Kristy Andersen at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City

This small college in Jefferson City is surprisingly ranked one of the best Liberal Arts Colleges by US News & World Reports - surprising only because the college, with its quaint campus and brick buildings, is in a town that barely boasts a hotel. Its big city neighbor is Knoxville, less than an hour from woodsy Jefferson City (unless you mistakenly misread Johnson City as Jefferson and head 50 miles out of town before realizing your error - doh!). My host, Mark Borchert, has turned the Henderson Humanities theatre on the campus into a film screening room with an audio system that surpassed many where I've screened in newer more modern venues. They just don't make buildings like they used to. In fact, the screening was flawless. The students ranged from Communications to Theatre to English majors, the faculty reflected the same, and it appeared there were some civilians in the audience. I had a feeling that this was new information to these students, that they had not pondered the Harlem Renaissance to any degree. But I'm sure Dr. Bethany White will make sure that what they learned about Zora Neale Hurston stays with them.

Do No Harm at Carson Newman College, Jefferson City, TN

I was having trouble posting photos earlier, so I split this up into two posts. Susanne and I went exploring Jefferson City and Morristown. Kim Stapleton, who runs The Minnis House B&B, where we stayed, was so generous in giving us her advice and suggestions. The Minnis House is a beautiful old home that the Stapletons have completely restored. It's got their history and its own mixed together and was a great way to feel like we were at home. Kim pointed us to a well right across the highway from the house where Mr. Houston, who has since passed away, once cured his kidney disease by only drinking this water. Since then, people come from all over the area to fill up their water jugs because of it's healing power. Some people say they've never had cavities, or been seriously ill.


Then, we headed over to Panther Creek Park for a hike around Cherokee Lake, a huge lake just 15 minutes away. That was spectacular. For two old friends this was a magical day - we got to spend some time outside together (we never get to do that - we're usually in the editing room together) and really got to know town.


After the hike we drove into Morristown, which is a great old town, and Karen Borchert, a local minister and wife of Mark Borchert, joined us for lunch. We told Mark later that she is truly the nicest person we have ever met.

Do No Harm at Carson Newman College, Jefferson City, TN

Last night's screening at Carson Newman College was exciting. There were a lot of film students there, some of whom are about to create their own films. We spent some time with them after the screening hearing about their film ideas and talking about process. We also shared equipment...here are their photos...









We hope that they'll share their films with us and stay in touch.

REPORTER -- first night

Carson-Newman College.

I flew into Knoxville, Tennessee from New York. Then a drive to Jefferson City, Tennessee. Pro-life billboards. Church after church. The diversity of America awes me. I went to college at the University of Georgia, and I've only been back to the southeast once since then.

We had a good screening on the beautiful campus of Carson-Newman. A very thoughtful and considerate group of students. Some film majors. A good amount of fire in their eyes about filmmaking, social issues, career-building. We talked Congo, warlords, Kristof, making a living, making your first film, etc. A few kids stayed after and asked more specific questions. Students always want advice about how to become a filmmaker. My answer is always: make a film, as cheaply as possible.

Now I'm at a lovely Bed & Breakfast -- The Minnis House. Highly recommended. Some warm conversation, mashed potatoes and lima beans. Cozy, cozy, cozy. Off to Georgia tomorrow.

Dear Lemon Lima at Carson Newman College

I’m just flying back to LA after my brief trip to Jefferson City Tennessee (home of Carson Newman College and perhaps the friendliest folks I’ve met in a long while). My journey started with an hour-long drive from the Knoxville airport to The Minnis House, a charming bed and breakfast in New Market, where I stayed for the duration of my trip. My GPS failed me as I somehow managed to get lost finding the place. Thank god for the friendly kids at Subway who steered me back in the right direction.

After a restful nights sleep on a surprisingly comfy memory foam mattress (I want one now!) I ate a homemade breakfast, courtesy of Kim Stapelton (the owner and resident mom of Minnis House) and headed into town to meet Mark Borchert, a professor and my host at the college. I had the pleasure of speaking to Mark’s Intro to Film class where I showed a few clips from Dear Lemon Lima and discussed the joys and woes of independent film producing. The students were incredibly engaged and my nerves quickly settled as hands popped up to ask questions, relieving me from having to hear myself drone on for the better part of an hour.

I then met up with my sister’s boyfriend’s aunt (can ya follow that!), who drove in over an hour from Lenoir County to have a drink with me and come to the screening later that evening. Trying to find a cocktail was a journey in and of itself—Jefferson is apparently a dry county so alcohol can’t be purchased anywhere in the city. Needless to say we satiated our thirst, had a lovely fireside chat and headed back to the college for the screening. I was pleasantly surprised to see many of the kids from Mark’s class back to see the rest of the film. The film was well received and I held a brief Q&A session afterwards.

Once the auditorium had a cleared, I hung back with Mark and a few of his students who told me of their aspirations to become writers, directors and tech gurus. Jason, one of the senior film students, was heading to Los Angeles the following semester for a “semester abroad” type program wherein he would receive credit for his yet-to-be determined internship in LA. One thing I noticed while visiting Carson Newman was that every time Mark introduced me he always mentioned that I had “come in all the way from Los Angeles.” This, without fail, was followed by “oohs” and “aahs” as if LA was some far off magical place that wasn’t a 4 hour Delta flight away. And maybe it’s because I grew up in LA and have worked there for the past 5 years that I’ve become a bit jaded, but LA just hasn’t had that magical something for me for a long time. It’s where the girls are fake, the guys sleazy and everyone is trying to be someone they’re not. But in Jefferson, LA is where dreams come true and the possibilities are endless. As I saw Jason light up with excitement for his impending internship, I was reminded of what it felt like to be 19. When anything was possible and when all of your dreams would come true. I feel old and cheesy writing this--but as I head back to LA, where breakfast is a tall soy latte, alcohol flows-a-plenty and sitting in an hour of traffic to see a friend seems unfathomable, I realize that over the past year, I’ve gotten to travel all over the country and abroad with a movie that I love and got to produce. So, I think I'm a pretty lucky girl and maybe dreams really do come true in lalaland.