Kit Thomas
Encyclopedia
Kit Thomas is an American
film maker and record producer
best known for his involvement with films that "make a difference".
, commissioned by rock musician Sting to raise awareness about the global rainforest
crisis, was nominated for an Oscar
(Best Documentary) in 1991. He co-produced the award-winning ECO (Earth Communication Office) PSA campaign which was adopted by the United Nations Environment Program and, according to a Pepperdine University
study, has been seen by over one billion people worldwide, a world record for public service announcements. He was selected by the U.N. to co-produce their official 50th Anniversary film, entitled A Place To Stand. This project also won numerous awards, has been translated into many languages and remains one of the U.N.'s most requested films.
As a record producer, Thomas has produced over sixty albums of jazz
, pop
, and world music
. He has been an active member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
since 1985, serving eight years on the Board of Governors, and seventeen years as Chairman of a National Screening Committee for the Grammy Awards.
As a social activist
and philanthropist
, Thomas has supported numerous charities, environmental initiatives and grass roots community organizations, including the Global Security Institute
, Global Green, the Jane Goodall Institute
, and MusiCares
. In 2004 he and interfaith
minister Rev. Andrea Waters founded the Common Ground Interfaith Fellowship in Philadelphia, to "support personal and social transformation, and build bridges of goodwill and understanding between people of different cultures and faith traditions." As Executive Director of Common Ground (2004–2008), Thomas established the Common Ground Choir, a performing ensemble of singers and musicians of diverse faiths and cultural backgrounds who celebrate a shared belief in the possibility of a less divided world.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film maker and record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
best known for his involvement with films that "make a difference".
Career
His projects have won many awards including two Emmys, and his film Burning Down TomorrowBurning Down Tomorrow
Burning Down Tomorrow is a 1990 short documentary film produced and directed by Kit Thomas. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short....
, commissioned by rock musician Sting to raise awareness about the global rainforest
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
crisis, was nominated for an Oscar
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
(Best Documentary) in 1991. He co-produced the award-winning ECO (Earth Communication Office) PSA campaign which was adopted by the United Nations Environment Program and, according to a Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University is an independent, private, medium-sized university affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The university's campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean in unincorporated Los Angeles County, California, United States, near Malibu, is the location for Seaver College, the School of...
study, has been seen by over one billion people worldwide, a world record for public service announcements. He was selected by the U.N. to co-produce their official 50th Anniversary film, entitled A Place To Stand. This project also won numerous awards, has been translated into many languages and remains one of the U.N.'s most requested films.
As a record producer, Thomas has produced over sixty albums of jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
, and world music
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
. He has been an active member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., known variously as The Recording Academy or NARAS, is a U.S. organization of musicians, producers, recording engineers and other recording professionals dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for music and its...
since 1985, serving eight years on the Board of Governors, and seventeen years as Chairman of a National Screening Committee for the Grammy Awards.
As a social activist
Activism
Activism consists of intentional efforts to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. Activism can take a wide range of forms from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing...
and philanthropist
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
, Thomas has supported numerous charities, environmental initiatives and grass roots community organizations, including the Global Security Institute
Global Security Institute
The Global Security Institute is a international organization with a mission to eliminate nuclear weapons through international cooperation and security. It aims to influence national laws, seeking to accomplish its mission by focusing on nuclear arms control, non-proliferation, and...
, Global Green, the Jane Goodall Institute
Jane Goodall Institute
The Jane Goodall Institute is an international wildlife and environment conservation organization with branches in many countries. It was founded in 1977 by English primatologist Dr...
, and MusiCares
MusiCares
The MusiCares Foundation, Inc., was established in 1989 by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Meant for musicians to have a place to turn, in times of financial, personal, or medical crisis, its primary purpose is to focus the resources and attention of the music industry on human...
. In 2004 he and interfaith
Interfaith
The term interfaith dialogue refers to cooperative, constructive and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions and/or spiritual or humanistic beliefs, at both the individual and institutional levels...
minister Rev. Andrea Waters founded the Common Ground Interfaith Fellowship in Philadelphia, to "support personal and social transformation, and build bridges of goodwill and understanding between people of different cultures and faith traditions." As Executive Director of Common Ground (2004–2008), Thomas established the Common Ground Choir, a performing ensemble of singers and musicians of diverse faiths and cultural backgrounds who celebrate a shared belief in the possibility of a less divided world.