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About the Filmmakers
 
Margaret Hyde
Executive Producer/Producer

Filmmaker Margaret Hyde was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. Hailing from a philanthropic legacy, Margaret’s family founded the Hyde Family Foundations (HFF).  The Foundations’ passion for Memphis and what it stands for centers on K-12 education reform as well as creating healthy neighborhoods for the communities it serves. Both Margaret and HFF are also deeply involved with the National Civil Rights Museum as supporters and donors.  The museum’s repository of artifacts symbolizing the heart of the nation and the birth of the Civil Rights Movement has become a national treasure.  

Margaret takes an active role in her family's dedication to service, justice and equality, which led to her decision to produce the documentary short, "The Witness: From the Balcony of Room 306,” about the last days of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for the National Civil Rights Museum. It is Margaret’s hope that the film will serve to educate others about the Civil Rights Movement and how they, too, can be a part of the dream.     

In addition to being a filmmaker, Margaret is also a travel photographer and was recently invited to Bhutan and Liberia as guests of both governments.  She's been a book publisher and author for many years.  She first published and wrote the popular Great Art for Kids series including Picasso for Kids and Matisse for Kids followed by Dreadilocks and the Three Slugs, a modern take on the Goldilocks tale.  She just completed another children's book series entitled Mo's Nose, with Mo Smells Red, as the first in the series.

For 15 years, Margaret has served on the on the board of the New Visions Foundation, whose mission it is to find innovative ways to deliver education to as many underserved children as possible.  She also serves on the board of her alma mater, Cate School, giving back to the place that helped define her and is committed to WriteGirl, a nonprofit organization for high school girls centered on the craft of creative writing and empowerment through self-expression.  

 
 

Adam Pertofsky
Director

Adam was born in Anniston, Alabama while his father was in basic training at the local army depot. He grew up outside New York City in a town near the Hudson River called New City. After graduating from High School in New City, he went on to college at the University of Michigan, where he graduated with a liberal arts degree in communications.

After college, Adam followed friends to London to learn the film business.  It was there that he cultivated the idea to become an editor.  He edited several music videos and then decided to move to Los Angeles in order to pursue a career in filmmaking.  He went on to edit three feature films, “Just Desserts”, “Loser” and “Sunset Strip” and received an MTV Music Video audience award for Bush’s “Glycerine“.

In 1996, Adam joined Rock Paper Scissors, where he is currently an Editor/Partner.  He has earned multiple commercial editing awards, including a Gold Clio for Paul Hunter’s Nike “Freestyle”, a Bronze Clio, multiple AICE and AICP awards, and an Emmy for his work on Jake Scott’s Nike spot “Move”.

Between editing jobs, Adam has directed various ads, including a PSA for Safety Belt Safety USA, a campaign for Uncle Ben’s and a high profile spot for the PGA Tour starring Adam Scott.

Within months after completing his first feature, bgFATLdy, Adam directed “The Witness: From the Balcony of Room 306”.  This civil rights documentary is currently getting rave reviews from audiences, in addition to opening their eyes to what really took place during the final hours of Dr. Martin Luther King’s life.

 
Produced by: Margaret Hyde, Vicki Tripp, R. Stephan Mohammed
Director of Photography: Steve Yedlin
Production Designer: Sarah Bleakley
Editor: David Brodie
Music by: Human
Legal Services: Nicole Page, Esq., Reavis Parent Lehrer LLP