Appalachians Speaking for Themselves in the 1970S and 80S
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
University of Kentucky UKnowledge Theses and Dissertations--History History 2014 Appalshop Genesis: Appalachians Speaking for Themselves in the 1970s and 80s Catherine N. Herdman University of Kentucky, [email protected] Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Herdman, Catherine N., "Appalshop Genesis: Appalachians Speaking for Themselves in the 1970s and 80s" (2014). Theses and Dissertations--History. 19. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/history_etds/19 This Doctoral Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the History at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations--History by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STUDENT AGREEMENT: I represent that my thesis or dissertation and abstract are my original work. Proper attribution has been given to all outside sources. I understand that I am solely responsible for obtaining any needed copyright permissions. I have obtained needed written permission statement(s) from the owner(s) of each third-party copyrighted matter to be included in my work, allowing electronic distribution (if such use is not permitted by the fair use doctrine) which will be submitted to UKnowledge as Additional File. I hereby grant to The University of Kentucky and its agents the irrevocable, non-exclusive, and royalty-free license to archive and make accessible my work in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I agree that the document mentioned above may be made available immediately for worldwide access unless an embargo applies. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of my work. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of my work. I understand that I am free to register the copyright to my work. REVIEW, APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE The document mentioned above has been reviewed and accepted by the student’s advisor, on behalf of the advisory committee, and by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), on behalf of the program; we verify that this is the final, approved version of the student’s thesis including all changes required by the advisory committee. The undersigned agree to abide by the statements above. Catherine N. Herdman, Student Dr. Ronald Eller, Major Professor Dr. David Hamilton, Director of Graduate Studies APPALSHOP GENESIS: APPALACHIANS SPEAKING FOR THEMSELVES IN THE 1970S AND 80S DISSERTATION A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky By Catherine N. Herdman Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. Ronald Eller, Professor of History Lexington, Kentucky 2013 Copyright © Catherine Nicole Herdman 2013 ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION APPALSHOP GENESIS: APPALACHIANS SPEAKING FOR THEMSELVES IN THE 1970S AND 1980S Appalshop, a multi-media and arts organization in Whitesburg, Kentucky emerged in 1969 at the crossroads of several different developments. It started as a War on Poverty program and its history exhibits the contradictory ideologies that fueled that effort and the political changes that forestalled it. The production company began in the midst of technological advances in media and is an early example of the democratization of technology and the potential of portable video equipment in affecting social change. Most importantly, its genesis is located within the context of a renewed interest in Appalachian history and culture and the related issues of negotiating regional cultural identity in the American national context. This one small organization in Eastern Kentucky provides a window to a wide slice of American history and culture in the midst of profound changes. Throughout the twentieth century the Appalachian region has been repeatedly characterized in mainstream American culture in an overtly negative light. Appalshop played an integral role in countering these characterizations and the stereotypes they generated and reinforced. Technology became more accessible the second half of the twentieth century. As a result, Appalshop was able to challenge these negative perceptions of the region in the national mind by placing cameras, printing capabilities, drama, and visual art in the hands of Appalachians. This allowed them to speak for themselves—first to each other and eventually to the nation. This dissertation focuses on the founding of the Community Film Workshop of Appalachia, the subsequent abandonment of the project by the federal government, the acquisition of control over its artistic output by artists and staff members, and its expansion between 1969 and 1984. It also addresses the significant role Appalshop played in the burgeoning Appalachian social movement context that emerged concurrently with its founding and its related role as a social change organization. Keywords: TWENTIETH CENTURY US HSITORY, APPALACHIAN HISTORY, APPALSHOP, MEDIA AND SOCIAL CHANGE, DOCUMENTARY HISTORY Catherine N. Herdman Student’s Signature 11-25-2013 Date APPALSHOP GENESIS: APPALACHIANS SPEAKING FOR THEMSELVES IN THE 1970SAND 80S By Catherine Nicole Herdman Dr. Ronald Eller Director of Dissertation Dr. David Hamilton Director of Graduate Studies 11-25-2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures………………………………………………………………………………………v Chapter One: Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 Chapter Two: Seeking Avenues of Expression and Change: From the Community Film Workshop of Appalachia to Appalshop……..………….………….…25 Problem of Poverty……………………………………………………………....25 Community Film Workshops……………………………………………………30 Community Film Workshop of Appalachia……………………………………..33 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….53 Chapter Three: An Appalachian Consciousness Emerges….……...…..…………………………56 Community Film Workshop of Appalachia Films………………………………58 Press Coverage and Promotional Materials……………………………………..67 The Appalshop…………………………………………………………………..74 Appalachian Educational Media Project………………………………………...84 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….91 .Chapter Four: The “Great Leap Forward”……………………….………………………..……..94 June Appal………………………………………………………………………97 Roadside Theater……………………………………………………………......101 Photography…………………………………………………………………….107 Mountain Review Magazine..…………………………………………………..110 Films During ‘The Great Leap Forward”……………………………………….112 Video and Cable Television…………………………………………………….115 Distribution……………………………………………………………………...118 Film Screenings and Live Performances………………………………………..121 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………127 Chapter Five: Appalshop and Appalachian Social Movements……...……………..……...……129 Appalachian Social Movements-Antecedents and Influences………………….130 Appalshop and Appalachian Social Movements……………………………….134 Human History Project…………………………………………………………163 Institutional Changes and a New Building……………………………………..174 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………...178 Chapter Six: Conclusion-- Hope for the Future: Documentary, Identity, and Social Change..….184 Bibliography………………………………………………………………………….…………..195 Vita…………………………………………………………………………………………….....210 iv LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1, Appalachian Regional Commission Official Map of Appalachian Region and Subregions…………………………………………………..20 Figure 2, Appalachian Film Workshop’s Humble First Home……..………..…….41 Figure 3, Versions of Organizational Diagrams…………………….…...…………96 Figure 4, Red Fox’s Second Hangin’…………….………..………………………104 Figure 5, Subject Index…………………………………...……………………….162 Figure 6, Appalshop 1982-present………………………...……………………….178 v Chapter One Introduction “Appalachians Speaking for Themselves”—In the 1970s this goal inspired the founders and helped direct the development of one of the nation’s most important regional media, culture, and arts organizations. The simple idea underlying this slogan is pregnant with complexities about America in the second half of the twentieth century. The organization that became Appalshop emerged in 1969 at the crossroads of several different developments. Film production began in the midst of technological advances in filmmaking and Appalshop’s films were early examples of the potential of portable recording equipment. The new technologies available increased the utility and effectiveness of documentary film in social movements for justice, equality, and minority rights emerging from countercultures and minority groups that challenged the status quo in American society. Appalshop’s genesis was also an integral part of a renewed interest in Appalachian history, culture, and society—an Appalachian renaissance in the 1960s and 70s. This one small arts and media organization in Eastern Kentucky provides a window to a wide slice of American history, culture, and media in the midst of profound transformation. Appalshop began as the Community Film Workshop of Appalachia (CFWA), which was one of many Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO)-sponsored job training programs for minorities across the United States. Rapidly improving recording technology was part of the inspiration for the film programs because it made the processes easier and the necessary equipment more portable. The students at the CFWA were immediately more interested in filmmaking than in job training—in part because they had little hope of securing employment in the target fields without relocating away from home. The program required 1 three minute practice films, but the first