and universities for classes in social work, child welfare, women's studies, ethnic studies, family law and to public and private adoption agencies and adoption support groups. And I will send it to film festivals.
Guest:	Is there a particular message you are trying to get across with your film?
Sheila:	First I want to show that adoption is a very complex lifelong situation for people. And that we are all in this together as one extended family. I also want the film to encourage people in the triad to communicate with each other.
Host:	Sheila, one of our guests got bumped but she wanted to know if the film deals only with happy adoption stories.
Sheila:	No as a matter of fact I have been accused of not showing the happy family. The people in the film are very open and honest about issues like loss and abandonment. I myself talk about how losing my daughter to adoption cut very deep into my self-esteem
Host:	What stage is the film at now?
Sheila:	I now have a 58 minute fine cut - that is still off-line. This means that I still need to go through the process of making it broadcast quality. This is the most expensive part of the finishing process.
Host:	What do you need to finish it?
Sheila:	About $35,000.
Host:	And if you had the money, how long would it take?
Sheila:	Two to three months.
Guest:	How would you characterize the tone of the film? Confrontational? Informative? Documentary?
Sheila:	Informative, deeply personal documentary The adoptees, birthparents, adoptive parents men and women in same race and mixed race adoptions.
Guest:	Sheila, was making this film a painful experience for you?

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Page 1 - Introduction
Page 2 - Learning from the Film

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