Past Filmmakers

Iris Thompson Chapman
The Life & Times of Joe Thompson

1) How did you come up with the idea for the film?
My initial intention was to do a manuscript on Joe and Odell and their music.  I began by doing short vignettes, and I gave them song titles from Joe and Odell's repertoire based on an event or a period in their lives.  The story that Joe tells about how he got started playing the fiddle, I called “Hook and Line” because that was the first song that Joe ever played.  But publishers wanted a documented manuscript at that time, and I felt that too much of the local color would be lost in that kind of publication.  I then decided to do an exhibit, and I wanted it to be interactive, where contemporary students would enjoy, thus I knew that whatever I created had to have a live component—thus a video.

2) How long did the production process take?
The production process took three years.

3) What challenges did you experience in the creation of the film?
One of the basic challenges that I have experienced is the lack of funding, for I hadn't realized the exorbitant cost of media production.  Initially, I had to let go the first editor, and in doing so, had to transfer film from one editing machine to another, all of which added to the cost of production.  Besides this fact, there were times when I had to invest my own money in the project to keep it afloat.  Dealing with and securing permissions for intellectual property has created a challenge as well.

4) What is your favorite memory from creating the film?
My favorite memory was discovering the ending to the video. Allen Rosenthall, film producer, says that a producer must pay attention to the rushes he/she has, which are great shots that the producer gets through no effort on his/her part, shots I believe come from providence.  I ended the video with a rush. 

I took William, my nine-year-old, with me on some of the shoots.  One day Joe sat teaching him the fiddle and then he passed the fiddle to William.  When I saw all of this going on, I asked my videographer to take pictures of them, thinking I would have this footage for me and William to gloat about in our later years.    Much to my surprise, when I saw the scene alive, I rewrote the ending to say:

“Joe has given himself and his music to the world, and because of who he is, he will continue to share his music and teach others until he finds that generation to whom he can pass his bow.”

5) When people have finished watching the film, what do you hope they take away from the experience?
I hope viewers will not only be enthralled by Joe's music but also by his character.  I want them to realize Joe in a larger and more complete context because he has certain values and work ethics that are clearly lost today, and those values assisted me in telling his story.  Also, his life represents an icon for many who have lived and worked in Orange and Alamance townships of the North Carolina piedmont.  Joe attended the High Rock Elementary School in Orange County.  It was situated on a two-acre plat that his father donated in order that a school could be constructed for black children. 

6) What type of reaction has your film received from viewers?
Thus far, viewers have responded favorably to the film.  Basically, they marvel over the music, the Thompson Family generational ties to the music, and the connection that their music made to racial harmony in the small townships.  Further, I gathered from the evaluation that viewers wanted to see more of Joe playing.

7) What advice would you give to aspiring young filmmakers?
I would say to a novice that first you need to understand what it is you want to do, and chisel away at that point until you are able get just those special interviews, shots, etc. needed without waste of time, film or money.

8) Please tell us about the next film you plan to work on.
Because of the funding or the lack thereof, I probably would not do another video any time soon.  If I had the funding, I would love to do a piece on African-American World War II Veterans because they're dying daily by the thousands.

9) What are your thoughts on the film industry in NC?
We are fortunate to have access to a major film industry in our state and training is available right near us (Wilmington, NC) in every area of the industry.