Jyllian Gunther and 'The New Public' on the Road

East Tennessee State University Our first screening on the tour - we drove from the Full Frame Festival in Raleigh Durham through torrential downpours and Blue Ridge mountain fog so thick we could not see two feet in front of us. 5 hours later we emerged at The Carnegie Hotel in Johnson City - “where old world meets modern comfort” then to dinner with the faculty of  ETSU, who were gracious and super interesting - Shara K. Lange Assistant Professor, RTVF Director Department of Communication, Tammy Hayes, Director, Anita DeAngelis, Director, Heidi Ehle, Assistant Director, Mary B. Martin School of the Arts. The screening was attended by 68 people and our Q&A was enlightening. A few exchange students from China were floored at the way the school in our film was run, they said they could not believe it existed, and would be interested but scared to attend a school that allowed kids so much freedom.  It was a great first screening. Following day we met with Kim Hale, an interim associate dean in education, and Alison Barton, an associate professor in teaching along with Heidi and a few others. It was really interesting for both Penelope Falk, (film’s editor) and myself to get a sense of the education system in Johnson City, and it really felt gratifying that the film offered a platform to spark discussion for everyone. Western Carolina University The highlight of this screening was our cafeteria dinner with senior student, Jefferey Ray, who was also our host and MC’d the screening. There were about 25 audience members here and once again we were amazed by the similarities and differences the audience, a mix of both students and educators sited. They gave us a reception and served a cake with our name on it!  Educators expressed their frustration of being underfunded and overworked and in response to our tag line,  “It’s bigger than school -  Dr. Catherine Carr, Director of English Education Western Carolina University said AMEN!” PS:  We went horseback riding on our way to….
Clemson University Friday Night Lights! On a Wednesday. Aga Skrodzka-Bates hosted this screening, which had a packed audience. Afterwards, she told us that the film was her favorite of all from the Southern Circuit tour and she felt it made a great impact- who could ask for more? A student, Katie Capurso came up to us at the end and told us she wanted to stop the film in the middle to give one of the students in the film a hug.
Presbyterian College This was our favorite screening to date - and it wasn’t because we were staying in a luxurious farmhouse with goats and alpacas, thanks to Molly McGehee, Director, Southern Studies Program. The school’s campus was beautiful, the faculty took us to dinner and were amazing and fascinating people. They said it was their most packed house of the season - there were local hs teachers, educators and students from PC, the former Dean of the school, and the Superintendent of the school district, David O'Shields, not only came, but gave us a standing ovation!  Penelope and I were riveted by the audiences responses as they watched - usually we step out during the film, but the energy in the room was gripping and we could barely bring ourselves to miss any of it. The young people asked eye--opening and challenging questions, the educators applauded the schools honesty the way it did not push an agenda - was really wonderful all around.
Link Centre Got food poisioning, wah! So sorry to have missed this! Hope it was a great screening!
Georgia College and State University It’s post spring break finals week at college right now, which means folks are pretty busy, but a small group made it to our screening and we had a lengthy and intense conversation afterwards. At each screening, we hear from folks that there are ways in which the film highlights their own experiences and also surprises them with just how different things are. I was thrilled to meet Grace, a young woman who runs an LGTBQ organization and connected her Live Out Loud, and organization that supported JOhn Dargan, one of the main subjects of The Public. Thanks to Mary, Joe and Doug for their hospitality - a lovely dinner and a tour of the Georgia’s antebellum capitol!
The Arts Council University of North Georgia, Gainesville Great Q&A about both education and filmmaking, which was refreshing!  Of course, I enjoy talking about education issues, but it’s nice to share about the filmmaking process as well, especially with media students.  Also, appreciated Jeff Marker’s  Q&A style - very energetic and knowledgable - I bet he is also a great teacher. Jeff said our film was in high demand on the southern circuit --so  great to hear We had about 35 audience members, combo of students and educators. I love it when folks are not afraid to be critical or ask hard questions and a real debate gets started. We discussed what preparation BCAM school founders had and if it was enough - also, if there is ever enough. On the filmmaking front, one student was disappointed that we skipped from 1st year to 4th year - ulitmately, i took it as a compliment that he could have watch 2 more years, but I appreciate that he was not crazy about the jump in time, so I suggested he  watch the Michael Apted  7UP series…  : )  We stayed at a B&B in the woods - nice respit from Comfort Inn living. We’re looking forward to Memphis BBQUE in just a few hours and also meeting Brighid Wheeler who has been our point person for our Indie Memphis screening!
Indie Memphis Indie Memphis screening was everything we hoped for. Thanks for Brighid and Eric for making it happen. Their gigantic screen and a sound system allowed us to hear things we never even knew were in the film.  We had an amazing, passionate and knowledgable panel Marc E. Willis, Co-founder & CEO of Omni Schools Inc. Cardell Orrin, Memphis City Director of Stand For Children, Chris Caldwell, Shelby County school board, District 1, and moderated by Barbara Prescott, a former 3 term member of the Memphis City School Board (as President and VP.) We iphone video recorded this panel and will include it here in the days to come. Also, here’s a link to WKNO Memphis Public radio intvw by Kacky Walton with editor Penelope Falk and myself! https://soundcloud.com/jyllian-gunther/the-new-public-on-wkno-intvw-by-kacky-walton-feat-penelope-falk-jyllian-gunther
Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, College of Charleston School of the Arts Our last screening on our Southern Circuit tour could not have been more gratifying - only sorry we didn’t have more photos - was so caught up in the Q&A that I totally forgot to take snaps. (photos above are the theatre and the poster they made in a local cafe : )  Our audience members said one after another that they felt the film should be shown in every school in the country (!) and the Q&A was more like  testimonials of personal experiences from students, parents, and educators. ONe student said he went into teaching and after a year could not handle it, but wished he had been able to see The New Public before he did that which he felt would have prepared him for what to expect. A parent with two teens found the film so inspiring he asked if he could show the film to his kids who he felt were in crisis to help give them some perspective on perservering. A public defender noted that the film resounded with the same issues he faces in his work everyday - issues that cannot be addressed by one public insitution alone - not his own or schools. And many of the educators in the audience said they saw their own experience in the film and appreciated the way it didn’t vilify or glorify their job. Thanks to Lizz Biswell of the Halsey Institute for doing such a great intro and making it happen!

