“'Making Sense of the Sixties' is an elegant use of the medium . . . it's funny and tragic and beautiful and horrible.” Scott Williams, Variety

“'Making Sense of the Sixties,' does. It is a rich television scrapbook -- intelligent, sensitive, thoughtful, profound.” John Cuff, The Toronto Globe and Mail

“Making Sense of the Sixties' is the best and most comprehensive documentary series ever made on 1960s America . . . it accomplishes its goal.” Rick Sherwood, The Hollywood Reporter

“As one who was there during the time in question, I can confirm that PBS' "Making Sense of the Sixties" series captures what we did best back then.” David Hinckley, The New York Daily News

“The project, massive in scope but abundant in achievement, is just as entertaining as it is informative. 'Making Sense of the Sixties' will enlighten.” Julia Keller, The Columbus Dispatch Review

“'Making Sense of the Sixties' is surprisingly thoughtful, an excellent primer.” John Leonard, New York Magazine

What does it take to get the message about drinking and driving across to young people? Severe head injury, from auto collisions related to drunk driving, sports injuries and accidents, is now the leading cause of death and disability in the United States for people under 35 years of age.

Drinking & Driving: Severe Head Injury conveys the consequences of recklessness in powerful and personal terms. It does not lecture or preach. It does not show graphic scenes of highway gore. Instead, it follows young coma survivors in their heroic struggle to regain mere fractions of their former lives. Watching these young people work on rehabilitation is not always easy. They struggle just to open their eyes, to utter a sound, to raise a fork, or to even know what to call a fork when they look at it. Considering their injuries, these survivors have made remarkable strides, which makes their stories all the more compelling.

Drinking & Driving: Severe Head Injury won the Blue Ribbon at the American Film and Video Festival. It also won the Crystal Apple Award from the National Educational Film and Video Festival (its highest award).

This PBS Primetime reality special was co-produced by Ala Isham, the child of coma victim Sunny Von Bulow.

"The single most potent statement on the effects of head injury I have ever seen." Sally 0'Connor, M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)

"Caringly presented without being overly maudlin or sensational, this compassionately narrated documentary views resilient victims of automobile accidents and subtly wars of the consequences of careless and alcohol-induced driving." Booklist Magazine

"I believe young viewers, after seeing this, will want to modify their behavior." Thomas F. Koerner, Director, National Association of Secondary School Principals

American Film & Video Festival   Blue Ribbon
National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences   Emmy Award
National Educational Film & Video Festival   Crystal Apple

The Other Side of the Fence – 12 minutes
A Question of Respect – 12 minutes

These two short films thoughtfully examine animal rights issues. The Other Side of the Fence is intended for youth audiences, in particular, to introduce them to the various ways (humane and inhumane) that animals, especially cows, can be raised for human consumption – it explores options and serves to educate and raise questions and awareness.

A Question of Respect looks at the use of animals in product testing. Emotional and intended for high school and older audiences, this film takes a serious look at the abuse of animals that still occurs, years after this film was made. Both films were made for the ASPCA with the goal of education, especially for young people, our future decision makers.

"This particular movie, in itself, is a crazy, vulgar, harrowing, funny, 20th-century experience. My personal reaction to the film — more of awe than amusement — has little to do with cinema aesthetics and a lot to do with the way I react to people like Murray." Vincent Canby, The New York Times.

Filmed in the busy emergency room of Detroit Receiving Hospital, a level one trauma center, the footage from this production was used for two purposes: a national, primetime PBS television special and a series of training videos to prevent burn out for hosptial workers who deal with the stress of trauma, violence and loss on a daily basis.

The Tobacco Debates: A History of Smoking

PBS asked Hoffman to produce a primetime television special (funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting) on cigarette smoking in America that was “fair and balanced” and presented both sides. This program takes neither a pro- nor anti-smoking stand. It looks at the roots of the integration of cigarettes into American life throughout the 20th century and examines the intense debates and controversies surrounding the rights of smokers and non-smokers, as well as addressing at the social and economic implications of tobacco use.

"This great show isn't an endless journey though alarming statistics, cancer institutes and intensive care wards. Instead, the legions of scare tactics, doctors and medical journal editors, were told to butt out. The most motivational parts of this show were videotaped inside Philip Morris. Usually cigarette makers don't participate in smoking documentaries, but the show all here.” John Kiesewetter, The Cincinnati Enquirer

Golden Hugo Chicago Film Festival   Blue Ribbon
CINE (Council on International Non-Theatrical Events)   Golden Eagle Award
National Educational Film & Video Festival   Gold Apple Award
Chicago International Film Festival   Selected for showing

Women Who Smoke

This program was made to motivate girls and young women to stop smoking – or more importantly, to prevent those who have never smoked from starting. Women Who Smoke talks with a number of women (from ages 16 to 65) who smoke (or have quit) and gives you an intimate sense of their experiences. The program does not scare, lecture, or present medical information. It highlights articulate women who discuss their love of smoking, their memory of their first smoke, and for a few, their last cigarette. The program is educational, motivational, and emotional.

Moonshot – Four part series for Turner Broadcasting System

Hoffman was the executive producer on this poignant series that tells the story of America's race to reach the moon. It is largely told through archival footage and unique remembrances and comments by the astronauts themselves.

This series won the prestigious Peabody Award in Journalism for Outstanding Documentary Series in 1996.

These two programs share the provocative ideas of media genius Tony Schwartz. How I Use Media in Politics illustrates the "Guerrilla Media" concepts Schwartz used for Lyndon Johnson, Jimmy Carter, Pat Moynihan, Warren Rudman and countless others. instructs the viewer how to make effective ads, specifically analyzing the advantages of radio advertising with Schwartz's examples and insights.

Secrets of Effective Radio Advertising was produced for use in high school and college business administration curricula, specifically advertising, marketing and communication courses. The program also benefits high school and college radio stations as a tool for learning to produce effective advertsing and public service announcements. Both programs are in three parts, making them suitable for classroom use.

Aircraft Carriers: Ninety Years of History - 90 minutes

Aircraft Carriers looks at the history of our naval aviation from the earliest uses of aircraft carriers to the contemporary use of of these "floating cities" as an extension of American influence. The program uses Hollywood movies, famous folks, glorious high m oments, and great tragedies, to tell the story of the creation and development of naval aviation.

When this special aired on primetime PBS, it was the second highest rated PBS show of the year.

“... a provocative look at the history of naval aviation worth seeing. How has naval aviation affected foreign policy? When did it become an instrument of foreign policy? All recent American Presidents have used naval air power one way or another. This program looks at why.” John Corey, The New York Times

"I consider this to be an unusually excellent historical documentary on aviation and the evolution of American foreign policy." William Mason, Program Chairman, Aeronautical Studies, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Cooling a Hot Situation - 30 minutes

A video program produced for community groups and concerned adults regarding teenage violence in school and on the streets. Five nationally known organizations that work in the area of teen violence contribute information and techniques. The program is useful and provides numerous suggestions and solutions.

Getting S.M.A.R.T. - 28 minutes

This program uses a live, interactive performance (before a studio audience of high school students) to illustrate a five step program that helps teenagers deal with (and prevent) violence. Used extensively in schools throughout the U.S.