CLIENT: NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION // ROLE: VIDEO EDITOR, CAMERA OPERATOR, VISUAL DIRECTION
THE NEED
For years, many underrepresented communities of colour have been making strides within and building pathways for others into the largest tech companies in the world.
And while these companies have opened their doors to and committed to building more diverse teams, how do you solve for the stigma? How do you inspire communities of colour to engage in your recruitment process and shift perspectives as they author the next chapters of your company’s story?
The Approach
While at Creative Theory Agency, we partnered with the National Trust for Historic Preservation to create a documentary video series that compelled viewers and organizations to invest in NTHP’s efforts to preserve Historic Black Churches.
With this is mind, we formulated a strategy catered to the three locations that the National Trust aimed to highlight, and dove into the histories of those churches. We crafted a storytelling formula that educated, inspired, and emphasized the distinct roles each of these churches plays within their communities and the culture at large.
Deliverables
We delivered three short documentary-style videos, with two social cutdowns per asset. The ultimate intention of these assets was to inform, educate, and compel current and future donors to support the work of historical preservation and inspire the next generation of Preservationists.
Alabama
This film focused on Civil Rights landmarks, 16th St. Baptist Church, Montgomery, Alabama & Brown AME Church, Selma, Alabama. It speaks of the historical significance of both of these churches, which were pillars of not just their own Black communities, but the Black community nationwide.
16th St. was infamously bombed on a Sunday morning by the Klu Klux Klan, killing four Black girls, and permanently blinding another. Brown AME was the center of operations for the Selma to Montgomery March in 1965 for Black voter rights.
Los Angeles
This film focused on the church that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. considered his church home on the West Coast, Second Baptist Church, Los Angeles, California, and the Architectural contributions of world-renowned Black Architect, Paul R. Williams.
This Church was a pillar of the Black community nationwide, operating as a center for many center figures during the Civil Rights Movement Era and a pillar for the local community through its multi-functional use. It is one of the many lasting contributions of Paul R. Williams and his architectural and communal legacy in Los Angeles.
Kentucky
This film focused on the National Trusts for Historic Preservation’s commitment to all types of Historic Black Churches. Whether large, small, rural, or metropolitan, beacons of the Civil Rights Movement or cornerstones of their communities. This film aims to display the commitment to preserving the vast range of commitment that NTHP holds to Black History. The churches highlighted were: Burkes Chapel, Paducah, Kentucky & St. James AME Church, Mayfield, Kentucky.
Project Team
Alabama:
Head of Production & DP: Trivell Miller
Creative Producer & Director: Danielle Burgess
Camera Operator & Video Editor: Trevor Wentt
Mixing Engineer: Taeetheproducer
Los Angeles:
Head of Production & DP: Trivell Miller
Creative Producer & Director: Danielle Burgess
Video Editor: Trevor Wentt
Camera Operator: John Cain Carney
Mixing Engineer: Clean Cuts
Kentucky:
Head of Production & DP: Trivell Miller
Creative Producer & Director: Danielle Burgess
Visual Direction & Video Editor: Trevor Wentt
Production Coordinator: Fadwa Ward
Camera Operator: Adémòlá Ogunnaike
Mixing Engineer: Clean Cuts