This is about the company that does it all!  Economics   U$A, One Woman One Vote, and POWERHOUSE!

1982 Press Release

THE EDUCATIONAL FILM CENTER

Washington, D.C., is famous for producing many things, but a dramatic television series is not among them.  The Educational Film Center (EFC) in nearby Annandale, Virginia, hopes to change that image.

An Emmy Award-winning producer of programs combining education with entertainment, EFC unveils one of its most ambitious projects to date, POWERHOUSE, on Sunday, December 12, at 7:00 p.m. (ET) (1982)*, over the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).  The one-hour premiere is followed by daily 30-minute segments airing from Monday to Friday at 6:00 p.m. (ET)*.

POWERHOUSE is a 16-part series that uses fun, fast-paced action and adventure to communicate important information on mental and physical well-being for preteens and their families.  Funded by the United States Department of Education, the program is recommended for viewing by the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers.

POWERHOUSE revolves around an old brick gymnasium in the inner city which has been turned into an after-school youth center by Brenda Gaines (Sandra Bowie).  In the first episode, she assembles a multi-racial group of five kids, aged 12 to 18, who tackle tough problems ranging from solving a political kidnapping to capturing a local burglary ring.  As they overcome difficulties, they learn valuable lessons about themselves, their society and their environment.

The series also features "uncommercials" such as "Ask, Answer, Act," "Accident of the Week," "Celebrity Organ," and "Don't Just Sit There" -- short spots in a commercial-style format that highlight an important preteen health need.

In addition to POWERHOUSE, EFC has produced a distinguished roster of television and film programs.  "Footsteps," a 30-part television series for parents of young children, was hosted by Rob Reiner and Penny Marshall and Mike and Judy Farrell.  "Gettin' Over" consisted of 52 half-hour programs on basic life skills for minority teenagers.  "Jackson Junior High" and "Dial A-L-C-O-H-O-L," 10 television shows, provided high schoolers with important information about drinking.  EFC was the major producer for three series for children about coping with emotions, including the national Emmy Award-winning "Inside/Out."  "Shelley & Pete. ..(& Carol)" addressed teenage

pregnancy in a 20-minute fictional film.  "Pearls," a series of six half-hours, dealt with the problems and achievements of Asian-Americans.

According to Dr. Jack Hunter, president of EFC, these programs continue to air on over 250 television stations each year, as well as in classrooms all over the United States and Canada.

The largest producer of dramatic films in the Washington, DC area, EFC maintains a resident staff of writers, producers, directors and educators as well as a close relationship with a wide spectrum of freelance filmmakers in Washington, New York and Los Angeles.  EFC owns sufficient new equipment to field three full film and sound crews and operates a complete post-production facility that allows the company to control technical quality from first exposure to final cut.  The company is currently establishing full video production capability.

With POWERHOUSE as its showpiece, EFC now plans to expand its range of operations.  EFC is developing concepts for television series, specials and mini-specials.  The company will acquire books for series adaptation and is discussing co-productions with other companies.

In addition, EFC is branching out from its educational funding sources and is moving into new markets -- cable, syndication, the networks and international distribution for its products.