Matthew Kaplan Photography at Open Sky Sound & Music
Today we’d like to introduce you to Laurie Pasler.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My motto in personal and professional endeavors comes from Steve Jobs: “Creativity is just connecting things.”
I moved to Chicago to major in Television Production at Columbia College – but I had interests in design and journalism as well. While in school, accidental career opportunities in radio (WMAQ-AM) and as a Rush Street nightclub DJ and music director also helped meld my skill sets. I went on to create custom soundscapes for restaurants, salons, and eventually corporate events – an industry I’ve called home for over 25 years.
Now I am sort of a multi-instrumentalist (if you will) – writing, designing, producing digital media and a variety of other marketing communications projects. I enjoy the diversity in my work and client base. One month I may be creating a sales training kit for a medical device company, the next month designing a corporate identity system, followed by the production of a highly animated brand video for a consulting firm. Having a large network of amazing freelance partners allows me to pivot easily and deliver solutions in any medium.
When my dad passed away two years ago, I began to imagine an entirely new type of digital project. He worked at the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials following WWII but never shared his story with the family. I inherited his war memorabilia and from these “breadcrumbs,” was drawn into an incredible behind the scenes story few people know about.
In my quest to understand both my dad’s experience and why he kept it a secret, I began researching the trials. The vast majority of sources I viewed were dated books and websites – turning what could have been a fun learning experience into almost complete frustration, but then – an idea.
My father’s untold story of working in Nuremberg inspired the creation of a non-profit called Descendants Media Group and our first digital project, Courtroom600.org – named after the room where these famous trials took place. A visually rich learning platform for the next generation of learners and history enthusiasts, Courtroom 600 will share human stories about the people, places and events surrounding the Nuremberg Trials.
This project was born out of passion, but will fill a gap in the educational community where nothing currently exists. We’re excited about leveraging technology to tell stories in completely new ways.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Transitioning from the corporate sector to non-profit world is not easy. I face entirely new professional challenges in creating a public corporation and large-scale learning platform that incorporates work from scholars and historians worldwide.
Staying current with consumer, design and technology trends is a constant challenge, whether for B2B marketing or in the non-profit world. The pace of change is so rapid; clients want things delivered faster and faster these days.
If I didn’t love learning and research I’d probably find both these challenges overwhelming. But then, if I weren’t so curious about my dad’s hidden Nuremberg experience, Courtroom600.org might never have been imagined.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
BluFish Productions is a design and content creation company specializing in digital media and corporate/marketing communications. Creative strategy, art direction and a deep understanding of live events are skills that set me apart from other producers and really what I’m known for – this combo platter.
Descendants Media Group is a non-profit digital media company founded in 2016. Our mission is to teach and inspire through experiential storytelling. By sharing and learning from the past, we’ll connect communities, foster empathy – and help create a culture of peace, understanding and tolerance.
Courtroom600.org will be a comprehensive learning platform about the Nuremberg Trials, where Nazi war criminals were brought to justice between 1945–49. Our target launch date is November 20, 2020 – the 75th anniversary of the trials’ opening.
What were you like growing up?
When my mom was a (Girl Scout) Brownie troop leader and we were planning some sort of a play for school, she said I took charge – organizing and directing everyone as if it were second nature – in 3rd grade. That I became a producer, she recounted, was no news to her.
I grew up with a broad exposure to and appreciation of art, music and design. Color has always been a great interest and it still moves me greatly – combinations, textures, patterns. In high school, I loved putting together outfits that expressed my personality and style. I was voted best dressed of the senior class and still smile thinking about the effort I put into scavenging accessories for those looks.
Creating mix tapes of jazz/fusion/world music – and packaging them with custom designed label art – was another hobby. This was before digital music or any computer design programs (or the Mac!). I had every color magic marker and pencil you could imagine as my toolset, along with a turntable and cassette recorder.
My personal interests have always intersected my professional world and I am grateful for parents who exposed me to so many things I love dearly.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1230 N State Pkwy #20D
Chicago, IL 60610 - Website: descendantsmediagroup.org + blufishproductions.com
- Phone: 312.543.8959
- Email: laurie@descendantsmediagroup.org
- Twitter: @DescendantsMG
- Other: Courtroom600.org
Descendants Media Group’s intern, Ariana Torres reviews her research for Courtroom600.org
Matthew Kaplan Photography at Open Sky Sound & Music
Laurie’s father’s Nuremberg War Crimes Trial memorabilia which led her to develop Courtroom600.org
Image Credit:
Matthew Kaplan Photography at Open Sky Sound & Music
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