David Roland
David Roland is a film producer and director.
Early life
Roland was born on February 8, 1930, in Beth Israel Hospital, the son of Samuel Roland, an actor with the Group Theater, and Anna Roland, a school librarian.
In 1937, the family moved to Greenwich Village and lived in a building that is now a historic landmark.
David Roland is a graduate of Little Red School House and its high school Elizabeth Irwin, where he wrote the school song and captained the basketball team, and attended New York University, where he directed the senior film project.
Roland was also deeply involved with Camp Woodland, as both a camper and a counselor. Camp Woodland (NY) existed from 1932-1963, a nurturer of progressive ideals and folk music conservation.
Career
His earliest film experience was a summer job as guide and messenger at RKO, where His godfather Dore Schary was the head of the studio.
On leaving NYU, his first film job was with Shamus Culhane, an ex Disney animator, whose wife was Maxine Marx, the daughter of Chico Marx.
In a freelance documentary career spanning four decades, Roland worked for all the major networks and garnered two Emmy Awards, a
Roland was a member of the
Roland produced and directed films for the American Mathematics Society on two outstanding mathematicians: Marsden Morse and Richard Courant. For Time/ Life he made Dam Builders, comparing the ecological impact of humans and beavers. For PBS, he constructed a film examining various aspects of psychiatric treatment. Roland also produced and directed a film on the Gate Theory of Pain.
Roland fulfilled a long time ambition when he was elected Business Agent of the Editor's Union, Local 771 Editor's Union, Local 771, IATSE. In 1968, David headed the Queens Ninth Congressional District campaign for Peace Candidate Eugene McCarthy and won 3 convention delegate seats out of six in a conservative district.
Political activities
Roland also worked as Legislative Assistant to New Jersey State Senator, Byron Baer, dealing with constituent problems. He also volunteered with the Bergen County Probation Department and Food Action. Roland continues to lead film seminars at colleges and high schools, libraries, and for community organizations to enhance appreciation of the various aspects of film as art.
Other projects
To raise funds for the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives (ALBA), Roland proposed a benefit program featuring Pete Seeger, Patti Smith and Guy Davis. He produced the entertainment section of the standing-room-only benefit at the Museum of the City of New York. Currently, he is working to establish an Archive of Songs of Social Significance at SUNY Purchase and is producing a concert to inaugurate the project.
Another film in progress is a documentary called 'Why Art?' Is it a Biological Necessity?, which has the support of Ian Tattersal of the American Museum of Natural History and Paleontologist Richard Leakey. The film will examine homo sapiens' apparent intrinsic need to create art.
Another project is a film about the Development and Meaning of Comedy and how it was used beginning with the Greeks, covering Shakespeare, and including modern times.
David was the Creative Consultant on a film about anti-semitism in Poland and was awarded the accolade 'il miglor fabbro' (the better craftsman) by the film's producer.
He is married to writer Leah Margulies Roland. They have three children; Samuel J. Roland, Abigail Roland, and Jessica Roland. They have six grandchildren.
References
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2020-04-12. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
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: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "The Peabody Awards - George Foster Peabody Awards Board Members". www.peabodyawards.com. Archived from the original on 2015-05-18.