Welcome to Hoch's Docs

Welcome to Hoch’s Docs

“Hoch’s Docs” is shorthand for Joel Hochberg’s Documentaries

I love making documentaries. I write, produce, direct, photograph, edit, compose the musical
scores, manufacture and distribute each of them. I think of myself as the Orson Welles of
not-for-profit filmmakers. To read an article about me and my docs:
http://www.palmspringslife.com/media/Palm-Springs-Life/November-2005/The-Pros-of-Nonprofit/

I made my first documentary, “A Daring Adventure”, in 2005. It was an official selection of
the 2005 Golden Gate Documentary Film Festival. Since then other documentaries have been official selections at other film festivals around the country.

I have also made pro bono documentaries for such organizations as The City of Hope (Hike for Hope), The McCallum Theatre of Palm Desert, The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission,
L’Affaire Chocolat, The Dance Under the Stars Choreography Festival, Open Call,The Mizell Senior Center, The La Quinta Arts Foundation, Guide Dogs of the Desert International, Virginia Waring International Piano Competition, Palm Springs Unified School District and Eisenhower Medical Center. My criteria for taking on these pro bono projects: Is there a need for the documentary? (Does the organization need it for a special event or as a fundraising vehicle?) Is the organization receptive to my creative ideas? Is there an opportunity for creativity and emotion? I have been fortunate, for the first time in my life, to have final cut approval on ALL of my projects.

Additionally, I am working on a continuing series, “People With Passion.” Documentaries in this series include “Body & Soul,” “A Passion To Create”, “For The Love of Roses” “The Man Who Paints With His Nose”, “Mountain Man”, “Kracke: The Documentary”, “Chef” and “Benjamin Lees: A Musical Life.” Upcoming documentaries in the series include “Up & Away: A Passion for Flying,” and “A Passion for Giving Back” (working title).

One of my goals, as I started actively making these documentaries. was to see how my films measured up to other documentaries being made around the country and the world. One way for me to judge my success as a filmmaker was to see if various film festivals would accept my work.

I am proud (and honored) that several of my docs have been official selections at various festivals. “A Daring Adventure,” my first documentary, was the official selection of the Golden Gate Documentary FIlm Festival. “The Man Who Paints With His Nose,” was selected for showing by the Action/Cut Film Festival. “Chef” was chosen as the Opening Night Selection at The Wine Country Film Festival, shown in a wine cellar in Napa. John Cage’s 4’33” received its international premiere at the John Cage/Merce Cunningham Visual Art Show in Edinburgh, Scotland in June, 2007. “Flying Fingers, Pounding Hearts” premiered at the Camelot Theatre in Palm Springs, to positive reviews, in October, 2007. “The Artist Who Won’t Let Us Forget” is an official selection of the 2008 Riverside International Film Festival.

I was very pleased with the review of “Flying Fingers, Pounding Hearts” in The Desert Sun newspaper in October, 2007. A partial quote: “...as entertaining as any big-screen. romance-drama-mystery.”

Many of my former advertising clients often praised my work. However, none
of their comments compare to the reactions of my current “clients.” A few have been so pleased with what I’ve done for them, they’ve said, “Joel, you are a blessing.”
Earning money for your work is a a wonderful reward. For me, however, even money doesn’t compare to blessings.

I am very excited about my current on-going project: interviewing Holocaust survivors who live in the Palm Springs area. These videos will be shown and archived at the soon-to-be-built Tolerance Education Center in Rancho Mirage. I intend to put together a full length documentary on the subject, weaving together the various interviews.

The documentaries I make are my way of “giving back” to my community. I was thrilled
to learn in the Palm Springs Life Magazine issue of November, 2007 that I had been
selected as one of the “Champions of Charity” in the Coachella Valley.

To see media and other coverage of my documentaries go to:http://www.google.com/search?q=Joel+Hochberg+%2B+Documentaries&hl=en&pwst=1&start=10&sa=N

On this site you will be able to find out more about me, my documentaries and future projects. You will also be able to sample a few highlights from many of the documentaries.

Enjoy hochsdocs!