The Southern Documentary Project
TEACHING THE NEXT GENERATION OF STORYTELLERS
“Smokes & Ears”, a documentary short by MPD producer Joe York about the Big Apple Inn on Jackson, Mississippi’s famed Farish Street, will screen at the upcoming Crossroads Film Festival in Jackson (April 17th) and also at the upcoming Tupelo Film Festival (May 13-15). “Smokes & Ears” co-produced by MDP and the Southern Foodways Alliance, was created to honor Geno Lee, proprietor of the Big Apple Inn and the winner of the SFA’s 2009 Ruth Fertel Keeper of the Flame Award.
This past week MDP producer Joe York presented three short films at the Riverway South Summit in Apalachicola, Florida. Riverway South celebrates and promotes the culture of the Flint, Chattahoochie, and Apalachicola River basins and the three short films presented by MDP at the Summit do just that. York screened “Working the Miles” about oyster harvesting on the Apalachicola Bay, “CUD” about south Georgia cattleman Will Harris, and “Something Better Than Barbecue” about Opelika, Alabama, barbecue man Chuck Farrell at Apalachicola’s historic Dixie Theater. Thanks to Fred Fussell, Carole Routland, and everyone at Riverway South for extending the invitation and showing us wonderful hospitality during or brief stay in Apalachicola.
CUD, a short film by MDP producer Joe York, is an official selection of the Atlanta Film Festival! CUD profiles catlleman Will Harris of White Oaks Pastures in Early County, Georgia. Watch the trailer for the film above or check out the film at the Landmark Art Cinemas in midtown Atlanta during the Atlanta Film Festival on Wednesday, April 21st at 9:30 PM or on Thursday, April 22nd at 2:00 PM.
I spent the day in Moorhead, MS with Desiree Hensley and the Ole Miss Civil Legal Clinic class shooting footage for a profile about the program. It’s a great service that this group provides and a wonderful opportunity for Ole Miss Law students. I know I sound like a broken record here but stay tuned for more info on this project and the finished video.
– Matthew
More pics. This time from an upcoming profile video on a Tax clinic offered to Oxford residents with volunteers from the University’s School of Accountancy.
Here’s an excerpt from a panel on Literary Oxford that author John Grisham led during the 2010 Oxford Conference for the Book. Grisham tells the story of a previous conference he attended with authors Barry Hannah and Stephen King.
Here’s a few pics from an upcoming profile video I’m producing on the Ford Center. I spent the morning shooting the load-in of tonight’s show “Porgy and Bess”. I’ll head back tonight to grab some footage during the performance. You might be wondering why all the pictures of upcoming profile videos and no videos yet. Well, never fear! This week and next I’ll spend most of my time collecting footage for several upcoming profile videos and then begin the process of compiling them together. Then, when you just can’t stand it any longer, I’ll unveil several new profile videos to the world! Stay tuned.
-Matthew
The Overby Center hosted a unique press conference style conversation with Govemor Barbour this week. Karen jostled for position to make sure we could record the event, which will be on OMTV soon.
I was searching for a file the other day and I came across this short animation video we did for the Summer College for High School Students program. It was a fun video to make however it may contain the absolute worst impression of Fox News’ Shepard Smith ever. Regardless, let’s dust this baby off add it to the list. For more information on the program click here.
– Matthew
Congratulations to Mississippi Teacher Corp alumni Danielle Hall for winning District Teacher of the Year. Danielle was featured in our recent Academic Profile video about the Mississippi Teacher Corps. Danielle teaches math H.W. Byers High School outside of Holly Springs. Click here to watch the profile video. Congratulations Danielle!
I started shooting footage today for a new Academic Profile Video. This one will focus on the Scuba Diving class offered by Campus Recreation. It’s a unique opportunity for Ole Miss students to learn and practice Scuba Diving. Stay tuned for more info and the finished video. To watch some of the other profile videos click here.
– Matthew
Last week I had the opportunity to speak with a journalism class at West Union High School outside of Oxford about the type of production we do here at Media and Documentary Projects. As you can see from the photo, the students were highly engaged. Just kidding. I snapped this after they left…I promise. Thanks to Greg Hawks for the invite who has already asked for a follow up visit.
-Matthew
Here is the latest addition to our series of academic profiles. This video highlights the Speaker’s Edge competition at the School of Business Administration. Our goal is to produce around 10 – 15 more of these profile videos over the course of the semester so be on the lookout for new additions.
The below 8mm film was shot in 1937 at a track meet in Jackson, Mississippi. The film was brought to us by Oxford resident Margaret Grantham. The film was shot by her father, and we are very thankful that she is allowing us to share these clips with you. Who knows, someone out there may see a relative in this bunch of track contestants. Let us know if you do!
Also, as a reminder, be sure to search your family’s attics and cedar chests for gems like this. If you’ve got old 8mm or 16mm films from your family’s history, contact us about preserving and transferring them soon! My number is 662-915-3475.
Thanks,
Micah Ginn
Media & Documentary Projects
The University of Mississippi
In our work here at Media & Documentary Projects we restore and transfer old 8mm and 16mm film. Occasionally a film is brought in that features a piece of history that has rarely, if ever, been seen. That is the case with the below film clips. This footage belongs to Alyce Smith Krouse of Oxford, and was shot by her grandfather, Armour Bowen from Memphis, in 1947. Alyce’s husband David brought this by yesterday and he and I stood in shock as these rare glimpses of “Blind” Jim Ivy flashed across the monitor. Adding to the treat are some great action shots of the match-up between the Charlie Conerly-led Rebels of ’47 and Chattanooga. All-American Conerly wears #42, and you’ll notice a favorite target of his is another All-American, #89 Barney Poole.
