Concentric Media

FIX-IT SHOPS: An Endangered Species

Making of

For many years, I had used and cherished the little shop in my neighborhood where I could take any appliance and get it fixed. As more information about recycling became available, I recognized the extent to which our consumer mentality (to throw everything away if it’s broken and buy something new to replace it) was adding to our community landfill pollution. I realized that our neighborhood “fix-it shop” was a treasure. I decided to document that island of human scale sanity in a sea of growing “pressure to purchase” madness.

Uses

• To raise awareness about the wisdom of fixing things instead of throwing them away.
• To heighten appreciation for small local businesses
• To screen at any event, conference, or meeting in which the importance of recycling is a relevant subject.
• To use in schools, to teach children about how they can make a difference.
• The Story of Stuff

Reviews

Synopsis

Fix-it Shops takes an affectionate look behind the scenes at a neighborhood business, which repairs small appliances.   In this intimate portrait, viewers meet the people whose dedication, patience, and skills contribute to their own community. This form of “recycling” adds significantly to the urban ecosystem by reducing unnecessary waste in landfills.

Credits

Director: Dorothy Fadiman
Videographer: Blake McHugh
Co-producers: Gayle Sabin & Kristin Atwell

Transcription

Full script for FIX-IT SHOPS - pdf file or Word doc

Awards

BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY
IMAGEFEST 1999

DIRECTOR'S CITATION
NINETEENTH ANNUAL BLACK MARIA FILM FESTIVAL

Events

• San Francisco Int. Women's Film Festival, 2011
• MEDIA CENTER Dorothy Fadiman Month
  
• Menlo Park City Hall Premiere
• "Reuse and Recycling Video Festival"