Diane D. Griffith
Diane D. Griffith, aka Diane D. Beam, was born in San Francisco, California. Her family later relocated to the small town of Sebastopol in Northern California.
From a young age, Diane was interested in the study of the Universe. After High School, Diane attended <i>Santa Rosa Jr. College</i> before transferring to BYU (University) where she graduated with a Bachelor's degree in <i>Physics</i> with an emphasis in <i>Astronomy and modern Cosmology</i>....from ancient myth to modern discoveries in the origin and fate of the universe.
While working in the Univerity Physics department at BYU, Diane taught astronomy courses at the <i>Eyring Science Center deep Sky Observation deck</i> and the <i>Sarah Summerhayes planetarium</i> presenting constellation and deep-sky lectures to university students and the general public
Diane paused her university studies for two years while living in Paris, France, and surrounding cities. Diane then returned to the University completing her bachelor's degree (BA) in Physics with an emphasis in Astronomy/Astrophysics
After graduation, Diane took a full-time position at the former, Salt Lake City, <i>Hansen Planetarium</i>, as a star show writer, director, producer, and lecturer. During this time, Diane received her MFA, Master's degree in <i>Film Studies</i> from the University of Utah while working at the <i>University Film Studies Department</i> as a film course instructor.
Diane is best known for her work with her co-author, scientist Stephen W. Hawking. Their core production/collaboration titled "Stephen W. Hawking's Fate of the Universe" focused on the origin, nature, and future of the Universe. "Fate of the Universe" was originally produced and aired as a planetarium star show at the former "Hansen Planetarium." This widely received program was followed by a 35 mm film (in post-production) of the same title.
Diane was director/producer of select internationally distributed mixed-format science and star show programs funded through national resources including the "National Science Foundation". While at the Hansen Planetarium Diane and planetarium staff members produced additional star productions including "Beyond the Horizon" narrated by "Star Trek" actor Patrick Stewart and "Cosmic Catastrophes." These programs were widely distributed to planetariums and science centers.
The star show "Stephen W. Hawking's "Fate of the Universe" star show, co-authored by Professor W. Hawking and Diane Beam aired at the Salt Lake City, Hansen Planetarium. The star show and film feature Stephen Hawking's key scientific contributions as well as the work of additional leading world-class scientists.
Both star show and documentary film feature Stephen on-camera presenting his key scientific theories and discoveries as well select modern and ancient cosmological theories. The film presents Professor Hawking on camera at locations on the <i>Cambridge University, UK</i> campus. Professor Hawking was also filmed at majestic landscapes located in Utah's <i>Canyonlands</i> and <i>Arches</i> National Parks.
Prior to filming the feature documentary film, Professor Hawking attended the Salt Lake City, Utah premiere of their feature planetarium "star show" production of the same title <i>Stephen Hawking's Fate of the Universe</i>. The planetarium star show multimedia program was co-authored by Stephen Hawking and Diane Beam Griffith; produced by Diane Beam and the Salt Lake City Hansen planetarium production team.
During Professor Hawking's visits to Utah's Salt Lake City and Park City, Stephen delivered public lectures to "packed" Utah audiences which were followed by public question and answer sessions. As one local news station (KSL) described the events <i>"Rock Star size crowds for a scientist who studies the stars".</i>
Following the success of their "star show" production, Stephen and Diane reunited to co-write and produce a 35mm feature film of the same title. Filming took place both in the UK and Utah. This film is in post-production.
In addition to her work as writer, director, producer, Diane works in film, television, and stage in various roles including writer, film crew, actor, and background including the feature film "The Happy Worker" as directed by Duwayne Dunham and Executive Produced by David Lynch; "Good Joe Bell" featuring actor Mark Wahlberg; and select episodes of the television series "Yellowstone" as created, written and directed by Taylor Sheridan and featuring actor Kevin Costner.
In her early years in Northern California, Diane's portrayed "Alice" in her high school "young actors" stage production of <i>Alice in Wonderland</i>. This was followed by the Santa Rosa, California, community stage production, <i>You're a Good Man Charlie Brown</i> as created by writer/artist/cartoonist, Charles Schultz. For this production, Diane portrayed the role "Peppermint Patty". Mr. Charles Schultz generously donated the use of the <i>original</i> Broadway stage set to the young actor's production." Charles Schultz attended the live public performance and provided generous critical feedback to the young actors.
Diane grew up with her four <i>Beam</i> sisters in Northern California. Diane's maternal line includes the surnames: Levin, Rosenthal, and Hadley. Diane's paternal, biological surname is "Griffith". Her birth father served in the Korean War. Later in life, through DNA testing, Diane discovered she had a paternal Griffith brother living in Southern California.
Diane's mother, Lorraine, was a writer, dancer, and hospital administrative secretary. Her biological Griffith father was a writer and engineer. Diane has five "Beam" sisters and one Griffith brother. Diane has two sons, Nate and Gentry.
Diane lives in the foothills of Mount Olympus, Utah.