COMPANY PROFILE

                                                               

On the Potomac Productions (OTP) was incorporated in Washington, D.C. in November 1985. Over the 30 year history, OTP has been producing, syndicating, and distributing entertaining and informative programming for television and cable networks that profiles events and personalities that have impacted contemporary American history. The company has produced a variety of productions including specials, documentaries, music videos, commercials, and instructional programs led by its President Thomas A. Hart Jr.

 

 

    Salutations

• “I have been impressed with Mr. Hart's creative ability as a filmmaker in his capacity as President of On The Potomac Productions (OTP). The company is well known on Capitol Hill and across the nation for its excellent work over the past 25 years, including award winning documentaries.”-Congressman Bobby Rush.

 

• “I wish to commend the work of On the Potomac Productions (OTP) and support their broadcasts.”-Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton

 

    Areas of Expertise

• Documentary film production, distribution and syndication

• Educational film production, distribution and syndication

• Commercial advertisement development and production

• Music video concept development and production

• Corporate training videos

• Talent development

• Entertainment marketing and promotion

• Performance management

• Political lobbying and consulting

• Telecom and entertainment advisory services

 

   Selected Filmography

• The Grammy Awards Segment Producer (1992 and 2015)

• The American Music Awards Segment Producer (1992, 1994, 1995)

• “James Brown: The Man, The Music, & The Message” (1992, 2014 updated edition)

• 1994 FIFA World Cup Talent Coordinator (1994)

• “The Million Man March Story” (1995, 2005/2015 TV One Prime Time News Special)

• 1994 Summer Olympics Flag Ceremony (Associate Producer)

• “MLK: The Making of a Holiday” (1996, 2010 digital update)

• “Believe: The Barack Obama Story” (2008)

                 

    Production History

   “The Million Man March Story”   2015 updated edition, 2005, 1995

• Digitally reformatted 1995 film chronicling the Million Man March in was broadcast nationwide on cable television network TV One on October 9, 2015.

 

• Hosted by Malik Yoba, hour-long program serves as official documentary of the Million Man March, features key interviews with participants in the March, as well as many speeches from the gathering, and was aired across local NBC TV affiliates in 1995 and 2005.

 

• Broadcast was immediately followed by a roundtable discussion hosted by News One Now anchor Roland Martin, with OTP President Thomas Hart, Jr., focusing on the impact of the 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March.

 

• Screenings in Washington, DC and The National Black Theatre in New York City.

 

 

  “Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life-An All-Star Grammy Salute,” Associate Producer

• Contributor to finale at Grammy Awards Tribute to Stevie Wonder that aired on CBS on February 16, 2015, featuring  Beyoncé, John Legend, Lady Gaga, Band Perry, Tony Bennett and many others. Tribute featured excerpts from OTP original film “MLK: The Making of a Holiday.”

   

   

  “James Brown: The Man, The Music, & The Message,” 2014 (new edition), 1992

• Updated edition of OTP’s original hour-long  documentary chronicles legendary singer James Brown’s life and music career. Praised by Brown as one of his favorite biographical works, and hosted by Dick Cavett, program features in-depth interviews with Mr. Brown, Dick Clark, Michael Jackson, Little Richard, Bobby Brown, MC Hammer and more.

 

• Program was syndicated on a barter basis, and aired on broadcast affiliates, led by NBC, throughout the country in 2014 and 1992.  

 

• Program was licensed with cable television leader TV One, airing on numerous occasions nationwide throughout 2014, and released in VHS and DVD formats.

 

• Updated edition was featured at the National Bar Association’s annual conference, and was screened at the historic Lincoln Theatre and THEARC theatre in Washington, DC. Program was funded in part by the DC government, and was screened for the Congressional Black Caucus at their annual gathering in Washington, DC.

 

   “MLK: The Making of a Holiday,” 2010  (new edition, 1996)

• Updated edition of hour-long 1996 film, marked by DVD release, contains additional footage and interviews to mark the commemoration of the MLK Memorial in Washington, DC. Hosted by award-winning actors LeVar Burton and Marla Gibbs, with commentary by Coretta Scott-King, Sen. Ted Kennedy, and many more.

 

• Promotion of updated edition included nationwide broadcast to coincide with the MLK holiday in 2013, led by NBC affiliates. Originally aired nationwide in 1996, program received congressional recognition for its contribution to the documentation of American history, and numerous screenings on Capitol Hill and at the Motion Picture Association of America.

 

  “Believe: The Barack Obama Story,” Producer, 2008

• One-hour documentary chronicles the rise of President Barack Obama.

 

• Documentary, hosted by Roland Martin, follows President Obama from his childhood, to his days as a community organizer, US Senator and Presidential candidate through a series of footage and interviews with the 44th President, his wife, and those closest to him. Program was filmed across the nation, including Hawaii, Chicago, and Washington, DC.

 

• Program was broadcast nationwide on ABC affiliates for barter syndication, and was licensed to TV One for cable airing.

 

• Released on DVD format. Private screening for Congress hosted by Majority Whip.

 

 

    Summer Olympics Ceremony Flag Jam, Segment Producer 1994 and 1996

• Helped choreograph and orchestrate the flag ceremony at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia and the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway

 

    FIFA World Cup, Talent Coordinator 1994

• Recruited and developed talent that produced the World Cup Opening Ceremony at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC.

 

    American Music Awards and Grammy Awards, Segment Producer

• Worked with legendary Producer Dick Clark to produce AMA ceremony in 1992, 1994-95 

• Produced segments at the Grammy Awards in 1992 and 2015

 

 

    Legislative Accomplishments

• Telecommunications Act of 1996   

           

• Worked closely with member of Congress to develop and draft the first significant overhaul of United States telecommunications law since 1934, in part to address the creation of the Internet.

 

• Credited by members of Congress, including Bobby Rush and Eleanor Holmes Norton with occupying a key role in development of legislation, especially in creating Market Entry Barrier provisions and the creation of the Telecommunications Development Fund.

 

• Work is credited with helping eliminate barriers for small businesses in the telecom field, as well as creating a catalyst for access to capital for small businesses in the telecommunications industry.

 

 

    Awards and Recognition

• Berlin Film Festival Best Director Award for “James Brown: The Man, The Music, & The       Message”.

• Films recognized by members of Congress as important contributions to African-American culture and history.

 

 

    Upcoming Projects

    “Funny After 50”

    #TheStateofBlackAmerica

    “The Fashion of Politics”