For two weeks in February 2008, actor /improviser/ teacher Rachel Hamilton and I attended the extraordinary documentary workshop taught in Clarksdale, Mississippi by Chandler Griffin of barefoot workshops. I loved it so much I went back for the 2009 workshop.

 

Rachel and I partnered on making a 12 minute documentary about two blues musicians, Bill “Howl-N-Madd” Perry and Richard “Daddy Rich” Crisman, who teach students of all ages in the Delta Blues Museum’s Arts and Education program. It was a joy to study in this workshop and make this film. (See below for more info and other films.)

 

 

 

 

BAREFOOT WORKSHOPS is an incredible organization run by Chandler and his wife Alison Fast. They travel the world teaching empowering filmmaking techniques and also doing relief projects in many countries. Go to their website to see the scope of their projects, and films from their workshops.

 

Here are other films made by Mississippi workshop participants in 2009:

 

Crossin’ All the Boundaries - by Brooke Bassin and Rebecca Parrish about residents of Clarksdale as they prepared for the 2008 presidential primaries.

 

A Motherload of Trophies - by Karim Amara and Kristin Daly is a portrait of Bill Talbot and other co-owners of the Shack Up Inn, where we all stayed. They are enthusiastic collectors of everything they can get their hands on.

 

Called to Shine - by Amy Benson and Chris Thompson is about Assistant Pastor Dr. Dorothy Shaw at Sunshine Missionary Baptist Church, who is breaking new ground from behind the pulpit while keeping the traditions of the church alive. (There are other wonderful documentary projects on this page.)

 

Creative Crossroads - by Win Graham, Tristan Wheelock and Sichendra Bista is a conversation between three different visual and performing artists in the Clarksdale, MS community. AWARD WINNER, CROSSROADS FILM FESTIVAL, JACKSON, MS

 

As A Man Thinketh - by Florencia Davidzon and (Atlantic alum) Ben Mathews is an examination of racism through the life and experiences of Clarksdale native Floyd Graham.