Gita Pullapilly ‘99, who has produced seven documentaries, was named a filmmaker-in-residence by WGBH’s Boston Media Productions. During the nine-month residency, which began in October 2007, she and director Aron Gaudet are doing post-production work on The Way We Get By. The feature-length documentary profiles three elderly troop greeters in Bangor, Maine, who show up day or night to talk to troops heading to or returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The residency program is part of the public broadcasting station’s mission to honor independent filmmakers. The producers receive a stipend, working space, administrative support, editing equipment and editing guidance.
“We are very fortunate to have some great supporters behind our project—here at PBS and outside,” says Pullapilly, “and that in itself has helped bring recognition to this film.” Ultimately she and Gaudet plan to enter The Way We Get By in film festivals and to seek distribution deals.