Ain’t No Daisies: Women on the Plantation From the beginning of the planter class and first enslaved peoples at Jamestowne, nothing about plantation life was simple. Ain’t No Daisies – Women on the Plantation examines the complexities of existing in this environment as a woman, particularly as the enslaved woman.
Tide Turners The US Colored Troops in Tennessee made an immeasurable contribution during the Civil War. Some 13,000 USCT fought at the Battle of Nashville, making it the highest number engaged in fighting up to that point in the war. Because of their participation, the war in Tennessee came to an end. They were masons, carpenters, teamsters, cooks. But above all, they were soldiers and brave men, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice.
Tide Turners is slated for delivery to American Public Television presented by WCTE/PBS
“This program has been funded by a grant from the Wars Commission Grant Fund, administered by the Tennessee Wars Commission, the Tennessee Historical Commission, Department of Environment and Conservation.”
The Hungry Professor
Join the Hungry Professor as he eats his way as a vegetarian around globe, while learning about rich history and soaking in vibrant cultures. This edition of The Hungry Professor takes us on a journey around Taiwan. 13% of the population in Taiwan are vegetarian or fully plant-based. That makes Taiwan second only to India with the highest percentage of non-meat eaters. And that’s the kind of food he be eating from the highlands to the islands, and everywhere between.
The Hungry Professor series will be presented to American Public Television (for air) by WCTE/PBS. It will also be presented to Worldtv, Create, and American Public Television distribution
In PRE-PRODUCTION
Silk Threads
Silk is strong, resilient, beautiful, and useful in a variety of ways. Like these fibers, Chinese immigrants, both historical, and contemporary, have brought these attributes to Nashville, making them a valuable part of the community.
Using interviews, archival images and newpaper clippings, along with B roll, Silk Threads will tell the story of Chinese immigration to Nashville. The stage will be set by taking a look at the initial wave of Chinese workers during Reconstruction, along with the biases and other challenges they faced; and the roles they held in the community. While it is integral to building the narrative and audience understanding, xenophobic events like the Chinese Exclusion Act, and how this socio-political history continues to shape views and impact contemporary immigrants, is not the focal point. Rather, the film will highlight the spirit of overcoming challenges, and celebrate the many cultural and business contributions that Chinese continue to make to the Nashville community today.
IN DEVELOPMENT
On the Other Side
Many concerns not faced by men added to the daily horrors of women interned during the Holocaust. Chances of survival for women were less than for men; and to aid in survival, women often coped in gender-specific ways, such as forging a network of relationships to foster a sense of emotional sustenance. There were also other, less than desireable, ways to faciliate survival… at least for a time, such as “volunteering” to be a participant in a network of prostitutes created by the SS. However, becoming pregnant was essentially a death sentence. At times, the nurses would kill the baby in order to spare the mother the gas chamber. On the Other Side investigates and compassionately considers concentration camp life as experienced by women.
The Disappearing Rainbow
The rainbow has come to symbolize many things over time- luck, promise, Pride. But for many identifying as trans during the terrifying Nazi regime of Hitler, the colors of the rainbow became identifiers of a different kind. Colors were assigned in the form of triangles with black being the color ascribed to anyone considered to be “asocial”.
The Disappearing Rainbow will explore this topic through a creative lens, utilizing a poetic documentary style.