See3 Executive Producer Daniel Alpert is a brilliant filmmaker. HBO, A&E, PBS… Danny has made moving and impactful broadcast documentaries for more than 15 years. In the past 5 years, Danny has become an expert in short-form video and internet delivery and through See3 makes those services available to nonprofits. But he keeps making those broadcast documentaries.

Danny’s latest project is The Calling. It’s a 4-part prime time PBS event scheduled for 2009. One of the coolest things will be the outreach and engagement pieces. Danny “plans to leverage the widespread appeal anticipated for this project with an innovative, multi-platform community engagement campaign designed to build audiences before the broadcast and extend the reach of the series into communities across the nation.” Much of that engagement will happen online.

From the press release:

The Independent Television Service (ITVS) announced today that it has made a significant investment in a four-part documentary series about religion in the U.S. to be broadcast in 2009 on PBS. ITVS’ support of the program is bolstered by a recent announcement of other major funding from the Program Challenge Fund from the CPB (Corporation for Public Broadcasting) and PBS (Public Broadcasting Service).

“THE CALLING” presents a four-hour, in-depth exploration of faith in the U.S. through the dramatic journeys of dedicated Americans who have chosen to become religious leaders. As they approach a lifetime of service and spiritual leadership, these Muslims, Catholics, Evangelical Christians and Jews struggle to balance religious convictions, rigorous academics, professional responsibilities and personal relationships. Their intimate portraits will provide a rich, nuanced portrayal of religion in America never before seen on national television. “THE CALLING” is projected for broadcast on PBS in 2009.

And here’s the very short trailer.