As an ardent admirer of the film industry and its trailblazers, I find myself deeply inspired by the journey and accomplishments of Jeff Nichols and Kathryn Tucker. Their relentless pursuit of promoting Southern storytellers through Arkansas Cinema Society (ACS) is nothing short of commendable.
As a movie enthusiast, I firmly believe that small stones can indeed create big waves in the vast ocean of cinema. That’s what I see Jeff Nichols, an Arkansas native, and his co-founder Kathryn Tucker, aiming to demonstrate through their organization, the Arkansas Cinema Society. Year after year, they strive to bring talented Southern storytellers to Little Rock, our state capital, in an effort to enrich our local cinematic landscape.
The main focus of ACS’ activities is the annual Filmland event, which is a mix of a festival and conference. This event invites Nichols’ friends and past colleagues to exhibit and discuss their work. Although ACS operates throughout the year, it’s particularly known for its support of the local film community, both amateur and professional. They organize screenings of movies in Arkansas that might not receive much attention otherwise, including Oscar nominees like “The Zone of Interest” and “Anatomy of a Fall.”
Approximately eight years ago, Nichols recognized the necessity of a centralized team to connect with the local film community. “I had brought ‘Loving’ back to Little Rock so I could share it with friends and family,” the director reminisces, “but there wasn’t even an email list.” So, Nichols contacted Tucker, a friend from high school, to discuss initiating a project aimed at fostering film knowledge and motivating young Arkansans to consider a career in the industry.
Tucker, an alumna of the Directors Guild Training Program, previously worked in marketing at Miramax in LA, then transitioned to producing independent films. Yet, she managed to maintain strong connections in Little Rock. Her sibling is a state senator, and she’s well-acquainted with several influential figures in Arkansas. This network becomes advantageous when pursuing her vision for ACS: “The key is improving our film incentive to attract larger-budget movies to Arkansas, keeping local filmmakers here and compensating them similarly to what they’d earn in Oklahoma or Georgia.”
Until that issue is addressed, Arkansas risks losing film productions and artistic talent to states offering more appealing tax incentives. However, Tucker and Nichols are actively working on finding solutions. Last year, their organization showcased the Oscar-nominated short documentary “The Barber of Little Rock” at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, with mayor Frank Scott Jr. leading a Q&A session featuring community bank advocate Arlo Washington following the screening.
As per John Hoffman, one of the directors of “Barber”, they designed the short film centering around Washington, but to bring it to life, they sought assistance from ACS. John Hoffman stated, “Our teams were a mix of those who traveled in and locals from Little Rock. They were instrumental in guiding us towards freelance crew members and equipment: sound, lighting, camera operators, production assistants. We always felt that we had reliable support.”
As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’ve found a unique way to give back to the independent filmmaking community, much like Richard Linklater did with the Austin Film Society. Just as Nichols, who’s been a Texan since film school graduation, was inspired, I too am contributing through the Alliance of Creative Souls (ACS).
In the warm embrace of early summer, I, an ardent film enthusiast, embark on a journey inspired by Reese Witherspoon – hosting a Filmmaking Lab for Teen Girls. We gather a group of 10 to 15 creative minds, nurturing their ideas into compelling narratives. They pitch their stories, collaborating to choose the one we’ll bring to life. As a guide, I lead them through scriptwriting, pre-production, shooting, editing, and sound design, culminating in a short film they can proudly present when applying to college.
As a follower, I recognize that ACS considers its annual Filmland event as not just a social gathering, but also a powerful fundraising instrument. This event attracts notable sponsors such as Panavision and the Tyson Family Foundation. One unique aspect that our standalone screenings lack is the opportunity for filmmakers to network, fostering connections that can lead to collaborative movie-making endeavors. As Tucker puts it, “What our one-off screenings don’t offer is this platform for filmmakers to connect with each other and create movies together.”
At Filmland, they’re stepping up to the plate for four days, offering screenings, workshops, and social gatherings. This year, they’re introducing the Southern Storytellers Panel, with Michael Schwartz (“Los Frikis”), Christy Hall (“Daddio”), and Clint Bentley (“Sing Sing”) as participants. EbMaster will be hosting this panel at this year’s Filmland gathering.
In my perspective as a storytelling enthusiast, I’ve come to appreciate the power of regional authenticity in storytelling. Who would have imagined that tales set in rural southeast Arkansas could strike a chord in France, even at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival? Yet, it has happened. I stand as proof of this phenomenon, and I believe it’s due to our current era where specificity holds significant value.
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2024-08-13 18:47