Supporting the local filmmaking and media arts community is another of DiIanni’s fervent commitments and "one of the most fun parts of my job." For example, she and partner Ron Bachman, Local’s Director of Programming, recast the show VIEWPOINT as a way to highlight works of indigenous filmmakers. In a spring film festival, the show airs six to eight locally produced programs. Her group also encourages local artists by bestowing small grants and providing some GBH production resources.

For instance, local filmmaker Debbie Dorsey, partnering with husband Bob Burns, invited photographer Elsa Dorfman to shoot images of women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Herself a survivor, Ms. Dorsey, with WGBH’s support, created a documentary entitled NO HAIR DAY that premiered on VIEWPOINT and will be broadcast on the national PBS show INDEPENDENT LENS.

What new projects are in the works at Local Productions? One endeavor of the ex-documentary filmmaker is called STORY BREAKS. Like the episodic "Taster’s Choice" commercials that serialized the romance of coffee-drinking neighbors, these five to six minute segments experiment with the concept of short-duration story telling (useful for on-line story telling or shorter broadcasts). Jonathan Sahula is producing one set of stories entitled HAIRDO, a series of Cinderella-style tales about members of a Malden hair salon who literally and metaphorically journey to New York City for a hairdo competition. The four-week segments aired on QTV in August and Select 44 in September.

DiIanni began her filmmaking career in England, then Mexico, helping friends there make independent documentaries. Returning to the States, she then became a news photo editor in New York, serving clients such as Newsweek and The New York Times. It was during this period that, in addition to her interest in science and medical journalism, DiIanni realized that she loved words and pictures and wanted to pursue opportunities that combined her varied interests.

In 1982, when a job as a post-production assistant for NOVA, PBS’ premier documentary science series, came her way, DiIanni grabbed it. Now she had the opportunity to travel the world, meet scientists, create documentary productions, and chalk up some true adventures.

Like the time she covered the Alaskan oil spill. Because the large news organizations had usurped local resources for their real-time reporting needs, DiIanni – whose documentary pace called for a slower approach – was forced to sleep on floors and fly in a small aircraft piloted by an unlicensed seventeen-year-old.

Then there was the art forger ("The Fine Art of Faking It", 1992) who lived in Bavaria, several hours from Munich, and who agreed to let DiIanni film his craft. (He considered himself to be an "art copier" and was proud of his work). DiIanni and crew finally arrived and were ready to shoot, when their camera broke. The conservator put the crew in his hot American Jeep and drove eighty miles per hour to reach the only film supplier in the region before the store closed.

"NOVA (and GBH) is a great place for hard working women on the way up the career ladder," notes a grateful DiIanni. "The station is very supportive and humane, particularly to women and families." An encouraging environment is a definite plus, but the contemplative producer offers further advice for women in the media arts. "I know this sounds cliché," she muses, "but it is still important to find mentors and people you admire for their work and the way they live their lives – people who can provide inspiration and guidance. Women must work incredibly hard and, yet, be mindful that they do not work too much harder than men. They should also surround themselves with the most talented, hard working people they can find."

According to DiIanni, today’s career environment offers exciting opportunities for women. One area ripe for prospects is the multi-faceted arena of new media, including web and other interactive and broadband production. She recommends that women take courses in new media and the craft of story telling and then experiment with new approaches to relating a story.

What are DiIanni’s long range goals, both professionally and personally? For WGBH, she aims to create programs that are as high quality on the local level as PBS shows are on the national level. She also plans to reposition Local as a place where WGBH can turn for high-quality, quick turn-around, low-cost productions for use in other markets besides local ones. "I want Local to be a training ground for the best in the business and garner the reputation the department deserves."

When asked about her personal goals, DiIanni contemplates. "I love to write short stories, watch movies, and, in another life, dream of becoming a movie reviewer." But, her greatest passion lies with her family: Her artist husband, Ross Miller – who creates outdoor sculptures and installations like the Christmas lights that appear to float over towns such as Cambridge that commission his work – and her two young children. "I love being with my children, taking hikes and creating moments where they can be kids and engage with the environment around them. One day last week, while sitting on our porch, we saw a double rainbow. That was a magical moment."

DiIanni’s ultimate goal? To find the proper and sensitive balance between her professional goals and her family. "This delicate balance is the one I constantly think about and strive for," DiIanni passionately expresses. Considering her accomplishments to date, there’s no question that she’ll find a commendable equilibrium.