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Peggy Rajski

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Peggy Rajski
Born
Stevens Point, Wisconsin, U.S.
OccupationFilmmaker
Years active1983–present
Notable workThe Trevor Project
Trevor (film)
Matewan
Little Man Tate
The Grifters

Peggy M. Rajski is an American filmmaker, best known for directing and co-producing the 1994 American short film Trevor, which won an Academy Award for "Best Live Action Short Film" at the 67th Annual Academy Awards in 1995. She is a founder of The Trevor Project, a crisis-intervention and suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ+ youth.

Rajski taught producing and filmmaking at New York University's graduate film program and was dean of the Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television in Los Angeles, California from 2018 to 2021.[1]

From November 2022 until July of 2024 she was Interim CEO of The Trevor Project.[2]

Early life and education

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Rajski was born and raised in Stevens Point, Wisconsin where she was one of ten siblings. Her father, Pat A. Rajski, was a U.S. Navy veteran who participated in Admiral Byrd's Antarctic Expedition and Operation Highjump. Following his discharge from the Navy, Pat Rajski joined Consolidated Papers Wisconsin River Division. Her mother, Patricia A. (Simon) Rajski, was a homemaker.[3]

As a youngster, she was a member of the local Girl Scouts Troop and was a recipient of the Marian Award in 1966.[4]

Rajski attended Maria High School, a local all-girls Catholic school which merged with Pacelli High School when she was a junior.[5] In high school, she was a varsity cheerleader,[6] color guard Sergeant[7] and active on the student council.[8] She was a photographer for,[9] and later editor of, the school yearbook.[10] She graduated in 1971.[5]

Rajski received a bachelor's degree in 1975 from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point,[11] and a master of fine arts degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1977.[12]

Filmmaking career

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Following college, Rajski moved to New York to pursue a career in the film industry She initially worked as a receptionist at a firm that produced corporate films[13] and moved into the role of producer/director within one year.[11]

She began interfacing with people making low budget indie films and met writer/director John Sayles and producer Maggie Renzi at a friend's party in 1983. The couple were looking for a production manager for Sayles film next film project, Lianna[14] and Rajski was offered the job.[11]

In 1984, Rajski and Renzi co-produced Bruce Springsteen's video for Born in the USA,[better source needed][15] which was directed by Sayles. The pair went on to produce the music videos for Springsteen's I'm on Fire[better source needed][16] and Glory Days.[better source needed][17]

Rajski produced a number of Sayles's early films, including The Brother from Another Planet (1984),[14] Matewan (1987),[14] and Eight Men Out (1988).[11]

She worked with other filmmakers to produce Little Man Tate (1991; directed by and starring Jodie Foster), The Grifters (1990; directed by Stephen Frears and co-produced with Martin Scorsese), and Home for the Holidays (1995; also in collaboration with Jodie Foster).[better source needed][18]

In 2003, Rajski directed an episode of the TV series, ER featuring Aaron Paul in a key supporting role.[better source needed][19][20]. She was the only new director introduced in the show's ninth season.

In 2018, Rajski was selected as a mentor for Film Independent’s Global Media Makers program, an initiative in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The program serves to create relationships between filmmakers and industry professionals in the U.S. and abroad.[21]

In April 2019, Rajski was a speaker and panel moderator at Film Independent's 14th annual Film Independent Forum, and is a frequent guest lecturer and panelist at industry events in Los Angeles and elsewhere.[22] Rajski is a member of the Director’s Guild of American (DGA),[23] Film Independent, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (AMPAS).[24]

Trevor (film)

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In 1994, Rajski directed the American short film Trevor and co-produced it with Randy Stone. Written by Celeste Lecesne and set in 1981, the film follows a 13-year-old boy named Trevor who struggles with his identity after his crush on a male schoolmate named Pinky Faraday is discovered. As rumors spread, and his classmates begin to turn on him, Trevors thoughts turn to suicide.

Trevor tied for the Oscar for Best Short Subject with Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life at the 67th Academy Awards held on March 17, 1995.[25][26] It also won the Teddy Award for Best Short at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1995.[27] In 2017, the Writers Theatre in Chicago adapted the film into a live stage production called "Trevor the Musical."[28][29] The production debuted off-Broadway in 2021[30] and a film of the musical aired on Disney+ in 2022.[31]

The Trevor Project

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In 1998, Rajski founded The Trevor Project to create a 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth,[32] with Randy Stone and Celeste Lecesne.[33]

When HBO confirmed they would be airing the film that year with Ellen DeGeneres hosting, Rajski searched for a service that provided round-the-clock support for queer and questioning young people so that young viewers who identified with the central character’s experience would have a place to turn for help. Discovering that no such resource existed, Rajski moved to establish a nationwide 24-hour crisis line for LGBTQ+ youth which became The Trevor Project.[34] When the film premiered on HBO in August 1998, The Trevor Project’s crisis line phone number was posted on screen as the film’s end credits rolled, and counselors received more than 1500 calls that first night.[35]

