Hal Rifken has worked for most all of the cable and broadcast networks and on corporate assignments domestically and abroad. With an academic background in literature and psychology, his personal interests include the culinary arts, educational subjects, and eccentrics of all stripes. A few of his favorite projects: Edible Roots With Martin Yan, a series he produced for the Food Network, explores the cuisines and cultures of Southeast Asia (Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Hong Kong); The Jews Of Camaguay, with journalist Tsadok Yecheskeli, was produced for Israeli TV and documents the opening of the first synagogue in Cuba since the revolution; Dixie Queen, with director Miles Daniels, profiles a 300 pound drag queen who performs in Wilmington, NC; Blue Like Me: The Art of Siona Benjamin, with writer/editor Ryan Arey, profiles an Indian-American artist who takes a nostalgic trip back to her native Mumbai. For Princeton-based Hagens Recording Studio, he shot and co-directed Considering Waldorf, an overview of the Rudolph Steiner-based educational model. With producer Michael Peroff, he is currently directing and shooting Behind The Strings: The Shanghai Quartet, a documentary on the internationally renowned string quartet.