The Last Black Man in Town
Let me begin by reaching out – I would welcome your ideas, suggestions, connections to get a film/television documentary project into high gear. Let me share something about it.
It’s a true story of an intellectual, self-taught scholar and quiet man who made his living as a barber in a tiny Illinois farm community just before the Great Depression. His name was Charles Everett Ellis, and he was the last black man in town.
It was a violent time of unspeakable racial cleansing across America’s Midwest and South. Even though other family members moved north to the safety of big cities, Ellis (right) stayed in the small town with his wife and seven children. In 1927 at age 40, he began writing a diary. It ultimately filled six volumes, and 2,650 pages.
The diary paints the story of a man who found ways to rise above the challenges of racism, fear and harm to define his own destiny.
We’re calling the project, The Barber’s Diaries. The “We” includes film director Kevin Willmott, one of Spike Lee’s brilliant guys; Michael Wunsch, owner of the indie film company, Outpost Worldwide; two of Charles Ellis’ daughters; and me. All the pieces are in place to produce a very timely television documentary but funding.
I don’t know anything about funding for this type of project. Anyone have any ideas about funding or any other aspect of the project? Please click Contact (above) to send a private message or an open Comment. Thanks.
Filed Under: Featured • Personal notes
About the Author: David is a veteran communications strategist ... writer ... blogger ... online publisher ... and Emmy Award winning former CBS Network News correspondent. He lives in the Washington, D. C., area, and works worldwide.
Hope this makes it to the big screens, its such a intriguing story.
@rr,
So appreciate your comment. Interesting there are hundreds of comments about a scandal reported on this blog but just one, so far, about an inspiring story.
Unfortunately I’m not sure myself, David, but I will ask around my network – sounds an amazing story, good luck with it.
Just as an addendum, this was suggested:
http://www.mymilliondollarmovie.com/index-en.php
Get the public involved as funders? Could work.
Hi David,
It sounds like an interesting project, and a story that deserves to be told. I don’t have much experience in film making myself but I do know of some people who are going down the route of self-producing projects. I don’t know if they will be able to help you or whether they would have time to talk, but it would be worth you having a look at what they are doing.
Jessica Mae Stover – ‘Artemis Eternal’ -(http://artemiseternal.com/) “…a professional sci fi fantasy short intended for film festivals…” Jessica is a very accomplished, driven person and the website shows you the progress they have made so far.
‘Browncoats: Redemption’ (http://www.browncoatsredemption.com/) “…takes place three months after the events on Miranda and we find Captain Laura Matthews and the crew of Redemption unintentionally thrown into a situation that some view as the potential catalyst for the second unified rise of the Independents against the Alliance, since Unification Day…” This is a fan-made film set in the Joss Whedon Firefly/Serenity universe.
They are film projects but you might be looking for something different. If so, how about web TV? There are new production companies such as Strike TV (http://www.strike.tv/) who might be interested or who might be able to help. Then there are the web TV site such as TubeFilter (http://news.tubefilter.tv/), Tilzy.tv (http://www.tilzy.tv/) and NewTeeVee (http://newteevee.com/). They don’t commission but they have lots of information about independent projects and might be a source of further help.
I wish you well with it and keep posting on how it’s going!
Don Fouser–a former neighbor and resident of Ipswich, Ma has done tons of documentaries for PBS. I would try to reach him and see if he has any insight for you.
Good luck on your venture. It sounds refreshing and unique.
LMC
I am an agent for Cinecitta’ in Rome, Italy. Cinecitta’ can possibly offer up to $500,000 in discounts if you decide to use Cinecitta’ studios. If you wish further information, please contact Maurizio Sperandini, Production Facilities Director and Vice General Director at maurizio.sperandini@cinecittastudios.it or at http://www.cinecittastudios.it . Good luck on your project.