In 2012, the producers of Glee worked with The Trevor Project to address teen suicide in the episode, "On My Way." The organization arranged for a public service announcement to be included in the episode. The episode resulted in a spike in calls to the non-profit’s hotline, and record traffic to its website. Rajski stated that because the show "worked in conjunction" with The Trevor Project, the organization was prepared in advance to handle the increase in hotline traffic, which was "triple the [usual] number of calls."[36] They also saw a nearly sevenfold increase to 10,000 website visitors on the evening the program aired.[37]

Rajski has been an outspoken advocate and frequent speaker in support of crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth.[38] In 2022, she was the keynote speaker at student fundraiser held at the University of Missouri Kansas City Pride Breakfast.[39] She has remained an active member of The Trevor Project’s Board of Directors since its founding in 1998 and was named interim CEO in 2022.[1]

In 2024, the organization received outreach to its crisis services (phone, text and chat) from over 500,000+ contacts.[40]

Academic career

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In 2010, Rajski was appointed associate professor at New York University Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Film Program[41] and promoted to head of studies for the producing track in 2011. She also served as a member of the faculty committee for the NYU Cinema Research Institute.[42] During this time, the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point named Rajski a College of Fine Arts and Communication Distinguished Alumnus.[11]

Rajski was named Dean of the Loyola Marymount University School of Film & Television in 2018.[43] During her time at LMU, the school opened a 35,000 square foot production facility in the Playa Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles.[44] In 2020, Rajski served as an external reviewer of UCLA's Department of Film, Television & Digital Media.[45] She left LMU in 2021.[46]

Personal life

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Rajski married actor Josh Mostel in 1983.[47] The couple divorced in 1995. Rajski has been married to Paul Colin since 2012.[better source needed][48]

In 2024, Rajski joined NFL player Carl Nassib to announce the Cleveland Browns' second round draft pick during the annual nationally televised NFL event.[49]

Rajski has referred to herself as the "Straight White Godmother of a Gay Suicidal Hotline".[50]

Rajski's brother, Patrick Nash Rajski died by suicide at age 32 shortly before the film Trevor began production.[50]

Awards and honors

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  • Muse Award, New York Women in Film & Television, 1991[51]
  • Academy Award, Best Live Action Short Film, 1995[25]
  • Distinguished Alumnus, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point College of Fine Arts and Communications, 2014[11]
  • Pioneers of Queer Cinema, UCLA Film Archive, 2022 (the only non-LGBTQ-identified filmmaker to be honored)[34]
  • LGBTQ Power Players, Politics NY, 2023[52] and 2024.[53]