Sara Nodjoumi - Atlanta, Milledgeville, Gainesville, and a Winter Update

The latest update from Sara Nodjoumi, producer of The Iran Job, on her Southern Circuit tour:

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Sunrise flight to Atlanta

My Southern Circuit tour started with an uneventful early morning flight to Atlanta on Sunday. I say uneventful because we had two other people from our filmmaking team attend the first half of the tour and the forecast called for snow right before each of our trips. So getting to Atlanta and finding a sunny 60 degree day was a lot like being in heaven.  (Till, the director - attending the first three screenings, Julien, our Associate Producer - was at the next two and I was scheduled to do the last five.)

The drive to Milledgeville was supposed to be two hours but it took me three. My big secret in life is that I'm not really an experienced driver. I've only really started driving over the last few years and in 2013 I finally overcame my biggest fear which was driving on the highway. So renting a car and driving three hours was definitely a personal challenge and I'm glad to say I overcame it!

In Milledgeville, my lovely host Joe Windish gave me a tour of the Georgia College campus while the screening was taking place. After the Q&A and reception, some of the faculty and I went out for pretty awesome brick oven pizza. I was impressed that such a varied faculty hung out together and lucky to meet a couple of lovely Iranian professors. One of whom knew my parents back in the day in NY.

On the road to Gainesville

The next day was another two hour drive to Gainesville, which of course took me three hours - but I didn't mind - by that time I located NPR and the classic rock station so between the two I stayed entertained. (Sadly I couldn't find a good country music station which was one of the things I was looking forward to!). Southern charm and hospitality abound, my hosts Gladys, Jeff, and Alan where absolutely lovely and I think we had quite possibly the longest Q&A afterwards. And I mean that as a compliment -- it's lovely to be able to answer questions and hear audience reactions. I especially love presenting the film to folks who are not always in touch with many Iranians/Middle Eaterners.

