Assertion Films

Assertion Films Assertion Films is a development and production company specializing in documentaries for broadcast and online audiences.

In addition, we collaborate with ad agencies, production companies and brands to find talent for authentic commercials and PSAs.

08/25/2026

Not a bad way to start the day! One of the joys of filming on Route 66: waking up at the historic El Rancho in Gallup, enjoying a delicious New Mexico breakfast, and getting ready for another day on the road.

Today we’re filming for Atomic Legacy on Route 66, continuing to explore the people, places, and stories connected to the region’s nuclear history.

As I prepare to show the Atomic Legacy on Route 66 later this month at the New Mexico History Museum, I'm reminded that ...
08/05/2026

As I prepare to show the Atomic Legacy on Route 66 later this month at the New Mexico History Museum, I'm reminded that the legacy of the Atomic Age isn't just history. It's still unfolding today.
Tomorrow, the New Mexico Environment Department will hold a public meeting on NuFuels' proposed Church Rock Section 8 In Situ Recovery Project. Members of the Red Water Pond Community have asked supporters to attend and speak out against a project they believe threatens their land and community.
The meeting takes place at 5:30 p.m. at Fire Rock Casino, on the same evening as Gallup's Ceremonial Night Parade. Community members have expressed concern that the scheduling may reduce participation in this important public hearing.
If you're in the area, please consider attending and supporting the community's right to be heard.

On August 11, I'll be sharing some of the research behind my newest project, "The Atomic Legacy on Route 66," as part of...
08/03/2026

On August 11, I'll be sharing some of the research behind my newest project, "The Atomic Legacy on Route 66," as part of the Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series. We'll explore how the Atomic Age shaped communities across the Mother Road, from nuclear science to uranium mining to nuclear disasters, and how these stories continue to resonate today.

The presentation also offers a preview of themes that will appear in our upcoming short documentary, which will premiere at the New Mexico History Museum on Sunday, August 30, followed by a discussion with community members.

I'd love to have you join us. Please register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zI2uhfrASAKamFUDc64Gog #/registration

Thank you so much to Lynn Cline for inviting me to be her guest today on her excellent podcast Cline's Corner to talk ab...
08/01/2026

Thank you so much to Lynn Cline for inviting me to be her guest today on her excellent podcast Cline's Corner to talk about the Route 66 Exhibit and its next stop in Santa Fe at the New Mexico History Museum August 28-30th, my work as a documentarian and my new project about the Atomic Legacy on Route 66! She asks such thoughtful questions... No surprise, as she is a Route 66 expert and editor of "Road to Enchantment: A Century of Route 66 in New Mexico"! Please tune in to the podcast:
https://thepodcastcollaborative.com/view/podcast_discovery_database/entry/48713/ See less

This photo from one of my favorite speaker panels features Edith Hood and Bertha Nez of the Red Water Pond Community Nav...
07/25/2026

This photo from one of my favorite speaker panels features Edith Hood and Bertha Nez of the Red Water Pond Community Navajo Nation and author Sharon Niederman whose voices remind us that the history of the Mother Road is personal, complex, and still unfolding.
At the Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit's next stop at the New Mexico History Museum, we'll debut our new short documentary on the 1979 Church Rock Nuclear Disaster and host a special panel discussion exploring its lasting impact on Navajo communities and the broader legacy of the atomic age along Route 66.
I hope you'll join us for this special weekend at the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe, August 28–30. Read more here:
https://ladailypost.com/route-66-centennial-traveling-exhibit-continues-statewide-tour-in-santa-fe-with-expanded-experience-aug-28-30/

07/14/2026

Research can be dangerous work....

Today, while digging through footage for the culinary section of our National Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit, I made the mistake of revisiting the MidPoint Cafe and Route 66 Gift Shop, Adrian TX and its legendary "Ugly Pies." Now, I'm very far away and desperately wishing I had a slice in front of me.

The clip features Brenda Hammett Bradley, special guests Becky Johnson and her daughters, and some of the pies that helped make the cafe a Route 66 institution. My favorite line? "When it's done, it's done." Simple wisdom from someone who clearly knows a thing or two about pie—and life!

07/09/2026

A little behind-the-scenes moment with artist Jennifer Nez, who created a beautiful original weaving for our Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit, helping us tell the complex story of the Atomic Age in New Mexico and its lasting impact on the Red Water Pond Community, Navajo Nation.
During a visit to her home studio, Jen was kind enough to invite us in for a quick weaving demonstration and share a few insights into her process. We're excited to celebrate Jennifer's work and the voices of the Red Water Pond Community Association at the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe. Join us for our Atomic Legacy panel at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, where community members will share stories of resilience, history, and advocacy that continue to shape the region today.
For now, enjoy this glimpse into Jennifer's creative process and the artistry behind one of the exhibit's most meaningful pieces!

The Mother Road has always been about discovery, connection, and the stories we share along the way!We were honored to b...
07/01/2026

The Mother Road has always been about discovery, connection, and the stories we share along the way!

We were honored to bring the Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit to the Las Cruces Convention Center as part of the 2026 Governor's Conference on Hospitality and Tourism. Over several days, we welcomed visitors from across New Mexico and beyond, including a wonderful group from Spain who happened to be in town looking for something to do and found themselves exploring the history, people, and places that make Route 66 so special.

Our sincere thanks to the New Mexico Tourism Department for the invitation and for bringing together tourism, preservation, and community leaders from across the state. We are also deeply grateful to the staff of the Octavia Fellin Public Library, whose support made it possible to bring the exhibit to Las Cruces.

We look forward to continuing the journey as we take the exhibit to the New Mexico History Museum at the end of August.

06/27/2026

I recently rediscovered an interview with Harvey Girl Pauline Castillo on an old hard drive, and I knew I had to edit it and share it. We interviewed Pauline after a very well attended Harvey Girls documentary event at the KiMO Theater along Route 66.

Pauline's story is deeply connected to the history of Albuquerque and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. Her father worked for the ATSF before his life was cut short in a tragic machine shop accident. Pauline later found her own path, working at Fred Harvey's Kachina Room at the Albuquerque Airport, serving travelers at one of Albuquerque's most iconic establishments.

Through hard work and determination, Pauline and her husband were able to send all three of their children to college.

Pauline is truly an inspiration, and I'm honored to share a very small piece of her life's journey.

Spent the afternoon at DIB Bangkok and left with my head full of ideas. As we continue developing the Route 66 Centennia...
06/12/2026

Spent the afternoon at DIB Bangkok and left with my head full of ideas. As we continue developing the Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit, I'm excited to think about how we can create experiences that invite visitors to reflect on their own journeys and memories.

From James Turrell's "Straight Up," which reminded me of the American Southwest from halfway around the world, to climbing inside Surasi Kusolwong's upside-down VW Beetle, I found myself thinking about travel, memory, and the stories we attach to places and objects.

I also loved Hiroshi Sugimoto's photograph of the Tri-City Drive-In in San Bernardino and took full advantage of Marco Fusinato's interactive installation "Constellations," which lets visitors take a baseball bat to the artwork and reminds me of a temple gong, but was very therapeutic.

Days like this remind me why I love museums! And yes, sitting in an upside-down VW definitely felt like a Route 66 moment. If your organization, museum, foundation, or corporate sponsorship program is interested in helping bring this vision to communities nationwide, I'd love to connect.

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