Stanley Nelson Visits CCNY

The City College alumnus talks about his prize-winning filmsby Tahira Rhame.On Monday December 5, 2011 Emmy-winning maker of Freedom Riders, and MacArthur Genius award recipient, Stanley Nelson visited City College for a workshop. Nelson (CCNY '76) discussed his latest documentary Freedom Riders and offered inspiration to up and coming filmmakers and suggestions about how to survive in the film industry.Nelson’s visit to CCNY was intriguing and motivating to everyone who came to listen to him. Among those were students, teachers, and aspiring filmmakers. He spoke about his disappointments and accomplishments in the business of filmmaking.Nelson’s life story became the most fascinating detail of the event. He explained his passion for film, and how he overcame obstacles in his career to become successful. His first documentary, he said, took seven years to finish. "It's really hard to make a good film," he said.When he had graduated from film school he decided he was not going to take a job doing anything else but working in the film industry. He explained that every job he has had, has been in the film business.“Be serious about films, work on films, and see a lot of films," Nelson advised the audience. "You have got to outwork everyone else in this field and immerse yourself in to it. You have to really love it.”Nelson showed many clips of his documentaries that he has made over the years such as Two Dollars and a Dream, The Black Press, and Sweet Honey in the Rock. Of Freedom Riders, he noted, “I thought it could really make a good film by taking a piece of the civil rights movement, making a microcosm of it, and analyzing it.”He gave suggestions to filmmakers, “Try making a film you have some insight to,” Nelson advised. "Everybody wants to see something entertaining. Be in some ways entertaining.”"I thoroughly appreciated Nelson’s sharp tangible good insight and his experience," said Kyle Dixon, an education instructor who attended the event. "He helped to encourage and demystify us."Jodi Powell, an inspiring filmmaker, agreed. “This was an excellent event. I love that it was free,” she said. “He covered a lot of technical issues within the film industry that concern me.”Her favorite advice from the evening: "Always try something new."