Greenwood Cemetery Film Series Launches at Belhaven University
Belhaven University film students in Jackson, Mississippi, are producing a series of short documentaries for Greenwood Cemetery to revitalize the historic site’s digital presence. Supported by funding from the Mississippi Humanities Council, the collaboration features student-led films that highlight the cemetery’s historical figures and its role as a significant community green space.
Production of the Greenwood Cemetery Film Series
The film series project emerged after Greenwood Cemetery approached the Belhaven University film program to develop short-form content for its website. According to Film Production Department Chair Joey Nelms, the initiative allows students to apply classroom techniques, such as focus pulling and interior lighting, to real-world documentary storytelling. Students have full creative liberty to explore various genres, including narrative and experimental formats.
One project, titled “David Buck and His Bees,” was created by junior film major Alex Johnson. Johnson collaborated with his father, Craig, to compose a 1970s-inspired funk score for the six-minute film. The student used audio sampling to layer interviews with beekeeper David Buck over the music, a technique intended to emphasize the subject’s respect for the bees and their benefit to the local community.
Context and Historical Significance
Greenwood Cemetery occupies a central position in downtown Jackson, serving as a large green space that historically hosted public gatherings. Nelms noted that the site was once a popular destination for families to picnic, similar to a miniature version of Central Park. The cemetery grounds feature diverse flora, including magnolias, towering oaks, and wisteria, providing a backdrop for the students’ historical research.
The student films document the lives of several figures buried at the site, such as Jones S. Hamilton, Lewis T. Fitzhugh, Lucius Lamar Mayes, and Lucy Tapley. According to Nelms, the research process for these films involves archival database work and visits to local museums to reconstruct the stories of individuals like Tapley, who is identified as the first female voter in Mississippi history.
Future Outlook for Local Filmmaking
Department chair Joey Nelms expects the film series to continue in future semesters as a recurring component of the curriculum. He expressed a hope that these projects will encourage students to remain in Jackson and contribute to a growing culture of cinematic artmaking in the state. By focusing on contemporary Mississippi life, Nelms believes the program can provide a more nuanced view of the region to both local and external audiences.
As the department continues to organize these productions around student assignments, the primary goal remains the creation of a “poetic experience through cinema.” Future installments could further expand the scope of the project, potentially highlighting more modern, contemporary stories that originate from the local community.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Greenwood Cemetery film project funded?
The project is funded by the Mississippi Humanities Council, which provided the cemetery with resources to revamp its website and online presence through short-form digital content.
Who are some of the historical figures featured in the films?
The series highlights individuals including writer Eudora Welty, the cemetery’s namesake Lewis T. Fitzhugh, Jones S. Hamilton, Lucius Lamar Mayes, and Lucy Tapley.
Where can the public view the completed films?
The videos from the Greenwood Cemetery Film Series are available for viewing on the project’s official YouTube page.
How might the continued documentation of Jackson’s historical sites influence the way residents perceive their city’s public spaces?