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ireashia's avatar

Hi Elaine! I am Ireashia Bennett, a storyteller and filmmaker who is working on a film about my family's history and the Black histories and cultures that originated there. In your Q&A last night, I felt really resonate with the challenges of creating experimental non-fiction work. I am raising production funds so I can create a Proof of Concept of my film, which will become a feature-length film.

If you're interested to learn more, you can check out the film's rough synopsis and vision on my Seed&Spark campaign here: https://seedandspark.com/fund/backcountry-red-clay#story.

I would love to chat more with you about your experimental non-fiction work!

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Elaine McMillion Sheldon's avatar

I'm happy to chat anytime - email me through my website https://www.elainemcmillionsheldon.com/contact

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Dylbo Baggins's avatar

Really resonated with this. I keep looking for a good word that holds the idea of humanity being more important than ever. I believe it's what we're all starving for, even when we're unaware of it. The closest I've gotten is "aliveness." Whatever it is, I agree with you wholeheartedly.

This also reminds me of Wendell Berry and the story his daughter Mary tells in the appropriately named documentary "Look & See." Have you seen it?

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Elaine McMillion Sheldon's avatar

Thank you! I have see Look & See but it’s been years! I should revisit.

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Millie's avatar

hi Elaine! I’m a southern documentarian and this (and all your work) resonates with me so deeply. This is such a beautiful speech- thank you for sharing on here.

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Jeanette Stokes's avatar

Thank you so much for the talk and the film. Thanks for sharing WVA and the culture of coal with so many of us.

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Sam Scott's avatar

Loved this Elaine. It feels urgent to me as a storyteller (did documentary for a while. Haven’t retired but I’m

Writing more these days).

And I respond to that urgency with a sense of “I’m missing out not doing this. Not telling stories like this.”

But I think that’s missing the point. Slow down. Sit with. Embrace. I hear that in your words.

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