Steve Zukerman, founder of Soapbox Media Group, L.L.C. and director of MZD Advertising LA Inc. recently interviewed Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in his hometown of Plains, Ga. concerning Carter’s involvement and work with Habitat for Humanity International.
Zukerman is directing a film entitled “Beyond the American Dream,” an upcoming documentary based on the life of the late Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity and The Fuller Center for Housing.
Zukerman, who hails from Indianapolis, is also a producer on the film. MZD Advertising LA Inc. is an office of Indianapolis-based MZD Advertising.
Zukerman said that in a single defining moment, Fuller, a millionaire entrepreneur, at the age of only 29, chose to walk away from his life of affluence.
“He and his wife, Linda, decided to leave behind a lifestyle most people spend a lifetime chasing,” Zukerman said.
Selling their company, giving away their money, and divesting themselves of all of their material possessions, the Fullers set out to renew their relationship, re-evaluate their decisions, and find a higher purpose for their chosen path in life.
Fuller and his wife devoted themselves to helping those less fortunate by creating Habitat for Humanity, a worldwide movement. With intelligence, a relentless work ethic and extraordinary charisma, Fuller reinvented philanthropy by inspiring others to donate money, material, and labor to build homes with low-income families.
Before his death, Fuller’s pioneering ideas and determination led to the construction of homes for more than 1 million people in more than 100 countries.
Although Fuller’s legacy lives on in the exponential growth of both organizations, his loss has, nevertheless, impacted them. “Beyond the American Dream” aims to tell the story of this remarkable man and lend renewed passion to his dream of providing all people with a “simple decent place to live.”
Zukerman said he has been working with Chad Adair, director of photography, on the film.
“One of the focuses of the film is how Fuller overcame numerous obstacles in his lifetime,” Zukerman said. “He was an amazing person, but like the rest of us he also had his flaws. What set him apart were the choices he made at the most difficult moments in his life.”
In September, 1996, then-President Bill Clinton awarded Fuller the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, and said, “Millard Fuller has done as much to make the dream of home ownership a reality in our country and throughout the world as any living person. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that Millard Fuller has literally revolutionized the concept of philanthropy.”
In October 2005, the Fullers were honored by Former President George H. W. Bush and The Points of Light Foundation with a bronze medallion embedded in The Extra Mile national monument in Washington D.C.
Having built more than 200,000 homes in more than 100 countries, the Fullers inspired countless people around the world to join their mission during their 30-plus year crusade that continues to this day through the work of The Fuller Center for Housing, Habitat for Humanity, and the incredible legacy that Millard Fuller left behind.
In fact, last fall, The Fuller Center for Housing of Central Indiana, Inc. announced that the City of Indianapolis won its bid to become the “International Host City” of the second annual “Millard Fuller Legacy Build (MFLB) 2010 initiative.
As part of the global home-building event, the Central Indiana Covenant Partner, in cooperation with “South East Neighborhood Development” (SEND) will construct nine new homes and rehabilitate 20 others in a near Southside Indianapolis neighborhood in the 1100-1200 block of Saint Paul Street, in just five days on Sept. 6-10, 2010.
“All of the great things he did are still moving forward,” Zukerman said. “He has made such a positive impact on so many people, and our hope is that “Beyond the American Dream” will inspire a new generation to step up and work together to not only better their own community, but also the world around them. As Millard said “It’s not your blue blood, your pedigree, or your college degree. It’s what you do with your life that counts.”
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About Stephen Marshall Zukerman, Writer / Director / Editor
As President and Director of Soapbox Entertainment – a full-service production studio based in Los Angeles – Steve Zukerman brings his vast experience as an award-winning producer, writer, director, cinematographer and editor to MZD’s team, providing comprehensive film and video production services, as well as expert counsel on all facets of the entertainment industry.
Steve has lived in Los Angeles since 1996, working in the entertainment industry as a writer, director, producer, cinematographer, and editor. Clients include FOX Television, ABC, CBS, NBC, Bravo, Columbia Tri-Star, New Line Cinema, MTV, Sony Pictures, Comedy Central, Nike, The Speed Channel, and Hollywood.com.
Steve served as Executive Producer, Co-Director, and Director of Photography on the award-winning documentary feature film project “Bleeding Ohio”, which takes an in-depth look at the events surrounding the 2004 Presidential Election. Steve is also currently slated to direct and produce a screen adaptation of the highly-acclaimed novel, Scenes From A Train Window.
About William Chad Adair, Director of Photography
A Georgia native, Chad is a celebrated visual artist, both on screen and on the canvas. As a freelance film and video director in Los Angeles, Chad has worked with a host of top entertainment industry clients including 3 Arts Entertainment, Dreamworks Television, ABC, and Touchstone Television. He served as a Director of Photography on the hit TV series “Arrested Development” for FOX Television, and as a Cinematographer for the series “Carpoolers”.
Chad is a graduate of the MFA program in the Motion Picture Department at the Academy Of Art College in San Francisco. Chad currently resides with his wife and two children in Asheville, NC where he continues his work as a visual artist.
About The Fuller Center for Housing
The Fuller Center for Housing is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing worldwide. By forming partnerships with local organizations, The Fuller Center provides the structure, guidance and support that communities need to build and repair homes for the impoverished among them.