My hosts in Gainesville

Next on the list was Auburn on Tuesday night, Memphis on Wednesday night and Charlotte on Thursday night. But every time I looked at the weather it seemed the looming ice storm and I were going to be heading in the same direction all week. After much back and forth, Teresa and I decided it would be best for me to cut my trip short and head back home. Sad as it was, I think it was the right decision considering the many cancelled flights and thick ice that's settled over most of the region.

Teresa and her team have definitely started something special and I wish them the very best for the remaining tours for this year. Maybe summer tours are a better idea considering the weird weather we're all experiencing.

April 18: Good Times in Gainesville

PHOTO CREDIT: AKYM SIMS

The Gainesville, Georgia screening took place in the Smithgall Arts Center, the Gainesville Art Council's beautiful historic building. The screening was well-attended by a mix of series regulars, film students, and a contingent of Olympic weightlifters. Truly one of my favorite screenings to date with great questions - and thoughtful moderation by Professor Jeff Marker of University of North Georgia. 

The screening room was set up with small tables and chairs facing the screen, which seemed to give the event a social dimension. 

Gainesville is one of the US's major Olympic weightlifting capitals - the town has produced several high caliber athletes who are now walking the path that Cheryl did several years ago.  Coach Stan Lutrell and Coach CJ Stockel brought some of their lifters and contributed a lot of insight to the film's story. I was touched by Coach Stockel's Facebook post the next day: 

"Hope Stockel and I, with the Luttrell clan were able to view Strong! tonight. WOW what a powerful movie about a Powerful person, Cheryl Hayworth. If you have not seen it, you're missing out. Julie Wyman presented Cheryl as the Champion she is and weightlifting as it really is. Having known Cheryl since she started weightlifting, it was refreshing that she is portrayed as the soft and compassionate person but tough competitor that she is. It shows the trials and tribulations that any elite athlete fights through to be the champion in life they are. It shows the strength of her family and how important that part of being an Olympian has to be. It reflects on the journey more than the moment of success.
As a father and coach of my daughter who is somewhere in the middle of her journey, having role models such as Cheryl A Haworth, Natalie Burgener, Doreen and Carissa Gordon Gump portrayed in the proper light is awesome. Thank you ladies for clearing the road for those who will come after you."

With Coach Lutrell, Coach Stockel, and other members of Team Georgia Weightlifting

Thanks again, SouthArts, and Gainesville for a great evening!

with hosts Gladys Wyant, Professor Jeff Marker and Professor David Smith PHOTO CREDIT: AKYM SIMS

The Journey of Production

Dramatic Road Shot

Gladys Wyant (The Arts Council), David Smith (Film Professor), 

Ashley Sabin (Director), and organizers of the screening

On Thursday The Arts Council of Gainesville, GA organized a screening of Girl Model at the University of North Georgia.  We introduced Girl Model on Valentine’s Day with the following caveat: “If you’re here tonight to see a romantic comedy, then you might want to leave now and go rent one.”

After the screening, David Smith, a professor from the Film Department at University of North Georgia moderated, a great Q&A that lasted about 45 minutes.  It’s always interesting to hear what an audience takes away from our films. This screening was no different.  One man asked, “So, when you make a documentary, you don’t know what the ending will be?” This question provoked a conversation about our process of filming events as they happen in real time with lived experiences. 

We begin our stories with a basic concept, whether it’s Mardi Gras beads, post-Katrina New Orleans, or models, and then follow an event, situation, or person outwards as it unfolds (see, www.carnivalesquefilms.com for our other films).  This mystery of the unknown is what draws us into the story.  We attempt to include this journey during the editing of the story, unfolding in similar ways that we – and our characters – experienced it.

Website: http://www.girlmodelthemovie.com

Facebook: girlmodelmovie

Twitter: @girlmodelmovie

Luke and Cory take Smokin' Fish around the South- Part 1

Deep thoughts while eating BBQ

11/11/12, day seven of the southern circuit. Allison and Teresa of South Arts have been politely inquiring when I might right a blog post. My mom, in um, more direct terms, has been demanding an update.

