Visual History with Amy Schatz
Interviewed by:Larissa Bills
Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Amy Schatz attended McGill University, concentrating on literature. Although she took a few film courses there, she considered herself a poet and hoped to pursue a career in that field. Upon graduation, she came across a newspaper article about a documentary production by noted New York filmmaker Suzanne Bauman that she found herself determined to be a part of, thus starting her 35 plus years in documentaries. Trained by the likes of Bill Moyers and Merrill Brockway, Schatz transitioned from producing to directing in 1998 when Sheila Nevins, then an HBO executive, gave her the opportunity to direct.
She has since directed over 23 documentaries for children, including DGA Award nominated projects such as Through a Child’s Eyes: September 11, 2001 (2002), Hard Times for an American Girl: The Great Depression (2009), and Don’t Divorce Me! Kids’ Rules for Parents on Divorce (2012). She has won 8 DGA Awards in the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs category for Goodnight Moon & Other Sleepy Time Tales (1999), ’Twas The Night (2002), Classical Baby (I’m Grown Up Now): The Poetry Show (2008), A Child’s Garden of Poetry (2011), An Apology to Elephants (2013), Song of Parkland (2019), We Are the Dream: The Kids of the Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest (2020), and Stand Up & Shout: Songs From a Philly High School (2023).
She has been a member since 1998.
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Highlights


On Strategies for Working with Children
Director Amy Schatz shares how she carefully creates a safe space in the studio for children to let their guard down and act naturally when shooting.
Amy Schatz / On Strategies for Working with Children
Director Amy Schatz shares how she carefully creates a safe space in the studio for children to let their guard down and act naturally when shooting.


On Making The Number on Great-Grandpa's Arm
Schatz reflects on the thought and consideration that went into crafting a children's program on the difficult topic of the Holocaust.
Amy Schatz / On Making The Number on Great-Grandpa's Arm
Schatz reflects on the thought and consideration that went into crafting a children's program on the difficult topic of the Holocaust.


On Being a Member of the Guild
Schatz discusses how attaining Guild membership allowed her to recognize her projects as having a place alongside other genres of work.
Amy Schatz / On Being a Member of the Guild
Schatz discusses how attaining Guild membership allowed her to recognize her projects as having a place alongside other genres of work.