Sheila Nevins

Sheila Nevins
The Princess Switch
Nevins in 2014
Born (1939-04-06) April 6, 1939
Manhattan, New York U.S.
EducationLittle Red School House
High School of Performing Arts
Alma materBarnard College
Yale School of Drama
OccupationsTelevision producer
documentary filmmaker
author
Years active1960–present
Known forPresident of HBO Documentary Films

Sheila Nevins (born April 6, 1939)[1] is an American television producer and former head of MTV Documentary Films division of MTV Entertainment Studios.[2] Previously, Nevins was the president of HBO Documentary Films, where she produced over 1,000 documentary films.[3] She has worked on productions that have been recognized with 35 News and Documentary Emmy Awards, 42 Peabody Awards, and 26 Academy Awards. Nevins has won 31 individual Primetime Emmy Awards, more than any other person.[4] She is also a member of the board of directors for the Peabody Awards.[5]

Early life and education

Nevins was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan[1] to Jewish parents[6] Stella Nevins (née Rosenberg),[7] a chemist, and Benjamin Nevins, a Russian immigrant post office worker who was also a bookie. Nevins' family was very poor and her mother suffered from an acute form of Raynaud's disease, which resulted in amputations of her limbs, and scleroderma.[8] Nevins has a younger sister (born 1946) who is a doctor.

Due to the generosity of her uncle, who was a wealthy inventor, Nevins attended private schools growing up.[9][10] Nevins attended Little Red School House and the High School of Performing Arts in New York City.

She received a BA in English from Barnard College in 1960. In 1963 she received an MFA in Directing from the Yale School of Drama, where she was one of two women in the directing program.[1][11]

Career

In the 1960s, Nevins began her career at the United States Information Agency in Washington, D.C. She was hired to play a secretary in the USIA TV series called Adventures in English, which was created to teach English vocabulary, which her character repeated, in foreign countries.[1] Nevins then worked as a researcher, cataloging historical footage about World War II at the Library of Congress. Nevins said that this immersive work inspired her to shift focus from the fictional world of theater to the fact-based world of documented in film.[12]

From 1970 to 1973, after moving back to New York, Nevins apprenticed with director Don Mischer and producer Bob Squire. Nevins then got a job as a researcher on Al Perlmutter's groundbreaking Channel 13 TV show The Great American Dream Machine, eventually working her way up to doing segments and "man on the street" interviews. Nevins also worked as a director.[13] Inspired by the film Salesman, she hired Albert and David Maysles to direct parts of the show.[10][14]

In 1973, Nevins was a Field Producer for The Reasoner Report on ABC News.

From 1973 to 1975, Nevins wrote for Time-Life Films. She worked briefly for 20/20. Nevins declined Don Hewitt's invitation to be a producer for 60 Minutes.[15]

In 1975 she began working as a writer and producer for the Children's Television Workshop. She also worked at Scribner making recordings of books for blind people. Nevins was a researcher then associate producer for The Great American Dream Machine on National Educational Television.

In 1978 and 1979, Nevins was a producer for the CBS News magazine Who's Who.[16]

HBO

In 1979, Nevins was hired by HBO as director of documentary programming on a 13-week contract.[11] She continued in that position until 1982.

From 1983 to 1985, Nevins had a production company called Spinning Reels and created the animated educational program Braingames.[10][17]

In 1986, Nevins returned to HBO as vice president of documentary programming. In 1995, she became the senior vice president of original programming. Nevin's tenure at HBO saw the rise of sexually themed programming in the America Undercover documentary series.[18]

From 1999 to 2003, Nevins was the executive vice president of original programming at HBO.[14] In 1998, Nevins said that she produced 12 documentaries a year at HBO, with budgets that were typically US$600,000 in 1998 dollars.[19]

Nevins was HBO's President of Documentary and Family Programming from 2004 to 2018.[20]

In March 2018, Nevins retired from her position at HBO.[20][21]

