Red Couch Productions is the documentary film home of Chicago-area photographer Stephanie Book and journalist Allison Smith, a native of the Austin area now living near Chicago.

In June 2005, the friends were relaxing in Smith's 1890 farmhouse rental when the conversation turned to documentary movies. This was not a new topic for Smith, a lifelong movie nut who eats documentaries for breakfast but had so far satisfied her professional appetite with journalism, foreign language, and the performing arts. Nor was it a stretch for Book, who saw an opportunity for growth in fusion of her loves that up until now she had pursued separately - photography and journalism. And minutes later, among the cushy crimson pillowed couch, launched the creative birth of Red Couch Productions. Within a few karmic minutes, it was obvious that the first project would be about David Farber, a daring and intriguing wildlife photographer Smith wrote a newspaper article about in 2004 who, by the way, is paralyzed

  Their aspirations were simple: make a 15-minute short movie that we would not feel ashamed to show on our living room walls to our loved ones and David. The preliminary footage was shot with just a pair of Super 8 cameras and Neanderthal sound gear.

  But soon, the Farber documentary took off. Strangers became friends. Friends became colleagues. Energy came from untapped personal universes. Opportunities dangled overhead, and beautifully strange coincidences unfolded along the way.

  Where will the Red Couch take this team? As far and wide as luck, sweat, and a good story will allow. To learn more about the “Lion in the Street” production, link to the movie website here or return to the Home page and click on the promotional art.