Making of 'A Capitol Fourth'
PRODUCTION STAFF
On a live show the size of “A Capitol Fourth”, hundreds and hundreds of professionals and volunteers contribute to the creation and production of a successful event. The biographies below provide a glimpse into the talent and experience of several of the most important players.
Jerry Colbert
Jerry Colbert is the executive producer and founder of two of television’s longest running and multi-award-winning live programs commemorating America’s most important holidays. “A Capitol Fourth,” our country’s biggest birthday party, celebrated its 30th anniversary last year and was the top-rated program in primetime on PBS for the 2009-2010 season. The “National Memorial Day Concert” has become the nation’s premier tribute to our men and women in uniform during its 21 years on air and was the number four top-rated program in primetime and the number two top-rated musical performance special on PBS for the 2009-2010 season. In addition to his annual work on these events, Colbert has produced many films such as “Mr. Justice Brennan,” “Sister Adrian,” “The Mother Teresa of Scranton,” “The Regulators: Our Invisible Government,” and “H.R. 6161: An Act of Congress.” Colbert previously served as deputy director of the Center for Understanding Media in New York.
Walter C. Miller
Producer Walter C. Miller is recognized as America’s leading live director and producer with credits including television’s top awards shows, including the “Grammy Awards,” “Country Music Awards,” “The People’s Choice Awards,” “Tony Awards,” “American Comedy Awards,” “The Emmy Awards,” “Daytime Emmy Awards” and “Golden Globe Awards.” In 1999, he won an Emmy for “Liberty Weekend: Americana Music Concert.” He received the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Director. He has won additional Emmys for “S’Wonderful, S’Marvelous, S’Gershwin,” a special with Jack Lemmon and Fred Astaire, and “Annie: The Women in the Life of a Man.” His live musical concert credits include “Concert of the Americas with Frank Sinatra,” “A Capitol Fourth” and the “National Memorial Day Concert.”
Michael Colbert
A principal in Capital Concerts for over fifteen years, Executive Vice-President Michael Colbert directs the organization year round in addition to serving as Producer for the “National Memorial Day Concert” and “A Capitol Fourth.” Colbert is the primary liaison with the over twenty government and non-governmental Washington agencies and organizations that contribute to the shows as well as directing the hundreds of television professionals who participate annually. With more than 20 years of experience, Colbert's credits include major national television specials on CBS, Fox, PBS and Comedy Central in locations ranging from Washington, D.C., New York and Los Angeles to Nashville. He has also produced a wide range of major corporate events.
Paul Miller
Paul Miller has been directing television since 1982, with credits including three seasons as director of “Saturday Night Live” and four as director of “In Living Color.” He has received four Emmy nominations; he won in 1999 for directing the “Tony Awards,” and again in 2010 for directing ABC News’ coverage of the Inauguration of President Barrack Obama. He has been nominated twice for the Directors Guild of America Awards in the Musical/Variety category. In addition, Miller has directed the “Country Music Awards” for the last eleven years. Miller has also directed “An American Celebration at Ford’s Theater” multiple times. On July 4, 1993, Miller teamed professionally with his father, Walter C. Miller, for “A Capitol Fourth” and has directed both the “National Memorial Day Concert” and “A Capitol Fourth.” Paul Miller is a partner in RickMill Productions, a Hollywood-based entertainment company that has produced numerous series for Comedy Central as well as specials for HBO and Showtime. In February, Miller became the first director of a 3D awards telecast that will be broadcast this spring on the new Discovery 3D network.
Jon Macks
Jon Macks has written for Hollywood’s top television programs, including the most prestigious award shows, late-night programs and television specials. Since 1992, he has been a staff writer for the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” Macks has written for the “Academy Awards” since 1997, including for hosts Billy Crystal, Steve Martin, Hugh Jackman, Whoopi Goldberg and Chris Rock. He was also head writer for the 76th, 80th, 81st and 82nd “Annual Academy Awards.” Macks has written for 15 “Emmy Awards,” five “American Latino Media Awards,” six “Academy of Country Music Awards” and the “Golden Globe Awards.” He has been nominated for two “Emmy Awards” for writing the “Academy Awards” and in 2006, he received a “Writers Guild Award” nomination for his work on the “59th Annual Tony Awards.” He was also creator and consulting producer for the HBO series “K Street” and is executive producer and writer of the Universal movie “Little Leaguers.” His television credits include ABC’s “50th Anniversary Special,” “Hollywood Squares,” CBS’s “75th Anniversary Special” and “The Honeymooner’s 50th Anniversary Special.” This is Macks’ eighth time writing for “A Capitol Fourth.”