Writing

In 2007, Nevins wrote the foreword to the book Addiction: Why Can't They Just Stop?, which was based on the HBO documentary series of the same name, and was produced in association with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.[22]

In 2017, Nevins published a memoir, You Don't Look Your Age... and Other Fairy Tales.[23] Nevins explores concepts of aging, youth, and experience. Some of the book features lightly fictionalized vignettes and poetry.[24][25] Kathy Bates, Gloria Vanderbilt, Lily Tomlin, Martha Stewart, Meryl Streep, RuPaul, among many others, contributed audio performances to the audio version of the book.[26]

Personal life

In 1963, Nevins married a lawyer who also attended Yale. Though she'd wanted to pursue a theater career, her husband wanted her to be home evenings and weekends, which meant she had to find herself a "regular" job. That marriage eventually ended in divorce.[12][27]

In 1972, Nevins married investment banker Sidney Koch. The pair had a home in Litchfield, Connecticut, and an apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. They have one son, David Koch (born 1980).[28] She has discussed her son's struggle with Tourette syndrome and her struggle to be a working mother with a son who was ill.[15] Nevins has said that the 2007 HBO series, Addiction, was inspired by her son's struggles with substance abuse.[11]

Nevins produced an HBO documentary about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire called Triangle: Remembering the Fire, to which she had a personal connection, which she found out about after seeing the documentary Schmatta. Nevins' great-aunt Celia Gittlin, a 17-year-old immigrant from Russia, had died in the fire.[29]

Honors and Awards

Academy Awards

Peabody Awards

Primetime Emmy Awards

News & Documentary Emmy Awards

  • 1993: Special Classification for Outstanding News and Documentary Individual Achievement for America Undercover - Multiple Personalities: The Search for Deadly Memories
  • 1997: Outstanding Informational or Cultural Programming for The Search for Mother Russia's Children
  • 1997: Outstanding Investigative Journalism for Calling the Ghosts
  • 1997: Special Classification for Outstanding News and Documentary Program Achievement for A Kill for a Kill
  • 1997: Special Classification for Outstanding News and Documentary Program Achievement for Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien
  • 1998: Outstanding Informational or Cultural Programming for Kids of Survival: The Life and Art of Tim Rollins & K.O.S.
  • 1998: Outstanding Investigative Journalism for Waco: The Rules of Engagement
  • 1998: Outstanding Investigative Journalism for Teen Killers: A Second Chance?
  • 1998: Special Classification for Outstanding News and Documentary Program Achievement for Life of Crime 2
  • 1999: Outstanding News and Documentary Program Achievement for The Cruise
  • 2000: Outstanding Historical Programming with Limited Dramatization for The Children of Chabannes
  • 2000: Outstanding Investigative Journalism for Crimes of Honor
  • 2001: Outstanding Investigative Journalism - Long Form for The Carpet Slaves: Stolen Children of India
  • 2002: Outstanding Informational Programming - Long Form for Telling Nicholas
  • 2003: Outstanding Cultural and Artistic Programming - Long Form for Spellbound
  • 2004: Best Documentary for My Flesh and Blood
  • 2004: Outstanding Cultural and Artistic Programming - Long Form for Bus 174
  • 2006: Best Documentary for God Sleeps in Rwanda
  • 2007: Outstanding Investigative Journalism - Long Form for Have You Seen Andy?
  • 2008: Outstanding Arts & Culture Programming for The Art of Failure: Chuck Connelly Not for Sale
  • 2009: Outstanding Informational Programming - Long Form for Which Way Home
  • 2010: Outstanding Science and Technology Programming for Google Baby
  • 2011: Outstanding Historical Programming - Long Form for Reagan
  • 2012: Best Documentary for Saving Face
  • 2012: Outstanding Arts & Culture Programming for Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present
  • 2012: Outstanding Historical Programming - Long Form for The Loving Story
  • 2013: Outstanding Informational Programming - Long Form for The Crash Reel
  • 2014: Outstanding Arts and Culture Programming for Dangerous Acts Starring the Unstable Elements of Belarus
  • 2015: Outstanding Arts and Culture Programming for Very Semi-Serious: A Partially Thorough Portrait of New Yorker Cartoonists
  • 2016: Best Documentary for A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness
  • 2017: Outstanding Investigative Documentary for Solitary: Inside Red Onion State Prison
  • 2018: Best Documentary for I Am Evidence
  • 2023: Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary for Art & Krimes by Krimes
  • 2023: Outstanding Crime and Justice Documentary for The Fire That Took Her