Filmography

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Year Title Position
2015 Sweetheart Deal (documentary) Executive producer; post-production
2013 Quad Executive producer
2012 Grassroots Producer
2009 Crossing Midnight (documentary short) Producer
2008 One Bridge to the Next (documentary short) Producer
2007 Towelhead Executive producer
2005 Bee Season Executive producer
2002 The Scoundrel's Wife Producer
1997 Boys Life 2 Producer—segment "Trevor"
1995 Home for the Holidays Producer
1994 Trevor (short) Director, Producer
1992 Used People Producer
1991 Little Man Tate Producer
1990 The Grifters Co-producer
1988 Eight Men Out Co-producer
1987 Matewan Producer
1984 The Brother from Another Planet Producer
1983 Lianna Production manager[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Sharma, Versha (November 4, 2022). "Trevor Project CEO Amit Paley Removed From Position After Staff Outcry". Teen Vogue. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  2. ^ "Trevor Project announces Jaymes Black as its new CEO". www.advocate.com. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  3. ^ "Rajski, Patricia A. (Simon)", Stevens Point Journal (September 23, 2017), p. 2A.
  4. ^ "May 19, 1966, page 10 - Stevens Point Journal at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "May 26, 1971, page 13 - Stevens Point Journal at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  6. ^ "May 15, 1970, page 6 - Stevens Point Journal at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  7. ^ "Jan 12, 1971, page 6 - Stevens Point Journal at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  8. ^ "May 22, 1970, page 6 - Stevens Point Journal at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  9. ^ "Jan 30, 1970, page 5 - Stevens Point Journal at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  10. ^ "Dec 04, 1970, page 7 - Stevens Point Journal at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "Alumna Peggy Rajski shares filmmaking expertise". Stevens Point Journal. October 2, 2014.
  12. ^ "Five Women Scholars Appointed to Positions as Deans". Women In Academia Report. March 15, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  13. ^ "Bennett and Rajski Bring Us Pride", Stevens Point Journal (March 29, 1995), p. 4.
  14. ^ a b c d Pat Aufderheide, "On Location With John Sayles: Coal Wars", Mother Jones (August/September 1987), p. 27-28.
  15. ^ Bruce Springsteen: Born in the U.S.A. (Music Video 1984) - IMDb. Retrieved June 13, 2024 – via www.imdb.com.
  16. ^ Bruce Springsteen: I'm on Fire (Music Video 1985) - IMDb. Retrieved June 13, 2024 – via www.imdb.com.
  17. ^ Bruce Springsteen: Glory Days (Music Video 1985) - IMDb. Retrieved June 13, 2024 – via www.imdb.com.
  18. ^ "Peggy Rajski | Producer, Director". IMDb. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  19. ^ Rajski, Peggy (January 16, 2003), A Saint in the City, ER, Noah Wyle, Laura Innes, Mekhi Phifer, retrieved June 14, 2024
  20. ^ Rajski, Peggy (February 6, 2003), No Strings Attached, ER, Noah Wyle, Laura Innes, Mekhi Phifer, retrieved June 14, 2024
  21. ^ Grobar, Matt (August 16, 2022). "Film Independent Unveils Los Angeles-Themed Shorts From 2022 Global Media Makers Fellows". Deadline. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  22. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (April 9, 2019). "Film Independent Forum Sets 'Late Night's Nisha Ganatra As Keynote, 'Ms. Purple' And 'Booksmart' Screenings". Deadline Hollywood.
  23. ^ "The Art of Development - An Eastern Directors Council Focus On Women Committee Seminar". dga.org. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  24. ^ "Academy Awards Acceptance Speeches - Search Results | Margaret Herrick Library | Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences". aaspeechesdb.oscars.org. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  25. ^ a b "The 67th Academy Awards (1995) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. AMPAS. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  26. ^ "Movies: Trevor (1994)". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Baseline & All Movie Guide. 2010. Archived from the original on October 17, 2010. Retrieved December 29, 2008.
  27. ^ Warbler, Daniel (June 2, 2014). "The Out Take: 10 Fantastic Teddy Award-Winning LGBT Films To Watch Right Now". mtv.com. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  28. ^ Weis, Hedy (August 9, 2017). "New 'Trevor' Musical Takes on Teen Sexual Identity, Suicide". Chicago Sun-Times.
  29. ^ Gans, Andrew (September 13, 2017). "World Premiere of Trevor the Musical Extends Run Again". Playbill.
  30. ^ Green, Jesse (November 11, 2021). "Review: 'Trevor' Is a Musical That Dare Not Speak Its Theme". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  31. ^ Nicholson, Amy (June 23, 2022). "'Trevor: The Musical' Review: He's Coming Out". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  32. ^ "Alumna Peggy Rajski shares filmmaking expertise". Stevens Point Journal. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  33. ^ "In Conversation: Peggy Rajski". Explore the Art. September 29, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  34. ^ a b "Pioneers of Queer Cinema – a landmark retrospective presented by the UCLA Film & Television Archive, IndieCollect & Outfest February 18th – March 28th 2022". The Queer Review. February 17, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  35. ^ McElroy, Steven (August 5, 2015). "James Lecesne of the Trevor Project, Inhabiting Lives and Saving Them". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  36. ^ Mann, Camille (March 1, 2012). ""Glee" suicide episode spikes The Trevor Project traffic - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  37. ^ Stack, Tim (February 28, 2012). "'Glee': Last week's episode inspires record traffic for LGBT suicide prevention organization The Trevor Project - Exclusive". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  38. ^ "Apr 28, 2022, page A10 - The Kansas City Star at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  39. ^ SPOERRE, ANNA (April 28, 2022). "Anti-LGBTQ bills 'compromising' next generation, Trevor Project founder tells KC crowd". The Kansas City Star.
  40. ^ "In states with laws targeting LGBTQ issues, school hate crimes quadrupled". Washington Post. March 12, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  41. ^ Communications, NYU Web. "Producers Peggy Rajski, John Sloss, Christine Vachon, and Ted Hope Appointed to the NYU Graduate Film Faculty". www.nyu.edu. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  42. ^ "Faculty Committee". CINEMA RESEARCH INSTITUTE. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  43. ^ Loyola Marymount University (March 12, 2018). "Welcome SFTV Dean Peggy M. Rajski". Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  44. ^ "Loyola Marymount's new Playa Vista film school is a high tech wonder to behold". Daily News. November 13, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  45. ^ "2019-20 UCLA Academic Senate Program Review of Department of Film, Television & Digital Media" (PDF). June 11, 2020.
  46. ^ "Peggy Rajski Sacked as Dean of Loyola Marymount Film School After Less Than 3 Years (Exclusive)". Yahoo News. March 17, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  47. ^ "Peggy Rajski, a Producer, Is Wed to Joshua Mostel". The New York Times. June 25, 1983. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  48. ^ "Peggy Rajski - Biography". IMDb. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  49. ^ "Notes: Carl Nassib and founder of Trevor Project to announce second-round pick". chroniclet.com. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  50. ^ a b "Peggy Rajski never pictured herself as the 'straight, white, godmother of a gay suicidal hotline'". KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  51. ^ "Past Muse Award Honorees". New York Women in Film & Television. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  52. ^ "2023 LGBTQ+ Power Players". politicsny.com. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  53. ^ "2024 LGBTQ+ Power Players". politicsny.com. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
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