Over BBQ at the Fox Brothers here in Atlanta, Cory and I pretty quickly reached a consensus that we should do this again, although with more eating and less driving. Maybe we could take Amtrak instead of the rental car. Then we could eat on the train too. Amtrak is so civilized (and apparently not as chronically late as I remember it being in the west.)

Our first stop was Augusta Georgia. Our hotel was pretty classy.


We appreciated some art at the Morris Museaum.




And, despite it being election night, quite a few people turned out for the screening and Q and A.

Some folks seemed really, genuinely, touched by the film. And they wanted some fish.

Cory managed to sell some scarves our of the trunk of his car.


In the morning we drove to Clemson SC for a screening at Clemson University. We stopped for some fried chicken for breakfast.


Savage vs. Fried Chicken.


I think Savage is winning,


In Clemson we had a group of smart curious students which sadly we didn't take any photos of. A few were aspiring filmmakers. Our next stop, Gainesville, GA Saw a large turnout of mixed students and community members.






On our day off we visited Ganesha Howell, Stunt Driver and Production Assistant on Smokin' Fish at his new home in Asheville NC.


And we visited the Cherokee Indian Reservation.




We were speculating that a traveling Tlingit must have carved these totem poles.


We also wondered if he was just far from home or if psychedelics where involved. We also visited the Casino.


This is where Jabba the Hut hangs out.


The Bears where cool.


Cory really wishes he had thought of this business name.


And our last screening, yesterday in a renovated church in Hapeville Georgia. Another really good audience.


Tomorrow we drive to Clinton SC. I'll keep everybody updated.

-Luke

South Arts Stalwarts

Free day.  Take nap.  Catch up on blog.  Southern Circuit is a really good thing.  When folks in the independent film community ask what to do with all these films being produced that have trouble getting out there, look no further than the Southern Circuit.  There should be a circuit like this for every region of the country.  They have a great formula that just works.  That being said, keeping arts initiatives going is a struggle.  Pictured below, art at work near the Atlanta airport. A musician making a coffee shop surrounded by concrete come alive.

On the Clemson University/Gainesville Arts Council/Gainesville State College leg of the trip several conversations revolved around funding cuts for the arts.  To all those stalwarts keeping art alive, keep going.  You inspire folks like me to keep going.  Thank you Teresa and all the folks at South Arts. Thank you Gladys, for working tirelessly to set up arts events three evenings in a row.  Thank you Allison, for driving one hour to pick me up in Gainesville.  Thank you Amy, for struggling to find funding for Liberal Arts initiatives.  A few art stalwarts below.

On the bright side, Gainesville State College has developed a great film program under the leadership of Dr. Jeff Marker.  If you are interested studying film, I highly recommend their program.  If you are interested in Mexican food, though, check out Super Taco in Clemson.

It's always good to see "Otis" on the big screen and Anis on the stage.

SMALL, BEAUTIFULLY MOVING PARTS hits Gainesville, GA

I've finished day 3 of our tour ---- one could get used to the road. It's a pretty nice life.

My traveling-mother-in-law and I drove to Gainesville this morning, the poultry capital of Georgia. It's a quaint town with some good food and friendly people. Our first stop was lunch at 2 Dog, where a woman sitting next to us said she'd once owned a "dog bar" in New Orleans, catering to "doctors, lawyers, and gold diggers." We then had dessert at Inman's, where I had the spiciest Mexican Chocolate ice cream in the entire South (I'm sure of it).

The screening at the Gainesville Arts Council was really the best treat of all. Close to one hundred people were there for dinner outside, then our movie. It's been a while since I've seen it with such a big crowd (and this one was very engaged), so I stayed in the screening to watch.

Afterwards, Dr. Jeff Marker from Gainesville State interviewed me on stage, which was fun, and people had interesting questions and comments. A woman named Rosemary with a pink streak in her hair stuck around post-Q&A to ask my mother-in-law Daisy how she thought a friend of hers should approach telling her family about her interracial relationship. Daisy said to avoid the "GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER approach" and tell them before first introductions. We are in the South where everyone's direct! The crowd was lovely and thanks to Gladys at The Arts Council and the Gainesville State crew who were really on. We had a great night.