These clips should inspire us all to be diligent with our own home movies and make sure they are preserved and transferred before the images on them are lost to the ages. What a great glimpse at the gameday atmosphere of 1947. Thank you, David and Alyce, for allowing us to share these films with others.
If you know of anyone with a “Blind” Jim Ivy story, please have them contact me, Micah Ginn, at 662-915-3475. We are currently compiling interviews toward a documentary on Blind Jim, and would love to hear from you!
Thanks,
Micah Ginn
**the film is silent
Joe York’s Media and Documentary Projects film has received a new round of distribution on public television stations across the country. It was a pleasant surprise to find Saving Willie Mae’s Scotch House listed on WKNO this evening. To date, Willie Mae’s has aired on over 20 public television stations and that number will continue to grow with the latest distribution.
This week the Media and Documentary Projects Center traveled to McComb and Tupelo to address the Mississippi Arts Commission festival and event coordinator’s workshops (co-sponsored by the Mississippi Development Authority). 
Andy, Matthew, and Micah hit the road and we used this blog entry to show how easy it is to create content on the fly for websites with the WordPress application for iPhone. Thanks to Southern Studies graduate and MAC Heritage Director Mary Margaret Miller for the invitation.
Dr. Samir Husni was in the audio booth today for an interview with NPR’s Jim Zarroli. Professor Husni, who is better known in the publishing world as Mr. Magazine discussed the future of magazines with a specific emphasis on new releases.
Click below to hear Mr. Magazine’s thoughts on the current advertising cycle.
Here are some set-up pics from today’s shoot at Tad Smith Colliseum. Micah Ginn and Matthew Graves are producing an update to the successful “Basketball Giants” spot for the Ole Miss Men’s Basketball team. Apparently, this blue cloth was all that was holding Karen (pictured) back from grabbing the players. Check back soon for the finished spot.
In 1949, the stars fell on Oxford, Mississippi, and stayed for a few months; just long enough to shoot the film adaptation of William Faulkner’s novel “Intruder in the Dust”. The film premiered in Oxford on October 11, 1949, at the Lyric Theater. Sixty years later, the Oxford Film Festival hosted a party and screening on October 3, 2009, to commemorate the premiere at the renovated Lyric Theater. This documentary about the making of “Intruder in the Dust” was created by Joe York for the 60th Anniversary celebration.
Smokes & Ears tells the story of the Big Apple Inn in Jackson, Mississippi. Known as “Big John’s” by its faithful customers, the Big Apple Inn’s defining duo of pig ear sandwiches and hot smoked sausage sandwiches (known as “smokes”) has kept folks coming back again and again for over 70 years, and counting.This short film was produced and directed by Joe York at the University of Mississippi’s Media & Documentary Projects Center in association with the Southern Foodways Allliance. The film debuted at the 2009 Southern Foodways Symposium as part of an awards ceremony recognizing Geno Lee, owner of The Big Apple, as the 2009 Ruth Fertel Keeper of the Flame Award Winner.
Here is the newest addition to the SEC Academic Network site. This video profiles the Mississippi Teacher Corps housed at the University of Mississippi. It focuses on recent Teacher Corps grad Danielle Hall who teaches math at H.W. Byers High School outside of Holly Springs. Special thanks to Ben Guest, Andy Mullins, Danielle and her entire class for their help with this video. The Teacher Corps truly is an amazing program and a welcomed addition to this series that highlights the programs and people of Ole Miss.
-Matthew
This semester the Media and Documentary Projects Center has been working with The Center for the Study of Southern Culture to create a radio series called “Sounds of the South.”
These short profiles will showcase articles from the New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture Music Volume.
MDP’s Joe York and Southern Studies graduate intern Jesse Wright are producing the pieces along with Ted Ownby, Director of the CSSC. Charles Reagan Wilson,
former CSSC director, and General Editor of the New Encyclopedia is the on-air talent.
Listen to a sample from the first batch featuring Jelly Roll Morton.
“Lunches and Learning”
“Landmines and Levees”
Here are the 2009 University of Mississippi Institutional Spots that we have produced over the course of the semester for University Brand Services.
I spent the day with Teacher Corp grad Danielle Hall who teaches high school math at HW Byers High School outside of Holly Springs yesterday. I’m producing a profile video on the Mississippi Teacher Corp as the latest addition to the SEC Academic Network site. Check back soon for the finished video.
-Matthew
This was the intro video we produced for the 2009 Alumni Hall of Fame Ceremony. It offers a brief look back at where this University has come and where it’s going and serves as good example of the mission of this department and the need to document the stories of this University. Produced by Micah Ginn and Matthew Graves. Edited by Matthew Graves. Happy Thanksgiving!
Promotional video produced for the E-Appeal fundraising email at the University of Mississippi. Produced by the Media and Documentary Projects Center. Edited by Matthew Graves
Earlier we posted about student intern Alyssa Manhold’s profile of UM Senior Daverin Geralds featured on ESPNU (see Making a Campus Connection). Below is the finished piece which broadcast on national television. Nice job Alyssa and Daverin.
The Media and Documentary Projects Center worked with Jamil Northcutt in the Athletics Dept. to produce this video as a means of encouraging fans at the games to recycle. The spot was produced to be played at home games between the 3rd and 4th quarter, with a dual purpose: Remind everyone to recycle and to get ready for the “crunchtime” of the 4th quarter.
Produced by Jamil Northcutt, Matthew Graves, Andy Harper, and Micah Ginn.
Check out the newest addition to the SEC Academic Network. This short retrospective highlights the tremendous efforts of the University of Mississippi in preparing for last year’s Presidential debate.
This video tells the story of Mario Hilliard, a 2009 graduate of Ole Miss, who was selected as the stand-in for then Senator Barack Obama for the TV rehearsals of the 2008 Presidential Debate at the University of Mississippi.