CableACE Awards

  • 1988: Educational or Instructional Special for How to Raise a Streetsmart Child
  • 1989: Documentary Series for America Undercover
  • 1994: Documentary Special for America Undercover - The Broadcast Tapes of Dr. Peter
  • 1995: Documentary Special for Gang War: Bangin' in Little Rock - America Undercover
  • 1995: Children's Special - 7 and Older for Eagle Scout: The Story of Henry Nicols
  • 1995: Educational or Instructional Special or Series for America Undercover - Southern Justice: The Murder of Medgar Evers
  • 1997: Documentary Special for Heart of a Child
  • 1997: Historical Documentary Special or Series for Wonderland

Selected filmography

Works and publications

  • Nevins, Sheila (foreword by) (2007). Hoffman, John; Froemke, Susan (eds.). Addiction: Why Can't They Just Stop?: New Knowledge, New Treatments, New Hope. New York: Rodale, Inc. ISBN 978-1-609-61697-7. OCLC 894934005.
  • Nevins, Sheila (2017). You Don't Look Your Age... and Other Fairy Tales. New York: Flatiron Books. ISBN 978-1-250-11132-6. OCLC 1033473012.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Mascaro, Thomas A. (2008). "Documentaries: Form and Function". In Edgerton, Gary R.; Jones, Jeffrey P. (eds.). The Essential HBO Reader. Lexington, KY: University Press of Kentucky. pp. 239–. ISBN 978-0-813-17265-1. OCLC 190963950.
  2. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (May 7, 2019). "Sheila Nevins Sets Next Act: Launching MTV Documentary Films". Article. The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  3. ^ Taubin, Amy (Summer 2004). "HBO's Sheila Nevins Nurtures and Nudges". Ms. Magazine. Archived from the original on June 5, 2016. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
  4. ^ Fontoura, Maria (March 2, 2022). "The Maestro: Sheila Nevins". Rolling Stone. No. 1361. New York: Penske. pp. 36–37, 80. ISSN 0035-791X. ProQuest 2634875211. Archived from the original on July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  5. ^ "Who We Are". Grady College and University of Georgia. Archived from the original on April 29, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  6. ^ "Nevins, Sheila". Jewish Virtual Library. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  7. ^ "Deaths: NEVINS-Stella" (PDF). The New York Times. October 23, 1975. p. 42.
  8. ^ Dunn, Edwina (2017). "Sheila Nevins". The Female Lead: Women Who Shape Our World. London: Ebury Press. ISBN 978-1-473-52945-8. OCLC 992169535.
  9. ^ "Sheila Nevins" (Video). MAKERS. 2017. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  10. ^ a b c "Sheila Nevins interview". Archive of American Television (Interview). Interviewed by Karen Herman. New York. May 2, 2006. Archived from the original on May 30, 2017. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
  11. ^ a b c Jensen, Elizabeth (June 11, 2010). "Sheila Nevins: The Force Behind HBO Documentaries". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
  12. ^ a b Rose, Charlie; Nevins, Sheila (March 21, 2001). "Sheila Nevins – Charlie Rose" (Video interview, includes transcript). Charlie Rose. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  13. ^ Blau, Eleanor (February 11, 1988). "Museum Show Honors 25 Years of Channel 13". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  14. ^ a b Sheuer, Steven; Nevins, Sheila (October 17, 2002). "Television in America: An Autobiography – Sheila Nevins" (Video interview). Television in America. CUNY TV. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  15. ^ a b Rose, Charlie; Nevins, Sheila (April 28, 2017). "Sheila Nevins – Charlie Rose" (Video interview with transcript). Charlie Rose. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  16. ^ "1998 Career Achievement Award: Sheila Nevins | International Documentary Association". www.documentary.org. November 1, 1998. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
  17. ^ O'Connor, John J. (November 5, 1984). "'Wonderworks' and 'Braingames'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  18. ^ Salamon, Julie (March 3, 2002). "Nevins Rules". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