Linda Duvoisin from Gainesville, GA

Gainesville Screening

 GAINESVILLE GA.   We had our first screening last night in Gainesville GA.  Our beautiful evening started by getting a little lost on campus until a very kind professor offered to jump in our car and direct us to the proper venue.  No surprise to find out that Charles was a professor in philosophy.  It was wonderful to screen the film again and to have some of my family and friends on-hand - a great posse for the first screening!

Family and Friend Posse

Q & A with Jeff Marker

GSU film professor Jeff Marker led the Q&A and had some wonderful insights into the film.  On the whole it was a fantastic start to the series.  I look forward to our next screening on Saturday.  Julie Brunzell, a woman featured in the film, will be on hand - so it should prove to be another eventful evening.

Lemon bars and DVDs a killer combo

Meet Linda Duvoisin

Welcome Linda Duvoisin and her film, You Don't Know What I Got, to the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers! Her first screening is tonight at the Arts Council in Gainesville, GA. The show starts at 7:30 pm so get there early for the best seats!

About Linda: Linda Duvoisin is a partner at Mindflow Media, a Chattanooga-based television and film production company. She is a seasoned documentary filmmaker, and has worked for public television, Walter Cronkite, National Geographic, and Discovery Networks, among others over the course of her 20 year career. During that time, she has won numerous awards and accolades including an Individual Artist Grant for filmmaking from the Tennessee Arts Commission, several CINE Golden Eagles, a Silver Telly, and two regional Emmy nominations.

Linda's film will also screen in the following communities:

Hapeville, GA

Madison, GA

Manteo, NC

Orangeburg, SC

View the trailer:

Gift for the Village: Wrap Up

OK, so I know our tour has been over for a week now, but it's taken me that long to process the journey and look at photos, not to mention finally getting the laundry done.
The last two shows in Gainesville, GA and Manteo, NC were also great.

I rolled into Gainesville after a LONG drive from Orangeburg, with a short detour to see my Aunt Norma in a tiny town near Greeneville, SC called Due West. I surprised her and we had a nice lunch in her retirement complex (given the choice of shrimp or chicken tenders, I went with the shrimp.)


I arrived in Gainesville in time to see the chicken statue: a monument to Gainesville's status as the poultry capital of the world. The screening was well attended and afterwards there was a Q and A with Dr. Jeff Marker, Ph.D., a film professor at Gainesville State College. Then I wandered downtown Gainesville and found a nice little restaurant where I was able to eat an amazing bowl of shrimp and grits and watch my beloved Indiana Hoosiers lose to Kentucky in the NCAA basketball tournament.

I caught an early flight from Atlanta to Norfolk, VA, and then drove the two hours to the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina, where I was glad to see my co-producer of A Gift for the Village Jenna Swann, who had driven in with her fiance, Chet, to experience the last night of our SouthArts Tour. I was super glad she was able to be there, and happy to let her handle the introduction and most of the Q and A after the film.

And now it's back to work on my next film, which I hope will one day be chosen to be a part of a future SouthArts tour. I would do this again in a heartbeat.

From Orangeburg, SC to Gainesville, GA

Today was a day of driving, from Orangeburg, where we showed the film last night, to Gainesville, where we'll do it again tonight.

The show in Orangeburg was cool for several reasons. The film showed in the Stanback Planetarium and seeing on the curved dome screen gave the shots of the mountains in Northern Nepal a whole new scope and perspective. The students who attended the show were great: many didn't know where Nepal or Tibet were before the show, but the questions after were fun and smart.

I'd arrived early and spent over an hour walking through the Stanback Museum's current show - a Warhol retrospective that was VERY high quality and testimony to the curatorial skills of Ellen Zisholtz, who went the extra mile of giving me a place to sleep after the show, even though she had to get up early to take a group of museum curation students to Charleston first thing in the morning.

After leaving Orangeburg I headed toward Gainesville, but a conversation with my father reminded me that my aunt Norma lived along the way, so I stopped and had lunch with her and some friends at the Covenant Retirement community in Due West, SC. It turns out to be a good thing I did: Norma is moving back to California in a few months and it will be a lot harder to visit. Thanks for lunch, Norma!