Jay Craven, American film director, screenwriter, and former film professor at Marlboro College, will present his talk New England Movies: How and Why at Ventfort Hall.  Craven will tell the story of his adventures and experiences, developing a sustained filmmaking career in the unlikely settings of Vermont and Massachusetts. A tea will follow his presentation. He will describe working with a wide range of actors, including Rip Torn, Tantoo Cardinal, Kris Kristofferson, Martin Sheen, Ernie Hudson, and Michael J. Fox.  And he’ll share the rich satisfactions and substantial challenges that come from a deep immersion into place-based narrative filmmaking.  Expect hair-raising tales, a few laughs madcap adventures and behind-the-scenes insight into how all this unfolded – and continues to evolve, albeit under new approaches and an ever-shifting media landscape.