  19. ^ Sterngold, James (April 15, 1998). "Arts in America; HBO Programmer Likes to Kindle Both Heat and Light". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  20. ^ a b Dowd, Maureen (December 16, 2017). "The Grande Dame of Documentary Is Leaving Her Home at HBO". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  21. ^ Haylock, Zoe (March 22, 2017). "Sheila Nevins Declares She's "Too Energetic and Ambitious to Retire"". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  22. ^ Nevins, Sheila (foreword by) (2007). Hoffman, John; Froemke, Susan (eds.). Addiction: Why Can't They Just Stop?: New Knowledge, New Treatments, New Hope. New York: Rodale, Inc. ISBN 978-1-609-61697-7. OCLC 894934005.
  23. ^ Nevins, Sheila (2017). You Don't Look Your Age... and Other Fairy Tales. New York: Flatiron Books. ISBN 978-1-250-11132-6. OCLC 1033473012.
  24. ^ Clemons, Steve; Nevins, Sheila (October 25, 2018). "The New Old Age: Films, Fairy Tales, and Aging" (Video interview). The Atlantic. Archived from the original on November 5, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  25. ^ Simon, Scott; Nevins, Sheila (April 29, 2017). "Documentary Filmmaker On The Personal Essays In 'You Don't Look Your Age'" (Audio interview). Weekend Edition Sunday. NPR. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  26. ^ Barnes, Brooks (May 5, 2017). "Being an 'Old Lady' Role Model in Hollywood? Not Easy". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  27. ^ Nelson, Steve; Nevins, Sheila (July 31, 2001). "Hauser Collection: Sheila Nevins 2001 Oral and Video History" (Oral history video interview with transcript). Syndeo Institute at The Cable Center. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  28. ^ "Weddings/Celebrations: Brooke Colbert, David Koch". The New York Times. September 25, 2011. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  29. ^ Berger, Joseph (March 25, 2011). "Triangle Fire: Clinging to Scraps of Memories". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  30. ^ "THR's Women in Entertainment 2011: Power 100. Sheila Nevins: President, HBO Documentary Films". The Hollywood Reporter. December 7, 2011. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  31. ^ "Women of Achievement Honorees". Women's Project Theater. Archived from the original on May 9, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  32. ^ "The 96th Academy Awards | 2024". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  33. ^ "The 98th Academy Awards | 2026". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  34. ^ "She's Nobody's Baby: The History of American Women in the 20th Century". Peabody Award. 1981. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  35. ^ Mesce, Jr., Bill (2015). Inside the Rise of HBO: A Personal History of the Company That Transformed Television. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 137. ISBN 978-1-476-62225-5. OCLC 913376198.
  36. ^ "Personal Award: Sheila Nevins". Peabody Award. 1999. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  37. ^ "Baghdad ER (Home Box Office)". Peabody Award. 2006. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  38. ^ "Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (HBO)". Peabody Award. 2013. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  39. ^ "Life According to Sam (HBO)". Peabody Award. 2013. Archived from the original on December 3, 2019. Retrieved September 30, 2014.

Further reading

  • Cunningham, Megan (2005). "Producing: Sheila Nevins: Collaborating with Directors". The Art of the Documentary: Fifteen Conversations with Leading Directors, Cinematographers, Editors, and Producers. San Francisco: New Riders. ISBN 978-0-133-76497-0. OCLC 869792233.
  • Dunn, Edwina (2017). "Sheila Nevins". The Female Lead: Women Who Shape Our World. London: Ebury Press. ISBN 978-1-473-52945-8. OCLC 992169535.
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